An Uncertain Season

Everything in my life seems to be changing right now. Okay, so that sounds extremely dramatic, and it is, but that is how it feels. Things at my church, our youth group, people I know, etc. are taking a wide turn out of what has always been, and onto a path that I am very unsure of the outcome. I am sure there has been a time in your life when 'normal' is no longer that, but this scary place that you are unsure where to go. At times like this, What do you do?

You pray

God always seems to be our last resort, instead of being constantly acknowledged throughout the process. I believe part of the reason I don't have as much peace in the situation, is because I haven't fully bathed it in prayer. My prayer these days seems to be 'why', instead of just asking for his will to be done. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Have Faith

It seems God has been talking to me a lot about faith. Faith to trust that he is handling the situation, faith that he will provide for the ones I am worrying about, faith that He will show both me and my husband the way to go. Trust and faith is always followed by action. Ask God what that means for you. Maybe that means: obedience, ministry, moving, or perhaps simply having a closer relationship with Him. 

Connect with Your Spouse 

Obviously this applies if you are married. However, I'm adding this here, because communication with my husband, has helped both of us, I feel. If you are both communicating regularly (which is something you should do!) then you can offer each other Godly advice and encouragement. The situation might look a little less dramatic when you share what's going on with someone close that you trust. 

Hope this helps the next time you find yourself going through an uncertain time. Know that you have a Heavenly Father, that not only knows what you are going through, but has a purpose and plan for that season. He wants to commune with you, whether the going is easy or hard. Don't wait until the last resort, but stay close throughout the process!

Being a Supportive Wife

I was sitting at the piano on Sunday Morning, like I always do, and saw my husband coming towards me. 'Today's Sunday School lesson was on having respect for God's Word, and I feel like I need to stand up when the pastor reads from it.'
I wrinkled my nose and thought about all the people sitting, silently listening to The Word while my husband, by himself, would be standing. It would be weird. It would be awkward. It would have been different if the church did that (I know many churches do), but we didn't and I tried to explain to my husband just how 'different' it would be for him to stand. He did it anyway.

After church I felt bad that I hadn't shown support for something my husband was feeling led to do. Perhaps you've been there too. Perhaps your husband's ideas are much wackier or much less spiritual than my husband's. However, you would like to be less condescending and more supportive. What does that look like, and what are some ways that we can be more supportive of our husbands?

Listen to His Ideas/Goals/Dreams

No matter how silly! Just listening goes a long ways to show how much you care about your husband as a person, and friend. If every time your husband comes up with a plan or idea, you knock it down mid sentence, not only will your husband feel discouraged (and less likely to come talk to you!) but to him it's a show of disrespect. Which brings me to my next point.

Be Respectful in Your Response

I'm not saying you have to agree with everything he says! I am just saying that when we respond we do it out of grace and love.  Respect and submitting to our husbands is one of those things that goes against the modern way of thinking "However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." (Ephesians 5:33). The way we respond to the things our husband says can really have an impact on our marriage. Think of it this way: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29). We are to respond with encouragement to whomever we talk to. Since that is the case, how much more our husbands. Sometimes a heartfelt, verbal 'I support you' can go a long way!

Pray for the Ideas your Husband has

This applies more to the major ideas your husband may have. Perhaps a major spiritual or ministry decision. You may or may not agree, but I am sure that deep in your heart that you want God's will in the situation. Pray for just that! 

So, I know I've applied this to wives, but it can easily be the other way around! I've done it from a woman's perspective, since I can relate more. A man who has to control every situation, and belittles the wife's ideas, is not only disrespecting his wife, but also shows a lack of love. Apply listening (this one for sure!), respecting, and praying, and you will be on your way to showing support for your wife!

How I 'Try' to Keep the House Clean

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:" Ecclesiastes 3:1

This was a scrapbooked chore chart I made for myself, shortly after I started teaching piano. It worked beautifully with my schedule, and allowed me to know at the end of the week that my house was clean and tidy. Then came along little man and this chore chart stayed up on my refrigerator as a reminder of how much I could get done in a day. I struggled to get one load of laundry done, and to keep the amount of dirty dishes to a minimum. Things like clean bathrooms and mopped kitchen was a luxury that I got to do on the weekend (most of the time!) while my husband watched our newborn. 

But you know, that was okay. For those first few months, as I discovered motherhood and a new skill of multitasking, it was okay that things were a bit dirty. Little man grew and I grew in my ability to clean while he napped, set up activities, and again, to multitask. My chart and schedule was so consistent before, but now looks something like this:

Daily:

Clean the Kitchen: There is no schedule for this, however, I try for the earlier the better. When Little Man is happily playing in his room, or taking an extra long time eating his breakfast, I load the dishwasher and wash the dishes. Little man loves to help me unload the dishwasher when it's time, and I make it into a game. 

One load of laundry: I load up a basket before my shower, since the hamper is in our bathroom. After my shower I then take the basket into the laundry room, and start the wash. I take yesterday's finished load on to the couch to be folded that afternoon. Technically I'm always one day behind, but I find this is working the best for me right now. 

Straiten Living room, and pick up toys: I do this about 30 minutes before my piano student comes in, since doing it any earlier would mean more time for my son to get all his toys back where they were before. Even if all else fails during my day, I try for this one thing. I never want my students complaining that they have to practice in a messy house!

Do one chore in my bathroom: Little Man still plays in his activity bouncer while I shower, so I have a very short window to gather a load of laundry, clean my bathroom, and shower. I choose to do one thing, the counter, toilet, shower, etc. so that everything gets done at least once a week. I know for some this isn't often enough, but it works for us. 

15 Minutes of De-cluttering: I follow this lady's de-cluttering calendar. Right now it is in the Kitchen, so I do it while I'm cleaning my kitchen. 

Not so Daily:

Front Bathroom:While Little man plays in the bathtub, wipe down that bathroom's sink and toilet (while keeping a sharp eye on Little Man!).  Since Little Man bathes every other day, the bathroom gets cleaned that much. I like for it to be done often since it's the bathroom my students and guests use. 

Sweep and Mop Floors: This, unfortunately , gets done sporadically. While I try to sweep often, my mopping goal is once a week. This chore, I wait for a golden opportunity, and go for it. It's getting easier to work in, because Little Man loves the broom and mop! He loves to 'help' mommy.

Organize and clean Little Man's Room: I am not as consistent as I should be with this. I do it when it gets too chaotic for my liking. This should probably be on my daily list!

Vacuum: Little Man hates the vacuum cleaner! 

Monthly:

I am trying to be honest here, so I am doing just that. I am a bit embarrassed that both of these are on this list. 

Dusting: This used to be my household chore when I was a kid, so maybe that it why it's so hard for me get motivation to do!

Guest Bedroom: I have my in-laws in about once a month, so I take one week out of the month, and try to focus on it. Sheets, bathroom, and straightening. I should probably do the bathroom more often, but it hardly gets used, and so far has worked for our family. 

I still haven't gotten in to an extra deep clean, once-a-month regimen. I try to take a couple of weeks in the spring and fall and do some of that. Now that Little Man is older, it's easier to add something like that.

Schedules can change overnight. The key is to step back every once in a while (I normally do this when I get too overwhelmed. It's probably best to step back a bit before then.) and see what needs to be tweaked and changed. Don't worry that you don't feel as productive as you used to, just figure out what works best for you and your family. 

Do you keep a chore 'schedule'? What does it look like?

Homemade Cleaners in the Bathroom

Once Little Man arrived, I started thinking about cleaning with homemade cleaners-both for the price, and for being gentler chemically wise. I still use disinfectant wipes to clean bathroom counters and to wipe the toilet, but I use a homemade cleaner for the tub and the toilet bowl. Here is what you'll need

• Vinegar
• Dawn (I use Walmart brand with the same results)
• Baking soda
• Sponge wand

That's it! and you can use these same ingredients for other purposes in the house as well, for example: I clean the sink with baking soda, vinegar, and a sponge that I use for only that purpose. 

Another tip: I use baking soda that has been sitting in the fridge for a while (as an odor blocker), and thus, is getting close to being replaced. This way, I get double duty out of it before it gets thrown away!

To clean the Tub/Shower:

Pour a half and half solution of Vinegar and Dawn into the sponge wand. Shake to mix, and start scrubbing! Note: It helps if you let it sit for a bit in the applied soap, and then scrub again after 5-10 minutes. Rinse and enjoy your clean shower!

To clean the Toilet Bowl:

Sprinkle baking soda around the bowl, and pour an already half and half solution (I put it in a spray bottle without the lid) around the bowl. Scrub right away if you have a pretty clean bowl, let it sit if it's not. Repeat process if your bowl is exceptionally dirty!

And there you go! What homemade cleaners do you use? Do you make your own cleaning wipes/solutions? I would love to hear about it! If you have a lot of cleaners you make yourself, and would like to pass your knowledge on, I would love to feature you in a blog post! Just comment your email or if you are Facebook friends, then just private message me.

February Goals

I didn't quite reach my goal of posting 4 days a week, last month, but I posted more than I have in the past, so that's a start! This month, my goals are: Week 1 talk about household tips, Week 2 talk about Biblical Marriage and Relationships (since it's valentines day week!), Week 3 talk about money, recipes, etc., and Week 4 talk about parenting and toddlerhood. By the end of the month, check back here, and I'll have links to where you can look at all the posts from your favorite topic from the past month. If you have ideas you would like me to talk about, or something helpful you would like to share, just let me know!

10 Signs Your Baby Has Become a Toddler

Wonder if you'll realize when your baby is no longer such a little baby and into the toddler stage? Here are some indicators you should watch for:

1.  You have a constant shadow every where you go. The kitchen, the laundry room,  the bathroom...everywhere.
2. Talking about pee pee and poo poo is a totally normal conversation.
3. Rejoicing when said pee pee or poo poo goes into the potty, and you lavish rewards (and your husband asks why he doesn't get those kinds of rewards! Ha!)
4. It's a normal day if you say 'Don't lick you shoe/floor!' and 'Don't eat that rock!' , but struggle with them eating green beans, or basically anything 'normal'.
5. When you hear The Flash, you don't think about the super hero, but your little one going from floor to the couch, to the TV all in one second.
6. Great ambitions, like coloring, painting, crafting, etc. never end up like you imagined. Your child is probably playing with the brushes and containers, and you are doing the craft.
7. Cleaning the house is a relative term. The cleaner the house gets, the messier it is. You cleaned out the dishwasher, and he/she has cleaned out their entire box of toys, and strewn out the basket of laundry that needs sorting all over the floor.
8. You have added many new words to your vocabulary, some which involve grunts, gestures, and weird throat noises.
9. You wonder how they can say 'mama' so many times in so few seconds.
10. You feel as if you are raising a teenager instead of a toddler. They are happy, then sad, then angry, then silly: in the same hour!

Does this make you nervous about your still non-mobile, precious baby turning into a toddler? Don't be! I have told many people that this stage is probably my favorite so far. They are always discovering new things and sounds. Even if the words 'pee pee' or 'poo poo' are in the sentence, at least you can now converse with your baby! My little man is amazing, and I am so thankful for getting to experience this stage in his life. He is able to reciprocate love back to me, and although that's not necessary for my love, it is a very nice bonus to motherhood! Here is one more toddlerism:

They give the absolute best hugs in the world!

What clues did you have that your baby had become a toddler?

Getting Prepared to Worship

Since you watched that late movie last night, you yawn your way through Sunday School, and get enough energy mustered to sing along with the church choir. You think about what you will eat for lunch, because it's all you can do to stay awake. You made it. You stayed awake through the whole service! What was it about? You have no idea, but at least you stayed awake and looked like you took part. That's the main thing, right?

I believe all of us, no matter how good our intentions, have related to at least one of these scenarios. Whether it's being very sleepy, unfocused, or just plain not caring through the Sunday service. If you are like me, you WANT to be in the worshipful mood. Sunday is a time for fellowship with believers, hearing God's word, and getting into some heartfelt worship. Worship can only happen when our hearts and souls are prepared to receive what God has for us, be pricked to change, and make a decision to do what God would have us to. This can't happen if the rest of our body isn't ready for worship. Here are some ways to get ready for Sunday morning worship.

Go to Bed Early on Saturday

Do your late night movie on Friday night, and go to bed at a decent time on Saturday night. If you stay up late, you will be sleepy the next morning. Seems like a no-brainer, but being in youth ministry, being up late the night before is the number one excuse for sleeping during service, or at times not coming. Go to bed early, and set an alarm. Be intentional.

Wake up Early on Sunday

You would think this would hinder the 'not being sleepy' advice I just gave, but actually, if you get up at a decent time, and not 15 minutes before you need to head out (okay, if you have kids they will wake you up in plenty of time anyway!), your mind will be more focused and less stressed. It also gives you time to fully wake up, and do what I suggest next:

Listen to Worship Music, or Sermon

Why not get your mind into a worshipful mood before you get to church. I love to turn on music while I get ready for service. My husband and I also watch First Baptist Bossier on channel 3 on Sunday mornings. It's amazing how much it helps me stay focused in my own church service! If 

Bible reading, or listening to podcasts help you more, then by all means make that your 'ease into worship' move. 

Eat Breakfast

Nothing like thinking about food while you are supposed to be thinking about lost souls, or perhaps your stomach doing it's own musical number and distracting the youngsters on your pew. Eat something, even if it's small, so that you and your stomach can make it through the service. 

Once you are at church, be sure and take full opportunity of your classes, music, and sermon to help you focus and be ready for when God calls you to action. If He is calling to change your life, change other's lives, or perhaps to simply be even closer to Him, you want to be ready! 

What are some ways you get your heart and body ready for church?