Would you get fired?

If, as keeper of your home, you had a boss watching over you, would you get fired? Are you doing your job to the best of your abilities? Or are you just doing enough to get by? How many "breaks" do you get during the day, or how long is your "lunch hour"? Do you take care of the tasks that need done in your workplace or do you look at certain tasks as not in your job description?

These are all questions we should ask ourselves as keeper of our homes. We have the most important job there is; taking care of our husband, our children and our homes. Are we really giving it the time and effort it deserves? I was thinking about this the other day and realized I was not treating my responsibility with as much respect as I would a "real job". Let's look at these questions individually.

Stopping to smell the flowers.

Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31:10-31 MSG

A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden. First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. She’s quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor. She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks. Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers. She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: “Many women have done wonderful things, but you’ve outclassed them all!” Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of- God . Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!

I needed to read these words this morning and thought someone else might as well.

Blessings, 

Rashel

Are you too busy making your life "better" that you're forgetting to live?

I was rereading some of my older posts and I was really convicted by this timely reminder. I decided to re-post it today and I pray that you are as encouraged as I was.

I realized some things this week while on a mini spur of the moment vacation. I love it when God takes ordinary opportunities and teaches me a lesson through them.

Being a "Good Wife"

Sometimes learning to be a biblical, godly wife can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Yes, there are some concepts that are major and can seem impossible, however not all of them are. Today I want us to look at some very simple ways we can be a godly wife to our husbands.

"For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening." 1 Peter 3:5,6

Please don't stop reading because you read the word submission, that is not what this post is about (however that is a very big concept in being a godly wife).

The part of the verse that I want to focus on today is "do good".

She Brings Her Food From Afar

I have always loved Proverbs 31:10-31. I love reading it and meditating on the kind of woman I strive to be, being reminded of areas I need to work on but sometimes being encouraged in areas I am growing in as well.  I especially like to read different versions of Proverbs 31 at times and be challenged in a new way of looking at these verses or sometimes just seeing it in a new light. That is what happened this morning.

As I was reading those verses this morning, I was also reading the study notes in my Bible and one especially stood out to me this morning.

"She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar." Proverbs 31:14, KJV

Some goals for the new year

I don't really like "new year's resolutions" because I feel I make them on a whim and I never really stick to it and accomplish them, however, I do have some goals for this new year. These are just some things I would like to accomplish this year; in fact, I wanted to accomplish some of them last year! I decided to make two categories of goals, one for health and one for homestead. I did place them somewhat in order, but that is open for change as time goes on. My original plan was to work on one goal a month throughout the year, but  as I was making my lists I realized I really would like to accomplish some things sooner than that. Therefore, my plan now is to tackle one goal at a time and progress as I feel I am able. I don't want to take on too much at once but I also know I can work on some of these at the same time. So are you at all interested in what my goals are? Well, if not, you can quit reading now but I have a feeling if your weren't interested, you wouldn't have read this far! So here they are -

Health Goals

1.  Eliminate all processed sugar from my diet, this includes any food that contains processed sugars. I will allow myself honey, sucanat and raw sugars.
2. Drink my coffee black or use only stevia. 
3. Consistently drink 64oz of water daily.
4. Exercise two times a week. I know most people say three, but I am focusing on a doable goal right now.
5. Eat fruit at least two times a day. I have not been doing good at getting enough fruit in my diet.
6. Eat RAW vegetables at least twice a day.
7. Keep kombucha made.
8. Learn to make 2-3 fermented foods that we enjoy, using Nourishing Traditions.
9. Learn to make kefir.
10. Learn about 5 herbs and their uses.
11. Find a properly combined bread recipe. This is one of those I will work on throughout the months as I have time, I just hope to have come up with one by the end of the year.

Homestead Goals

1.  Follow my home management binder consistently. 
2. Work on Christmas presents throughout the year.
3. Keep track of all of our spending.
4. Increase my pantry/preparedness stock.
5. Declutter each room thoroughly.
6. Keep meals and bread in freezer at all times.
7. Keep up with my sewing.
8. Have a better garden this year and preserve more of the harvest.
9. Make a family favorites cookbook.
10. Make soap.

Well, there you have it. Those are the things I would really like to accomplish by the end of the year, hopefully sooner!

Have you set goals for the new year? I would love for you to share them with us.

Blessings,

Rashel

My attitude decides how much I clean

I've come to realize that normally I let my attitude (feelings) determines how much I clean. This is so wrong. I shouldn't have to be in the "right mood" to clean. I should do it because I want to take care of my home and my family. I am hoping that since I have realized this, I can change. I can get so much done when I set my mind to it, therefore, I should set my mind to it everyday! If I were to put as much effort into it everyday as I did today, my home would stay clean and I would be a happy woman. I truly love a clean home! Today I had two extra little ones this morning and still managed to clean in my kitchen some. They left and then this afternoon I had another extra little baby and I managed to clean my dresser and rearrange a few things in my room that dh had asked me to do. It was all because I was had the mindset to do it. I snapped a before and after picture of my dresser for you.

Is it bad that my children came in while I was cleaning off the dresser and said, "Wow! Is that your dresser?"

It feels so nice to have it done and have a nice clean surface that I can actually keep dusted now.

Blessings,
Rashel

Me Just Being Me

This idea keeps coming to my mind, I just need to be me. It's like God is reminding me over and over, just be yourself. He whispers in my ear, "I made you the way you are, why are you fighting it?"  He is encouraging me that I don't have to keep up with all the other women in this world and they don't have to keep up with me. You don't have to keep up with them or me. You are free to be yourself.

Women can find such encouragement from the Duggars, the Phillips and many other well known Christian families, but your family may never look like their families. So, why do you allow yourself to believe you are not living up to the standards those families "seem" to set? I believe that if you were able to sit down with Michelle Duggar and have a heart to heart with her, she wouldn't want you to compare yourself to her, or compare your family to hers. She wouldn't expect you to have as many children as she does or speak in the soft, sweet voice in which she speaks. You aren't her. God made each one of us different. Romans 12 reminds us we each have different gifts and we are to use those gifts the best we can, not long for other gifts or qualities. We are to rejoice in how God has created us, knowing that God does not make mistakes.

This side of Heaven, none of us are perfect. There are areas you struggle with and you realize you need to work on those, but that does not mean you are a failure. It does not mean that because you have a different way of doing things than other women that your way is wrong. Your style is your own, it was given to you by God. Rejoice in your individuality, in every detail about yourself that God specifically created just for you. Pause for a moment, close your eyes and thank Him for making you just the way you are....................

Now, remember those weak areas you have, those are the things you can improve upon. You can learn from other women that are strong in those areas. You can get ideas, glean from their knowledge and learn from their mistakes. But remember, you are not those women! You do not have to do every single thing they do or do it the way they do it. Just take bits and pieces, little nuggets that will help you to improve in those areas that you are weak in. See what works for you and throw out the rest. Most of all, ask God to give you wisdom in those areas before you start seeking wisdom from other women. Rely on His nudgings in those areas and then seek the encouragement of other Godly women.

Blessings my friends,
Rashel

Keeping My Home - Or Not

I'm so glad today is Monday and the start of a new week. We have been super busy lately and I can't even tell you why. I guess we've just had alot extra going on lately, and I have to say, I don't like it. My home has suffered and now it's time to catch up. I had a big to do list ready for today but most of it did not happen because I spent too much time in the garden. Now I have to admit, my garden needed the attention. My summer garden flopped, so I am working on a fall garden. It is doing really well with canteloupe, spaghetti squash, cucumbers, watermelon, tomatoes and herbs. I want to get some other things started soon but had to quit for the day after realizing it was 1:30 and we hadn't had lunch and the only thing that had gotten done in the house was 3 loads of laundry (which are still waiting to be put away). However, my garden got tilled, weeded and some panels put in for vining up the canteloupe and staked the tomatoes. Much better now!

I have been struggling greatly with keeping up with my home. There have been several times lately that I've been ashamed to have anyone show up at my house. Most of it is just stuff out where it doesn't belong and doesn't take long to put away, but it seems to be a constant thing. I'm working this week on changing that and getting back into the groove of keeping my home. I want my home to always be comfortably clean with a delicious snack and fresh lemonade ready for any company that might stop by. Is that too much to ask? Well, honestly, some days I guess it is. I need to start saying no more to outside extras and yes more to staying home and taking care of my family and home. Now, lest you think I'm terrible; the outside activities have been VBS, church activities, helping friends move, etc. So, it isn't like I'm spending all my time at the mall (ICK!) but I did spend a couple days scrapbooking with a friend.

Anywho, I'm ready to buckle down and take back control of my time and my home. I hope to post updates this week as I go. I will also try to get some pictures of my garden to share with you, because I really enjoyed seeing Crystal's garden here.  My is not near as nice as hers, but it works for me.

How are you doing at keeping your home?

Is your tongue full of poison?

*This is a post I originally posted in November 2007, but it is still so relevant today that I wanted to share it again. I needed this reminder as I still struggle in this area. I hope you enjoy it and are encouraged by it.
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My dear sisters in Christ, I have such trouble in this area. I am ashamed to say that I have been known to yell at my children, more than once I might add. I am getting better and my children are helping me by reminding me that I said I wouldn’t yell anymore. There are so many areas that can be affected by our tongues; our marriages, our children and our friendships to name a few.

James 3:8-10, “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessings and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”

Proverbs 16:24, “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”

Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Proverbs 15:4, “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”

Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be seasoned with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

So what can we learn from these verses dear sisters? Do you remember the nursery rhyme sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me? Well, that is so untrue. Words can hurt and the hurt can last for a very long time. I have a tape of Lisa Welchel and she tells a story of a little boy that would say hurtful things and his parents decided for every one he said, he would have to drive a nail into a board. After awhile his words and attitude changed and he was able to start pulling the nails for each day he could go without saying something hurtful. When he was all finished, his dad took him to the fence and showed him the holes that were left by the nails and explained to him that our words are like those nails. While the nail might be gone, the damage is still there. I thought that was a great illustration of how our words can affect others. Now, I may have gotten a few details of the story wrong since it has been awhile, but you get the idea.
If you look back up at the James 3 reference, you will see it says our tongues are full of deadly poison. Deadly poison, those are strong words aren’t they? Poison is something destructive or harmful and to think my words can be compared to that saddens me. However, there is hope! With Jesus, my words can be like honeycomb and sweetness to the soul. My speech can actually be health to the bones. It can be a tree of life and turn away wrath. Isn’t that a glorious picture?
So my dear sisters, my question to you now is how can we learn to tame our tongues, always? I will try to list a few ways and then I would love for you to share how you manage this little evil in our mouths.

1. Prayer is the most important thing I have done to control my tongue. I pray God would help me to speak softly and lovingly.

2. Listen before speaking. If I take the time to listen to what the problem is, I can usually answer with a softer voice than if I just jump in without consideration of the issue at hand.

3. Think before speaking, duh right? Sometime this isn’t easy for me but I try to stop, take a deep breath and think about how I should answer each one.

4. Whisper when you feel the urge to yell. This one is hard for me to remember but I have heard this many times.

Okay, 4 is all you get today because I want to hear your ideas!!

They aren't interruptions.......

they are my children! God has been convicting me of this lately. I have a tendency to get wrapped up in my housework and all the things I think I need to be getting done and then when the children ask me for help on a school assignment, I almost feel as if they are interrupting me. That is just wrong thinking!!! God has given these children to me to raise up for Him, they are the most important job I have. My housework will be there later and the laundry will eventually get done, but these children are growing up each day and I can't stop that. No matter how much I may want to.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not ignoring my children and I do help them with their school work. However, in my heart I have noticed that alot of times, I can feel myself almost irritated that they are interrupting what I'm doing - my housework, my chores, my plans. HELLO!!!!!!! They are what I am supposed to be focusing on. They are more important than the dust on the shelf or the dirt on the floor. My oldest son is turning 14 this year, that means only a few more short years until he is no longer living in my home. I have to treasure this time. I have to cherish it like it is the most valuable thing on earth, because IT IS!

So, I have (or God has) adjusted my way of thinking and I have adjusted the way I will approach my day. I know I still have housework to do or my home will fall apart around us (and I will go insane), but that is to be second on my list of priorities each day. The first part of my day will be devoted entirely to my children; loving them, training them and teaching them. I won't allow myself to even start on my chores until we have had Bible time, math is completed and I have read aloud to them from some great living books. Same goes for me getting on the internet, I can't do it until those things are done with my children. They are to be first on my to do list. Ok, second if you are counting my time spent with God, which I have every morning first thing with my coffee.

You caught me though, today isn't happening that way. However, there is a reason: I let my children sleep in and we are getting a really slow start to the day. Some are dressed and doing animal chores, some are in pj's eating breakfast and so our day hasn't really gotten going yet as far as our to do list. It will though and that is when my new attitude will show itself. :)

Here is my daily plan:

My devotion time
AM routine
Kids up and their chores started
Breakfast and clean up
Bible time with children
Math
Phonics
Read aloud and any further studies that come out of that
Children free time, I will get ready for lunch
Lunch and clean up
Writing, penmanship and any other school that needs done
Here is when I can work on chores, blog, etc
All of us finish chores - house and animal
dinner time and clean up
family time


No, it isn't some fancy timed schedule but I never follow those kind anyway. The main thing that will change is the way I look at things. My heart attitude needs to be toward my children, not just my home. I need to really love them, really cherish them, and really spend time with them. Not just in the same room as them but with them. I need to play with them and show them love in a way that they can see it. I need to remember that God has given me these children for a little while, they really are His and He is entrusting me to raise them up. Would He be pleased with the job I am doing?

Blessings,
Rashel

My Control Journal

I had someone ask me for pictures of my control journal, so I'll post a few. Hopefully you'll be able to see it ok.

To the left is a picture of the front of my journal. It is really simple and nothing fancy. It's a plain white notebook and I printed a bunch of verses to remind me of my role as Keeper at Home and stuck them in the protector on front. I don't know how to enlarge the pictures but if you want details, you can leave me a comment and I'll answer your questions.

This is pretty self explanatory. Behind this I have my daily schedule , my routines (pictured below), and my keeper at home duties that I have divided up into daily, weekly and monthly tasks, (see some below). I also have other sections, like pantry list which also includes meal planners (see below). Other sections are Homemade cleaners, herbal remedies, homestead skills, calendar and gift ideas, articles and tips I want to keep, things like that.

Food Storage Challenge

I found this challenge through Sara's blog and it led me to Plans 4 You. So visit one of them to find out what it is all about.

Daily schedule, well maybe.....

I made up a new daily schedule for us because I don't feel like we are accomplishing enough each day and my hope is that this will help. I'm sure it will need tweaked a little as we go or it may not work at all, but here is the plan.

6:30-7:30 my Bible time
7:30 AM routine
8:00 kids up and I start breakfast
then we eat
8:45 animal chores for kids, I get ready for school
9:15 Bible with the kids
10:00 school work
12:00 lunch and noon routine
1:00 school work
3:00 housework and zone
4:00 Proverbs 31 work
5:30 start dinner (if I haven't already)
kids clean up the kitchen
8:00 before bed routine
9:00 kids to bed
10:00 me to bed

My Proberbs 31 work is where I plan to keep up with freezer cooking, pantry stocking, sewing, crocheting, etc.

We'll see how it goes.

More hours in my day now

No, I'm not reading the book "More Hours in My Day", I'm still reading about the Proverbs 31 woman. I have been challenged to rise earlier in the morning so that I can have quiet time with my Lord, time to plan for the day and time to get my day started without being rushed. I wrote down all I wanted to accomplish in my morning before my children were up and around, then I worked backward to find what time I needed to get up in the morning. So, my new time to rise is 5 am. I am only just starting this new habit, but it did feel good to have so much done early this morning. I even worked in exercise before anyone else was up and around. I will keep you updated on how I do with this, as well as new insights I gain from this wonderful book. "Beautiful in God's Eyes" by Elizabeth George is the book I'm referring to in case you missed my last post.

Time to get off for now, don't want to be wasting too much time on the computer.

Blessings,
Rashel