Lisa Jacobson's Blog, page 38

The Best Way to Parent That Very Unique Child of Yours

Peanut butter and jelly.

Peanut butter and honey.

Jelly. No peanut butter.

Tuna fish.

This summarizes the lunch hour in my home.

Gym shorts.

A dress with a bottom that can spin.

Purple sweatpants, orange ruffle tank top and a pair of watermelon colored flip flops.

Any variation of leggings and a too small t-shirt.

This is the morning wardrobe.

Bubbly.

Blunt.

Observant.

Fearless.

A brief description of their everyday personalities.

Get the picture? These are my four girls. The differences between them are endless and make our days together a priceless mystery.

As a young mom, I watched my girls play. I examined how they learned and related to each other and I was continually amazed that it was possible to be born to the exact same parents, raised in the exact same family structure and somehow exude so many differences.

And then I remembered who their Creator is and wondered why I should expect anything less.

Our God is creative.

He does not skip generations and He does not stop with height and hair color. His creativity is unconstrained and limitless. There are over 7 billion people in our world, all created by the One True God, and not one person is the same as another. Not even the ones sharing a bedroom, whispering secrets and calling you “Mom” or “Dad.”

Understanding this attribute of God gives me the desire to know my children and it drives me to direct my parenting according to the way their Heavenly Father has created them.

Now, please know that I do not adhere to every preference or want of my children, however trying to understanding their God-given uniqueness gives me the opportunity to lead them in a way that they can relate and easily grasp.

With each new season I find myself learning how I can best parent them according to their innate differences.

4 Things to Remember About Your Unique Child

So, when everything else about them seems to be shifting and developing, here are a few things I know to be true and I try to keep these things in the forefront of my mind and theirs!

My children are intentionally crafted by the Creator of the Universe.

 Psalm 139:13

For you formed my inward parts;

    you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

My children are different from my neighbor’s children as they are different from each other. God did this on purpose, for His purpose.

   Romans 12:6 

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;

My children are God’s gift and they are to be treasured and treated accordingly.

   Psalm 127:3 

  Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

    the fruit of the womb a reward.

As their parent, it is my responsibility to know them, love them and train them in the way that they should go.

   Proverbs 22:6

  Train up a child in the way he should go;

    even when he is old he will not depart from it.

And just for a little encouragement, here are a few helpful ways you can get to know your children individually!

Date your children and have a desire to know them intimately. Spend quality time with each child individually in order to get to know them not just as children, but as God’s special creation. (30 Ways to Date Your Daughter!)


Be flexible and willing to adjust. Core values and principles are the foundation; however how they are taught and applied sometimes requires custom lessons and methods.


Be the ultimate living example of God’s Truth. Continue to evaluate your values, standards and desires according to His Word.

Blessings on you and your unique child!

~ Wynter Pitts, ForGirlsLikeYou

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Author informationWynter Pitts

Wynter Pitts is the author of the newly-released, For Girls Like You: A Devotional for Tweens. She is also the founder of For Girls Like You, a ministry to girls that includes a print magazine. She has a drive to introduce young girls to Christian values so they can walk passionately and boldly. A native of Baltimore, Wynter resides in Dallas, Texas, with her husband, Jonathan, and their four daughters.

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How to Let Your Man Know What You Truly Need from Him

You wouldn’t have to know me long.

Before you concluded I could use a break now and then.

You’d soon be saying, I bet that lady needs a tall latte.

Maybe even a dark chocolate truffle.

I wouldn’t need to explain all this.

You would just know.

As a woman, it would be obvious to you.

You’d take one look at my full-to-overflowing days . . . and you’d understand exactly what was needed.

A small retreat.

Away from the noisy house and the busy children.

Yes. I’m thinking a 16-ounce latte and a quiet, uninterrupted conversation with a tall grown-up.

Preferably him – the one who thinks so clearly and has such broad, caring shoulders.

Oh, yeah, definitely him.

Now isn’t that readily apparent to you?

But for some reason it was NOT apparent to my husband and I had a hard time believing he couldn’t see it.

An Eye-Opening Conversation

So one day we had a conversation about this need of mine.

It began by my asking, “Can I tell you a little bit about me?”

Yes…

“Well, I love being your wife.

And I love being a mother.

And I could keep going on like this for the rest of my life.”

Small pause, so he’d see I was sincere.

“But you know something else about me? I do sooo much better when I get to step away from here occasionally.”

“Not only get away, but go out and have time together with you. It would do me a world of good.”

I drew breath and then finished with, “So do you think we could pull that off? You know . . . arrange for that on a regular basis?”

He started to laugh (though I didn’t really see the humor).

His response? “Strange. I never looked at it that way.”

My turn. “Ummm….So how do you look at it, Dear?”

“Well, I guess that since I’m away from the house all day, my favorite thing is to come home to my family. I love it when we’re sitting around together and don’t feel a particular need to go back out again. And I thought you felt the same way.”

So as it turned out, he really was unaware.

I had to explain what I was hoping for and even what that looked like to me. I wasn’t asking for a Mediterranean Cruise or an expensive dinner out – just a latte, please (though chocolate wouldn’t hurt).

Mostly I wanted time with him.

But in his mind, our evenings together at home counted as “time.”

It didn’t count so much with me.

He didn’t know what I needed. That was something he had to hear from me.

How to Let Your Man Know What You Truly Need from Him
Pray.

Bring it before The Lord first. Ask Him to help you say what you want to say in a loving manner. Also, ask Him to prepare your husband’s heart to hear you.

Come clean.

Let go of any bitterness or resentment that might have built up before this. Come with a fresh spirit.

Prepare him.

Let him know you’ve got something on your mind and you’re looking forward to sharing it with him.

Approach him.

Gently. With words seasoned with grace. Not accusing or demanding, simply laying down your needs before him.

Be patient.

Don’t be discouraged if it takes a while to sink in. Or if you have to repeat your request periodically and in different ways. Patiently and lovingly remind him of your needs.

Show appreciation.

If he tries at all, then express gratitude for his efforts. Don’t only say it in words, but also in your attitude. Make sure he sees what a difference it makes in your life.

Be willing to leave it there.

This might be the hardest one. Some needs can go for a long time before they’re met. Others never will be met. At least by him. Because God is the only One who promises to supply all you need (Phil. 4:19).

So go ahead and let him know what you need. Whatever it might be.

And, of course, what I need these days is a tall latte.

Chocolate.

Above all, some time away with my Man.

But you already knew that….

Summer News: From My Home to Yours {and What I’d Love to Hear From You}

And a happy summer to you!

If you’re new here, then you might not have come across one of these newsie posts before. But every change of season or so, I like to jet you – my faithful reader and friend – a more personal note and update.

Just to share what’s been going on around here and to let you know I’ve been thinking of you!

And so here it is mid-summer and what better time to connect than a warm, sunny day like this?

Exactly. That’s what I thought too.

I’ll go first, but I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you as well (more on that a little later!).

What Happens When Children Grow Up

. . . and leave you.

I guess I might as well get it out now.

You see, I have not one but TWO daughters who are leaving at the end of this summer.  One is going to college and the other is off to live her writing dream. Both are moving across the country.

And these girls are two of my closest friends.

So you can pretty much count on teary-eyes from me over the next few months.

How is it that you can be so excited for someone you love . . . and yet so very sad at the same time?

Motherhood.

Not for the faint of heart.

My Dear In-Laws

As most of you know, my husband’s parents have lived with us for the past 17 years.

And Mom struggles with Alzheimer’s.

And Dad has faithfully cared for her through it all.

Yet he’s had several heart attacks over the last few months and is now under hospice care himself. He is still with us, although his heart longs to be Home. To be honest, he has good days and some really hard ones.

On those difficult days, you’ll find the two of them sitting together and listening to old Gospel tunes. Humming along and holding hands. Singing to their risen Savior.

With a few tears streaming down their dear, old faces.

But without complaint.

And, believe me, I’m watching and taking notes. Got somethin’ to learn there . . .

*A special thanks to all of you who have been praying for us! We’ve truly felt your prayers!

What We’re Up to This Summer

Matthew and the kids packed up the canoe and tent for an adventurous camping trip at a nearby lake. I stayed home this year with our Special Girl.

The Young Boys have been working in the garden and play baseball every chance they get.

If you follow me on Instgram, you already know that summer is my favorite season of all! I love the flowers, the sunshine, the longer days and warmer nights. I love French Press coffee on the back patio in the morning and bee balm tea in the evening. Fresh-picked blueberries, homegrown tomatoes, and colorful salads. Laughing with family and friends.

I also enjoying a little extra reading—one of the many joys of summer! If you do too, I’m recommending these books…

My Top 5 Picks: What to Read This Summer

The Girls have all been busy working this summer.

The oldest is finishing up her first full-length novel and the other one is running her Virtual Assistant business and on her way to Patrick Henry College. The next youngest works as a nanny, but every night she makes us her famous Bee Balm Tea and we catch up on the happenings of our day.

It’s one of the loveliest ways to spend a summer evening . . . .

How to Prepare Bee Balm Tea

To prepare the tea, you simply walk out to your garden and gather as much of both the leaves and the flowers as desired. Then what you need is a cup of boiling water per tablespoon of bee balm herb (fresh or dried). Place the herb in a tea strainer, pour your boiling water over it, and allow the tea to steep for about 10 minutes.

After that, remove the strainer and add any natural sweetener you prefer, or none at all. Now the only thing left is to do is to decide whether you want to drink it hot from a tea cup or chilled, poured over ice!

Here are some other suggestions for your summer, in case you missed these:

Why Our Kids Need Us to Make the Most of Summer
Planning a Spa Day for Your Soul
How to Keep Stress from Stealing Your Joy This Summer
What You Need to Know – and Bring – If You’re Camping with Kids

What I’d Love to Hear from You

While it still might be summer, I can’t seem to help myself and am already thinking about fall and the upcoming year.

And so I’d love to hear from you and what you’d like to see more of on Club31Women!

I already have some exciting new plans in place, but I’m eager to learn what else you’re hoping to find here…..

What kind of articles do you prefer? (Marriage, parenting, faith, homemaking, book reviews, practical helps, recipes, giveaways, etc.)
How can the Club31Women team and I encourage you? What would be the most helpful to you?
How often would you ideally want to receive articles? (daily, 3 or 4 times a week, less…or more?)
Would you mind telling me a little about yourself too? (Married? If so, how long? Do you have children? How many and what are their ages? Anything else special about you that I should know?)

I’d be so grateful if you would respond  to any or all of these questions in the comments below!!

Thank you so much! I can’t wait to hear from you….

Hope you’re enjoying your summer!

With love from my home to yours,

 

*If you prefer, you can also reply to this email and that response would come to me as well.

Photo credit: The pictures of the girls are from the very talented Allison Harp!

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Author informationLisaOwner at Club 31 Women

Lisa is the happily-ever-after wife of Matthew Jacobson and together they enjoy raising and home-educating their 8 children in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She's also rather fond of dark chocolate, French press coffee, and deep friendships (though not necessarily in that order). She encourages women to embrace the rich life of loving relationships and the high calling of being a wife and mother. Lisa is the author of 100 Ways to Love Your Husband and her husband is the author of 100 Ways to Love Your Wife. They are also the authors of several children's books, including a winner of the C.S. Lewis Silver Medal for Children's Literature.

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You Can’t Go Wrong with A Simple Berry Cobbler

As a family, we look forward to this time of the year.

It’s not just because the sun finally pushes the Oregon clouds out of the way and we’re finally able to go outside and do all the outdoorsy things we want to do (hiking, pick berries, go on warm evening strolls as a family…not to mention barbecue outside almost every evening!) .

We get excited because as June becomes July some very special family guests arrive in our neck of the woods – Josh’s grandparents, whom we lovingly call Grammy and Grampy.

Grammy and Grampy (or Nell and Jack) live in Malawi most of the year working with African Bible Colleges. As a couple, they have been serving the Lord for over 50 years, over half of that time spent in Liberia, and then in Malawi.

Last summer, they had plans to return to Liberia to work on one of the college campuses, but the Ebola outbreak left them stranded in the States, which they weren’t too excited about, but they faithfully trusted that God would get them back to their beloved country.

Did I mention that Grampy is 91 years old?

He is, and he is still has a hop in his step, zest for life, and a desire to share the gospel with the people of Africa.

Josh and I had the opportunity to have the whole family over to our house last week for dinner. Josh promised to grill something delicious, and I promised to make Grampy his favorite dessert, blackberry cobbler. While Africa sports a lot of fun fruits, they don’t have berries, which are like gold to him!

This recipe features marionberries, which are part of the blackberry family, but I did go out and specifically buy blackberries for him. Somehow, he knows and can taste the difference between the two!

Honestly, this recipe is so adaptable, any berry or fruit will work.

During the summer, you can’t go wrong with a simple berry cobbler.

My favorite part is the biscuity crust (I always eat that part last!), because it gets all golden with a crunch on the outside. Top the cobbler with homemade whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and you’re set!

Summer doesn’t get any better than this…unless, of course, family is in town, and you can share the love with some good food and a lot of laughs.

Please pray for Grammy and Grampy as they prepare for their trip back to Liberia in August, which is planned even though three more ebola cases have popped up over the past few weeks. I believe that God has a special plan for Africa, and it is inspiring to see God’s love alive in our grandparents, despite their age, wanting to go out sharing the message.

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'” Mark 16:15

~ Chels {Catz in the Kitchen}

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Print Marionberry Cobbler Author: Lisa Rief Recipe type: Dessert Serves: about 6 servings   Fresh, sweet berries and a beautiful golden butter crust-this cobbler is the perfect dessert for summer! Ingredients 1 cup sugar 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tsp.salt 1 scant tsp.baking powder 2 tsp. ground cinnamon ½ cup (1 stick) butter, chilled and cubed 1egg, beaten 6 cups marionberries ½ cupsugar 2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1½ tspground nutmeg ¼ cupinstant tapioca pearls Instructions Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup sugar, flour, salt, baking powder and 2 tsp of cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter with a pastry blender until the mixture resembles wet sand. Mix the beaten egg into the flour mixture until the egg is evenly distributed. Pour the berries into an 11×13 baking dish and stir in the remaining sugar and tapioca pearls. Sprinkle the cinnamon and nutmeg over the top of the berries. crumble the cobbler dough over the berries until the dough covers almost all of the berries. Bake in the pre-heated oven for 40 minutes or until the berries start to bubble and the crust gets golden brown. If you find that the crust isn’t browning-turn the broiler on and broil the cobbler for a few minutes only-careful to watch it and make sure it doesn’t burn. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream #version#

Author informationChelsia Rief

Chels is a born-again believer who dreams of living with all four seasons in Central Oregon. She's a wife and stay at home mom to her three vivacious kiddos whom she home schools. When she's not schooling or chasing after her munchkins, she enjoys reading, bubble baths, and finding clothing/kitchen treasure at thrift stores. But more than all of that, she finds refuge in her kitchen where she and her husband can be found cooking and baking up a storm for their family and friends. You can read more about her culinary endeavors at CatzintheKitchen.com.

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Here’s One Thing I Do Not Want to Pass Down to Our Children

Recently my oldest daughter and I were staying at my parents’ home while they were away on a trip. Just she and I alone enjoying a private retreat at the home I grew up in.

Everything was so peaceful . . .

That is, until she told me she was going down to the basement to exercise.

I gulped. I was very uneasy with her going down there all by herself.

Yes, even though she is going on 20 years.

The girl read right through me and started laughing.

What, Mom? Are you afraid the Monsters are going to get me down there?

And she wasn’t too far from the mark. Here I am, a grown-up adult – a very grown-up adult – and I’m still afraid of that dumb, dark basement.

But she sure wasn’t.

She was unafraid.

Just like we’d raised her to be.

And I thought about how freely she lives.

And how that’s what we want for our kids.

And how I want to live as well. Fearless.

Because it’s only the Enemy who wants us to fearful. To be afraid to try new things or step out from our comfort zone. To worry about what might happen and what scary things might be out there.

But not our God…..

You can hop on over to TheBetterMom to read the rest of this article (click link below)!

Mom, Don’t Pass Your Fears Onto Your Child

I hope to see you over there!

In His grace,

 

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Author informationLisaOwner at Club 31 Women

Lisa is the happily-ever-after wife of Matthew Jacobson and together they enjoy raising and home-educating their 8 children in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She's also rather fond of dark chocolate, French press coffee, and deep friendships (though not necessarily in that order). She encourages women to embrace the rich life of loving relationships and the high calling of being a wife and mother. Lisa is the author of 100 Ways to Love Your Husband and her husband is the author of 100 Ways to Love Your Wife. They are also the authors of several children's books, including a winner of the C.S. Lewis Silver Medal for Children's Literature.

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Why We Need to Stop Journaling All His Faults

Think back with me, for a moment, to when you first met your spouse.

Do you remember those looks you exchanged from across a room? That smile that made the rest of your day awesome? How simply standing near them that made your heart beat a bit faster?

It seems that while we were dating we were on our best behavior. We used our manners, we were patient and understanding, we overlooked the other’s little quirks, and laughed at each others jokes.

The day of the wedding comes and we think this is as close to heaven as we can get.

We are excited to set up a home together and we walk around with hearts in our eyes.

As the honeymoon phase disappears so do the hearts in our eyes as we begin to see the reality of our lives; namely that we are married to a sinner. We can’t be on our best behavior all of the time and soon little quirks become annoying and faux pas turn into big deals.

This is when some whip out their notebooks or diaries and begin to keep a list of their spouse’s sins and shortcomings.

Shameful, right? But we all do it. We may not put pen to paper and physically write them down.

But we journal our husbands’ faults onto the pages of our hearts so we never forget.

Man does more harm to man than animals do to man. – Ralph Venning

Throw Away the Journal

It is usually the people closest to us that hurt us the most and in ways that we would never imagine.

And this goes both ways. We hurt those closest to us more than any other.

Living as husband and wife brings with it lots of blessings, laughter, joys, and fun, but it also harbors a darker side. The side where we say and do things that wound and tear down.

For some, keeping track of those hurts is a way to protect themselves while others use those remembered wounds as way to hurt back. It is a way to build up their debt against us and to make sure they somehow pay.

But this is not God’s way.

He does not keep an account of our wrong. He does not wait for a day where he can stick it to us. He does not throw our transgressions at us in a fit of anger.

God gives us mercy and grace. He forgives and then puts our sins from us. He helps us in our weakness and loves us dearly when we fail. He always wants our best and this should be our attitude towards our husbands.

We have to stop recording all the wrongs.

We must stop revisiting the sins of our husbands.

Our forgiveness must be total.

It is not enough to say that we forgive with our lips, but we must forgive in our hearts (Col 3:13). This means not bringing the offense up again, not holding it over the other’s head. This is one of the first steps in receiving freedom from the pain that was caused.

Forgiveness is hard and showing grace is impossible if we have not experienced the grace of God in our own lives first. The forgiveness and complete love God has for us becomes overwhelming when we understand the messiness of our hearts, the dishonor we show God, and the ungratefulness we exhibit towards Christ and his work.

This understanding is what allows us to throw away our journals and show grace and forgiveness to others, especially our spouses.

 …bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ~ Colossians 3:13

Blessings,

Jen

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Author informationJen ThornContributor

I grew up in Germany and spent a few years as a missionary kid in Africa. I ended up at Moody Bible Institute where I met my husband and best friend. We have been married 16 years and have 2 boys and 2 girls. I love theology and have a passion to help women take their walk with God to a deeper level. You can find Jen on her blog,

 JenThorn.com.

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Planning a Spa Day for Your Soul

Have you felt this lately?

“ I feel like my days are filled with responding to kids, demands, obligations and I don’t have any creative space just for me.”

It is mid summer, and I imagine we’ve all felt like this at some point.

In fact, you may have wanted to run away for a day or be sent to “time out” for several hours!

It’s normal.

We too need space in our life without an agenda.

Time simply to dream, to be alone, and to listen to the Lord.

I often think of Jesus slipping away at dusk to spend a quiet overnight with the Lord. If He, the Son of God, needed some quite time how much more do you and I?

Time alone refreshes us and makes us better Moms and wives.

We may have to be creative to get time alone so here’s a suggestion:

Plan a half-day away by yourself during the next few weeks or an overnight if you can swing it. Exchange days with another Mom, hire a babysitter, trade days off with your husband.

This is not a day to run errands or scratch things off your “list.”

Instead it is a spa day for your soul.

Go somewhere beautiful and simply be quiet.

Take something that is life-giving—your Bible, a journal, sketch pad, etc.

Eat delicious food.

Especially chocolate.

Put this day on your calendar now and make arrangements.

Simply knowing that you have this oasis of time scheduled for the second half of the summer will be an encouragement.

Packing List for Your Soul Spa-Day

Bible
Journal
Sketch-book
Song book or hymnal
Devotional
Special snacks
Chocolate
Coffee, tea, or favorite beverage
Sweet-smelling candle or fresh flowers
Comfy pillow and/or blanket

And, above all, bring your listening ears and open heart.

Your heavenly Father loves you and He desires time with you simply to love on you.

Be still and know that I am God. ~ Psalm 46:10

Blessings,

Susan 

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Author informationSusan Yates

I’m mom to five children (including a set of twins) and grandmother to 21 (including a set of quadruplets!). My husband, John and I have been married almost 45 years. I’ve written 13 books and speak on the subjects of marriage, parenting, and women’s issues.

I write regularly for the blog: MomLifeToday.com, sponsored by Family Life. I’m a Tarheel. I love Monday night football, ACC basketball, shooting hoops with my grandsons, hiking and riding horseback with my husband, running and talking with girl friends. My favorite time of the year is June when all my kids and grandkids are together for a week of “cousins and family camp” in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia.

You can read more from Susan on her personal blog at SusanAlexanderYates.

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How To Love Your Imperfect Home

I remember the day we moved to our current home.

The carpets needed a good cleaning, the fixtures were dated, and my master bedroom was half the size of my previous one. I knew all of this when we decided to make this our new home. However, I still found myself looking for imperfections and making mental lists of all of our future weekend projects.

The funny thing is that this home was an upgrade from our last place.

Our previous home had foundation issues, the basement would flood when it rained, and the walls were splitting. The home was literally falling apart.

So why was I not elated about our new place?

It wasn’t long before I realized that my ungrateful heart was the real problem and not my home. Here I was in a perfectly safe and clean home complaining about things that weren’t trivial. The same person that several years ago did not have her own bed to rest on.

I know it’s easy to feel that our homes don’t measure up when we are constantly flooded with images of designer homes by the media. Unfortunately, we wind up losing sight of what home truly is: a place to meet with God in secret, a haven for our family, and a place to share the love of Christ with others.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting your home to look beautiful. But when we deem our home inadequate because it doesn’t meet society’s standard, we end up planting a seed of discontentment that is not pleasing to God.

With so many families struggling to keep a roof over their heads, we need to reevaluate the desires of our heart. How can we expect a greater blessing when we can’t be content where we’re currently planted?

So how can you love the home you’re in?
How to Love Your Imperfect Home

Here are some ways to start shifting your attitude and find contentment in the space you’ve been blessed with:

Focus on the positive

It’s easy to focus on the negative aspects of your home. But imagine how much your attitude would change if you focused on the positive things your home has to offer?

Perhaps you live in a small home. I personally live in a home that’s considered small by American standards, but I love the fact that I spend less time having to clean it. We also don’t have a big backyard in our current home. However, I’m grateful that my husband doesn’t have to dedicate an entire evening to landscaping.

Make a list of what you love about your home as a reminder and begin to embrace the place where God has planted you.

Make it a haven

Your home should be your family’s haven. A place to enjoy and create new memories together.

Light up your favorite candle scents, create a comfy nook that your family can enjoy, or play uplifting music. I personally enjoy clearing out clutter and having a clean space that enables me to relax. I also have a few of my favorite Bible verses and quotes around the home. These are little things that can instantly change your mood and space.

Figure out what brings you joy and recreate it in your home.

Practice hospitality

This is tough for me because I’m an introvert and a perfectionist. Both traits that can get in the way of hospitality. I wind up stressing myself out with cleaning and cooking that I lose sight of what’s truly important.

However, God desires for us to have a heart of service, and what better way than by opening our home to others. Our home is a tool that we can use to fellowship and share our testimony with those that need to witness the love of Christ. This will also help you embrace your space in a new positive way.

Choose gratitude

It’s easy to focus on the negative and lose sight of how truly blessed we are. Each day take the time to thank God for your home, keeping in mind that this is not our permanent home.

When I find myself complaining about my tiny closet, I remind myself to thank the Lord for all of the clothes I’ve been blessed with.

Gratitude is being content in our circumstances regardless of what they may be.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” ~ Philippians 4:11 (ESV)

Do you find yourself struggling with discontentment?

My prayer is that you will find peace and joy in your current home. Trust that God only wants what’s best for you, and that even your “imperfect” home is part of His perfect plan.

Blessings,

Jesenia

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Author informationJesenia Montanez

Jesenia is a God-loving, recovering perfectionist, homeschooling mother of 3. She's married to her wonderful husband and resides in their Pennsylvania home located in the beautiful Amish countryside. She is also the blogger behind TheLatinaHomemaker where she shares homemaking tips, frugal living advice and delicious recipes for busy moms. When she's not busy juggling the home she loves to indulge in a delicious cup of coffee paired with a great book. "Family over laundry" is the motto she lives by.

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The Prayer of A Mom Whose Nest Will Soon Be Empty

An adaption from Psalm 139

O Lord, you have searched me and You know me.

You know when I sit in the crawlspace looking through my son’s Rubbermaid full of childhood.

You know when I rise and start the washer, so that he has clean clothes to wear to graduation.

You perceive my thoughts about the day we’ll load his car and drive him from the top of Montana to the center of Texas for college.

You hem me in –standing behind me when I saw the positive pregnancy test 18 years ago and standing before me when I wonder how we’ll fund four years of college.

You have laid Your hand upon me,

the way I laid my hand upon his forehead while he was sleeping.

the way I laid my hand upon his backside when he was naughty.

the way I rested my hand on his arm during Saturday night church.

Your hand upon me

–such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Where can I flee from Your presence?

If I hold a newborn in the crook of my arm and admire the dimples in his hand, You are there.

If I see that child in my rearview mirror come August, You are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn and find his bedroom uncomfortably empty,

if I settle on the far north of the continental U.S. while he is in tornado country,

even there Your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness of missing my children will hide me and the empty nest years become night around me,”

even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You.

You know me.

Your hand is on me.

You are there.

Amen,

Christy Fitzwater

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Author informationChristy FitzwaterContributor at ChristyFitzwater.com

Christy Fitzwater is a pastor’s wife living in Kalispell, Montana. She is the mother of a son in high school and a daughter who was recently married. She enjoys when the days get shorter and the weather nasty so she doesn’t feel guilty about not going outside. Days where she can just read books and write words all day. She can even tell you the plots of 15 missionary biographies without batting an eye. You can read her personal blog at ChristyFitzwater.

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15 Ways to Say You Love Him…Without Ever Saying A Word

I’m not sure that I understood the man’s mind when we first got married.

Or maybe I should say understood his masculine heart.

I mean, I thought I did . . . but it turned out I had a lot to learn.

Lots and lots.

Basically, clueless.

I figured mostly what I needed to do was to look up at him with adoring eyes and occasionally say, “I love you” and that about covered it.

It had worked so well when we were dating . . . .

But less so as time went on.

Not that he still didn’t want to hear it, but I found there were other ways to tell the guy that you love him.

I discovered that – much like me – he needs to hear love spoken in a variety of ways.

And he needs more than just big eyes and a few romantic words.

So my friend Christy and I decided to pool our marriage experience to offer some suggestions (sort of a “two for one” deal) in case you were looking for new ideas too.

So here’s what we came up with . . . .

15 Ways to Say You Love Him
1.     Prepare him food that he especially likes.

I know. It may seem a bit silly to you, but the feeling is real. They might say that “Love makes the world go round,” but the truth is—it’s food.

Especially cinnamon rolls.

Preferably homemade and with extra cinnamon goo.

2.     Do one of his chores that he wouldn’t expect you to do.

Surprise! All done. Just ’cause and no need for thanks.

3.     Display overt public affection.

Remember how you used to drape yourself all over him when you were dating or engaged? (you did do this, didn’t you??)

Well, no reason to leave off with that lovey-dovey stuff.

Even my silver-haired hunk of a guy loves it when I wrap my arms around his neck. Or tuck my arm into his. Or snuggle in next to him. Right in front of everyone.

Somewhat embarrasses the teenagers, but I figure it’s good for them.

And I know it’s good for him.

4.     Tell him Chris Hemsworth only wishes he could look so good.

No explanation necessary.