We've Moved...

My blog, that is...You can find me over here ---> https://joyfulcontentment.wordpress.com/ I'm still working on getting things set up just the way I'd like them, but from now on, that's where I'll be updating!

Less is More

The first life principle Joel taught me when we were married is, It's better to have more than enough, than not enough. Although in certain cases this is true, like when you are having people over for dinner or planning a kids birthday party; It isn't always true when it comes to stuff. Over the past 7 and a half years we have moved a total of 9 times. I can tell you I pretty much HATE stuff. I've gotten rid of so many things over the years with each move and I can honestly say there was only a handfull of times that I look back and say "I wish I'd never gotten rid of that...". When we moved into this apartment it felt huge compared to the 2 bedrooms we were living in at my fathers house, but alas once it was filled with stuff it felt as though I was suffocating. We've been here 15 months and over that time I've let more go, but still...our stuff is breeding. I need to come up with a good plan on how to displace this stuff from my home on a regular basis. God has been instructing me on the art of contentment. It doesn't come naturally to me, I have to work at it quite often. Being content with my home, content with my clothes, content with the things, content with our finances, content with the toys my kids have...I don't want to waste my life wishing and hoping for the next new thing, the next bigger place, more room in my budget. I want to learn how to be content subtracting when what I really want is to add. Do I want more space? Subtract some stuff. More money in the budget? Subtract some spending. More time with the Lord to dig deep and grow? Subtract some sleep. I want to know this practice so well, that it finally just comes naturally to me.

Simplifying

I am reading a LOT about simplifying my life. I'm focusing and planning more, and as I read so many things that other women are accomplishing, I am motivated. Here are a few of the ways my life has been changing (for the better)

• I've given up drinking soda at home. I've also given up buying drinks at the store, except apple juice and milk. I now make homemade iced tea for Joel and homemade lemonade for me, and I can adjust the sugar and lemon juice to taste. We are also heading into summer drinking a TON of filtered water. I feel amazing lately because of this switch. (and we are saving money!!)
• I'm still waking up at 6am every morning to make Joel his coffee and lunch, but instead of crawling back into bed, I am staying awake, using the time before the kids are up to focus on my day, pray and read the Word, catch up on blogs (which helps to motivate me) and just waste a little time on the computer. So now by the time 9am rolls around, I feel like I've already accomplished so much (and had time to be lazy)
• Joel and I have come up with a menu plan that repeats every week. We will pretty much be having the same meals on the same days every week, with a few variables. When I grocery shop, I buy whats on sale in quantities that will last me 2 weeks to a month so I can make meals ahead, save money and time.
• I've incorporated a Family closet. I am blessed in this tiny apartment with a huge bedroom closet that was previously a disaster and used to store totes. I've since cleaned it out and put in a dresser for the kids clothes so I can put all their stuff away all at once. Our clothes get hung up and casual wear stays in a dresser in our room. This is going to be a time saver for me, and will hopefully keep the kids from pulling everything out of their drawers because they are bored!
• I've gone back to making my own laundry soap. For us as a family, it works out to be about 8 bucks for enough laundry soap for about 3-4 months. It's passed the poopy PJ's test on Micahs clothes, so I know its working good, too!
• I've made a simple daily and weekly cleaning list to follow, with the repeatable chores and what time of day is most practical to do them. I carve out specific time for myself, too, because I know I need to take breaks throughout my day or I will burn out.
• I have made a list of the Few things I know Joel really needs me to do, so that he can feel loved, cared for and respected by me. Each husband is different, each appreciating different things. Joel in a nutshell: Coffee and Lunch made for him, the living room and bathroom picked up so he can walk into a mostly chaos free zone after work, the house kept in a reasonable clean and clutter free state so we can move around unhindered and not knock things over all the time, having me not complain about my entire day, and making sure his 'spots' in the house remain clutter free. He hates clutter, but expects that with children there will be clutter. I'm just aiming to keep it to a minimum and have the toys stay in their rooms.

I've come to realize that even though this place is small, and we are hopefully moving into a bigger place around the end of the summer, I need to use this time as practice. Even when we have more space, it would be so easy to overfill it. I want to keep things simplified. I like visual simplicity in homes. I want room for life to happen.

"Stewing" on some things

I've been thinking, praying, thinking some more about some things going on in my head and heart, trying to gain understanding and insight. I'll write about it soon, when it all comes tumbling out. Prayer would be appreciated as I'm going through all this stuff! :) Hugs to you, my dear friends.

Refuge

I can't put into words what I am feeling. After just having a 10 days with Joel gone for training, I know what it feels like to do this on my own. And the memory of it hurts. Most days I am crying out inside of my head, "I can't do this anymore!!!" I know I must, but its so hard. Some days I'm just so tired, and I look around at the kids and the house and I feel like I can't keep up. Overwhelmed.

Then I read the news about a victim of a shooting who is starting her road to recovery. Having survived a gun shot wound to the head, she is fighting for everything. And I want to give up after some days...I feel so muttled. I want to fight with that same intensity for a life filled with Joy. I want to see what is before me through clear eyes...Not as if I'm looking at my life through a fingerprint smeared window. I want to taste and see that the Lord is Good. Oh, the JOYS of those who take refuge in Him! (psalm 34:8, NLT)

Refuge. This is the year of the Refuge. A woman who inspired me talks of naming each new year. I am inspired. And in this taking Refuge, there I will find my Joy.

Psalm 91, NLT

1Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
8Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.
9If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
11For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
12They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
14The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”

It

This spoke to me today...

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost!
That’s why I chose this way”

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble -
needing God to be my guide

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak
and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed
and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
asking humbly to be taught

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible
but God believes I’m worth it

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache
which is why I seek His name

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I’m loved

Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer

Quiet Time Moments

The phone is ringing, as a friend is waiting on Facebook chat, while two kids are fighting over a doll no one has played with in 6 months and your 1 year old is fishing toilet paper out of the toilet. You run to grab the baby and bring him to wash his hands in the kitchen sink which is overflowing with dirty dishes that you were just too tired to wash after a late dinner last night. The phone keeps ringing over and over and you look down to see your husband has called you 6 times in the last 2 minutes, wanting you to do some research for something online and pay some bills. You get back to the computer to do those things to realize you left your friend waiting, and quickly apologize for having to take care of life, which she completely understands. You get on the web pages you need to for your husband when you realize the baby has an overwhelming stinky diaper and it is almost lunch time, shortly after will be time to get your kindergartner on the bus...

How do we get away from all this to find time to be quiet? How do we as mothers make a peaceful time to communicate with our ever present God? The Maker of world and the Saviour of all mankind longs to spend time with you. He wants to commune with you, speak to you, hear your hearts cry, quench your thirst for living water...when do we find the time? The answer, I am finding, is in every spare moment of the day. As you are doing the dishes, plug your mp3 player into speakers and listen to a worship play list while you wash and rinse. While folding laundry, pray for the burdens on your heart and for those that need an intermediator between Heaven and Earth. While playing with your kids, pray over them, for their futures and their current struggles; invite Jesus to be in your midst. When making decisions, no matter how big or small, ask God for direction...do it with your children so they will grow knowing He is the first one they can turn to in their time of need. When you wake in the morning to a child jumping on your tired body, ask for God's grace for the day. Know that He will be with you for every moment of your day no matter what may come. Invite Him near to you, and spend your entire day in His presence. That is how we find time to draw near to Jesus, or rather, how time finds us. There will be hard days, but you have the comfort of knowing He is already there for you.

God is saying, "Remember Me. Acknowledge Me. It's not always about how much time we have together, It's how often you realize We are together. I am always with you, if you will just quiet your heart for even a moment and let me pour into you."

Habits

I've been creating new little ones lately. Habits, that is. Not babies...we are done creating babies ;) Habits...I have so many of them, lots are bad ones. Ask anyone who knows me well, I squint my face when I'm concentrating or stressed out. See...I'm going it right now. Good thing this isn't a video blog. But lately I've been trying to implement new ones to be apart of my everyday life. Make the bed, Do the dishes every time I go into the kitchen, fold the laundry as soon as it comes out of the dryer...uh...I'll be right back.

Sorry, I looked over at the basket of laundry that I just pulled out of the dryer and thought I should fold it before I continued writing. So yeah, habits are not so easy to form..but I'm learning its about practice and perseverance. And utilizing every free moment and opportunity. With Emma in school now I seem to have about 10 minutes after we've gotten ready and before we have to be downstairs for the bus. The same with getting her off the bus in the afternoon..sure I can use those 10 minutes to check something on Facebook; or I can do up the dishes in the sink real quick or switch laundry...Heck I could probably fold a whole load in 10 minutes if I was really trying hard. I usually prefer to fold laundry while catching up on Bones or Stargate SG-1. Those are my current shows I've been watching. But yes...habits. And I am squinting again...some habits are harder to break than others.

Visions and Dreams

I have had some things churning within my heart. The very beginnings of these things go back 8 years, and I can still picture these things as if they are as near as my last breath. God has put a passion in my heart for speaking and singing, for speaking truth to heal the broken and singing songs of peace and joy, and love for our saviour. I can close my eyes and recall these dreams...so very near and dear to my heart. While worshipping at church on sunday, I felt the Lord speaking to my heart, gently telling me that He has not forgotten those dreams that He had given me...that He has not forgotten what my heart beats for. But I felt so weary at that point, I cried out, "Lord, I'm just so tired. Life is so complicated and I just feel like I will never reach those things which you have destined me to do!!" But of course, it hit me again; the key to opening the door to the future He has called me to: Quiet time with Him to pour into me. I envisioned in that moment a glass pitcher, With clean, cold, crystal clear water flowing into it. It was filled to the top...and overflowing. It was this worship song I was singing at that moment in church, and it was one of those life changing moments:

Dying...and Living

Yesterday we went to Joel's grandfather Roberts funeral. Here is a man, a veteran of World War 2, who survived to come home to have 5 children with his faithful, beautiful wife. One of those children gave birth to my husband, and the thought occured to me yesterday that if he had never come home from that war, if his life had never been spared, I would not have my husband today. Its so profound the impact peoples lives have on the following generations. One of the things that was said of Grandpa was that he was a family man who loved music. He spent all his time providing for his family and spending time with them. His children have wonderful memories of his devotion to them. I want to live like that. I want my devotion to be for my God, my husband and my children. I want my passion to pour out of me and overflow onto them, and onto our friends, our childrens friends, the strangers I meet...I want Gods love to overflow from me. I want to be a special memory in a strangers mind for their life...one that stands out from the rest for an act of kindness or mercy. I want to have Joy that radiates from me, and is contagious. I am so stuck, I feel, in the way my life has been, but really the lack of daily time spent with my God is the glue that is holding me there. I need to break free from the constant striving that is making me do everything in my own strength. I have felt so rock bottom lately, and its only because God is telling me...pleading with me to let go and let Him work through me. I know this, why is it so hard for me. It seem so simple...and yet it always slips from my mind. Now is when I have to start the habit of doing it every day. Of taking the quiet moments I have, however few they are, and asking God to guide me, to use me for His Glory and Will. Why does such a simple thing seem so difficult for me?!

As I write this with such intensity, Micah comes walking down the hallway, walking crooked and out of step as if he's trying to gallop. He looks at me and talks some jibberish...and I smile. I love him. I love my little girls that are driving me crazy this morning, that are guilty of having too much energy and are sentenced to their room until it is clean. I love my life. And I want to Live it.