Early Easter Morning

It's early on Resurrection Sunday. I was tossing and turning in bed...wondering if pregnancy is causing one of those frustrating nights of insomnia. When the clock finally turned to 5am, I decided to get up.

I puttered quietly around the home...sweeping up the crumbs from last night's dinner...putting a wet load of laundry into the dryer...putting small treats in baskets in the middle of the dining room table...refreshing the pillows on couches...plucking up stray small pieces of toys.

After looking around and declaring it "good", I sat on the couch with my Bible.

I turned to John 20 and saw that "on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb."

I smiled as I too am up early before dark on the first day of the week...Mary was probably going there because she was grieving and stressed and sleep wouldn't stay. She probably felt a darkness of soul that mirrored the darkness of that early morning hour.

But the stone had been rolled away. Anxiety increased (don't we always think the worst must have happened?!)...has his body been moved or stolen? Frantic running around to find other disciples to tell. No answers. Sobbing and weeping.

Jesus found her there. In her messy weeping and sadness and fear. He asked about her tears that early morning and listened to her heart. He called her name: "Mary!" And she believed!

I find it precious this morning that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who had JUST conquered all of sin and death and evil and darkness quietly approached a weeping woman in distress and comforted her with His living presence. No giant fanfare and no running to tell the religious and political authorities, "I told you so!"....He came to His dear friends and offered them Peace.

Grace and Peace and Resurrection Presence to you this Easter morning...He sees you and also is calling your precious name!

Living Quietly

"to make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you,"

I Thessalonians 4:11 (Amplified)

I have been thinking a lot about living quietly and peacefully.

What does that look like?

I am trying to live it out right now by staying at home as much as possible, focusing on building relationships of love and respect with my husband and children, turning off the TV, and keeping out as much "noise" from the world as possible.

I am seeking (and often failing!) to live in trust and faith in the Lord even when I don't feel great or our money is tight or plans don't work out...to be at peace in my relationship with Him and others...forgiving quickly when I am hurt and asking forgiveness when I have hurt others.

I am trying to "mind my own affairs" and not other people's. Choosing to look to my own vision of what I know the Lord is calling me to do in this season of life. Home management, homeschooling, and also hospitality when I feel able.

"Working with my hands"...cleaning and simplifying my home. Sewing and simple crafting. Cooking good food. A plan to go strawberry picking and make freezer jam. I also hope to plant some basic herbs and some pots of Roma tomatoes.

It's encouraging to think that God is calling us to simplicity and peace...that his tender commands bring us life and health and wholeness. We are the ones who choose the complicated and over-extended lives...finding these simple principles of living makes our days deliberate, focused and do-able...not to mention a greater sense of peace and joy too.

Gentle Mornings

Ahhh, mornings.

Good organic coffee in vintage yellow mug.

Note cards for writing down lists and chores.

A library book for inspiration.

Computer.

Window open to let in cool breeze.

It feels good to feel good again!

Little Boys' Summer Wardrobe

I have been contemplating how to make my young boys' summer uniforms simple. Summertime is so hot here and the weather gets so humid, that cotton t-shirts and shorts seem to be the most logical. Yet I do get tired of screen-printed characters and boring stripes that seem to be the only choices in most stores.

I was re-perusing The Creative Family this morning and found the solution for my boy-clothing dilemma:

Freezer Paper Stenciling!

I plan on buying each boy a package of plain Hanes white t-shirts and paint each one with a colorful silhouette of something that they love (I am sure that will include frogs, lizards, snakes or other creepy things!)

Add to that some inexpensive solid-colored knit shorts and I think we are set for summer!

Recipes for Spring Homeschooling

This is my favorite time of year to homeschool. The winter doldrums and disillusions have faded and in its place is the beauty and energy and warmth of Spring! This is the time that I don't cling tightly to "the plan" because when you have sunny skies, low humidity, and mid-70's, you head outside!

Here is our family's annual Spring Homeschooling recipe:

1 quilt

An assortment of pillows

5 field guides

1-2 butterfly nets

Magnifying Glass

Journals for whoever wants them

Pencils

James Herriot's Treasury for Children

As many kids as you have

Head outside on an perfect-weather-day. Set up quilt and pillows in any way you want. Grab some simple field guides....trees, caterpillars, bugs/spiders, butterflies, birds, wildflowers for reference. Lay around with your children looking for whatever you can find...birds in the trees, butterflies flitting, little buggies creeping through the grass (that's when a Magnifying Glass is nice!). Draw what you see in your journal...but only if you feel like it. Chase butterflies and hope to catch one. Flop back down and listen to Mama read some of James Herriot's wonderful animal stories. Enjoy the sun and the breeze. Laugh, tickle, watch clouds. Wonder at creation!

Similar One -Ingredient Recipes:

• Check out a local State Park
• Hike a Trail
• Visit a local farm
• Go Biking
• Go Camping
• Go Fishing
• Walk around your city
• Plant something

Hope these recipes will help keep your homeschooling fresh and invigorating...nurturing good health and relationships too!

Off to Camp!

My 3rd child is turning 8 on Friday so what better way to celebrate than to head down to the beach and camp for three nights? The weather is going to be upper 70's...blissful! And Hunting Island is so beautiful and has so many fun things to do.

Bike riding.

Feeding deer.

Catching sea animals.

Climbing the lighthouse.

Fishing.

Nature Center.

Lowcountry Boil.

Sand.

More sand.

It's going to be a fabulous time!

image by sfgirlbybay

Books to Re-read

Do you have books that you read regularly? Yearly? Again and Again?

I have some books that seem to be like dear friends...I always return to those that inspire, encourage, and build me up in the vision of home and family.

Here is my growing list:

Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss

For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

For the Family's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer

Margin by Dr. Richard Swenson

A Mother's Heart by Jean Fleming

Living More With Less by Doris Janzen Longacre

Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenison

Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Do share what books that you find yourself drawn to again and again in your mothering and homemaking journey?

Finding My Mothering Heart Again

After many years of giving and sacrificing for my young ones, I hit a season of burnout. The non-stop years of tending little ones took its toll on my mind, emotions and spirit and I found myself in a place of neglect on many levels. It took me about a year or so to fully recover from that time, and it's a place I never want to revisit.

Unfortunately now, I can find myself creating emotional distance between myself and my children. Fearing that getting to close and serving them well will lead me down a dark road again. I know that's not true in my head...the truth about burnout was my pride that I could do it all, that I didn't need help, and that God would support and provide strength for my independent ways. I now have my life ordered in such a way that I have margin, help from others, and consistent time set aside for quiet planning and focus.

However, I have gotten lazy in my mothering this past year. Even though I am with my children every day homeschooling and living life together, I know I am often distracted in mind and heart. I know that unconsciously I have been viewing my children as an interruption to my life and my goals and can feel the creeping in of resentment when they seem too "needy".

I was saddened by this state-of-heart and knew that the Lord has been calling me to refocus and find my mothering heart again. It dimmed and was bruised during the season of burnout. I do well at intentional homemaking, but mothering? Oh, that relational giving and sacrifice can feel so hard and overwhelming to me.

So I decided to see if some other women would want to get together to discuss these mothering issues. It has resulted in getting together with a handful of other moms on Thursday nights to discuss Sally Clarkson's book Mission of Motherhood (and Sally's blog posts on mothering this past month have been absolutely amazing and encouraging! as have been Tonia's too!)

My heart is gently being led back to the heart of mothering that I once held so dear. And God is healing me in such a way that I know I can trust Him and His Sovereign Goodness as I embrace a call to servant motherhood. I am beginning to think intentionally again as to how I can really love my children in the small and simple. Modeling care, compassion, and service just as Jesus did with his disciples.

Tonight it begins with our Friday Family Movie Night. Normally the children watch a movie on their own and Mike and I retreat to our bedroom. But tonight we will watch a family movie together...and I am putting together a tray with popcorn put in these cool bags, boxed movie-theater-style candies, and IBC Root Beer bottles (with cool straws!) for everyone.

It's a small act of love that I know will thrill my children and it opens up my heart wider towards them and to enjoy their pleasure.

related:

"making the everyday beautiful"

order and routine: making straight paths for peace part 2

the sacrifice of love