Mother-in-laws

"Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?" Ruth 3:1

Momma Lee:

My mother-in-law, who I affectionally call "Momma Lee", is an amazing godly woman. Today, as we celebrate her 50th birthday, I would like to share some encouraging thoughts about how to have a great relationship with your mother-in-law. <3

#1 Talk to Her

The more I get to know my mother-in-law, the stronger our relationship grows. Take her out on a coffee/tea date and just ask her questions about how she raised your husband. She'll share some hilarious and memorable stories. ;) Get to know her talents and abilities, her joys and trials, and her godliness/wisdom. You'll treasure and appreciate all that she is/has to say. <3

#2 Listen to her Advice

This woman raised the man you married. Remember that. If she knows how to raise a good/godly kid to be a wonderful husband/father, don't you think she might have some good advice to impart on you? (Ruth 2:22, 3:6) I have so many quotes that my mother-in-law shared with me that I have never forgotten and have implemented in my life. :)

#3 Encourage her as a Grandma

It's important for your kids to get to know her and spend time with her. Find ways to encourage the relationship between grandma and grandkids. Play dates, evenings together, phone calls or skyping, and crafts for birthdays and holidays are all great ways of growing the bond! :) (Ruth 4:16-17)

#4 Appreciate her

Whether you realize this or not, she looks out for you. She wants to help ease your burdens. (I'll never forget the laundry late-nighter. Thanks, Momma Lee!) She wants to be a blessing to you and encourage you as a mom and wife. She prays for you and thinks of you often. (Ask her. It's true!) Appreciate all that she does and show gratitude to her!

~ Momma Lee. I love you. I never imagined how much I would care for you and be grateful unto you. You are wonderful, beautiful, and an amazing woman. I look up to you and have great admiration for all you say and do. You are a great example to me of a faithful wife, loving mother, and wonderful friend. You are a strong godly woman whose heart is spectacularly beautiful. Thank you for caring for me and my family. Thank you for being my "Naomi". Happy birthday! :) ~

Devos & Humor

Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. (1 Kings 10:8 KJV)

Readers:

I have books everywhere in my house. My bedroom, my bathroom, my living room, even my kitchen. I love reading books and study books and even... smelling books. LOL

This past weekend though I was felt burden to share with you two kinds of books: Devotionals and Humor. <3


Devotionals:

These are great to help support you as you study and read your Bible. They are encouraging and interesting. Here are my two recommendations:

A Heart for the Lord by Mrs. Gibbs. Buy it here. This book is wonderful. Each page is a short devotional. She shares her life stories with you and gives you an encouraging thought for the day based on scripture. I have been reading through it and enjoying it immensely. (Titus 2:3-4) :)

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Buy it here. This is another great devotional. It is perfect for a daily read. A friend of mine is using it and absolutely loves it. She says it has helped her grow in her faith. (1 Cor. 11:1) :)

Happy Books:

Encouragement by Mike Ray. Itunes version. Order it here. I only have the first one, but I plan on getting the rest. I use this, believe it or not, as a bathroom reader. The chapters are super short. There are comics inside that are hilarious. Each chapter has inspired me and brought me laughter. Great book! (Proverbs 17:22)

Read: 

Let's get rid of books that draw us away from Christ and replace them with those that encourage us and draw us closer to Christ. Take 5 minutes and read a short devotional. Having a bad day? Laugh at a comical godly book! :D It might brighten your mood or lift your spirit.

ENJOY :D

Home Tips (P1)

"House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD." Proverbs 19:14

The word prudent that is used in the verse above has a LONG meaning in the Bible. Here is the link for further study: click here. The dictionary meaning for prudent is "wise or judicious in practical affairs; sagacious; discreet or circumspect; sober."

I'm still growing in the Lord and ever learning, but I'd like to share with you my tips for the home. These are little things that I've learned that have helped me to keep a clean, orderly and happy home.

#1 Depend on God.

Whenever you need help, ask God to give you wisdom and insight. (Pro. 21:30)  Need to know the best plan for that test or work project, ask God. Need to know how to organize your drawers, ask God. Need to know how to soothe your child to sleep, ask God. I know it's seems silly to ask God for help for trivial things, but honestly, He wants to help and will provide the best answer. (James 1:5)

#2 Set time aside for God's Word.

The success of an orderly and happy home is dependent on your time with God. Every day, when my children are napping, I read my Bible and afterwards do my blog. Because I dedicate that time to Him, God responds by helping me care for my home. (Luke 10:39)

#3 Have a Command Center.

Because life is busy and hectic for wives and moms, command centers are a blessing. They have a way of keeping things balanced and scheduled. 

Since a daily schedule for the family is important, I wrote about mine here: click here.
I have a three month schedule on the cork board that I print from online. I put Birthdays, events, special days, and memories on it. This helps me keep track of things coming up. I put the bills due on the board as a quick reminder. On the table, I have a notepad and pens for notes. I put bills and coupons into the mail filer. I have a piggy bank for change. Inside the cabinet is cookbooks. This corner has been perfect for my family's command center. :D 

(This movable cabinet was purchased at a garage sale for $10 dollars and yes, I prayed for it.)

#4 Have a Weekly Goals & Meals board.


The first picture is my general goals on a white board. It helps me stay motivated during the day and to look ahead at things needing to get done. :) 

The Paper magnetic notepad is a dollar at Target. I use it for my grocery/shopping list. :)

The second picture is of my meal ideas. I use this for reference, planning and organizing my meals. I try to update both of these boards on a Sunday afternoon or late Monday night. It was a plain white board that I used scrapbook stickers on.

As you can see, I love white boards! :) (I bought these at Fred Meyers for $5 dollars each.)


TO BE CONTINUED...

I'll continue my tips another day. Hope these few first tips gives you encouragement in organizing and managing your home better. Enjoy! :)

Shattered

"For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops." Luke 12:2-3 KJV

Short Story:

One of my daughters tried to grab something off the top of the bookshelf which she was not suppose to do causing the picture on top to sway and fall to the ground. Shattering into a million pieces, my husband and I did our very best to clean, vacuum, and carefully get rid of all the pieces we could find. Then, I started to imagine of this fake scenario; what if, a few months from now, my daughter walks around and steps on a piece of small (never noticed or found) glass. What if, she gets infected from it and... ends up having more problems.

Sin Revealed:

We like hiding our sin and problems. We don't like it when we have to face our faults and shortcomings. Reproof is uncomfortable and challenging. It's easier to make it seem like they don't exist, yet eventually like the glass that was hiding, it will be revealed and cause even more problems. (Joshua 7, James 1:15)

So what is the correct response to our sin and faults?

The Biblical Response:

#1 Do not lie. Be honest with God and others. (Lev. 19:11, Psalm 119:163, Pro. 6:17-19) Dishonesty will not help you or give you inner peace. (Jer. 7:8)

#2 Confess your faults. Admit what you did wrong. Seek forgiveness from God and man. (James 5:16, Matt. 6:14-15, Psalm 86:5)

#3 Seek/Heed godly counsel, continue to meet weekly, obey the requests. Have a submissive spirit. (1 Peter 5:5, 2 Chro. 10:8, Prov. 11:14, Hebrews 13:17)

#4 Get rid of the problem areas (stop going places you shouldn't, stop being around those who influence you do to wrong, etc). (Prov. 1:10, Psalm 1) Set up boundaries to protect yourself. Avoid the appearance of evil. (1 Thes. 5:22) Get the bad and the ugly out of your life.

#4 Continue to do what's right. Read your Bible every day and take notes/study it! (2 Tim. 2:15) Pray and have a prayer journal. (1 Thes. 5:17) Meditate on scripture and hid it in your heart. (Psalm 119) Have friends who draw you closer to Christ and encourage you to do what's right. (Gal. 5:13, 1 John 4:7) Put what's good in! :D (Pro. 4:23, Phil. 4:7-8)

The Result:

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil. (Deuteronomy 30:15 KJV)

Today, you can either do what's right and have inner peace and prosperity or you can do what's evil and have plans fail or turmoil within. (Deuteronomy 11:26-28)

How will you choose to deal with your sin?