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Friday, February 12, 2016

Pretty Vintage Pitchers and Some Thoughts on Hospitality

Winter pretty much skipped us here in NW Arkansas this year so I'm packing away the winter time decorations and pulling out the spring stuff! I'm definitely a cold weather girl but the one consolation about nice weather is there are more flea markets and thrift sales to visit. The past couple weeks, I've picked up two pitchers at two of my favorite thrift shops. I found this pretty pink one today.

I love things that show a little (or a lot!) wear---chippy pottery, worn leather---I like to imagine that they've been well-used and well-loved. 

I was thinking about these pitchers today as I worked on redecorating my living room for spring---thinking about how they represent me as a homemaker and my desire to offer hospitality to those God would bring to my home. I've always been nervous about hospitality as I worry my home isn't big enough, or my couches are uncomfortable, or that I won't know what to talk about with my guests. These chipped pitchers, the pink one that is barely pink anymore, they're vessels that aren't perfect but are still beautiful---and still very much able to fulfill the purpose for which they were made.

Like these pitchers, I can be filled so that I can pour out. When I'm running low, I can be refilled so I can continue fulfilling my purpose. It's ok if me and my home are not perfect. My willingness to be hospitable is beautiful to the Lord and He will honor my efforts.



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Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Practicing the Art of Being Gentle to Myself & The Homemaking Party

I've never felt like I was the sort of girl people would describe as gentle.

I'm not an animal lover. I don't tend a garden. Growing up, I preferred camping over ballet and took weight lifting when my friends were taking home economics.

I didn't start wearing pink until my fifth child was born and rarely wore a dress or skirt until I was almost 28 years old. Maybe you don't use any of these things to describe someone who is gentle---but they're things that I've always associated with the trait. At any rate, the feminine side of me was slow to emerge and the consistently kind and gentle side is just now beginning to show itself.

Each January, many of my friends share their word for the year and talk about why they've chosen that particular thing to focus on. I've never done that either. (Well, I guess one year I did say I was going to start saying NO to everything. It's been my word for every year, ever since.)

I think I will choose a word this year. I think I'll choose, gentle. What I'm finding is that gentleness has little to do with the outward appearance traits that I described above---and everything to do with the heart.

It's funny---when I'm walking closely with God and he wants to do something new in me, he makes it really clear. I find similar themes cropping up in various areas of my life and pretty soon they all culminate in a big, a ha!! moment for me and I realize it's God.

The last few weeks, I've found myself seeking a gentler path in so many ways...

  • Gentle Reading: I read Stepping Heavenward by Mrs. Elizabeth Prentiss in January and just finished Mary Froehlich's Courageous Gentleness. I'm finding myself hungering for books that are going to nurture my soul and encourage me in my walk as a wife, mother, and homemaker. I've started hashtagging these #gentlereading on my social media. I'm hoping others will do the same so I can get more ideas for great reads!
  • Gentle Speech: I've always sort of prided myself on my ability to make a joke in a split second. I've got a pop culture reference for just about anything anyone says and tend to be a social media show off when it comes to debating hot topics. I struggle between congratulating myself for my wit and condemning myself for the way I make some people feel. I do not like this part of me anymore. I'm trying to clean up my act and remember Proverbs 31:26--"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."
  • Gentle to My Body: I've dealt with a lot of self-loathing as I've done the yo-yo diet thing for far too long. Lately, I've focused more on what I put in my body, rather than what I'm avoiding. I'm choosing natural and fermented foods, drinking healing herbal tea, taking good quality vitamins and supplements for those my body is lacking in, and cutting back on sugar. I feel peaceful and positive---which is way more motivating than putting myself through the daily guilt like before.
  • Gentle to My Soul: I want to focus on positive self-talk. Speaking kind words to myself and others. Seeing the positive side of things and believing in myself more. Allowing myself times of rest and peace.
  • Gentle in Homeschooling: Since moving to Arkansas, we've been able to relax quite a bit as there's not nearly the constraints on our rights as there were in Oregon. I want to continue on that path---letting go of crazy expectations and allowing God to mold our homeschool into the unique-to-us thing he wants it to be. I want more kids-on-lap reading time, more wonderful discovery time.
  • Gentle in My Treatment of Others: Assuming the best, ignoring the rest. Walking away from conflict instead of getting sucked in. Realizing I can't "fix people" and doing my best to be an example of Christ in my words and actions.

I'm excited about the work of bold gentleness that God is doing in my heart and I'm looking forward to sharing more with you all about that.

Thanks for stopping by the Homemaking Party! Have a beautiful week!


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Monday, February 8, 2016

Happy Homemaker Monday

I've been lurking at Sandra's Happy Homemaker Mondays for a couple weeks now and decided this week to join in and do one of my own! You can check out the prompts at Diary of a Stay At Home Mom.

The weather.....
Today we were surprised by a bit of snow! Nothing stuck and it only lasted for short bursts, but the kids still had fun outside for the couple of minutes it lasted! A friend was in Joplin today and said they were getting snow and since we had a lot of wind, I guess it just blew south a bit!

 Right now I am....
I've just finished up a government lesson with my 16 and 14 year olds. We are going through a US History book together as part of their homeschooling lessons and really enjoyed our time together. We tend to rabbit trail in all different directions so these discussions take much longer than planned. I'm thankful I'm blessed to be able to homeschool during this time.

 Thinking....
The house is quiet and everyone is relaxing. I'm trying to decide if I want to read my book all evening or watch Merlin with Jamie. We just started re-watching the series. It may require ice cream. I'm trying to decide if I feel like going to buy some this late.

 On my reading pile....
I'm currently reading The Treasure Box by Penelope J. Stokes. I don't love it but it's keeping my attention. 10 years ago I would  have devoured it and ordered everything I could find by her. But now, I feel like I'm wasting time if I read fiction that doesn't have a firm base in reality. This one is kind of science-fictiony so I'm not that into it---but I'm trying to lighten up. 

 On my TV.....
I'm not sure what they're watching out there. I imagine it's probably The Bible series on Netflix.

 Favorite blog post last week (mine or other)....
My favorite post from last week is my Stepping Heavenward review on my book blog, Belle's Library. That was such a great book!

 Something fun to share....
Today my almost 7 year old, Avalon, received her first Math books in the mail. She grabbed them and squealed and ran around the house showing everyone. She immediately began working on them and only stopped for dinner time. After dinner everyone wondered where Avalon went. She was working on her Math.

 Blog hopping (newly discovered blog)....
Today I followed a comment on one of my social media networks (or maybe it was on my book blog?) Anyway, I found Amy at Making a Joyful Home. I can't wait to see what she's got to share as my first visit to her blog was really encouraging.

 On the menu for this week....
Six year old Liam has requested biscuits and gravy and tacos made in pita pockets. He also asked if we could have pork chops every single night forever. 11 year old Cainan is planning our Valentine's Day family party and dinner so I'm sure we'll have something special then, too.

 On my to do list....
I have a large pile of sewing: 12 year old Elisha wants me to make his dress shirts cufflink-friendly. Cainan has some badges to go on his Royal Ranger vest, as does 4 year old Kynthia. I have a button to sew on pants for Elisha and Liam's super hero eye mask needs repairing. I also have a book review to put up and general housework/homeschooling. I'll do grocery shopping on Thursday.

 In the craft basket....
I'm considering making some curtains for my kitchen window (that's actually a fake window looking into my boys' bedroom and currently sports a Spiderman blanket for a curtain). I've got some vintage handkerchiefs that I'm going to form into some kind of pretty treatment for my side of the window.

 Looking forward to this week....
Other than ballet, we have a quiet week at home. This is always nice! Friday night I'll be visiting with a friend for awhile. That will be great! Sunday is Valentine's Day and we always do something fun for the kids here at home. This year, Cainan wants a special party so we'll need to do some crafty things ahead of time to plan for that. 

 Looking around the house....
It's funny because there are several clutter spots in my house that usually drive me crazy but this week I just don't care! I've begun focusing on taking in extra vitamins, kefir, fermented foods, healing teas, etc. this week and I just can't believe the impact it's made on my moods. I feel so peaceful. Even though I've got homeschool clutter and craft area clutter and a pile of clothes that need to be hung up, I don't have the guilt about it that I usually have. I've focused on health and family this past week and I feel good about that.

 From the camera....
Here's a silly picture of the kids enjoying our 30 second snow!

 On my prayer list.....
This week I'm especially praying for my friend, Sarah, who is battling Lupus and has been accepted into the Lupus treatment at Johns Hopkins in Maryland. She leaves on Sunday. None of her treatments have been effective so I'm really praying that God will use the wisdom of the doctors there to heal her and bring her relief and comfort. Please be in prayer for her, her husband, and their three young daughters.

 Bible verse, Devotional....
I've just finished Courageous Gentleness by Mary Froehlich and am so encouraged to practice gentleness and kindness. I'm reminded of Proverbs 31:26--"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."

 Make sure to visit Happy Homemaker Monday to see what other homemakers are sharing this week!


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