Summer Break

"Wherever you are, be all there.  Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."  ~Jim Elliot

Dear friends, I've decided to take the summer off (starting now!).  I have a million projects waiting to be tackled, birthday parties and special days to be planned, and as I've previously mentioned, life is just going by too fast.  I don't want to miss all the real life that happens in a busy household of growing children.  And this is one way I'm attempting to "be all there," by eliminating just one more thing that takes up time and brain space.

There is no way for me to escape the computer entirely, as I do much of my communication through email and I also shop online.  So I will still be around, but not actively participating in the online scene.  I have a few posts scheduled for Raising Homemakers in the upcoming months, but they are already done and scheduled, which will not require me to do anything for them.  And if you are subscribed by email and you see posts coming through, I have no idea why FeedBurner occasionally sends out old, random posts.  It isn't me!

This isn't goodbye forever, it's just a break--but I'll miss interacting with you all!  I hope you have a wonderful summer, and I look forward to meeting up with you again in the fall, Lord willing!

Poured-Out Motherhood

"If I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all."  ~Philippians 2:17

"I am among you as the One who serves."  ~Luke 22:27 

As Jesus poured out His life for us, so we as mothers are called to pour out our lives for our families.  Motherhood is a serving role, requiring that we set aside our own desires and life, and live for Him.  Jesus said that we would find our life as we lose it in serving others.

"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it."  ~Mark 8:35

Mountains of laundry, late nights with sick little ones, cleaning up messes over and over, teaching and training...all of it can seem like a burden and weariness, but this is where we find our life.  We find it as we are faithful to the calling of loving and serving others.

As we pour out our life as an offering we will find joy.  

"Are you willing to give and be poured out until you are used up and exhausted--not seeking to be ministered to, but to minister?"  ~Oswald Chambers  

Our time with our children is so short.  As I look back on my mothering, I want to know that I did all I could to love, serve, care for, and show Jesus to my children.  

I want to know that I was used by the Lord in their lives, to glorify Him and show forth His faithfulness and goodness.  Yes, it will be work.  It will be exhausting.  But we look forward to an eternal treasure and a heavenly reward.  Our work and faithfulness here will bless not only our children, but it will extend to future generations and even into other families as our children grow up and follow the same pattern of ministry and serving others.

But we must remember that we don't have forever to make an impression on our children.  We must take advantage of the time that we do have and make the most of every moment.

"I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work."   ~John 9:4

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."  ~Ephesians 5:15-17

"Christian motherhood means dedicating your entire life in service of others.  It means standing beside your husband, following him, and investing in the lives of children whom you hope will both survive you and surpass you.  It means forgoing present satisfaction for eternal rewards.  It means investing in the lives of others who may never fully appreciate your sacrifice or comprehend the depth of your love.  And it means doing all these things, not because you will receive the praise of man--for you will not--but because God made you to be a woman and a mother, and there is great contentment in that biblical calling.  In other words, Motherhood requires vision.  It requires living by faith and not by sight."  ~Douglas Phillips

Time is of the Essence

Time is of the Essence

Now is the time to get things done...

Wade in the water,

Sit in the sun,

Squish my toes 

in the mud by the door,

Explore the world with a boy just four.

Now is the time to study books,

Flowers, 

Snails, 

How a cloud looks,

To ponder "up,"

Where God sleeps nights,

Why mosquitoes take such big bites.

Later there'll be time 

To sew and clean,

Paint the hall

That soft new green,

To make new drapes, 

refinish the floor--

Later on...

When he's not just four.

~Irene Foster

Oh, I have a little one who is going to be "just four" in a few months.  He is so incredibly precious, and his curiosity and interest in the world around him is so beautiful to me.  I want to spend every day exploring the world with my children and not miss any of the moments of wonder!

It wasn't long ago that I was weary of all the older mothers who were telling me, "Enjoy these days, they go so quickly."  My days were long and the nights were short, and I couldn't fathom that any of this was going quickly!

But now, I see.

The days are going by too quickly for me, and even as I delight in the accomplishments and development of my growing-up children, it is bittersweet.

Recently, I was looking at some photos of my older children when they were all 6 and under.  They were so small and sweet and innocent.  And now here they are, getting taller than their mother and pondering "big people" things.

In some ways the little years were harder.  And in other ways this is more complex.  I love the way things are and yet there is a wistful yearning for the way things were.  The days when everyone took a nap in the afternoon and clamored after picture books.  Dolls and teddy bears instead of makeup and remote-control helicopters.

Everything changes, and I must change with them.  Each day is a gentle letting go and a propelling forward.  My task is to prepare them for their lives ahead, and not long for them to stay children, but rejoice as they enter young adulthood.

But my mother-heart still treasures the memories of babyhood and toddlerhood.  When I look at their faces I see them as they were and as they are all at the same time.  And it is a strangely painful feeling at times.  It's a feeling I never felt before becoming a mother.  It is sweetness and pain all mixed up together.

I must not waste a moment.  They are slipping by, one after another, so very quickly.  I must fill up each day to the brim with love and life and beauty.  Scriptures must be memorized, songs and hymns sung, cookies baked, skills passed on, parties and picnics planned, laundry folded, stories told, questions answered, books read, hugs given, blessings spoken, and love given--every day!

There is so much to do and I must not be idle.

Time is of the essence.

Homemade Granola Bars

My children L-O-V-E granola bars!  And we can find them pretty inexpensively at the local discount grocery store.  The only trouble is, the ingredients are not that great.  And, it's so fun to make your own!  This recipe is easy enough that kids can make it themselves!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup honey
• 4 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup whole wheat or spelt flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups of add-ins:  mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, coconut, etc.  (Add whatever you want!  For the batch pictured above, I used semi-sweet chocolate chips, coconut, and sunflower seeds.)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Grease a 9"x13" glass baking dish with butter.  
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and honey and mix well (I just use a plastic or wooden spoon to mix.)
3. Add the oats, flour, baking soda, and vanilla and mix well.
4. Stir in the add-ins by hand.
5. Pour the mixture into the baking dish and press it firmly into the pan (and you can even use your hands for this part!).
6. Bake at 325 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.  They won't look or feel "done," but instead they will still be very moist.  Don't worry, they'll harden as they cool.
7. Allow the bars to cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into bars.  Let them cool completely before removing and serving.  They can be stored at room temperature or you can even freeze them for later use.

*If you want your granola bars crispier, slice the fully baked bars and spread them apart slightly on a cookie sheet.  Bake t hem again at 200 degrees for 30-60 minutes until crispy but not browned.

This recipe comes from The Family Camping Handbook.  I altered the directions a bit, and the photo is mine.  This is just one of quite a few great recipes from The Family Camping Handbook that I plan to use when we go camping! 

Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links.
Linking to:  Growing Home, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Townsend House

Planning a Family Camping Trip?

We've been planning our upcoming family camping trip, and everyone is so excited!  One of the main planning helps I've been using is The Family Camping Handbook.  This eBook is so helpful in organizing what you need to take, and it also contains some wonderful recipes!

We're planning to eat our usual outdoors-fare, such as hot dogs and s'mores (just because we love those!), but I'm also excited to be trying out some of the real-food options in The Family Camping Handbook.

I even decided to get a pair of pie irons for making the hobo pies Katie tells you how to make in the book.  If you've never been camping as a family before, check out The Family Camping Handbook.  When I first saw the book a couple of years ago, I couldn't wait to get it, and now I'm so glad I did!

Here's a description of what you'll find inside:

"If you've always wanted to try camping as a frugal family vacation but are nervous because you have little ones, whether they're babies, toddlers, or preschoolers, the newly UPDATED second edition of The Family Camping Handbook will show you how to survive and even thrive out in the woods with young children.  You can bring your babes and your real food, too!"

Seriously, I love this book, and if you're interested in camping with little ones, you might love it too!

Disclosure:  I've been a big fan of Kitchen Stewardship's eBooks for quite a while now, so I decided to become an affiliate.  This post contains my affiliate links.  

Linking to:  The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story

Modesty is Beautiful

Have you ever had the thought that modest clothing was boring or unattractive?  I think that's a view that permeates our culture, but I'm so thankful there are modest clothing companies providing clothing that is not only modest but beautiful as well.

Deborah & Co. is one of my favorite modest clothing companies.  They sell lovely skirts:

And comfy and cute maternity skirts:

My favorite items to purchase at Deborah & Co. are the layering tees:

My daughter and I each have several of these, and they are wardrobe staples!  And, I just saw that the half-tees are on sale until tomorrow!  I haven't tried one of those (the half-tees) yet, but they look very useful.

And now I have my eye on their new Blossom Top, shown below:

Deborah & Co. also sells belts (shown in top two photos), earrings, headbands, custom-made skirts, and skirts and layering tees for little girls.  Teach your daughters that modesty is beautiful!

This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you so much for your support!

8 Favorite Mothering Books

My heart and mind are on the subject of motherhood this month, so I thought I would share some of my favorite books on the subject. 

• The Mission of Motherhood:  Touching Your Child's Heart for Eternity, by Sally Clarkson--This is probably my favorite book on motherhood, and I return to it again and again for encouragement.
• A Mother's Heart:  A Look at Values, Vision, and Character for the Christian Mother, by Jean Fleming--This is a newer favorite of mine (from my booklist last year).  
• The Ministry of Motherhood:  Following Christ's Example in Reaching the Hearts of Our Children, by Sally Clarkson--I love all of Sally's books!
• Feminine Appeal, by Carolyn Mahaney--This book covers more than just the topic of motherhood, but that is included as well.
• A Woman After God's Own Heart, by Elizabeth George--This is another all-time favorite book that encourages me in my Christian walk, therefore making me a better mother. 
• The Mom Walk:  Keeping in Step With God's Heart for Motherhood, by Sally Clarkson
• The Duties of Parents, by J.C. Ryle--Someone sent us this little book after the birth of our second child years ago, and it has been a favorite ever since.
• Loving the Little Years:  Motherhood in the Trenches, by Rachel Jankovic--This book will encourage those who are surrounded by little ones!

I love to read books on my mothering role, as it brings a renewed focus, vision, and energy to my days.  What are your favorite books on motherhood?

Related Posts:
7 Best Books I Read in 2011
2012 Book List
2013 Book List