So, confession time. I wouldn’t typically call myself a minimalist. That’s because my natural tendencies are not that way. I’m more of a mix between a pack-rat and a mom who desperately wants to be organized. I do have my moments, however, then I go back over to dark side.
Archives for 2017
January Meal Plan – New Printable
What better way to kick off your new year than by getting organized – without having to do too much work. Here is my gift to you, your very own January meal plan so that you can spend your time making your own New Years Resolutions. [Read more…] about January Meal Plan – New Printable
Merry Christmas ~ A Note from Such a Time as This
The Ultimate List of Missionary Biographies
Ever since last year, studying the true stories of World War II, my kids and I have hungered to study more missionaries and the stories of their lives. It has become a blessing to see God at work through the trials and joys of the missionary biographies. I thought it would be fun to put together a list of a variety of missionaries by country or time period so other homeschooling families can enjoy them. The links I used are affiliate links which means that if you choose to buy through them I might receive a small commission which goes into supporting my blog and family. Please see my disclosure policy for more information. [Read more…] about The Ultimate List of Missionary Biographies
5 Reasons Why You Need to Have a Poetry Tea Time
Posts contain referral links. Please see my disclosure policy.
About mid-morning my 10-year-old daughter came to me pleading with me to make today poetry tea time. Monday? I asked, unsure. Usually, we do it on Thursday. Hmm… what’s the difference? I thought.
Clapping her hands, she ran to the kitchen to start on the cocoa. I shuffled through the tablecloths until I found on that looked like Christmas. We didn’t always know about Poetry Tea Time. It has been one of the many joys of using Brave Writer and the Brave Writer Lifestyle in our homeschooling. It somehow softens our homeschooling week and allows us to take a deep refreshing breath as we go about our days. [Read more…] about 5 Reasons Why You Need to Have a Poetry Tea Time
Meal Plan for the Week of December 4th
When I was little, my mom made Christmas cookies at the beginning of December. She didn’t just make a dozen here or there. No, she made hundreds upon hundreds of homemade cookies. Later in the month, she and my dad would host a Christmas open house for all of the church members and attendees to come and celebrate Christ’s birth.
Revelations in Light of the Recent Sex Scandals
It was early in the morning when the story scrolled across my newsfeed and hit me square in the face. Matt Lauer? Seriously?
A string of famous men’s names has recently shocked the nation with revelations of their sexual misconduct. But I sit here wondering, who is next?
As the days go by and more names are added to this disturbing list I feel sick inside. How is it possible that so many public figures could be this awful behind the scenes? I don’t have an answer but I’m thankful that these dirty sins are coming to light.
I grapple with deep conversations with my older kids about right & wrong, about the world, and about sex.
A strange feeling rushes over me as I recognize my thought pattern over the last few years. Somehow, I could see the injustices, the slow collapse. However, I never saw what was really hiding right around the corner. Although I kept these feelings to myself, I can’t stay silent any longer.
This culture which has bred promiscuity has given birth to diseased thinking. Many of us have grown enslaved to the lies of this society. We’ve been truly deceived.
It’s a culture where girls and woman have to tip-toe through the muck, learning at a really young age to turn the other way. We are taught to pretend we aren’t seeing what we are seeing. Because it isn’t you, it’s me. We learn that boys will be boys and there is nothing we can do about it.
[Read more…] about Revelations in Light of the Recent Sex Scandals
How to Have a Simple Scavenger Hunt Your Child will Adore
Back in the early Fall, my kids and I had fun with a nature hunt using my scavenger hunt bingo printable for Autumn. I had made one scavenger hunt bingo printable for younger kids (like pre-k through first grade) and one for older elementary school aged kids. We all enjoyed it so much and they begged me to make another one for November and December.
[Read more…] about How to Have a Simple Scavenger Hunt Your Child will Adore
11 Lessons Learned This November about our Calling & Christ’s Love
I stood in the kitchen reviewing our new routine. Hubby gave the kids a pep talk about keeping our home clean and tidy. It is something that we must all work together to achieve. So we print a chore chart as a helpful reminder pinned to the refrigerator door.
But that chore chart won’t clean the house – we will when we obey what it says. Right? We all need to catch the vision of what needs to be done.
The end game is the house gets cleaned. So, we give the kids some more pep talks and we ask them to follow their jobs so that everything gets done.
Without fail, all it takes is one of us not doing what we are supposed to be doing to mix up our routine.
And so it is in the Christian walk. We are given instruction. We are given commands. Sometimes it is specific to us – but it is always part of the larger vision. God wants our eyes to be fixed on His vision — His heart.
“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:26
How many times do we think that this isn’t for us? How many times do we decide someone else can do it?
[Read more…] about 11 Lessons Learned This November about our Calling & Christ’s Love
More Than Dollars – How to Serve the Poor
More Than Dollars – How to Serve the Poor
by Julia Camenisch of personagratagoods.com
I was recently chatting with a Christian non-profit director about his work in Florida. His organization has a large facility that holds donated clothing and food, has a good core of committed volunteers and has a wide outreach among the poor in their community. And yet, this director wasn’t happy. “We’ve had the same people coming to our center for years,” he sighed. “Handing out free food and clothes isn’t doing anything to move the poverty needle in our community.”
A bit later, another non-profit leader commented on how some of his neighbors in a high poverty community have felt disrespected and marginalized by those who come to hand out free stuff, fix houses, etc. Those groups thought they were showing love, but they were really just making themselves feel good.
Wait, what? Isn’t this what Christians are supposed to do? How can we serve the poor? Give freely and generously to help those less fortunate? Share from their bounty so that others can have the food and clothing they need? Well, the answer is yes. And no.
[Read more…] about More Than Dollars – How to Serve the Poor
What you need to know about helping teens. It could save a life…
You might be a volunteer who spends their time helping teens at youth group or an after-school program. Maybe you focus on helping kids who need to find their place in life or who need help in school. Whatever the case, what you are doing matters. It matters so much.
The enemy will try to tell you that there is too much trouble in our world and that what you do doesn’t matter. He will try to sway you to stop helping teens, or children, or young adults. But today I’m sharing a story from a teen named Bryanna who found hope with a Gospel-centered Children’s Program called Rose City Kids. The people there literally helped to save her life. ~Sasha [Read more…] about What you need to know about helping teens. It could save a life…
The Ultimate Board Game Gift Guide – How to Pick the Perfect Game
It was Christmas Night, 2012, and all of our kids had the flu. We had opened all of our presents and among them was a popular board game. My husband went out to bring home some take out and when he arrived home, he found us all sitting around the table, tears in our eyes, as none of us could figure it out. It was so frustrating to be sick, tired, and clueless about how to win this game.
[Read more…] about The Ultimate Board Game Gift Guide – How to Pick the Perfect Game
Is God ACTUALLY concerned about our willingness to obey?
The Story of One Woman’s Call to Start a Clothing Ministry
by Melissa Guinn
There was this lifetime of doing church. Going to church each Sunday, teaching Sunday School, going to Bible study on Wednesday night, sometimes leading a group study of 40 women or more. I have lots of church friends. Our kids have been in church together since birth.
The Beginning
It seemed like I was doing what God would want from me: learning His Word and not really being influenced by the worldly and ungodly things that so easily pull us away. The more I learned about Him, deepened my relationship with Him, listened to Him the more I loved Him. It’s just that there was this empty spot. I knew it wasn’t supposed to be that way because my life was awesome!! Jesus has saved me from my past, He is my current salvation and my future hope.
A New Thought
One day I was cleaning out my daughter’s closet. I had dresses that I just couldn’t take to Goodwill. Mindful of recent Bible studies and lessons on selfishness, giving and living beyond ourselves, I prayed, “Lord, show me someone that can use these. Maybe a little girl that is in need and has never had a pretty dress?”
I went to bed that night with the dresses on my mind and the Lord clearly spoke to me. “There will be a clothing ministry. You will take the dresses, and many other things, to those in need. It will be beautiful and you will use it to share Me with your community.” It felt like He was standing on my head!! I looked at my husband who was sound asleep. “Did you hear that?” I whispered. He didn’t move. [Read more…] about Is God ACTUALLY concerned about our willingness to obey?
Finding Hope in the Face of What If – A Baby Update
This past weekend we decorated the house. My husband dragged out the tinsel and garland. The kids and I adorned the tree with past memories and flickering lights. The little girls placed our snowmen on the bottom of the stairs. The holiday season has begun in our home.
Our Tiny Blessing
There was something nagging at me, though. Something that I couldn’t quite shake. Then it hit me. It has been almost a year since we welcomed our baby boy into our family with open arms. Everything about this season of praise and adoration, love and hope, blessings and gratitude remind of this chubby-cheeked little blond haired boy.
He is the gift that we didn’t expect until we did. For weeks we were unsure of which month he would be born. As God so perfectly ordained, He became our Christmas baby. A gift from our Father, himself. The spirit of Christmas has now become entwined with the birth of this tiny little man. [Read more…] about Finding Hope in the Face of What If – A Baby Update
Find out what you need to know about Orphan Hosting
This is a two-part post about orphan hosting.
Hosting can be a life-changing experience for orphaned children who have never been a part of a loving, functional family. And at their age, 7-18 years old, they are the least likely candidates to ever be adopted; most believe they are unwanted and have no hope of ever knowing life in a real family. [Read more…] about Find out what you need to know about Orphan Hosting
What you need to know about Orphan Hosting – Part 2
This is part 2 of a 2 part post on orphan hosting. Click here to read part 1. This is also part of a larger series on obedience and following God’s call on our life. [Read more…] about What you need to know about Orphan Hosting – Part 2
What You Need to Know About God’s Ability and Our Willingness {International Adoption}
Spotlight on International Adoption
What You Need to Know About God’s Ability and Our Willingness
The following was written by Darnell Duncan for her blog darnellduncan.wordpress.com. This excerpt was used with permission.
Have you ever experienced a waiting for something that can’t come fast enough…but is also coming too fast?!?! That’s how I feel right now. I desperately wish I could board a plane tomorrow and bring Claire home NOW! But there are so many details that have to take place between now and our actual travel that I feel like it is coming too quickly. Who knew so much went into overseas travel???
As for our adoption process we are moving right along! We now have our immigration provisional approval and our visas! We are looking at 6-7 weeks until travel right now!!!
CRAZY EXCITING!!!
God Opens Doors
I can’t even begin to express how God has brought us to this point and completely made a way with open doors. He has constantly affirmed His will that we follow this path.
I love knowing that the only way I am able to act on the convictions of my heart is through God’s sovereignty. I typically feel immensely sad when I see pictures of hurting children without families, shelter, food. But it is not my nature to tackle the difficult reality and I feel like it is not within my abilities to do something about it.
He Makes The Way
God is revealing to me that I don’t have to have some supernatural ability because HE DOES. I just need to give Him what I have and come with a willing heart and He will take care of the rest. I don’t want to sound like it is or will be easy, but I do know that our daughter’s tiny little life is so worth doing the hard. Isn’t every child’s life worth it? My heart breaks for every orphaned child who doesn’t have a choice. Millions upon millions…seriously!
We are all so invested in living the American Dream that we don’t think we have time or money or space for one more child. While that one child is waiting for us to pause long enough to let God show us that we are that parent He has chosen for that one child. I know God’s timing is perfect, but it breaks my heart that it took so long for me to see that He wants to use me in this way.
An update a few months later, two weeks after the adoption was finalized:
Tears also flow when I think about the work God is doing in many hearts – moving them toward adoption. I am so encouraged by those that have voiced new desires toward adoption because it reminds me that God is working on us all…one by one. I want to be used by God and I am humbled that He has chosen me to be a voice for His heart for adoption.
He Equips Through Faith
He has chosen many for this work and I am no more equipped than any of you, yet He uses me. I had read once “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called”. To see Him call and then equip, allows us to see His faithfulness. But without ever taking the first step of faith, we will never know what He is capable of equipping us to do. And we will never know what child is missing out on their forever family because we have refused to be willing.
Tears really flow when I think about what my family and I would be missing if we hadn’t been obedient to God’s call to adopt.
Ways People Helped
More tears flow when I think about sooooo many people that have helped us along this journey. God has used numerous people. Many in prayer…many in financial help. Others in encouragement. He has used family and close friends in watching our kids while we were gone and providing meals as we transition. Do you remember my prayer warriors that pray over me each day of the week? I could not walk a Jesus-centered life without them!! They continue to pray for me and I am absolutely privileged to pray for them…they have hearts on FIRE FOR JESUS!! Every ounce of help has not gone unnoticed. I WISH WORDS COULD BETTER EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION FOR ALL OF IT!!!! Chad and I are immensely grateful for the body of Christ that we are a part of because the body we know truly acts as the body Christ intended.
11 Lessons Learned This November about our Calling & Christ’s Love
A Mom Shares Why She Chose to Adopt from Foster Care
Today’s post is from a family who felt the call to adopt and are in the process of going through a local adoption through foster care. They will soon be bringing home a sibling set of four children.
A Mom Shares Why She Chose to Adopt from Foster Care
Spotlight on Local Adoption
by Chantelle Moore
We have always wanted bigger family. Not Duggar big, but somewhere between a basketball team and a soccer team. I (Telly) have just one sibling who is 6 years older, so a lot of times growing up I yearned for siblings who were more like friends. I want my own kids to have more sibling camaraderie than I did.
God’s Call
There are kids everywhere who need help. The bible tells us to take care of the orphans. Not everyone can adopt, we know that. Not everyone is called to, but we DO feel called. Strongly. We may not have a lot of money, but our family is rich in love, support, and friendship. We have a lot to offer kids, especially those that have been taken into the foster system.
Adoption is a perfect picture of the gospel. To take in someone who was not born to you, who hasn’t done anything to deserve a spot in your family, but giving them a home simply because every person is worthy of love.
[Read more…] about A Mom Shares Why She Chose to Adopt from Foster Care
20 Practical Ways You Can Help Orphans Right Now
About 5 years ago God opened my eyes. He had shown me His call to help orphans. I had once lived in my nice warm little bubble and I had closed my eyes tight to the atrocities of this world. I didn’t know that there were children who needed help, orphans who had nothing. How did I not know? You might ask. It wasn’t on my radar because it wasn’t placed in front of my face.
For my entire life I always believed that the people who adopt children did so because they couldn’t have biological children and that these children completed their family. My eyes had been closed tight to God’s call on all of our lives to serve and help orphans. Once my eyes were opened I couldn’t turn my head. I realized that our world is filled with the fatherless – those who want and need families. Then I had a whole new problem. What could I do about it?
My husband and I looked into adopting. We actually explored both international and local (foster) adoption. We quickly realized the difficulties that it presented us – especially because we had 5 small kids all under the age of 10. Our youngest was only about 9 months old. We found out some challenges, at least at the time, made it nearly impossible to adopt. Many countries have laws regarding how many children you can have in your home. It turns out that even our state also had these laws. I think 4 kids was the limit – we already had one “too many”. Some countries had long travel requirements – which just wouldn’t work with the ages of our kids and the special needs of our oldest.
Frustration welled up inside of me. Why had God put this in front of us only to not let us fulfill His call? This question led me to a deeper understanding of this call. We are not all called to adopt, but we all are called to be an advocate for orphans.
[Read more…] about 20 Practical Ways You Can Help Orphans Right Now
What a Sunday in November has to do with Your Purpose
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. Psalm 68:5-6
[Read more…] about What a Sunday in November has to do with Your Purpose
A Mom of 12 Shares the Beautiful Truth about Adoption
A Mom of 12 Shares the Beautiful Truth about Adoption
by
Elizabeth Curry
I’m pleased that Sasha has invited me to share a little bit about our experiences with international adoption. First a bit about me. I teach piano. I love to read. I’m a bit of a brain science junkie. I am on year 21 of homeschooling. And I have twelve children. Sometimes I keep that last one under wraps for a while when meeting new people. It’s easier to get to know each other (ie let the other person think I’m normal for a while) first, because I’ve learned that once that number is out of the bag, that’s all I’m talking about from then on due to the questions and amazement that people have about it.
[Read more…] about A Mom of 12 Shares the Beautiful Truth about Adoption
The Heartbreaking Reality of the Orphan Crisis
How to Know if We are Obeying God’s Call on our Lives
I sat in a crowded movie theater. As I glanced around me, I slunk further into my seat. There was a haze of people surrounding me from every corner and they were raising their hands with questions. One by one they asked Dr. Charles Mully along with the producers and directors of their hit movie, “Mully” questions about why Mully did what he did. I didn’t get to ask a question but I was mulling over God’s call on our lives and what it means for us right now.
[Read more…] about How to Know if We are Obeying God’s Call on our Lives
A Season of Thankfulness & Exploring Our Calling
The month of November has always been a time when our family has found what we’re grateful for and we use this time to express thankfulness. We are able to create lists of lists of the blessings in our lives. Even on Thanksgiving Day, every November, we tell one thing we are thankful for. This is nothing new, and truth be told it isn’t too difficult.
This November I want to do something different. Instead of only looking at our own thankfulness, I want to focus on how God has been speaking to me. I can’t shake the feeling that God is telling us to rise from our slumber and look around us. Look at the world that is hurting. See, perhaps for the first time, the destruction and agony.
[Read more…] about A Season of Thankfulness & Exploring Our Calling
The Smart Mom’s Guide to Surviving Winter
It was four days before Christmas 2012 when I woke up with a 102 fever, my head pulsing. I trembled in my bed as waves of nausea flooded over me. Not wanting to get out of bed, I rolled back my covers and sat up. I knew as a mom of many I had to.
[Read more…] about The Smart Mom’s Guide to Surviving Winter