Queen of the Castle ~ Week 15

Week 15 ~ Adventures in Gardening
You can find the previous weeks HERE.

It is finally that time of the year.  Grass is getting greener, leaves are budding and trees, daffodils and other spring flowers are blossoming.

If you are anything like my husband, you have been pouring over the seed catalogs that started to arrive in the mail box mid-February.  He tells me his plans, but I know they will change 20 more times before the planting actually starts.  The latest news is that he wants to add a 4th garden plot right out in front of our house by the parking lot.  We'll have to see about that.

Here is a quote from Celestine Sibley's, Small Blessings:

"I have seen some of the great gardens in this country and some that are not so great but far, far better than my fondest dream.  And because I have yearned over seed catalogues, spent the grocery money for cow manure, wrenched my back shoveling, and sometimes emerged with little to show for it except the dirt under my fingernails, my pleasure in all gardens is multiplied a hundredfold."

Well, we haven't spent the grocery money on cow manure (yet) but I think I know what she means.

God gave Adam and Eve:

 "every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it...for food"  Genesis 1:29

****
These are some tips that LBW passess along from some gardening experts:

-Start Small.  You can always add to it next year.

-Soil preparation is key.  Break up the ground to about twelve inches and spread six inches of "organic amendments" such as peat moss or manure, then mix it in.

-Choose sunny gardening sites.

-Plant at intervals to minimize your rise.  (Plant some this week, then wait a week or two to plant the next batch.)

-If you're new to gardening, try planting the same flower in several locations to see where it does best.

-By planting in pots, you can move them around to find where they grow best.

-White plants are most easily seen in the dark, so use them along walkways or in dark corners of your yard to make that area "pop out".

-Plant the plants you loved when you were 6 year old, says her friend who is a landscape designer.

-And from the Master Gardener Himself:  water your garden if you want it to flourish (Is 1:30; 58:11; Jeremiah 31:12.)

"Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sigh and good for food."  Genesis 2:9

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Queen of the Castle ~ Weeks 13 & 14

Week 13 & 14 ~ Easter Part 1 & 2
You can find the previous weeks HERE.

These two weeks, LBW, has basically made a list of way to make memories and traditions at Easter-time.

Here are some ideas:

-Read part of the Easter Story each day.  Day 1:  John 12:1-11; Day 2:  Luke 19:28-40, John 12:13; Day 3:  Mark 11:11-26; Day 4:  Matthew 24:26-44, 26:64; Day 5:  Matthew 25:1-16; Day 6:  John 13:1-17, Matthew 26:17-56; Day 7:  Luke 22:54-71, 23:13-25, 32-43, Matthew 27:45-56; Day 8:  Matthew 27:57-66, Isaiah 53:1-7; Day 9:  Matthew 28:1-15, Luke 24:1-49

-Treasure Hunt: Hide one small item every day, starting with the Saturday before Palm Sunday that corresponds with the Bible reading for that day. Examples: a small donkey; palm branches etc. The kids will hunt for the item each day and then keep them in a basket in the middle of the table to remind you of the Easter Story.

-Make Hot Cross Buns

-Serve Lamb in rememberance of the Passover Lamb.

-Make Dinner a special affair.

-Easter Hymns:  CD's by George Frideric Handel, Pierre de la Rue and Johann Sebastian Bach.

-Make music for the Lord with Praise.

-Use homemade Salt Dough to make the figures and props for the Easter story. Make them your centerpiece.

-Plan ahead and give Easter the same amount of celebration that you do Christmas.  Start early and make Easter much more meaningful for you and your family.

"You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."  1 Peter 1:18-19

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Queen of the Castle ~ Week 12

Week 12 ~ In Search of the
Peaceful Home
You can find the previous weeks HERE.

Peace in Hebrew is shalom and means wholeness, health and well-being.

So, when we talk about a peaceful home, do you think about how it looks?  Clean and tidy? 

Or do you think about the feeling of your home?  Does it feel like a safe haven filled with people who love you and can be trusted?

There is a difference between looking peaceful and feeling peaceful.

The Holman Bible Dictionary adds that spiritual peace is a "sense of well-being and fulfillment that comes from God and is dependent on His presence. God alone can give peace in all its fullness."

We have a Father who is the source of true peace that we can have and pass on to our family. 

"These things I have spoken to you, so that you in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

Some other great verses on peace are:  Colossians 1:2, Luke 10:5, Isaiah 10:5, and Psalm 29:11.

Terry Willets, Creating a SenseSational Home says:

"Throughout Scripture, God is referred to as our spiritual refuge.  We are told to run to Him for safety, security, rest, replenishment, comfort and never-ending love.  In the same way, I believe God created our homes to be our physical refuge.  He knew we would need a corner of the world to call our own...Home...should be where we are reminded of who we are, to whom we belong and what really matter in life."

Is this what our homes reflect?  I'm sure it is what we would all love our homes to be like.  LBW reminds us to pray over our homes for spiritual peace and we will be amazed at what the power of His Spirit will do for the feelings in our home.

Some Ideas for Fostering a Peaceful Home:

-Fill you home with good smells such as candles or fresh flowers.  Start with the front doorway and create an inviting entrance.

-Allow people to use you "good" furniture.

-Remember to strive for balance.  Homes that are orderly enough to be comfortable but accept that people live there and perfection won't be possible.

-Post Scripture around the house.  Plaques and pictures with verses hang on my walls and remind me throughout the day of God and His love for me and my family.

-Remember that clutter can sometimes represent healthy bodies, creativity, and active minds.  "It's all a matter of perspective".

"Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.'  John 14:27

 

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Queen of the Castle ~ Week 11

Week 11 ~ Celebrating
St. Patrick's Day
and Purim
You can find the previous weeks HERE.

Today, March 17 many people celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  Even those who aren't Irish will be wearing green, eating corned beef and cabbage and making just about anything green with a little food color.

St. Patrick was actually an Englishman who was kidnapped by pirates at sixteen and brought to Ireland as a slave.  He escaped and later returned as a Christian missionary in AD 432.  Records show that he converted many and baptized more than 120,000 people.

Another holiday coming up on Saturday is the Jewish holiday of Purim.  It always occurs on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar.  This holiday commemorates Queen Esther.

If you aren't familiar with her story, I suggest you read the book of Esther in the Bible's Old Testament.  It is one of my favorites.  Basically, Esther's bravery saved the Jews of that time from being massacred by an evil man, Haman.  This happened around 400BC during the reign of King Ahasuerus.

Esther's courage even in the face of death inspires all who want to trust in God even when our circumstances are bleak.  When we hope in God, He'll carry us through.

One of my favorite verses is when Esther's uncle, Mordecai, tells her,

"And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?"  Esther 4:14.

So wherever you are in life, whatever your circumstances, that might be exactly where God wants you so that you can do His work.

SPRING officially starts Sunday.  Only 3 more days!!! 

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Queen of the Castle ~ Week 10

Week 10 ~ Taking a Sabbath
You can find the previous weeks HERE.

When consumed by your calendar and to-do list, it is easy to miss hearing God's voice.  We get too busy for God and others and can only focus on ourselves and what is next on our list of to-do's.

Jesus showed us in Luke 4 & 5 the importance of stepping out of the busyness of life and spending quiet time apart with God.  Jesus also encouraged the disciples to rest in Mark 6:31-32.

God knows we can't maintain a state of busyness for long and encourages us to come away and rest.  He will restore and renew our strength to complete the tasks before us.

Sabbath means to cease or desist.  The primary meaning is that of ceasing from all work.  That is very difficult to do for a homemaker even for one day a week.  But we still need time to rest and relax.

Some good examples from LBW of how to take time to rest are:

-Women's retreats

-Lean on a relative or your husband to watch the kids occasionally

-Nap when your kids nap

-Set a quitting time for yourself every evening and go "off duty"

-Lay back down after the kids are off to school and have quiet time with God

In Mark 2:27, Jesus says, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath."  This time of rest and regrouping is a gift from God.

Take advantage of the opportunities this week to rest physically, spiritually and emotionally.  No guilt allowed.  Taking this time will help you prevent burn-out which hurts your whole family.

"So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.  For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.  Therefore, let us be diligent to enter that rest."  Hebrews 4: 9-11

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Queen of the Castle ~ Week 9

Week 9 ~ When There's No Way
Around Busyness
You can find the previous weeks HERE.

Have you ever put your head on your pillow at bedtime and wondered what in the world you did all day?  There are things on your to-do list that went un-checked and it seemed like you were play catch-up all day?  I know I do.

But then I start thinking over the day and realize that I was busy doing important things ALL day.  LBW says not to get discouraged at all the work still left to be done but to remember that you still put in a good day's work, no matter how many things are left on your to-do list.

"If we are following God's agenda, for our life and for our day, we may be busy, but we should have peace as we go."  LBW

Now there's a statement.  Feeling rushed, pressed and frantic are not feeling that God wants us to have.  We can ask for God's direction to know the things we need to make time for and the things that can wait.

Don't let the big picture overwhelm you, but take things step-by-step.  Ask the Lord, "What is the one thing I need to do next?"

Another point that LBW brings up is that just as there are seasons in life, each month of the year has different seasons also.  As our family's activities change, we have to adjust to our schedules and make changes where necessary.

She talks about during sports seasons she serves lots meals from the frozen food aisle.  And that is OK.  That is what she needs to do in that season of her family's life.

I think the main point is to "roll-with-it".  Yes, we have our to-do list, but if it doesn't get done, roll-it-over to tomorrow or the next day or the next week or better yet, if it isn't so important, just cross it off.

Also, don't forget to pamper yourself even during these hectic times.  Some suggestions:

-Spritz on your favorite perfume
-Light a candle as you go through your mail
-Have a cup of tea and take a five minute break
-Listen to your favorite music while you work or drive
-Take deep breaths through your nose.  Exhale
-Hug someone, even if it is the dog.
-Stretch and relax

I personally give myself time-outs. If I have a bad attitude, 10 minutes to myself with God refreshes me and I can come back with a "better" attitude. 

Have a great week and don't forget to take a "Busyness Break"

"And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail."  Isaiah 58:11

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Queen of the Castle ~ Week 8

Week 8 ~ Pray First, Act Later

You can find the previous weeks HERE.

Do you have a "lonely place" to be alone with the Father as Jesus did in Mark 1:35?

My "lonely place" is usually on my bed with my lap desk.  I go in and shut the door or tell everyone that I'm going to do my "devotions" now and they know that mean I need some peace and quiet so that I can pray and study God's word.  If Doug is on night shift that means he's in bed during the day so my  "lonely place" becomes the corner of the table near the sliding glass door.  Once again, everyone knows to leave Mom alone for a bit.  (that doesn't always happen when you have kids, though!)

We need quiet time with God to replenish us and fill up our tanks for the hours, days, weeks ahead.  When we are the busiest is when we need that time even more. 

For me last week, that time was in a hospital waiting room waiting for my dad to have some tests run.  I threw my 1st Place book and journal in my bag and took them along.  Sometimes we have to be creative.

We can pray as we wash dishes, fold laundry, drive back and forth for errands or picking kids up.

LBW has some prayer ideas:

-Before prayer, spend a few minutes in silence to prepare for the prayer.  Settle in and be aware of God's presence before starting.  I actually do this already.  I have to take a few minutes to just quiet myself of the activities of the day and settle into a prayerful mind.


-When over-burdened with life and you just can't get the words to form a prayer, try listening to music.  This is so powerful!  I listen to http://www.klove.com/ online.  They have great music and their motto is "Positive and Encouraging".  After listening for a while, I can feel my mood lighten.

-Write out prayers and date them so you can later look back and see how God has answered your prayers.  I sometimes write prayers in my journal.  Usually if I'm greatly bothered and really emotional.  This isn't something I do on a normal basis though.  I know people that write all their prayers and requests.

-Read a hymnbook if you have trouble praising God or being thankful.  It helps to read thoughts of praise and faith that have come from another person's spiritual walk.  Sometimes when I read the words of hymns, I'm amazed at how closely their feelings match mine.  I am amazed at the way the writers were able to put such thoughts and feelings to music and hand them down for generations.  What a great way honor to God.

"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  Hebrews 4:16

Just a reminder:  LBW suggests looking ahead to plan for celebrating Easter.  This year Easter is on April 24th.  By not waiting until the last minute, we can take the time to fully appreciate all that Easter means.

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Queen of the Castle ~ Week 7

Week 7 ~ It's OK to Say No:
Managing Our Time as Homemakers

The first thing to remember in time management is that you can't do everything.

Next is having some tools such as calendars, planners, etc. to help you keep track of your tasks.

But mainly you must decide what is important in your life and don't over pack your schedule.  This way you won't neglect the important things in your life to fulfill other people's priorities.

Time is the coin of your life.  It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.  Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.  Carl Sandburg

This might mean paring down your list of activities so you can better focus on the few where God is directing your attention.

Then, learn to say "no".  Saying "no" to others is one of the hardest things to do.  We might even have to say no things that we actually really want to do but if it doesn't fit into our priorities and it would take time from something more important, we have to make the best decision for our balance in life.

LBW suggests that when an opportunity or invitation presents itself (especially over the phone) to give yourself some time to think about it before committing.  After weighing your options, you can then make a decision on whether the activity is important enough to be a priority over other things in your life.

The example of Martha and Mary from Luke 10 is given as an example.  I sometimes feel bad for Martha.  She was stuck in a hard place, but listening to Jesus was far more important than making the meal. 

It can sometimes be confusing as to what requires our attention.  It takes careful consideration in setting our weekly schedules and activities.

Remember:  You can't do everthing.

"Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."  Ephesians 5:1-17

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Queen of the Castle ~ Week 6

Week 6 ~ Valentine's Day

You can find the previous weeks HERE.

"Love does not seek its own."
 1 Corinthians 13:5

A lesson to learn and not forget:  don't give a gift expecting to get something in return.  If we give, do it with no expectations attached.  And if you MUST have a gift, you better buy it for yourself!  per LBW

I admit that many holidays I set myself up for dissapointment.  I think that my husband is making great plans for me as a surprise.  No.  He's not.  If I want us to do something special, I plan it.  See my Valentine's Date post.  lol  If I want a certain present, I better spell it out plain and clear.  It took me a while to figure this out and even now I still have that little niggle in the back of my mind that maybe just maybe...

Enough of that.  Moving on.

Mother Theresa was asked:  "What can we do to help promote world peace?".  Her reply:  "Go home and love your family."  How simple, yet profound.

LBW gives a few ideas for surprising our family on Valentine's Day.  Here are a few of my favorite:

-Sneak into their rooms at night and leave a bag of treats by their beds.
-Tie a red balloon to each person's chair.
-Write a greeting to your hubby on the coffee filter.
-Make heart shaped muffins or cupcakes by placing a marble in between the cupcake paper and the pan.
-Watch you wedding video with your husband or look at wedding pictures.
-Listen (I say dance) with your husband to "your song".

Valentine's Day can be a very lonely day for some people.  So make sure you look outside your immediate family for people who could use a little lift of love.  There are so many things that you can do to make the day cheerful for someone else. 

I like to buy kids Valentine's cards and give them out.  You can't imagine the smiles it brings to faces of even the adults.  And it is still so much fun to write them out and seal them with a little sticker!

LBW stresses the fact that we, ourselves deserve a Valentine.  We are doing a very important job that is precious and priceless to our family.  God will bless our efforts in ways we can't imagine.

Here is a song that LBW talks about in the book this week. It celebrates the homemaker.



In another post, I'll be posting some quotes about love from Chapter 6 of QOTC.  But this is my all-time favorite quote about love:

"We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us."  1 John 3: 16

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Queen of the Castle ~ Week 5

Week 5 ~ Celebrating Creativity
in Small Snatches

You can find the previous weeks HERE.

Question: Have you ever forgotten to make supper because you've been caught up in a project? My answer: yes.


According to Prevention Magazine, needlework can relieve stress by breaking your conscious train of thought.  It also decreases blood pressure and heart rate, slows breathing and provides feelings of calm.  They suggest practice your needlework craft at least twenty minutes a day.  (only 20 minutes?)

As you can tell from my blog, I've already figured this out.  There are certain things that I like to make sure I do everyday for my sanity.  Craft, exercise, read (fiction), Bible study, get outside and shower.  lol

As this week's lesson describes, I sometimes have to do these in small snatches, sometimes hiding myself away for a few minutes.

Does the "Call of Duty", aka, dishes, laundry, getting the 5th drink for a pre-schooler, sometimes get in the way?  Yes, and that is when I have to reset my priorities.

Susan Branch, says: "Homemaking is the most creative job there is--we're always making something from nothing! It's cooking, decorating, gardening, arranging and planning--not to mention child care, which requires a Michelangelo of Creativity--all tru arts."

Even my "Household Duties" can get in the way of my main priority:  raising godly children and taking care of their needs.  Physical, mental, emotional and all those other aspects that make up kids. 

I can get caught up in the "I want to get all the major cleaning done today" whirlwind and might miss the special moment of playing in the snow with Daddy and the girls.  This happened the other day.  Guess where I ended up?  Out in the snow getting wet and cold and having a ball doing it.

I love my job.  I am a homemaker, wife and mother.  I love that I can be creative in my job and move tasks aroud on my schedule with a moments notice. 

I love that I get to take care of the family God has given me.  I pray for the guidance to do so.

People always say to enjoy your children because they are only small for a short time.

LBW, reminds us with Ecclesiastes 3 that there will be a time for everything and the seasons of our life will change along with our responsibilties.

I try to remember this when I'm cleaning the toys, clothes etc up off the floor for the millionth time.  There will be a time when I no longer have that honor.  My children will grow up and move out (hopefully not too far from home). :(

So, in conclusion, make sure you take time to do the things you like to do but make sure not to neglect your family while doing so. 

I guess that means I can't forget to make supper because I'm working on a project...

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Queen of the Castle ~ Week 4

Week 4 ~ Delighting in the King:
Building Healthy Spiritual Habits

You can find the previous weeks HERE.

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."  II Timothy 3: 16-17

Spending time reading our Bible is on of the most important things we can do for ourselves in the course of the day.  No matter how busy our lives our if we carve out time to spend in the Word, we and are families will benefit. 

Those minutes with God can give us the nourishment we need for the day, especially those days that seem like everything is going wrong.

Ray Stedman, Secrets of the Spirits, says,

"There are Christians who think they can live a Christian life without ever reading their Bible, but it is impossible.  Our memories do not retain and maintain what we need to know.  We are built in such a way that we need refreshment and reminder--again and again."

LBW's experience taught her that drawing near to God doesn't depend on big, flashy gestures, but on the small, daily choices we make.  We can drink in God's Word even if it is choosing to read only a verse or two at a time.  Repeating that choice over and over, day after day, will transform our lives.

Do you attend a weekly Bible Study?  It is a great way to stay motivated.  We have our weekly meeting on Wednesday nights for prayer and Bible Study.  It is a great time spent with other Christians in fellowship and discussion.

There are also online studies, I've posted about some that I'm involved in already.

LBW also points out that we need to look for opportunities to share God's wisdom with our children.

"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when your rise up."  Deuteronomy 6:6-7

But first, WE as parents, need to know the Scriptures so that we can share them with our children.

 

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Queen of the Castle ~ Week 3

Week 3 ~ Achoo!  I Feel Fine: 
Fostering Our Health

You can find the previous weeks HERE.

Do you take as much care of your health as you do your children's or your husband's?  Admit it.  We don't. 

 

The other week, my huge black lab and I were out playing fetch.  She was overly excited and couldn't stop when she came flying back at me.  She bowled me right over twisting my knee as I went down.  All they way down to the snow-covered ground.  My first thought, "Lord, please don't let anything be broken.  I don't have the time."

"For thou didst form my inward parts; Thou didst weave me in my mother's womb.  I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  Wonderful are They works, and my soul knows it very well."  Psalm 139: 13-14

LBW wants us all to resolve to take as good care of ourselves as we do of our families.  Schedule those check-ups.  Even the yucky ones.  And make sure you are getting at least 1000-1200 mg of Calcium per day. 

        Osteoporosis Facts:

Most common in women with small frames, osteoporosis is characterized by weak bones that are likely to fracture.  Though the condition often doesn't appear until a woman is post-menopausal, it develops over a number of years, and typically shows no symptoms until it's too late.

Women in their middle years are advised to take steps to prevent it:  engage in weight-bearing exercise (such as walking, running, or aerobics), reduce or eliminate smoking and make sure you're getting enough calcium.

Deborah Shaw Lewis in her book "Motherhood Stress" says:  "Taking care of yourself physically needs to be a high priority if you have any hope for surviving motherhood stress."

Exercise is key.  Make it something that you love to do.  Dancing? Tennis? Roller Skating?  Jumping Rope?  Bring back something you loved to do as a kid and incorporate it into your exercise routing.  Start slow with an activity 3 times a week.  Go at your own pace until you build yourself back up.

Exercise will make you feel better emotionally as well as the added bonus of more strength and stamina to take care of our families.  It is very important to schedule some exercise time into our day, be it morning, afternoon or evening.  What works best for you and your family.

Sleep is also key.  Studies show that most American are chronically sleep deprived and sleeping 60-90 minutes less than we should.  The adult sleep range is between 6-9 hours each night with most falling between the 7.5-8.5 hours/night range.  Everyone is different.  You'll need to find your "sleep number" and then make sure you get that much sleep each night. 

My husband only needs about 6 hours of sleep.  I need almost the full 9 to function.  He now knows, after 10 yrs, DO NOT MESS WITH MY SLEEP!

So, let us treat ourselves like Queens and take good care of ourselves.  Not only for us but it will also benefit our families.

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Queen of the Castle ~ Week 2

Week 2 ~ Giving Homemaking Our Best

You can find the previous weeks HERE.

Have you ever been asked "What do you DO ALL DAY?"  How do you respond?

Lynn Bowen Walker says in the opening of Week 2:

"Being a homemaker in our culture is not a valued position.  Though the job involves incredible amounts of physical, mental, and emotional energy, it can still be trivialized by those who've never done it.  When our work isn't valued by others, it is only with great effort that we value it ourselves."

Those of us who run a home everyday have a thorough appreciation for the enormity of the task.  We know there is always more to be done.

To those who who have never attempted homemaking, it appears to involve no work at all.

Lynn suggests giving your special someone a few days of running your home.  The discovery of what a homemaker's job involves just might cause an attitude change.

Our culture makes those who work at home for no pay to answer the "do you work" question with a "no" and implies that we don't have a valid and valuable career.  We're then tempted to take on more public commitments than we can handle.

We need to be careful not to give away so much of ourselves to the community that we have nothing left for our homes.  Our families pay the price when we are overcommitted.

Dr. Mary Ann Froelich in her book "What's a Smart Woman Like You Doing in a Place Like This?  Homemaking on Purpose", states that we should seek God first, then care for our families and then serve the community.  So many of us are running our lives backwards.  We need to consciously give our families our best and not our leftovers.

"Our touch leaves an imprint that no one else can duplicate."

As we go about our lives as homemakers, we need to be careful not to compare our homes to those of others.  We are all different with different talents, interests, energy, children and priorities.

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord."  I  Corinthians 12: 4-5

Lynn asks us to pray about our niche as a homemaker.  How will our home be unique?  We are each an original, made by God and our lives and homes will reflect that as we strive to do our best as we serve our families.

"Yet those that wait upon the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."  Isaiah 40:31

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Queen of the Castle ~ Week 1

Week 1 ~ Who, Me?  A Homemaker?!

Lynn Bowen Walker didn't start out with the intentions of writing a book.  She was searching for a book to help her learn how to be a homemaker.   There were so many book pertaining to different skills but she didn't have the time to read them all.

"Homemaking is much more than a job--it is a profession: a profession which is venerable, honorable, and of the highest benefit to mankind.  We must not forget this" 

          Mary LaGrand Bouma "The Creative Homemaker"

Lynn wanted to be good at her job of homemaking but didn't know hwere to look for a good resource.  She wanted a book that recognized the fact that a homemaker's job consists of "zillions' of tasks.  She knew that for there to be a book like the one she was searching for, she would have to write it.

"The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands."  Proverbs 14:1

As wise women, we can committ to building our homes and then we c an watch as God turn them into strong, sturdy dwellings. 

Homemaking is a 24 hour-7 day a week job with no sick leave but eternal consequences.

A homemaker is not a housekeeper.  I would hate if my sole job was cleaning!  Homemaking is about the people involved in our lives.  Homemakers love, nuture, encourage, admire, pray and tend.  We change the lives we touch.

We as homemakers set the tone for our homes.  Environments where our families and friends can thrive.  The world sends the message that it is a waste of time.  Our hearts tell us it is the most fulfilling, creative job we could ever imagine.

I, like Lynn, think about the world "out there" with a paycheck for about 5 seconds.  Then I realize that I am so blessed to be able to stay at home.  For my husband, daughters, parents, friends and myself.  "Priceless".

"Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."  1 Timothy 4:7-8

Let's look beyond our daily tasks and see the opportunities to love our family and honor God.


What a great lesson for this week.  I'm really looking forward to putting this into practice and seeing what is in store for Week 2.

Please leave your comments on what you think being a homemaker is and if you are doing this study along with me, leave a link to your post.  I'd love to read it.

Please check out my side bar to see all the great sites I'm linking up to.

Prayer, Blogkeeping & QOTC

On Monday's I ususally post a recipe that I've tried.  However, the past few weeks I've neither the time nor the inclination to do any more than the basic necessity of cooking.

Prayer:

I ask you all to keep my dad in prayer.  He is currently in the VA Hospital in Altoona, PA with a very bad blood infection.  He is on some heavy duty IV antibiotics and he is improving each day.  But I still worry because, well, he's my dad, and they still have to find out what caused the infection to enter the blood which sets my over-active imagination to work.

The hospital is about 45 minutes away, so we've been busy making trips back and forth and just trying to take one day at a time.

Blogkeeping:

I added tabs to the top of my blog a few weeks ago but have not had time to actually go into all my posts and make direct lists under the pages.  If I ever have time, I'll go in and try to get the back posts linked, but for now there is just a general link.

As of 1/1/11, I will be adding direct links under the "pages" as I post new posts.  That is the plan.  I may miss one or two but that is the way life goes.

I think I may also add a list of the link-ups I participate in on my side-bar rather than in each individual post. (a lot of redundant typing).  What do you think of this?  Is it disrespectful to just say "Please see my sidebar for the parties I'm linking up to today?  I'd love some opinions on this as I wouldn't want to offend any of the great party hosts.

QOTC:

Tomorrow (hopefully) will be my first Queen of the Castle post starting with "Week 1".  I'll be posting anything that strikes me or sticks out to me.  If you are also doing this "52 Weeks of Encouragement", you can do the same on your blog.  It doesn't have to be on Tuesdays, if Tuesdays aren't good for you.  But when you do post your QOTC post, please leave a link in my comments so I can come read what you thought of that particular week and maybe discuss what we got from the study.

Ok, I think that is all for now. 

As soon as my little one wakes up, we'll be heading off to Altoona to check on "Pappy".  Mom called him first thing this morning and he said he's feeling better and getting his appetite back.  Please keep him in your prayers for continued healing.

Thank you so much my bloggy friends!

BTW, the Steelers kicked some serious butt yesterday.  We are the Champions, my friends....

"Queen of the Castle" Reminder

If you are joining in on the reading of this weekly devotional, we'll be starting the first week in January.  I think I'm going to be posting on Tuesday, because that seems to be a good day for me.

If anyone has any suggestions on the read-a-long please let me know.  Do we each want to do our own post about our thoughts from each chapter?  How would you like to do it?  Leave a comment with any ideas!

The book contains "52 weeks of encouragement for the uninspired, dometically challenged or just plain tired homemaker."

Does this sound like you?  Would you like to do this study with me? 

Here's the book description from Amazon:

Being a keeper of the home demands that women possess a wide range of skills, from knowing what to do with a pound of ground round to being able to corral a rampant toddler and manage the carpooling schedule. Says author Lynn Walker, "By the time most of us realize we're a few towels short of a load in our homemaking skills, we're up to our thighs in dirty little soccer uniforms and don't have time to read a different book for each part of the job." Now the training, skills and tips every woman needs are all here in one delightful-to-read volume. From mothering to marriage, gardening to grilling, family vacations to flea markets, time management to Thanksgiving meals, chores and chocolate breaks, spiritual reminders and stress relievers, Walker presents "I've been there, sister" advice, recipes, ideas and funny stories for every woman who, like her, is NOT Homemaker of the Year. Five minutes a day, 52 weeks a year is all a woman needs to get the most of this inspiring, helpful read.

A few chapter titles are "Housework, Done Correctly Can Kill You" and "Trippity Doo-Dah:  The Family Vacation".

I've paged through the book and it looks great!  It contains quotes, specific prayer ideas, and key Bible verses.  There are even "Chocolate Breaks"!

So, if you'd like to follow along with me there's plenty of time to get the book.  Here is a link to buying it on Amazon or you can click the picture of the book at the top of the post.  You can buy it for as little as $0.90.

What do you think?  Are you in?  Do you want to be the Queen of Your Castle?  I know I do.