Mama Monday

Today's Mama Monday (albeit a tad late!) is the lovely Aimee from the blog Living, Learning, and Loving Simply.

Aimee talks about many things on her blog: living simply, loving her family, learning about the Lord, and of course, her beautiful embroidery and sewing projects. Aimee oozes serenity and peace. I love to visit her site. I am excited to share the wisdom that Aimee imparts with you today.

Aimee and her family. Number five is due in July.

Beautiful embroidery by Aimee.

A peaceful home.

Ladies, I bring you Aimee:

1. Greatest thing about being a mom

The greatest thing has been how God has used motherhood to totally change me for the better. It's been the biggest character-building role that I can imagine! Being a mom has made me more sensitive, more kind, more giving, more thoughtful...it's pushed me to learn homemaking skills like cooking, decorating, sewing, gardening and opened my mind and heart to love learning...things that I probably would have never discovered without being a mother at home. It's stretched me and broken me and caused me to know grace and love...and motherhood has given me beautiful glimpses of how God parents me.

2. hardest thing about being a mom

Being a mom has brought out my selfishness and pride and insecurities and caused me to see so much sin in my heart. It's one of those "hard, but good" things :) And another hard thing for me is the 24-7 unrelenting needs and demands that are constantly calling all around me...my husband, my children, my home...finding that balance of working hard and well yet not being a slave of driven-ness or perfectionism.

3. hobbies/interests

I love to gather information and learn new things/concepts about education, green living, simple living, holistic living, and homemaking/hospitality. I used to really enjoy scrapbooking, but in recent years I have found a love for sewing and embroidery that I swore I would never have!!! My mother and sisters are long-time sewers and I just *knew* that wasn't for me. But I got bit by the sewing bug by finding so many cute and simple projects in the crafty blog world! I also enjoying reading, cooking, traveling, camping, blogging, and crafting.

4. how do you find balance/refreshment as a mom

For this season in my life, balance and refreshment has come by being VERY discerning about what kind of activities/commitments/responsibilities I allow into my life. I try to keep a minimal amount of standing commitments on my schedule and like lots of margin in my days. I find that if life isn't too demanding and busy, I thrive and therefore my relationships with my husband, children and friends thrive too. I have my two middle children in school this year which has also really given me a healthy balance mentally/emotionally because of the quieter days and quieter demands. Healthy mama, healthy family :)

5. some favorite blogs/websites

In the blogosphere I totally LOVE AND ADORE Flourishing Mother :) Andrea and I have gotten to know each other the past few years and it has been such a REAL and deeply encouraging connection.

I love Susan at High Desert Home and Laurel at Happy at Home. I have always found Randi at I Have To Say a breath of fresh air too.

Two favorite websites are:
1. Sew Mama Sew...this is the best source to find great sewing project tutorials and inspiration
2. Craft Magazine Blog

6. what the Lord has been teaching/speaking to you about lately

How little I trust Him and how much I fear. Since getting unexpectedly pregnant with my 5th child and having my husband come so close to death in the airplane crash on the Hudson, the Lord has continually seemed to ask me "Do you trust Me?" "Do you really believe that I am sovereign AND good AND loving in ALL my ways?" I have to revisit the character of God and ask Him to really allow me to KNOW Him as perfect and true. I desire to have a quiet trust that isn't shaken in the face of the unexpected or the traumatic. I am learning to WALK BY FAITH more and more and not by my feelings, doubts, troubles, or fears.

7. describe your family

I have a calm, people-loving, fun-loving, dry-sense-of-humor husband who has unlimited patience and grace with my intense personality and loves me as-is. He is the greatest gift and my best friend. My oldest child is Sam (10) who walks to a beat of different drum...very generous and loving and kind yet quirky, hyper-focused on his passions and therefore distracted from everything else in life! Katie (8) is my only daughter...she is extremely social, very mentally sharp, funny, and very emotionally even-keeled like her dad. Her passion is fashion right now! John (5) is always barefoot and has his clothes on backwards. He's a total naturalist who loves bugs and frogs. He also has an incredible sense of rhythm and agility. Will (2) is the chunky-cheeked, LOUD, yummy, hilarious little one that we all dote on and adore. His passion is puzzles and eating all day.

8. one word that describes you:

I asked my husband and he said "zesty, spicy, colorful, and feisty"!
I would probably say "interesting"...probably because I love to talk about a variety of topics/issues/ideas and have lots of opinions :)

9. things you love:

Flip-flops, blueberries, red, yellow, fondue, guacamole, Brie, champagne, the beach, sunsets, Lindt truffles, beaded jewelry, grosgrain ribbon, white distressed furniture, fresh flowers, Pina Coladas, chicken salad, strawberries with fresh whipped cream, gourmet hot chocolate, Santorini, growing herbs, lemons and limes, reading, sharing recipes, deep conversation, outdoor dining, grilled steaks, playing games, laughing long and loud, kindred couples, talking in bed in the dark, researching new interests, traveling, hiking, buying gifts, making handmade gifts, celebrations, kissing on babies, encouraging children, yard sales, daylight savings time, fireworks,cotton and denim, wearing skirts, Christmas music, receiving a handwritten letter, pedicures and facials, convertibles, swimming, long hot baths, down comforters, Target, palm trees, front porches, ric rac, fleece pj's and blankets, campfires, half aprons, slinging a baby, gingham, freshly squeezed lemonade, pottery, popcorn, Ben and Jerry's ice cream, Publix, aromatherapy, trusting my mothering instincts, dinner guests, Settlers of Catan, great reality TV, stationary, journals, libraries, museums, festivals, nature walks, camping, questioning everything, used bookstores, cafes, volunteering, baskets, home organization, real-life learning

10. advice to moms:  

Relax. Relax. Relax.
Seek to be a mother at peace resting in God's sovereignty and not a mother driven by fears.
Don't take yourself or ideals so seriously...He is good and loving and WILL accomplish HIS purposes.
Understand that He gently parents us in love and grace and calls us to the same style of parenting with our children. His unconditional acceptance of us as mamas was bought at the Cross...we can't add to it or perform for it...IT IS SETTLED!! WOO HOO!

11. I couldn't live without

The spiritual and true answer is Jesus.
The fallen-human answer is COFFEE!!!

12. life verse?

I don't have one...it seems that I gravitate to different verses during different seasons of my life and hold on to one for a few years and then move to another one that I really need to know/understand/comprehend. Right now it's Romans 8:35, 37-39!

Thank you Aimee!!

Recognizing limits

In the past, my "M.O" was always to push through challenging situations. If circumstances were hard, then I just buckled down and did it. Now I know that is a recipe for disaster. Mothers daily have a lot on their plates. It is important to humble ourselves and realize "we can't do it all". We can't do it all and we were not meant to "do it all".

As mothers, we are relational. We should be! If we are constantly "do-ing", then how can we "be" with our children relationally? We have to recognize our limits for the sake of our own health, but also for the health of our family and relationships in our lives.

"Some will respond: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Can you? Can you fly? Can you go six months without eating? Neither can you live a healthy life chronically overloaded. God did not intend this verse to represent a negation of life-balance. Jesus did not heal all. He did not minister to all. He did not visit all, and He did not teach all. He did not work twenty-hour ministry days.

It is God the Creator who made limits, and it is the same God who placed them within us for our protection. We exceed them at our peril."

~Richard Swenson  Margin

He knows my name

A couple of weeks ago I had my routine ultrasound for my pregnancy. It was to check and see if the baby's organs were in place, to see if he was growing nicely, and if we wanted, to find out the sex. (You do know it's a boy, right?)
I was thankful to see he was growing just as he should, in fact, he is actually measuring bigger than his weeks show. (A good thing.)
I went into my midwife office last week and she read over the doctor's assessment of the ultrasound. She went over every detail of how his bones are measuring, where the eyes are, the chambers of the heart, the function of the liver and bladder.
I was stunned.
Stunned because I had nothing to do with all this perfect growth.
I didn't plan on this pregnancy, in fact, it was a surprise.
I wasn't "prepping" my body for pregnancy, I wasn't taking vitamins. I had nothing to do with how perfectly this baby grew!!
God placed this life in my womb, and He grew it all, as Psalm 139 says:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body, and knit them together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex. It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it."

I felt extremely blessed to be holding this miracle baby in my womb, who God lovingly created and made.

Every life is precious to Him.

Psalm 139 also reminds me how well, even now, He knows me. Humanity will disappoint. Humanity won't always know my heart. Humanity won't always see what God sees. That is so comforting to me! As a wife, mother, and friend, I always seek to know and be known. That's the essence of relationships. God desires we know others intimately and that we know Him intimately. Reading Psalm 139 reminds me that I have a Friend who knows and understands my heart, and that is priceless and precious.

I am also reminded that God knows my children's hearts this way. I do not know the inner workings and desires and motives of my children's hearts. I seek to, with my very limited and finite resources, but only God knows everything about them, since He is the one who created them. This gives me immense comfort as a mother, because I can go to The One who knows and pray about my precious children's hearts. He hears and answers, and has the key to unlock those dark and hidden places I will never be able to go to. "His workmanship is marvelous. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

unplugging

next week is a busy week and i also feel the need to take time off from the internet "scene"--to think and pray about some things.
i will be in this space again sometime the end of next week.

Weekend reads

Lean on Me
Home Sweet Home: The culture that keeps on giving
Limit Information Overload

Happy Weekend!!

I made a meal for Jesus.

I made a meal for Jesus.

I think He would eat chicken....maybe? Along with His felafel.

I made it with Love.

Instead of lamenting I am 20 weeks pregnant with my fifth, tired, and why doesn't anyone ever bring me a meal out of the blue when I need it? Or why isn't there some magic fairy meal-maker?

I cut up the onion, celery, carrots, carefully.

Thinking how He would enjoy eating it.

Probably sopping it up with yummy, crusty bread. And maybe some wine?

I would use my best china, of course.

It gave me immense pleasure.

So maybe when I am making dinner each night for my family... (and breakfast. and lunch. and snacks. Oh mamas, it never ends, right?)

...I'll think of serving Him.

And how He would smile. And enjoy it. ...and I'd probably cry.

'Cause He would understand my heart.

And what I put into it.

And why.

And He's already given me everything I will ever need, so He wouldn't need to bring me a meal. 

'Cause I feast daily at His table.

And because of that, I am honored to serve Him.

For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve; and to give His life as a ransom for many. ~Matthew 20:28

Mama Monday

Today's Mama Monday is the exuberant Kristi from the blog Good Like A Medicine.

Kristi is the joyful mama of 4 littles. She also has an etsy shop: Palmetto Handmade

where you can check out her adorable and practical "Verse Purses".The photo above is special to Kristi. It is of a cross at her church.

Smiley Kristi and her Smiley family =)

 Her adorable children crowded on the chair.

Ladies, I bring you:

Kristi:

Greatest thing about being a mom--

The hugs, the happy mornings, the laughter, watching the sweetness of innocence in childhood, reliving my youth ... and for me, personally, knowing someone "blood-related" to me. I was adopted, so my children are the only biological relatives I know!!

Hardest thing about being a mom--
The constant vigilance! I never, ever expected how constant the job of motherhood would be. Since I have had four in five years I have not really gotten to the point of feeling like I can "step back" too much yet (although older mothers tell me this time will come soon)! There are many challenges, but I think the most taxing is this need to constantly anticipate, sometimes prevent, and combat the "tyranny of the urgent" that comes daily with raising children. When I have a big chunk of "free time," sometimes I feel somewhat paralyzed ("Um, what should I do?") - any other moms feel this way??! :)

Favorite blogs/websites--

Sara - Walk Slowly Live Wildly (http://walkslowlylivewildly.com)

Pandora (http://pandora.com)

Spoonflower (http://spoonflower.com)

Natalie (http://nataliejost.com)

Green Smoothie Girl (http://greensmoothiegirl.com)

Revive Our Hearts (http://reviveourhearts.com)

How do you find balance in your life--
This is a huge struggle for me. I am chronically wrestling with my tendencies to be legalistic and to fully rest in God's grace in Christ Jesus alone! I find that when I am not fixing my eyes on Christ crucified on the Cross, everything in my life becomes unraveled, and priorities naturally and quickly vacillate. I become impatient, too hard on myself and/or others, and I have unrealistic expectations. When I am opening the Word of God at the start of my day, I come to the feet of Jesus, lay down my burdens, and the entire day regains proper perspective. Everything good flows from a balanced diet of God's Word, and my war is fought with worship. When I remember that every day is a battle that I must not fight alone in self-sufficiency but in the finished work of Jesus, I am healthy and able to trust in God's goodness; that is true balance!

One word that describes you---
Intense (I asked my husband, and he just laughed; yes, that is the word. I am known to be very intense! ha!)

Hobbies/interests---
I love to do so many things! I am musical (like to sing and play the trumpet), I like to dance, run, play sports, and I really like to sew. I am very interested in India; I have lived there in college and would move there tomorrow if God would send us! I like to design web sites (but have stepped away a lot since having our fourth baby); I love teenagers and inner-city missions. I also love country life and would love to build a cob house out in the boonies one day! :)

One thing that has been on my mind lately--
Repentance (Psalm 51)

I couldn't live without---
Google (sad, but so true!), my Vitamix, my husband and children, corporate worship

What helps me through tough days---
My husband advised me sometime last year to begin placing open Bibles on tables in various rooms in our home. Since I am home most of the day with the kids, this has been a really wonderful way to take "quick bites" from God's table whenever I have a chance -- getting water from the fridge, washing a few dishes, grabbing schoolwork, answering the phone,etc. This has been really helpful to me!

Something the Lord has been telling me--
Abide in me (John 15)
God is not mocked; a man reaps what he sows... (Galatians 6)

Thank you Kristi!!

Weekend reads

A Christian Mother's Version of Perfect Madness I allude to a lot of this on my blog. This blogger said it perfectly and more outright. My prayer is that we would all listen to God for ourselves and our family. Stepping out of expectations or legalism and into His freedom. 
bt: Amy

Avoiding Burn Out 

How Elizabeth avoids burn out. One way: listen to our husbands!!!

These two posts probably go together.
Have a wonderful weekend!

For my daughters...

"I Hope You Dance"  by LeeAnn Womack

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

Why I am fasting from Christian culture right now

I mentioned in an earlier post this week how Christian books, blogs, etc. (what I consider to be "Christian culture") can hinder us hearing from the Lord. There is no substitute for Scripture. I'm so guilty of filling up my bookshelf with books and materials on "being a Godly wife" or "how to" books. I order the CDs from the home school conference. These things are not wrong--but they definitely have their place AND time. I realize, too, that I probably seem to be contradicting myself by posting ideas on my "Christian" blog. I would like to say that any Christian books, websites, etc. should not take the place of a true, living, relationship with the Lord. Scripture should not replace a book. It really is as simple as that. Anything else we read should compliment our relationship with the Lord, not replace it. Oswald Chambers wrote:

All God's revelations are sealed
until they are opened to us by obedience.
You will never get them open
by philosophy or thinking.
Immediately you obey, a flash of light comes.
Let God's truth work in you
by soaking in it not by worrying into it.
The only way you can get to know
is to stop trying to find out
and by being born again.
Obey God in the thing He shows you,
and instantly the next thing is opened up.
One reads tomes on the work of the Holy Spirit,
when five minutes of drastic obedience
would make things as clear as a sunbeam.
It is not study that does it, but obedience.
The tiniest fragment of obedience,
and heaven opens and the profoundest
truths of God are yours straight away.
God will never reveal what you know already.
Beware of becoming "wise and learned".

I used to know a pastor when I lived in Utah who would ask whenever he would see you: "What book in the Bible are you reading right now?" What a great question for accountability!! Most of the time I stammered..uh, uh. But it did make me go home and start reading!! So, friends...

"What book in the Bible are you reading right now?"

Seriously, I'd love to know! I am reading James now, as well as some of the Psalms--Psalm 16 and Psalm 23 to be exact.

Three years????

Do you remember this post? You probably don't unless you are a reader who meticulously searches my archives. =)
It was my first post. And it was about "baby steps".
A lot has changed since then. Good and bad. You can sit down with a cup of coffee and peruse my archives to see what's been going on. Or better yet come visit me in New York.
Or send me an email.
Or connect on Facebook. (heh.)
Whatever.
Can you believe I've been blogging for three years?

That's crazy.

I love meeting my readers. So if you don't want to "do Facebook", or email me, why not leave me a comment and say "hi". I love to hear from you.

Happy Blogiversary to me...

My name is Andrea, and I am an introvert

Friends.

Any other introverts out there?

Since this is my blog and all and "where my thoughts get their voice" (lucky you.)--I am expressing myself.

I am an introvert.

What this doesn't mean:

1. It doesn't mean I don't like people.

2. It doesn't mean I don't like to be around people.

3. It doesn't mean I don't have social skills.

4. It doesn't mean I'm shy.

5.  It doesn't mean I don't like to talk. ( I love to talk!)

6. It doesn't mean I'm sad.

7. It doesn't mean I'm ignoring you.

It does mean:

1. I can be "on", but I need my "off" time.

2. If I'm "on" too much, I need lots of time to recover--that means lots of time to process things.

3.  I get energy from quiet, meditative reflection with no interruptions, not from being around a lot of people. 

4.  I like to listen more than talk.

5. I think about what I'm going to say before I say it.

6. I like being around people that like to talk. It's a good balance for me.

7. Too much noise all at once drives me nuts.

8. I'm in my head a lot.

Don't..

1. Say "you're quiet." Duh. Well, you're LOUD.

2. Misunderstand me. Come on...get to know me first.

3. Think I have to comment on every. single. thing. And tell me that. Whatev.

4. Say I'm shy. I will tell you what I think in a heart beat. I have very strong opinions. I'm not afraid to say them. 

5. Ask me "Don't you ever talk?".

Silence is only frightening to people who are compulsively verbalizing. -William S. Burroughs

He who knows does not speak. He who speaks does not know. -Lao Tzu

Still waters run deep. -old saying

I'm liking this article from The Atlantic magazine published in 2003.

I have four...soon to be five... children. And I'm an introvert. How does that exactly "work"? 
 Mommy Life has a series of posts on introverts as mothers. Here is one. Search "introvert" on her site for more if you are interested.

Are you an introvert? Are one of your children an introvert? (I have 2 introverts and at least one extrovert...the verdict is still out on the three year old and the baby in utero....) 

This book looks like it would be such a great help for introvert moms to help understand your introvert child, or even your introvert friend or family member.

No substitutes

Today I called my insurance company to ask about some billing issues. I never understand why they use an automated voice to answer my questions. It always irks me. Don't they know the myriad of mistakes they can make by using voice activated or phone activated connection? There's just no substitute for talking to a real person.

This particular time the automated system was messed up. The recording on the other end of the line cut off...I didn't know what to say or what numbers to press in. Out of frustration I entered "zero" to talk to a real live person. I tend to do that no matter what, anyway.

This is the problem sometimes with Christian culture. Christian books, tapes and resources can be a poor substitute for the Real Word of the Lord: the Bible.  In my opinion, sometimes Christian culture can breed legalism. Rule-keeping and self-generated righteousness will always appeal to the human heart. It's when we have to work at the complexities of relationships that we want to find the easy way out.

We must always be on guard for resources that can replace Scripture and real relationship with the Lord. If we find ourselves reading Christian blogs, books, magazines, or listening to speakers--and that they replace the time in the Word, then there is a clear problem. Trust me, I've done it and it doesn't work. There is no substitute for the Word of God that is time-honoring and hits us right in the soul. Anything we read should only compliment our relationship with the Lord, not replace it. Books and resources and speakers should only add to what the Lord is telling us in prayer, Scripture, and time with Him.  We know there is no substitute, for this way brings the greatest freedom to our lives--where we are not burdened or breeding legalism.

Mama Monday

Today's Mama Monday is a very special and dear friend to me. I have known Rebecca for close to 11 years. Ever since I met her she has been enthusiastic and ready to embrace all that life and the Lord bring her way. She has always been an inspiration to me!

Rebecca is the amazing mother to 5 (and one on the way) children.

Before you say, "Wow!" let me also say not only is she a fabulous mother, but she also lives in Slovakia-- where she and her husband are missionaries--ministering to the families and individuals in their community. They were most certainly called to this role, and embrace it beautifully and wnole-heartedly, which is wonderful to see...an inspiration.

Doting parents on their brood.

Oldest daughter Isabel taking part in a community dance in traditional Slovak dress.

Ladies, I bring you

Rebecca:

Current Living Situation: We live in a small village in Slovakia (Central Europe- former communist country). We moved here, just outside of the town where our ministry team is located, so that we could study/learn the language and still be close enough to the ministry center. We have really grown planted here and are much a part of the community even though we are quite odd as a 5 child (6 on the way) home birthing, English speaking family.
How is it raising children in another country: wonderful and hard. Being a big family, we miss the camaraderie of other like minded larger families. Most of the families here are one child or large spaces between children families. We miss family and friends that are there to help and encourage you. It takes more time to do things here and we’re still learning what we can do, and can’t. On the positive side, we spend lots of time together because we are more home centered- have a less busy social life.
What gets you through tough days: Talking to my mom each day. Even though we live so far away, the blessing of Skype has allowed me to stay connected with my mom. She calls nearly every day on the way home from work. My husband is kind enough to allow me to stop whatever we’re doing in the evening to chat with her about the little things the kids did that day. She’s the one other person, besides my husband, who delights in them just as much as I do.
Email- sometimes the most exciting email I get is my recipe of the day from Allrecipes.com. And believe me, this excites me. But it’s the days that I get a real live, I was thinking about you, note from a good friend that really cheers me on a tough day. I also like to briefly visit the two or three blogs of good friends (Andrea ☺) to check up on what’s going on in their lives and be inspired and encouraged. And of course, nothing beats real live mail!
Cool things you've done while in Slovakia:
• Beach trip to Croatia,
• hikes to castle ruins,
• learn to speak Slovak
• watch my kids participate in the may day festival dance wearing traditional Slovak dress,
• pond skating (on a frozen pond),
• picking mushrooms (great day with the family even if we found out later all the ones we picked were poisonous),
• Riding the bus- totally inconvenient and hot and crowded but so Europe! (We solely used the bus for over a year- until we were able to get a vehicle of our own).
• Went to Italy for the weekend with my husband- no children.
• Have a baby! Started a home birthing movement in Slovakia- 4 Slovak women have used my midwife from Vienna since I gave birth! This has never been a feasible option for women in Slovakia.
• And in April the whole family is going to Spain and Portugal for a retreat and small vacation with another 5 kid family!
What is one thing on my mind lately: How to become thrifty shopping overseas, learning to budget well even though I’m still learning so much about products, currency etc. Also, I’m trying to get over the hump in organizing my meal planning- making it suitable to our life here.
My favorite color: Green and Orange. Not necessarily together. The living room in the house we rent is orange (Slovaks gravitate towards some pretty brave colors). I never would have picked it myself but I really love it. It goes well with my cherry colored overstuffed, American chair and my Klimt print with all it’s oranges and purples and metallic (stages of woman).
Hobbies/interests: scrap booking, breastfeeding, childbirth- home birth, cooking, canning, mentoring young girls, reading. I used to be able to list a lot more but this is my life right now.
Books that changed your life besides the Bible:
• Stepping Heavenward, definitely! This is my one yearly reread. I learn something new about myself every time I read it.
• Safely Home by Randy Alcorn,
• The Hiding Place.
Why did you want to be a missionary: I think it’s a strange desire that God just puts in you because it’s just not natural to desire to leave home, family, all that’s familiar to go where everything is different and harder. But it’s something that I have desired since college and God gave me a husband who was wired this way too. I really view life wherever you live as missions, especially in today’s world, it’s just that some are called to do it further away.
Hardest part about being a mom: Having to know what to do all the time. There are times that I just think, “I have no clue how to handle this situation (usually child squabbles and misbehavior). My encouragement for the past 6 months has come from Psalm 16. I am learning to turn from frustration and/or trying to handle it in my flesh to “I Praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Best part about being a mom: Becoming a better person. Being a mom has made me more patient (not always with my kids), compassionate, caring, less selfish. (may not be obvious to all, but believe me, it’s improved!) I truly am “being saved through childbearing”. (I Timothy 2:15)
What I wish I would have known with one child: Training. How to train and what to train! We were blessed with an amazing first born, so despite our knowledge in this we’ve got a well-trained kid but having a jump start in all this would have us in a much better place with the 5, almost 6 kids, we have now.
How do I find balance in my life: I have learned/am learning to love being at home. This is the greatest thing to keep balance in my life. I say no to things and stop looking for things to get involved in. It keeps me sane and running my house more smoothly and paying proper attention to my children and their training and, as I’m currently learning more about, it allows me to promote my husband and be a better help meet to him.
Secret indulgences that keep me sane:
• Ok, I confess. I have on several occasions splurged and bought $11 pint of Haagan Dazs ice cream. But it was for date night and it’s not like we can go anywhere anyway, and it was cookies and cream! And the people in the store were really rude and it made me mad and so I felt I deserved to buy it!
• Also a little wine from time to time is soooo nice and relaxing.
• And in the first trimester of pregnancy I usually buy a bag of “pregnancy cereal” (cocoa crunchies, or whatever they’re called. My kids think it’s just for pregnant mommies).
One word that describes me: Pregnant! I seem to always be pregnant! But I love it! (I would have answered “growing” but saw your last mama said that. But it’s so true (the belly and my “self”) 

Thank you Rebecca!!!

Five winners

My 6 year old daughter randomly picked 5 names from the list of comments in Kari Jo's "Mama Monday".
And here they are:

Laurel
Debbie
Sinner Saved
Marcelle
Betsy N.

Ladies, email Kari Jo at karijo@citywrites.com with your address and what you would like written on your card.
Thanks so much everyone for your comments!!

Last night at 8 o'clock

In bathroom:
Little one: Mama, are you putting your jam-jin-jins on? ("Jam-jin-jin=Jammies")
Me: Yes, I am so tired. I am going to bed very soon.
Little one: I tired, too. You can lay on me, I comfy. (Proceeds to lay on the bathroom floor.)
Me: (laughing) Thank you, sweetie, but how about you come snuggle with me in my bed? How does that sound?
Little one: yeah!!
Fifteen minutes later:

Have a wonderful weekend!!

(I will draw names tomorrow morning!)

Good reads

I am sharing a few reads I really enjoyed this week:

In Defense of Facebook
I am not ashamed to say I am enjoying Facebook--for a lot of the reasons featured in this post. I went into it kicking and screaming, but very soon got hooked. Very good, balanced article.

I am enjoying Terry's series on "Christian Movements". It fits well with my last post on Blinders and bandwagons.

My problem with Christian Movements: Part One
Part Two

If you read my last Mama Monday, don't forget to leave a comment there if you would like to be in the drawing for a free handwritten card by Kari Jo. I will draw tomorrow evening.

Giving up

I almost gave up doing something for Lent this year.
It's already a week from Ash Wednesday, you know.
My perfectionist nature wants me to just give it all up: well, Andrea, you didn't start on the "right" day, so you aren't doing it the "right way".

But I know my God better than that.
He accepts us where we are.
And no liturgical calender will get in the way of that.
So I am starting today with my Lenten fast.
I already knew what I would give up.
In the past, it has been chocolate, computer time, TV. Among other things.
This year?
I'm giving up fear, worry, and anxiety.
After all, the Lord calls us to live life abundantly.
How can we, as Christians, live life abundantly, when we are trapped by fear, worry, or anxiety?
Too much I "entertain fear".
I put it on stage, dress it up, and watch it tap dance for me.
Replaying out things that have never happened and probably will never happen.
I love "The Message" Bible's interpretation of II Corinthians 10:5:

The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.

And the NIV:

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

and lastly, the New American Standard:

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

This Lenten season I will give up entertaining worry and fear. Instead of imagining situations or circumstances that have not come to pass, that may never come to pass, or even that I have no control over, I am going to replace that imagination with the knowledge of God.
What's the knowledge of God?
Scripture.
Repeating scripture to myself instead of entertaining the fear.
Giving up the speculation--taking every thought captive and replacing it with the knowledge of God.

Are you giving up?

Elizabeth@Real Learning has a wonderful Lenten series daily devotional that is worth checking out.
It is not too late to start!

Gisela Yohannan  from "Gospel for Asia" spoke on entertaining fear a few weeks ago at a retreat I attended. She gave me some wonderful ideas for demolishing imaginations and fears.

Inspired home

Because I am in my home the majority of my time, I spend a lot of time thinking about HOME and what makes a HOME. I find countless inspiration in magazines, books, and online--among other places. I am always excited when I find a new resource that can help me complete my "vision of home". It is a work in progress.  Now that I am pregnant, I am finding myself with a renewed sense of HOME...de-cluttering, organizing, re-decorating my home. Cabin fever and bedridden morning sickness also contributes to this. =) (though I am better on the morning sickness side!)

I would like to share some of my "go-to" resources that I use to renew my vision of home and to continually inspire me. Please share some of yours in the comments if you would like!!

Books:

Two of my favorite books I always peruse when looking for design inspiration, or just trying to capture that "feeling of home" is Anita Kaushal's 

The Family at Home and Jemima Mills' book From a House to a Home. (this book can only be purchased used, lucky you!)

Other books in my arsenal are:

The Creative Family Everything about this book is informative and inspiring. It also captures a beautiful spirit of home.
The Domino Book of Home Decorating The magazine is no longer in print, but this book is chock full of Domino style--easy, doable, real.

Magazines:

Japanese Home Magazines.  More info here. If you live near a Japanese bookstore, you can purchase these "magazines"--more like books, there. I could pour over the details for days of simple, real, home life in these magazines. I like that they are not styled or "too perfect" like most home decor magazines are. That drives me crazy!! For that simple reason, these are the only home decor "magazines" that I like to look at!

Websites:

 The web is a never ending source of inspiration for home-living. This can be good or bad, depending on where your focus is. I tend to stick to a few sources that continually inspire, and hardly venture off this beaten path unless I come across something too amazing to ignore. These sites always "click" with my own personal style, and never leave me burdened or feeling like I lack in the home decorating department. Real, doable, and simple. That's what I like.

Here are some of my favorite sites for inspiring living in the home:

Soule Mama I really love her flickr set on "Corners of the Home".
Pleasant View Schoolhouse Wisdom, cooking, and home life.
Nie Nie Dialogues Her blog has become a favorite of many.
Eyes of Wonder I love glimpses of family life in Jewel's blog. This blog is way more about decor, it's about living out the Lord's purpose for your family. Much grace abides in this household. Beautiful.
Oh Dee Doh Real kids' rooms and nurseries.
Cookie Magazine Nesting Blog  I don't really care for the magazine, but I love this segment on their website.
Nova Natural If I had unlimited funds, I'd buy some sweet kid things from this site. I love the whole "vibe" of this site as well. Inspiring.
Sara's small spaces are always innovative and inspiring.
Ok, so did I use the word "inspiring" enough in this post? Heh.

In the end--after all this eye candy--I have to continually remind myself of what HOME really is, and WHO makes my home inspiring. If a mother is the "heart of the home"--then where does her focus/heart need to be? Reading and meditating on scripture--to make it come alive in her heart--and therefore her home. Praying for the souls that reside in her home. Getting refreshed in the Word first and foremost to bring the right INSPIRED tone in the home.

Mama Monday

I am so excited to share this Mama Monday with you!! If you do not have the pleasure of reading Kari Jo's blog "KJ the DJ: Sacred Ordinary ", then you will get the pleasure of learning more about Kari Jo today.

Kari Jo is the fabulous mother to four children: Nathan (9), Henry (6), Caroline (4), and Betsy (3).

I had been reading Kari Jo's blog for awhile, and knew that she lived in New York City. She is also friends with Betsy--the first "Mama Monday". I got the chance to meet Kari Jo one cold January morning last year, when I accompanied Betsy to a Mom's Group Bible Study as a guest. I have to tell you, it was as if I were meeting a celebrity! Kari Jo glows and is luminous--it can only be the work of the Holy Spirit in her life. She is one of those women I want to approach and ask,

"Will you be my best friend?"

I am blessed to be able to have met her and every once and awhile email her, but of course always read her lovely weblog.

Ladies, I bring you Kari Jo:

1. greatest thing about being a mom: i never would've been
this amazing at laundry. really, i never would've known
how deeply selfish i am w/o four young children to serve.

2. Tell me about living in New York City:
moved to nyc 3 wks after getting married.
we're staying because of the unique vision
of the gospel here,
the radical interdependence of christian community,
and because of our church, redeemer.com

oh, and we gutted and renovated a townhouse together
with other Christians; one family, one couple,
and a single friend,
and so we live in a unique christian community)

Kari Jo and her family surviving and thriving in city life...

2. hardest thing about being a mom: cutting myself some slack and not
feeling overly-guilty (sinfully so. conviction is okay
but obsessing is not) about my ability/inability as a mother/woman.

3. how you find balance as a mom: some seasons it comes naturally-ish. other seasons i can't find
balance with a flashlight and a stick. making sure the non-negotiables are
in place (scripture reading, confession, fresh air, creative outlet,
physical outlet, coffee) helps in the busy seasons.

4. hobbies/interests: design, architecture, i just took a 2-day sewing class
which has juiced up my creative-side (the city quilter, totally recommend
it), scripture memory, I'm learning how to (appropriately) ride a bike in
the city, a floral-design class @ studio sweet pea, and a digital
photography lesson.

5. Plug your at-home business:I'm a hand writer. sounds silly, but people pay me to
write things for them. i send thousands of birthday cards a year from the
CEO of a major ny company to the children of his employees. for 3+ yrs, I've
forged his signature multiple times daily. nice. really, i love to write
in flourishy/modern script, so i do personalized stationery, wedding
invitations, event invitations/menu cards/place cards/etc, and random writing
for photo shoots. Check out Kari Jo's site at: City Writes

6. Favorite blogs:

this month:
Chez Larsson
Inchmark
Oliver and S
Sugar City Journal


7. Verses you've been thinking of lately:

-matt 20:28 (for the son of man did not come to BE served,
but TO serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many.)

-psalm 119:32
(i run in the path
of your commands,
for you have set my heart free)

-col 1:15-21

-phil 2:1-14

8. What the Lord has been speaking to you about lately:
psalm 37:7
(be still before the Lord
and
wait patiently for him.)

no, really, kj.
be.still.
wait.
write things down.
listen.
listen some more.
think and pray.
and
then speak.

I'd much rather shortcut the hard work
(prayer, scripture, waiting, praying again)
and talk to cory, to a friend, to my children,
to anyone rather than waiting and praying.

but His ways are right.
and i will wait.

9. Favorite color?

pink.
pinkety pink pink.
pink.

10. Tell me something you couldn't live w/o: (1) the right pen on (2) the right paper.
(1- staedtler, preferably.
2- 110 lb, preferably)

(1- micron and/or marthastewart are okay in a pinch.
2- vera wang paper is divine.)

11. Any advice to a new mom:
give yourself grace.
give yourself the benefit of the doubt.

now, go find some believing moms to surround yourself with
because they'll give you grace and encouragement
when you can't do it yourself.

(they'll truly administer the Word of Grace to you)

12. What restores you as a mom:

praying with my kid.
asking what they're thinking about God,
about what it means right-this-very-moment that
our identity is in Christ,
asking them how i can pray for them,
which of their friends i can pray for
(i love to hear what they're observing about others)

talking spiritually w/ my kids
reminds me that we're on the same page,
that we belong to the same Father;
what encouragement
and significance this brings
to our constant interactions.

13. Name some books that changed your life:
-life together, dietrich bonhoeffer.
i re-read bits of it weekly.

-heirs of the covenant, susan hunt.
oh, that's why God made families.

-renewal as a way of life, richard lovelace.

-utterance of the heart, john newton.

-i love the word impossible, ann kimmel anderson.

14. Describe yourself in one word:
excited.

15.  Favorite things to do with your kiddos:
carousel in central park,
hands down.
it's the perfect 30-ish minute saunter
from our house, so we're refreshed and
worked-out a bit when we return home
an hour and a half later.
(two hrs. if we hit magnolia bakery
on the return trip)

their favorite thing to do with me:
play a game.
a board game.
tag.
pushing them on the swings.
blokus. memory. connect four. chess. operation.
any game.

Thank you, Kari Jo!!I really, really, enjoyed your answers.I know you all will too.

Kari Jo has graciously offered to send a free handwritten card from City Writes if you leave a note in the comments saying, "I love The Flourishing Mother".:) I will draw five names.(Sound good, KJ?)

Winners announced this Friday.