as you all I'm sure will agree, this time of the year can be tricky with sickness, expectations, family drama...I have definitely experienced all of the above, bringing with those disappointment, frustration, and giant failures! but at the same time, we are celebrating Advent. how....providential. that in this extra-busy and potentially complicated few weeks, we are instructed to remember one thing: do not lose hope, He is coming.
the past couple of years we've watched The Nativity Story movie with the kids sometime around Christmas. like all good stories, you learn something new or different each time you hear it. I was thinking about the shepherds, and how probably most of them were older, perhaps some of the oldest men from the nearest city. maybe being older and not able to use tools or work as long and hard as the younger men, they were sent to watch sheep day in and day out. and if they were older, then they have been waiting to be rescued the longest. they had read the prophecies over and over, perhaps memorized them, reciting them as they lay staring at the sky every night.
how gracious of our King, to not only humbly enter this world for the young and the old, but to announce Himself to ones who maybe waited the longest. maybe they had all but given up, content to die in the fields, unknown and uncared for by any one.
we have one great Hope. do not give up doing the work! day in and day out. our God Who Sees, praise Him.
next up...Easter....the purpose of Christmas. hallelujah.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
a call to rest
boy has this been a running theme lately! it's so humbling to look back over this past year and see where daily abiding in Christ was sorely lacking in my life. i think all future Octobers will remind me to take a good hard look at my heart...at my motivations...at my energy levels...at my marriage....and lay them all before the throne of grace. I've had the air knocked out of me several times this year and yet continued to live as if it were up to me to get over it, fix it, just one foot in front of the other. way to suck the joy right out of life, jenny! in a way, I think I looked at the cross and said 'must be nice, but that's not for me.'
because isn't that what Christ did? dying so that we can approach the throne of grace DAILY. dying so that we can lean on the Father's everlasting arms when getting out of bed is too much. dying so that the Spirit can point us to the only Counselor we need. dying so we may live with hope. trudging through life one step at a time denies the gift we were so freely given. Christ daily extends His arms of rest to me, yet I shrug resolutely, turn and continue to just function with these shifting burdens that only I can bear.
this command to rest is just that. a command. it matters not how you rest, it just matters that you do. in resting daily, submission comes more easily. submission to the work, submission to parenting well, submission to my husband, submission to Christ. when I sense God's presence in my daily life, I more quickly yield to Him. I see His desires for me and my family more clearly. I can taste His goodness and love, something I have seemingly pushed away and refused at the banquet table so many times.
and yet, this abiding remains a discipline. ugh. that word. but there is freedom there. breathing prayers quickly when my anger begins to boil. saying no to life-draining things so that I can say yes to life-giving things. reading the Word and asking the Spirit to show me application. and always always knowing that it is He who works in me and through me, and will use me even when I screw it all up...because of His great love for me.
abiding and resting in Christ sometimes calls for physical breaks. perhaps there is a season for us to take steps away completely from people, from commitments, from ministries. but I am convinced more and more that Christ's words to us are spoken under the assumption that we are already doing the work He set before us. abide and speak life to another. rest and labor with only His strength. all while knowing His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
'it is not the doing of some great thing and does not demand that we first lead a very holy and devoted life. no, it is simply weakness entrusting itself to a Mighty One to be kept--the unfaithful one casting self on One who is altogether trustworthy and true. abiding in Him is not a work that we have to do as the condition for enjoying His salvation, but a consenting to let Him do all for us, and in us, and through us..' Andrew Murray, Abide in Christ
because isn't that what Christ did? dying so that we can approach the throne of grace DAILY. dying so that we can lean on the Father's everlasting arms when getting out of bed is too much. dying so that the Spirit can point us to the only Counselor we need. dying so we may live with hope. trudging through life one step at a time denies the gift we were so freely given. Christ daily extends His arms of rest to me, yet I shrug resolutely, turn and continue to just function with these shifting burdens that only I can bear.
this command to rest is just that. a command. it matters not how you rest, it just matters that you do. in resting daily, submission comes more easily. submission to the work, submission to parenting well, submission to my husband, submission to Christ. when I sense God's presence in my daily life, I more quickly yield to Him. I see His desires for me and my family more clearly. I can taste His goodness and love, something I have seemingly pushed away and refused at the banquet table so many times.
and yet, this abiding remains a discipline. ugh. that word. but there is freedom there. breathing prayers quickly when my anger begins to boil. saying no to life-draining things so that I can say yes to life-giving things. reading the Word and asking the Spirit to show me application. and always always knowing that it is He who works in me and through me, and will use me even when I screw it all up...because of His great love for me.
abiding and resting in Christ sometimes calls for physical breaks. perhaps there is a season for us to take steps away completely from people, from commitments, from ministries. but I am convinced more and more that Christ's words to us are spoken under the assumption that we are already doing the work He set before us. abide and speak life to another. rest and labor with only His strength. all while knowing His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
'it is not the doing of some great thing and does not demand that we first lead a very holy and devoted life. no, it is simply weakness entrusting itself to a Mighty One to be kept--the unfaithful one casting self on One who is altogether trustworthy and true. abiding in Him is not a work that we have to do as the condition for enjoying His salvation, but a consenting to let Him do all for us, and in us, and through us..' Andrew Murray, Abide in Christ
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Ginger root!!
Ginger root is another favorite. It can be used to settle the stomach in case of motion sickness.
If I felt something "coming on" I would start with Ginger root either in water or as a tea. If it develops that I would use Activated Charcoal. :-)
Ginger Root information
Lynne
If I felt something "coming on" I would start with Ginger root either in water or as a tea. If it develops that I would use Activated Charcoal. :-)
Ginger Root information
Lynne
For the medicine cabinet!
One of the things that I like to have on hand is activated charcoal We have used this in our home to stop the "happenings" of stomach bugs. For the short term bugs, that is. I would not use this long term without personally researching the effects of long term use. In quick lay man's term, the gunk attaches to the carbonated charcoal and is removed from the body. When things come out of your body, it will be black. Very important - if someone takes activated charcoal and then still is gets sick...you will have a mess on your hands. So prepare for this. Thankfully, when we used it - it stopped our bug and we were not longer sick.
Here is my story of A C:
We had a bug going around the house. First, Joel got it and after a few days he was on his way to recovering. Then Marissa got it. Then I got it. I'll spare the details but I was getting very concerned about dehydration. A dear friend called to check on me and told me about activated charccoal. Patrick went by the herb store and picked us up some and within 1 hour of taking it things settled down. I was able to get up and walk around with any issues whatsoever.
I apologize for having to give a link - but they have the information already written up.
http://www.bulkherbstore.com/Activated-Charcoal-Powder
Make sure you read the comments too! Lots of info there as well.
Lynne
Here is my story of A C:
We had a bug going around the house. First, Joel got it and after a few days he was on his way to recovering. Then Marissa got it. Then I got it. I'll spare the details but I was getting very concerned about dehydration. A dear friend called to check on me and told me about activated charccoal. Patrick went by the herb store and picked us up some and within 1 hour of taking it things settled down. I was able to get up and walk around with any issues whatsoever.
I apologize for having to give a link - but they have the information already written up.
http://www.bulkherbstore.com/Activated-Charcoal-Powder
Make sure you read the comments too! Lots of info there as well.
Lynne
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Organizing our stuff.....
Here is a great way to keep your clothing tidy in small spaces! I really love this method and my husband loves it too. I have done this with his t-shirts and shorts. It is a great space saver too.
http://goop.com/the-illustrated-guide-to-the-kondo-mari-method/
Hope you enjoy!
Lynne
Monday, August 17, 2015
What's So Good About Marriage?
You may have read the book Questioning Evangelism, by Randy Newman. And if you are anything like me it doesn't take you but two months to forget most of what you read. So, I want to share a beautiful meditation on marriage. Admittedly, I was surprised to find this in a book about evangelism. In his chapter 'What Is So Good About Marriage?', he first mentions that marriage secures and soothes. His final point is 'Marriage Sanctifies'. He quotes:
"The process of discovering or finding another person in the process of loosing oneself. This is certainly not a loss of identity, but only of the false identity that is founded upon self-will. Human beings are the presence of God in the world, and by drawing so close to one of them that we enter willingly into the fire of their judgement, it becomes possible for our own selfish will to be illuminated and cauterized. Intimacy is therefore a fire of righteous purification, a fire we could never tolerate were it not for the assurance that we are loved." (from The Mystery of Marriage by Mike Mason)
Then he comments on the quote:
"Loving cauterization- what a beautiful image! Marriage makes us better because it shows us how bad we are. Lifelong, unconditional commitment makes us more giving because it exposes how selfish we are. Loving someone who doesn't deserve love makes us more like the God who loved us "while we were still sinners" (Rom. 5:8). Unlike any other tool, then, marriage drives home the two-pronged message of the Gospel: that we are more wicked and sinful than we ever dared believe but, in Christ, we are more accepted and loved than we ever dared hope."
I loved this perspective on marriage as a illustration of the gospel message. What a beautiful design for our sanctification. An encouraging truth to remember.
"The process of discovering or finding another person in the process of loosing oneself. This is certainly not a loss of identity, but only of the false identity that is founded upon self-will. Human beings are the presence of God in the world, and by drawing so close to one of them that we enter willingly into the fire of their judgement, it becomes possible for our own selfish will to be illuminated and cauterized. Intimacy is therefore a fire of righteous purification, a fire we could never tolerate were it not for the assurance that we are loved." (from The Mystery of Marriage by Mike Mason)
Then he comments on the quote:
"Loving cauterization- what a beautiful image! Marriage makes us better because it shows us how bad we are. Lifelong, unconditional commitment makes us more giving because it exposes how selfish we are. Loving someone who doesn't deserve love makes us more like the God who loved us "while we were still sinners" (Rom. 5:8). Unlike any other tool, then, marriage drives home the two-pronged message of the Gospel: that we are more wicked and sinful than we ever dared believe but, in Christ, we are more accepted and loved than we ever dared hope."
I loved this perspective on marriage as a illustration of the gospel message. What a beautiful design for our sanctification. An encouraging truth to remember.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Wise Words for Moms
I picked up this calendar of sorts at a Children's Desiring God conference a couple summers ago. I attempted to scan and post it, but I think just typing it out is the easiest thing in the end. . one side lists different behaviors of our lovely children, then questions we can ask them, how to encouragement them, and a Bible verse that goes along with each behavior. I keep it on my fridge, so it's easy to just turn around, look at the chart, and say something wise!
Aggravating, Stirring up Strife, Picking on Others: 1. Are you purposing in your heart to promote peace, or are you stirring up trouble? 2. How can you show love and pursue peace in this situation?
Put off Strife. One of the 7 things God hates is one who stirs up trouble among his brothers. Prov 6:19
Put On Peace-Making. God gives joy to those who promote peace. Prov 12:20
Additional verses: Prov 10:12, I Peter 3:11
Bad Friendships: 1. Do you think this friend will encourage you to follow Jesus? 2. Do you think it is a wise decision to 'hang out' with this person?
Put off Bad Company. You should stay aay from those whose ways are conrary to the teaching you have learned or you will be led astray to suffer harm. Rom 16:17, Prov 12:26, Prov 13:20
Put on Wisdom. If you walk with the wise you will grow wise. Prov 13:20
Additonal Verses: Prov 22:24-25, Prov 28:26, Rom 16:7
Blame shifting, Making Excuses: 1. Could it be that you are trying to cover over your own sin? 2. Without blaming someone else or making excuses, I want you to examine your own heart and tell me what you did. 3. What could you have done differently?
Put off Pride: When you try to hide your sins you will not prosper. God knows what is in your heart. Prov 28:13
Put On Humility. If you confess and turn away from your sin, you will be forgive and will receive mercy. Prov 28:13, I John 1:9
Additional verses: Prov 21:2, Micah 7:9, James 5:16
Bragging, Conceit: 1. Do those words bring glory and honor to God or to yourself?
Put Off Pride. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. Prov 27:2, God will not tolerate a proud heart. Ps 101:5
Put on Humility: Walk im humility and consider others better than yourself. Phil 2:3
Additional verses: I Sam 16:7b, Rom 12:3, I Cor 1:31, Gal 6:14
Complaining: 1. Is your attitude showing thankfulness and contentment? 2. Rather than complaining, what can you be thankful for in this situation?
Put off Complaining. Do everything without complaining and arguing. Phil 2:14
Put On Thankfulness. It is God's will that you be thankful and joyfl in all circumstances. I Thess 5:16-18
Additional verses Prov 17:22, Col 3:17, 23
Coveting, Discontent: 1. Do you believe God has provided you with everything you need? 2. What are some things God has faithfully supplied you with? 3. What do you truly need that you do not have?
Put off Discontentment. Do not love the things of this world. Those who covet will find no satisfaction. I John 2:15, Haggai 1:6
Put on Contentment. Be content with wht you have--contentment allows you to enjoy what God has given you. Heb 13:5, I Tim 6:6-8
Additional Verses: Ex 20:17, Luke 12:15
Defeat, giving up: 1. What did Jesus do when He was tempted to give up? 2. What if Jesus had given up? 3. What should you do when you are tempted to give up?
Put off Discouragement. Do not give up and do not rely on your own strength. 2 Thess 3:13
Put on Perseverance. Pray for willingness and strength to persevere when things are hard. Allow God's strength to be made perfect in your weakness. 2 Cor 12:9, Eph 6:18, James 5:13
Additional Verses: Rom 5:3, Eph 3:13, Phil 4:13, Heb 12:3
Defiant Attitude, Defiant Look: 1. Are you obeying or disobeying with your attitude? 2. Are you truly obeying when you obey with an unhappy heart?
Put off Defiance. It is wicked for you to harden your face and foolish for you to despise instruction. Prov 21:29, Prov 12:1
Put On Submission: A wise heart accepts command and a happy heart makes the face cheerful. Prov 10:8, Prov 15:13
Additional verses: Prov 17:22, Prov 28:14, Phil 2:5
Destructive with toys, property: 1. Do you think you should be allowed to have this if you are going to desroy it? 2. Are you being considerate of the person who puchcased this? 3. Is this an act of goodness or evil?
Put off destruction. Wastefulness leads to poverty and a foolish man destroys what he has. Luke 15:12-14, Prov 21:20
Put on Good Stewardship. You are blessed and trusted with more when you take care of what you have. Matt 25:29
Additional verses: I Cor 4:2
Disobeying: 1. Are you obeying or disobeying? 2. How did you disobey? 3. How does God want you to obey? (all the way, right away, with a happy heart)
Put off Disobedience. When you disobey me you are disobeying God and it will not go well with you. I love you too much to allow you to disobey. Eph 6:1-3 (be consistent to follow through with consequences for direct disobedience. Prov 23:13-14)
Put on Obedience: Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Col 3:20
Additional verses: Prov 13:13, 18, 24, Prov 15:32
Fear: 1. Does God give you a spirit of fear? 2. What would God wnat you to do in this fearful situation?
Put Off fearfulness: When you are living in fear you are not trusting God. Matt 8:26
Put On Trust: God has said, never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Heb 13:5b
Additional Verses: Deut 31:6, Ps 27:1, Prov 29:25, 2 Tim 1:7
Lying, Deceit 1. Do you kno who the father of lies is? 2. Who do you want as your Father? 3. Do you think lying honors your Father and your family?
put off Lying: Lying dmages your relationship with your family and God hates a lying tongue--so you must 'put off' lying. Eph 4:25, Prov 6:17
Put on Truthfulness: The Lord delights in those who are truthful. Prov 12:22
Additional Verses: Ps 19:14, Prov 19:5, 9 Col 3:9
Not Receiving Instruction: 1. Is your attitude showing respect for me and honoring Jesus? 2. Is it wise or foolish for you to reject my instruction?
Put off Foolishness. God says that it is foolish for you to reject the wisdom of my words. Prov 23:9
Put on Wisdom. If you listen to advice and accept instruction you will be wise. Prov 19:20
Additional Verses: Prov 1:33, 13:13, 15:5,14
Quarreling, Arguing: 1. Are you being strong and avoiding strife or are you being weak and participating in strife? 2. What can you do/say in order to keep peace with your brother/sister right now? (ask all children involved)
Put off Quarreling: A harsh word stirs up anger. You need to depart from evil and do good because God says it is foolish to quarrel. Prov 15:1b, Ps 34:14, Prov 20:3b
Put On Peace Making: A gentle answer turns away wrath. it is to your honor to avoid strife and to live at peace with everyone. Prov 20:3a, Rom 12:18, Prov 15:1a
Additional Verses: Prov 15:13
Revenge: 1. What would Jesus do? 2. How can you honor Jesus and bless this person who has wronged you?
Put off Revenge: Do not say, 'I'll pay you back for this wrong!' Wait for the Lord and he will deliver you. Prov 20:22 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. I Peter 3:9
Put on Forgiveness. It is to your glory to overlook an offense and you obey God when you overcome evil with good. Prov 19:11, Rom 12:21
Additional Verses: Lue 6:35-36, Rom 12:14
Selfishness, Me First: 1. Are you putting your brother/sister ahead of yourself or are you being selfish? 2. What would be a kind and generous thing to do?
Put off Selfishness. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselfs. Phil 2:3 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Prov 3:27
Put On Generosity: Honor one another above yourself. Rom 12:10, God Loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor 9:7b
Additional Verses: Gal 6:10, Phil 2:4
Tattling: 1. Could it be that you are delighting in getting your brother/sister in trouble? 2. Rather than tattling, how can you spur him/her on toward love and good deeds?
Put off Talebearing. If you are trying to get your brother/sister in trouble, you will get in trouble. Whoeve gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. Prov 17:5b
Put on Encouragement. Spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Heb 10:24 (Child should come directly to Mom when another child is endangering himself, someone else, or destroying property.
Additional verses: Prov 11:12-13, Prov 16:28, I Cor 13:6
Teasing, Tearing Others Down: 1. Do those words show love and edify your brother/sister or do they tear him/her down? 2. What can you say to edify (build up) our brother/sister?
Put off unwholesome Talk. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth Eph 4:29
Put on Edifying Words. The words of your mouth should be helpful in building others up according to their needs.
Additional verses: Ps 34:14, Prov 26:18-19, Matt 19:19b
Whining: 1. Are you communicating with a self-controlled voice? 2. How does God want you to communicate?
Put off ungodliness. Whining is an ungodly form of communication. Titus 2:12a
Put on Self-Control. God wants you to use self control, even with your voice. Titus 2:12b
Additional Verses. Prov 25:28, Gal 5:22-23, Eph 4:29, 2 Peter 1:5-8
Worry 1. Are you forgetting who made everything? 2. Who is all powerful? What can God do about this situation?
Put off Anxiety. It is not God's will for you to worry. Matt 6:31
Put on Trust. If you pray and trust God to take this anxiety away from you He will do it because He cares for you. I Peter 5:7
Additional Verses: Matt 6:26-27, Phil 4:8-9
Conflict Resolution: The Offended 1. Did you talk with your bro/sis befre you came to me? 2. Did you respond the way God would have you respond? 3. Are you willing to forgive the way Jesus forgives?
Put off Revenge/Unforgiveness. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult but with blessing. I Peter 3:9
Put on Love/Forgiveness. If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault just between the two of you. Matt 18:15 You may only come to me if you hae conronted your bro/sis first and he/she will not listen to you Matt 18:17
Additional verses: Prov 19:11, Eph 4:32
Conflict Resolution: The Offender 1. Do you think that what you said/did showed love to your bro/sis? 2. What could you have said/done differently?
Put off Pride/unkindness: love does not delight in evil, but rejoics in truth. I Cor 13:6
Put on Humility/kindess: confess and seek forgiveness from God and the one you have wronged. Ps 32:5, James 5:16
Additional Verses. Ps 34:14
Aggravating, Stirring up Strife, Picking on Others: 1. Are you purposing in your heart to promote peace, or are you stirring up trouble? 2. How can you show love and pursue peace in this situation?
Put off Strife. One of the 7 things God hates is one who stirs up trouble among his brothers. Prov 6:19
Put On Peace-Making. God gives joy to those who promote peace. Prov 12:20
Additional verses: Prov 10:12, I Peter 3:11
Bad Friendships: 1. Do you think this friend will encourage you to follow Jesus? 2. Do you think it is a wise decision to 'hang out' with this person?
Put off Bad Company. You should stay aay from those whose ways are conrary to the teaching you have learned or you will be led astray to suffer harm. Rom 16:17, Prov 12:26, Prov 13:20
Put on Wisdom. If you walk with the wise you will grow wise. Prov 13:20
Additonal Verses: Prov 22:24-25, Prov 28:26, Rom 16:7
Blame shifting, Making Excuses: 1. Could it be that you are trying to cover over your own sin? 2. Without blaming someone else or making excuses, I want you to examine your own heart and tell me what you did. 3. What could you have done differently?
Put off Pride: When you try to hide your sins you will not prosper. God knows what is in your heart. Prov 28:13
Put On Humility. If you confess and turn away from your sin, you will be forgive and will receive mercy. Prov 28:13, I John 1:9
Additional verses: Prov 21:2, Micah 7:9, James 5:16
Bragging, Conceit: 1. Do those words bring glory and honor to God or to yourself?
Put Off Pride. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. Prov 27:2, God will not tolerate a proud heart. Ps 101:5
Put on Humility: Walk im humility and consider others better than yourself. Phil 2:3
Additional verses: I Sam 16:7b, Rom 12:3, I Cor 1:31, Gal 6:14
Complaining: 1. Is your attitude showing thankfulness and contentment? 2. Rather than complaining, what can you be thankful for in this situation?
Put off Complaining. Do everything without complaining and arguing. Phil 2:14
Put On Thankfulness. It is God's will that you be thankful and joyfl in all circumstances. I Thess 5:16-18
Additional verses Prov 17:22, Col 3:17, 23
Coveting, Discontent: 1. Do you believe God has provided you with everything you need? 2. What are some things God has faithfully supplied you with? 3. What do you truly need that you do not have?
Put off Discontentment. Do not love the things of this world. Those who covet will find no satisfaction. I John 2:15, Haggai 1:6
Put on Contentment. Be content with wht you have--contentment allows you to enjoy what God has given you. Heb 13:5, I Tim 6:6-8
Additional Verses: Ex 20:17, Luke 12:15
Defeat, giving up: 1. What did Jesus do when He was tempted to give up? 2. What if Jesus had given up? 3. What should you do when you are tempted to give up?
Put off Discouragement. Do not give up and do not rely on your own strength. 2 Thess 3:13
Put on Perseverance. Pray for willingness and strength to persevere when things are hard. Allow God's strength to be made perfect in your weakness. 2 Cor 12:9, Eph 6:18, James 5:13
Additional Verses: Rom 5:3, Eph 3:13, Phil 4:13, Heb 12:3
Defiant Attitude, Defiant Look: 1. Are you obeying or disobeying with your attitude? 2. Are you truly obeying when you obey with an unhappy heart?
Put off Defiance. It is wicked for you to harden your face and foolish for you to despise instruction. Prov 21:29, Prov 12:1
Put On Submission: A wise heart accepts command and a happy heart makes the face cheerful. Prov 10:8, Prov 15:13
Additional verses: Prov 17:22, Prov 28:14, Phil 2:5
Destructive with toys, property: 1. Do you think you should be allowed to have this if you are going to desroy it? 2. Are you being considerate of the person who puchcased this? 3. Is this an act of goodness or evil?
Put off destruction. Wastefulness leads to poverty and a foolish man destroys what he has. Luke 15:12-14, Prov 21:20
Put on Good Stewardship. You are blessed and trusted with more when you take care of what you have. Matt 25:29
Additional verses: I Cor 4:2
Disobeying: 1. Are you obeying or disobeying? 2. How did you disobey? 3. How does God want you to obey? (all the way, right away, with a happy heart)
Put off Disobedience. When you disobey me you are disobeying God and it will not go well with you. I love you too much to allow you to disobey. Eph 6:1-3 (be consistent to follow through with consequences for direct disobedience. Prov 23:13-14)
Put on Obedience: Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Col 3:20
Additional verses: Prov 13:13, 18, 24, Prov 15:32
Fear: 1. Does God give you a spirit of fear? 2. What would God wnat you to do in this fearful situation?
Put Off fearfulness: When you are living in fear you are not trusting God. Matt 8:26
Put On Trust: God has said, never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Heb 13:5b
Additional Verses: Deut 31:6, Ps 27:1, Prov 29:25, 2 Tim 1:7
Lying, Deceit 1. Do you kno who the father of lies is? 2. Who do you want as your Father? 3. Do you think lying honors your Father and your family?
put off Lying: Lying dmages your relationship with your family and God hates a lying tongue--so you must 'put off' lying. Eph 4:25, Prov 6:17
Put on Truthfulness: The Lord delights in those who are truthful. Prov 12:22
Additional Verses: Ps 19:14, Prov 19:5, 9 Col 3:9
Not Receiving Instruction: 1. Is your attitude showing respect for me and honoring Jesus? 2. Is it wise or foolish for you to reject my instruction?
Put off Foolishness. God says that it is foolish for you to reject the wisdom of my words. Prov 23:9
Put on Wisdom. If you listen to advice and accept instruction you will be wise. Prov 19:20
Additional Verses: Prov 1:33, 13:13, 15:5,14
Quarreling, Arguing: 1. Are you being strong and avoiding strife or are you being weak and participating in strife? 2. What can you do/say in order to keep peace with your brother/sister right now? (ask all children involved)
Put off Quarreling: A harsh word stirs up anger. You need to depart from evil and do good because God says it is foolish to quarrel. Prov 15:1b, Ps 34:14, Prov 20:3b
Put On Peace Making: A gentle answer turns away wrath. it is to your honor to avoid strife and to live at peace with everyone. Prov 20:3a, Rom 12:18, Prov 15:1a
Additional Verses: Prov 15:13
Revenge: 1. What would Jesus do? 2. How can you honor Jesus and bless this person who has wronged you?
Put off Revenge: Do not say, 'I'll pay you back for this wrong!' Wait for the Lord and he will deliver you. Prov 20:22 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. I Peter 3:9
Put on Forgiveness. It is to your glory to overlook an offense and you obey God when you overcome evil with good. Prov 19:11, Rom 12:21
Additional Verses: Lue 6:35-36, Rom 12:14
Selfishness, Me First: 1. Are you putting your brother/sister ahead of yourself or are you being selfish? 2. What would be a kind and generous thing to do?
Put off Selfishness. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselfs. Phil 2:3 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Prov 3:27
Put On Generosity: Honor one another above yourself. Rom 12:10, God Loves a cheerful giver. 2 Cor 9:7b
Additional Verses: Gal 6:10, Phil 2:4
Tattling: 1. Could it be that you are delighting in getting your brother/sister in trouble? 2. Rather than tattling, how can you spur him/her on toward love and good deeds?
Put off Talebearing. If you are trying to get your brother/sister in trouble, you will get in trouble. Whoeve gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. Prov 17:5b
Put on Encouragement. Spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Heb 10:24 (Child should come directly to Mom when another child is endangering himself, someone else, or destroying property.
Additional verses: Prov 11:12-13, Prov 16:28, I Cor 13:6
Teasing, Tearing Others Down: 1. Do those words show love and edify your brother/sister or do they tear him/her down? 2. What can you say to edify (build up) our brother/sister?
Put off unwholesome Talk. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth Eph 4:29
Put on Edifying Words. The words of your mouth should be helpful in building others up according to their needs.
Additional verses: Ps 34:14, Prov 26:18-19, Matt 19:19b
Whining: 1. Are you communicating with a self-controlled voice? 2. How does God want you to communicate?
Put off ungodliness. Whining is an ungodly form of communication. Titus 2:12a
Put on Self-Control. God wants you to use self control, even with your voice. Titus 2:12b
Additional Verses. Prov 25:28, Gal 5:22-23, Eph 4:29, 2 Peter 1:5-8
Worry 1. Are you forgetting who made everything? 2. Who is all powerful? What can God do about this situation?
Put off Anxiety. It is not God's will for you to worry. Matt 6:31
Put on Trust. If you pray and trust God to take this anxiety away from you He will do it because He cares for you. I Peter 5:7
Additional Verses: Matt 6:26-27, Phil 4:8-9
Conflict Resolution: The Offended 1. Did you talk with your bro/sis befre you came to me? 2. Did you respond the way God would have you respond? 3. Are you willing to forgive the way Jesus forgives?
Put off Revenge/Unforgiveness. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult but with blessing. I Peter 3:9
Put on Love/Forgiveness. If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault just between the two of you. Matt 18:15 You may only come to me if you hae conronted your bro/sis first and he/she will not listen to you Matt 18:17
Additional verses: Prov 19:11, Eph 4:32
Conflict Resolution: The Offender 1. Do you think that what you said/did showed love to your bro/sis? 2. What could you have said/done differently?
Put off Pride/unkindness: love does not delight in evil, but rejoics in truth. I Cor 13:6
Put on Humility/kindess: confess and seek forgiveness from God and the one you have wronged. Ps 32:5, James 5:16
Additional Verses. Ps 34:14
Monday, June 29, 2015
courage, love, commitment
God is teaching me so much lately...past few days...past few decades. (just a few, ha!) and He is teaching me through others' obedience to the Spirit. and that is so very encouraging to me. and I want to encourage our friends afar specifically to not give up sharing and encouraging other new faces in the midst of discomforts and discouragements and family stresses.
I've been learning how to share my story, honestly and at appointed times. and how through sharing comes healing, and how those wounds are grace...isn't that something? how our past experiences/sins/struggles are yes, to point us to Jesus. but It doesn't end there. those past hurts become tools to pave the way for others' understanding, comfort, and encouragement. . and grasping takes courage, it takes blind love, it takes commitment.
courage, blind love, commitment. ugh. so much effort in those words.
courage means you might get hurt, you may not be received, they may not understand. is it worth sharing? yes. it is when Christ has redeemed you, and we are charged with this Hope.
blind love. I had a mentor in college, and in a letter I wrote to her once I said 'people are morons.' (yall who know me are laughing). her response was 'see people as Jesus sees them.' I will never forget that. do I act on that every day? absolutely not. that woman there who is not my favorite and whose kids wreck my house just might not make it if I don't whisper hope to her. do it.
commitment. the sticking point. go back to their house. invite them again. show up every time. follow through.
be encouraged, sisters. the days are hot and long, and so are our duties and lists. oh to be like Christ, wandering those dusty streets with one thing on His mind: sharing and teaching His Fathers love.
'every time you meet another human being you have the opportunity. it's a chance at holiness. for you will do one of two things, then. either you will build him up or tear him down...you will create or you will destroy....there are no useless minor meetings. there are no dead-end jobs. there are no pointless lives. swallow your sorrows, forget your grievances and all the hurt your poor life has sustained. turn your face to the human before you and let her, for one pure moment, shine. think her important, and then she will suspect that she is fashioned of God.'
I have no idea where this came from, but I love it.
I've been learning how to share my story, honestly and at appointed times. and how through sharing comes healing, and how those wounds are grace...isn't that something? how our past experiences/sins/struggles are yes, to point us to Jesus. but It doesn't end there. those past hurts become tools to pave the way for others' understanding, comfort, and encouragement. . and grasping takes courage, it takes blind love, it takes commitment.
courage, blind love, commitment. ugh. so much effort in those words.
courage means you might get hurt, you may not be received, they may not understand. is it worth sharing? yes. it is when Christ has redeemed you, and we are charged with this Hope.
blind love. I had a mentor in college, and in a letter I wrote to her once I said 'people are morons.' (yall who know me are laughing). her response was 'see people as Jesus sees them.' I will never forget that. do I act on that every day? absolutely not. that woman there who is not my favorite and whose kids wreck my house just might not make it if I don't whisper hope to her. do it.
commitment. the sticking point. go back to their house. invite them again. show up every time. follow through.
be encouraged, sisters. the days are hot and long, and so are our duties and lists. oh to be like Christ, wandering those dusty streets with one thing on His mind: sharing and teaching His Fathers love.
'every time you meet another human being you have the opportunity. it's a chance at holiness. for you will do one of two things, then. either you will build him up or tear him down...you will create or you will destroy....there are no useless minor meetings. there are no dead-end jobs. there are no pointless lives. swallow your sorrows, forget your grievances and all the hurt your poor life has sustained. turn your face to the human before you and let her, for one pure moment, shine. think her important, and then she will suspect that she is fashioned of God.'
I have no idea where this came from, but I love it.
Friday, June 12, 2015
Poems as Instruments of Adoration
I did not love poems until I started memorizing them with my children. We especially like really long poems that tell a story and poems about nature. Now those children's poems help me express my unpoetic self when I behold God's glory in creation: when I see a majestic tree, when it rains, when it is cold outside....Poets have that gift to be moved and find words to help others to be moved.
Here are some of my favorites:
Here are some of my favorites:
| Trees By Joyce Kilmer |
| I THINK that I shall never see | |
| A poem lovely as a tree. | |
| A tree whose hungry mouth is prest | |
| Against the sweet earth's flowing breast; | |
| A tree that looks at God all day, | |
| And lifts her leafy arms to pray; | |
| A tree that may in summer wear | |
| A nest of robins in her hair; | |
| Upon whose bosom snow has lain; | |
| Who intimately lives with rain. | |
| Poems are made by fools like me, | |
| But only God can make a tree. |
I SAW GOD WASH THE WORLD
By William Stidger
I saw God wash the world last night
With His sweet showers on high;
And then when morning came
I saw him hang it out to dry.
He washed each slender blade of grass
And every trembling tree;
He flung his showers against the hills
And swept the rolling sea.
The white rose is a deeper white;
The red, a richer red
Since Gold washed every fragrant face
And put them all to bed.
There's not a bird, there's not a bee
That wings along the way,
But is a cleaner bird and bee
Than it was yesterday.
I saw God wash the world last night;
Ah, would He had washed me
As clean of all my dust and dirt
As that old white birch tree!
I saw God wash the world last night
With His sweet showers on high;
And then when morning came
I saw him hang it out to dry.
He washed each slender blade of grass
And every trembling tree;
He flung his showers against the hills
And swept the rolling sea.
The white rose is a deeper white;
The red, a richer red
Since Gold washed every fragrant face
And put them all to bed.
There's not a bird, there's not a bee
That wings along the way,
But is a cleaner bird and bee
Than it was yesterday.
I saw God wash the world last night;
Ah, would He had washed me
As clean of all my dust and dirt
As that old white birch tree!
Who Loves The Rain
By Frances Shaw
Monday, June 8, 2015
Ministering loooonnnnng term
emmett and I listened to a Piper podcast the other night. don't be fooled, we don't sit around and listen to Piper podcasts every night. but, this was a good one. if you want to google it, it's 'the Key to Ministry Longevity.' (which, this makes me laugh..I recently met up with my mentor through college. I hadn't actually seen her since my wedding day. so, it had been 11 years. she could not believe emmett and I were still church planting. she said she'd never known anyone to be ministering in a church that long and she was a missionary in South Africa...makes me feel relieved, actually! And kind of sad) anyways, Piper spoke on John Newton's biography and it centered around one line from maybe a memoir or something...I can't remember. Newton said he endeavors to walk through the world as ministering to the sick in hospitals, and he does the best he can and gets through.
John Newton said he just gets through?? i love it. I feel that deeply, and it doesn't need much explanation. but as you ladies are doing the hard things, day in and day out...it's okay that it is ALL hard. it's okay if you barely make spaghetti...again. it's okay if you cringe just thinking about counseling or praying with a particular person that's been on your mind. Its okay if you receive criticism for doing one thing but not the other. it's okay if your kids are driving you bananas and you just don't know what to do with them.
John Newton said he just gets through?? i love it. I feel that deeply, and it doesn't need much explanation. but as you ladies are doing the hard things, day in and day out...it's okay that it is ALL hard. it's okay if you barely make spaghetti...again. it's okay if you cringe just thinking about counseling or praying with a particular person that's been on your mind. Its okay if you receive criticism for doing one thing but not the other. it's okay if your kids are driving you bananas and you just don't know what to do with them.
I'm there on all of those, and I'm just getting through.
but you are doing the right things. You are clinging to the hope that you have been given, and by His grace, you will indeed get through. it's true.
but you are doing the right things. You are clinging to the hope that you have been given, and by His grace, you will indeed get through. it's true.
Jenny
Puritan Prayer
I read a beautiful prayer from the book "Valley of Visions: Puritan Prayers" the other day and wanted to pass it along...
Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;
Let me find thy light in my darkness, thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow, thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty thy glory in my valley.
thy riches in my poverty thy glory in my valley.
I love this!!! I hope you do too!
Monday encouragement.....
Let us not look at the things around us, but let us look to the One that made these things. Our hope is in Him.
Today, let us all (including myself) look to Him and keep our focus where it should be!
With love,
Lynne
Welcome to our new blog.
Welcome. We look forward to helping you in any way that you need. Just let us know.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
to our friends afar
you are missed, you are loved, you are prayed for.
do not give up, you are doing the hardest things. my prayer for you is that God will give you assurance in these unknown, hot, stressful days. when you feel uncertain, I pray that Father will give you perfect peace...and that He will bless the work of your hands.
may His promises ring true yesterday...as you remember the call....today....as you persevere..and tomorrow....where there is Hope in the unknown.
carry on, sweet sisters! you are not alone!
jenny
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Latest happenings at my home...plus a decorating craft idea!
If you can remember from back in 2014 when I introduced my family, there was not a picture of me nor my hubby. http://supportingoursisters.blogspot.com/2014/12/introducing-lynne-and-her-family.html
Well, good news....I got a new camera! I just don't know how to get the pictures from the camera onto the computer yet. A techie I am not! This will be figured out soon and I will post some for the blog world to see. I'll even include some "what is happening around the ole homestead" pictures.
Joel is now a homeschool graduate. He is excited about his future! And boy, I am excited about some things I will be getting further involved with too!!
Since my children are older, we don't sit around doing artsy, paper crafts anymore. So in order to put an idea on here, I went searching over the internet. Shoe box crafts is what I came up with.
Shoe boxes may or may not be something that you have on hand. If you don't have any, you could use cereal boxes, mac and cheese boxes or any box that you have. An amazon box would work. It would just need to be cut down a bit.
One article had a picture of four shoe box lids hanging over a couch. These lids were covered in different colors. You could use spray paint or tissue paper. Or even wrapping paper. If fabric was available, that would look wonderful. For a kids room, you could cover them with comics from the paper. Another idea would be to color them and them put one letter per lid and spell something out on the wall. When finished, these look very similiar to the pricier pulled canvas pieces that are sold in many stores. I hope this makes you look differently at your trash (boxes) now!!!
I want to give credit to the following website for the idea of the above craft.
Shoebox crafts
If you ever want us to research something for you, just leave us a message on any post and we will do it for you. We want to make things easy for you!
Hoping to bring a smile to your face,
Lynne
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
these daze!
the girls built a wall with mud cement. thankfully, this kind doesn't burn your skin!
check out the load of wood I found in my neighborhood! the Karis got a kick out of it, Nat barely lifted her head from the book she was reading.
this was one of the first warmer days we've had. they were begging to go wading at a place we call the Pocket, but it's a nice 45 minute drive away and it was already mid-afternoon. so, I had them don their water shoes and jump in the rain ditch in the back yard instead.
Jonathan is playing T-ball right now. this was warming up at his first game. he was so proud of his hat because he is number 3 and there is a big 3 on the back. he was showing his older, much taller teammates.
Karis is playing soccer and here she's saying she scored three goals in her game and the final score was 3-0! I gotta say, my head was held pretty high walking off that field. :)
and what's an afternoon without a little digging in the ditch?
sometimes we get muddy before changing out of our pj's!
we're also doing some reading, writing, and 'rithmatic, but those pictures aren't nearly so entertaining.
Jenny
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Present risen-ness....
Easter morning was sweet, in my home surrounded by every lit candle I could find on my kitchen table. the kids tumbled into the kitchen, and with Easter music playing, Emmett and I proclaimed Christ's resurrection and how He is the Light of the world...they got it, it danced before their eyes, they could smell the aroma and see the difference those little candles made in the dim light.
and then...Easter ends, and the week begins. and I'm wondering in my own life, how can i live in His risen-ness? His present, daily, conquering of sin....we know 'one day' He will come as that King. we know He did indeed die on that cross, He took on the weight of our imperfections and sin and selfishness and anger...instead of longing for 'one day', how can we experience His resurrection every day?
I think the key is repentance. it's daily knowing that we can do nothing without His resurrection. it's repenting of putting on fronts, so others will see our false pretend selves. it's repenting of falling on others for our strength and grace, when His Word alone teaches us to reach out and be courageous. it's repenting of believing anything that casts a shadow on the work He has done for us and the current Hope of His risen-ness.
i encourage you to live by boasting of what has been done so that we can be vessels of hope and life today. what does that look like for you?
and then...Easter ends, and the week begins. and I'm wondering in my own life, how can i live in His risen-ness? His present, daily, conquering of sin....we know 'one day' He will come as that King. we know He did indeed die on that cross, He took on the weight of our imperfections and sin and selfishness and anger...instead of longing for 'one day', how can we experience His resurrection every day?
I think the key is repentance. it's daily knowing that we can do nothing without His resurrection. it's repenting of putting on fronts, so others will see our false pretend selves. it's repenting of falling on others for our strength and grace, when His Word alone teaches us to reach out and be courageous. it's repenting of believing anything that casts a shadow on the work He has done for us and the current Hope of His risen-ness.
i encourage you to live by boasting of what has been done so that we can be vessels of hope and life today. what does that look like for you?
Jenny
Saturday, March 28, 2015
It's Friday....But Sunday's a Coming
I apologize for giving a link. Hopefully, everyone will have internet usage to view this with. We are pretty much out of usage ourselves until April 1st except from 2am till 8am. We have plenty during that time.
Lynne
Friday, March 13, 2015
Jenny's plan to feed the Fam.
this week I'm reminded of freezer meals because I've relied on pulling two out of the freezer so far this week! we're battling the big Stomach Bug of NorthWest GA over here, and even though for us it's just about 6 hours of awfulness and 6 more of recuperation, for a family of five it takes forEVER to get through.
forever, because in Stomach Bug terminology, a few days really is FOREVER.
and the sun is not shining. not one little bit. (happy birthday, dr. Seuss)
so, here is my plan that is working in this stage of my life!
Monday's are soups, which are made on Saturdays or Sunday's. I double this and freeze leftovers.
Tuesday's are tacos, because...Tuesday's are for Tacos!
If I make it through Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, then honestly by then who knows what Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday look like. But, I choose from these options: breakfast, paninis, or spaghetti.
if I don't have meat for spaghetti, then I pull out a frozen soup. my creative brain likes the part of making biscuits or bacon cornbread to go with those already-made soups. and I almost always have breakfast stuff and paninis/sandwich stuff.
if it's a light week and I can predict my days, (translation: I get to the store), I'll make a new dish. and
always always I double it. . one, I'm finding some normal sized recipes just don't cut it anymore. and two, if we don't finish it, I freeze it! yay!
so I was so thankful to have four different soups to choose from this week for us to nibble on. and I do mean nibble.
and of course we can't forget breakfast and lunches because those also require considerable brain power, maybe not as much, but still....breakfast is not my strong point and by this point I'm guessing it's never going to be. I love that the kids can help themselves to cereal while mama is nursing her coffee mug and muttering things...but I do like a nice protein-snack about mid-morn for everyone, which ends up bumping lunch to about 1:00 which means yay! no afternoon snack! straight into
dinner. and lunch alternates between turkey/PB sandwiches and rabbit food (plate of boiled egg, carrot sticks/bell pepper sticks, nuts, dried fruit, yogurt/cheese, tortilla rolls..the kids love rabbit food!). some weeks I get inspired, usually by Lindsey, and make some breakfast bread for actual breakfast...but not usually.
so, in a rabbit-nut-shell, I really love this very easy-to-me meal plan, and I have a feeling it may stick for a good while.
Jenny
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Meal Planning during busy times....
Meal Planning....hmmm. Such an easy idea, but it can be a really big struggle for me. Especially, when I feel like I am chasing my tail. Like now! But this two shall pass and once again for a tiny bit, things will settle down. Just for the record, I chase my tail less when it is warm outside. Come on, warm weather! My focus is much better with sunshine and warmth, too.
Before I give my wonderful tidbit of how to deal with meal planning in those busy times, first let me tell you how this method came to be. Many years ago, when I worked outside of the home, my boss did the cooking for his family. He cooked the same meal every Monday, the same meal every Tuesday, the same meal every Wednesday! He did this Monday through Friday. I can't remember what each meal was, but I can remember they were really nice meals! He said doing this took all the brain work out of the whole process. He knew exactly what they (I think it was he that also did the grocery shopping.) needed to get at the grocery store. Both he and his wife knew what they would have each night. At that point he did have two little girls that were young enough not to realize what was going on...
I could never be this structured with my meals, but during a time or two many years ago, I sorta implemented a version of his method. I don't remember exactly what we had, but it went something like this-
Monday - pasta
Tuesday - seafood
Wed. - soup
Thursday - chicken
Friday - beef or vension
Monday's would be simply spaghetti or something more complex like Sausage Penne or Spaghetti Carbonara.
Tuesday could be grilled salmon or salmon patties.
Wed. - simple soup or creative soups
Thursday - grilled or baked chicken
Friday - meatloaf, grilled burgers, tacos
Get the picture? I knew what to think about when it came time to plan my meals. Depending how busy I was determined the level of difficulty of the meal.
This can be easily adapted to meet any budget constraints, too. Mondays could be bean night with pinto beans, black beans and rice, etc. Tuesdays could be for salads like a simple garden salad up to a fancier salad. Wednesdays could include rice like dirty rice or wild rice. Thursdays could be veggie nights(no meat).
Friday could be breakfast night. Choose your themes to make your family's likes and dislikes.
This can be easily adapted to meet any budget constraints, too. Mondays could be bean night with pinto beans, black beans and rice, etc. Tuesdays could be for salads like a simple garden salad up to a fancier salad. Wednesdays could include rice like dirty rice or wild rice. Thursdays could be veggie nights(no meat).
Friday could be breakfast night. Choose your themes to make your family's likes and dislikes.
Happy meal planning!
Lynne
Monday, March 2, 2015
change.
I don't know how graceful I am with change, maybe my closest friends know for sure. I'd like to say i welcome it, but it probably completely depends on life at that moment. sometimes, like waiting expectantly for spring, change is good. other times, in the heavy routine of teaching and church, change can make me kind of crazy.
I remember anticipating my wedding day. I still feel like I haven't aged much over 18 years old...again, my friends can probably say 'truth. she hasn't.' but marrying a pastor at 24, I thought I'd remain the same, adventuresome, whimsical southern gal from Ala/Tenne/eorgia. (that's Jenny-ese for Alabama/Tennessee/Georgia).
change entered, like..two minutes after the wedding ceremony ended. suddenly, it's not about me and oh my gosh he wants to eat dinner EVERY night?? and, even better: oh shoot. I just married the church. what.did.i.do.
but, God. shaping me, shepherding me. keeping me from harm.
when I found out I was going to be a mom, I thought it would be SO FUN and SWEET to have a daughter. just strap her to my back, I'll take her anywhere! no biggie! i heard lots of advice-givers say I'll never be the same, having a baby will take all my time, money, sanity....
nah. and I set my jaw against it. not me.
but change. again. I thought those nights would never end. even though I didn't sleep, just seeing the sun rise gave me hope. I walked miles that summer with her in the stroller sleeping soundly, as I found that was the only place she would nap. i detested nursing as I quickly realized I'm the only food source in the house.
God, in His goodness, changed me. is changing me. thank you, Jesus. He has this loving way of wrenching my heart out of my chest and laying it on the kitchen table, for all to see. oh, look. selfishness. wow, check out that ANGER. and my goodness, what a lazy bum!
change with kids and needs and ideas and people happens a lot these days, it almost makes my head spin. I know I am not alone. how can we embrace it as His Sovereignty, His Provision over our hearts? drawing us ever closer to His great love and mercy.
Jenny
Monday, February 16, 2015
small spaces with lots of graces!
okay, so since our friend is settling in to a new home, I thought I'd post most of the space savers I've made happen in our little house with these three growing children with growing interests and bodies! granted, some of these aren't quite perfect or pretty....but that's not my priority, for the most part, especially when it's tucked away in the kids' rooms! and thankfully I have a husband who *mostly* appreciates creative ways to save space!
first up...
oh I love me some sticky hooks! obviously, these could use some replacing...but, at the end of a bunk bed, regular bed, or even on the side of book cases or refrigerators, they help keep things up off the floor! and that's my goal. here is where the girls keep their special purses and bags.
my other favorite way to hang things is little metal hooks with curtain clip thingies. these screwed right into the side of the girls' art table and holds mostly things Jonathan can grab and do on his own while I'm busy screwing in metal hooks all over the place! this takes up valuable shelf space that is also busting at its seams! and, as I always say, if things aren't right in front of their little eyeballs, it will probably not get used.
so back when Nat was in diapers, we had our guest bathroom redone. I wanted a sweet little white pedestal sink, but what I didn't realize then was I would actually need a regular sink with lots of counter space! cups and toothpaste do not sit well on little sinks. so, up they went! I've seen several different solutions for this, but I loved the IKEA rod the best. but hanging a simple wooden shelf would work, too!
most of the girls' shelf space are these cube shelves in their room. have you ever tried to stuff loose items on a shelf and the second you grabbed one thing off of it, everything else fell off? I fixed that problem real quick by cutting a board to size and screwing it across the bottom. now those baby dolls and stuffed animals are in a cage of sorts and tucked away. this is where my ideas may not be the prettiest...but as I recall I had about 15 minutes to make this happen and sometimes when I get an idea I need to act on it for my mental and emotional health.
this is the girls' closet. it used to be a single metal bar. Emmett installed a nifty shelf down the center with hanging rods on either side, but there was SO MUCH wasted space in there! but more on that in a sec...here you can mainly see what they play with the most, every single day. baby doll clothes, doctor kit, and horses. each box is labeled and laminated because....because lamination, people!! and when they have tired of it all and it is spread all over their small room, clean up is fairly simple. everything has a place, and it's labeled. these poor girls don't have any excuses to have a messy room, I'm afraid.
so after the hanging clothes went up, there was still too much wasted space between the bottom of their clothes to the floor. so I measured and cut and bought these cheap metal braces and made two extra shelves on either side of the tall built in unit. this has helped so much, but I know whenever we do need to sell this house, these are coming down or I'm at the very least going to paint and cover them!
oh those baby dolls! this was a fabulous Pinterest idea, so I can't take full credit. cheap wooden flower boxes screwed into the wall! yay! saved floor space!
again, I love IKEA. and these shelves are fantastic. but, you don't need these particular ones. the idea here, for me, is to give each kid a shelf of books I want them to read or attempt to read. I rotate these out fairly frequently and whenever they want me to read a random book, I tell them to grab one off their red shelf....and I don't get stuck reading Clifford the Big Red Dog. again. and they really like the idea that it is their own bookshelf.
ok there's a few things going on here. one, if you have two book cases of the same size, turn them towards each other and put a board across it! table! in our case, it's the girls' art table. Jonathan has his own, and their lego tables in their room are the same. I love love keeping things high up so no little people come stealthily by, grabbing markers, paint, or teeny lego pieces. our home tends to be a revolving door to kids and mama's with little ones, so this gives me great peace of mind. and guess what? look underneath! a cave! little people LOVE caves. strung with Christmas lights. also, any and all art stays at their art table, they know that. since about 4 years old, the girls have had full access to paint or clay or glue or scissors at any time. I think it's crucial to their brains, and its a huge time filler....and I love time fillers. it's pretty crazy messy in this picture but I reckon that means art is being made! allllso, the shelf on top is a bookshelf I've rotated all over the house! so, if you want to go 'up', think about putting a shelf on top of a table.
last thing..don't be afraid to use the backs of doors! this opens up into the homeschool/art/play room, so it's pretty hidden. its a fantastic way to display whatever needs displaying, and Jonathan has his stuff at the bottom within reach, too. I think if we ever move, this door is coming with me. especially since the kids' heights have been marked on the inside!
okay, that's all for now, I hope this opens your mind to think outside the box as far as easy practical ways to organize or add new play/reading spots to your home! mostly, it's fun for me, so if its not fun for you then I bet you don't need to change a thing!
Jenny
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