Setting the Tone

It's my responsibility. 

"She looks well to the ways of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness." (Prov 31: 27)

 

 

 

Defined:  prevailing character or style, as of manners, morals, or philosophical outlook: the liberal tone of the 1960's. (dictionary.com)

 

 

It's a habit that takes time to cultivate...

"Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time."

-Mark Twain

Where I go for inspiration.    And here as well. 

 

 

 

Oh Father in Heaven, grant me the desire of my heart to cultivate a peaceful heart and home. 

Amen. 

 

 

My Homemaking Journal

Inspiration comes when one is looking.  I found it here and here this week. 

I am going to create my own homemaking journal, in addition to my fledgling nature and travel journals. I do not want to forget these years, as they are the best years of my life.  A blog is nice, but my children can't hold it in their hands when I am gone. 

Here are some pictures of what I've done so far.  I would like to have a notebook with thicker paper, but for now, this is what I have to use. 

Here are a few pages on the inside. 

I love maps and this one is of one of my favorite places.

I found images from travel brochures I collected this summer. 

Don't they look like a fun couple?

More Thoughts on the Simple Life

A good blogging friend of mine came up with a terrific idea.  She challenged her family to purge their belongings by filling up a box before Sunday, when they plan to go to Good Will next.  This truly is an inspired, most excellent idea. 

So, I said to my family, "Let's do the same!"  To which I got the standard luke-warm response.  I even tried to tie an award to the box, like ice cream.  A little more interest was generated, but no one volunteered to go first.  The box is empty. 

I see this "love of stuff" that my children have as my biggest obstacle to getting a more simple life.  And the root of this problem lies with me.  Yes, that is right.  It is all my fault. 

When they were babies, I allowed very generous, excited grandparents to sow the seeds of covetousness.  Every birthday and Christmas I allowed these seeds to be watered.  Every summer, once a week when Grandma came bearing gifts, I allowed the seeds to take root.   It would have been so easy to cut out these weeds way back then.  But, I too was in love with stuff and so I did not heed the warnings along the way. 

My daughter is the worst offender of hoarding stuff.  No one can walk through her room.  I have tried for many years to organize her. As I've said her love of stuff is causing strife between the two of us.   Again, I am to blame.  I would like to blame her father or her own tendency to be disorganized.  But I had the power long ago and I did nothing. 

It would be tempting to be very discouraged.  It is true that alone I have no hope of change.  Ah, but I am not alone.  I read these words from Genesis 18:14 this morning, "Is anything too hard for the LORD?"  There is my answer.  Nothing is too hard for the LORD!  Perhaps, if it pleases my King, he will help my family to win this battle with excess.  Already, I see big changes in my husband and myself.  (We are only months away from being debt free by the grace of God!) 

So, I am going to get that box out and challenge them again.  This time with no awards, just the simple pleasure that comes from having fewer things to manage.  I will start the giving myself.  I will not whine, nag or badger them into compliance.  I will pray and wait on the LORD to move. 

~Jenn

Duneland Harvest Festival Pictures

Nature Never Did Betray...

"Nature never did betray...
The heart that loved her, is her privilege
Through all the years of this our life to lead
From joy to joy;for she can so inform
The mind that is with us; so impress
With quietness and beauty; and so feed
With lofty thoughts, that neither evil tongues
Rash judgements, nor the sneers of selfish men
Nor greetings where no kindness is, nor all
The dreary intercourse of daily life,
Shall ere prevail against us; or disturb
Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold
Is full of blessings."
~ Edith Holden
The Nature Notes of an Edwardnian Lady

So What is Simple, Anyway?

There is something stirring in my heart, a yearning for a life not grand or sophisticated; unpretentious: a simple way of life.  So I began to do some research, spending time pondering everything that I do.  Why do I do this?  Could I do it in a way that is less complicated?  Do I really need all these things?  Do I really?  The answer is obvious.  No, I do not need all these things! 

Stuff is enemy number one of the simple life.  Take for example camping.  When we go camping, which is quite often, I bring along the minimum of essential basics.  My kids also bring along a few books and toys which is a minute representation of their belongings.  Normally this amount of stuff would not satisfy us, however, when we are camping we are content with less.  And peace comes flowing in abundance. 

Now, I have noticed how this peace affects us.  We are happier.  We are free from our stuff!  No one complains about not having more stuff.  No one argues over the stuff they do have.  Stuff has lost its power over us.  So, I got to thinking,"Why can't this be the same way at home where we spend most of our time?" 

That's an awesome question.  Why do I let our stuff control us?  Why?  It is only stuff, but it controls us!  And, I don't think we have more stuff than the next fellow either.  In fact, we've moved several times in the last few years and I have purged and purged and purged some more.  We don't even have a garage at the moment, so that option to hoard stuff is not available.  Yet still, our stuff is in control. 

How can I change this?  I know there is no one simple answer.  (Hee, hee.  I see a pun here.)  I am praying for divine guidance for I know my answer will come from Him and not from the world.  I am praying for the courage to get rid of some things that are going to be hard to get rid of but will ultimately free us. 

I believe the control stuff has over me is linked to my covetous heart.  I see the bitter fruit of this in my children's lives, as they have such a love for getting more stuff.  Ashamedly, it is a love that I once nurtured.  I have repented and am praying that they too will see the need for repentance some day. 

On a happier note, I have made one small discovery this week in my quest for simplicity bringing such joy to my heart that I must share it.  I don't need extra decorative pillows on my bed!  Eliminating those pesky pillows has really simplified making the bed.  Also, the dust they collected over the years is gone, helping my allergies.  Beginning my day without being frustrated by pillows is a beautiful thing. 

I am giving myself permission to simplify.  I am keeping my eyes open for things that are in need of a new home.  I will win this war against stuff.  I will! 

Blessings to you and yours as we travel this journey together,
Jenn

Simple Quotes

The sweetness of life lies in usefulness, like honey deep in the heart of a clover bloom.

~Laura Ingalls Wilder