MMM- Clearing the Clutter in Your Life

Last week I wrote about some of my frustrations....don't get me wrong.  I wouldn't trade my job as a stay at home mommy for all the money in the world.  I LOVE being home with my boys....but like any job, there are going to be times when frustrations rise up, and I have to reevaluate the things we are doing to see if I can key it down just a bit.  With Jacob being sick this week, we've been home more (I love days when I can just be home and not go anywhere), and I've had a bit of time to think and reevaluate and reset some things.  

It's so easy to run the rat race every single day, just scraping through the maze of events, not really "getting it" because of all the clutter taking up our lives.

This week has afforded me some real bonding time with my boys, without the added stressors of having to be somewhere, having to get this, this, and this done for school, and honestly, I don't want it to change.  Jacob and I have played many a rousing game of Battleship and Uno, and he's getting to be quite the champion.  Jaden has had many a game of monster chase the baby games, giggling and laughing the whole way.  So, you ask, how am I going to keep the peace and the tranquility that this week, albeit a hard week for Jacob, has afforded us?  I've really taken a hard look at our schedule, and I took the advice of a friend.  I asked God how He wanted me to work out our homeschool schedule.  How does He want it to be?  Then I moved and shifted some things around...for example, by Friday, we are just dead to school, so I decided to make it a fun day with just an hour of core school and the rest fun stuff like art and music and board games for thinking skills.  Jacob loves board games, so he was thrilled with this idea.

Not only with my kids' schedules, but with my own, I'm keeping my work hours to early, early mornings and naptime....possibly a little bit in the evenings, after they're in bed; it depends on what Dan is doing.  I'm also decluttering my blog.  It doesn't look like it now, I know, but I'm rebuilding my blog on Wordpress right now, making it, hopefully, a place of serenity.  It'll still have all the same subject matter, but I do want to have more homemaking articles and things, and it's going to have a very shabby chic appearance.  

This decluttering in my life has been a necessary thing....it's like when you clean out a closet, and you have a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment afterwards.  Once that closet is cleaned out, you can keep it clutter free because there's a place for everything.  That's like life....once you clear the clutter, you have a place for the important things in your life, for the things that God deems important.  What is stopping you today?  What kind of clutter is hindering you from having the joyous walk that is available to you as a wife and mommy?  Is it spiritual clutter?  Is it physical clutter?  Is it clutter that you've been unwilling to clean out up until now? What are you missing out on because of the clutter that is blocking your path?  Get rid of it!  Rework things, and clean out!  A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away- Ecclesiastes 3:6. 

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace. 

Motivate Me Monday- Setback or Advantage

I posted a status on Facebook last week that basically said that sometimes in homeschooling, we have to take a step back and reevaluate, because who cares about a schedule, if learning isn't taking place.  There's a story behind that status, as there usually is.:)

In our homeschooling adventure, I've caught myself more times than not, wanting to follow a rigorous schedule, not listening to my gut that tells me we need to slow down.  We started a bit late in our history curriculum, so I had it all planned out that we would do so much a week and get "caught up."  Not that we're really behind, because with this particular course, it really doesn't matter when you start, which is nice.  To me, though, it mattered.  Yesterday, though, God really softened my heart and gave me another homeschooling epiphane, and I actually listened this time....I'm so glad I did.  Jacob's struggled in history just a bit lately; he did so good last year, when we took our time, and he just enjoyed every bit of it.  We've been rushing through, though, for about the last 2 months.  He had a sort of breakdown yesterday, after he couldn't remember many things from the last chapter that we had covered.  

It came to me then that, "Melissa, you have got to slow this train down....this boy isn't learning the material; he needs more time, more projects to help him learn, more library books to go along with the course, etc.  It's time to take a step back."  I looked at Jacob, as he sat there crying in frustration, and I told him, "Jacob, it's ok; it's not your fault.  Are we going too fast through the material for you?"  That sparked a small conversation, and the light came back into Jacob's eyes at that moment; the tears stopped flowing; and a bit of mother-son bonding took place, as he realized that it was going to be ok, that I wanted to know his thoughts.  I can't explain the joy that brought to my heart and the peace.  

I tell you my little story because I think sometimes with our kids, we rush around, trying to get this done and that done, especially in homeschooling.  All the while, they're standing there, as if they're in a crowded train station, watching the people and the trains go rushing by.  They're not really learning, and they're not really getting that quality time that they so badly need.  In this case, it's definitely quality and not quantity that matters.  It's taking time, as a parent, to realize that much learning may not take place, unless we let go of our own desires and give those desires over to God, letting Him take control of the situation, letting Him control how much we get done that day.  Even if our children learn one more tidbit of history or math or science than before....if they learned something of value in that time spent, it was well worth it.  

So, my desire today is to encourage you to not worry so much about the little things....concern yourself more with the bigger picture.  Is learning taking place?  Is bonding with your child taking place?  Does your child still have that spark and fuel to keep learning?  If not, it might be time to take a step back and reevaluate....

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace. 

Motivate Me Monday- A Dose of Inspiration for Moms

I posted this over on MamaBuzz, and I just felt it was appropriate for this too....hope you enjoy.:)

Today, I just wanted to fill up your cup with verses to help sustain you through this journey we call motherhood....I hope you feel encouraged and inspired to keep trudging on and staying true to the work and the privilege God has set before you as a mother. Don't forget to laugh with your children this week, and maybe even dance.:) (All verses are NKJV.)

He grants the barren woman a home, Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD!- Psalm 113:9.

But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children- 1 Thessalonians 2:7.

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.
Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates- Proverbs 31:10-31.

"For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD." So they worshiped the LORD there- 1 Samuel 1:27-28.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward- Psalm 127:3.

A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world- John 16:21.

Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds- Proverbs 27:23.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering- Colossians 3:12.

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God- 1 Corinthians 10:31.

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

I Found a Treasure

I found a treasure today....I didn't even know I had it.  Well, I knew I had it, but I had no idea what it contained or the immense pleasure it would bring me in actually looking through it.  I recently got into one of my Grandma Atkins' old cookbooks, and it had a ton of her recipes in it.  Well, I dug out the recipe box I'd kept from her, and I could not believe my eyes when I started looking through the recipes.  

I wanted to cry, I miss her so much.  As I went through, I noticed she had names on several of the recipes; some of these recipes were from people I'd known growing up, who are now gone.  They were my grandma and grandpa's close friends, like Miss Esther, Stella, Ann, etc.  I just wanted to cry because I was so excited to have found this treasure.  

I mentioned sharing my grandma's recipes on here, as she was a phenomenal cook, and she loved it just from what I can remember and from what I can tell by what she has saved in this box and throughout the cookbook.  My grandma loved, loved, loved chocolate (a trait I inherited), and there are tons of recipes for different kinds of chocolate cake (I still haven't found her Mississippi Mud Cake recipe, though).  So, inspired by the movie Julie & Julia, I'm going to take it to a deeper, more personal level, and I'm going to try one or two of these recipes every week.  I will then share that recipe on here with you, so that you can try it out for yourself and your family.  I'm so excited about this.  This is a treasure I will never let go of....I just can't describe the memories that come flooding back from this.  I could kick myself for not keeping all of her recipes she'd ripped out of magazines or written down.  When we lived in our old house, we had a mouse get into them all, and instead of keeping some of them, I felt I had to get rid of them.  I know....I am kicking myself today.  But to find this, well, it just gives me joy, and it's almost as if I can feel my grandma here with me.  Stay tuned, as we made some extra good cookies from the recipe box today and some homemade veggie stew last night; I'll be sharing.:)

Love,

Motivate Me Monday- Taboo....No More

Last week I wrote a post called Don't Hide Your Light.  After the week we've had and things that have gone on, there's just more to say on the subject of getting outside our Christian circles; the subject I'm going to write about is pretty much a taboo subject in Christian circles today, but we have got to break free of this taboo mindset and get busy in the work that God has for us.  We have got to break down the taboo if we want to "raze hell."  In the past, I've attended churches where we pretty much stayed in our Christian circles, and when we strayed out of that circle, even for ministry purposes, it was as if we were doing something sinful or wrong.  I don't know how else to put it but just to be majorly blunt throughout this post.  The things I'm going to say have needed to be said for a long time, so if it offends, I'm truly sorry; I don't mean to offend anyone, but I know this is what God has laid on my heart for this post.  Much of this post is from rough experiences that both Dan and I have had together, experiences that threw us for a loop, possibly hardening us somewhat at first, but ultimately bringing us out of bondage into the light.  I praise God for that light....truly.

Just to emphasize here that I am speaking out because of my faith; I am a Christian....a growing Christian who is just seeking to follow God's Word and do whatever it is that He has called me to do.  That being said, here is the situation: This week we learned of a "Christian" ban that is taking place in our old hometown.  I won't go into details, but a certain institution (won't name any names) is being banned because of an openly gay employee.  Now, please let me clear something up before I continue.  I do not believe that being gay is Biblical, and I, in no way, condone or agree with the actions of the gay movement....BUT I do not treat them any differently than I do my mom or my dad or my friends.  I treat them with as much respect as I would anyone, and I look at them as a person with a soul and a heart and someone who God loves very, very much.  After all, God created that person just as He created me; He formed them in the womb and knew them before they were ever born.  He also gave free will.  Jesus died for everyone, not just you and not just me; EVERYONE!  Hatred and bigotry such as this ban do nothing but leave all Christians looking like utter snobs and hypocrites; in fact, I believe that bigotry such as this fuels movements, such as the gay rights movement.  Hatred and bigotry are not the solution....

I don't agree with this ban at all, and I'm going to tell you why.  It all comes back to getting outside of our Christian circles and doing what God has commanded us to do in His Word.  Situations like this make me ashamed to associate myself with the same "Christian" name as these who have banned this institution.  It hurts my heart to think that this person, who may not know Jesus, is being treated in such a way as to potentially turn him away from Christianity at all.  Do these "Christians" not realize that people are dying without a Saviour every single day?  Do they not see that associating only within their comfort zones of approval is going against every fiber of what Jesus taught and lived?  In order to reach this world, we are going to have to get up and go.  We are going to have to get out of our comfort zones and see people, all people, through the eyes of a Saviour Who gave up everything to come to earth for us.  It may mean we lose friends, but to die to self is gain....

Is one sin greater than another? For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all- James 2:10 (NKJV). Did Jesus ban the adulterous woman?  No, this is what He had to say to those judging her: He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first- John 8:7.  Later to the woman, He said, Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more- John 8:11. These verses have gripped my conscience and my heart many times: Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.  And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye- Matthew 7:1-5.

I will never agree with bans like these.  They are shameful to the Christian faith, and I can't name one point in Jesus' life where He banned any person from coming to Him.  Even when He was about to be taken away to die, He had no hatred or anger towards the one who had betrayed Him.  He is willing that none should perish, but that all should come to Him.  He is faithful and just to forgive those who turn from their sin and follow His ways, cleansing them from all unrighteousness.  These words are more than words; they are actions that we need to instill into our very core; we need to go out into the world, and we need to show Christ's love to ALL people, not just the person who never offended us.  Do I hold a grudge against those who have formed this ban?  No, I don't....but I do feel sorry for them, only because I know the state that their minds are in....I know what it's like to be trapped in that feeling of continual bondage.  I still struggle with it myself at times.  Since I left home, and especially since I married Dan and we went through some situations together, I have had to almost rewrap my mind and heart around Who God is.  I have a hard time seeing Him as my loving Heavenly Father vs. what consumed my mind before, images of an angry God, a Judge waiting to punish me.  I still struggle with that mindset.  

I must say, though, that I am ashamed to be lumped in with the same name as these banning "Christians."  It's not about me, though; it's about this person who needs to know that God loves him.  It's about reaching out when it might be uncomfortable for us to do so.  It's about going where God tells us to go, no matter what discomfort or pressure we may feel from those who won't go with us....it's about dying to self, and living to God.   

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

Just Can't Get Enough

I know my blog has been full of reviews this week....I've been desperately working to get completely caught up and ahead with the Crew, so that I can be ahead of the game and have more time for MamaBuzz and personal posts, as well....bear with me.:)  This week has seemed like it's in slow motion; I'm not feeling the greatest, haven't really been for the last couple weeks.  I don't know what's going on.   

Last night in choir, though, Pastor Jeff introduced us to a new song, and I just can't get enough of it.  I thought I'd share with you all.  It's called Mighty Wind, and it's written by Andrae Crouch.  Oh my, it is beautiful, and I can not wait to sing it in church in the future.  We're just starting to work on it.  Listen to it, and tell me if you can't feel a mighty wind just come rushing into the very room where you sit....it's amazing how the Holy Spirit can lift us up through music, isn't it?  Enjoy!:)

Motivate Me Monday- Don't Hide Your Light

Do you remember the childhood song, "I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy?"  Remember the verse, "Hide it under a bushel, NO!  I'm gonna let it shine!"?  I was reminded of this while reading to Jacob this week.  We're reading Bartholomew's Passage (Yes, I know it's an Advent book, but we started it before Christmas and can't put it down until we're done....).  Anyway, we read a section this week about the Essenes:

The Essenes thought that if they followed all their rules carefully, hid from the rest of the world, and spent their days in prayer and study, they would sit at the banquet table of Jehovah someday....

Yes, as Nathan has decided for himself, it is a very good thing to spend much time praying, and seeking God, and studying His Word.  But Jesus told us to be a part of this world without allowing its temptations to lead us into selfishness.  And why would he say that?  Why not just separate ourselves and live godly lives apart from the rest of our community?  

So that we can tell everyone else that God loves them, too!

That just brought to mind so many things....things that I've heard and seen in so many Christian circles.  Why is it that Jesus could go eat with the tax collectors and visit with unbelievers, but we feel we have to shelter ourselves away from anything or anyone who could "taint" our religion?  Seriously....this just gets me upset when I think about it.  I've witnessed so many Christians in their tight knit circles, who are not willing to budge on any of their traditions, not willing to give the time of day to someone who might be slightly different from them, not willing to let anyone else in because they don't want to have an ungodly influence within their midst.  But how is that Christian?  It's more hurtful than anything.  I've often been puzzled by this.  How can we reach them if we don't go out of our circles, out into the thick of it all, out into the world?  How can we truly be like Jesus if we can't do this?  Worst of all, how will our children perceive Jesus and Christianity, if we don't teach them through example?  If we shelter them and stifle them away from everything that is seemingly ungodly, how is this world ever going to be reached for Christ?  I'm not saying we need to needlessly expose our children to harmful things, but I'm saying we shouldn't be afraid to reach out to our unbelieving neighbors and people we come in contact with, even people we might have to go out of our way to be a light to.   

I recently heard a story about a woman who goes around to stripclubs, witnessing to the women who work there.  Now I'm not saying that everyone should run to their nearest stripjoint, but she has a real ministry working with these women, and she has helped to bring many of them out of this lifestyle into true freedom.  What a light she has in a very dark world....honestly, I had to search my heart to ask myself, "Could I be that strong of a light?  Am I willing to go anywhere He asks me to go?" 

I guess what I'm trying to say is to let God use you.  Let him speak to your heart.  Don't be so shut off by your traditions and maybe even the circles you associate with.  Get out there, and be a light to those who desperately need to see that light.  Don't stifle the light that God has given you by refusing to go out into the world.  Don't push people away by the way you view them.  Walk confidently out into that big, ugly, sometimes scary world, and get ready to put up a fight with the dark side.  Be a light to those who desperately need Him.

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

My New Cave

You know how sometimes you just want to go find a cave to get away to sometimes?  Well, I think I've found my version of my cave....scrapbooking.:)  I love, love, love it.  My mom-in-law got me a Michael's gift card for Christmas, and I instantly knew what I wanted; I'd been eyeing it for two years; it was the Martha Stewart Essential Colors Glitter Set.  

While I haven't been able to bring myself to open it yet (it's just too beautiful), I'm waiting for just the right project, like maybe our wedding scrapbook.  

BUT as long as it took me to do this first layout this weekend (my first real layout, even though I've attempted to come up with others on my own), it could be a while before I get to the wedding album.:)LOL

I've decided to start using my Michael's coupons to just get stuff here and there when I can to feed my new "cave" hobby.:)  There are so many layouts to look at online and get ideas from.  That's exactly how I did this layout, by looking at another similar one.  No, I really don't know what I'm doing, but I guess I'll learn as I go.

I'm just so excited!  I love my Xacto knife (well, my generic Xacto knife), and I love layering designs....it's just too much fun!  I'm thinking with as much fun as I had just cutting designs out, maybe I should have been a surgeon.:)  Seriously, I had to make some of the stuff on this design, since I didn't have a ton of supplies....so much fun, though!  (By the way, anyone got any great ideas of where all to get affordable scrapbooking supplies online?  I'm new to this, so I'd love your advice.) 

Motivate Me Monday- A Helpless, Waiting Mama

Do you ever feel helpless, truly helpless; as if there's something that you surely ought to be able to do in a situation, but you just can't find a darn thing to do?  That's how I've been feeling with this whole situation in Haiti.  My heart bleeds for these people, and if I had a way, I'd be on the next plane there....but really, is that feasible for me, and is it what God would have me do right now?  Just jump on a plane, leaving my family behind to fend for themselves for who knows how long?  Don't get me wrong, I would give my eye teeth right now to go, and I just can't help feeling that there's something He wants me to do....

It might be what God wants, and if He were to call me to it and provide a way, I would be there....but sometimes our heart's desires can get ahead of God's desires for us.  I'm saying all of this to myself right now, as my heart has been breaking, trying to figure out ways I can help.  I don't have a passport, so it's not like I can just get on a plane anyway.  But I just feel like God wants more from me in life.  This whole earthquake disaster has really brought Haiti a lot closer to my heart, and I just want to share my heart with you.  

I don't know if you remember or not, but a couple weeks ago, I shared on here about the dreams I have every so often, more like nightmares really.  I told about a specific dream I'd had that seemed like it was some sort of genocide or something in a third world country; I wasn't sure if it was Africa or Central America....and you may think I'm crazy, but the sights I saw and the horrors I witnessed in that dream were similar to the earthquake coverage I've been seeing on tv, late at night when I'm watching CNN or other news because I can't get it out of my mind enough to go to sleep.....I'm seriously not crazy, but I do believe that God was trying to get me to start praying, and I have to say that for that first few days after my dream, I prayed, but I failed to continue praying.  I share all of this because God's really been speaking to my heart....I don't know what He wants right now; I don't even know what I can do to help.  I truly feel totally helpless, but I'm asking God to use me however He can.....whether it's through prayer and intercession, whether it's through fundraising, or whether He's dealing with me and Dan, possibly calling us to service, I don't know.  

Dan and I talked the other night, and we have so many dreams of becoming completely debt-free, which is so very feasible in the near future....dreams of taking off when disaster strikes in different parts of the world, putting our gifts and talents to work to help in any situation that we can....dreams of adopting or even starting an orphanage or teen exchange program for poor nations.....we've talked over so many different ideas.  I think God's working on our hearts, and I think He has great things in store, but in the meantime, what do we do?

I think we have to do whatever we can.  So, as my heart breaks, and I want to just GO, I have to let my heart rest in His plan for me....after all, His plan may involve prayer, it may involve fundraising, it may involve loving and enjoying my children (never taking a moment with them for granted, as I tearfully watch babies suffering in Haiti), it may involve just being ready to go when it's His time....hoping this can encourage some of you waiting Mamas out there today.:)  One more note: Dream big, Mamas!  Don't ever let doubt keep you from doing what you know God wants you to do.  Even if the task at hand seems daunting, dream big....God has planted that dream/desire for a reason, and what He has called you to do, He will provide the way for.  After all, how have other organizations started?  I have a hunch they started with a dream in someone's heart....think about it, but don't discount it.

that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises- Hebrews 6:12 (NKJV).

God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer- Mother Teresa.

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

 

Early Edition: SYLW: Haiti- How You Can Help

With the earthquake devastation in Haiti, an early edition of Shine Your Light was warranted....I've been ready to jump on a plane and just go....not that I have a passport or anything (I'm thinking a passport is in the works, though, over the next year), but I would give my eye teeth to go and help these hurting people.  So, I decided to go on a quest for Shine Your Light and find as many agencies as I could find that are down there right now....and that need your help.  Yes, I said your help.  Even if you're stuck here in the U.S. watching from the sidelines, you can be a forefront fighter for these people by 1) praying, and 2) giving.  Who knows?  Maybe the resources listed in this post, along with the nudgings of the Holy Spirit, will lead your heart to want to go, as well.  Ok, so how can you help?

Here are some organizations that are trustworthy, some of whom are there right now, needing all the help we can muster.

• Paige Strackman, a friend and Gospel music recording artist, is hosting a Benefit Concert for Haiti at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on Friday, February 26 from 8:00-9:30PM.  If you can make it to the concert, you can purchase tickets here.  If you can't make it to the concert, you can make a tax-deductible donation to Lemonaid for Haiti.  Food will be purchased with your donation, and you will be sent a receipt.
  
• World Vision- You can follow World Vision on Facebook and actually read their status updates on the situation there and what their workers are doing.  You can also help support their efforts by donating dollars that will help to provide food, water, tents, blankets, etc., to survivors who have, literally, no homes to go back to. If you want to know more, you can check out the different videos and information on the support efforts in Haiti that World Vision has posted on their site.
• Convoy of Hope is there, trying to help provide food to the Haitian people, and they need our help.  Food is such a basic but necessary survival item.
• The Red Cross has donated $10 million to relief efforts in Haiti.  If you have family you are searching for in Haiti or want to register as missing, you can do so on the Family Links Website. 
• MercyCorps is sending an emergency response team, and you can donate, but you can also build your own fundraising page with MercyCorps.  Some pages have raised as much as $6,000 already.
• Read up on the Salvation Army's disaster relief work in Haiti, and find ways you can help, including through texting.
• To find countless other ways in which you can help, check out this page with the Today Show.  They have numerous listings/websites and phone numbers of organizations who are either raising funds for the relief efforts or are there offering relief, as you read this. 

You may think that you have nothing to give, but believe me, you can give if you get creative.  Put a Paypal Donate button on your site or blog, and start your own fundraising campaign.  Think of ways in which you can be of assistance.  Perhaps you could get your church or local classrooms involved in putting care packages together.  After all, these people are going to need basic necessities.  Some of them have lost everything, save the clothes on their backs; some of them probably didn't have a whole lot to begin with, as Haiti is considered to be the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere.  With countless orphans already, there are, sadly,  bound to be countless more.

Imagine it is you or I, sleeping with our children outdoors in the darkness of a park, surrounded by multitudes of other people.  Maybe we are even wounded and have no way of really getting medical help....imagine that your child is stuck in the concrete ruins of a building, with only her feet sticking out, crying out for help (yes, I actually saw that last night on Anderson Cooper).  Imagine that it is you or I....imagine that those children are our children....what can you give?  What will you do?  Will you shine your light in the darkest of days?

Urgent Prayer Request

With the earthquake that happened in Haiti yesterday, so many people are affected, one of whom is Elsie Lherisson, a missionary I'd featured on here a little while ago. (This is Elsie on the left.)

 

Please be in prayer for her and the children she serves, as they haven't been able to make contact with her, since the quake hit.  Here is a note a friend posted on Facebook:

This is from the church who oversees Elsie's Ministry in Haiti - that we work to support:

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The epicenter is in the same area that Elsie lives and where the ministry house is located and this is my greatest concern. Someone had been on the phone with Elsie and her adopted daughter Stephanie the moment the earthquake struck. She heard them scream and the line went dead. We have had no further contact despite hours of trying. The UN is saying right now that they can’t account for a large number of their own personnel.

In addition, the reports are that a lot of houses have fallen down the ravines and that a hospital in Petionville collapsed. Petionville is a few minutes drive from the ministry house. There are about 800 children and youth that go to Elsie’s ministry and most of them live in the poor shantytown ravines that are in that area. I’ve been up and down those ravines and I know that area well and if the devastation is as bad as it sounds….I fear the worst.

- Please pray for God’s mercy on Haiti and His Hand of protection over Elsie, Stephanie and everyone.

Beautiful, Wonderful Snow Day

Sunday came, and we had about 5 inches of snow on the ground; it was so exciting because #1, we weren't expecting that much snow, and #2, we haven't had that much snow in a long, long time.  So, we quickly decided we needed to have a snow day.:)  Oh, it was a beautiful day too!  It was so cold outside that your cheeks were frozen in just minutes, but we still went out for just a bit to take the kids sledding, among other things.  Here's a little bit of how our day went.

We started out with a little bit of these....yum!   Mama's Cinnamon Biscuits....

Then, of course, we bundled all up and headed outside.

We did a little sledding over at the community center, only for a short time, though, as we were starting to freeze.  (Wouldn't you know it?  I left my camera at home, so what pictures we got, we had to use Dan's phone.)

We came home, made snow angels, and played....

Then we came inside for some of this....mmmmmm.....

Finally, Jaden had had all he could stand for one morning/afternoon.:)  (We got ourselves a nodder....LOL).

It was a beautiful, wonderful snow day. I can't wait for more.

Motivate Me Monday- I Dare You

This weekend, I've seen so many statuses of parents anxious for their children to go back to school, so they can have a break....I'm not here to judge, believe me (every parent needs quiet time once in a while)....but this week, I dare you to....

I dare you to go out and make snow angels with your kids, if you have snow.  Who cares what the neighbors think?  Your children will remember this for years to come.  Get that sled out, and take them on the ride of their lives, whooping and hollering the whole way (ok, not too loud, because you might just embarrass them; maybe it's payback time for all the Walmart tantrums, though.) LOL

If it's warm where you live and rainy, put on the rainboots and go out and puddle splash with your kids....

I dare you to get down on the floor with your toddler and play cars with him, or take the time to read a story to her.

I dare you to talk to your kids about their dreams this week; even if their dreams constitute being a jedi in outer space or a princess in a huge castle, just listen....play dress-up with them, and make their dreams partly come true.

I dare you to create something with your kids; whether it be a cotton ball snowman or a playdough bowl of spaghetti, create away!

I dare you to take your teens out to lunch, to wherever they want to go; then maybe pick up some munchies, and have a movie night with them.

I dare you to be a kid again!  Remember, it's the simple things that really make our kids' days.:)

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

Snowy Daybook for Monday, January 4, 2010

FOR TODAY... from Mel's Snowy Daybook....

Outside my window... it's bitterly cold with about 5 inches of snow, and I'm loving it!:)

I am thinking... that today is going to be a snow day.

I am thankful for... the privilege to be able to homeschool and teach my kids and make learning, hopefully, fun.

I am wearing... jammies and robe.

I am remembering... a story my mom told me last night about how they used to go sledding when they were kids....they used to hook the sled up to the back of the tractor....and they had a hill in town they used to go down.:) I love Mom's stories. Wish she'd tell me more, more, more.

I am going... to take the kids sledding today, and hopefully, to take Jacob to Tae Kwon Do, as well as hit Walmart and the craft store while he's there.

I am currently reading... Levi's Will, which so far, is such a great book.

I am hoping... that we'll be set to launch our new MamaBuzz site by Monday; it's very exciting.

On my mind... Aaron and Nancy and what all they face this week.

Noticing that... this week doesn't look as daunting, once I got it a bit organized and planned out.

Pondering these words... from my calendar: Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.

From the kitchen... tonight will be Ramen noodles with peas; and grilled cheese.

Around the house... have to work on laundry today, as well as clean house this morning.

One of my favorite things~ definitely the snow that covers the ground and just brings a stillness with it.

From my picture journal...(we took a piece of black construction paper yesterday and caught a few snowflakes; this one amazed me; it was just so intricately beautiful!)

For more Daybook, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman.

The Invisible Woman

Wow, this just says it all....let it encourage you today.

Motivate Me Monday- Be a Friend

Some friends come and go, but then there are friends who are there with you through thick and thin.  These particular friends might live close to you, or they may live far away.  Whatever the case, knowing who your true friends are is nothing short of a blessing.  

These true friends may be as close as sisters to you.  They may be the ones, who when you were sick back in college, held your hair back while you puked.  They may be the ones whom you shared your most secret thoughts with.  They may know all your flaws, but they still love you anyway.  Friends may be the ones you lean on when the hard times come.....

But have you ever stopped to think, "What kind of friend am I?  Would I hold her hair back while she puked?  Do I pray for her daily?  Do I truly take the time to just sit back and listen without speaking?  Do I refrain from voicing my concerns/worries/opinions, just to open my ears and heart to her needs?"  I've been asking myself this a lot lately....

Lately, I've been angry at God, and I can't explain fully right now, but He just keeps working on me, even when I fail over and over.  Believe me, sometimes I feel like a genuine fraud on here.  I strive so hard to let everything I say and do be "real."  But I realized something this weekend.  I may not have a lot of friends, but the friends that I do have are true, and they are ones that God has sent into my life.  It's like I can feel a fresh breeze from Him when talking with them or writing back and forth.  It's as if He is right there, speaking to me through them.  This probably doesn't make any sense at all, but it does to me.  I'm learning what it means to not just have friends, but to be a friend.  Are you a true friend?

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

Motivate Me Monday- Merry Christmas

Wow, Christmas is this week; I just can't believe it's already here.  Honestly, I feel like Christmas goes throughout the whole month of December.  I guess it's just the spirit of the holiday.

The last couple weeks have been rather stressful around the Lockcuff house.  I've really been struggling with a lot of things, personally, and although I won't go into detail here, I will say this.  If your family is having a hard time this holiday season, whether financially, physically, or however, don't give up on the magic of this holiday.  Don't lose out on the memories that can still be made together.  Even though you may feel like there's no hope in sight, or maybe you've lost touch with the One Who is the reason for this holiday, don't give up.  Believe me, I've been ready to just throw my hands up in the air and totally give up in the last couple of weeks; I've even had a few meltdowns.  If you've seen a crazy woman crying hysterically in her car, that was probably me.  Dan and I have both been really discouraged.  But from me to you, one mama to another, don't give up.  Make the most of what you have, and make memories....after all, it's the memories that will last, not all the hooplah and giftwrap.  Hug your kids, and cover them in kisses. 

Merry Christmas!

For more Motivate Me Monday, visit Sarah at The Fifth Street Palace.

Sentimental Ornaments

The boys and I set to work on Christmas gifts for the grandparents last week.  We got the idea for the Christmas tree pictures from Jenn's Advent Box and the ideas for the ornaments from The Fifth Street Palace, as well as Home Grown Hearts.

We made handprint Christmas trees with thumbprint ornaments, 

and then we made handprint snowmen on ornaments; I ended up doing the detail work on the snowmen, but that little chubby handprint is just precious.  

At first, I wasn't so sure how our projects were turning out; we had lots of smears, and I had to keep washrags handy to wipe off the ornaments and try again....plus Jacob couldn't quite get the hang of handprints at first.  I was beginning to wonder how these ladies can make it look so easy.:)  Crafting with kids is just not that easy for me....oh, it's fun, but halfway through a big project, I sometimes end up wanting to say words Mommies should just not say....LOL (just keepin' it real here).  But, we ended up having a lot of fun, once we got through the initial practice sessions, and the boys ended up with some really cute, sentimental gifts for the grandparents.  I also used the tag idea to make it even more special.  We were supposed to use clear ornaments, and I wish that we could have, but we were trying to use what we had, plus the ornaments we had gotten at the dollar store.  All in all, though, they still turned out ok.

Some day, those little handprints are going to be big handprints....I just can't imagine that day, and I don't really like to think about it.  That's why these memories are just too precious not to write down. 

Merry Christmas!  Get craftin'!:)

Join in with 'Tis the Season Thursday with The Fifth Street Palace.