The best laid plans...

'The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry'

Ha! That seems to be the theme of how my 'Plan' has been going... but to be honest, I kind of expected that to happen... just not necessarily for the reasons that it has happened! In beginning this whole process, I came up with a solution for what would work best for the family in the 'normal seasons of life'. And we did have one week that went fairly smoothly, and I found the plan to be helpful in keeping things running smoothly.

The second week, however, we were getting ready for a little road trip with the family to Georgia. Our plan was to pull the kids out of school on a Thursday and hit the road early, drive two days and get there Friday afternoon. We had plans there for Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday. Then we'd drive back home on Monday and Tuesday. It was going to be a bit of a whirlwind trip, a little crazy to be in the car so much for just 2 1/2 days there, but we were all excited! We love road trips together, and we really love our friends in Georgia!

Because of the trip, the beginning of the week was jam-packed. I threw my carefully made lists away and just did what needed to be done! But then, I woke up on Thursday at 5 am to get everyone going, and I just didn't feel right! We were supposed to leave by 6 am, and I think it was 5:55 when I started throwing up. Scott shooed me off to bed and I just cried that I was ruining our trip. Thankfully, I got over it quickly, and we did hit the road on Friday... for an even crazier trip which now included as much car time as we were to actually be in Georgia! I felt rotten and didn't converse much, which made Scott's drive fairly boring, but we made it - and had a wonderful time! We also listened as a family to William MacDonald's True Discipleship while on the road. We had some great discussions with the kids as a result.

Then we got home and the rest of that week was playing 'catch-up'. Scott had one day home before he hit the road again, and the kids and I had a busy weekend. I'm not sure how it happened, but we ended up with an eye doctor appt., a dentist appt., an orthodontist and a hearing appt. that week as well. Seriously, what was I thinking??? But, they are done!

And, that brings us to this week... I was determined to get back on track, and so on Sunday afternoon, I ran all my copies and did all the planning... only to wake up with one kid with the flu and one with shingles! Oh goodness, I felt so badly for them! It has been a super tough week for my sweet little girl, and I SO appreciate her attitude and how she is handling everything. (she's the one with the shingles) I am determined that she is not going to look back on this and remember a mom who was too busy to take the time and take care of her! I am thankful that the Lord is giving us the extra time together and that even though it is through hard circumstances, He has slowed us both down and given this special time. I'm thinking this little sweetheart is worth setting aside a plan for any day! <3

Patience

That's what I asked for this week when the ladies at our Bible study exchanged prayer requests... I seriously think that I could be asking for the same thing every week, and still needing it! I remember back to when I was part of a MOPS group and we were studying fruits of the Spirit. I had a toddler and a new walker, and when they encouraged us just to pick one to work on, so that we would not be overwhelmed - can you guess what I instantly knew that I needed to work on?


I know that I struggle with this the most when Scott is on the road - hence my request this week. We just got home from a crazy whirlwind road trip (4 days in the car and 36 hrs. at our destination -- all a day after I had the flu). We had an amazing time with our family and the wonderful people we met! Still, coming home to a huge list and a super busy week, with one day turnaround before Scott had to hit the road again, I knew my fuse was going to be short! Just thinking about juggling the responsibilities that lay before me, I was growing impatient. And, perhaps you've heard the saying, 'there are two cardinal sins from which all others spring: impatience and laziness.' I'm not sure I agree with the sentiment. However, I do know that in my own experience, when I am impatient, I am more quick to snap at my children and destroy that goal of peace that we are striving to maintain in our home.

So, I asked for prayer, and I prayed, and prayed, and prayed... that the Lord would give me grace and help me to keep the law of kindness on my tongue!

I am so thankful for God's grace, and for His promise that, "He who began a good work in me will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil. 1:6



And not only that, but He shows us sweet graces along the way...

The other day I overheard my kids talking. Rebekah was saying to Danny, "Daniel, I really appreciate having you for a brother. You're kind, intelligent, and you love the Lord."

Ok, so my jaw dropped a little. Yes, Rebekah tends to be super sweet, and I do believe she has the spiritual gift of encouragement (which, by the way, is awesome for a parent. Anytime I feel down, I just go find her for a little chat), but I still was caught off guard to hear that. Pretty sure I said nothing of the sort to my sisters growing up. Especially not in middle school!

And then today, Danny called home during his lunch break (he was at a conference). "Mom, I just called so you could tell Rebekah that I am really sorry to be missing her basketball game. I wanted her to know that I am thinking of her and wish her the best!" The jaw dropped much farther this time!



You would think that with such amazingly sweet kids I would have no problems being patient with them. Oh, but I just so don't get these strange things that teenagers do that make no sense whatsoever to me. And I really did lose it this morning, when the man/boy/creature stayed in the shower for almost 1/2 hr., saved me no hot water, and appeared 3 minutes after we were supposed to be leaving. With teeth unbrushed. With hair uncombed. With no shoes. I didn't even bother to ask about deodorant. I don't think I would mind so much, had we not had the same conversation at least 100 times before! Yet still, he called home today, and in front of his friends says, "I love you, mom." I seriously think the whole thing did not even hit his radar!


Ah, patience, will I ever find it? I have a sneaking suspicion that it's one of those things I will be working on even 15 years from now, and beyond!


pictures from our trip to Georgia last week*

Pursuing Peace/ Part 1

As mentioned previously, in The Plan, one of the things that I am working towards this year in our home is finding ways that we can have a more peaceful environment. Because one of the Fruits of the Spirit is peace, when our home is filled with people who are indwelt by the Spirit of God, peace ought to be a natural byproduct in our home. One would think that would be the case, but I ought to be honest with you here and tell you that, unfortunately, too many times I find myself not walking in the Spirit but rather walking in the works of the flesh. Galatians 5 would teach us that the flesh wars against the Spirit and they are contrary to one another, so that when I am in the flesh, I am not doing the things that I want to be doing. Things come out of me that I recognize as works of the flesh that I hate, such as outbursts of wrath, jealousies, contentions, etc... They are so ugly and NOT what God wants from me, and certainly not promoting peace in my home!

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" Gal. 5:25

I know the answer - it's so obvious! But yet, when I fail so miserably, how am I to be training my little ones to walk in the Spirit? I am so thankful that the Lord loves my children more than my husband and I could even begin to, and that He is doing a work in their lives that goes far beyond me! By God's grace, we pray that the Lord would allow our children to see us changed more for His glory, and that they will go so much farther than we will go!

Romans 8:6 says that, "to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." (as opposed to setting the mind on carnal things) So, my first step in trying to create a more peaceful environment in our home is to find things to help my family (myself included) set their minds on the Spirit. I am thinking of specifically targeting 2 of the senses here - hearing and sight! I am completely just beginning this journey, and am wide open to suggestions that you may have for me to help in these areas (like I have said before, I'm not exactly a creative person, but I like to take your good ideas and run with them =0] ).


Hearing -
"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up." Deuteronomy 6:7 / Be conscious to constantly be talking about the Lord - His commandments, His mercies, His love and care - seek to see His hand in everything and every day life

Keeping music in the home that will lift our hearts to worship

Consistent reading aloud of the Word of God


Sight -
Scripture verses around the home

Visual reminders of God's goodness in our lives

More on The Plan!

Part of having a peaceful home includes me being more organized. Those of you who know me well, know for a fact that organization is not one of my strong suits. Actually, I rarely wear it as a suit at all!!! I grew up in a home with a lot of clutter. (see my sister's post on this topic) Neither the family I grew up in, nor my family now, has a single person in it with any organizational skills - AT ALL! Sometimes, I wish the Lord would have given me just one more child... one with a passionate longing to organize my home!

I like to think of myself as a Recovering Clutter Addict! And really, I have come a long way over the years. Especially since my college days, when each of us had our own room, yet I bunked in with a friend and left all my junk in the other room. I did clean it in time for inspections, but I think that was only twice a semester... I have spent time pairing down on my own personal items, but it doesn't help that I currently have 3 sizes of clothes in my closet (I don't want to have to shop and spend money if I lose or gain weight)...my husband owns at least a thousand books... and the kids both are sentimental and want to hold on to EVERYTHING!

The whole idea of organizing is so painful to me... enough that I want to just ignore it and go have a bowl of ice cream (ok, just being honest here). But, I am purposefully doing this in a low pressure way... SMALL steps at a time. Some of my friends would laugh, because they would have it all done in one weekend, but I'm pretty sure I need to take baby steps here. But you know, I have found that even in doing something like organizing my silverware drawer (which was desperate, by the way) I am encouraged by it and am eager to press on!

So, here's the beginning... In the past I have used a system for house cleaning and daily routines by Motivated Moms. I highly recommend it for those wanting get started with something. Her prices are amazing (it was $8 a year), and she incorporates spring cleaning and other maintenance items throughout the year in easily doable chunks.

She even has you clipping your children's nails every Wednesday. One of the reasons I am changing it up a bit is that when we are on the road a lot, I just need something that gets the main things done, and I'll tackle the other things at another time.

So, this year I saw a post over at A Holy Experience, and I have printed off her chart, but then made my own standard form for each day of the week, writing in the main chores I plan to accomplish on each particular day that works for me with our schedules.
Now all I have to do is photocopy each week and fill in the day's activities. I particularly love her space for the Memory Verse I am working on (a great reminder) and A Doxology for the day (looking forward to actively seeking things each day to praise the Lord for.)

Already this weekend, I had to cross a bunch of things off Friday's list that didn't get done, and transfer them to Saturday. I still have one outstanding item, and I may or may not get to it tonight. We'll see! I'm ok with that though. There was a time when I would get so stressed out by seeing the things on my list that weren't finished, and I realized that I was becoming a slave to a list and I was getting frustrated by it, which in turn leads to a less-than-peaceful home! Completely the opposite of what the goal is! So now, I commit my day to the Lord at the beginning, and I know that He will give me the ability, strength, resources and time to accomplish what He wants me to, and the rest, well, I'll just have to trust Him with those things!

Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.

Psalm 37:3-5

When Women Pray...

Today we had a baby shower for an amazing young couple whom we all love so much! This couple has been investing in our own kids at our local church for a couple of years, and so it is such a blessing for us to be part of their experience as they welcome a precious baby girl into their home!




One of the habits that we have is that we spend time praying for the mom, dad, baby, etc... It is so sweet to hear the different ladies' thoughts as they intercede for the family. I particularly love taking note of the unique ways in which the Lord leads the thoughts and burdens of each lady. What a beautiful thing when we share our heart with the Lord and each other in such a way!


So, on the way home, I was sharing this thought with my daughter. I was telling her that I was so proud of our young ladies and how mature and thoughtful their prayers were. She was expressing to me in return how it is hard, because she doesn't know how to say exactly what she is thinking, and she feels like she stumbles around and doesn't do a good job. She never expected that I would tell her that I completely understand and that I struggle with the same thing! As a matter of fact, I have heard so many people say the same thing. So, I shared with her for awhile about how the Lord just loves to hear us express our thoughts to Him; about scriptures that would tell us that the Lord doesn't care about fancy, perfectly put-together prayers; and then about some practical things that you learn about praying out loud... specifically, she said that she know that she says, um, too much, but doesn't like it. I was telling her about 'filler' words, and how, eventually, you just learn to pause while you are thinking.


She looked at me in disbelief, and said, "Really! That is what they are doing when they pause? I just thought they were all crying!"


LOL - I am still cracking up. Because, yeah, that's what happens when women pray!

A Plan

Yesterday was our planning meeting for the semester. Scott and I sat over our lunch (Tuptim Thai) and talked about things we wanted to work on in our little family. It has been on my heart lately to consider the gravity of the task given to me in mothering my children. It is a tremendous blessing to be able to train these ones in a godly manner, yet an overwhelming responsibility at times, especially those in which I feel that I am falling far too short of the goal! I already feel like the time I have is slipping away... it is just over 4 years until my oldest graduates high school. 4 years is going to fly by! I want to make the most of the opportunity the Lord has granted me in this amazing boy's life! And his sister is only 2 years behind that...

I've read in books before that the majority of the training you do in a child's life happens in the first 6 years. While I do see that the things we instilled in them during those early years have shaped them in many ways, there seems to me to be tremendous opportunities of a different nature now. In many ways we were training their behavior in those beginning stages of parenthood... now I feel like we are teaching them how to think through situations, make personal decisions of deeper significance; and wow, it is challenging! Parenting is a whole new ballgame now! (And here I will hold back all of my clever baseball analogies that are running through my mind.)

So, we sat and we talked over our crab fried rice and money bags (yum!). We discussed what we want to be teaching our children from scripture these next few months. In case you are curious, we are going to be studying from Christ Loved the Church in the coming weeks. We are also going to continue to help them through their talk thru the Bible they are working on in Sunday School, and our reading schedule for the morning. We also wouldn't dream of leaving behind our time in One Day at a Time, since it has been a family favorite, and such a challenge!

I asked Scott what he would like to me work on specifically in the areas of 'loving my husband, loving my children, and keeping my home'. I couldn't believe it when he wasn't sure what to say about loving my husband. Trust me, when you ask your husband, "What is one thing you want me to work on to make you feel more loved as a husband," and he's not sure... that feels great. For sure there were times when there were obvious things I needed to work on. Of course, after discussion, we came up with tangible things for me to work on, but I feel like I've gotten somewhere at least in these last 15 years! Specifically, one things that is so important to Scott is that there is peace in the home... I am glad that for the most part that he feels like our home is peaceful, we are just going to continue to work on keeping it that way!

Loving the children - I am going to work on closer supervision with our one child who is getting a bit sloppy with schoolwork. Working on doing chores without complaints and consistency in keeping up with the basics. I immediately came home and put a simple system in place that helps me not have to remind them of things each day, which in itself makes for more peace and less frustration!

Keeping the home - I am working specifically on healthier meal planning and organization. I am really excited about the new format I am using this year to try and help keep me on track. This is so important with the busy lifestyle I lead. There are times I fall behind, but a good plan helps me not feel overwhelmed and gets me back on track in no time!

I have so many thoughts I would like to share. (I'm not sure you want to hear them all, but I have found that writing things down can be therapeutic for me.) I am going to try to be better about blogging some of these things, and hoping that, in itself, will help me with these goals. So, you can look for my ideas coming up... on peace, and how I plan to work on keeping a peaceful feeling in my home; on organization, and how I plan to keep up with the daily grind, as well as try and weed out some of the 'extras' in our home; and I'm hoping as well to share some of the projects I'll be working on to get to 'a place for everything, and everything in it's place.'

I hope that you enjoy taking this journey with me!

And...since I'm a creature of habit

As usual, here is my New Year's prayer! It never gets old!



May the mind of Christ my Savior, live in me from day to day
by His love and power controlling all I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything,
that I may be calm to comfort the sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea,
Him exalting, self abasing, this is victory.

May I run the race before me strong and brave to face the foe,
looking only unto Jesus as I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me as I seek the lost to win,
and may they forget the channel, seeing only Him.