Posted in Faith

What is IT? It’s “The It Factor”, of course!

My very sweet friend, Kathy Butryn is hosting “The It Factor” tomorrow (Saturday, Aug 16, 2008) This virtual seminar promises to be one of the BEST seminar’s I will take all year! Kathy is ready to lead us to a more simple life by helping us to get all the ITs accomplished. Kathy and I share a kindred spirit and I am so blessed that she has asked me to teach a session, SO if you have been waiting (ever so patiently) for me to have another online speaking engagement this is IT!

I am going to post the specifics in a sec, but first I want you to know that Kathy is happy to have any you as a FREE GUEST when you participate live. Ladies, this is a message EVERY WOMAN needs! There will below the info for you to click on that will take you to the registration area so you can get your FREE login info! Without further Ado…

Session 1: Discover "it"! (Goals)

We are often told we need to "set" goals. But what are the goals we are supposed to set? So often we set the wrong goals. Perhaps we base our goals on what other people tell us we should be doing. In this session, we are going to learn how to set goals based on who we are...and what God wants us to do...in other words, our life purpose. It will be an exciting process to discover the

goals that God has for you for this season of your life.

Session 2: Stick to "it"! (Priorities)

It's one thing to have goals...it's a whole other story to implement those goals. It can be easy to lose sight of those newly discovered goals.

Session 3: Build "it"! (Organization)

Sigh. Wouldn't you just love to "GET" organized? Actually, organization is a lifestyle...for a lifetime! It is something that we don't "get" as much as we "build" into our lives. And your "lifestyle of organization" will look different from mine...and from our other girlfriends. Regardless of our "style", let's learn some principles to "build" organization into our daily life.

Session 4:  Bonus Session

You will not want to miss this...as Leslie Valeska from "Simple Journey Ministries" joins me

in this brainstorming session. We'll try to answer some of your questions,

plus, Leslie has more great tips to pass along to us!

PLUS

You will receive a virtual goodie bag filled with downloadable extras!

REGISTER & GET MORE INFO HERE!

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Are you weary? Is there chaos in your life? Doe sit seem there just isn't enough time in your day? Life can be like that sometimes. However, we are blessed to be able to get through those times with God. Spending time digging into the Word each day is important for us to continue on our journey with Him. YOU CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens you!

I know there are some days when schedules, appointments, commitments, tasks, etc start at dawn and end almost at dawn the following day. I so know that life can be like this at times. It is even more essential that we spend time with God during these times.

At our co-op this week, one of my fave gal pals, Edie, shared a devotion with us about spending time with the Lord each day. She testified to the fact that her day runs more smoothly when she starts off with prayer and devotion. Amen to that! Giving the day up to the Lord fromt he start, how could you not win!

On those days when life is flying at the speed of light, consider searching out a power packed devotion that comes in a small package. All you need is to get up 15 minutes early. That's it. Just 15 little minutes!!! Hello?! You CAN do that! Lucia Claborn's Daily Faith Builders is an excellent resource to use. Lucia provides a daily email of God's word that puts it out there! It comes right to your Inbox. What could be more convenient than that? How about the fact that it is FREE!~ Yes, Lucia shares her wisdom to help you build your faith. It is like wheaties my friends...one little serving will get you through the day!

I personally have been using Lucia's Daily Faith Builders each day for about a year. Most days I use them as my copywork before I head into my Bible study/ devotion. But on those days where time is especially tight, they ARE my devotion! And boy do they pack a punch of strength for the day! Truly, Lucia has answered God's call to help others build their faith!

Remember, each affliction, trial, controversy, and just those little blips in the road are there to help grow us up. They are part of our transformation. As Paul instructs us, we are to count them all joy. The joy in our stress filled times is in the faith and knowledge that when we leave it all at His feet and allow Him the wheel (I don't mean a bit of the wheel ladies, I mean He is in the driver's seat) He will use it all to strenghten us and draw us closer to Him. Bring it to the Lord. Dig into His Word. Life Becomes more simple.

These are my thoughts.

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Glory to the newborn King! 

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Joyeux Noel!

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Posted in Faith

I felt this needed a separate post.  Over at the Homeschool Blog Awards, there is a message on the home page about one of the women who has given of herself to put it all together.  Her name is Heather, and she has just found out that she has a brain tumor.  Please pray for her, her husband Mark, and her family.  Read more about what is going on @ Especially Heather.

These are my thoughts.

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Serving others is simple.  Isn't it?  We are commanded to serve others, as Jesus did.  Well, that makes me nervous.  If Jesus did it, can it be that simple?  Who are the others we are to serve?  As a homesteader and homechooling mom, how can I possibly focus on serving others, when I have so much to do, and my family comes first?  How can I possibly be in a position to serve when our budget is so tight?  What if I am the one who needs the service?  Aren't there governement programs who can help people?  I do not have anything to offer anyone, so how can I be of service? 

These are all good questions and honest thoughts that people have  regarding service.  Service can be a tricky activity if we bog ourselves down with questions, because often times those questions are our inner mind searching for a way out.  Yet, there are simple ways to serve others on a regualr basis, that will not have a disruption in your schedule, require you to hire a babysitter, become overwhelmed, or cost a penny.  I call this type of service Simple Service.

Simple service is mainly about your attitude.  Schedules are so tight for many families on a regular basis.  This often causes us to go through our tasks with blinders on.  We are robots when we are grocery shopping because our minds are filled with other thoughts.  Each time you shop, be more attentive to those around you.  When you see an employee pushing the dolly with boxes for shelving or come across one in the aisle, stop and take a moment to give them a thanks and let them know you appreciate their service.  Do this wherever you are and to whomever you come across.  When the deli person finishes slicing your lunch meat, don't just say thank you, say thank you for serving me today.  After the postal clerk hands you stamps and takes yourpackage at the P.O., again change your normal thanks, to thank you for your service today.  When you take your children to a doctor's appointment, be sure to thank the doctor, nurse, receptionist, and any staff member you come in contact with for his/her service, being mindful to verbally express that you acknowledge and appreciate their service. This slight change in your heart, thought, and words, will have a significant impact on those who are providing these services.  While you are changing your mindset to be mindful of those providing services, you will all be providing service to them as well.  Simple Service.

As your you begin to be mindful and outwardly appreciative of others' service, open your eyes and look around.  Are there people who would benefit from your help, even if not asked?  Is there someone looking at different brands of soup which you could make a recommendation?  Is someone loading packages into their vehicle?  Have you heard someone discussing a need, that you may not be directly in the conversation about, but have a solution or can offer assistance yourself?  Do you notice a mom who is regularly haggard?  Is there a family you know who is going through a very tight schedule?  We are so self focused on ourselves and our families, we often do not register these as opportunities to serve.  As you train yourself to become mindful, you will see people everyday all around you that are in need of service, and yet no one wants to say anything for fear that the person mught become offended.  Setting up a time to have a haggard mom's children at the park with you while she grocery shops in peace is service.  Helping a person who is loading items from Sam's club into their vehicle, before you go to your own vehicle is service.  Noticing someone reviewing items of which you have an opinion and sharing it without being asked, is service.  Offering solutions to a person involved in a conversation you are not directly involved in is service.  Preparing a double meal and bringing the second portion to a family who is going through a chaotic time, on a whim, is service.  If a person thanks you for your assistance, remember to reply with something like, it is my pleasure to serve you. 

If you belong to a group (Boyscouts, Co-op, PTA, Women's Ministry, etc) you can easily open yourself up to service by asking those who are heading activities, "How can I be of service to you?" 

Use this as a jumping board to begin to set your mind towards focusing on the needs of others.  Then seek within yourself how you can serve that person and fulfill their needs, great or small.  Often times, taking time out of your busy schedule to just listen to another is an important and much needed service.  You may not have changed your lifestyle, made any financial donations, or done anything magnificent to the outside world, but your mind being in the place of service to others will bring you closer to God.

Simple Service.

These are my thoughts.

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Every once in a while we need a reminder that God has a purpose for us.  However small and insignificant we may think our purpose is, we affect others, even strangers.  Please take a moment to read this story and get a real life glimpse of how we are put in every moment for a reason. 

These are my thoughts.

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I came across a prayer in a book that I gave to my daughter, titled, Prayers on my Pillow, by Celia Straus.  I was very touched by a particular prayer, that I thought was appropriate not just for growing girls, who are facing all the scary changes in their lives, but for everyone who puts their faith and life in God above.  This prayer crosses the gender and age barrier.  This prayer is for me, for my children, my husband, and everyone I know.  Is this prayer one you have spoken? 

What good does praying do?

What can I say?  When does God listen?

Once and hour?  Once a day?

My soul speaks in silence,

My heart's like a stone.

How will God hear me

When I'm all alone?

But I will not doubt that

God knows what I feel.

Without words God answers--

Through love, prayers made real.

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There are times in our lives when we make rushed emotional based decisions, that end up biting us in the back side.  We have all had those.  What makes those decisions a little easier to handle is when God sends us a blessing to recover.  But how about when a friend is in one of those predicaments?

I have a friend who desperately wanted a more simple life.  A single mom, she tried to sell her house on her own.  She found a house in upstate NY and put an offer on it.  The owners gave her 6 months to sell.  After 2 months of little interest she listed with a realtor.  About halfway through the listing, she made arrangements with the owners of the house she was buying tomove a large shed onto their property.  She and her girls would live in the shed, and they allowed them to store their belongings in their garage.  No rent.  Sounds great, right?

Things haven't gone as expected.  Living next tot he house she was buying in her shed, has given her a different perspective of the house.  (It is rented.)  The tennants are not taking care of the place and there has been some damage done.  When she discussed this with the owners, they were unwilling to repair the damage.  Still the house down here hadn't sold.  While the transformed the shed into a perfect camping cabin complete with loft beds and kitchenette, it's cramped.  They hadn't expected to be in there this long.  They hadn't expected to not have any a/c or all the bugs either.  In the mean time she had rented her house here out with the understanding that the house was for sale and that it would need to be in show condition.

The tennants were also to do some work (like painting and mowing) in exchange for first and last months rent.  This hasn't happened.  Not to mention the fact that they haven't paid $1 for rent.  She learned earlier in the week that they did not have the electric switched to their name, so they haven't paid the bill.  You see where this is all going.  Through much thinking she has decided she made a huge mistake and needs to come back to the house until it sells, and THEN buy something elsewhere.  Hindsight is always 20/20, huh?

At any rate, one thing that was causing a problem was that if she came back, she would either need to pay for extra days for the moving truck and paint the place before moving their stuff back in or move in and try to paint around it all.  Here's where the Godly gift comes in.

My family and I can paint the entire inside of the home in less than 2 days.  It will take them 2-3 days to drive back.  So we offered to go in and paint the place so they would be able to just move in to make a fresh start.  She couldn't believe we would do this.  My friend is not a christian, and has been burned many times by people.  God has given my family the gift to be able to serve this family.  In doing so, we will also be modeling Christ like behavior.  While I haven't pushed my friend to accept Christ as her savior, I feel strongly that our family is a living example of His love.  Perhaps this will lead to a discussion of Christ, perhaps not.  Only He knows how we will affect this family, but on the journey I will share God's gifts.

These are my thoughts.

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Posted in Faith

We participate in a home church.  There are many reasons, to vast to number, as to how the Lord lead us to our church.  Our church is continuing to grow.  We have 13 families, not including our Pastor and his wife.  We have a growing number of young children.  When we began attending this church, we had the only 2 small children, ages 2 & 4.  The next oldest was in 2nd grade. 

Often times the children sit in on the service...the older ones, not my littles.  Then we had one a few of the teens watching our littles.  Now, there are so many kids, that a bedroom isn't enough room for them.  Consequently, I have missed many a service and study caring for our littles.  However, we now have an infant and 2 more children under the age of 5.  What to do? 

I have been praying about this.  I had thought perhaps I should just lead children's activities.  However, I keep coming back to wanting to train my children to worship with our family.  My 4 yo is extremely active, so this could prove to be difficult.  One of the families has extended a willingness  to help out in whatever way we feel might work.  We have tossed around several ideas including adults taking turns monitoring children, and alternating homes.  Yet, I cannot seem to get away from wanting to train my children to be wqith us and not a distraction to others.  I feel that children can learn a lot from family worship. 

Does anyone have any thoughts that might be helpful in this area?  Any families that keep their children in worship even though child care is available or other home churching families that have experienced this growing pain? 

We feel so blessed that God is growing our congregation up and in numbers as well!  God is sooooo good!

These are my thoughts.

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When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.  Surely I am with you always, the very end of age." 

~Matthew 28:17-20

A Happy & Blessed Easter to ALL!

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I wanted to post about Missey Gray, whom is with her Lord now.  I did not know her personally, but benefited much from her involvement with homeschooling with Ambleside and Beechick.  I was taken aback by the email I received telling me of the situation.  I kept thinking to myself, "Is this true?  Could this be the same woman?" 

As with many online friends, you don't have a fac to put with the name, and when you hear a name, sometimes you think, is that who I think it is?  This shocking news really played on my mind.  I saw this picture posted on Spunky's blog, and now I have a face.

I haven't had much computer time with my mil situation, but I wanted to make a point to say that Missey will greatly by missed by her loving family, as well as her online friends.

Oh, how my heart breaks for Tom, Nathaniel, Samantha, Susan, Natalie, and Melissa Kate.  Find comfort in the Lord my friends.  Know that many  are lifting you in prayer.

The HSB Company Porch has an excellent page of posts from others like myself about how Missey touched their lives.  A fund has been set up for the family, Missey Gray Fund.  The Gray family had no life insurance.

Hug your family today! 

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