Best of 2012 {Blog in Review}

I can hardly believe it, but today is the very last day of 2012! Personally, it has been a very good year for our family- 2011 was scary, with preterm labor, two months in the NICU, and uncertainty about our daughter's outcome.

This year we have seen her blossom and grow. She talks {A LOT}, walks {still wobbly}, and melts the hearts of everyone who meets her :). Yes, I am a biased mother.

I thought I'd take today to wish you a happy New Year, and to review a few of the most popular posts from The Purposeful Wife this year. Enjoy!

Photo Credit

A Literary Analysis: The Hunger Games. Longer than my average post, and slightly off my usual topics, I have a feeling that this post got so many hits due to the huge popularity of the best-selling trilogy and movie. Join me as I wander back to my days as a college literature student, and dabble in the deeper elements of this engaging story.

Photo Credit

Do I Love My Husband? The popularity of this post makes me sad, I must admit. While I wrote it in examination of a heart prone to love self more than my mate in the practical ways, it seems people are typing "do I love my husband?" into Google search bars, like a "love him, love him not" childhood flower game. Remember, ladies, love is a choice and a lifestyle, not merely warm fuzzy feelings. Can I get an amen????

1 lb. 15 oz: A Preemie Birth Tale. My daughter's birth story. A reminder of God's incredible faithfulness in our lives.

My Miscarriage Taught Me About the Sanctity of Life. Funny how the Lord uses the hard things to connect with others....

The Road to Motherhood {Isn't Always Easy}, and its follow up, For Women Whose Motherhood Journey has Been Hard seemed to strike a chord with many of you.

Thank you for reading along friends! I'm looking forward to another good year together in 2013, Lord willing.

What types of posts would you like to see more of here in 2013?

12 Projects for 2013

Last week I gave a little glimpse into a few of the new projects I've attempted over the last year (though I forgot to include homemade baby wipes and flower pins/headbands- oops!).

I look forward to keeping up my "domestic momentum" in 2013 by attempting one project per month. Some of the projects are quick and easy, some more involved, and some include dabbling in various recipes and endeavors over an extended period of time.

Here's my list:

1. Make homemade deodorant.
2. Go shampoo and conditioner free.
3. Try the Oil-Cleansing Method of face wash.
4. Learn how to knit.
5. Make homemade vanilla extract.
6. Try Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a day.
7. Soaked grain recipes (utilizing Trina Holden's ebook, Real Fast Food).
8. Make a scrapbook of our engagement photos (someone gave me the perfect book and paper for them years ago, yet its sat collecting dust on my shelf!).
9. Print and organize our family photos.
10. Put together a wedding album (yes, I've been married for nearly five years and don't have one yet).
11. Publish an ebook with my daughter's birth and NICU story.
12. Sew a curtain for S's room.

Why these 12 projects? Some of them will save us money. Some of them will save me time. Some of them preserve precious memories. Some beautify my home. And some of them are to improve our health. These are all important aspects of my role as a homemaker!

Each month I will {attempt} to update you as I complete the projects. Stay tuned!

What projects do you hope to accomplish in the coming year?

Domestic Projects of 2012 Review

Due to finally becoming a SAHM, and having 6 months of lockdown for our sweet preemie, I had a lot of time on my hands in 2012. It was a year of exploration and adventure on the domestic front ;). Here is a review of some of the new projects I tackled:

S enjoying yogurt finger paint- homemade yogurt with food coloring :)

Homemade Yogurt. After trying many recipes, I finally found my favorite via Keeper of the Home. Though it is a bit work intensive (30 minutes or so of active prep time), it always turns out delightfully thick.Yum! S loves it, and it makes excellent smoothies. My only issue is that the half gallon of organic milk that I buy every two weeks to make it is kind of pricy. I need to find coupons or something, to make this not only health effective, but cost effective. Any tips from the frugal crowd welcome!

Homemade Laundry Detergent. Easy to make, I'm still using the same batch I made in September-
with over half of it still left! I do have a few issues with the stuff :(. 1) It does not remove even the lightest spots or stains, so I have to be very vigilant with the Shout. 2) My towels stink. If you make your own laundry detergent, have you had the same problems? Any troubleshooting advice? And what recipe do you use? I'm not thrilled about mine, so I'm still looking to tweak it.

Canning Tomatoes. In August I was privileged to spend a day in the home of one of the ladies from my church. I brought cans and tomatoes, and she shared with me her 40+ years of canning experience and wisdom. While it was a fun day, and having the cans of tomatoes on hand has been handy, I'm not sure that I will can every year. Although, it would certainly be more cost effective if I did, now that I have all of the mason jars I could possibly need!

Homemade Bagels. Oh yum. I probably make these every single week, or at least every other. They are a family favorite! Warning: every store bought bagel you eat after making your own will be a major disappointment. My only issue is that they are made with white, unsoaked flour- totally bad for you. Trina Holden (and other expert soakers)- do you have any suggestions for tweaking this recipe to make it more nourishing?

I am hoping to accomplish even more DIY type projects in 2013, Lord willing! Projects that cut down on our budget, encourage healthiness, and enrich our family. I've already been brainstorming, and hope to share my list with you next week sometime!

What new projects did you try in 2012? What do you hope to try in the New Year?

Favorite Books of 2012

Photo Credit

It's been a quiet week around the blog... mostly because my real life has been anything but. I've been babysitting for different friends kiddos, finishing last minute Christmas prep, and getting my home suited up for Saturday's European invasion (Niall's family is coming for Christmas- three Irish and two Catalan folks will be joining us).

It's been good, but it's been busy!

Today I wanted to take the time to reflect on my favorite books read this year. If you are interested, you can see the entire list of books I read in 2012 here.

Photo Credit

Favorite Homemaking: Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider. Tsh gives excellent reasoning, motivation, and a great action plan for simplifying your home and getting rid of all the clutter! I might have to do a reread and do over in 2013. Because somehow clutter multiplies... it seems like the more I purge, the more stuff appears! Can anyone else relate?

Favorite Fiction: Definitely, hands down, The Hunger Games Trilogy! It was the most engaging, suspenseful, and thought-provoking set of novels I've picked up in a long time. I'll admit the love triangle is a bit silly. I'll admit it is easy to become a little too obsessed with the world of Panem. I'll admit that I couldn't put them down until I had worked my way to the bloody and tantalizing finish. But I think you should read them. Really!

Favorite Biography: It's My Turn by Ruth Bell Graham is admittedly old and not commonly heard of. Oh, how she engaged my soul and encouraged my mother's heart! It was amazing to hear {from her own lips} that a super-giant woman of the faith struggled with the same laziness, doubts, and failures as me. The tales of her childhood missions experience in China will set fire to your bones. If you can find this, read it!

Favorite Spiritual: This is a tough one. More than one title made the list! But I've managed to narrow it down. Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges is a must-read for every Christian. I did not understand what the sin of ungodliness was before I read this book. It will change your thinking on every facet of your life- especially the stones you've left unturned.

Because He Loves Me by Elyse Fitzpatrick was another game changer for my walk with the Lord. If you've been blessed by the ministries of John Piper, Jerry Bridges, and C.J. Mahaney, you will be blessed by Elyse!

Favorite Topical: Why Pro-Life? by Randy Alcorn. I've always been pro-life- but having a miscarriage, and then a micro-preemie, solidified it for me in unspeakable ways. I am so convinced of the evils of abortion- but we live in a world that doesn't even think twice about its "pro-choice" position. Randy Alcorn's little volume is chock full of talking points to share with people who just don't know. There are countless reasons why abortion is wrong, and he gives you the medical and scientific facts you need to reasonably prove it.

Favorite Parenting: The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer. I've discussed my love for this book here and here, but here is a quick summary of why I loved it: it gives a comprehensive, "dummies" guide to giving your kids an excellent home education. Simple enough!

What were your favorite reads of the year? Please share! I'm working on compiling my list for 2013 and always welcome suggestions :).

Suffering in Light of God's Sovereignty

 *In light of Friday's sad event, I thought it wise to save this week's Monday's Resolution for another Monday. Praying for the families who've lost loved ones....*

Photo Credit

 “The evil and suffering in this world are greater than any of us can comprehend. But evil and suffering are not ultimate. God is. Satan, the great lover of evil and suffering, is not sovereign. God is.”
― John Piper, Suffering and the Sovereignty of God

“I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.”
― Charles Spurgeon

“That which should distinguish the suffering of believers from unbelievers is the confidence that our suffering is under the control of an all-powerful and all-loving God. Our suffering has meaning and purpose in God's eternal plan, and He brings or allows to come into our lives only that which is for His glory and our good.”
― Jerry Bridges, Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts

 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though its mountains tremble at its swelling...'Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!'" Psalm 46:1-3, 10

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" Gen. 50:20a

Talking to Kids About Ridiculously Scary Things: How to Give Your Kids A Biblical Perspective on the Tragedy in Connecticut @ When You Rise.

A Few Good Resources on Christmas

Photo By Joshua Davis

From time to time I thought it would be fun to pass along lists of resources I've benefited from on various topics. Today's topic is: Christmas!

Preparing for the Holidays:

If you missed them, you might want to check out my series on preparing early for Christmas! While we're definitely long past the "early" mark, I've organized all of the prep steps you need to take for a stress-free holiday into small baby steps, so it might still be helpful! 

31 Ways to Earn Extra Cash Before Christmas @ Money Saving Mom. Excellent series on adding to your gift budget, could be used year round for families in need of a little extra cash.

10 Days to Finding the Perfect Gift @ Creative Savings Blog. Lot's of great ideas for all of the different people in your life!

For a Christ-Centered Christmas:

Our Advent Tree @ Desiring Virtue. A lovely way to "redeem" your Christmas tree, making it not only a nostalgic family tradition, but a meaningful and Christ-centered one. Really, all of Jessalyn's posts on Advent are beautiful, meaningful, insightful and practical. Highly recommended!

Practical Ways to Reach Out to Others During the Holidays @ Passionate Homemaking. Great inroads for sharing Christ with the lost at Christmas.


I can't say I've read many books on or about Christmas, so I feel like there are gaping holes in this post! What books and resources have you enjoyed as you prepare for Christmas?

He Fills My Cup

Photo Credit

One night in college, I tossed and turned and could not sleep. Fear of death consumed me. Since I was five I've known I was a sinner, I've known I need Christ, I've believed that all who trust in Him will go to Heaven...

Yet still there was fear.

Death is a big unknown- we believe eternity comes after it, but none of us have physically experienced it. The unknown terrified me that night.

The next morning I opened my Bible to the scheduled passage in my devotional program. Not long into 2 Corinthians 5, I stumbled upon verse 8: "We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." 

There it was- the very words my fearful heart needed to hear- to be absent from the body was to be in the Lord's presence. No need to fear death, no need to fear the unknown. I would be with Him; with Jesus, the Friend of sinners and Lover of my soul!

The Lord knew exactly what I needed to hear that very morning, and there it was, tucked away into a Bible reading plan, organized long ago by a man who didn't know who would be following it, or what they would need to read on what day. 

But the Lord knew! He orchestrated my reading, and filled my cup to overflowing!

Last night was another night of anxious tossing and turning, eight years later, over an entirely different issue. I cried and wrestled and could not be comforted. My heart was deaf and blind to the promises of God. Life seemed hopeless.

Then joy came with the morning. As I opened my Bible to the passages prescribed from Robert Murray McCheyene's Bible Reading plan, the very Scriptures I needed to be reminded of jumped off of the pages, filling my heart with joy and trust and comfort and perfect peace. The passage I read from Keep a Quiet Heart also perfectly addressed my silly fears.

Isn't it beautiful how the Lord does that for His children? We stumble through dry dessert periods, where we are reading and praying but still feel dry in our souls, to our bones. When we are at our very driest, He steps in, we hear the rattling, and out of the barren land these dry bones comes together, and flesh grows over them, and life is breathed into them. And suddenly our heart of stone is once again a heart of flesh. There is vigor and rejoicing and new life over flowing in our hearts.

This morning I am rejoicing, because my Lord has met me, and truly "my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever!"

 Has the Lord met you in a special way in a particular time of need? Please share so we may rejoice together! 

And if your heart is longing for such an encounter, ask the Lord! He delights to answer all who call upon Him.

Woman of Purpose {Elisabeth Elliot}

 

One of the greatest means the Lord has used in my life to excite me about the things of God (apart from His Word!) has been reading or hearing the stories of faithful Christians who've gone on before me. Every now and again I will be posting stories of different Christian women from the past and present- women who have lived lives of purpose for the Lord, so that we may be encouraged by their faithful examples! 

Ever since reading her book Passion and Purity as a teenager, Elisabeth Elliot has been a hero of the faith to me.

This courageous lady fell in love with her future husband during her college years, but waited five uncertain years for their union. Although they both cared for each other and knew it, they weren't sure of the Lord's leading in their lives, and whether they'd been called to serve Him together or apart.


So instead of wasting away as a lady in waiting, Elisabeth hastened after the Lord in diligent obedience. She learned Spanish, raised support, and went off to Ecuador as a missionary. Jim did the same, though they ended up in different parts of the country.

At just under thirty in the 1950's, Elisabeth was teetering over the border of "old maid." However, eventually the Lord did see fit to bring them together. Their immense enjoyment of married life could only have been heightened by five long years of separation and waiting!

Three years later, they had a little daughter. They were working for their Savior, blessed by a great team of coworkers, and relishing all of God's goodness to them. Life was {basically} bliss.

Darkness fell, and their sweet family life was shattered when Jim was murdered by the Auca Indians he was trying to evangelize.

What did Elisabeth do? If it were me, I'm afraid I'd pack my bags in a jiffy and run to the familiarity and comforts of home, family, and friends. I might bawl my eyes out, collapse, and shrink into my shell of cherished dreams lost forever.

Elisabeth stayed. She continued to serve and work hard, and one day lived among the very people who had killed her Jim. She loved them and poured out her life into them, and saw many of them come into Christ's kingdom. Her treasure was in heaven.

 Years (and I mean years) down the road, Elisabeth fell in love again. This time God called her to walk with a man through his painful bout with cancer. Her second marriage lasted only four years before Addison's life was claimed by the disease.


Four years later, she met and married Lars Gren.I'm happy to tell you that they are still married today, 35 years later. Now it is her husband who cares for her in failing health and old age.

Add dozens of books and hundreds of articles written, speaking engagements and radio work, and Elisabeth has led a very full, rich life. A life that has blessed, challenged and inspired the multitudes.

I admire Elisabeth for many reasons- she stood firm in the Lord, joyfully trusting Him and serving others through:

• A five year waiting period for the man she loved (Think: she waited to marry Jim longer then she was actually married to him. That could have surely caused a heap of bitterness!)
• Widowhood (twice!)
• Single Parenting (no picnic)
• Singleness for most of her adult life (when clearly the lady liked being married)
• Living in a foreign country, far from any family member, despite culture shock and other challenges

Personal pains led her to meet the needs of others. There was no time in her day for pity parties. “Do you often feel like parched ground, unable to produce anything worthwhile? I do. When I am in need of refreshment, it isn't easy to think of the needs of others. But I have found that if, instead of praying for my own comfort and satisfaction, I ask the Lord to enable me to give to others, an amazing thing often happens - I find my own needs wonderfully met. Refreshment comes in ways I would never have thought of, both for others, and then, incidentally, for myself.”

  How did Elisabeth manage to thrive spiritually when her life circumstances were so difficult and painful? “The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances" (Keep a Quiet Heart).


Elisabeth Elliot gives hope to all of us- everyone experiences pain this side of eternity, varied as the pains may be from person to person. Yet she affirmed that God has a purpose in all of our pains. "I am not a theologian or a scholar, but I am very aware of the fact that pain is necessary to all of us. In my own life, I think I can honestly say that out of the deepest pain has come the strongest conviction of the presence of God and the love of God."

If you've never read one of the many volumes written by this Woman of Purpose, I cannot recommend them to you highly enough. Some of my favorites include: Keep a Quiet Heart, Let Me Be A Woman, Passion and Purity, Through Gates of Splendor, Discipline: The Glad Surrender, and A Chance to Die (her biography of Amy Carmichael, one of her personal heroes of the faith). I hope to read, Lord willing, The Shaping of a Christian Family: How My Parents Nurtured My Faith in the new year.

Have you read much by or about Elisabeth Elliot? What quote, aspect of her life, or book, has influenced your thinking the most as a Christian woman?

Real Food for Baby {Pureed Soups!}

I've mentioned before my daughter's issues with food... at 14 months she was still mainly on a liquids only diet, and even now, at nearly 18 months, we struggle to eat solids each day.

Some days she'll have a meal or two of her pureed baby foods. And sometimes she won't touch them for a week. I know that she is healthy and growing, but I can't help still feeling concerned about nutritional deficiencies.

The one food guarantee I have with S is that if mommy is eating it, she wants it. This would be amazing, if she had a few more teeth, and not such an easy gag reflex. I always let her try what I'm eating, but when it gets stuck towards the back of her tongue and she can't spit it out, it ends in projectile vomit. Not this mommy's favorite thing.

My solution?

It is winter time anyway, the perfect time of year for homemade soups! I've been making at least one large batch of pureed soups each week, to have for at least one dinner, and plenty of lunch leftovers. If mom eats it, its good enough for her, and sure enough, S has been sucking down these soups! Happy mom, happy baby. It's a win-win!

Some of the soups I've tried include:

Mixed Vegetable. I found this scrumptious recipe in Mirelle Guillano's book, French Women For All Seasons (the counterpart to French Women Don't Get Fat). I highly recommend her books! They have much practical sense, and many delicious recipes! This particular soup includes chicken stock, onions, leeks, potatoes, spinach, zucchini, and carrots. 

Cheesiest Potato. This recipe is a family favorite! Even though it is a bit spicy (due to cayenne pepper), S seems to love it. It makes great leftovers, and freezes exceptionally well. I try to make a double batch and throw half into a ziploc, then the freezer for an easy meal later.

This week, I plan on making:

Creamy Carrot. Another recipe from French Women for All Seasons, it consists mainly of carrots, with a few potatoes thrown in to thicken it, and a bit of cream to make it A-MAZING. So far S has turned her nose up at carrots in baby food form- I'm hoping this soup will be my secret weapon for teaching her to love them! We'll see :).

We also eat homemade yogurt every day- this is super nutritious, and it always makes me feel good when she eats a large helping of pro-biotic packed goodness. Homemade yogurt is very tart. Sometimes I mix pureed fruit in with it, but I've been shocked that she loves it plain too. I also find it is a great food to hide unwanted veggies in. For example, S hates sweet potatoes (weird- I thought every baby loved them???). I add them to yogurt, and she gobbles them down.

I don't think I've mentioned it, but after many different yogurt recipes of trial and error, I've finally found my favorite! It uses the crock pot, but because it is heated on the stove top first (ok, admittedly more work than other crock pot recipes), it always turns out beautifully thick. So thankful to Keeper of the Home for this wonderful recipe! You will have to give it a try :).

That's how I get my tricky baby to eat. Have you had food issues with your babes? What secrets did you use to combat their picky tastes? I would love to know!

Monday's Resolutions {Deliberate and Unlikely Actions}

Photo Credit

We are picking apart Jonathan Edward's 70 Resolutions, one week and one resolution at a time. Don't forget to start where he did- "Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat Him by His grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ's sake."

23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs, and end of it; and if I find it not to be for God's glory, to repute it as a breech of the 4th Resolution.

"Intentional" is a popular buzz word nowadays- every blog and book and article I read seems to be focused on cultivating intentionality- in marriages, parenting, homemaking, work, gospel living, etc. The idea behind this phenomenon is that life goes fast, and if we aren't careful we can spend it just reacting, barely keeping our heads above water, thereby missing out on truly important things.

Living a life of intention requires thoughtfulness, purpose, and direction- taking advantage of each moment and living it to the best of your ability.

Jonathan Edwards seems to take the concept even further (no surprise here!). He resolved to frequently (often, regularly) take some deliberate (intentional, purposeful) action that seemed unlikely (too big, impossible even) to be accomplished, for God's glory.

In the vein of William Carey, he planned to "Expect great things from God," and to "attempt great things for God."

Once these great and seemingly unlikely things had been accomplished, he evaluated them from start to finish in light of the 4th Resolution, which, in case you've forgotten, is "never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it."

Jonathan Edwards desired that all of his victories and accomplishments, and the motivations and thoughts behind them, would tend to the glory of God. He didn't trust himself, he knew his heart to be deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). He knew that behind so many of our accomplishments lie the deadly roots of pride, longing for the praise and approval of men, and anxiety over our own glory and reputation.

What big and deliberate actions will we determine to take for the glory of God? 

This is often where I get stumped. I've read the biographies of great women, like Amy Carmichael, who were led to pray for a specific number of souls at gospel meetings, and saw God answer accordingly. But how do I know if the salvation of 6 friends in 2013 is a number given me by God, or just a fanciful imagination of my heart?

Salvation is of the Lord. While I am called to share the gospel with others as a Christian, it is God alone who can draw them to Himself.

What great things did Jonathan Edwards mean? Was he referring to writing great theological books, building churches, seeing a certain level of growth and discipleship among the believers he shepherded?

I'm not entirely sure. I do know that God has called us to walk in obedience to His commandments. To trust Him in the hard times, to cling to Him when darkness surrounds and there is only enough light for the next step.

I know that God has called me to deliberate action as a Christian wife. I am to submit to my husband as the Church submits to Christ (this is a radical and unlikely action in the world we live in, is it not?). I am to love him sacrificially, to serve him and help him. To stop looking out for myself as number one.

I know that God has called me to attempt the unlikely as a mother. To love my child, not with mere strong feelings, but with a willingness to lay aside my priorities and work to meet her needs, even and especially when they are inconvenient to myself. With a love that stops to listen when I am busy and distracted. He's called me to nurture her in the fear and admonition of the Lord, even when it would be easier to just give her what she wants, instead of what she needs.

Probably the most radical calling on the Christian's life is obedience to the Word of God as a whole. It isn't easy to take up our cross daily and follow Him. It isn't easy to love and forgive others as we have been loved and forgiven. Refusing to be anxious, and casting our cares upon Him with thanksgiving is impossible apart from His grace at work in us.

When we walk in obedience to Him, not because people are watching or because it makes us look good or makes our life easier, but because we desire to honor the One who loved us and gave Himself for us, these are deliberate and unlikely actions that tend to His glory.

Don't despise the little days- the woman who is faithful in little is also faithful in much.

What deliberate and unlikely actions is the Lord calling you to today?

Purposeful Perusals, 22nd Edt.

Idols of the Social Heart @ One September Day. Good reflections to evaluate if social media is an idol of your heart.

Finding Balance @ Always, Amanda. Very helpful post on balancing quality time with your children and checking off your "to dos". I love Amanda's non-negotiables!

Secret2Clean @ Daily Cup of Grace. A great four part series on caring for your domain! :)

Why Aren't We Calling it the Royal Fetus? @ Denny Burk. An interesting piece on our culture's understanding of wanted and unwanted children. Worth your read. 

Joyful Always @ Mom Heart. Been here so many times as the mom of a little one- these words encouraged and exhorted me!

What interesting things have you read around the web lately?

Keep a Quiet Heart

"I think I find most help in trying to look on all the interruptions and hindrances to work that one has planned out for oneself as discipline, trials sent by God to help one against getting selfish over one's work. Then one can feel that perhaps one's true work- one's work for God- consists in doing some trifling haphazard thing that has been thrown into one's day. It is not a waste of time, as one is tempted to think, it is the most important part of the work of the day- the part one can best offer to God. After such a hindrance, do not rush after the planned work; trust that the time to finish it will be given sometime, and keep a quiet heart about it." -Annie Keary, 1825-1879, Quoted in Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot

<3 How's your heart today? Are you quietly trusting Him through life's many interruptions?  <3

What I've Learned From My Cross-Cultural Marriage

 

Perhaps I've mentioned it a few times before.... but did you know that I'm married to a foreigner? When I tell people that my husband is Irish, I get a lot of "oh, mine too" or "I am too!" from Americans of Irish heritage.

But my hubs is the real deal- got a green card in return for marrying me ;), toting an Irish passport, and named Niall (pronounced like the Egyptian river) O'Neill for Pete's sake. Irish!

While marrying someone who grew up on the opposite side of an ocean from you can be challenging, it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life so far.

Today at A Biblical Marriage I am talking all about my cross-cultural marriage- what the Lord has taught me through it, and how He is using it to conform me into His image.

Join me over there and give it a read? Thanks!

4 Things I've Learned From My Cross-Cultural Marriage....

Why I Am Ridiculously Excited About Classical Education @ Home (Part 2)!

Photo Credit

Welcome to Part Two of my review on The Well-Trained Mind/ Thoughts on Classical Home Education. If you missed Part One, you can read it here.

What makes me so excited about classically educating my children at home (as presented in Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise's, The Well-Trained Mind)?

Filling the gaps in my own education. I did not pay attention very well in school. Not even in college... until my junior year, when I finally realized the glories of learning and knowledge and wisdom. Better late than never I suppose?

 I cannot wait to start educating S, because it will be my second chance at a decent education! Chronological history, repeated for me three times? Yes please! Chemistry and Physics (which I never got to before) in their simplest forms (grades 3,4, 7, and 8)? Sign me up! A rigorous Great Books reading program? Can I get a "hallelujah"??? Count me in!

Great Books. Enough said. Ha, just kidding! But really, I love books. Classical Education involves reading direct sources- instead of reading a text book about Roman history, reading Livy's History of Rome, par example. We will be reading Homer, Plato, Augustine, Dante, and Shakespeare. I love that the authors recommend a number of simplified children's editions, so that even in the early elementary years, my kids will be getting to know primary source books. Then when they get to high school, the actual works themselves won't be nearly as intimidating!

Photo Credit

Instilling a love of learning in my daughter. I cannot wait to teach her to read, to watch her face light up as concepts begin to dawn on her. I am very excited about spending her formative years with her, training her, watching her develop and grow. Homeschooling is so great, because if S is really interested in one topic, we can park there awhile and really absorb it. We can run on our own flexible time table, allowing her to make choices and pursue what interests her, while still being disciplined and on a lesson plan. 

Learning Latin. The earlier a child begins learning another language, the easier it will be for them to learn other languages as they get older! Bauer and Wise recommend starting Latin in 3rd grade. Speaking of filling the gaps in my own education, I am so excited about learning Latin! As the foundational language of many modern tongues (French, Italian, and Spanish), knowing Latin opens whole new worlds to a student. It also preps your kid to ace the vocabulary section of the SAT ;)!

These are a few of the things that excite me about following The Well-Trained Mind's program of schooling. It would be unfair of me to not let you know that I am also shaking in my boots. Here are the aspects that make me nervous:

Photo Credit

Hard work. Educating children classically at home is no walk in the park. It is going to require a whole lot of discipline, sweat, and self-denial for me as a teacher. Can I really buckle-down and do it, come hell or high water? Do I have what it takes to keep going in the nitty-gritty, year after year?

Cost of Materials. The Well Trained Mind recommends many excellent books and resources. While they give you ideas on how to save money (using your library, purchasing second hand), the cost could very well still be staggering. My plan is to start looking and purchasing bit by bit now... and to trust the Lord to provide for our needs! If He wants me to do this, He will provide a way.

Lack of Knowledge. While the first few grades shouldn't be too trying, the further we get into homeschooling, the more in over my head I will be. This makes me slightly nervous. I'm trying to take it one day at a time- perhaps by the time S is ready to start Chemistry, we will be in a co-op that offers an amazing Chemist? Same with higher order math. These subjects are not my strong suit, and I am really hoping that tutors and other homeschooling parents come along who can help to fill my gaps.

That pretty much summarizes my homeschooling plan for now! Do you plan on homeschooling (or are you already)? What methods appeal to you, and why?

Monday's Resolution {Laying Up Treasures in Heaven}

Photo Credit

We are picking apart Jonathan Edward's 70 Resolutions, one week and one resolution at a time. Don't forget to start where he did- "Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat Him by His grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ's sake."

22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of , or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

For the ins and outs of day to day life, I am incredibly earth bound. At any time I have one thousand temporal concerns flying about my mind. The dishes, the laundry, the dinner, an article to write, what she said, bills to pay, possessions I'd like to obtain... so focused on the temporal, on the here and now.

This morning as I read 2 Peter chapter 3, a few verses in particular caught my eye. Peter is discussing the approaching Day of the Lord, assuring these believers that it will come, long as the wait may seem, and that one day the heavens and earth will all be burned.

Verse 11 follows: "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,".

These temporal things- my home, belongings, computer, and writing, etc.- some day {soon} they are all going to burn. They are not nearly so important as I often feel they are.

No, rather, I ought to be pursuing a life of holiness and godliness. I ought to be investing myself fully in the things that will last- God, His Word, and people's souls. I ought to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as possible, with all of my might, energy, and zeal.

Luke 12:33-34 also comes to mind: "Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

A few years ago these verses vice-gripped my heart as the thought finally dawned on me- God wants my treasure to be in heaven, because where my treasure is, there my heart is. He is in heaven, He wants my heart to be with Him. 

These earthly things are not forever, they don't last, they don't matter for long. Heavenly investments are eternal. I'd much rather be poor in worldly goods for a short season, than to be spiritually bankrupt for eternity.

So I must ask you, dear one, where is your heart today? Is it on high with your King, accumulating everlasting glories? Or is it tangled in the mire of worldly cares?

May God give us the grace to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.