Simplicity? - is really complex

"There is a quest out there for simplicity......

My life is not simple. And I am not simple. My life is complex

People are complex. All the people here are individuals. They all have individual needs and individual wants and individual personalities.....

The only simple part is how I do it. I am called to do it diligently. I am called to do it wholeheartedly. I am called to devote my entire life to working hard for the glory of God in this complex household. I am called to do it — no matter how intricate and complicated "it" is — with love. Mothers love with all their hearts, minds and souls. It's a pure love that God wants us to give to our families. Many, many times, this love looks like plain old hard work, work that requires heroic discipline and almost incessant busyness. Work that is softened by grace falling like rain, rain that sounds like music. It's not a simple tune. It's a symphony conducted by the Lord Himself. And in every family the song is different, each according to the score written by the Creator." ~ excerpts from In the Heart of my Home by Elizabeth Foss.

I was praying this morning and remembered a blog post that I had read awhile back about Simplicity.  This blog post must of  really had an impact on me to recall in my mind....and to search back and find it too! But, I remember her words piercing my heart as a mom - because I was/is one of those moms that are on that quest for simplicity.  Her words really spoke truth to me -- I do love the simple things, and I do relish in delighting in those simple things.  I desire to have my home reflect simplicity --  But, I am reminded that my life right now is not simple.... and this line said it all for me:   I am called to devote my entire life to working hard for the glory of God in this complex household


I have been struggling over the past year at what the Lord is "calling" me to be/do?  What does HE desire me to be or do?  I have longed to be able to create another CD album and sing...be part of a band.... artist.... teacher....  however,  God has been teaching me about  devoting my entire life toHIM - no matter what, where, why I am doing what I am doing.  Right now, I am learning to be a Mama to my girls.  I am learning to be a helpmeet to my husband.  I am learning to be part of ministry in my church.  I am learning to be a friend. 
God is molding me in many areas -- it is not simple by any means, except that there is a simple purpose of creating something beautiful for God within me.  


There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the love and the devotion come in — that we do it to God, to Christ, and that's why we try to do it as beautifully as possible. ~ Mother Theresa 


I encourage you to go read the entire blog post from In the Heart of my Home by Elizabeth Foss.  It is so well written and will change your perspective about simplicty and our perspectives of who we are as mothers. 

Hoppin' to meet some new friends!

I am having a little fun with Friday Friendly Following...

I hope you will join up with me?

FABULOUS!!

I am a follower of the somewhat simple blog -- and let me tell you, this is really a fun, creative blog!

somewhat simple is having a super fun ABC party this month and I am playing along. I just love it! I love anything creative and a chance to show of creativeness in a fun way!

AND...

There is also a SUPER FABULOUS giveaway!

YEP! A Silhouette!

Oh, I am soooo excited about this one. And, of course, would love to have this. Think of all the fun projects I would do??

You need to hop on over and check out all the details to this giveaway and enter yourself to win too...

Starting tomorrow SEPT 1st - I will start sharing my ABC -Create with me creations!

Celebrating InCourage: Happy Birthday

There is some celebrating going on over here. I am celebrating. Come and check it out!

Friday Friendly Following

I am having a little fun with Friday Friendly Following...

I hope you will join up with me?

Friday Friendly Following

I am having a little fun with Friday Friendly Following...

I hope you will join up with me?

A little link love for you...

Today I wanted to share with you a few inspirational blog posts about Motherhood & raising children. I haven't had much time for blogging lately -- to write or to read. I miss it. But, I do know that I am in a "season" of my life right now that has me focused on my husband & my girls.
However, there were a few posts that I just loved and were inspiring to me right now in this point of my life.... and thought I would share with you! Enjoy.

YES! - from Monica over at Homespun Heart

The Secret of a Blessed Life... - from Sally Clarkson at I Take Joy

How to spend Summer Days - from Ann Voskamp at Holy Experience

Mama's Day -- Blessings from Lil'Daisies

My Girls and their Mama!

Mothers/Mommies/Mamas -
Praying you have a special day!
You bring honor to the Lord as a mom and your children are blessed to have you.
This is a wonderful chance to say “thank you” for reflecting the love of God through your role as a mom—and to tell you that you’re fulfilling it with beauty and grace.

Have a Blessed Mother’s Day!

An encouraging word for Mother's Day -

READ THIS post over at Incourage -- written by Ann Voskamp. She is such a talented author that writes words so beautifully. I love reading her blog Holy Experience.

My Mama and I

A book giveaway...

One of my favorite blogs to read is I Take Joy by author and speaker Sally Clarkson. She is a favorite read of mine... an encouraging, soul seeking, thought provoking blogger that just makes me grasp for a deeper understanding of Christ in my life.
She has an amazing gift of words, the ability to listen to God's heart and purpose then put into words that relate to the current life situations of mothers and women.
I am thrilled to say that she is having a book giveaway. I would love to read her latest book, Dancing with my Father, about "the study of joy and the pondering of what it means to walk with joy every day, every moment, no matter what..."

In Sally Clarkson's own words -- she describes the book:
"...it is a roadway of finding victory in what could have been a defeated life. God is so good and He has been so faithful. I truly hope that my own journey toward Him, in the midst, might in some way give many of you a some bit of courage, strength, love and joy.

Finally, we are able to offer this book to you, my friends. I pray that if you are struggling with life, disappointed, longing for God in a deep way, that in some small way, this book will be of encouragement to you and that you may make strides, as I have in learning what it means to walk in God's presence and to experience His joy every day."

If you would like a chance to win 2 books, then look over at THIS post on her blog. I warn you that you will be drawn into her beautiful words on her blog....be blessed.

Eat From the Pantry Challenge

In the midst of my blog reading I came across this fun challenge that Crystal and FishMama are hosting. It is an Eat From the Pantry Challenge! But, I hadn't really decided if I would participate or not since we would be gone for part of the month. But, when reading through their thoughts and guidelines, I realized that I could do it for any amount of time in January. The initial challenge is to eat from your pantry, spending as little money on groceries as possible, for the entire month. I am going to try it for 3 weeks (minus the week we are gone for our cruise). I will also spend time blogging about it....so, that you aware what we are eating, spending, and saving!

This will be a month of creativity. I am sure to have interesting concoctions, maybe even some boring, plain meals....but, it will be worth the money saved and the happiness of fulfilling a challenge. Let me tell you that I am not going to completely avoid buying any groceries for a month. We like to have fresh eggs, milk, and produce, so I will plan to still buy those things.
I am also on WIC -- so, this will help with any foods I need to buy from that category too.

Here is the deal!~

• Reduce grocery spending. We're talking about reducing grocery spending this month, not eliminating it. Set a goal that is lower than your regular food budget and shoot for not exceeding it. I normally spend $100+ a week on groceries. My goal is $50.00 a week.
  
• Take stock. Take an afternoon and empty your pantry, freezer, and refrigerator. Ditch what's gone bad and make a list of what's left. Knowing what you have will make you less likely to buy more. I have a freezer/pantry form, that I will attempt to upload for you.
  
• Use what you have. Check your pantry before you meal plan or head off to the store. Develop meals based on what you have rather than buying new. I will continue to make my meals plans weekly -- but referring to my freezer/pantry lists first when creatively planning our meals.
  

You can join in the entire month, or for two weeks, or just a week--it's up to you! It's not a competition, it is to encourage you to get creative and save money by wisely using things in your freezer, refrigerator, and pantry.

Here is how you can get on board! Set goals for your own family for the Eat From The Pantry Challenge. Post it on your blog and link back here using Mr. Linky below. You can also link onto Crystal and FishMama's blog as well. At the end of the week, I will have another link to share how things are going and you can share your post as well.

What's your plan to make the most of YOUR grocery budget next month?
Join with LilDaisies and many others in making the most of your grocery budget this month and using up those items in your freezer/pantry!

Sign with Mr. Linky below!

100

I thought this was pretty interesting. I use Bible Gateway a lot of the time to look up a Bible verses. I stumbled across their blog. Who knew Bible Gateway has a blog?
I am thinking about taking the next 100 Days and reading through each verse. It would be even more spectactular to memorize them all....but... Um, I think I will just take wittle bitty steps...

Here are the first 10 from the top 100 most-read Bible verses on BibleGateway.com (all verses quoted from the NIV):

1. John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
2. Jer 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
3. Rom 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
4. Phil 4:13: I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
5. Gen 1:1: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
6. Prov 3:5: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
7. Prov 3:6: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
8. Rom 12:2: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
9. Phil 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
10. Matt 28:19: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Passionate

“purposefully aligning my passions to fit His purposes“ 

We have some friends visiting us today as they are traveling through on their journey of moving from Arizona to Alaska.  I am so excited to spend some time with them to listen and learn about their adventures in Kingdom living!  I had read this post on Carrie's blog a little while ago and I was really motivated and encouraged by her own spiritual journey as a wife, mother, and friend.  She wrote about her passions --the things that God desired for her to be passionate about.  She created a binder with these passions marked into categories. "It has really helped me to not get so overwhelmed and instead be able to enjoy learning and applying things in His time."

  I really loved this idea.  I have began, stopped, and then re-started (not yet completed) a binder to help me with organizing our home...but it has always been more work for me to get it right and let alone finished or workable. (Maybe it is the perfectionist in me).  But, when I read Carrie's post, something struck a chord with me.  I have yet to stop and seek God first.  What are my passions?  What does God want me to be passionate about? 

It was a whole new way of thinking about how I go about organizing my home and living our lives to honor God.  My home is to not be perfectly spotless, extremely organized, or run smoothly, but rather it is a heart reflection of who God is creating me to become: a help meet, mother, friend and servant. 

So, instead of creating a "homemaker's binder" with cleaning, menu, calendar, and lists upon lists...I need to first seek God and make His passions run clear through me.  This is where I should be focused....

So, I will be spending time in prayer and seeking God's purpose in my life and what I am to become passionate about.  I will share these with you soon.

What are you passionate about?   

You never knew

....that I could be a model! :-) Especially before even starting on my diet to lose all this extra baggage I am carrying around my hips, stomach, arms, big toe! (No, the baggage is not Rosi... Ya know the postpartum stuff that lingers on for years after having your first child. Well, I have had three chillin's and my extra weight...well, it needs to skit-daddle soon).

But that is not what I am here to share.....I am sharing about the fact that Rosi and I were models. Yes, you read it. Models. Watch out Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss!
The little Lil'Daisy Rosi and I were honored to help out a friend with her home business of baby carriers. Frogmama!

I purchased a sling through her and I had it custom made. AND...I love it! So, I am completely supportive of her business because I believe in her products and her business etiquette--outstanding!

We had a great time posing in all the new carriers! Fun. So, now you need to go check out her website and see if you can find my cute little Rosi! And, you just might find something too cute to hold your wee baby or not so wee toddler in too!
Oh, and a fun note: the baby carrier that I am holding Rosi in is called "Bella" ---how quaint is that?

These are a few of my favorite

Blogs!
Now that you have the Sound of Music song in your head of favorites. Let me share just two of my favorites with you tonight. I will share some more with you in another post. I am actually just wanting to get in a post and get into relaxing to watch LOST!

Whitaker Blogs take spotlight on Lil'Daisies
The only HO, (Carlos Whitaker), I would be the least bit, tad bit jealous of....look at his stats, is a fun read, especially his Throwin' Rocks at Your BooDaddy series--hilarious! But, I have to say I enjoy reading his wife blog even more (sorry, but true). She has some great family night themes that have motivated me to get back into doing with our family. It has been quite awhile since having the baby. And, Heather has had some spectacular ideas! Oh, BY THE WAY...the both Whitakers have left me comments one time that just made me smile..okay scream out loud ---woo hoo ( a celebrity blogger taking a peek over into my world! How can you not scream? Awesome)

Okay, well this is just a random post to boost up Carlos' self esteem and also hoping he just might link me back some love. But, who knows maybe it may make a great series on the Lil'Daisies Blog. I could feature a few of my favo-blogs every once in awhile. What say you? Ya curious as to what I read?

Go check it out and enjoy some entertaining read. I will be here planning my next family night while watching an episode of LOST (so addicting...even more so than blogging).

Have a great weekend y'all!

Do you have a favorite blog you enjoy reading? (besides mine!---ha)