Re-focused on Family

So I've been away for awhile. I wish I had some exciting stories to share or some extremely valuable knowledge to impart. But I don't. Quit honestly I've been struggling. I've been just trying to keep my head above water. I was fighting to stay a float and not properly using my life saver. I was so busy trying to fix everything myself I didn't trust in the only way I could truly not drown. I wasn't trusting in God. I got fed up when I felt I was giving too much of myself. But YHVH doesn't say give only while you're getting back. He says to esteem others as better than ourselves. (see Philipians 2:3) That means that I'm not doing anything to benefit myself but to benefit those around me. For me that mostly includes my children and my husband. I'm not washing dishes everyday because someone is going to thank me or praise me but because my family needs it. I'm not making the bed everyday because someone is going to thank me, it's because even if he won't admit it my husband likes the way the room looks when I do.

I've been feeling utterly exhausted but I wasn't looking to the proper place for my strength. I complained about not having friends (at least none that I can go visit and sit and chat with, or grab a coffee, or go shopping with). But I've learned that truly there is a season for everything and maybe just maybe this is my season to gather stones (see Ecclesiasties 3:1&5). For me those stones are what makes me get a step closer to my King. A step closer to really being in His will and truly trusting in Him for all things. Because when I am walking closely with Him, then I will find true joy in my place in this world. I know this is a lesson I seem to keep needing to learn, I'm just thankful for an AMAZING and longsuffering Heavenly Father. So again here I am re-focused on my family and my role as a helpmeet, and mother. I know that I am blessed beyond measure to have a family to take care of. I just pray I can remember that the next time I'm feeling a bit stressed.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. -Phil 2:3 

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; -Ecc 3:1&5

Just the Beginning

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" -Philippians 1:6

Sometimes its hard for me to be focused on the present. I always want to get to the end result. But I realized that in thinking that way I miss, not only the laying down of the foundation, but also the beauty of the moment. In my rush to arrive I tend to miss the journey. My husband is so good about living in the moment and often times he has to anchor me to what's happening now. He has to remind me that the Lord has "begun a good work" in me and that He will see it through.

Lately I've been super focused on being being the perfect homemaker. I've been reading books, and other blogs, gathering all these different tips that I try to put into practice. I must admit I've improved quite a bit. I even got some BEAUTIFUL African violets because of all my hard work {thanks love}. But then I started to get a little discouraged. Because despite all my hard work I'm still not where I wanted to be. I'm not meeting my standard of perfection. But I'm still learning and growing in the Lord and I know that through prayer and dedication I will get there. Not just because it's what I want, but because being a help meet is what I was made for and YHVH always finishes what He starts.



Love and Blessings

I'm linking up!

Getting on the right track

I have a confession. I'm terrible at home keeping. I have an amazingly patient husband who doesn't mind (too much) that some days the dishes pile up or the living room didn't get swept. Our house isn't gross but it can get a little messy. Especially with a two year old running around. But I've been praying on it and with YHVH's help we're developing a schedule that will hopefully help us all get back on track. If we can stick with it we can finally get to bed at a decent hour and have more productive days. 

Today was our first day on the new schedule and the hubs and I stayed up WAY too late so it kind of threw the whole day off. But that's the beauty of a schedule. When you get off track then you just pick up where you should be. So today we were able to still accomplish some of my goals. I got to do a lesson with my oldest about God's love. We made a lady bug out of hearts, sang songs, and read some scriptures. She loved it. 

Here's a sketch of what it was supposed to look like

This one is her's :o)

We're also working on letter recognition. I'm not too big on making her sit still for long periods of time. That only frustrates the both of us. She is only two after all. So in order to help her we put up an alphabet border on the wall. A few times a day I'll pick her up and we sing the ABCs while touching each letter. I'm just hoping it works. 

As for my house.... well I need to do dishes lol. But I'm working on getting it all together and I found this amazing book on amazon called Totally Organized by Bonnie McCullough. She has some really great tips and she suggests implementing them one at a time. So right now I'm working on her Minimum Maintenance routine. Which has you work in the main rooms everyday for five minutes before you do anything else. That way you're not stuck in the cycle of feeling overwhelmed. Which was totally my problem. Now while yes I need to do dishes, my living room is clean and so is my hallway :o)

Hope everyone is well 

Tears of Joy

My Savior's Love

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.


O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!


For me it was in the garden
He prayed: "Not My will, but Thine."
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.


O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!


In pity angels beheld Him,
And came from the world of light
To comfort Him in the sorrows
He bore for my soul that night.


O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!


He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.


O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!


When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.


O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

This is a favorite Hymn of mine and it just makes me teary every time. Teary and filled with joy that YHVH loves me so much that He suffered and died for me. That Yeshua took a beating intended for me and saved my soul! He loves me (and you) more than anyone of us could ever really grasp. He left His heavenly home to come to earth and dwell among us. That is down grade enough. But then to suffer and die!? It's something that consistently amazes me! I'm in awe of that love and though I am so undeserving I'm ever so grateful for it. I pray that you all are remembering the cross as you enter in to the Sabbath.

A Beautiful life.

I've been really preoccupied lately with my family. It's amazing how fast little ones grow. My youngest makes it unmistakably easy to track how much time has gone by in a year. She was born on the first on the year, 01-01-2011, what a birthday! As I watch her grow I'm reminded of just how much time has gone by during the course of this year. I'm also reminded of just how much time is ahead of me before I begin a new year. It's like having a newborn in the house gives you an entirely new perspective on time. Being that she is the second I know just how fast this stage passes and I am trying to hold on to every moment of this period in her life.

Currently my littlest princess is rolling over and trying to grab things. She is 4 1/2 months and weighs 16lbs. Yes I know she's a chunkster, especially being that she was only 6lbs at birth! We're talking rolls on top of rolls! But nothing beats knowing she's healthy. 

My oldest princess is so proud to be a big sister. She loves helping. Its so amazing how much she's grown up. She's definitely the most mature two year old I know. She loves helping out and I just pray I'm laying the proper foundation for her to grow into the young lady YHVH wants her to be. I'm so proud of her already.

I'm planning to kick her homeschooling into high gear come September since she will be three in November. So we're really going to be focused at the end of the summer. (Any homeschooling tips are more than welcomed) I'm hoping to go on lots of fun trips this summer. We have a zoo pretty close by so hopefully we'll be able to take advantage of that and there are some really interesting children's museums. 

All in all this phase of my life is a learning period where I'm learning how to be the person YHVH wants me to be and how to properly train my girls to do the same. I'm so excited for the future and for the first time I am in a place where I feel like I'm able to really just be. I don't feel pressure to get there fast, like I usually do. For the first time in a long time. I am waiting patiently on Abba as He teaches me in His timing. 

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. -Micah 7:7

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31

Shabbat Shalom

Been away...

Well it's sure been a while! Life has just been a little busy for me right now. I usually find time to blog in the mists of it all but this past week I've just been really focused on a few different things, including spring cleaning. I'm not so good at this homemaker thing and I've really been trying hard which resulted in less computer time. I'm just extremely thankful for a patient and loving husband. 

I've also been working on taking care of myself. I've really found that I invest everything into the rest of my family and not enough time in to myself. I'm not talking about for Bible time or for studying but just for relaxing, or making myself feel pretty. So my new thing is... my nails :o) I have to be the world's biggest nail biter lol. But not anymore I'm turning over a new leaf. I find that when my nails are done I don't bite as much. So I got myself a nice little nail kit and some fun spring colors. Hubs is thrilled because he prefers me with my nails longer, or at least there lol.

I've also taken on a new hobby to help my family save money. Couponing. But not your grandma's couponing  I'm talking EXTREME COUPONING! And I am oh so excited. Since some of you may not be familiar with the idea of extreme couponing I'm including a video :o). Since I've been doing this every grocery trip has resulted in us saving 50% or more on our entire grocery bill. I'm hoping to cut it down even more. 

The funny thing is I was praying for YHVH to send me a job opportunity that wouldn't take me out of the home. I was praying that He would open up my eyes and present me with an opportunity that would really help us financially. Then I found out that its possible to get the things we need for our home close to free and that is was entirely possible for me to learn how. I'm constantly amazed at the faithfulness of HaShem and how much He helps. And how often that help comes in the most unexpected ways. I though it would be best if I brought in extra money but He thinks it best if I save us money. Interesting. I'm glad He knows better than I do! Hope all is well with all of you out there!