Weariness in well doing

We all go through periods of weariness. Where we are just plain out, worn out. We all at some point grow weary of doing good. Where we question our worth, or success at this thing called mothering.

Growing weary in doing good is a heart condition. God allows all circumstances in our lives to challenge, change and shape us so that we can become everything He wants us to be. The weariness that we feel comes as a reminder that we are fighting, ignoring, or being shaped by the changes that He is trying to make in us.

Soooo how does mom climb out of the slump and shed the coat of weariness?

Step 1: Prayer, Renewing your mind

Spend time with the Lord daily, so that you can begin to hear from Him again. Learn to recognize His voice so that you can learn to obey it. Spend time reading the Bible. It is guaranteed that if you start to spend time with the Lord and meditate on His will for your life that He will begin to restore all the reasons why you do what you do.

Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Notice the line that says “by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.” Satan’s number one desire for us is to believe the lies that he daily tries to plant in our heads. If we daily renew our mind we can test Satan’s words vs. God’s and see which one is approved and aligned with scripture. Recently I was directed to look at the great commandment with new eyes. Most of us can recite it off the top of our heads. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Our minds are traps. If Satan has sent us down the trap of weariness and frustration in doing good, than we are no longer fulfilling the great commandment because our minds are no longer fixed on Him. It is this huge reason that meeting Him daily to renew our minds is so vitally important.

Second step: Just say NO!

Once you are hearing the Lord’s voice again, ask Him to show you what needs to be trimmed. Ask Him to show you what is valuable activity in your days and what is not. Then obey Him. You may need to cut back on church activities, your children’s extra outings or something similar, to make space for new growth the Lord wants to do in your life.

Third step: Mentors

Wisely choose one or two godly Christian woman who you know walk with the Lord. Seek their accountability. One of the greatest blessings and seasons of growth in my life has come from meeting weekly for a time of study and prayer with another Christian woman.

Fourth step: Time out

Make sure you find ways, each day, to do something for yourself. This may mean that your children have a period of time where they are quietly playing or reading in their rooms in the afternoon. Or after your husband gets home you go for a walk around a local park or do a workout video or just take a bubble bath at the end of the day. Whatever your favorite break looks like make a commitment to talk with your husband and convey the necessity of it. This is a time of recharging your battery.

Isaiah 40:31 "They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint."

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Aidan's big Day

It was Aidan's birthday yesterday. My baby boy turned 8. We found ourselves in a bit of a pickle as it was a school day but also a day to be celebrated. So being the good homeschool family that we are we declared it Field Trip Day and took the kids into Philly to look through the Natural History Museum. We have been studying Dinosaurs in Science and knew that they would love the hall of dinosaurs. We began our tour through the diorama exhibits. We all loved seeing the animals and were amazed at the size of some of them.

Brea and Aidan enjoyed pretending that they were going to be the polar bears snack after he polished off the seal that is under his paw.

Emily being ever so patient waiting for the two little hooligans to finish goofing around.

Next stop the hall of dinosaurs.

This was our first sight of the dinosaurs. Needless to say the kids did not use their inside voices and throughout the entire hall you could hear the kids shouting "it's Rexy!" of Night in the Museum fame. At least we provided entertainment for the guards.

It was awesome to be able to put a visual picture to all the words we have been studying.

The final stop on the tour was the Outside In room. In this room they have all sorts of animals that you can see and touch. Everything from hissing cockroaches, to turtles, to a bee colony, to the rabbit and snake that we were able to touch.

Yes that is a skunk you see. Yipes!

Did you notice that a kid was missing in these pictures?? Where is Brea??

This was definitely not her favorite stop on the tour. So she put herself in the corner and waited until we had all seen enough of the "yucky stuff". It was a great time! The kids loved being in the city. We took time for one last stop to visit the fountains and gardens across the street from the museum.

The bee colony from the outside in room has a tunnel through the window allowing the bees to leave the exhibit and return back. The gardens across the street were filled with the bees gathering to take back to the colony. It was just another exciting find for the kids.

I hope that this will be a birthday memory that last's forever.

LOVE - Jaeson Ma

Legacy

A Legacy or legacies is what someone or something is remembered for or what they have left behind that is remembered, revered or has impacted current events and the present day.

It is no secret that I love facebook. The one thing that I both love and hate are the memories of me that have stuck in the minds of old friends. There is this one embarrassing story that involves a zip line, a certain broken cable, and a declaration of stupid teenage love shouted loud enough for an entire campground to hear, that will forever live in infamy. I have one friend that loves to remind me of said indiscretion and every-time I hear it, I cringe. For quite a long time before I set up an account I fought joining the Facebook bandwagon for fear of that very thing happening. I didn’t want people to remember my indiscretions, or the crushes I had, or the many stupid things that I have either said or done in my lifetime. But not joining wasn’t going to keep people from remembering the unfortunate things that I have said or done.

In Psalms 90:9, it says that we live our lives as a story that will be told. What is your story? Each of us has our own idea of what a legacy is and how we will go about establishing one. Some set up trust funds, others build monuments, donations to charity. Many pass on family heirlooms to the next generation. Unfortunately so many of us forget that we daily add to the legacy we will leave. Every action, decision, and word spoken adds to the legacy. How sad would it be if the only thing you were remembered for was having a bad temper.

Now I can’t go back and un-do every mis-spoken word, or slight, but I have an opportunity to show those around me how beautiful a life changed through the power of Christ can be. I have the ability to help lead my children to a stronger relationship with Christ.

I will close with this story. I received a “friend request” through someone that I had gone to church with for a very brief time. I accepted, interested in where and what they were up to now. Shortly after I accepted her request I received an email from her. In the email she thanked me for my kindness to her and for how welcomed I had made her feel. Truly I hadn’t even realized that I had done anything out of the ordinary for her. When I woke up that day I didn't stop to think, hmm this is forever how so and so is going to remember me. It is only through staying close to Christ and allowing him to work through us daily that will allow us to leave a Godly legacy. That is the legacy I want to be remembered for! I want those around me to see Christ in and through me.

It’s time to think about the legacy you are leaving.

There will be one-whether you plan it or not.

So, what's for dinner in April ?

It is the beginning of a new month!  This month's meal plan is ready and waiting.  Check out the google calendar box.  There you can scroll through the days of the month and see the meals.  I have transfered over the meals from last month that were scheduled and for whatever reason were not made.  This is an easy tip because you know that you will already have most if not all of the ingredients already on hand and it makes one less meal to plan.

There are a couple of new recipes for us to try.  The Picnic chicken, cinnamon biscuits, parmesan bundles, and the banana pancakes are all new recipes.  I encourage you to give them a go and then lets compare notes.  Let me know if you think adding or deleting  something to these recipes would make these meals even tastier.  You can leave comments directly in my cookbook.  On the recipe page, you will see a link in the top right corner that will allow you to leave a comment about that particular recipe.

The old family favorites of this month are the chicken fried rice with crab rangoon dip, harvest pork chops, and the empanadas.  If you want to wow your family, try these meals.  To get any of the recipes for this month just click on the meals matter cookbook link (under the google calendar)  and it will take you directly to my online cookbook.

I hope you enjoy! 

The state of the estate???

I feel that being organized and neat helps in every aspect of my life. If my house is in shambles or my to-do list is multiple pages long, anxiety starts to kick in and everything else suffers as a result. If you're the same way, it might be time to get a head start on your Spring cleaning. Now I'm not just talking about scrubbing your floors and cleaning your windows; I'm talking about getting your life in order so you can successfully put disorder behind you and move on into a more productive life.  

You may be muttering, “yea, but you haven’t seen my disorder!”  Oh yes I have, not your exact disorder, but I have seen a great many disordered homes.  The funny thing is that there is no mess that cannot be cleaned if you garner the right amount of determination and discipline.  If you are tired of the disorder in your home,  have hope that you can turn a total mess into a place where you can have total rest.

So develop a can-do attitude and lets get to work.  Below you will find a list of helpful hints to get you on your way.  

Let’s get started!

 1.  Assemble a traveling catty of cleaning supplies and tools that you will need.  This catty will travel with you as you move from room to room, saving you the time to go get each cleaning item as you need them.  Glass cleaner, clorox wipes, paper towel, dusting rags, magic eraser, toilet cleanser and a brush for scrubbing, are all items I keep in my catty.

2.  Before you begin develop an organizational plan.  Focus on one room at a time.  Write down on a sheet of paper the things that need to be done to put the room right.  

*What are the problems in the room? Are there things that need to be repaired or re-painted?

*What needs to be removed from the room? clothes, toys, clutter, old papers???

*What organizational tools might help tame the mess?

This list is not to overwhelm or discourage you, but to give you a map of where you want to go and to help keep you focused on that path.

3.  Once you have done your checklist, begin working it!  Again starting on one room at a time!  Do not leave that room until you have completed all the items on your checklist.  Tackle the rooms in bite sized pieces, organization first then clean!  Take it one drawer or one cabinet at a time.  When making your plan do not forget bathroom drawers, medicine cabinets, closets, and under the beds.

4.  Keep several bags or boxes marked “trash”, “store”, and “give away”.  As you work on the room immediately put the items in these bags.   Deal with these bags!  I will stress again the system will only work if you do.  Leaving the piles will only add to your disorder.  I love the saying “don’t pile it, File it”  be sure that at the end of each organizing session you take the bags and deal with the items inside.

Underneath the endless piles of laundry, dishes, forgotten toys, and overdue library books, is your house.  A house that I am sure you would desperately love to be proud of.  If it stresses you out just thinking about the work before you remember Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”  Tackle your disorder through His strength.  Pray and ask the Lord for the determination to see this project through.  If you are diligent there may actually come a day when someone will yell, Mom have you seen my.... and you’ll be able to answer, YES!  

For more detailed spring cleaning tips and tricks check out the website http://www.debra4homes.com/f/spring_cleaning_tips.htm 

I'm a Cracked Pot

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck.  One of the pots had a crack in it, and the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.  For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master's house.   The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.  But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfections, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what the cracked pot perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.  "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."  "Why?" asked the bearer.  "What are you ashamed of?"  I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house.  Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work and you don't get full value for your efforts," the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

 As they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some.  But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path but not on the other pot's side?  That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it.  I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them.  For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table.  Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

I found this story on the internet the same week I was challenged by Romans 9:20-21 which reads, “20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' "^[a^] 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?”  For more years than I care to count I have struggled with self esteem issues.  These issues have affected many areas of my life but none more than in my relationship to God.   

I have spent my life as a cracked pot who wished to be the perfect pot.  I have been the clay vessel that has openly looked at the master and asked why he made me the way he did.  But just like the cracked pot I was looking at my version of the perfect pot and not the masters.  My usability by God has been hindered because of my lack of appreciation for the vessel he made.  This deeply saddens me to think of the ways that I have not been able to serve because I was so caught up in my self.  Over the last few weeks the Lord has shown me that I needed to open my eyes to who God made me to be and to appreciate the beauty within myself.  

Recently I was at a family function.  A member of my family commented on a picture that they still have of me from 15 years ago.  He referred to this picture as being from the time when I was at my prettiest and how great I looked all slim and trim.  Can I say huge OUCH!  This comment threw me for a loop.  My first instinct was to try to figure out what I could do to recreate my “prettiest”.   How could I get thinner, quickly?  Should I cut my hair to re-create the same style.  I was then  reminded of what my focus should be.  I need to happy with who I am, right now!   If I let the thoughts of insecurity creep in and consume me then I would be taking away from the time when I could be watering the Masters flowers.   I cannot change the way the potter formed me.  Psalm 139:13-14  13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

As I now read these verses I read them with a new appreciation.  I was not just a mass that came into being by an accident of chemistry.  I was knit together.  Think of the image of someone knitting and the painstaking effort it takes to make sure each stitch is right.  That is what the Lord did when he made me.  He knew before I came into being that I would have a crooked front tooth and that I would struggle with my weight.  He knew that and so much more and knit that all together to make me the vessel that I am.  The vessel that He has created for a specific purpose and plan.  I need to focus on the job he needs this vessel to do rather than just if the vessel is pleasing to the eye.

My prayer is that as you read this you will ask the Lord to help you accept being a “cracked pot”.  I ask that you lift me up in prayer as I work on claiming victory over this area of my life.  I desire to be usable vessel in any way the Master wishes.

Mama said there'd be days this!

Have you ever felt overwhelmed and under-appreciated with your position as the family CEO???  Have you ever thought how much easier it would be to work a 9 to 5 rather than a 24/7?  Do you ever have days when you feel as though all that you give really isn’t making a difference in the lives of your family?  I think at some point all who are nurturing a family go through these feelings.  So why does this happen?  Is it your husband’s fault for leaving his socks and clothes on the floor again??  Or because all your children do is ask, ask, ask and never thank???  The answer is that it is no ones fault than our own!

Ouch, was that as hard to hear as it was for me to type??  Before you get totally disgusted with me and stop reading, let me explain. 

Who’s strength do you go through your day with??  Who’s strength do you use when you have to pick up those socks again or when you are working with your children to have a heart of gratitude?  If it is your strength that you are using, than the bad news is that those feelings of disenchantment will continue to be with you.  However the good news is that we do not need to use our strength.   I love Philippians 4:13.  It reads “I can do all things through Christ  who strengthens me.”  Our strength is imperfect and limited.  His is perfect, never failing.  Wrap your brain around that.  We can use His strength to get through our day.  That means that the next time you reach down to pick up those socks you can do it through the Masters Hands.  2 Corinthians 12:9 reads “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

The last part of that verse really hits me hard.  “I would rather boast about my weakness, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”  I hate to talk about my weaknesses, let alone boast about them.  But if I can admit and boast of all my weaknesses to the one who can give me perfect strength than I can tap into that power daily.  If you are currently struggling in this area, wrap your arms and brain around the fact that He desires to strengthen you.  He wants to give you a dose of the Masters Hands for you to work through.  

Ephesians 3:16 promises, “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man.”  If you are a child of Christ you have His Spirit in you already, all you need to do is ask and the power is there.  The strength is there.

Colossians 1:11, “Strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously.”  What a promise that we can work for our family with patience and joy.  Woo Hoo, I want a huge dose of that!  I desire to show the Master through my actions and service to my family and I LOVE the fact that he has promised me the ability to do just that.  All I have to do is pray and focus on “doing life” through His strength and NOT my own.

I hope that you will grab hold of the strength that He has promised to give, TODAY!  

My new Favorite Website

In my search for the best way to get everyone my recipes and meal plans I stumbled on a website called Meals Matter.  http://www.mealsmatter.org/index.aspx  The whole purpose of this website is to aid you in your planning meals for your family.  They have nutritional helps, personalized cookbooks, pages of recipes, as well as a feature that helps you plan your meals and send the ingredients needed directly to a shopping list.  This site will help you set up a cooks pantry in your home to eliminate the need to run to the market every-time you want to make something new.  Can I just say that I love love love it!  I hope you will take a few minutes to check it out.

I have started to set up my online cookbook.  I will continue to add recipes so feel free to drop back at any time to see if there is anything new.  All the recipes for the monthly menu's will be posted to this cookbook.  

http://mealsmatter.org/cookbooks/ctmhmama/everyday/

This link should take you directly to the cookbook.  Please let me know if you have any issues with the link.  Over time I will try to post the individual links for each meal  in the calendar section.  We will see how that works out???

I hope you will enjoy!

So What's for dinner???

I have found the use of a meal plan so very helpful.  It takes some time and a little effort but it is paying off in enormous savings each month in our grocery budget and it is saving my heart from clogged arteries due to eating out too often.  

So how to get started.  I recommend beginning with a 2 week plan.  Open up your calendar and see what the next 2 weeks are going to bring for you and your family.  Are there nights where you will barely have time to eat??  Will you be entertaining??  Use these cues to help you plan the meals that you and your family enjoy.  Put easy recipes for the busy nights and ones that take a little more time on the evening that you are entertaining.  Compile the recipes and formulate your shopping list.  That really is all there is to it.  It takes a little time and a little discipline and you will reap the benefits.  I have been using this method for quite a few months and can testify to its benefits.

Many of you have been asking for my meal plan as well as for the recipes.  I am going to try to help you out.  Remember my meal plan as well as my families tastes and schedules will not always jive with yours.  In those cases just adjust the plan to what works best for your family.  All the recipes can be found at my online cookbook.  I will post the link so that you can go right there and print off the recipes that appeal to you.  Please let me know if you have any questions for me.  Also, please feel free to share any of this info with friends who you think may be interested. 

Stay tuned for what is on the menu for this month.