Adoring Simplicity

 

Hello everyone. Today I would like to share a video with you that has greatly inspired me. Our family has been on a journey of simplicity for a little over a year now. We are purging items in our life that do not promote joy or peace. It is an ongoing process and it has been interesting to see what this journey has morphed into. I cannot wait to share some of the further details as plans progress but for now, please enjoy this video.

 

 

Grace and peace, Adoring Family

 

Where You Go I'll Go

 

Sometimes life is uncertain. One day you are moving in one direction and everything seems to be as it should be and the next you realize your life could be taking a different path.

 

"...for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God." Ruth 1:16

 

Where you go I'll go...There is no place I would rather be than smack dab in the center of God's will. I know that whatever He has for us in this life will be best lived out following Him. Seeking joy in every season, opportunity and obstacle. Life is not always easy and during uncertain times I want to cling to Him. As Genesis 17:1 says, I want to serve the Lord faithfully and live a blameless life. Most important is what the Lord says in Genesis 17:7. "I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you." As long as He is the Lord of my life, I know I can trust that somehow things will work out for the good.

 



All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah 54:13



 

We have such finite vision. I do not want to be chasing after things that will pass away. I want the important things in my life to be those with eternal value. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Matthew 24:35

 

For now, I am resting in the Israelites promise when they were in exile in Babylon, 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jerimiah 29:11

 

 

In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge.

Proverbs 14:26

 

When life is uncertain I take great comfort in God's Holy Word. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
Isaiah 51:6

 

And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the LORD is his treasure. Isaiah 33:6
 

The Lord Christ is the same, yesterday, today, tomorrow. Forever. He is unchanging and on That Solid Rock I'll stand.

 

Grace and Peace,

Adoring Family

 

 

Thriving During the First Trimester

3rd Baby, 1st Trimester







The first trimester can be a bit of a challenge whether you are a first time mom or a fourth, like I. Because I have a family to serve, I decided I would make provisions ahead of time to insure a smoothly run home even when mommy was run-down. In a few simple steps I felt prepared to face my first trimester with grace.

1.Determine daily and weekly chores you are responsible for.

My daily responsibilities are meals, homeschooling, laundry and dishes. Weekly chores include, (but are definitely not limited to)  sweeping, mopping, dusting, cleaning out the fridge/pantry.

2.Assign each day a chore so you can get it all accomplished with out exhausting your energy levels. Here is an example:

Weekly

Monday: Meal plan and clean out fridge/pantry

Tuesday: Classical Conversations (our homeschool group, more on that later)

Wednesday: Dust entire home  

Thursday: Pay bills and clean bathrooms- toilets, floors, counters

Friday: Sweep, mop

Weekly meal planning

Sometimes we have the same thing every week and sometimes we mix it up. During the first trimester it was easier for me to stick to the same basic meals. Grocery shopping was simple and prep was almost automatic.

I like to prepare all of my meat for the week on Mondays. I am already dirtying up the kitchen so why not make it an ultra productive time? This way daily meal preparation is much easier and if my energy levels are low, I can easily throw something together using my precooked meat. I call my cooking style "slow and low". I simmer my food on a low heat for a long period of time. This allows me to fill up two pots with chicken or beef and let them cook on low with little effort on my part. I only have two pots to clean and I have meat for the rest of the week.

Monday: Stuffed Potatoes

Tuesday: Taco Tuesday with chips, salsa and guacamole plus a side of fresh pineapple 

Wednesday: Our version of hamburger helper using Annies Organic Whole Wheat Shells and Cheese, spinach salad and fresh fruit

Thursday: Baked spagetti with raw carrots and green beans

Friday: Salmon patties with mashed potatoes and asparagus 

Saturday: Stacked enchiladas with beans and fiesta salad

3.Seek help. If you have children, are there ways they can assist you in completing the daily items in your home? Responsibility is good for children and they will feel accomplished knowing they are serving their family.

Daily

Make beds

Dishes

Laundry (put a load on after breakfast, transfer to the dryer after lunch and put away after school)

Wipe down surfaces

Declutter home for 15 minutes. You can break this up into 5 minute segments and involve you family. This is essentially tidying up and putting things away. I am attempting to train my children and myself to put things away as we go but somehow there are always miscellaneous items floating around.

How the kids can help...

Make their own beds

Unstack  dishwasher

Fold towels and put away their own clothing

Clean their bathroom (my son sweeps and my daughter wipes down surfaces and my youngest likes to wipe the floor)

Take out trash

Feed chickens

My son will sweep and my daughter will wipe down the table while my youngest and I stack the dishwasher and put lunch away. We sing while work. The Joy of the Lord Is My Strength was one of my favorites when I felt like I was dragging.

 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1

4. Commit your ways unto the Lord.

Proverbs 16:3 says "Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established." Pray over you list.

Remember that all of life is worship and seek to glorify God during this time of life. Also remember that "Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass." 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Draw your strength from the Lord because,"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Ask the Lord for strength and wisdom to help you during this very short season. Remember the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:17 "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,"



Blessings and joy to you and your little one. I hope you find this helpful and that it spurs you on towards the beautiful prize that awaits you!

Grace and peace,

Adoring Family

linked:

www.hiphomeschoolmoms.com