When God has placed you in the "not so nice" part of town

Our family lives in small, humble home.

It boasts about 1400 sq. feet (including our finished basement)

It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a 1 car garage.

It is shaped like a shoebox.

And He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." Luke 12:15

In comparison to many of our family and friends, we live in a very "reduced" state.

(What do they expect...we are both teachers! And I teach part time!)

Not only is our home on the humble side....so is our town.

Our town is not very desirable.

In fact, most people would love to avoid it all together.

There is crime.

There are rougher schools.

Some do not take care of their home and yard.

(For example, our neighbors asked if they could have a piece of plywood. We happily gave it to them, in which they took it and propped it up against their house with an old couch to "finish off" their "fence")

But you know what?

This is where God has placed us.

Our home really fell into our laps.

It was my grandparents and when they needed assisted living, we were getting married and it worked perfectly.

It was affordable and just what we needed.

And God knew that.

We have worked to make our little home work for us.

Like adding a family room and 2nd bathroom.

We've tried to make it a little haven for our family and guests.

A place to serve others.

 God has placed us here for a reason.

Our neighbors need the gospel.

They need to be loved.

They need to be cared for.

 

Living in a more "affluent" area does not save us from anything.

Yes, the yards and homes may be more beautiful, but the people are just as broken.

It just may not be as visible.

So friend, if you are living in a less-than-desired area, but encouraged.

God has you there for a reason.

 Whether it is a financially wise decision for your family, or a mission-field ready for harvest, where He is going to use you or your family.

Take comfort in knowing He has placed you there.
You are on a mission everywhere you go, and your neighborhood is a mission field you encounter daily.

And on the days where I find myself perusing the real estate ads and drooling over master bathrooms and kitchens that can fit more than one person, I remind myself that I am exactly where I am meant to be for this season.

Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," Hebrews 13:5

It's not to say we won't move.

God can use us wherever He needs.

But don't let jealousy and discontentment steal the joy and purpose of being exactly where you are in the here and now.

"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all people." 1 Chronicles 16:24

striving to live a simple, intentional & joyful life.

 So God is definitely working in my heart.

For the past several months, I have felt a need for simplicity in our lives.

The fast-paced world in which we live is just too much.

I've seen as a new-ish mama, how fast babies really do grow.

And I don't want to miss a second of my precious boys life.

A couple of months ago, God began working in my heart about living simpler.

And at that time, I thought it meant about "stuff".

Clear the clutter, buy less things.

I've made improvements in that area, but the last few days God has shown me there is so much more.

I've been reading some fantastic books lately about motherhood and simple living.

The latest book I've been reading has really opened my eyes...not to things I didn't know, but things I closed my eyes to.

Everyone needs to read this book.

It had been on my "to read" list for awhile, and I found it in the $5 bin at Mardel and scooped it up.

The premis of the book, is Jen, a pastor's wife, takes 7 months to focus on the excess in her life.

Each month has a focus (food, clothes, stress, etc.) and fasts from those items in some form.

(Only eat 7 foods for a month, give away 7 items a day, etc.)

It is written like a journal and you see her journey as she learns to let go and live much, much simpler.

Now, her measures are a bit extreme.

(Lord willing, I'm not going to just eat 7 foods for the rest of my life).

Her message is clear though.

As Christians, we should release our desire for stuff.

(clothes, a beautiful big home, dinners out)

And we should focus on those that don't have any.

I  had heard statistics before.

I know many, many children die of hunger each day.

I know some students that I have that may not get a decent meal over the weekend.

But I continue to live my indulgent life.

Starbucks, shopping, decorating, etc.

All while complaining about how poor I am.

*hangs head in shame*

You see, we live in a small-ish house.

We live in a lesser desired suburb.

We drive used cars.

Compared to many others in our family and social circle, I felt poor.

We had to scrimp and save to go out to dinner.

I would find loose change in my car in order to drive through Starbucks before work.

But I am oh-so blessed.

I have a home.

A home with plenty of space and that we can afford.

We live in an area that needs Christ.

God has placed us here for a reason.

We have reliable, paid for transportation.

We have 2 refrigerators full of food (2!)

We have clean water, indoor plumbing and medicine.

Though I selfishly feel poor for not having my every want and desire met, I am in fact in the top 1% of wealth in the entire world.

So here I am, one of the richest people in the world, praying to get richer while children die of hunger.

Gah, I make myself sick.

So here is my scripture mediation.

God has really shown me how blessed I am in so many ways.

And it's time for me to be grateful for that.

To say "enough is enough" to wanting more, and bless others.

I've already purged a lot of our things to donate to those who need it.

I am trying to use every scrap of food we have, instead of throwing old food away, simply because I "didn't want it".

I'm trying to slow down and enjoy each-and-every blessing.

Levi's giggles.

Fireflies at night.

Air conditioning.

Fresh-baked cookies.

This is going to be a journey my friends, and I hope to keep you updated as I go.

One of my new steps is that with each sale from my Etsy shop, I will donate a portion to the World Hunger Fund.

100% of the proceeds go to feeding the hungry around the world.

And through this vital task- thousands of people are seeing the love of Christ and accepting Him as their Lord.

So, here is my heart.

This is how God is leading me.

Pray for me as I try to live intentionally and simply and find the joy in each and every blessing.

daily count your blessings {with free printable}

I am currently reading this book

It is a fantastic book.

Mr. Free and Levi got me a huge stack of books that I had been wanting for Mother's Day.

This was one of them and I've been making it a point to read each evening before bed.

This book has 40 chapters, but each are only a couple of pages.

It makes it easy to digest and she gives so many great ideas.

One of the suggestions Jamie has in her book is to record your steady blessings.

That each day you {and your kids} simply reflect on the blessings that that day held.

I love this idea.

It helps our families focus on how blessed we are.

It helps us see how the simple things are truly magnificent.

I highly suggest that at the end of the day, simply write the blessings you had that day.

I guarantee it will begin to change your perspective and you'll start to see the joy in the little simple blessings we so often ignore and miss.

I made a free printable that you can simple right-click, save and print.

I highly encourage you to add it to your Personal Growth Binder and take the time to really reflect on the ways God has blessed you.

Imagine the impact it will have on your children, your spouse and others.

So at the end of a long day, pull out your sheet and a pen, light a candle, sip a warm drink and reflect on how good God was today.

Do you take the time to reflect and count your blessings each day?

I know I am purposely going to be making this a habit.

My Mission Statement

You need to go to this blog.

Inspired to Action.

It is....inspiring. Hence the name.

Kat has amazing resources, e-books and podcasts to encourage your walk with Christ and growth as a woman, wife and mother.

I read and printed off her e-book "Mission Statements for Moms".

Not going to lie...my first impression was kind of an eye roll.

I remember spending an entire day of professional development last summer coming up with our school's mission statement.

Did I really need one as a mom?

But as I read the ebook, I saw the need.

If my main priorities in life (being a believer, wife, mother, homemaker and employee) really were priorities, then they needed a vision and a goal!

So definitely, go download her e-book and brainstorm your priorities and actions you will choose to do daily to grow in those roles.

I sat down this evening with pen in hand and got to work.

And here is what I came up with:

It's pretty darn wordy, and I know it will be tweaked over time.

But for now, it will help focus my oh-so-precious time and be a constant reminder of my purpose God has called me to do.

I plan to print this off and put it in areas where I need this focus
(my work area, home binder, etc.)

One thing I love that Kat mentioned is that our own unique mission statement helps us from comparing ourselves to others or that "perfect" mom we imagine. As we pray over our roles, God gives us a direct purpose that only we can do.

Have you made your own mission statement? Is it something you plan to do in the future?

The challenges of early rising {Maximize Mornings Challenge}

Now that Levi is older, and we are more set into our routines, it is time for me to make the most of my mornings.

Since in the past, I used to be up with Levi during the night, I would just wake up for the day when he would.

Now that I am not up all night (thank you Lord!), it is time for me to be back in the habit of earlier rising and making the most of that sweet time.

How early are we talking here?

It all depends on your schedule!

For me...Levi is usually awake around 8:30, so 7:30 will give me a good hour.

You need to have the kids out the door at 6?

Consider waking earlier, maybe around 5.

Start with an hour before the "day starts" and see if you have plenty of time to accomplish what you'd like.

Why are mornings important?

Whether you stay at home, work out of the home, or work from home... it's all true that once the family is up and running, the day easily gets away from us.

New things come up... new challenges arise...

and soon Plan A for the day has become Plan B.

The mornings, before the rest of the family is awake and no pressing responsibilities arise, you can have sweet peaceful time to be the best woman you can be for your family, and ensure a smoother day and a more calm spirit.

The Bible is also pretty clear on the importance of early rising.

If you do a simple google search on 'morning bible verses' there are many more than I realized!

My favorite one (and my inspiration)

I want the morning to set the tone for a day of joy and gladness.

This starts with time with the Lord.

What will I do with this extra time?

The first goal, should be spending quiet time in God's Word and in prayer and study.

I know for me, if it isn't done at this point of the day, it won't ever get done.

Once Levi is up, there are diapers to do, food to prep, a toddler to chase after, a home to clean, work to go to, etc...

So, first thing...find "your spot".

A spot in your favorite chair, your couch, make "your spot".

Have it equipped with your bible, pens, highlighters, a notebook, book of study, warm drink, etc.

But don't make it too comfy....otherwise you'll be right back to sleep!

Spend as much time as you are able praying and studying.

Listen to worship music on your iPod.

Help gain perspective on what is truly important on this blessed day.

So...I've finished my study time...and still have time...

What a huge blessing!

Here are my remaining goals when I have extra morning Mama time.

Go over my plans for the day.

See what I can do to be an extra blessing to my home or family.

{Extra load of laundry, a snack made, shirt mended, etc.}

I also prep for dinner

{chop the veggies, throw things in the crock pot}

Exercise

disclaimer: I don't do this...but need to. Early morning is the perfect time to pop in an exercise DVD and start your day healthy.

 Resist the urge to get back in bed.

The best way to resist, is to make the bed as soon as you get out.

You'll be less likely to get back in, seeing how pretty it is. (at least for me!)

If you need to...take a nap when the kids are napping.

And adjust your bedtime so you are getting enough sleep.

Pretty soon, your breakfast date will be awake and your day will be off and running!

 A great additional resource is at Inspired to Action.

Kat has a free e-book all about Maximizing Your Mornings that you can get if you sign up for her email newsletter! It is great!

So ladies, do you maximize your mornings? Have any great tips? Or are you attempting to make a change and make the best of that sweet time, like I am?

The lie of Pinterest perfection

My best friend (and new Mama) and I were discussing last night the ill side effects of Pinterest (and the internet, social media, blogs and Facebook).

But more specifically, Pinterest.

Now, first of all, I love Pinterest.

It has given me some great ideas and is a great way to organize the little things I found amongst blogs so that I can find them again when I need them.

However, there is a bad side of it all.

A feeling like every other woman, mom and teacher has their lives all put together, and I don't.

But, my friends, Pinterest is a lie.

People never "pin" the real life.

They pin the fantasy.

For example, I've pinned pictures of our basement remodel.

Here's the pic I've pinned for the world to see:

Ah, organized, straightened up...perfection.

But here's how it looks now (and how it looks about 70% of the time...)

Tada.

Hopefully many of you can relate.

I now have a mobile, very curious son, a busy life and a hatred of laundry.

But do I pin or blog with these images? No.

Why not?

Because I want to look like I have it all together.

But I don't.

Who is that helping?

I've pinned more than 1700 items.

I've *maybe* only actually tried about a dozen or so of them.

Do I make my own cleaners? No (except for laundry detergent...I do actually do that!)

Are all our dinners organic, clean and from scratch each night? Heck no.

Do I use 20 coupons per single item so I get paid to shop. Nu-uh.

Have I crafted a dozen things from a single sheet of scrap book paper? Well...close. But no.

Here's another humbling example.

An absolutely gorgeous kitchen I had pinned.

Reality?

Dirty dishes in the sink and crud on the counter tops.

I say all this as an encouragement.

I strive to keep my home in order, food on the table, planning creative activities all while saving money.

But, the perfection projected onto Pinterest simply isn't feasible.

Our children know we love them by the quality time we spend with them. The memories we make.

Not by whether we did every one of the 101 Activities with Toddlers we had pinned a year ago.

Guests know we care for them by the climate of our home as we greet and minister to them. Not by always having fresh-cut roses on the dinner table and perfect appetizers waiting for them.

Our husbands know we love them by praying for them, helping raise their children, laughing with them, running errands, working, throwing dinner together and clipping coupons. Not by an immaculate house that has never seen dust, gourmet dinners and a rockin' 6 pack.

I love to learn from other women and their strengths, but be encouraged that God has created you as a unique woman, mom and wife. You bless your family and others in the way that He created you.

So let's not beat ourselves up or hide behind the mask of perfection. 

The only perfect one is our Lord and Saviour. Pretending to be perfect ourselves is minimizing his Lordship in our lives.

As a reminder to myself, I often read this short little story about Mary and Martha in Luke

³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feetlistening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one.^[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

                                         Luke 10:38-42

So often, I find myself trying to be Martha. Having everything perfect, and not having my focus being where it should. I should be resting at the feet of Jesus. Not running around with the world searching for perfection. Only with the correct focus on life can I truly be happy.

Sewing

I am really loving sewing.

I am loving making things for my home and my family.

Items that cannot be reproduced.

Because they are made by me.

They are unique and made with love.

I am loving sharing my items with people I know and also complete strangers!

It's so great that this little sewing machine Mr. Free got me many years ago without even a mention of wanting one has become such a fun pastime and small little business for me.

You see....I've messed with it a bit over the years, but over all, it collected dust.

In fact, Mr. Free used it more than I did!

But, this past summer as I was home with my little baby boy I was reading a book.

"Beautiful In God's Eyes" by Elizabeth George.

I've read it many times.

It is all about the Proverbs 31 woman and breaks each verse down to make it practical for today.

It always challenges me each time I read it.

This time, the chapter about building a Cottage Industry caught my attention.

She mentions "taking something personal and making it professional."

Elizabeth emphasizes that the life of women is to revolve around the home and family.

She also recognizes that Proverbs 31 clearly shows that women is a businesswoman as well.

However, her business is still actively part of her family life.

I thought there wasn't anything I could do, outside of music and teaching, that could bless my family financially.

But, it was if the Lord hit me over the head.

Sew.

I wasn't very good, and still have a lot to learn.

But God has put a little passion in my heart to create warm and soft things for my home and my family. And with the abundance, sell them to bless and help my little family.

So I did.

And {Free Style Textiles} was born.

I am proud of my hard work and thankful for the great support I've had.

I love picking fabrics, creating new items and sharing them with my family and others!

Here's a sampling of my projects

Thank you to anyone who has bought from my little shop.

I am having a blast and it is so great to help my family financially through my hobby.

At the bottom of my business cards?
Proverbs 31:24

So, do you have a "Cottage Industry"?

Something "personal that became professional?"