Mom Monday- Too Fast

I'm about to repeat the most overused phrase in motherhood

(well, besides be quiet),

they grow up too fast.

It's true though. Even with the stressful days and the times you think why did _____ do _____?!? It really does move fast. Childhoods are over and the real world and responsibilities set in.

But before you think this post is depressing, don't worry, it's not that kind of post. Because even though my girls are growing, I get to enjoy that process.

I get to enjoy watching them interact with this world in the most ordinary of circumstances.

Like tickling each other in the grocery cart.

Or when they try and love a new food.

Dancing to their own drummer.

Learning to color.

Helping each other.

Becoming like Daddy.

Or developing a passion.

Two blessings from God that make the perceived ordinary, extraordinary each day.

So even though it goes fast, it's full of miracles. Quiet, unassuming ones, like making it through a rough day or the impromptu kiss and I love you from your little one.

Blessings, indeed.

Worthwhile Wednesday- Being a good stewart, giving away our excess

I've been wanting write this post for awhile, but I've been afraid I'll offend someone.

So please note this post is about my family's choices, if it's not right for you that's ok. It is not my intent to change everyone with one blog post.  This is my opinion and my suggestions that are not meant to offend anyone.

That said, in my opinion our culture and the current interpretation of the American dream is very much centered around getting more...buying more...having more stuff....a bigger house...more and more focus on money,

...and as much as I love my country, I'm afraid our focus is in the wrong place.

The bible tells us in 1 John 2:15-17,

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." 

And recently, my own church family has placed a focus on responsible stewardship.  In several sermons, our Reverend has reminded how privileged we are to live in such a wonderful country of abundance.  But as she reminded us, it is our call from God to give our excess to those who need and to take care of what bounty God has given us.

In a letter to the Corinthians, Paul reminds the Corinthian church that while it is important for the Christian worker to earn and keep their wages, it is also extremely important to give to others from our abundance.  He further reminds them of the church in Macedonia that while extremely poor, freely gave to the Christians in Jerusalem that were being persecuted. 

The Macedonia church truly embodies the spirit of the Lord.  Freely giving, even begging to help others...always a spirit of love and compassion.

That's the kind of person I would like to be...

It's also the kind of people that I hope my girls grow up to be...

But it means focusing on responsible management of our money and shifting our love of money to a love of all people.   In this culture, that can be difficult because our society says, you need more stuff...you must have more to be happy...you have to have it all.

It is something I struggle with to this day...but all it takes is one look at the children in Africa that need a simple mosquito net to save their lives.

Or seeing a village that could use a goat, chicken, or even just clean water to survive.

In our own neighborhood, we drive by the homeless or hungry that struggle everyday.

Or knowing that we need to care for our world, so that we leave future generations with a sustainable landscape.

It doesn't matter what choices or mistakes they or we have made, it is up to us to help them and our world.  It is what God calls us to do.

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:17-18 

So with a need pressed to my heart to help, we've been making changes at our home for the past year.  Here are some I'm sharing, and if you are of the same mind, I hope it helps you too.

1. We're eliminating a lot of our going out to eat. At the end of the month, the money we save from eating at home we're going to donate to two different charities. This benefits our health too as we eat better at home with homemade whole foods. Taking care of ourselves and others with a simple change.

One of our favorites, Quiche.

2. We are living more frugally and with less environmental impact. So far we've eliminated a lot of processed food and commercial soaps & cleaners. Less toxins = better for the whole world. Plus saving money = better for our budget, which means more to share. My next goal is to eliminate more of our paper and plastic consumption.  That means the sewing machine and I will be spending more time together. ;)

3. We try to keep our money local to help those around us. That means buying from local stores, farmer's markets, and from our local farmers directly.  A healthier community means a better area for us all.

Tomatoes from our farmer's market last year

4. Our oldest, who is only four, has two jars on her shelf.  One with a picture of a bed with a net and another of clean water. We allowed her to pick two things she wanted to support and those were the two she picked.  We give her change from time to time for chores etc.  She is now saving all her change for little children.  As she says, "we'll get them new beds with no mosquitoes, and lots of good water and food."  She is so excited that there will be "no more malaria" for the kids she helps.

So happy with her jars

5. This Christmas, we are going to limit our "stuff". Each year my hubby and I go overboard with "stuff" for our girls, stuff they don't even use. So this year we are practicing a new idea. The girls will get three gifts just like the gifts the wise men brought Jesus. These will consist of a need (like new pjs), a want (a toy), and something to focus on Christ (last year Elizabeth got her own bible).

Overload

6. We don't over extend ourselves. That means a reasonable house payment, and no major purchases without cash. Debt is something of a dirty word in our house, and we're trying to eliminate all of ours with extra payments to our mortgage etc.  For us this also includes saving as much money as we can for our girls education funds.  Since Elizabeth has been born she's had a 529 plan.  We'll be switching both girls to IRA's soon, as the 529 plan doesn't give the tax benefits that it once did (the state we now live in has no income tax).

7. As I mentioned above we are trying to be frugal. That means that we also grow a lot of our own food, reuse items rather than buy new, make our own when possible, and fix what we have. I sew, Mark made our chicken coup from items we already had, I crochet hats and scarfs, we buy clothes at consignment, and we have a huge garden.

Peas from our garden

8. Give away our abundance- literally. The girls and I have been setting aside extra toys etc they don't play with. They'll be going with a friend of ours who has a charity helping orphanages in Africa. Elizabeth is all for it, she seems to have a soft spot for helping other little kids, and I'm super proud of her for that.

9. Every year at Christmas, we put together boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  Elizabeth loves shopping for the kids and personally picks out the toys.

10. This year at Christmas, Mark and I agreed that we'd let the girls pick out something extra to support.  I'm guessing they'll pick a goat, chickens, or a well for a village in need.

These are simple and even obvious ideas, and I realize that the amount of need in this world is overwhelming...but small simple changes from a lot of people can make a huge difference. So pick your favorite charity because together we can change what we see as important, and it's not money or the stuff we can buy with it...

One look at these cuties will tell you that.

This post is part of Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways #33.

I'm definitely flawed.

So I totally went back on my promise to NOT post on political items on Facebook the other day.  In fact, you could pretty much say, I STINK. 

I don't know why the sudden need to comment...or possibly rant...ahem....

But after a lot of thinking, I contacted the person that I went overboard with and apologized. Even though I stand by my beliefs and my statements, I need to learn restraint. Things can get so quickly out of hand...it's sad really, and I know I'm not the only one who suffers this ailment. 

However, for those of you that don't, do you have any tips for the weak?  I'm praying about staying patient and ignoring things that I find derogatory or agitating...but it's a constant struggle. I feel weak, and I hate that!  I make it a point to do a lot and accomplish as much I can, so when I can't do something I feel bad.

But maybe that's it.  I'm not relying enough on God.  This Sunday our Reverend told us that when we find our weaknesses, we gain our strength.  Why?  Because when we realize we can't do it, we start to rely on He that can do anything.

So looks like I'll be relying a lot on God while on Facebook...at least until the elections are over. ;)

Faithful Friday- Love, even on Facebook

A while back I made myself a promise not to engage in fights, nasty comments, or other negative posts about politics on Facebook.

All in all I've been good and happier for it! Though I will not lie, I had a slip up yesterday.

However, as election season draws closer I'm seeing more and more posts that frankly leave me feeling sad...from both sides of the political spectrum.

So much name calling and vilifying of both parties isn't necessary. My mom always taught me that if I didn't have anything nice to say, then I should keep it to myself and she's right.

It's not that I'm advocating for everyone not to post their opinion. But if you have to use terms that involve the level of someone's preposed intelligence, cursing, or negative stereotypes, you're not really sharing facts or a reasoned opinion...

You're sharing hate.

I'm not free of this either. This year I've gotten closer, but I too am not perfect. However, by eliminating name calling and emotional posts I've found that I'm calmer, happier, and I'm able to love more...which Christ commands us to do.

Not just my family,

But those I disagree with.

Not just my God,

But those that hurt me with their rhetoric.

He calls me to love. All the time and in all places...even Facebook.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:43-48

So before posting a picture that likens someone to Hitler or calls them a moron, let's think about Christ's greatest commandment- Love.


Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7


I think it would allow all of us a little more civility, and we might just find out we have more in common than we think.

Ash Wednesday 2012

Today marks the first day of Lent. Many of us may or may not attend a service and then will wait for Easter. That will be the extent of our lent season. At least that's what I've always done in the past.

But not so this year.

This year I am committing to 40 days of growing closer to Christ.

If you know me, you know I have a busy schedule. I always have something else to do besides my prayers or bible study.

The excuses keep pilling up.

It's time for the excuses to stop. It's time for a commitment. So this year, I plan to open and end my days in prayer.

I will pray from my heart and soul, exposing my all to God.

I will pray from the Book of Common Prayers when my own words fail me.

I will pray for my enemies, so my love may grow.

I will pray praises to God, for He is always good!

In short, my Lent will focus on personal prayer. I may have to get up early or steal a few moments from my schedule...in fact, that last load of laundry will have to wait.

But my reward is a closer relationship to my Lord...and nothing is more wonderful.

"Christians pray as they feel; and in prayer they feel themselves in the presence of God, the Hearer of prayer, and the Searcher of hearts."

-The Prayer Meeting and Its History, J. B. Johnston

Mom Monday- In which we sing

For today's mom monday, I'm linking up with Sarah Bessey for her Practices of Parenting Carnival.



In this carnival, all types of parents are sharing what we have learned.  But I'll let, Sarah tell you more,

"all of us sharing what works and what we've learned about parenting so far. This is a celebration of us - the regular parents, the ones without everything figured out, imperfect but hopeful, usually still in the midst of it all - and all of the different, creative, crazy, beautifully sane ways that we've discovered to enjoy parenting these precious little souls in our care for just a few years."

I'm excited to join up, and I hope you enjoy one of my latest additions to my practices of parenting- Singing! 

I'm not a patient person.

It's been a struggle for me most of my life.  As I've gotten older and later when we had our first daughter, my lack of patience and quick temper has become a bigger issue.  I don't want my girls to model my behavior when I'm tired and frustrated, it's not pretty, even with red hair.

I'd much rather they find the joy in every situation.  For them to be the type of person God calls us to be, to display the fruits of our faith in every day life, and to feel God's love for us even in their darkest moments.

But I also know that the girls model a lot of their behavior from what they see of me, not what I hope for them.  I'm the one home with them all day and those moments where I'm frustrated because...

-my husband left a coffee ring on the counter...again.

-I turn around to find all the folded clothes strewn out over the floor in the 5 seconds I had my back turned by my 11 month old, who is immensely proud of herself.

-I'm drowning in laundry that is all shades of pink.

...does not need to turn into crying fits or lead to snapping at them later on.  So in order to help them find the joy in every situation, then I need to do the same!

I've thought about this for a long while, and I think I've finally found a way to find joy in those frustrating moments, at least for me.


Singing praises!!


As I said above this is new for me, but last month I joined the choir at church.  I've LOVED it.  Nothing brings me closer to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ than singing praises to God together.  It made me think, if I can find joy at the end of a long day, just because I get to sing, why not sing all day??


So instead of getting flustered because the house is messing and needs picking up, I'm going to sing "O Happy Day".


Rather than snap at my daughter for not picking up her toys after I told her three times, I'm going to sing "Joyful, joyful".

When I don't know what to cook for dinner and the baby is crying, I'm going to sing "It won't be long".

Rather than ranting and raving that we are late again to Kindermusik, I'm going to sing "God on the mountain".


And guess what...

My oldest has already starting singing "O Happy Day" with me, she even clapped along to the song as we drove along.  By the end of the song, we were laughing and smiling together.


So don't mind me, I'll just be that crazy lady singing

in the midst of the grocery store ,

driving down the street,

and even during dinner...in fact, feel free to join me.