Mississippi Mud Roast

First, let me apologize for my absence however; I have been severely under the weather.  But, thankfully I am doing much better.
Let me introduce you to one of my favorite recipes:  Mississippi Mud Roast

Put chuck roast in crock pot, sprinkle with Hidden Valley ranch dressing, ass McCormick Au Jus Mix, a stick of butter and 5 pepperoncini peppers. DO NOT ADD WATER. Cook on low for 7-8 hours.   We serve ours with mashed potatoes and the left overs make a great sandwich. Enjoy!

Servant of Peace

As we made our decision to homeschool I discovered very quickly that our home left something to be desired in the areas of being peaceful and comfortable. So, I begin to pray. My first inclination was to pray that the Lord would change my children into children who loved each other and change my husband into a "more godly" man who will listen to my way of doing things more readily. I also thought about praying for a house since we had made the decision to homeschool now and be at home all day....

{Since that time I learned that God has supplied all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. What I have is what I need at this time. Philippians 4:19 It's all in how you look at your "needs" and your "wants" }

I was impressed to pray instead for God to change me.  So I prayed that He would change me into the wife my husband needed, that He would change me into the mother who could model good and kind behavior for her children and discipline them in love. I prayed most earnestly for a peaceful, holy, happy home.  And something began to happen right away. It's not the peace of the soul that I am speaking of here, but the peace of order, quiet, congeniality and kindness.  These traits in the members of a family can encourage the peace of our souls which only Christ can bring. 
Here are a few ways to create the servant of peace in your home:  

I personally cannot pursue a wise management of my home apart from my relationship with the Lord.  I need to cry out to Him daily for the ability to faithfully complete the task He has called me to do.  Even if I can just take a few moments to pray, pick a verse to meditate on throughout the day, I am strengthened to complete my homemaking responsibilities with a joyful countenance. May the Joy of the Lord be your strength. Nehemiah 8:9-12  Starting each day with prayer, asking the Lord to give you a peaceful spirit and servant’s heart will go a long way in promoting peace in your home.
Keeping a clean home is one of the ways that I am creating a peaceful atmosphere in my home.  Decreasing my stress level in this manner allows me to have a better attitude, which in turns allows others in my home to be more content as well.  I am currently participating in the 31 Day Purge at A Bowl Full of Lemon's Blog  which is greatly assisting me in no longer organizing clutter but instead actually purging it.  I am sure you are wondering how I plan to maintain the cleaning part of a peaceful home. I am currently a Flybaby with Flylady.net because it has greatly assisted me in developing a consistent routine to maintain my home on a daily basis.

Next, seriously consider clearing your calendar. Most of us are way too busy and having a overly-hectic schedule does nothing but adds stress to everyone in the family.   We have to learn to prioritize our time, balance our priorities and cut out things that are non essential to making our home peaceful. Whether it’s meal planning or choosing what to wear the next day, planning ahead and preparing for the future will assist you in avoiding feeling frazzled and keep you from making last minute decisions. Not only will this benefit you, but your entire household.

Finally establish house rules and keep them out in the open so that your entire family can refer to them to assist in promoting peace.   As our homes become a place of tranquility and rest, they will naturally become a haven to those who are weary and overwhelmed.  May we strive to allow the Peace Giver to rule, rest and abide in our homes each and every day.

Are you being a servant of peace in your home?  How can you promote peace in you home? 

A Servant's Heart

Homemaking consists of more than having a clean home.   It is my desire to create a home that is a haven for my family and friends.  Dictionary.com defines a haven as a “place of shelter or safety” and a refuge. In my life's journey of becoming a successful homemaker, I have realized that there must be a change of heart before there can be a adjustment in our actions. 

This will be the beginning of a series and despite the fact that many often wrestle with cultivating a servant's heart when it comes to their home and family.  I believe the Lord is teaching me how to go beyond the call of duty as a wife and mother. Which means that I am doing those little things for my family that I know will be a blessing to them because I love them and they are worthy of my love and attention.  Wouldn't you go beyond your way for the Lord Himself? Why not for your own family?

I am currently studying the book of Proverbs focusing on Proverbs 31 as my prayer is that God would allow my husband and children to arise up, and call me blessed. I struggle as a wife, mother and homemaker not to eat the bread of idleness; however, I believe that God will bless me to look well to the ways of my household.

As homemakers, it is our privilege to be the thermostat, so to speak, for our homes. The condition of our hearts and souls determines—or at the very least, influences—the temperature of our home. If we are overwhelmed or have a negative attitude toward our role, then we will struggle in this area.

We must realize that we can worship the Lord through our housework, and recognize our high calling as homemakers, while acknowledging the fact that having a servant’s heart is a command in Scripture.

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”  -Philippians 2:5-8

As Christian homemakers and godly women the ultimate example of humility from the life (and death) of our Savior should be reflected in our hearts. 

Yes, it is easy to say that we desire to have a servant's heart but putting it into practice proves to be challenging.  Unfortunately, pride and selfish tend to make having a humble heart difficult.  Society says that being a servant in any capacity is "beneath" us - caring for our loved one is not important! Society has their own servants - they pay others to do this work for them. But little do they know they are missing out on the greatest gift of all: truly loving others through our actions! 

Here are the three simple things that will assist you in cultivating a servant's heart: 

• Search Your Heart ~ On a daily basis do a quick heart check.  Make a mental note of your attitude toward your responsibilities and determine if they are pure and pleasing to God.  Keep in mind that having the wrong motives or spirit despite doing the right thing is still sinful.
• Seek the Word Search Your Heart~ Meditating on the Word of God by reading the Scriptures and memorizing Bible verses will help you re-direct your thoughts and keep your attitude in check. Eventually this will become a habit and will help you avoid having a disgruntled heart toward housekeeping and your family.
• Say a Prayer ~ Ask God to give you a heart for your home. Plead for a humble heart and the willingness to put the needs of others (specifically your family) ahead of your own. Draw on the strength that only comes from a relationship with the All-Sufficient One. He is the only one that can change your heart and give you the desire to serve.
  
  
  My prayer is that today we spend some time with you Lord and get rejuvenated so that we are fueled up to serve our families with a sweet spirit and a giving heart. May we be motivated to humble ourselves before the Lord, asking Him to give us a willing spirit to serve. We will truly be able to make our home a haven when our hearts are overflowing with humility. 

  So, how do YOU cultivate a heart for your home?

Making Your Home a Haven

“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
” ~ Proverbs 14:1

Good morning, I am currently participating in the Making Our Home a Haven Fall Challenge over at Women Living Well Ministries. 

Friends, we don't want to just read God's Word - we want to live out God's Word in our homes first and then outside the home where God has planted us.   So this challenge will be focused on living out the word of God within the four walls of our home. 

Each week we are given one practical tip and one spiritual tip that we can do to create a haven in our home. 

As, Courtney stated, she believes we can create a physical environment, as well as a spiritual environment, that can bring peace, harmony and a sense of calmness to our homes if we are willing to be intentional and I wholeheartedly agree. 

Week 1: October 6th -Go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home.

All of last week I started my candle in the morning but you can start yours at dinner time or whenever is convenient for you.  My candle was placed in my kitchen because it is the heart of my home. The purpose of lighting the candle is so that each time the candle catches your eye, you are reminded to say a prayer for peace and patience in your home.

The focus for prayer last week was peace and patience. 

In my opinion there is truly no place like home and it really does not matter if you are in an apartment or a large home because our home is where we establish the foundations of our families. And, as Courtney states, it’s not the things you do or don’t have that make your home a haven–YOU are the key to making your home a haven.  

 I am striving to make my home a haven for my family and friends.  I like this simple gesture, the tangible reminder–the lit candle–telling me that I have control over the mood and feel of my home.  And I’m choosing to make it a warm, welcoming haven for those I love and those in need.

Here is the remaining schedule for the Challenge: 

Week 2: October 13th – Play soft music everyday in your home.

Choose worship, classical, jazz or another form of peaceful music that the family enjoys. Focus on using peaceful words and maintaining peaceful relationships.

Work on gentleness and self-control this week.

Week 3: October 20th – Keep the candle burning, the music playing and plan a Family Fun Night.

Have a pillow party in the family room and get out every blanket and pillow in the house and be cozy with the kids or your hubby! Even if you live alone you can do this. Enjoy a cozy evening of hot cider and caramel corn. Bust out some old fashioned games and take the time to savor these moments with your loved ones.

Work on kindness and joy this week.

Week 4: October 27th – Focus on the kitchen, the heart of the home.

Cook things with pleasant aromas like homemade bread, pies, and cookies. Don’t wait to have a reason to make something special – do it simply to show love to your family. Invite your kids and/or hubby to cook along side of you – make memories in the kitchen – test tasting, being creative, laughing and loving. Remember the importance of dinner time around the table as a family.

Work on showing love, goodness and faithfulness to your family this week.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” ~ Galatians 5:22,23

This year the spiritual emphasis is on the fruit of the spirit.  There is no magic in the lighting of a candle, soft music, game nights or comfy food – it is the power of the Holy Spirit working through us that will transform our homes into a haven for everyone who passes through our doors, so the light of Jesus can shine brightly.

I hope you’ll join me on this 5 Week Challenge.  They’re simple tasks that have the potential to create or enhance the positive and peaceful environment of your home. I love that it sets the tone as we head into the busy, but blessed holiday season.

What makes YOUR home a haven?  What do you do to make your home a comfortable place for those you love?

♥ Kangelia