Knowing God

A few weeks ago Barb posted about having a theme each year. Barb encourages the Homemakers to do this each January so I have had a few themes over the years. This year my theme is "Knowing God."

In the past I haven't given as much thought to my theme. I chose it, but then I didn't do too much with it. I would think about it from time to time and maybe read a book on that topic or look up some related Scripture.

This year I decided to write out my theme. I chose to write why I picked this theme, found some related scripture and a few quotes that challenged me about my theme. I plan to work on my theme daily. The only way I can know God more is if I read His Word and spend time in His presence.

I thought I would share my theme with you and encourage you to choose a theme as well. If you take the time to do this now, you could see great results in how your attitude changed, what you learned or how you grew from being intentional about this theme.

Please comment if you are choosing a theme. We'd love to know what you've picked!

Knowing God

Why?
I recently heard a quote by Beth Moore that challenged my thinking: "I know my God,” she said. “I don't understand everything about Him. But I know my God is good. I know my God is love. I know my God has my best interest in mind."

Then I read this quote and it spoke right to me: “We only trust people we know,” says Martha Tennison. “If you’re really struggling to trust God, it may be because you don’t really know God.”

Scripture
Psalm 9:10
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Philippians 3:8
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

Quotes
“Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God.” - Andrew Murray

“The more you get to know the Lord, the easier it will be to obey Him. That is what our quiet times should be about…getting to know Him.”

“God wants you to simply know him in the present and trust him with the unspoken ending”. – Ginger Garrett

“Being still before God is the Greatest Privilege that a Christian can have, besides being Born Again. When we are with God, we start to become more and more like him. This is something that most Christians lack - being still before the Throne of God. We dedicate most of our time getting our heads full of knowledge and have no quality time with our Father. An unsaved person can learn doctrine but that doesn't make him a good Christian. The same with us - we can learn doctrine until we are blue in the face and it can actually hinder us from knowing Jesus, like apostle Paul said ‘Knowledge puffs up but Love edifies.’" - Tony Ciaramello

A Misquote!!!

Did you know that "Practice Makes Perfect" is a misquote? I didn't know that! For the longest time, I have been practicing to be perfect!

"Practice Is Everything!" was the original quote said by Periander!

What a relief, actually! I don't need to strive for perfection. I just need to keep practicing!!
As soon as I posted the other day about dealing with interruptions in my well-planned day, I was tested all day long with interruptions of all sorts. I had to 'practice' using creativity to handle my interruptions and more importantly I had to 'practice' keeping my attitude relaxed.

As we move into the New Year, let's remember that 'practice is everything'...it is part of the journey. Let's not get discouraged if we don't 'achieve' all that we hope to do. Let's encourage one another to just keep practicing to work towards the goal that WISE WOMEN MAKE GOOD USE OF THEIR TIME. If practice is everything, we will reach that goal. Maybe not perfect, but certainly wiser as we learn to value our time and make the most of each day of this New Year.

Only Six Things To Do?

I love to-do lists. In fact, I make them all the time. I write them when I am in the car, at church, in my office, or whenever I can grab a post-it note. I have always believed that to-do lists help me use my time wisely and get a lot accomplished.

However, my long to-do lists often overwhelm me and I can easily get side-tracked from my list.

I once heard that to be successful in life you should write down the six most important things you need to do tomorrow in order of importance and do them.

Turns out this bit of advice is worth a lot of money!

The story goes....
Around 100 years ago, Charles Schwab, president of Bethlehem Steel, wanted to increase his own efficiency, and of the management team at the steel company. Ivy Lee, a well-known efficiency expert of the time, approached Mr. Schwab, and made a proposition Charles Schwab could not refuse:

Ivy Lee: "I can increase your people's efficiency – and your sales – if you will allow me to spend fifteen minutes with each of your executives."

Charles Schwab: "How much will it cost me?"

Ivy Lee: "Nothing, unless it works. After three months, you can send me a check for whatever you feel it's worth to you."

Charles Schwab: "It's a deal."

The following day, Ivy Lee met with Charles Schwab's management executives, spending only ten minutes with each in order to tell them:

Ivy Lee: "I want you to promise me that for the next ninety days, before leaving your office at the end of the day, you will make a list of the six most important things you have to do the next day and number them in their order of importance."

Astonished Executives: "That it?"

Ivy Lee: "That's it. Scratch off each item after finishing it, and go on to the next one on your list. If something doesn't get done, put it on the following day's list."

Three months later, Schwab studied the results and was so pleased that he sent Lee a check for $25,000.

This story is referred to as the $25,000 idea. It's so simple! Six things seems a lot more manageable than my usual to-do list. Let's try this together for 7 days and see if it helps us use our time more wisely!

A Quick Question...What About the Interruptions?

Wise Women Make Good Use of Their Time...that is our topic this week. It actually could be our topic for the month as there are so many ways to look at this subject. As I wrestled with learning how to handle my time, a re-occurring question kept coming to my mind. "What do I do with all the interruptions that bombard me every day?" No matter how much I planned, I could never anticipate many things/people that would interrupt my well-designed day.
I read a book years ago that has given me the best answer to my question. The name of the book was Ride the Wild Horses. I don't remember anything about the book except the author gave three ways to handle life's interruptions. The book was probably pretty heavy-duty as far as subject matter, but I took these 3 points and applied it to daily interruptions. It really worked! As I have become aware of these choices, I have become aware of how they transfer over to handling bigger life interruptions. ( a topic for another week!)

Have I teased you enough that you want to know what the three ways of looking at interruptions are?
1. You can handle interruptions with resentment.
2. You can handle interruptions stoically.
3. You can handle interruptions creatively.

It was the 3rd way of handling interruptions that was a light-bulb moment for me. Before considering this option, I would take on an interruption and fume about it and resent that my day was now wrecked. Sometimes I would 'stuff' my emotions and passively deal with the interruption (stoically). Neither of these options would solve my problem of interruptions and neither would allow me to deal with them in a positive way. When I took on interruptions as a challenge to be creative and learn how I could incorporate them into my day...I became successful in managing my time. I was managing my problems...hence I was managing my life.
Hey, be encouraged! You have your whole life ahead to implement new ideas. Be creative this New Year...you've got 357 more days to manage!!

Time wasters

Wow, Barb's words really hit home with me! Now that I work from home a few days each week I have no one here to watch how I use my time. From day one I said I wanted to be a good steward of my time. I said I wanted to be efficient and effective with my time.

Some days I am and some days I am not. And, in the New Year, if I am honest with myself, the days I am not a good steward of my time seem to be more frequent.

Just like Barb mentioned, e-mail and the Internet are two huge time wasters for me! I can hop on for just 10 minutes and an hour later be engrossed in Amazon.com, on someone's blog or researching a topic :)

I also have found that the phone can eat up my time. Why do I always feel the need to answer it? If I am in the middle of work, a project or something else that needs my attention, I know the chances of me returning to that are slim to none when I get done chatting with a friend. Then I don't get my work or home projects completed, and I am out of time!

How does one learn to manage time better? For me, praying through my time and the list of things I have to do is always helpful. I ask others to pray about me being a good steward of my time. And, I have asked for accountability in this area as well.

I wish I was more disciplined than I am. I wish I was so focused that I didn't get distracted by my computer or the ringing of the phone. But recognizing I do is step one. Making some wise choices (and changing some bad habits) is step two...and the harder of the two!

Wise Women Make Good Use of Their Time!

I am not a real dogmatic person. I don't like confrontation and I would prefer to listen to someone else talk rather than control the conversation myself. There are a few topics, however, that I can get very passionate about. Making good use of my time is one of them. I can be passionate about it because I have not always held that conviction. As a young wife, I thought I had all the time in the world. I wasn't even aware that I should be more conscious of how I spent my days. I would love to go back to those days with the awareness I have now about time-management and apply some of those skills to my life. Wow, my life would have been so much easier and enjoyable. I loved being on my own and when I got married, I loved the feeling of being spontaneous and flexible. All of that is fine, but there needs to be some focus and balance. I had a terrible time changing my habits and getting my schedule in order and my time under control, so that is why I would like to shout it from the roof-tops to all aspiring wise women: WISE WOMEN MAKE GOOD USE OF THEIR TIME! This New Year, be honest with yourself as to how good a time manager you are. Ephesians 6:15-16 says we are to "live not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." That Biblical principle could have saved me YEARS, if I had only intentionally obeyed it. A house doesn't get organized by itself, the meals don't get made, my body doesn't get a work-out, and on the list goes if TIME isn't managed. What might be a time waster for you?
1. E-mail is a newer phenomenon and a potential time waster
2. Surfing the internet without a specific purpose or time limit (set a timer if you are in the habit of doing this!)
3. Running to the grocery story too often because you haven't taken the time to plan a menu and prepare a list
4. Talking on the phone can be a subtle time waster
5. Distractions can pull you off track if you aren't mindful of your time.
6. TV can grab you in a minute and before you know it,an hour has gone by!
7. Disorganization (more about this in the days ahead!)

It's a New Year. It's a New Week! Start today to live in the moment and consider how you are spending your time. I've quoted Ps 90:12 before, "Teach me to number my days aright, that I may gain a heart of wisdom"
Now go and become wise!!

He Makes All Things New

Steven Curtis Chapman has a song titled "All Things New." I love that song... "You redeem and You transform, You renew and You restore. You make all things new." Praise God for those beautiful words.

Revelations 21:5 says, "And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."

So in 2008 I am writing to tell you that God makes all things new because I believe those words are true and that we have a God who is faithful. He promises to make ALL things new.

While it may not be this side of Heaven that we will see things made new, what joy it brings to know that one day God will wipe all our tears away and death, sorrow, crying and pain will be no more.

I feel a sense of peace that my God declared for all people of all time that he is a God who makes all things new.

A dear friend who had a difficult 2007 shared with me a few weeks ago that she woke up to "All Things New" playing on her radio. She is believing and trusting in a God who makes all things new. She is choosing to believe that 2008 is a New Year with new potential, new hopes and new dreams.

I am choosing to believe 2008 will be a year filled with new opportunities, new lessons learned, and new memories.

I pray that the words of Revelation 21 will encourage your heart today as you claim the promise that God makes all things new!

What Does 2008 Hold For You?

Happy New Year...we are into January 2008! A new calendar, everything is fresh and uncluttered. Have you thought about giving a 'theme' to this year? A theme that will encourage you to learn more about you and your walk with God? I have chosen a 'theme' for each year for many years. I did so just to give myself something to learn about over the year. It was not a rigid task or a way to conquer a topic, but simply to make me aware of a new concept or habit. One year, I had 'faith' for my theme. I challenged myself to live by faith, to respond in faith and to read and learn about faith through out that year. I found that small habits began to change as I started 'giving in faith'. That was a challenge for me because I work on commission and I save things up for the future...just in case I might need it. The year I tried to learn more about faith, I gave freely, having faith that God would supply my needs. I remember having to talk myself into parting with things in order to test my faith. The year I was learning about faith just made me aware of how I didn't operate on faith very much. It made me aware that it was a life-long challenge, but at least I was getting a start. That awareness has been with me to this day. One year isn't enough to devote to a topic as big a 'faith', but as least it got me started thinking about having that focus. Other themes I have chosen have been perseverance, prayer, a quiet spirit, listening to God and peace. Choosing a theme is easy, focusing on it and learning about it takes abit more discipline. That's why we have a New Year...to begin again and try to do things in a better way, a way that might make me a better woman, wife, mom, and friend. This year my theme is 'Delight'! Why? Because the Bible says to "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Often I wonder why I don't get my desires fulfilled. This year I am going to focus on delighting myself in the Lord and see what habits and attitudes I may need to change. 'Delight', according to the dictionary is having "a high degree of pleasure or enjoyment; joy; rapture. Something that gives great pleasure." If I do nothing else than live each day with pleasure,with 'delight in the Lord', 2008 will be a very good year.
So what would be a good theme for 2008 for you? Share with us and we can encourage each other along the way!

Here's to a healthy snack in the new year!

My husband loves to snack! When he gets home from work his eyes start looking for something to munch on. Recently, I have been making this snack for him - it's a much better snacking option than a bag of chips! We really enjoy it and I hope you do too!

Gobble Up Granola Snack

INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal

2 cups quick-cooking oats

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup or honey

1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, stir together the rice cereal and oats. Set aside. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Combine the brown sugar and corn syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat just until boiling, then remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Pour over the cereal and oat mixture, and mix well.
3. Press into the prepared pan using the back of a large spoon. Allow to cool, then cut into squares.

Saturated Fat

Happy New Year!

How is 'Saturated Fat' for a title to my posting?! This time of year we are all thinking, talking and planning our New Year's Resolutions. What are you resolving this year?

I challenge and encourage you to choose a resolution that is specific and measurable. Eat healthy or exercise more is not measurable or specific. What choices will you make to eat healthy? How many days/minutes will you exercise? Maybe your resolution is to spend more time with your husband or kids at home. Maybe it is to watch less tv. What does that look like and how will you measure it to determine if you are doing it successfully?

Shortly after Thanksgiving we discovered that my husband has high cholesterol. Our goal is to lower his cholesterol through his diet and exercise. Through research and discussions with others, we have learned that we do not need to limit all fats from his diet, but specifically saturated fats.

So I am resolving to pay very close attention to saturated fats this year. This means that I am busy reading labels on everything I buy. I am learning a lot and trying not to purchase foods that have more than 1 g or 1.5 grams of saturated fat per serving.

It is hard but my husband's health inspires me! When we go out to eat it is harder to make wise food choices so we are resolving to be wise with what we eat at home....and for us that means less saturated fat. That said, I did make cookies tonight :) But we ate in moderation....!

Do you read labels? That is a great way to be aware of what you are eating and what you are preparing for your family to eat. Barb told us in one of our first years of Homemakers that much of what our husband eats is due to what WE place in front of them. That includes breakfast, dinner and often times left overs for lunch.

That seems like a lot of responsibility and it is. At times I am overwhelmed...how do I cook healthy meals that don't take hours to prepare while being conscious of the food budget? One day at a time :)

Please comment and let us know what your New Year's Resolutions are. We'll try to tackle some of those topics in the coming days and weeks!

Keep it Simple...

Happy New Year!!!

Having company for New Year's Eve? Make your table look special, without alot of fuss. I started this tradition with my family when the kids were really young, so if you just have your family sitting down for the festivities, add a little intrique by including the following:

CANDY... for sweet adventures in the New Year!

AN APPLE... for a New Year of smiles!

COAL... for love and warmth throughout the New Year!

PEANUTS (in the shell!)...a New Year of surprises!

Scatter some of the items around the table, putting an apple on each plate. A quick note written on the computer could sit beside each place-setting to explain your wishes for each of your loved ones.
Simple, but it works to stimulate a discussion for everyone's dreams for the New Year!

Have a Happy New Year's Eve!!

Be the Life of the Party Tonight!

Impress your friends with trivia tonight about New Year's! Go to www.holidayquiz.com. for the answers!

Happy New Year, Everybody!!

1. The Scottish tune Auld Lang Syne is a common song sang right after the stroke of midnight. What is the literal translation of the song's title: Auld Lang Syne?

a.Old Long Ago


b.Always Remembering You


c.Another Year Passes


d.Here We Go Again

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2. What is oldest known holiday celebrated by mankind?


a.Samhain


b.New Year's Day


c.Christmas


d.The day is not really known for sure

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3. What is the most common New Year's resolutions made by Americans?


a.Resolve to Find a Better Job


b.Resolve to Stop Smoking


c.Resolve to Save More Money


d.Resolve to Lose Weight

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4. Who is mainly responsible for us celebrating New Year's day on January 1st?


a.Pope Gregory


b.Pope Benedict


c.Julius Caesar


d.Alexander the Great
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5. Western society's official calendar was generated from?


a.The Julian Calendar


b.The Gregorian Calendar


c.The Chinese Calendar


d.The Solar Calendar

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6.Regardless of when a society celebrates New Year's Day, what is one common thread between the all?

a. Good Luck Rituals


b.Everyone Eats a Hearty Meal


c.Outrageous Parties


d.Everyone Attends a Spiritual Function

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7. The month January was named after?


a.A Hindu Princess


b.The Roman god Janus


c.The Greek god Januarius


d.A former Roman goddess

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8. Which society calendar uses animals to mark years?


a.The Jewish Calendar


b.The Chinese Calendar


c.The Gregorian Calendar


d.The Hindu Calendar

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9. What is the most watched parade on New Year's Day?


a.Hollywood Christmas Parade


b.Macy's Holiday Parade


c.Walt Disney World's New Year's Parade


d.The Tournament of Roses Parade
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10. Speaking of the Tournament of Roses Parade, during between 1903 to 1915 what was the main event at the Rose Bowl Stadium?


a.Football


b.Soccer


c.Chariot Races


d.Sprint Running

Christmas Shopping Continues...

I trust you all had a wonderful Christmas, full of wonderful memories and good times.
Are you wrestling with other shoppers during the after Chrismas sales now? I just wanted to give you a hint if you are ready to do more shopping. After Christmas is a fabulous time to find good deals on nativity scenes. There are so many to choose from and I don't think you can ever have too many of those to put around your home. Since there are so many colors and styles to choose from, think about buying one a year and see if you can decorate each room in your home with a nativity scene. Write the dates on them as you collect them and it will be a fun decoration to take out each year and review the memories that go along with it. If they are too price-prohibitive, buy a few pieces and add to one scene over the years.
It will be a great way to end this Christmas season and will be a fun way to start next year's celebration!

Enjoy!

What Do You Treasure?

In an earlier posting, I described having a "Mary's Christmas" this year. A year in which you would 'treasure up all these things and ponder them in your heart', like Mary did in Luke 2:19. I focused on the word 'ponder' in that posting. Today, to begin this Christmas weekend, I think it may be helpful to ponder the word 'treasure'! Treasure means to 'cherish or prize'. Mary treasured all the happenings of the first Christmas. May I suggest a way that I prepare my heart to cherish Christmas? I once again need to be intentional in my thoughts and then I find my actions will usually follow. I have made it a practice to list what I am going to give my friends and family early in the Christmas season. The list keeps changing and eventually I firm it up and get the shopping done. Often I am unsure who to give small gifts to...is it an obligation or a true act of love and kindness? This brings me back to the word 'cherish'. I write out beside each name what I cherish about each person I plan on giving a gift to. It sounds rather idealistic to put this in a posting, but it has helped me give with a heart of love rather than of obligation. It is only a short sentence that I write out but it is there to see as I review my list. Each time I refer to my list, I see the character quality or attitude or impact that person has had on my life and I treasure the opportunity to give back. Maybe this comes natural for you. If so, groom that ability. If you find yourself begrudging the money you are spending, the time it takes to shop or the things you would rather buy for yourself, try this habit of mine. I wonder if Mary was chosen by God partly because she could treasure and ponder without practice. For me, this has been a lifetime pursuit.
Once again, have a Mary's Christmas this year. A time to ponder and treasure all that God has blessed you with...beginning with the birth of His son to be our Savior.

The Nativity Story

There seems to be an unplanned theme in our postings....

Last week I wrote about a book called Unafraid based on the life of Mary. Barb wrote about Having a Mary's Christmas. I wrote about the nativity sets I have in my home this year.

Today I want to continue that theme by recommending you ALL go and rent The Nativity Story if you didn't watch it last December when it was released.

While the budget was probably fairly limited, and the acting may not be academy worthy, the story itself is truly so incredible and miraculous (and even so unbelievable at times that I have to remind myself it is not just a story) that there is no doubt it will change the way you read the Christmas story!

Mary is such a brave and obedient young girl. Joseph so courageous. I will not view my nativity sets the same way ever again. I have a greater level of respect for both of them and couldn't help but thank God for choosing the people he did to bring forth the life of Jesus.

So if you are spending some time at home or with family this weekend, go pick it up. It will be well worth your time!

Merry Christmas!

Last Minute Gift Idea...

Are you scrambling for one more family gift? Pick up a copy of The Quilt Maker's Gift., by Jeff Brumbeau and Gail de Marcken. It is a short, COLORFUL book that will capture the interest of everyone and the story line couldn't be better for Christmas. I won't give it away...but you will be GRATEFUL that you shared this treasure with your family during this time of giving and receiving. It may become a regular for you to read around the Christmas tree each year.

What decorates your home...and heart?

"So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger." Luke 2:16

This year I set up just two small pieces of Christmas decorations: two nativity sets.

I decided this December that I wanted and needed my heart to be focused on the true meaning of Christmas - Christ's birth. One way for me to do that was to have nativity sets in my home to remind me.

I have nothing against any other Christmas decorations, but I do want to challenge you: Do you have a nativity set in your home? Along with the stockings, Santa decorations, reindeer or elves, a gentle reminder that the true meaning of Christmas is a small baby can be very powerful.

If you don't have a nativity set I urge you to ask for one this Christmas or go shopping as a family and purchase one together.

Then start a tradition of reading the Christmas story together. This precious story of a baby is the reason for the season and I find it difficult to remember that at times with the craziness this time of year holds.

Take some time for yourself, with a significant other or your children to read the story of Christ's birth. Discuss what it may have been like and why we celebrate the 25th day of December each year: Isaiah 9:6 says, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given."

Now that is reason to celebrate!

How Many Christmases Have You Experienced?

I asked that question at Homemakers last week. Think about how many Christmases you remember. You probably remember the one that disappointed you; the one with your first boyfriend; the first one when you were first married and probably a few others. If you have had 25-30 Christmases, shouldn't you remember all of them, if Christmas is as special as we say it is? If Christ gave His son at Christmas shouldn't we remember such a life-changing time each year? My point at Homemakers was that perhaps we need to be more intentional about making our Christmases have more impact in our lives. Not just in December, but all year long. That way, we could look back on 2007 and say, "I remember that year because..." We spend so much time shopping, decorating and baking, and we are so relieved it is over by the time January arrives. How can we make Christmas more memorable? I would like to suggest taking time each Christmas season to write down in a journal or on a calendar what you are expecting Christmas to be like and what you are going to do to make it happen. We have one week til Christmas Eve. It is a perfect time to get away for 10 minutes and write out how you want to affect others during this family time. How are you going to feel if you don't get the 'perfect gift'? What impact are you going to have on making memories and having a good attitude during the busy days ahead? By identifying what you hope to accomplish, you will have a path to move ahead on. After Christmas, take time to access your progress. Did you make Christmas about others or was it all about you? I keep a yearly prayer calendar and I write my 'hopes and dreams' for the Christmas season in that. I can look back and see if I am growing to be more Christ-like, or if I am treading water until next year. If I say Christ is the 'reason for the season'...am I really living in a way that it makes a difference in my life? I don't remember many Christmases in my 58 years. That is sad. I wish I had documented more and baked less! That would really have changed my focus for Christmas and my anticipation for Christmases in the future. If I can change my ways after so many years, I hope to challenge some of you to start monitoring your Christmases in an intentional way. Experiment this year...keep track of what you learn this Christmas, how you acted, what you gave and how you touched another person. This may be the best gift you can give yourself this year.

The Courage to Be Imperfect

I was reading a book last night while babysitting my six-week-old nephew (I will post some pictures because he is so adorable....and I am very biased!).

The author had a profound point that I want to share. She has a few rules and one of them is to "Renounce Perfectionism." Essentially she says that perfectionism is an enemy. It says wait until you have time to do it properly...

Here's the quote that got me: "The choice is not between doing it imperfectly now and doing it perfectly later. That's an illusion. The real choice is between doing it imperfectly now or not at all."

Isn't that so true? Think of all the activities, projects, to-do things that we want to do perfectly, so we keep putting them off. Often times we never get them done because we are waiting for the perfect moment.

For example - scrapbooking! I have found that many moms have the tendency to believe that if they can't create the perfect scrapbook, with every single picture of the kids, and all the funny comments they say, then we won't do anything at all. I tell many moms: it doesn't have to be perfect. Put the photos in a photo album and journal next to the photos. Your family will appreciate that dearly in the years to come! And when it comes to photo-taking, don't worry about capturing the perfect family photo. If you and your spouse are acting goofy, or if the kids are making faces, capture the moment and share it with the world. We all enjoy knowing that others aren't perfect too!

Our perfection will only end up hurting relationships, our families, our homes. The author mentions in this book that it takes courage to be imperfect. Courage to have the humility to do things imperfectly. So please remember as a wife, mom, daughter, friend, sibling....buying the perfect gift, having our home perfectly decorated, sending the perfect card or letter, making the perfect meals or Christmas cookies, should not be our goal.

Bless your families with imperfection this Christmas. Strive to be humble enough to make imperfection (getting it DONE) the goal.

P.S. I will share the name of this book after Christmas. I need to purchase it for a few gifts this week. If you want to know the name, go to About Us, Stacy and e-mail me!

Hope You Have a Mary's Christmas...!

Maybe that is what we should be wishing each other since 'Merry Christmas' is not politically correct all of a sudden. A Mary's Christmas!? What would that look like? We think we are stressed 13 days before Christmas but just think of Mary, nine months before her first Christmas. She would have just found out that Christ was coming as a baby...her baby. That would have given her reason to be stressed and abit worried. From the very first time the angel spoke to Mary, she responded in such a way that set the tone for her Christmas. She didn't react to the angel or to the message, she just wondered how it could be true that she would give birth to the Christ-child since she was a virgin. Mary may have been young, but she must have had a close walk with God. She didn't react or doubt, she just responded with truth and waited for God's response. The Bible said she 'pondered'. Ponder is a word we don't hear a great deal today. It means to "think deliberately, consider deeply or to ruminate". Mary thought deliberately when she was given the assignment by God. Do we think deliberately or do we jump into a reactive state and begin to worry before we find out God's plan for us? I have imagined over the years that Mary may have used the list of things to think about that are listed in Philippians 4:8..."What ever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praise worthy"...she must have automatically shifted into thinking about 'these things' when faced with such a daunting task from God. How else could she have said so quickly, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."
To have a 'Mary's Christmas', we need to be ready to respond to God not react with our expectations. Ponder whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy during this Christmas season. See if that doesn't get you closer to having a 'Mary's Christmas'! A Christmas that just might change your life as the first Christmas changed Mary's life.

Unwed...pregnant...mother of Jesus?

I am still amazed at how the life of Jesus came to be...through a young teenage girl?

That is why I highly recommend reading Unafraid by Francine Rivers. It's part of the The Lineage of Grace Series. Each book focuses on the life of a woman in the Bible. The other books profile Ruth, Rahab, Tamar, and Bathsheba. They are all excellent. And, best of all, they are small books so they are a quick read.

Unafraid presents a unique picture of an unwed pregnant teenager...and what it must have been like from Mary's perspective. It is a wonderful book to read as we head into Christmas. The author takes plenty of liberties, of course, but it definitely challenges the way you think about and view this young girl as the mother of Jesus!

So take a break from the shopping, curl up and allow yourself the pleasure of a good read. If you've already read it, or if you do, leave a comment and let us know what you think of the book.

Happy reading....

Are You FAT?

Last night we had our Homemakers with Hope Christmas Party! Besides eating our way through the night, doing a craft, and opening gifts, we had a brief time of serious talk. I am blessed to be a part of this group, as the girls are all so passionate about life and making a home that is of value and worth. I shared with them that when I considered putting a group of gals together as a ministry and support system, I had read that I should find myself a group of FAT girls. FAT as in:

F=Faithful

A=Available

T=Teachable

Half of these girls have been with the group for 6 years. They are very FAT!

If you desire to grow in any area of your life, check out how FAT you are. Then move ahead with enthusiasm, knowing you have what it takes to develop and grow into a wise woman who builds her home.

Amazing Grace

Ryan and I watched Amazing Grace this weekend. It is a fantastic movie about the life of a man who pushed to end the slave trade in the British Empire. It is a powerful example of fighting for what you believe in and standing up for injustice.

One of the most interesting aspects of the movie is the character who plays John Newton - the man who wrote the lyrics to Amazing Grace. The web site says, "John Newton was captain of a slave ship for many years, until he underwent a dramatic religious conversion while steering his vessel through a storm."

I recall hearing that the man who wrote Amazing Grace had been involved in the slave trade but the movie powerfully depicts the great sorrow this man lived with due to his previous lifestyle. If you have Real Player you can watch a video clip about the song here.

It is a great family movie (not for young children) that could lead to some wonderful discussions about grace, and fighting for what you know is right. I highly recommend it this Christmas season!

5 Gifts for Children

I used to buy 5 gifts for my kids at Christmas:
Gift #1: A doll or stuffed animal...something to love

Gift #2: A book...something to learn

Gift #3: A game or toy...something to play with!

Gift #4: A gift of activity...something that made my child move

Today is gift #5... and that was a gift of creativity. Something that would let my child express his/her own style. A gift of artistic expression.
Keep it simple. It may be a new box of crayons every year; markers; clay; or paints of all kinds. Scrapbooking and card making is perfect as your kids get older. Build into your child's imagination with this gift. Plan an area in your home where this gift can be used so you aren't complaining about the mess and clean up. This gift should allow your child to explore and get dirty if necessary. After Christmas your family may want to go to an art show or museum together. Show them the end results of developing their creativity. Christmas is a time of wonder...let it start in the mind of your child as he/she creates with the 5th gift of Christmas.

This list of 5 gifts gave me a reason for shopping and buying. I hope you find it to be a guide of some sort for your Christmas. Start young, start simple and stay in touch with your child by giving gifts that make sense.

5 Gifts for Children

I suppose you ran right out and bought the first 3 gifts for your children, right?!

Gift #1 Something to hug and love

Gift #2 A Book

Gift #3 A game or toy

Today's gift may be abit more challenging! Both to find a gift to fit this category and to get your children excited about it. This is the gift of activity! Children need to move and build good habits. This gift will accomplish both. The best part is that your child may not be aware that this gift is really a life lesson! More than ever, kids need to be encouraged to explore and enjoy the outdoors. It may be a pair of skates, a sled, hula hoop, hockey equipment, jumpropes, or a new bike. It doesn't need to be expensive...just something to get your children outdoors! It may be coupons for a family bike ride every month or a family canoe trip. This gift may evolve over the years; make it age appropriate and see how the years develop it.
Better get on the move yourself! Get out and find a gift of activity that your child will really enjoy.

5 Gifts for Children

We have been talking about 5 categories of gifts you might want to consider for your children as you head out to buy them something.

Gift #1: Something to hug and love like a doll or stuffed animal. This is really the gift that teaches your child to care.

Gift #2: A Book! A book given every year will encourage your child to learn...and spend time with you as you read it together.

Gift #3 is today's topic. For this gift I chose a game or a toy. When my kids were little, a toy was appropriate. It took some educating of myself to realize what toy might be the best for this category. I wanted something for my children just to enjoy. Play is their focus...that is how they learn, so the toy I chose needed to be chosen wisely. To pick a toy based on what a child sees on TV commercials isn't always the best way to go. There are so many educational toys available, but you may need to do some investigating to find the one that meets the needs of your child.

As the kids got older, I always bought a family game to play on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. We would add it to our 'game shelf' and play it throughout the year. The kids gave their opinion of what game to buy as they got older. Starting this tradtion early gives the family a cohesiveness about Christmas. We were adding value to the family as we added a game every year. We added memories as we all sat around and played it over and over again! It continues on with adult children as each year we continue to add a game to our holiday fun.

There are hidden lessons in choosing a gift from this category. A child learns to play, to interact and to win and lose. Winning and losing is a skill to teach and best learned in the safety of the family. What a way to teach it...the kids won't even suspect that they are being 'taught' when they sit beneath the Christmas tree, playing a game as a family!

Enjoy your shopping and check in tomorrow for gift#4

5 Gifts for Children

Yesterday I shared with you the idea of 'giving intentionally' to your children. I shared how my husband and I tried to give gifts that would fit in one of 5 categories as we chose gifts. If we could give 5 gifts to our children, one from each area, we felt that giving gifts had more meaning and a lasting affect on our children.

Gift #1 is the gift of caring. I chose a gift that my child would love and hug and take care of long after Christmas. A stuffed animal or doll would fall under this category.

Gift #2 is the gift of learning. (Don't put that on the tag that hangs on the present...your child might not be so eager to open it!) This gift was a great book! I would search all year for a special book for each of my children! Over the years, our kids came to expect a book and often would give us suggestions as to what book they would look forward to receiving. Books encourage wonder and exploration. It continues to 'give' long after Christmas as well.
Of course the main benefit of this gift is that you, the parent, comes with this present! The advantage of giving a book to a youngster is that he can't read so he will have to climb up on your lap and enjoy a quiet time with YOU!

Perhaps this gift is a perfect example of when you bless others, the blessing comes back to you. Give a book...and then enjoy reading that book to your child!

Gift #3 comes tomorrow!

5 Gifts for Children

Do you mindlessly pick things up as you shop, concerned more about how MUCH you are spending rather than how MUCH you are giving? Oh, I know you think about the giving aspect, but when it comes to giving gifts to your children, a little fore-thought can make Christmas MUCH more meaningful. It will also increase your anticipation for Christmas because there will be a real purpose in giving. When my kids were young, I would look forward to giving my kids 5 gifts. Each gift would fit into one of each category that I had identified ahead of time. I would like to pass on those categories to you...in hopes it will make your gift giving more rewarding.

Gift #1 We would shop for a gift that our children could hug or love. It might be a doll, a stuffed animal or a small toy they could hang onto. The purpose of this gift was to encourage our children to care for something (hopefully that would transfer over to people!). It was a gift that would encourage our children to hug and love and express affection.

If any of you have a gift that you have already purchased that fits into this category, pass the idea along. Share what you are giving your child that will encourage them to care for one another.

Come back tomorrow for gift #2!!

"What Do You Want For Christmas?"

Tomorrow we will turn the calendar to December...and the rush will be upon us! Are you ready?
Plan now to be proactive with your little ones and get them into the magic of giving! They are going to be bombarded by others asking them what they WANT for Christmas. Encourage your children to include in their reply what they are going to GIVE for Christmas. Make that your conversation around home. By three years old, your child can work with you on preparing a list of what each family member might like. Include your children in picking out items at the store. The best gifts however, are the gifts that you and your child MAKE for everyone on your list. So as you turn the calendar to December, plan a day to bake cookies with your littles ones and deliver some to your neighbors. Pick a day to make simple bookmarks for the readers in your family. Grandmas and Grandpas would love artwork of any kind from their grandchildren. So before your calendar fills up with December's busyness, set some days aside to focus on giving, and let your children experience the blessing that comes to those who give.

Preschool Christmas Pageant Finger Play

Yesterday I offered up an idea for your husband for Christmas. Today you might want to consider working with your preschoolers on this Christmas Finger Play. What a great thing to teach them and a fun activity to show the family on Christmas Day!

This is kind Joseph (hold up one finger)

And this is sweet Mary; (hold up two fingers)

She rides and he walks on their Bethlehem journey (move hand bobbling along!)

Here is the inn- (hands form pointed roof)

Joseph knocks on the door; (knocking action)

But the innkeeper says, "No room for more!" (shake head)

"Because you are tired and 'tis late in the day

You may go to the stable (point to far-off stable)

And rest on clean hay. (rest head on hands)

'Twas there in the stable that first Christmas morn, (hands form pointed roof)

Jesus, our Savior, God's best gift, was born. (rocking baby motion)

The 12 days of Christmas husband-style

We quickly move from Thanksgiving to Christmas, don't we?

One of my fellow Homemakers has started a yearly tradition that includes the 12 days of Christmas. She comes up with 12 gifts and gives one to her husband each day for 12 days.

I shared this idea with some other friends and now they do the same thing for their husbands. Some buy 1 gift, 2 gifts, 3 gifts etc., some just buy 1 for each day.

I think this definitely reveals how well you know your husband - what he likes, what makes him feel special and appreciated. And it is a challenge to come up with 12 ideas that are economical, yet fun!

The idea is NOT to spend a lot of money. Things like socks, homemade treats, a book or CD....whatever will let him know he is loved and thought of!

I'd love to hear if anyone decides to try this for their husband. Let us know how it turns out!

Movie Review!

Last Saturday night Stacy and Ryan came over to celebrate a belated Thanksgiving with us. I would share the recipe I served them, but Stacy is eliminating 'wheat' from her diet, so it was a cabbage hotdish (no pasta allowed!). Email me if you really want the recipe!

Stacy recommended we watch The Ultimate Gift DVD. I had heard Chuck Colsom sing its praises too, so I rented it for the evening. Now I am highly recomending it to you! I don't claim to be a savvy movie critic, but I know when I am entertained as well as inspired and this movie did both!
"Perhaps predictable, sentimental and sappy, but who cares, when it also oh so effectively delivers the salient message that much is expected of those fortunate enough to have been born blessed with so much."... a quote from EURWeb's review on Rotten Tomatoes.

What a great way to start the Christmas season.

I'm tired

My husband Ryan and I enjoyed a long and incredibly relaxing Thanksgiving weekend. I hope you all did as well.

But here we are on the Monday following and as I sit down to write this all I can think is, "I am so tired." How is that possible when I just had four days of resting?

I think it is called life: I got up at 6:30 this morning and was at the dentist by 8. I went to work where I stayed until 4. I left to meet a friend who is going through a divorce and is in the midst of a custody battle for his children. It is a heart-wrenching situation. I got home at 7:30 and ate dinner. Then I cleaned the bathroom, vacuumed, did the dishes and folded clothes. I just wrote out some thank you notes and it is 10:20 p.m.

I am tired.

Why am I telling you all this? Not because I want sympathy for a long day -- because I know that for some of you your day started earlier and will end later and involved children who needed your attention and energy all day...and that's tiring.

I share this simply because this is life. This is the life of a Homemaker. We work (be it inside or outside the home) and the work never ends. Sometimes we get a break. Sometimes we don't.

This is the reality of life as a Homemaker. When we have a home, we are Homemakers.

And just having come off of Thanksgiving, I am reminding myself tonight that I am THANKFUL for bathrooms to clean, dishes to wash and laundry to fold...even when I'm tired.

Post Script to Thanksgiving!

Hello, anyone out there? Are you all shopping? As you head out for Black Friday's specials, here a quote to take along with you:

"When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?"

G.K. Chesterton

Take a bit of Thanksgiving with you as you begin the Christmas rush!

Thanksgiving and Kids!

It's about this time when your kids are probably demanding some answers! "What's in this for me?" If you have been busy cooking, cleaning, or shopping they are bound to feel some stress themselves. Kids have a hard time with Thanksgiving because it is just a 'big dinner'. Every dinner is big to them, so what's the big deal about this one? That's when, once again, mom needs to come to the rescue. Remember:
Never plan a holiday or celebration without your children's help!
Have your 2-4 year old tear pictures from a magazine of things they are thankful for. Make a big collage and hang on their bedroom door

Let your 3-4 year old help make a special veggie dip to take to Grandma's. Let them stir parsley into an already made dip if nothing else. They can chop cucumbers, olives and pickles with a dull knife!

Your 4-6 year old can color a picture for the relatives..."I love my aunt because..." These can be shared at dinner.

Offer to bring 'place cards' to Grandma's that your kids have created.

Just get the kids involved in some way so they will know what is in it for them...they are giving of themselves.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Giving Thanks

We are Homemakers.

With that comes many joys and many challenges. This week lets remember to thank God for the opportunity we have to be Homemakers!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:13

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. Psalm 7:17

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

Thanksgiving Week...a Time to Prepare

Are you preparing the turkey this year?

Are you preparing the pies?

Are you preparing your house for your family to come and celebrate?

Are you preparing your heart for Thanksgiving?

When our kids were young, I would have them think of something they were thankful for and we would share it around the table before we devoured our dinner. I would put 3 pieces of corn (I used corn nuts!) on each plate as a meager appetizer and as we went around the table, each person would share what they were thankful for. They could eat the corn as they shared a blessing. It worked fine for many years but was often just 'last minute thoughts'.
I realized we were forgetting so many blessings that we had experienced during the year. That's when I started using the "Blessing Basket". A pretty basket sits by my back door all year long and as I experience different blessings, I write them on a small piece of paper and drop it in the basket. At our Thanksgiving dinner, the basket is brought to the table and is passed around. Every one reads a blessing from the year and this continues around the table until all the notes have been read. Anyone can drop a blessing into the basket during the year. It is fun to hear what everyone is grateful for and to remember forgotten blessings that would have gone unnoticed if they weren't written down.

Gratitude Journals, Thanksgiving Prayers, Tablecloths that are written on every year that tell of family blessings...these are just a few ways to prepare your heart for Thanksgiving Day. How are you preparing your heart?

How Do You Read A Book?

That question came up at our Homemakers meeting on Monday! Curious, huh?! We are trying to each read a book of our choice every month and then share a short synopsis at our meeting. This month we were sidetracked by one gal who had 'post-it' notes coming out every which way from her book. She obviously liked her book. She explained that there was a'system to her notes'. The notes sticking out of the top of her book meant she needed to go back and 'do' something that was suggested on each page. The notes sticking out of the side of her book reminded her that she needed to re-read or remember some portion of that page and the notes coming out of the bottom of her book were on pages that had some information she wanted to share with her husband. How clever! Now that is truly getting the most out of reading.
I often will turn down the corners of the pages I read if there is something important on that page that I want to review. When I am done with the book, I go back and copy the important points from those pages onto the extra pages in the front and/or back of the book. I can easily refer to my 'cliff notes' that way when I am sharing about the book to a friend or for my own refresher.
Are you a reader? Any hints you can share about your reading habits. If you aren't a reader, maybe these tips will help. Grab a good book and enjoy your weekend.

A Thanksgiving Choice

Most things written about Thanksgiving have to do with food, recipes, table decorations, family traditions, and so on.

Martha Stewart shows us how to prepare our homes and tables with Thanksgiving decor.

Rachael Ray tells us how to prepare the best side dishes.

And everywhere ads tell us to prepare our wallets for shopping the day after Thanksgiving.

Today I want to talk about preparing our hearts for Thanksgiving. I got an e-mail from a friend today who is struggling to have a heart of thankfulness this Thanksgiving season. She is going through some tough stuff, has some hard questions and is in a place she doesn't understand right now. She said "I don't feel as thankful as I should."

I love her honesty! Isn't that true of all of us? If we have a roof over our heads and food on a plate, we have so much to thank God for. Yet sometimes our circumstances are so all-consuming that it is difficult to see our blessings.

Are you approaching a holiday that is difficult for you? Are you struggling to have an attitude of gratitude?

Maybe finances are extra tight.
Maybe you are barely surviving a broken relationship.
Maybe your heart hurts every day when you wake up.
Maybe you are missing a loved one.
Maybe you are angry at God and feel like life isn't fair.
Maybe your family is in desperate need of restoration.

As difficult as it can be, make the choice to praise God for the ways in which He has blessed you. Choose to see the small blessings. Choose to thank God for the little things in your life. If nothing else, get on your knees and thank God for who He is.

It might not be the natural or easy thing to do, but it is a choice you won't regret!

Our First Thanksgiving...the rest of the story!

Our 'Homemakers with Hope's' first Thanksgiving was so special to me in so many ways. It was a night for just girls and we all seemed to appreciate all the work that Betsy put into the evening. As we sat around the table after we had eaten everything in sight, she shared a few tips about baking her 'first turkey' dinner.
'Preparation was the key', she said. She said she had to plan ahead, make lists and make all the details come together. She purchased a large roaster to accomodate the turkey and used it as a buffet server during our meal. She justified buying it because it was on sale and it was an item she would use for many years to come. (I applaud her for seeing the big picture and investing in her homemaking skills!) She said she learned that she needed to allow more time for the 'bird' to thaw out.
I share these comments with you, knowing you can get full instructions about putting on a Thanksgiving feast from many sites on the internet...but what you get on Homemakers with Hope is the 'rest of the story'.
Betsy prepared this huge 'spread' for us, complete with place cards, candles, pumpkin centerpieces, a gift for each of us and so much more. We were distracted as we entered however, because her husband was lying on the kitchen floor surrounded by a turkey carcass in the trash, potatoes boiling on the stove, and gravy waiting to be thicken. Betsy quickly explained that both the disposal and dishwasher was inoperable! Dinner sort of stood still as her husband wrestled with the tools. All of us girls worked around his body trying to get our contribution to the dinner in the oven, in the frig, or wherever it needed to go. At one point I stood aside and looked at all the commotion, only to marvel at how everything was coming together inspite of the blips along the way. Betsy's relaxed mental attitude was the key. She was busy getting us hot apple cider and encouraging us to put our food out on the buffet table.
She was modeling for each of us the difference between hospitality and entertainment. Sure, she provided entertainment for us as her husband laid on the kitchen floor and she stepped over him to make the gravy and mash the potatoes, but her first thought was to be hospitable. To welcome us into her home and make us feel so loved. I bet the first Thanksgiving had many interruptions and unmet expectations too. Our Homemakers 'First Thanksgiving' will be memorable BECAUSE of the interruptions and the lessons we learned from our hostess.

A Homemakers Thanksgiving

Last night we had our first ever Homemakers Thanksgiving Dinner! It was fantastic. Hopefully I can post pictures later this week.

Our hostess welcomed us with a gift at our place setting. We each received the book I Promise by Gary Smalley. She said it is one of the best books her and her husband have ever read. I am excited to start reading it with my husband!

Our hostess made the turkey and potatoes and the rest of us each brought our favorite Thanksgiving dish to share. I brought Green Bean Casserole. My recipe is a twist on an old favorite (no cream of mushroom soup!).

Grandma’s Green Bean Casserole (from www.allrecipes.com)

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/4 cup onion, diced
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 4 (14.5 ounce) cans French style green beans, drained
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 large can of French Fried Onions

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sautée until soft and clear. Stir in flour until smooth, and cook for one minute. Stir in the salt, sugar and sour cream.
   
3. Remove from heat and add green beans, and stir to coat.
   
4. Add one cup of cheese and once cup of French Fried Onions to green bean mixture.
   
5. Transfer the mixture to a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish. Spread rest of shredded cheese over the top.
   
6. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top is golden and cheese is bubbly. Add onions and bake for 5 more minutes. Best when it is really hot and bubbly!

Please share your favorite Thanksgiving recipe with us. We love to try new recipes!

A Dinner Challenge

I am throwing out a challenge to all of you today.

I'm starting with a question:
How many nights a week do you eat dinner at your dining room or kitchen table? Whether you are single, married, have a small children or teenagers, on average how many nights a week do you eat together at the table?

In this busy world our schedules seem to not allow for family dinner. Sports, evening commitments, work...whatever it might be, it seems our tendency is to eat on the run. Serve food in shifts. Go through the drive through. Or, sit in the front of the tv and be entertained by the tube.

Research by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA)* at Columbia University consistently finds that the more often children eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs.

I haven't read this book yet, but I am going to put it on my reading list: The Surprising Power of Family Meals: How Eating Together Makes Us Smarter, Stronger, Healthier, and Happier.

Family dinners can become a tradition. The time at the table talking, sharing, laughing, and eating home-cooked food will impact the heart and the mind of all family members.

This challenge is one that I need to take on. Ryan and I are lucky if we eat dinner together three times a week....and maybe once at the dinner table. We often turn on the television and laugh our way through dinner while we eat on separate couches. Eating dinner at the table together isn't a habit that we will be able to easily pass onto our children if we don't start it now. Dinner is a great chance to connect. A perfect opportunity to check in. An ideal way to build those healthy habits we are always talking about.

If you aren't convinced yet, read this article: Why Your Family Needs to Eat Dinner Together. It offers five great reasons why eating together is essential to your family.

So I challenge you for the next two weeks - from now through Thanksgiving - eat dinner together as often as you can. Even if it is paper plates and grilled cheese sandwiches...serve it up with a smile, laugh and share at the dinner table, and see how it impacts your household!

Who's up for the challenge?

Whatever you do...

I once heard a woman say, "The choice about what to eat for dinner cannot be made at 3 p.m." Oh those words are so true!

Just like everything else in life, when it comes to meal planning, we need to PLAN ahead. Time is short, energy may be lacking, the day might be busy....and 3 p.m. is no time to look in the freezer or pantry and wonder "what's for dinner?"

Flylady has some great tips on food and meal preparation. Maybe you are a crock pot girl. Maybe you are a pre-prepared frozen meal gal. Maybe you stick to quick-n-easy meals. Whatever your preference, find a system that works for you and your family.

But whatever you do, be intentional about what you eat, when you eat, and where you eat. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

While it may not seem like a ministry, the hours you spend in your kitchen are most certainly hours that God will bless because you are blessing your family. You are caring for your flock. You are peeling, cutting, washing, frying, cooking, basting, broiling, baking, grilling, serving...all to the glory of God.

My Menu-Planning System...for now!

How long have I been cooking meals and I am still on the hunt for the 'perfect system'? Someday I hope to find that perfect system, but in the meantime, I enjoy trying new techniques to make my meal-planning easier. I used to use a big calendar for planning my meals and record what I would serve daily. My frustration was that often I wasn't home to cook what was on the calendar or we had leftovers that I wanted to use up. It left me with a calendar of good 'ideas' but uncooked meals. Often I would re-copy the menu onto the next week in hopes of using those recipes then.
My new system consists of a 4x6 recipe card that I fill out at the beginning of the week with meals that I could make for the up-coming week if my days went according to plan! I paperclip this card to the bottom of my calendar. If some meals need fresh ingredients to make that dinner, I write that on my grocery list as well as on the 4x6 card. As the week unfolds, I look at the card to see what my choices are to cook. (I usually try to include 2 easy dinners, a harder one, a new recipe to try, and fill in the rest with old stand-bys). After each meal I write on the calendar what I made. Recording my menus after the fact allows me flexibility yet gives me direction. Last night we had leftover lasagne from Monday night's meal. Tonight I can choose a meal from my 'card' according to how my day looks. At the start of a new week, I look back on my card to see what I didn't make and transfer those choices to a new card for the new week if I still want to make that dinner. I toss the old card and can look back at the calendar as a reference to what we actually ate and can plan accordingly for the future. My calendar is accurate without any changes and I am in control of planning my meals around my family life.

Women aren't in the kitchen as long any more to have time to plan and prepare an exact meal everyday. Be wise and keep that in mind as you think about setting up new systems.

Keep evaluating your present systems. Are they working for you? If not, go for plan B. There are so many ideas to be shared, pick a plan that works for you and your family. Try it out and see if life doesn't get abit easier.

Lovin' my recipes

I love recipes.

I really really love them.

Really, I do.

I look up recipes weekly on my favorite web site: www.allrecipes.com

I clip recipes from magazines. I get them from friends. I love trying NEW recipes and especially those recommended from friends.

But my recipes have always been overflowing....out of my binders, recipe containers, cupboard, etc.

This past month I've taken on the Homemakers Recipe Organizing Challenge and am loving it!

I have assembled two 3-ring binders. One for main dishes (chicken and beef) along with side dishes and desserts. My other has soups/salads, breakfast/bread, appetizers, sandwiches, and snacks/drinks.

I am typing up an index so I can easily read through all my recipe options. I want to make a hospitality section so I can see quick options for having people over or bringing a meal to someone.

My husband and I created a list of 10 meals that he can make: 5 quick and easy (tacos, grilled cheese, spaghetti) and 5 that take a bit more time (Tater tot hot dish, lasagna, stir-fry). That way he always has a few ideas of meals to make when I'm not home.

This has been SO rewarding.

Anyone want to join in on the challenge? Can we help?

Love Those Recipes!

Don't you just love looking at recipes? I have talked with more women who read recipe books before they fall asleep at night!? I haven't got the itch to do that, but my mind does gear up for cooking as the weather gets cooler. Right now I am in the process of organizing my recipes! No small feat. Homemakers with Hope has taken this task on as homework this month, so maybe you would like to join the fun! It is an on-going task, but I have become abit more proficient with practice. Can I pass on a few tips in case you get the bug to organize your recipes before the holidays are upon you?

1. I have 2 big binders for all recipes that I love. The first has A-L category of foods (Appetizers, breads, cakes, cookies, dessert++) The second has M-Z (Meat, Seafood,Vegetarian++)

2. I have a small portable file box for all recipes that I would like to try some day, or recipes I have tasted, just not made. They are in files with the same categories as my binders.

As I try a recipe from my portable file and my family likes it, I transfer it to my binder as a 'keeper! If they don't like it or I didn't like making it, I throw it away.

One tip that has been so helpful to me over the years is that I have a master list of dinner ideas at the front of the first binder in a plastic sleeve. When I am stumped as to what to make, I flip to this list to jog my memory. I recently updated that list as well.

I also have a section for recipes to 'make and take' when I am asked to take a meal to a sick friend or a new mom...I turn to those recipes so I am not agonizing over what to make and if it will turn out.

Lots to share! Have any of you used the software that is available for organizing your recipes? That is intriquing to me. Please jump in here and share what works for you!

A Homemakers resume

As a Homemaker your resume might include tasks like:
Menu planner
Organizer
Carpool queen
Nurse
Coupon-clipper
Housekeeper
Laundry stain getter-outter
Finance guru
Garage sale/clearance seeker
Gardener

I heard recently of a family who hires a "professional" to clean their home, to do their shopping and to plan all their family activities. The mom asks this professional "What do you have scheduled for my family to do this weekend?"

Can you imagine???

I would venture to say that life is too busy if you have to hire someone to plan your family activities and do ALL the home duties that come with living life.

Many of the duties of a Homemaker are mundane. Some of them are fun and creative. And while the resume of a Homemaker doesn't come with a high monetary salary, it's an invaluable position.

So whether you are single and running your own home, a newlywed setting up your first home or a mom with years of Homemaking experience, remember that the opportunity to be a Homemaker is a gift.

Praise God for our Homemaking boots!

A gentle reminder

Above my kitchen sink I have a easel that is designed to hold 4 x 6 photos. Instead of having photos in it I have typed up verses that gently remind me of my role as a Homemaker.

Some of the verses are as follows:
Proverbs 14:1
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Psalm 101:2
I will walk in my house with a blameless heart.

Proverbs 31:17
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

The last one about working vigorously is such a great reminder when I am weary (emotionally or physically) from my day and I don't feel like cooking or cleaning or doing any other homemaking tasks. I pray for the right attitude and that my arms would be strong for washing dishes or doing laundry.

These verses gently remind me that I cannot succeed as a Homemaker on my own, but only through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Happy Halloween...are your wearing your boots?

It's Halloween, if you are wearing your boots, I hope you are on your way to a costume party!
It's a perfect example of what 'wearing your boots as a homemaker' means. Tonight is a night to spend with family and neighbors. It is not the time to wear your heavy-duty cleaning boots. When I was in college and studying for finals, I always had an overwhelming desire to clean my drawers, organize my closet, re-arrange my furniture...anything but study. As soon as the pressure of finals was over, my desire to clean was over as well! I had to learn there was a proper time to do different tasks and during finals wasn't the time to do major cleaning of my room.

Halloween isn't the time to be cleaning your home. Enjoy the moment!

Another thought...

Some women don't own a pair of boots for household chores. They have cleaning ladies. My opinion is that a pair of boots is still needed. Wear those boots occasionally and teach your children the basics of cleaning and organizing for when they keep house in the future.

Other women wear their boots with pride and often forget to take them off when the house is spotless. They stomp right over the family in their effort to keep the house perfect. Boots aren't meant for long-term wear...cleaning isn't non-stop. You need to ease up and enjoy the people in your home, not just the home itself.

Well, I am off to find my Halloween boots, my broom and my pointed hat...

Who has time for homemaking?

This is my schedule from today and for tomorrow.....

Tuesday:
Get up
Go to work
Go buy dress for husband's work party this weekend
Go to hospital to see new baby nephew (yeah, I'm an aunt!!)
Get home at 9:15 to see my husband who just got home from traveling

Wednesday:
Get up
Go to breakfast meeting
Go back to hospital to visit baby nephew again with my husband
Go to appointment
Go to the club (need to fit into the dress I just bought!)
Get home late afternoon
Small group coming over at 6:30

We are women. We are wives. We are moms. We are siblings. We are aunties (yeah again!). We are business women. We are busy women.

Very busy. And I don't even have kids!

So how does one fit in the role of being a Homemaker? I looked up the definition of Homemaker just to see how it was defined and this is what I found:

home·mak·er /ˈhoʊmˌmeɪkər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[hohm-mey-ker] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun

1.	a person who manages the household of his or her own family, esp. as a principal occupation.

A Homemaker is a person who "manages" a household. I get easily overwhelmed at the idea of managing my home. I live in a town home with just two people and it has taken me six years to grow into this role of being a Homemaker -- and I am still growing. I have so much to learn about pulling on my boots and getting to work. I'm learning to balance my time, my schedule, my busyness and my priorities.

I'm curious....how do you all view your role as a Homemaker? Overwhelming, exciting, a blessing, a lot of work? How are you learning to balance your roles? Please share!

These Boots Are Made for Working!

In my quest for prioritizing all the different responsibilities in my life, I found it to be helpful to think of my roles in terms of the shoes I wore daily. (Read the past few postings to get a flavor of what Stacy and I have shared about barefeet, socks, slippers and sneakers). This week we are on to the one-of-a-kind, muscle shoe. Only a boot would fit my role as a homemaker. As I trudged out to the garden with fertilizer, washed windows, painted bedrooms, hauled in groceries or moved furniture, I needed all-purpose, heavy-duty boots! Durable, indestructible, not necessarily pretty, but somebody had to do these jobs, right? The role of a homemaker used to consume me. Taking care of the home was so relentless it often discouraged me. There was always more that could or should be done. When I would visualize myself slipping into my boots for a period of time, I could scoot around and get jobs done, knowing I could change my shoes later and get on with what I really wanted to do. Keeping the house in good repair was a priority for me...I needed to realize that when I put on my boots... they were made for working!

Wearing boots...as a homemaker...an interesting topic for this week.

Become an Expert

"When you love someone, become an expert of them" That is exactly what 'changing shoes' will allow you to do when raising kids. (Refer back to the earlier postings this week to clarify 'shoes'!) As a mom, if I put on a different pair of sneakers daily to represent my intentional interaction with each child, I would be assured that I was building a relationship with my child. I was on my way to become an expert of each child that I loved so dearly. So to end this week, I would like to challenge you to take the "Sneaker System Challenge" and set up a way to learn more about your child as he/she ages.
Get a small journal, or spiral notebook. Just a small one and have one for each child. Label it with your child's name and if possible put a picture of the sneaker that represents that child on the cover (the sneaker picture is extra credit, don't get discouraged trying to find the perfect representation!) As often as you can, record what you are learning about your child. Just small, quick entry journals that will be fun to pass on to your child someday, but more importantly be a reminder to you who your child is.
When my children were growing up, my daughter was the only one who HATED mustard. Not a dislike, but a true repulsion of that food. I would make sandwiches for the whole gang and mindlessly put mustard on all of the sandwiches. I wasn't seasoned enough as a mom to realize I should be noting these differences down and taking it to heart...but I am hoping to redeem myself by passing this option on to you. Once I caught on to the need to individualize my parenting, I began noticing how each child learned, what caused them to act out, what their love language was, etc.
It is a marathon you are in as a mom, so get those sneakers positioned on the starting line everyday and put them to the test of allowing you to become an expert of each of your children.

Unnatural

"God gives us the strength as mothers to do what is "unnatural." It is against our nature to get up three or four times a night, yet we do it. It is against our nature to wipe dirty bottoms, clean up vomit, wipe runny noses, wash piles of dirty laundry, yet we do it. It is against the natural to be unselfish, yet, as mothers, we have to be." - Ruth Graham Bell

So it would seem from the quote above that it is unnatural to pull on your tennies. It is unnatural to spend dedicated time with each child. It is unnatural to set aside your needs (and your other roles), but yet it is so important.

Ask God for strength today to do what is unnatural...then put on your tennies and be what no one else can be for your children....their mom.