Day 11-Martha Challenge

I did take down all the living room curtains with the help of Emily. We wiped down and oiled the wooden dowel as well.
Lauren had just cleaned the living room windows a couple weeks ago. So done.

Day 10- Martha Challenge

I had to split Day 10 into a few days. My living room scrubbing is taking a lot out of me. I worked on one wall and then went to a baby shower and worked 8 hours.
Today I scrubbed half of another wall but all the furniture I moved was filthy and I unearthed a lot of dust bunnies. I scrubbed out the inside of my coffee table which is three wooden cubbies and 2 doors. I still have far to go. Monday is the actual day of this challenge. I'm not sure I will finish but will try to break it into manageable chunks in between VBS drop offs, piano lessons, VBS pick up, more piano lessons and teaching a class in the evening. Scrub, scrub, scrub.

Great Giveaway

Hurry! This giveaway expires on August 15th!
These are wonderful planners that have really blessed our family.
You can enter through this website
http://www.wellplannedday.com/contest02.php

Sorry I can't get the link to enable. If you type the address in your browser you will see the giveaway.

Day 9- Martha Challenge

Todays' Challenge has us finishing up in the kitchen. Woo Hoo! I di the floor which is always very difficult for me. I never really feel like it's clean unless I get on my hands and knees and clean it with a scrubby sponge and towel. I wind up hot, sweaty and worn out. I did it anyway. Now the kitchen nearly sparkles.

I forgot to mention on my challenge yesterday while cleaning out the drawers in the kitchen I had an interesting find. We have a cabinet with a stack of four drawers. I guess I had not taken all 4 drawers out at the same time before and we found all kinds of things that got pushed into the back of the unit. My husband took out grocery bags, trash, straws and 3 sippy cup lids. Not unusual? Well my "babies" are 21, 13 and 11. Who knows how long those lids were back there. No wonder I always had cups and no lids. Apparently that is where all the sippy cup lids go to escape. I was fully expecting him to start to pull out all the socks we haven't been able to find over the years.

Day 8-Martha Challenge

Well this was a bright spot in the challenge for me. It taught our family quite a lesson. There are several drawers (silverware, utensils, towels) that I have regularly been cleaning out. I knew this would be a great teaching moment so I had my kids time me on the drawers that were maintained. It took about 2-3 minutes to empty, wipe out and reload. The drawers that were not maintained took about 10-15 minutes. Some were so bad that they needed to soak and I just put all the junk in a bag to deal with later because none of it belonged in the kitchen.

The lesson was if we maintain our home the cleaning of it will be faster and easier. When we let our homes go then it takes a lot of time and elbow grease to get them back in order. In fact this can be said for hearts as well. When you spend regular time with the Lord your heart is ready to hear from Him and ready to obey. When you allow a lot of time to go by without digging in His Word or speaking to Him your heart just needs a lot more tending.

Day 7-Martha Challenge

I did it! I did it! I pulled everything out of my pantry. My husband vacuumed it out and I wiped down all the shelves. I put everything back in this morning after work.

That challenge was really eye opening. I thought I had somewhat of a system but apparently it was not very effective. I found 4 jars of honey not including the ones in the tea cabinet. I found 4 bags of powdered sugar. Last week when my son had his birthday, his sister and I were discussing frosting and almost bought powdered sugar because we didn't know we had any. Oi!

I feel like I am earning money because I am finding and grouping foods and suddenly have a lot of menu ideas.

I feel like I'm losing weight as I get rid of unneeded and unused items and garbage. We have made 2 trips to Goodwill and taken out 3 bags of trash from the kitchen and I feel like I have personally lost 20 pounds.

I feel like I can think more clearly. They say a clutterd home is a sign of a cluttered mind. Well conversely my ordered kitchen is reflected in my ordered thinking. When I open up my cabinets I feel a cool breeze flow through my mind. I know the rest of my family feels it too because when they open up the pantry they take a deep breath. My eldest is not due home for another week and a half. I'm hoping she feels the same way too. Because I love an ordered home but really am hoping to bless my family with a well functioning and ordered home. They don't need to notice it. They just need to not notice all the clutter and lost time spent looking for lost items.



I already started on today's task and I think this one will be just a bit easier. The last few days have been really hard work but tit's worth it and everyone is learning to tolerate the process. Tomorrow is the last day in the kitchen. If I can get our computer to work with our camera I will post after shots of my kitchen.

Off to dig up lost treasures in drawers.

Day 6 - Martha Challenge

Who knew I had 6 bottles of poppy seeds. Well now I know and I guess you do too. Well at least I had 6 bottles until this newest challenge: To clean out the kitchen cabinets. Whew!!!! This one took hours and hours. I spent 2 hours Friday, 2 hours this morning, 1 hour this afternoon and my husband is helping me with the last cabinet as we speak. We have 16 kitchen cabinets. Some of them I am ashamed to say haven't been cleaned out in the 13 years we have lived here. I couldn't even reach the backs of them and my husband again rescued me. What a dear soul.

We have taken out 2 large bags of trash and have 1 huge bag for Goodwill.

Mary challenge was very effective. My husband and I used it on Saturday and will continue to do so. He got more done on Saturday than he has in the last 4 weeks put together. It gave him a lot of focus. Yay!!

Day 5-Martha Challenge

Today is my son's 13th birthday. We celebrated during the day as I need to go to work this evening so not a lot of time to elaborate on the Mary challenge but the Martha challenge is done.

I cleaned the kitchen window and when we went to remove the window treatment I noticed the curtain is hugely torn. My husband told me to replace it not repair it so I bought the above valance from Amazon.

Mary Challenge-priorites God, husband, children, home. I know there is more with ministries, friends, hobbies, etc but I have so much to concentrate on with the main 4 I want to concentrate on those before I add more priorities. Thank the Lord it is summer and I don't have to add schooling to the priorities. Whew... off to work.

Day 4-Martha Challenge

Whew that was a tough challenge. Cleaned out the oven and broiler. It's not perfect but it is super improved.

I also cleaned the microwave and because I generally keep this one up it is fairly gleaming!

Mary challenge completed as well.

See you tomorrow. (It's my son's 13th birthday so we'll see how the challenge goes...

Day 3-Martha Challenge

Yay!! I wiped down the top of the fridge and all my kitchen cabinets. I have a lot approx 20 cabinets and a large pantry so this took a bit. I was worn out and they were neglected so I did the best I could and as I keep on top of it I can get layers off. They are shellacked wood so you can't scrub too much. The resin starts to soften and come off.

I also did the Mary challenge but the answers are private as the family was sharing their heart. This is my blog and not theirs so I will keep the comments private.

Day 2-Martha Challenge

I love this challenge. I had a very busy day and did not have any time home until 7pm. I need to go to bed at 830-9p because I work the night shift tonight. I would have not done any house work but because of the challenge I pushed myself a bit.

It was quite challenging and seemed overwhelming but I just kept at it and now we have a gleaming fridge and I am thankful.

Off to sleep and another day.

Day 1 -Martha Challenge

Allposters.com by Moulton


Day 1-31 Days to Clean
Mary Challenge: Here is my mission statement. I did it up in many colors and put little drawings throughout but here it is:

I want to make our home a haven so:

-my family can rest and be blessed. Mike can be encouraged and recharge. He can inspire and be inspired

-my children can grow in grace and love to flourish in this world as faith-filled members that are well equipped for all God has for them to do.

-We can glorify God in all that we do

"A noble woman watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness" Proverbs 31:27

"She set about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for the task" Proverbs 31:17

"God is able to make all grace abound in you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8

Martha Challenge:Completed

Martha Challenge Prep

OK, tomorrow's the day. If you have your book and a willing heart then I think you are ready.

I read the intro today and was stunned by the quote "The heart of our homes is not in the ability to keep it perfect at all costs; the heart of a home is love. We line in a thing, a non-eternal structure that needs to be maintained. The thing is worthless without the life we bring to it and through it.

Can I hear an AMEN??!!??

We are foregoing perfection; we are choosing life.-Sarah Mae

WOW and Challenge

WOW!! I can't believe it's been almost 2 years since I have updated this blog. I won't even bore you with all my excuses. So anyway.....
I saw a challenge on some other blogs that begins tomorrow, Monday, August 1st.. so let's go!

The Challenge is based on the book 31 Days to Clean Martha Challenge. I already have the book on my Kindle so I'm ready to go. Here is the blog from the Author of the book. The ebook is $4.99 and avail on the website below.
http://raisinghomemakers.com/


See you Monday for Day 1

Estrada Update

ESTRADA UPDATE

photo from allposters.com


I have been absent from my blogging community for several months. Life can be very busy and I have my priorities straight. God-Husband-Children-Self-House-Community-Blog. Blog comes in 7th. Here's what we have been up to.
Mikey- We are gearing up to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary this month. I am more in love with him than ever. He is a wonderful, amazing man and I am privileged to spend a lifetime with him.

ring from applesofgold.com

Lauren-Just finished her first year of college. She had several setbacks with her health but finished with straight vowels!

Matthew-Bridged from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. He joined a wonderful Troop through our church and they have welcomed him with open arms. Two weeks ago he finished his first ever sleep away camp. He attended a week long camp in Lake Arrowhead. We are thankful for the leaders and counselors that helped him through this difficult transistion. We are thankful for all the prayers of friends and family that literally got him through the week minute by minute. Matthew is braver, learned many new skills and appears taller.

Emily-Finished 3rd grade this year and is spending all her time doing "projects". She comes up with a lot of things to do and to organize. I never know what I will wake up to. She also enjoyed a week of VBS through our church and swim lessons.
We have also been painting all the kids rooms one by one and have completed the majority of the painting.
This week we have a visitor. Lauren's cousin from Kansas is visiting for 1 week while Lauren, Curtis and Ryan went to the XGames four days in a row.

Don't Quit

Our wonderful Pastor Zac Nazarian challenged us with these words this past weekend. He begins his sermon by coming out and saying he has a word for someone or possible several people and that is Don't Quit! I wanted to jump up and ask "Which part?" Don't quit the de-cluttering, the diet, the attempts at effective prayer, trying to be a faithful servant, encouraging wife, patient mother, persistant homeschool teacher, dedicated cook, attentive driver all around town with loads of distraction or full time triage nurse? Which one? All of them? His sermon did not build on this premiss. He went on to talk about something else wonderful and appropriate.

But he had me thinking...and since then I have considered quitting so many things. This is only Tuesday. His words just keep coming back. I am continuing on the path that God has set me on. I don't think about quitting for the typical reasons. I just get pulled away from my focus. I allow myself to get pulled away from my focus. No matter how much I plan there is always a pebble on the path. This past week we had a one day notice that inspectors were coming to our home escorted by a family member. My house did not seem presentable enough to me. Everything was cast aside so we could marathon clean for one night. Unfortunately the inspector found termites and we had 2 days notice to clear all food stuffs including refrig and freezer, pack up kids, dogs, hamster, fish and spiders. Again all is thwarted for our new focus. While we were evacuated I got the stomach flu. Our family of 5 was in 1 hotel room. Not a nice place to have the flu. It was very difficult to get moved back in as I was trying to bounce back with very little bounce.

So now It is one week later and I feel like a month has passed. I forgot what my focus was at the beginning of last week. So it seems easier to just move on but wait.....Don't quit!!!

So now I need to regroup and put my feet back on the path. Don't quit. Back on my declutter plan...back to the diet. I have to weigh in tomorrow and am not looking forward to it. The potential shame could keep me away. Don't quit!

Have you heard of the JOY principle? Put Jesus first, then Others, then You.

So devotions come first-steeping my mind in the word of God and keeping up with my Bible Study

Husband and children-Cut my husband's hair and have Gatorade for Him for his fast tomorrow and his uniform ready for Jiu Jitsu.

Children-keep up the snuggle time, PE and really be present for them.

Me-Declutter both body and home.

For the decluttering I plan on starting with trash and vacuuming.
Back to Weight Watchers in the morning. No excuses. Don't quit!

Prayer

Picture from allposters.com entitled The Virgin of the Rocks, The Virgin with the Infant St John, Adoring-the Infant Christ.

Prayer

I have been reading 2 books which issue the same challenge. Is God trying to show me something? The challenge is to spend 1 hour per day in prayer. As I read about this idea I thought I would share the aspects of prayer considered in these books.

The thought of spending one hour of prayer seems to me a discipline in self-control. Trying to control my thoughts Heavenward for one hour would be difficult. I would be distracted and recentering my thoughts over and over. I started reading about a prayer plan that takes a few minutes to concentrate on different aspects of prayer. This I can do!

Over the next few days-weeks-months I thought I would focus on the different aspects of prayer. To begin we will start with Praise and Adoration. I thought the photo above was perfect. It is the Blessed Mother Mary adoring her precious Jesus. We, too, can adore and focus on Him frequently. My next post will be on specifics of Praise and Adoration. For now, let us purpose in our hearts to spend some time daily sitting at His feet.

Happy New Year!

The best band in the world, U2, has a line in their song "New Year's Day" that says, "Nothing changes New Year's Day". In one respect it is very true. It is just another day. Nothing neccessarily changes. Another Thursday. But it can be a point of change. It is a measurement; a day of remembrance similar to a birthday. You can retrospect and consider if you are where you want to be. Where God wants you to be.

My birthday comes 1 month before New Year's Day so sometimes I feel like I'm getting a one - two punch. This year was especially tough. I turned 40 this month. I don't think 40 is very old I just thought I would be in a different place by now. I remember my parents turning 40 and they seemed like grown ups. I still have so far to go and feel I haven't made that much progress in my life challenges.

My closest friend assures me she has seen positive changes and thinks I have come far. My husband agrees. I don't really see it but I will trust them.

Two days later I received some bad news that caused me further introspection to the point of withdrawing from my friends and family for a few days. Then I heard a sermon which I refer to in the previous post. I pulled myself up by the boot straps and turn around and here is another day of introspection. Enough! I can't look within even one more moment. I am so imperfect, falling on my face day after day. I look up and see a Perfect Father who I can fall on my face in praise, thankfulness and prayer.

If this day drives you crazy, drives you to excess or drives you to self condemnation...let it drive you to your knees in prayer.

Happy Day that the Lord has made...Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Walking With God

"I'm walking with the Lord!"...."How's your walk?" These are comments you hear in Christian conversation but today as my husband and I were talking about a sermon we heard we were wondering how to respond to the sermon. My husband said "Just walk with God." I said, "Aren't we already doing that?" and then "What does that mean anyway?"

I always thought of myself and God, arm in arm, walking along with big strides and singing "Friendship, friendship, it's the perfect blendship.." All of a sudden I was taken with the notion of walking with God. Not a blending of wills, You lead, then I'll lead, then You can lead again. But allowing God to lead and following with Him in His steps.

I was also reminded of Psalm 119 that says Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. My husband and I go camping at the Kern River every year. The campground is situated between two mountain ranges and there is utter darkness every night. If we need to go to the bathroom at night you absolutely must take a flashlight. You could not see 6 inches ahead of you in that darkness.

If you found yourself on a narrow path with a cliff on either side and darkness all around. You would pay such close attention to your guide (perhaps even cling to him) and keep that light concentrated exactly where it needs to be; on each step. We are on a narrow path and have the Perfect Guide who does keep us in His perfect will. We must cling to our Guide, listen for where to place each step. Do not go off on your own. Keep His Word nearby, read it and obey it for it illuminates each step with truth.

Now walking with God seems more an intimate dance where He hears the music and He leads. I must follow with an obedient and trusting heart. Where He leads I will follow. His ways are perfect and beyond our understanding. When He places your foot let it not be moved. Don't even shift your toes! He will lead you safely until He takes you Home.

America

I am bleary eyed with exhaustion but needed to send this out. This photo was taken in 1918 in Iowa. There are 18,000 men making up this picture. Isn't it amazing what 18,000 men can do when they work together? God Bless America.

PS I will be updating soon with news of grads, Vietnam and such. Stay tuned