On to the Kitchen- The Trash Bowl

“How great to work all day for God and in the evening lay down under His smiling eyes” Sarah Edwards

Before Christmas, Sarah, my niece, and I were in DC and went into a Bed Bath and Beyond. OK, I watch little TV, so Sarah mentions this Trash Bowl thing they were selling ( a high priced plastic bowl with the name Trash Bowl 🙂 ) I am like, What in the world is that?

 Sarah enlightens me that it is from TV Cook on the Food Network and that she uses it to put all her trash in, while she is cooking. I was like, huh! that is a great idea, but I do not need to spend $25.00, I have plenty of bowls already in my kitchen that would work 🙂

I am a Messy Cook. I always have been. When I cook, the kitchen looks like a tornado hit it. I like to cook, I just do not pay much attention to the trash around me. This has been an irritation to my husband, who has so gracefully put in the chunk of things about me, he would not try to change 🙂

The trash bowl has been revolutionary for me. I am able to keep for the most part 😉 a clean kitchen as I go. I have to say, it is a stress reliever. i like to cook even more now, because clean up is much quicker. When I am finished with my mess, I just dump the bowl. It feels so good to get rid of the trash so quickly and with ease 🙂 It also makes my hubby happy, which is a plus too 😉

It caused me to think of the trash that I sometimes keep in my life. I may throw it on the floor and know it is there, but the cleaning up part is not so easy. I am so thankful for Savior that became my trash bowl, so that I could walk in freedom and joy. I need to remember to cast my anxioties  and my sin on Him. and not just put it out and not deal with it. Thank you Jesus, for being available at all time to take the mess that is in me. Your recipe for my life is the best when the trash is dealt with quickly.

Laura

 

The Life of Sarah Edwards- Growing in Godliness

For years this woman has intrigued me. I found a message on her on Sovereign Grace and wow, what and encouragement. Years ago I listened to  Noel Pipers teaching on her, so I have included that as well.  Sarah and I listened to this message yesterday as we worked. Listening to sermons and teachings has been one of the things Sarah and I have both been implementing into our days to encourage us in Godliness. I cannot speak for Sarah,  but I personally cannot tell you what a blessing this has been to me to listen to Gospel centered teaching throughout the day. It is a way to preach the Gospel to yourself daily.

For those of you who have never heard of Sarah Edwards, I encourage you to to take the time to get to know her, we have so much we can learn from her.

Sarah Edwards was a lady of the 1700’s. She was the wife of the well known theologian Jonathan Edwards, who would many times be locked in his study for many hours of the day, sometime not even coming for dinner. Sarah was responsible for the the care of 11 children, she was an overseer of all areas of caring for and managing their home. She was indeed the Proverbs 31 woman. I think in the age of self indulgence and a society who desires to seek what feels good in his own mind, I think the life of Sarah has much to teach us as we pursuit God and learn to be more like Him.

Download Legacy of Sarah Edwards

Listen   |   Download  Noel Piper’s take on Sarah Edwards

 

Attending to Our Work- Tidying your Home

Baby Steps is the key. I have gotten on plans before only to burn out, so this time, I am taking baby steps.

Those who know me, know that I am not a neat freak, I have 4 children and a business, but I desire to have a tidy home. I know my stress level is less when my home is clean and I know my husband likes to walk in to a clean home. He is great! He does not require perfection, but there are some simple things that  I can do to make to make our home more of a haven for him. My plan is to go beyond what he expects.

A dear friend of mine Tina Maddox, said something that stuck with me. ” God has charged us with good stewardship, our homes are an extention of this and we should take care of what God has blessed us with.” I thank God , for Godly women in my life that remind me that our homes are a blessing and we should treat them as such 🙂

Something we have started we have begun is the 20 minute clean up! We set the timer and me and the chilren go to town putting stuff away. I can tend to become a clutter queen and then when it gets bad, I feel overwhelmed and ignore the clutter. However, if I tackle it with the help of my children, a little bit at a time, it does not seem so bad.

MicroFiber Rags

These are the best rags ever! I am considering even getting the mop. You can dust with them, you can wipe down counters, and use them on glass. They are amazing!! I put one in every room in the house. It makes quick clean up easy and when they are dirty, you just throw them in the wash.  I got them at Sams, but I think it was a special item.

Another thing we are working on is cleaning  the bathroom after we use it. The 2 minute deal.  It does not take long to wipe down a toilet or sink after we use it.

Be sure the kids get involved! The kids are all in charge of a room everyday. Hannah does the dining room and Hunter and the girls tidy the family room.

Some of this I learned from The Fly Lady . She has some great techniques! When I used it dilegently, is when I got burned out, So now I just take some of it and go with it 🙂 I do like my sink shiny 🙂

More of tidying tomorrow 🙂

Laura

 

Plans for the New Year- Attending to my Work

FINDING THE TIME and SCHEDULING

I thought this was a good place to start, as many of the others fit under this. 

I must admit that, this is an area in my life God has been working on in my life for quite a while. I must admit, at times I have been rebellious doing what I think I should do in my own mind and not allowing God to schedule my day. Some days can get overwhelming, but I have found is that if I allow God to schedule my day, I can fit more things on my plate than if I schedule my own day. We as ladies are call to be helpers, and at times our lists can seem overwhelming and impossible.

I am sure your list may be very different, but here are a few of the things I need to do.

• Read my Bible and spend time with God alone.
• Spend time with Husband 🙂
• Make my bed and straighten my room
• Laundry
• Get kids started on school
• Return emails and make phone calls
• Process weddings and do business stuff
• Motivate and train children to serve and help
• Plan menu for Dinners for the week
• Grocery Shop
• Do tasks for church
• Blog
• Do tasks my husband has asked for.
• Organize a room
• Keep kitchen clean and tidy
• Tidy House (Vacuuming and cleaning)
• Make Dinner
• Exercise
• Minister to those in need and serve in the church.
•  Meet or talk with a an older woman who can encourage me in growing in Godliness
• Spend one on one time with each of my children
• Plan fun activities and social times for children
• Be a good steward with  shopping
• Read to children
• Spend time with Husband
• Nest Home

I personally have always rebelled against schedule, but schedules are good as long as we seek God when to break the schedule. I think there are also ways to make our jobs more efficient, so that as we work through our schedule , we can do it in a way that allows us to do more things in a day.

It helps to know what we have to do. I think we can look at some ways over the next weeks on how to reasonable do all that God has called us to do 🙂 I do not by any means have all this figured out and can learn from you, so please share and let us know ways God has shown you how to accomplish all you have to do 🙂

Laura