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And we're so glad you all have been lovin' 52home. Janelle still owes us a picture today, I think; so check back soon.

Here are some funny moments two of our readers captured recently...

Anna's nephew got tired of shopping and found a perfect spot to sit down.

And this is how Nicole found her 22-month old Eli one night. "Maybe," she wondered, "this is why rails for toddler beds exist."

Her topic is “true beauty” from a biblical perspective. She wants to help women see through our culture’s false standard of beauty and false promises about beauty, so they might be free to pursue a beauty that is attainable, enduring, and precious in God’s sight.
 
I get to help her with this project, and we want to ask for your help too.
 
For us, book writing involves a whole lot of talking. We bat around ideas, consider all the angles, and even have a friendly debate or two.
 
And we want you to join our book conversation! We’ll post questions, and we’d be so grateful if you’d write in with your thoughts. (Please note: we may use your first name, so let us know if you want to be anonymous.)
 
So, are you ready to help us write this book?
 
Here’s our first question:
 
What questions or struggles do you have that you would like to see addressed in a book on beauty?
 
Please contact us or leave a message on our facebook page and tell us what you’re thinking.
 
And can we also ask you to pray? Our hearts desire is that God be glorified in the process and content of this book. You’ve prayed us through one book already and we’d be most grateful for those prayers again. Thank you friends!

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“It is the woman’s delighted yielding to the man’s lead that gives him freedom.  It is the man’s willingness to take the lead that gives her freedom.  Acceptance of their respective positions frees them both and whirls them into joy.” (Elisabeth Elliot, Let Me Be a Woman, p.185).

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Nicole, on behalf of my mom and sisters

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Thanks so much again for answering my mail about the 5 O’Clock Club. Things have been going better. Thanks so much for the phone under the pillow idea.  I have also worked on not stepping on the top step of our stairs and that helps a lot too. I have been able to get up and not wake the children this last week.

Yeah! We’re so glad to hear God is helping your kids sleep and you wake up.
 
But, says Dawn, “I have one remaining problem--how to stay awake during prayer. (I have tried praying aloud—well, in a whisper--but somehow I still fall asleep.) But you have encouraged me to think creatively so I am sure I will find the answer.”
 
Been there too, Dawn. Creativity is certainly called for. Here are a few things we’ve tried—
 
-       Pray while you exercise. Mom used to prop her prayer list up on the treadmill console and pray while she exercised.

-       Pray in the shower. From an idea Mom gave me, I printed my prayer list, put it in a sheet protector and taped it to the wall of my shower. I had some of my best prayer times there—although our water bill probably went up!
 
-       Pray on a walk. When Tori was a baby, I would sometimes walk around the block with her in the stroller. This idea doesn’t work with toddlers though.
 
-       Pray as you pace. This might not work with light sleepers in the house, but Janelle gets up and walks around if she feels sleepy during prayer.
 
-       Pray after you wake up. Sometimes it helps me to pray after an activity that really wakes me up—taking a shower, emptying the dishwasher, etc. My husband often goes running sometimes before his quiet time.
 
-       Pray after coffee (or caffeinated beverage of choice). The 5 O’Clock club runs on coffee.
 
-       Pray before you pray. Ask God for grace to stay awake and pray!
 
Hope those simple ideas get you started. We’re confident God is eager to help you grow in prayer!

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(Brian's notes from Tony's comments)

1. Remind your kids of the Gospel. Ways to do this:
a) Reading the Jesus Storybook bible helps them to anticipate and/or encounter Christ in each section of Scripture
b) Sing The Gospel Song
c) Read from the Gospels.
 
Doing this has helped their children go to bed thinking of their need for a Savior and God's gracious provision.
 
2. Teach them the storyline of the Bible
Although it's 66 books, the bible provides one clear and coherent storyline.  Children's bibles like the Jesus Storybook Bible and The Big Picture Story Bible do a great job reinforcing this.
 
3. Teach them to cultivate gratefulness.
End the evening giving thanks to God and praying those who have less or who are suffering.

Election Fuels Evangelism

And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision,  “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (AC 18.9-11)

Election and evangelism work together.  God had chosen many in Corinth – he called them “my people” – though they were not yet saved.  Because they were elect, God told Paul not to fear but keep proclaiming the gospel.  Far from producing apathy, God’s sovereignty fueled Paul’s evangelism.

God has people all around us that he sees as saved.  Let’s go on speaking and not be silent.

My apprehension immediately lifted.

This woman’s salvation was not dependent on me. God is the one who saves.

I simply needed to speak.

So speak I did. I certainly wasn’t eloquent. In fact, I don’t think I did a very good job.

Yet my deficiencies didn’t seem to diminish this woman’s interest. Even though she didn’t put her trust in Jesus Christ, she’s responding. She’s seeking.

Sitting in Starbucks that Thursday afternoon, my heart thrilled to think that perhaps she is one of God’s elect. And however feeble my effort, I know God was with me—he gave me grace to speak and not be silent.

11:55 a.m.

As he rightly observed, words are not needed...

Nicole for the girltalkers

My three little guys enjoy competition.  Actually, truth be told, they LOVE to win. Games in our home are quite loud, filled with much laughter, and well, more then a few opportunities for sanctification!

Recently our good friends, Don and Trish, passed down some games their children had outgrown.  One particular game, Hands Down, has become a new family favorite.  

Hands Down is a simple card game, easy enough for my 6 year old to understand and yet competitive enough to intrigue my 10 year old. It’s perfect for a family night, or if you’re snowed in (like we’ve been a lot lately!) or looking for something to keep your kids busy.

If games could talk, this one might ask to be sent back to its original owners.  Hands Down arrived in pristine condition--all pieces assembled and box fully intact.  It had enjoyed a peaceful existence. But it has not fared so well in our home. The box is already damaged and I’ve had to tape some of the cards back together. 

But hey, that’s life at the Chesemores!

Today has been such an amazing day. As a matter of fact, this week in general has been the highlight of my walk with the Lord (besides my conversion).
 
I am always asking the Lord to reveal himself to me, "Lord show me who you are, show me your glory." I really believe the Lord has answered those prayers many times, but I haven’t always been paying attention.
 
On this 28-day FAM Club challenge, I am just in amazement of what the Lord has revealed to me. Its amazing what fasting does--this week I have been so sensitive to so many things in my life due to this time of discipline and prayer.
 
Just last night, as I was fighting away hunger pains and trying to go to sleep, I begin to pray for my family, calling some by name, some not. About 30 minutes later, I get a text around one o’clock in the morning from a cousin I was just praying for! She begins to share with me how she is running from the Lord and really wants to become a Christian. I am in awe. The Lord hears my prayers!
 
I know every case may not work out in this way, but mine did. The Lord revealed himself again, except this time I was so focused on prayer and fasting, that I was sensitive to pay attention. I shared the gospel with her again and invited her to come hang out with me and another young girl whom I meet with for Bible study.
 
It was neat to see her today, I have not seen her in 8 years! I shared my testimony of what my life was really like before Christ and even heard her story of wanting to walk with the Lord and not knowing how to let go of all of her competing loves. Oh, please pray she would be set free by knowing the truth—that God can change her, she can’t change herself!
 
We spent hours talking, even after Starbucks was closed. God has indeed reminded me that His arm is not to short to save. He has a plan for my cousin’s life. I can’t wait to watch it unfold!

“Oftentimes parenting can feel like a battle. And the “enemy” is your two-year-old who’s just thrown their dinner on the floor (again); or your fifteen-year-old, who’s just slammed the door on you (again). But still your job is to show them what our Father in heaven is like. Yes, they need to learn to live under authority. But they also need to learn of a God who welcomes His enemies, loves His enemies and gives His life for his enemies.” (Gospel Centred Family by Tim Chester and Ed Moll)

As you march toward mothering battles today, may God give you grace to welcome, love, and give your life for your little (or not so little) “enemy”—as Christ first loved and gave Himself for you. 

Have a grace-filled weekend!

Carolyn for my daughters

This lady is getting ready to enter a public toilet in Houston...

Now that you've seen the outside view, take a look at the inside view...

It's made entirely out of one-way glass! No one can see you from the outside, but when you are inside, it's like sitting in a clear glass box! Now, would you? Could you?

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Next...A Painted Bathroom Floor

Tenth floor of a high-rise building...

Imagine you are at a party...

And then you have to visit the bathroom...

You open the door...

Now remember, the floor is just a painted floor!

Would you be able to walk into this bathroom?

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And finally,

This is a ceiling mural in a smoker's lounge...

As a mom to 2 small children, I have been consistent at one thing for the past few years, and that is struggling to spend time with God.  It has been a constant source of frustration and guilt for me, as I have focused on my lack of a quiet time and not the goodness and grace of a loving God.  I have even attempted the 5 o'clock club before and failed miserably because of my motivations and dependence on myself. 

Well, this time has been very different for me.  I began rising early to spend time with God in January, so when I saw that your blog would be focusing on this for February, it was truly confirmation for me that God was drawing me into deeper communion with Him.  I cannot tell you how thankful I have been for the accountability and encouragement of your blog over the past few weeks.  I have more than enjoyed my times of rising early everyday and I am so thankful that God has given me His grace in this area.

My goal from the start was to get one load of laundry done and spend 45 minutes to an hour, reading, praying, etc.  Getting the laundry done has been HUGE for serving my family.  It is no longer a constant source of irritation...now it is a constant source of excitement.

I could go on and on about how meaningful my time with God has been (much more so than having the laundry done) but that would literally take several days.  I am so grateful for what He has been showing me and the desire He has given me to pray for my friends and family.  I am 31 years old, and can honestly say I have never experienced such a sweet time with my Savior! I am so, so, so, so grateful!

One more thing...I wanted to share something that has actually helped me get up in the mornings...it's rather amusing! One of the hardest things about getting up, to me, is how cold it is! Getting out of a warm bed into cold air is no fun! I found myself wrapping up in a blanket every morning, but that often got in the way of folding the laundry or reading.  Well, as sort of a gag gift, my husband bought me a Snuggie!  I know, I know...A SNUGGIE?! BUT...it has been fantastic...I love getting out of my warm bed into my warm snuggie...what a fabulous invention!!!  The only downside has been folding laundry filled with static while wrapped in a Snuggie...there have been a couple of times where I felt like I was being electrocuted...I guess that's good if you're having trouble waking up! 

I included a picture of me in my Snuggie.  I would have preferred pink, but my husband got blue...I think it is because secretly he wants to wear it, too!

“I really wanted to try it out but circumstances have only served to discourage me. The alarm waking my 3 year old so I spend the whole 'quiet time' is spent trying to settle him and stop him disturbing the others, then both we both have a harder day because of the extra tiredness. How do you keep on? I am convinced it is a good thing but feel like I am letting my whole family down because I am tired and so discouraged. Sorry just wonder if I am the only one who can't work it out.”

You certainly aren’t the only one! All four of us know exactly how you feel! With small children, it is hard to do anything consistently. The only thing predictable about our days is that they are unpredictable! But here are a few ideas (all from Mom) that we’ve found helpful:

1. Change What You Can – Small, practical changes can make a big difference. Consider potential solutions like buying a quieter alarm clock or placing it where the kids are less likely to hear it. I’ve even set my phone alarm to ring and vibrate and then slept with it under my pillow! My husband and I have run “tests” to see what noises in the house (walking on hardwood, flushing toilet, opening closet) sound loudest in our kid’s rooms. And training our children to read books on their beds until a set time each morning has made a huge difference. However, some problems aren’t so easy to solve, that’s why it’s good to…
 
2. Have a “Plan B“ – If your ideal plan doesn’t work out, have a back-up plan in place. Plan “A” might be to meet with God before the children wake up; but if you’re up half the night with a sick baby, you need sleep in the morning! Plan “B” may be to read God’s Word and pray during your children’s naptime.

3. “Do What You Can”- If both “Plan A” and “Plan B” fail (which may happen often with small children!) then do what you can. Read this great story from Donald Whitney about how one mother’s hunger for God’s Word led to some creative solutions. Liberating and inspiring!
 
4. Try Again Tomorrow – Even if you only rise early two times each week you are doing more than if you never tried at all—that should encourage you!
 
5. Preach the Gospel to Yourself – This will lead to joy. God is not more pleased with us on the days we rise early or less pleased with us on days when we sleep late. We are accepted and approved because of Jesus Christ.
 
Finally, as Mom is fond of reminding us: this is a season. It will pass all too quickly and the three year old who wakes up early will be a thirteen year old who you can’t get out of bed in the morning. Until then, remember that God’s grace is more than sufficient (2 Cor. 12:19). He daily bears us up, and promises that "as your days, so shall your strength be" (Ps. 68:19, Deut. 33:25).

 

 

But what makes them doubly wonderful is that the dough keeps in the refrigerator for up to one week. This means you can whip up a batch on Monday (today!) and use it for dinner (or breakfast and lunch, for that matter) all week long. Yummy and practical! You’ve gotta try ‘em!

Buttermilk Refrigerator Rolls
 
1 pkg dry yeast
½ cup warm water (105 degrees to 115 degrees)
½ cup shortening, melted
4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp soda
2 cups buttermilk
 
Dissolve yeast in warm water in a large mixing bowl; let stand five minutes. Stir in melted shortening. Combine dry ingredients in a small bowl. Add dry ingredients and buttermilk to yeast mixture; mix well. Turn dough out on a well-floured surface; knead gently until dough can be handled. Shape dough into a ball; place in a greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover dough, and refrigerate until needed (dough will keep one week). Shape dough into rolls, as desired; place on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Yield: about 2 dozen.