Helpful posts

I ran across some blog posts this week that were a blessing to me. Perhaps you will find them helpful, too.


The Summer My Parents Turned Off the Computer

Can extended family impact a child's faith? My Mamu sure did!

Focused discipleship

Parenting takes real commitment. It takes some "on our knees" time. I want to do better and be more purposeful in guiding my children and teaching them scripture. Do you have ways that you share your faith with your children? Please share in the comments! I am anxious to grow in this area.

Chore grid

Most children's chore charts do not meet my expectations. I am sure my standards are too high lol. I am trying to teach my children how to properly do various jobs, but often, I find it easier to just do it myself. However, as my husband often reminds me, you cannot run a house of eight singlehandedly. My kids are willing to help, but they get frustrated if they think they are stuck with loading the dishwasher for the rest of their lives! So I found an easy way to rotate jobs, but only have one chart.

I made a list of all the jobs that need to be done to keep the house running smoothly. I probably missed some, but it's a good start. I then broke the jobs up into small portions. I didn't write "clean the bathroom" but broke it into scrub toilets, scrub sinks, scrub tub, sweep floor. Now all the jobs can be done in ten minutes or less. I have had to accept the fact that a poorly scrubbed toilet is better than a toilet not scrubbed. They will get better with practice and direction.

I opened up a spreadsheet and created a six day grid (no Sabbath.) I typed in all the jobs and color coded them. Purple is for everyone, turquoise is mom, red, yellow, green, and blue are kids' jobs. They pick a color at the beginning of the week and do, for example, all the red jobs for the week. Then they pick a different color the next week.

I have included a link to my chart below. It is specifically for our family, and includes scheduled baking. Feel free to use the idea to create one with your family's jobs. If someone else thought of this, well, great minds think alike. :)


Download chore grid here.

The power of a wife

We women do not often realize the great power we have in our role as wives. The home rises aand falls on the woman. The tone and atmosphere is set by her. The spiritual compass is often in her head. The ability to influence and build up her husband lies squarely on her shoulders. She holds the charms needed to keep him happy at home.

The word for virtuous in Proverbs 31 is chayil. In strongs concordance, it refers to the force of an army, virtue, valor, and strength. She is a force to be reckoned with. She is no delicate flower.

But this power can be easily abused. She can use it for manipulation. She can coerce her husband to do as she wants. She can put on a self righteous attitude and cast judgement on her husband. She can nag, whine, and complain. Shame on her if she does.

She can also use her great power and influence to build her husband up. She can realize that it is within her power to enable him to fulfill his role in the kingdom. He may not reach his full potential without her help. Though she has great strength, she must use it wisely, delicately even.

Her first stop must be her knees. She must ask the Father how she can do this great job. He may give some surprising answers. For example:

When you have a problem or concern with your husband, bring it to Me. He responds better to flanking manuevers than frontal attacks. I can handle him, and I know just how to get his heart.

Spar with him sometimes. Sometimes he needs a little healthy conflict. Sometimes he needs to blow off a little steam. He needs to know that you can take it and not get offended or emotionally hurt. He needs an equal, not a doormat.

When I give you words fitly spoken for your husband, use them, but don't overuse them. A sentence or two that shows him his fault can be very effective. A paragraph or two can be downright destructive.

Be patient with him. Yes, mostly he's just a boy in big pants. Love him for it. Don't try to mother him.

Protect him from the world, particularly the world of women. Encourage honesty without judgement. Give those strange women a run for their money.

Make him think that all the great ideas originated with him. Plant the seeds and let him think that he did.

Love him like crazy, no matter what. You hold all the cards. Please help him to succeed.

Ask YHVH how you can help your husband to be all that he can be. You may be surprised at the answers you get.

Simple woman's daybook

Join the daybook fun here.http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...It is quite dark outside, but the fireflies are flitting about like little fairy stars. I just reunited a momma goat with her baby. They ended up on opposite sides of the fence.

I am thinking...that it is a very weird sensation to be peed on.

I am thankful...that Noah weighs a whopping 12 lbs 4 oz. He is gaining well over the recommended ounce a day. That is great, since all my babies tend to be skinny.

From the learning rooms...We are spending the summer working diligently on our math and reading skills.We are using the early learning program from Jones Geniuses, which I highly recommend. I am so pleased with their progress. Each of them went to Amazon with me to pick out a book. I will buy it for them when they finish the reading program.


In the kitchen...My sourdough needs fed, and I need to finish mopping the floor. I am dehydrating some oregano.

I am wearing...a brown maternity tshirt (love those maternity tops!) and a hot pink batik skirt. I even found a barrette to put in my hair. Good things happen when you clean out the bathroom drawers lol.

I am creating...I'm working on a little ebook about parenting. I also need to do some editing on my beginning reader Torah Genesis and coordinate the illustrations.

I am going...crazy! Nah! Just kidding, I'm not going anywhere.

I am wondering...what I should fix for dinner tomorrow.

I am reading...The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain. I think it would make a great living book for high school geography.

I am hoping...to get some cucumbers planted this week. I know I'm way behind schedule, but I still have to try.

I am looking forward to...a nap. What a delicious luxury that would be!

I am hearing...fans running.

Around the house...I have been grouping like items together in boxes. For example, I designated a box for first aid supplies, and another for a 72 hour kit. I'm feeling ornery, if I throw in extra paper towels, can I call it a 73 hour kit?
One of my favorite things...chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream

A few plans for the rest of the week: finish the last garden box, help Doug figure out how to finish the passive solar heater, and actually be comfortably ready for Sabbath this week.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Two words

I have a lot of great pics to share, so I thought this would be a good opportunity for a two words post. Enjoy!

momma love

late arrival

broken dryer

my garden

chocolate-chip pancake