Poppin' In

Hello all. Thought I'd just pop in to say that I haven't completely abandoned this blog (again)! I just don't think I've been doing anything all that interesting lately. It seems that I tend to go into unproductive phases every now and then which last longer than I'd like. But now I've got plans, and lots of 'em! Here's some things I'm thinking of doing (not necessarily in order):

1. Sew a couple flannel robes for family members that I promised them at Christmas. Now that the weather is warming up they'll be quite useful ;)
2. Make a couple Kindle cozies that I had also promised at Christmas. I think I'm going to use felt and do a reverse applique/embroidery design and line the inside with a material that won't scratch up the screen.
3. I've promised the girls that we'd paint and redecorate their bedrooms this summer. I don't know whether to do it all at once or spread out the work and do it over a period of time. I'm inclined to just bust it out over a weekend though. We'll see...
4. I really want a vegetable garden this year as well. It's high time I've gotten onto that!
5. Make Easter dresses for the girls. Five dresses in 3 weeks? We'll see about that too...
6.  Work on my scrap granny square afghan.
7. Learn Tai Chi. Random, I know. But it is so fun!

Well, there is a lot more I'd like to do. But I need to start small, take baby steps, and quit watching so much Netflix! (I'm not a little addicted to British dramas ;) I'll post my progress and pictures as I tackle this list.

How about you all? What kind of projects do you have going or are planning to do? I'd like to know what you're up to. It's always fun to get new ideas. Ta-ta for now!

Homemaking, pt. 2

The second part to Why Modern Motherhood Is So Much Harder Than It Ought To Be has been posted At The Well and it does have some good, practical help.

First she says that we need to recognize the two lies that homemakers live under: 1) that homemaking is easy, and 2) it's boring. I would add, 3) the lie that homemaking is of little value. But I think she nailed it on the head here, homemaking is NOT easy or boring in the least. If anything, there is so much stuff to be done that you could work 24 hrs a day and still not do everything on your list! And boring? The variety of things to do is overwhelming. Every job has repetitive work of course, so repetitive that we can do it in our sleep if need be, and we do! But really, the challenge comes in being able to organize and balance all of these tasks, some of which take an amazing amount of creative genius to conquer. (Like being told you are having guests stopping by in 1/2 an hour, a very messy house, 5 kids to direct, and dinner to cook when there's nothing in the pantry!) Yes, this is a common occurrence in our home.

For step 2 she would have you "Renew Your Mind" by reading good homemaking books. I am a little discouraged here. Reading Christian homemaking books are a great thing to do, very helpful, I've read a few myself. But she doesn't even once mention Scripture. Yes, homemaking really isn't mentioned in Scripture a whole lot, but there are many verses pertaining to how we ought to live in general as people of God, no matter our vocation.

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." 2 Tim. 3:16

For step 2 I would probably call it "Changing Your Attitude," having a Godly perspective of homemaking. Seeing it as an invaluable God-given duty for women. If our home isn't peaceful and joyful, (notice I didn't write perfectly clean and organized!) then it reflects poorly on the glory of the God we claim to serve.

Thirdly, she encourages us to find fellowship whether in real life or on the internet. This I do believe is very needful, but I would look for a real life friend first. Internet friends are very helpful, but they don't have warm, strong arms to wrap around you. And when you are alone at home it's easy to feel even more isolated sitting in front of the computer. Find an older woman in your church who's been where you are and who is willing to listen and encourage you in the Word of God. This can mean the difference between a joyful life, or a bitterly hard heart. Avoid someone who gripes about her husband and children. You want someone to help pull you out of the pit of discontentment, not drag you down.

Lastly she tells you to tackle your problem areas with a ton of research. Whether it is cleaning, organizing, cooking, teaching your children, etc. Read up on everything you can, pull ideas and tips from every source possible. This is good advice as well. How can we cook a meal if we don't know how? This comes easy to me as I love to read and learn about things. I have many books telling me how to do this or that. The problem for me is actually getting around to doing them, I would rather read!

So all in all this was a helpful article, even if I think she missed the main point of why we're doing this homemaking thing at all. For the glory of God, not for our own personal fulfillment. If we are only doing this because we're told it's supposed to be the right thing to do, because it's better for the children if a mother stays home, then we're missing out on the peace and contentment that God has for us. We're doing this because it's what God has created us for. To be helpers to our husbands so they can do what God has called them to do. To raise up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, so that the next generation knows and loves Him.

Does this mean we can't do the things which we find pleasure in? God forbid! If God has put a desire in your heart to sing, then sing! If He gave you the ability to paint, then paint for goodness' sake! Just remember your priorities. Yes we may have to sacrifice our wants for a season. Did Christ want to be beaten and die? I use that strong analogy because sometimes we do feel as if we're being beaten by the demands that we face. But you know what? It's worth it knowing that we're allowing God to fulfill His purpose in our lives. Not that we have any righteousness of our own mind you, we must daily come to Him for the strength we need to meet our days. It's only by His grace that we can do what He's called us to. That's why we need the right perspective and attitude about our jobs as homemakers. Because without Him we can't do it, it's too hard.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." James 1:5

"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways! 'For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor?' 'Or who has given a gift to Him that he might be repaid?' For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen." Rom. 11:33-36

Homemaking, pt. 1

When I first saw today's post on At the Well titled "Why Modern Motherhood Is So Much Harder Than It Ought To Be," I thought "Oh come on, women just need to quit their whining and do their job!" Now, I whine about my job too (although I'm trying to quit, it's an awful habit), but come on here, women have had very tough jobs all throughout history! What makes us so different? We have washing machines for goodness sakes! But the author brought up some very interesting points that I had never considered.

1. Pre-Industrial Revolution, throughout history, families worked together. Dad either farmed or had a shop close to home. He took the boys with him to work alongside him and learn a trade. Mothers worked in the home and taught their daughters how to cook and care for babies. Home was the center of their lives. This isn't to say life wasn't hard, sure it was. But they lived and worked, celebrated and grieved together.

2. Modern women grow up in a 2.1 child household with mom at work while the kids are plunked in school all day working with peers. After school you go to activities or day care. No one is teaching girls how to be home makers. Home is just an in-between landing place to eat meals, sleep, and watch T.V. Same thing when they enter college. Apart from the mindset that women staying at home is a waste of their life they are also taught how to conform to whichever work culture they choose. After college they jump into careers with bosses and deadlines and nasty co-workers. But that's just what you're supposed to do to feel fulfilled in life.

3. So when she does get married and have a baby all of a sudden she's home. Alone. All day. With a crying baby. She doesn't know how to cook or clean or do laundry or go grocery shopping or change a diaper. Her mother did it all for her out of working mother's guilt and didn't have the time to teach her. Now she's counting the days till her kid turns 3 and can go to preschool. She was never taught how to love her husband, her kids, or her home. In fact, she'd rather be working than be stuck at home all day changing poopy diapers and listening to her kids scream at her.

4. Does her husband help? No. He works all day, that's a woman's job, that's what a stay at home mom does after all. They're exhausted after working 60 hrs. a week and are a little jealous that they're wives get to stay home all day. While their wives are a little jealous that they're husbands don't have to listen to screaming babies all day and actually get to come home from work at the end of the day. There is no end of the day for mothers, they're on call 24 hrs.

5. Who can she turn to for help? Her own mother? No. She's busy back at work, she put in her time raising a family and never enjoyed it herself. Besides, she can't take the time off because she's going on vacation with some girl friends next week while father is gone camping with his buddies and she needs the overtime. Get a babysitter so you can have some alone time, she's told. Can she turn to her friends for help? Nope. They're in the same boat.

We do have some difficult challenges to face. If we deny that then we begin to think that we're worthless, just no good at this stay-at-home thing. The problem is that we were never taught properly and now we're hopelessly miserable. No we can't do it on our own, we must have help, someone to teach us what in the world to do. This Modern Motherhood post was just the first part outlining or problem. The second part will hopefully give us some kind of solution. I can think of a few things already, but I'd like to hear what she has to say before I post any more. So stay tuned and maybe we can figure this out together!