Weekly reads

I've been offline for a few days. Mama Monday will be back next Monday, but I do have some good reads I'd like to share. Not sure I'll have time for posting this week, but here are some great reads I've come across lately:

Barbara's 61st Birthday Wise advice from a mom of 12: "Be humble. Be gracious. Be grateful. Then it is safe to be confident."

More on refusals  "His refusals are His mercies" I need to meditate on that more.

A quote and a question Inspiration to live guided organically--specifically in my case, by the Holy Spirit.

A 50 cent card can encourage a mom Love this. A great reminder that the moms in our lives need encouragement. All kinds. Pushing me to think how I can do that.

The One Thing Principle Redux Excellent advice on slowing down.

Turning stones to bread

Often I get discouraged at walking my path, and yet still not seeing the fruit of my labor.

I have lived where I am for ten years, and I still question the Lord--"Why do you have me here?"

I want signs, I want proof, that my life lived is not fruitless, not in vain. 

It is a hard thing to continually walk in faith.

Mothers know this feeling when they continually deal with disobedience or character issues on a a day-to-day basis. Will this ever resolve itself? Is my discipline working? Are my prayers working?

We do know that God calls us to live a life of faith. This means continual dependence on Him in all circumstances. This is living by Daily Bread. I'll be the first to say I kick my feet and drag my heels to this place. I want tangible results. I want stones turned to bread, as Satan so aptly tested Jesus to do.

It is the enemy who tempts us, as he tempted Jesus, to demand always some visible proof of the miracle-working power of God: "Tell these stones to become bread" (Mt 4:3 NEB). A miracle would validate our own claim to be in close touch with the Father. But the important thing in life is not to be vindicated, nor to see miracles, but to walk by faith--that is, to take God at his word. So shall we live. ~Elisabeth Elliot

Simple Living--continued and continuing

The more I sit and think about "Simple Living", the more it becomes known to me that my thoughts will take longer than a week to write about!! (How's that for "simple"??!!)

Therefore, I am planning to make it an ongoing topic on this blog, focusing on a part of it every week if I can. I will put all the posts I write about it in the category of "Simple Living" or "Abundant Life Living". (see tags) In the meantime, I'd love your links to any of your own posts you've written or anything you want to share.

However, I will say first and foremost, that to keep myself focused on this journey, I have to always go back to the truths of my last post, to keep me on track.

Tami shared with me a verse that I really love:

"But the wisdom that comes from HEAVEN is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."

Keeping my mind "on things above" ensures that the complexities of my life will be simplified in the refining fire of His truth.

Simple living--my own journey--Part I

Where do I begin? I made this a series because I didn't want to make a long post about all the ideas in my head, but now that I have "chopped it up", I've lost some of them!!

Today I want to focus on the essence of Simple Living in my own life. As I said yesterday, this "term" means so many things to so many different people. I actually even dislike using the term, it's so overused. Someone mentioned the word, "Margin" (which I love) and "Slowing Down" (which I think is the essence of simple living) so you'll find those in my musings as well.

As I write, I would love to hear feedback from each of you. Also, if you are inspired to write something on your own blog, please link to it in the comments. I will put everyone's links up at the end of the week. (On Friday for "Weekend Reads") 

If I get to the core of how I want to live my life, the first thing that needs to be done is cut out unnecessary clutter and chatter from my mind. This is so that I can listen to the Lord. He is the ultimate Simplifier. I can read all the "Simple Living" books out there, but God's word  spells it out simply and succinctly. 

What does this mean?

Well, for me, it means making time every day to listen to Him.  Basically, I sit in silence (and you know when the best time in your schedule is for this) , read His word, and try to listen to what He is telling me. I try to surrender to Him in my mind. If any concerns come up, then I immediately pray about them. (Phil. 4:6)

My thought is this: I have to make time everyday for this, otherwise my agenda for the day and my life can overtake what He wants. If I am reading every Christian parenting book out there, or every "Living Simply With Children" book out there, then I am really not listening to Him, even if what the books are saying are real and true. He knows me intimately, and He is the One who is guiding my life. I have to make it simple as that, because my life is so, so, SO complicated. It's much easier to pick up a book or talk to a friend about what I should do, but it's harder to wait on Him--pray and meditate on Scripture until relief or an answer is found. (Notice "relief" is not always the same as "an answer". By "relief" I  mean "peace".)

Related:
My inner room
Peace is a person

Simple living--my own journey

::a favorite picture of two of my favorite "boys" in my life::

"Simple Living" is one of those terms that seems to have very recently come into our culture's vocabulary. It can mean so many things to so many different people. Frugal living, "green" living, "slow" living, small living, decluttering,  re purposing, self-sufficiency--ie, "living off the land", mindful consumption, you get the idea. Webster's dictionary has many different definitions of simple. (worth checking out all the many definitions!)

A book that I enjoy reading through every now and then is Marie Sherlock's book Living Simply With Children. The book is very informative and comprehensive, as well as it has many "checklists" that are helpful to list-makers like me. (for better or worse!) In the chapter titled, "Human Beings or Human Doings?" (love that.), there is a checklist called "Ten Tips for Handling Hurrying":

1. Cut back your work hours.

2. Mindfully limit outside activities.

3. Listen to your child.

4. Model an unhurried lifestyle for your kids.

5. Use a large, prominently displayed calender to record all family and individual commitments.

6. Guard family time.

7. Provide quiet time.

8. Supply ample "downtime".

9. Promote boredom--and creativity!--with "do nothing days".

10.Let them be kids.

These are all wonderful ideas and a good place to *start*. I say *start* because Simple Living is a journey--a constant work. At least for me it is. I don't know if I will ever get to a place where I feel I am 100 percent succeeding in this area.

This week I will explore some areas in my own life of how I simplify my life. I think it is always interesting to see how other people approach this subject. Will you join me this week?

Mama Monday

Today's Mama Monday is a local friend of mine, but also a blogging friend of mine. It is a unique experience to have a connection to a blogger, and have them also reside right down the street from you...

L.L. Barkat is the blog author of the thoughtful, poetry filled blog Seedlings in Stone.

L.L. in person gets to the heart of matters very quickly--skips the small talk and gets right to the meat--(sorry, L.L., I know you are a vegetarian!)I do enjoy that kind of talk--helps my mind not go to mush...

L.L.'s daughters on a recent trip to Paris

Ladies, I am pleased to bring you:

L.L.

1. Greatest thing about being a mom: Soft cheeks to kiss at night. You've just gotta love that. And the things kids sometimes write or say, like this recent poem from my 9-year-old...

"Song"

I will play the
song for you
and then show
you how to play it.
You will love it
forever. I know that,
because I know you.

2. Hardest thing about being a mom: Me. I'm the hardest thing about being a mom. I always say it's the most challenging job I ever took on, because of the incredible personal growth it requires.

3. Interests/Hobbies: I have an unnatural affection for languages (which my poor little home-educated girls will tell you is true, since I'm teaching/learning with them... Hebrew, Latin, Greek, Spanish... and on my own I'm trying to learn French). I'm also instrument-happy... currently trying to learn piano and cello while recapturing my flute past. I love to sew by hand, clothes for my girls. As an author I suppose I should say I love writing (that's what a writer is supposed to say, yes?) but I like to say, more truly, that I write to love.

4 . How you find balance in your life: I say no. I say yes. It's a continual process of listening to my needs, and listening to the heart-body-and-soul-needs of those I live and love with.

5. Inspirations: Nothing inspires me like tiny seeds in Spring, the first snap peas of the season, wine berries overtaking the woods, the sound of water lapping at a shore. The constancy and abundance of nature, its resilience and loveliness gives me hope and wakens me. It is, I like to remember, the context in which David wrote some of the most beautiful, honest, and God-reaching poetry the world has ever seen.

6. I couldn't live without: Spiders on dewy webs in morning sun, purple wildflowers that forbid me to mow them, the sound of the wind. Which is to say, the gifts of creation.

7. Ways you worship God: I used to think that worshiping God was something I do. Now I think it's a gift God gives me in quiet moments that I set aside-- to just watch the mourning doves new-nesting, or the red hawks circling, or the blueberries pushing towards purply ripeness. Oddly, I have also found that writing is a form of worship, because it humbles me and is always, always a gift I receive.

8. What helps me through tough days: Chocolate is good. (Alternately, so is blogging, writing poetry, running, sleeping, sitting outside and drinking tea. It probably goes without saying, that the love of God is a gentle thread that weaves through both my joys and sorrows.)

9.What do you want that you think you cannot have: I always wanted to be a farmer, or at the very least a passable gardener. Except the only thing I'm truly talented at growing is the grass in my yard and a lot of wild onions. Both of which I am responsible for taming or uprooting. Which I'm rather lazy about. Plant laziness is a terrible quality in a farmer, so I don't think I'll ever be a wonderful Miss Ann.

10. What do you pack to pursue your dreams, and what do you leave behind: Dreams. I used to find them suspect, but ever since reading Bill Strickland's book Make the Impossible Possible, I've come to see them as central to my generosity and life direction. The hard part is deciding which dreams have staying power, are truly dreams, and which are just a passing fancy (oh, I have a lot of those!). At the moment, I'm delving into my love for poetry, reading everything I can get my hands on, writing a weekly poetry column at HighCallingBlogs, reading and writing poetry with my children. And that last point partly answers your question... I do believe that a wonderful dream has a way of drawing others in and spurring them to their own creative risk, healing, and generosity. Dreams that isolate us and don't encourage others to greatness and growth are the ones that are suspect.

11. What's been on my mind lately: Besides cleaning the fridge? :) (Which I try not to think about, but can't seem to avoid thinking about, since I know my fridge "science experiments" don't particularly interest my husband.) Really though, right now I'm trying to finish up my second book to meet an August 1st deadline, so it's on my mind night and day. That's both exciting and burdensome as you can imagine.

12. One word that describes me: passionate, poetic, artistic (now, that's three words, which means maybe the one word to describe me is really 'indecisive' or, to be more generous to myself, 'multi-faceted'! :)

Thank you, L.L.!!!!!

Weekend reads

Thinking about.....

Joy and Contentment
A Light in the darkness
God is awake
Sparks of Joy
Sustaining Contentment

Children
When speaking to children, be gentle
Lord, please help me build a healthy child
Hopeful Parenting

Have a wonderful weekend! See you next week!

A plan

One bit of advice that Dr. James Dobson gave in one of his parenting books was advising parents to have a plan of action. Instead of reacting to a child's behavior, it is necessary to have  a plan of how you will discipline that child for any given situation. For example, what do you do about lying in your family? What about hitting? What about sass/attitude? Instead of reacting in anger, administer the discipline in a calm, matter-of-fact way.

This bit of advice has been so helpful in my own parenting. For awhile now we have been having problems with my 6 year old daughter being extremely whiny and fussy before she went to bed. Granted, she is prone to this kind of behavior, but if I dug deeper, I knew she was just plain tired. Digging deeper, probing more into our children's behavior allows us to administer more grace in our parenting. We are seeking to understand the behavior. Why is she acting this way? What can I do to help? If it's a disobedience issue, then we immediately administer discipline. If it's something else, then we try to solve the problem in a more practical way.

In this certain situation, we knew the problem was overtiredness. This child wakes up very early, and even brags about her status as a "morning person". She was going to bed between 8-9 o'clock and that was just too late for her. So, instead of merely just disciplining her for her behavior (the whining and crying) we changed her bedtime to 7:30. This seems to have helped on her behavior. 

The point is, we had a plan when circumstances happened that we never could have foreseen. Granted you will not always have a plan. But a plan cuts down on resentment from the parent,and reacting in anger to behavior.

Likewise, our lives are ordered in this manner. The key to abundant life is realizing that we do not control circumstances, and often God will not change circumstances in our lives. But He does not leave us alone, He gives us hope continually. Isaiah 40:11 speaks of our Lord: "Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead..." The plan is that amidst life's pressures, burdens, and changing circumstances, we need only to look to His Word to see how He is leading us to greener pastures. He is refreshing us and we dwell with Him under His wings. Nothing can harm us in His love and grace and mercy. If only we would turn more to Him and rest and trust Him instead of just asking Him to change the circumstance or doing it in our own strength. It's a plan I am trying to incorporate in my life, and trying to understand.

"Our idea of a fortress is generally of a hard, granite building where one would be safe but, a the same time, sadly uncomfortable. There are other types of fortresses, however that are soft, tender and full of comfort.

This Psalm (Psalm 91) describes them--"He shall cover thee with his feathers" (Psalm 91:4) Just as the mother hen covers her helpless little chickens in the fortress of her warm and brooding wings, so our God protects us in the fortress of His tender love."

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God, in Him will I trust."

~Psalm 91:1-2

Excerpt from Hannah Whitall Smith's book The God of all Comfort

Mama Monday

Today's Mama Monday is--in her own words--a: "home makin', home schoolin' prairie chick. Mama to five pretty precious prairie chicklets and wife of 12 years to a pretty remarkable prairie guy. I consciously strive to live a simple life, tendin' my roost, trainin' my brood and searching out God's purposes and plans for me amidst soap suds, laundry hampers, sippy cups and runny noses. Life is precious. I consider this earthly existence a mere prologue to the great things He has prepared for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose."

Don't you just love that description???

If you have never visited Nichole's blog Praire Prologue, then you are in for a treat!

Stunning photography, words to spur us on, unique and creative thoughts....

a real "Proverbs 31" lady. A visual treat is her blog.

Ladies, I am pleased to bring you Nichole:

Greatest thing about being a mom-- Having people to share daily all of this love, joy, mystery and adventure of life with. To pass on the amazing inheritance of eternal promise to, and to discover afresh through their eyes how wonderful life truly is.

Hardest thing about being a mom-- The fact that life is messy, and noisy, and a WHOLE lot of work. For someone who likes order and quiet and slow, lazy days it can all seem rather harried at times =)

Inspirations-- Proverbs 31, Titus 2, Edith Schaeffer, Elizabeth Prentiss, pioneer women (Carolyn Ingalls, etc). Anyone who embodies a quiet spirit and a strong will to make womanhood all at once soft and gracious and beautiful while paired with an iron like strength of purpose and calling.

Favorite blogs/websites-- Susan at High Desert Home (sniff, sniff), Jewels at Eyes of Wonder, Andrea at The Flourishing Mother (and I'm NOT just saying that...), Heidi at Mt. Hope Chronicles, Anna at Pleasant View Schoolhouse, Ann at Holy Experience. My favorite blogs are ones that breathe "peace, beauty, grace and recognition and appreciation of the simple gifts that grace our lives. I literally feel myself relax and smile and rejuvenate when I "visit" these ladies.

How do you find balance in your life-- Prioritizing and optimizing are huge for me. Allowing for wide margins in my day to not just rush through the motions of my daily routine but to quietly embrace and appreciate them. I would rather take a leisurely 20 minutes to hang my clothes on the line, than a rushed two to throw them in the dryer. Living like this can be a little less "productive" but a lot more balanced. And really, when my life is balanced I get more done and feel happier and healthier than when I am running around on the treadmill of "productivity". I am slowly learning to optimize my time by pairing up pleasure with duty. For instance, if a friend wants to come over for "coffee", I ask them to come for lunch instead. I already need to take that time to prepare food, and sit down and eat it, so visiting in that time doesn't eat up time out of school or house and yard work. Yes, simplicity is key, it's about my being WITH the person, not WHAT I prepare them to eat. as the old quote reads; 'The chief pleasure in eating does not consist in costly seasoning or exquisite flavor, but in yourself.' That's my motto when it comes to hospitality and entertaining, fellowship is the main course. Along the same lines I have started doing evening grocery trips to the city with a friend (supper out is a bonus!), rather than hauling all my kids in during the day or using up weekend time when I would rather be relaxing with friends and family. This grocery run meets three needs simultaneously. I get a "break" from the noise and activity of my busy family, I get my household shopping done and I get to relax and bond with a good friend. Ka-ching. I am loving discovering new ways to optimize my time and get the most mileage out of our day and relationships.

One word that describes you--- Introspective.

Hobbies/interests--- education(any subject, I just love to learn), gardening (I am no gardening extraordinaire but I love everything about it, tilling, planting, watering, weeding, harvesting... mmmmm!!), homemaking, homeschooling, homesteading, horses, nature, photography, poetry, reading, scrapbooking, theology, writing.

One thing that has been on my mind lately--- How if God is love, and we are to be like God, everything we are and do, say and think should be rooted in, steeped in, stemming from.... love. Love for Him and love for others. Really, when it comes down to it, the gospel is all about love.

I couldn't live without--- sunshine and the light of His Presence.

What helps me through tough days--- see above. plus.... hanging laundry on the line (bizarre but true, it's oddly therapeutic to me). hot bubble baths. soothing and uplifting music. reading scripture. getting on a horse or quad, or even just going for a drive around the countryside alone with my camera. snuggling. rest. I swear that the combination of a quiet hour in a hammock, a gentle breeze and sunlight can cure me of most anything that ails me!

Thank you Nichole!!

Happy Mother's Day

Wishing all the mothers (and mother mentors!) a blessed Mother's Day.

See you next week!

Mary Cassatt "Baby's First Caress"

Be-ing a mother

As Mother's Day approaches, the focus around blogs and media tends to lean towards what "being a mother" means. What does it mean to you? What does it mean to her? The answers are so varied and different. Everyone has their own unique experience with mothers and with being a mother.

This Mother's Day I want to focus on what "BE-ing" a Mother is.

Is it the home cooked meal every night?

Is it kissing boo-boos and giving kisses and hugs?

Is it nurturing their learning spirit?

Is it memorizing scripture with them?

Teaching them about Jesus?

Being patient, loving, and using kind words?

Gosh, I could go on.

Sometimes I think--I have this picture in my head of what mothers should and should not do.

Where does this come from?

How do I know what's right anyway?

This Mother's Day, the best gift I can give my children is to love Jesus. It is all I have to "do".

I need to be with Jesus.

What does that look like?

Since we are created to be intimate with God, to be dependent upon God, then that is what I need to do.

Every day I need to be dependent on Him.

Maybe that means I go up in my room, close the door, and tell my children that "mama need a few minutes." To pray, to read the Word, to connect with Him.

It means instead of worrying about my children, I pray to Him about them.

That I read Psalm 23 and imagine myself walking by still waters in peace, or in the deep valleys, as He holds my hand, of course.

And I take those images with me as I'm doing 80 things at once around dinner time.

Or when my children's needs overtake me and I feel overburdened.

I need to BE with Him to BE a mother.

"I never thought you should be rewarded for the greatest privilege of life." ~May Roper Coker, Mother of the Year 1958

....enjoying this post this morning...head on over and put your name in the drawing for a free book...

Mama Monday

Today's Mama Monday is the lovely and radiant Christine from the blog Fruit in Season.

Christine is a doting, committed mother to her four unique children.

She writes about issues related to the challenges of motherhood, marriage, and living in Christ.

Ladies, I bring you Christine:

1. greatest thing about being a mom:

There are so many wonderful things it’s hard to pick one. By far one of my favorite things, though, is seeing the relationships between my children grow and flourish. Sure, we have our sibling squabbles, but the times when they share their dessert, rush to each other’s aid, read to each other, and praise each other, all when I’m not looking, are much more plentiful and so rewarding for me as a mom.

Something that’s been very special for me has been encouraging my children’s growth in Christ. As a child living in an atheistic (though loving) home, I didn’t have the spiritual experiences that my children have, and so I’m kind of flying blind. When I witness a simple and honest spiritual awakening in them, or hear their amazingly profound questions (and attempt to answer!), or listen to their prayers, I marvel at this job that I have in leading them to a close relationship with God. It is humbling and inspiring.

2. hardest thing:

The hardest thing for me is definitely coming to terms with my own perfectionism, and inevitable failures, day in and day out. I take my job as mom very seriously. That’s not to say I don’t have fun in the process, but I’m very intentional about the choices I make for and with my children. Every moment, and every contact they have will shape their lives. My husband and I are the primary influences in their lives, for good AND for bad, so parenting takes thoughtfulness and LOTS of prayer! I recently read a quote (though I can’t remember the source!)

“Do you really want your mind to become the garbage can of the world?”

I haven’t been able to get this out of my mind. And how much more should we be careful of what goes into our children’s minds? Small things that enter our home, our minds can have such a colossal influence on us. In our kitchen we have the characteristics of Philippians 4:8 (true, noble, lovely, pure, right, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy) listed on our pantry door for all of us to see. And we are all under God’s authority so the kids know that Mom and Dad have to abide by those standards as well. I will often say “I’m sorry” to my kids and (in their presence) to God for the things I fall short on, and this gives them a genuine glimpse of God’s grace for me, and therefore them.



3. how do you find balance in your life:

Hmmmm, I haven’t figured that one out yet. It’s definitely a step-by-step learning process. My perfectionism caused me to play the martyr for many years. If I thought something should be my job in our home, I felt guilty if my husband did it. I thought I shouldn’t get tired and should always be able to fulfill my obligations without break. I have been realizing in the past couple of years though, that God doesn’t want me to injure myself emotionally, physically and spiritually working toward the things that are temporal and that He has given me gifts that have sat on the shelf collecting dust since the kids were born.

Recently I have begun tapping into my creative nature- drawing, photography, making cards and other paper crafts- and Jason has been pushing me to take more time for myself. I’ll often go to the library or the park for a couple of hours with my Bible, a sketchpad and some pencils or pen and ink. By the end of that time I am missing my husband and the kids, feeling refreshed and all the more thankful for what I have.

The biggest lesson for me has been that housework and the daily tasks of family life never end and if try and wait till I get everything crossed off of my to-do list before I take some time to refill my cup, then I’ll always be empty.



4. hobbies/interests:

I love anything creative: drawing, painting, crafting, photography. I love to cook and bake. I read incessantly. I’m kind of a nerd, so I love intellectual, theological works, as well as the topics of homeschooling, child-rearing, simple living (though I’m not that great in practice!) and an occasional novel or memoir. Jason and I also love to play golf, though it’s much too expensive a hobby for us now, and we enjoy traveling, hiking, and sightseeing when we get a chance. We’re planning on backpacking through Europe with the kids for 3 months during Jason’s next sabbatical (he’s a college music professor). It’s not for 6 years, but since we’re homeschooling, I guess it’s never too late to starting planning our curriculum around it! ☺

5. what is your favorite place in all the world?

I’m a homebody, so predictably I will say home. But Jason and I love the Hocking Hills in Ohio for a weekend getaway to reconnect. We rent a little secluded cabin, go hiking, cook yummy meals, and discuss where we’ve been and where we wish to go in our lives. The truth is, anywhere with Jason and the kids is my favorite place.

6. favorite blogs or websites

Because of time I can’t read all the blogs or websites that I’d like to, but a few of my favorites are this one (of course!), A Path Made Straight, Conversion Diary, Preschoolers and Peace, Holy Experience, and…gosh, I could go on and on!

I love All Recipes and get probably a couple of recipes per week from there. For homeschool stuff I love For Small Hands for Montessori-type materials, and Rainbow Resources for good prices on new curriculum, games and educational toys. Really, I just like to be surfing around on the computer, so I could list a hundred more!


7. I couldn't live without—

Regular time alone with Jason. I really am kind of needy like that! ☺ There are seasons of Jason’s job when he’s working nights and weekends and all of the time in between and my stress level increases with every day that I can’t connect with him. We’ve taken a weekend away most years since the kids were born and have grown as a couple more in those times than all of the crazy dailiness combined. As far as “normal life” goes, we are frugal so we’ll often put the kids to bed early and have a late dinner and watch a movie or, more recently, play a little Wii. I said I’d never get one of those things, but since it was a gift I guess I’ll play a bit!


8. favorite thing to do with your family

We are a game family, so we love playing board games together. One of our favorites, for the 5 and older crowd, is Doodle Dice. It’s just a great game for all ages. We also enjoy just hanging out and doing errands together on the weekends. The kids are all musical (taking after us!) and so we often sing and do silly music games with them around the house.


9. guilty pleasures?

I’m pretty boring in this regard. I completely love chocolate. Turkey Hill Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream is the best, oreos, Easter candy, Halloween candy, Valentine’s candy…you get the idea.

Oh, and I’m a sucker for American Idol. My kids think I should try out but I’m waaaay too old.


10. 3 books that changed your life

Since I was called by Christ in college from a life of atheism, I would definitely say that the Bible was and is the most life changing book for me. I have totally taken a question that you, Andrea, posted last month, “What book of the Bible are you reading right now?” to heart and have been making sure to read scripture every day! That was a great motivator for me, so thanks!

Another book I’ve read multiple times and has truly encouraged me as a woman, wife and mother is “Stepping Heavenward” by Elizabeth Prentiss, and books by Henri Nouwen (“Here and Now” and “Life of the Beloved”) have spoken to me when I have most needed them. “Gift from the Sea” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh was also an important read for me this year, as was Crunchy Cons by Rod Dreher…

I guess I should stop now… ☺


11. parenting "epiphany"

Things will not fall apart if I don’t stick to my schedule and rules for a day or two. It’s kind of the running joke in our house, me being the first-born rule-follower and all. I’m much more flexible now, thanks to a wonderfully understanding (and non-rule-following) husband and some forgiving children.

12. one word that describes me—

Optimistic.

Thank you Christine!!!