Friday 'Fess Up

Today I intended on getting this post out early. I was obviously late in doing so, but I didn't allow myself to just brush that off and give up on writing today. I made a commitment to myself, to God and to you, my readers to be intentional about writing blog posts. So today's 'fess up is that I didn't quit or give up! That's what Satan wants us to do though. He wants to distract us and keep us from fulfilling the purpose God has for us. But you know what? We are overcomers! So don't quit and don't give in!!

What did you do today to keeping moving and not allow yourself to quit?

Blessings!

Satisfied...but Restless

Okay, okay. The title is a bit off. You see, it's not that I'm restless because I'm not satisfied with where I'm at in life. It's more that I know there is something more coming and more that I should be doing! Today, I realized why I'm restless about some things in my life and calling: I haven't really done anything to move to where I want to be!

Since this is the anniversary of the planes that were taken over by terrorists and thousands of innocent people were killed, I've been thinking about those men and women who were restless to get back control of the aircraft they were in. And how they didn't hesitate to rush the terrorists, run into a collapsing building, help people who were trapped and put their lives on the line for the sake of others.
I think of the families that were left behind and how they didn't hesitate to begin creating foundations and organizations to help those who were affected during the attacks. They sought out means to provide for those who were in need. That's what I want to be able to do, too!

Image by Jodi Cotten

I don't know all the answers to the questions I have: Where do I start? How can I get moving toward my goal? Is this part of God's plan for my life? What if no one is interested in what I'm trying to do? And the BIG question: What if I fail??

But you know what I've come to realize? The reason I am restless is because God put something in me to fulfill that goal, that dream, that vision. And until I am heading more confidently and specifically in that direction, I will remain restless. So I will take my own advice from last week and I will make a list of things that I can do to start moving in the direction of my vision!

The last thing I want is to become stagnant in my striving for my goal!

Have you decided it's time to take action and move toward your vision and goal? What can you do today, this week, this month that will propel you toward that goal? Now GO and DO!!

Blessings!

Homeschool Hump Day Encouragement

Today, I will present you with THE perfect formula for your homeschool environment.

Stay inside.
Go outside.
Use workbooks.
Use textbooks.
Use online curriculum.
Use no curriculum.
Have desks for your students.
Have a place at the dining room table for your students.
Let your children sit on the couch to do school.
Let your children lie on the floor to do school.
Let your children sit on their beds to do school.
Have graded tests.
Have evaluations.
Have no formal assessments.
Follow a grade level scope and sequence.
Follow no scope and sequence.
Use only pencils.
Use only pens.
Use sidewalk chalk.
Use crayons.
Don't use technology.
Use technology.
Teach your children to write in manuscript.
Teach your children to write in cursive.
Use the Classical Approach to schooling.
Use the Traditional Approach to schooling.
Use the Charlotte Mason Approach to schooling.
Use unschooling.
Focus on Literature.
Focus on mathematics.
Focus on science.
Focus on history.
At a theme park.
On vacation.
Exploring your city,
Journeying to a nearby state.

Seeing a pattern? It doesn't matter what your schooling environment looks like as long as it works for you and your children as you school them. There is no right way and no wrong way! Teaching your children to learn to learn and to want to continue learning is what it's all about.
Don't worry about what other homeschooling families are doing. Do what works best for YOUR family!

Blessings!

TIP TUESDAY: Homemade deodorant

I am a big fan of homemade products! Laundry soap, dishwasher detergent, deodorant, weed killer, and so many other things. Today, I'm sharing MY recipe for deodorant with you. It's so inexpensive and you KNOW what you are putting on your skin when you're done.

Here is the basic recipe:

1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot powder/flour
5-7 tablespoons coconut oil
3-4 drops of favorite essential oil (I use lavender!)

Blend all ingredients and place in empty solid deodorant container or jar with lid. If the coconut oil begins to go from solid to more soft or even liquid, just put it in the refrigerator for a few hours.!

Blessings!

Stop Wishing and Start Moving Toward Your Dream

Have you ever wondered why some people are living their dreams while others only wish they could do that? I used be like that. I used to see women starting their own businesses and writing books and speaking to MOPS groups and creating new curricula, and I thought, "I wish I could do that!"
As I've shared before, I have always enjoyed writing. It's one of my passions along with working with youth and women. What are your passions? You know God put those things in your heart to be used in some way to touch the lives of others. He gave you a purpose that only you could fulfill and a story to tell that only you could tell that would reach a specific person or group of people. Consider this: someone is waiting to hear what you've got to say that will touch them in a profound way.
Many years ago I met two of my dearest friends at separate women's retreats. The retreats were in Orlando, Florida and here I was a mom from Colorado attending these events. God orchestrated our meeting so that I could hear their messages (each very different, yet very similar!), and He put us together for a particular reason.

Beyond a vision, what is your passion and what can you do today to continue moving toward that passion becoming just a "wish I could do that" to "I'm living the dream God gave me"? Write out a list of things you can do and choose one a day, a week or a month to accomplish. Maybe you can call that one person that God has put on your heart to disciple. Maybe you will draw and sketch, write, journal, start a blog. Maybe you create a "5 years From Now" plan to keep the goals and dreams you have on the front burner of your life. Do whatever you can to move forward!

Blessings!

Friday 'Fess Up

For this Friday 'Fess Up, I must confess that while helping my sister move this week, my house has taken on the look of a family who is moving...but we aren't! How is it that our homes can become so clutter-prone when we aren't even there to make messes on our own?!
This weekend will be a time of cleaning, purging, organizing and removing clutter! Remember, we have to set goals or we won't accomplish anything!

What are your weekend goals?

Blessings!

Serving and Helping Others

Stop Making Excuses for Why You Can't

The past few weeks I've been helping my sister pack her house for a local move. I wasn't sure there was much I could do since I had been recovering from foot surgery since June, but I went over and started to pack a few boxes. The next time I went over, I was able to pack more than the time before and soon, many of the areas she really needed help with were done. Then came the day to move everything to the new house!
Again, I wasn't sure what I could do since there was a lot of up and down stairs involved. But I was able to do so much more than I could have imagined! God gave me strength to help beyond what I thought I was capable of and I know that my willingness played a part in that. You see, I could have just said, "No, I can't help because I don't know what I can do (what my limitations would be, if I would experience any pain, if I might hinder further recovery, etc.). But I believe that since I didn't use any sort of excuses about my physical abilities, the Lord gave me the endurance I needed to help my sister and brother-in-law and together with a few other friends, we were able to get the job done!
The Scripture says, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5, NKJV).

Don't be afraid to step out and give of yourself a little more. You many be surprised how the Lord will use you to bless others!

Blessings!