Stop the Clock

A while back I posted a link to our MOTH schedule, showing how I had fit all of the details of our day nicely into those lovely little boxes. (Don't you LOVE how organized a life can look?)

Well, what I haven't posted is an update on how we're doing with all of those little boxes all laid nicely in a row. Truth is, while I crave the order a well made schedule gives, it was just too much for me in this season. On the days when we were staying on track, I was moving at a level of stress that made me crash and crash hard within a day or two. Other days I just felt defeated for not having met the goal.

To the rescue comes my wonderful husband. He carefully listened while I unloaded my frustrations and anxieties. We took a weekend together as a "retreat" to pray, read and make some needed changes allowing our home to work more smoothly. While we did make some changes to the daily schedule and we chose to adjust one day of our week focusing on being purposefully restful, the biggest change was the simplest one. Drastic, for my personality, but simple.  Stop the Clock.

After we designed a simplified version of our day, my wise husband instructed me to ignore the clock and take the time slots OFF of our schedule. We focus on accomplishing the Task at Hand and then simply move on to the Next Thing. We stick together, working on each task as a team.  The result? Peace. A relaxed and cheerful wife and mother. A happier family. Less stress and more enjoyment to our day. Yep, it worked!

You can see our simplified daily schedule here.  I've just updated it a bit more to accomodate our new routine that will utilize our new school room. So, while I know that ignoring the clock is the ticket for me right now, I'll still need to give a further update on how this new schedule is working once we start using it.

The biggest reason I am updating here is to be sure that you all understand that this family is a Work in Progress. Even though I've used MOTH quite successfully in the past, we continue to learn that different seasons require different tools. Sometimes we can look good on paper or on a screen, but the reality doesn't exactly match up. I want to be sure that everyone out there understands that we are not after Perfection, nor have we ever attained it. Instead we "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:14

Top to Bottom

We're trying something different this week in preparation for the new year approaching. I call it our Top to Bottom. Here's the Plan:

1. Declutter/Deep Clean the house from top to bottom.
     >Monday: Second level
     >Tuesday: Main level
     >Wednesday: Basement

2. Household/School organization
    >Thursday: Declutter/organize/plan for next school quarter
    >Thursday: Declutter/organize school files
    >Thursday: Revise menu plan for this winter

3. Rest and Rejuvenate
    >Friday: Organize photos and scrapbook
    >Friday: Update family prayer journal

4. Redeem the Time
    >Saturday: Kitchen/Baking Day

It's Wednesday now and we're right on track! In fact, we even went to town to do our grocery shopping and enjoy lunch out together and still got our cleaning chores done.

This week has been pretty relaxed. We've been waking up late-ish, spending a little more time in our bible reading and journaling, enjoying breakfast leisurely, and playing in the mountain of snow that arrived. I'm enjoying it immensely. Next week we are back to school with a new school room, new schedule, new menu, Daddy staying home, and a few new chores to learn. We will be a quite busy, so I'm elated that we are getting so much done this week.  I've already declared it a new Tradition for the Week After Christmas. ;-)

I haven't been posting many details lately, trying to keep our focus on the Christ of Christmas. I do have a lot to share, though. Stay tuned for more about our new schedule, chore charts, menu, and even some writings from the children. I look forward to sharing with all of you what we are learning as well as gleaning from your ideas as well! :D

Happy Birthday Jesus!!

Happy Birthday to you...

Happy Birthday to you...
(that was the only candle we could find....)

Happy Birthday Dear Jesus...

Happy Birthday To YOU!!!!

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, in whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:17

Dearest Jesus, YOU are our gift every day!!



Celebrating the Advent Season - Finishing Touches & Rest

Jesus, I am Resting, Resting

Jesus, I am resting, resting,

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of thy loving heart.

Jesus, I am resting, resting

In the joy what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.

Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,

And Thy beauty fills my soul,

For by Thy transforming power,

Thou hast made me whole.

Oh, how great thy loving kindness,

Vaster, broader than the sea!

Oh, how marvelous Thy goodness,

Lavished all on me!

Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved,

Know what wealth of grace is Thine,

Know Thy certainty of promise,

And have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,

I behold Thee as Thou art,

And Thy love so pure, so changeless,

Satisfies my heart;

Satisfies its deepest longings,

Meets, supplies its every need,

Compasseth me round with blessings:

Thine is love indeed!

Ever lift Thy face upon me,

As I work and wait for Thee;

Resting ‘neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,

Earth’s dark shadows flee.

Brightness of my Father’s glory,

Sunshine of my Father’s face,

Keep me ever trusting, resting,

Fill me with Thy grace.

 

Jesus, I am resting, resting,

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of thy loving heart.



Celebrating the Advent Season - Tell Me the Story

Tell me the old, old story,

Tell me the old, old story,

Tell me the old, old story,

Of Jesus and His love.

Tell me the old, old story,

Of unseen things above,

Of Jesus and His glory,

Of Jesus and His love;

Tell me the story simply,

As to a little child,

For I am weak and weary,

And helpless and defiled.

Tell me the story slowly,

That I may take it in—

That wonderful redemption,

God's remedy for sin;

Tell me the story often,

For I forget so soon,

The "early dew" of morning

Has passed away at noon.

Tell me the story softly,

With earnest tones and grave;

Remember I'm the sinner

Whom Jesus came to save;

Tell me the story always,

If you would really be,

In any time of trouble,

A comforter to me.

Tell me the same old story,

When you have cause to fear

That this world's empty glory

Is costing me too dear;

And when the Lord's bright glory

Is dawning on my soul,

Tell me the old, old story:

"Christ Jesus makes thee whole."

 



*A special thank you to our dear friends for inviting us to be a part of such a precious day visiting the elderly. We were richly blessed.*

Celebrating the Advent Season - Jesus, The Sweetest Name of All

There is a name I love to hear

I love to sing of its worth.

It sounds like music in my ear

The sweetest name on earth!

Oh, how I love Jesus!

Oh, how I love Jesus!

Oh, how I love Jesus!

Because He first loved me!

Oh, how I love Jesus!

Oh, how I love Jesus!

Oh, how I love Jesus!

Because He first loved me!

Celebrating the Advent Season

Come, Thou Almighty King!

Come, Thou Almighty King,

Help us Thy name to sing,

Help us to praise.

Father, all glorious,

O'er all victorious,

Come, and reign over us,

Ancient of Days.

Come, Thou incarnate Word,

Gird on Thy mighty sword,

Our prayer attend:

Come, and Thy people bless,

And give Thy word success;

Spirit of holiness,

On us descend.

Come, holy Comforter,

Thy sacred witness bear

In this glad hour:

Thou who Almighty art,

Now rule in every heart,

And ne'er from us depart,

Spirit of power.



To Thee, great One in Three,

Eternal praises be

Hence evermore.

Thy sov'reign majesty

May we in glory see,

And to eternity

Love and adore.