Housewife stuff

It dawned on me this weekend that I don't think I ever posted the "end result" of our kitchen makeover/paint job. SO SORRY! How annoying is that to have someone go on and on about something like that and then never show the proof...

I can't find any "before" pics fast enough without digging through my Kodak software - but, here are two of the "after" shots. We went with the red and cream-ish colors and will be accenting with coffee stuff. (shocking, I know!) What do you think? My camera doesn't capture all the hard work put in (of course) and how it goes SO well with the dark woodwork... but, oh well.

Don't mind the cluttery table... it was a catchall that day...and somehow everyday...{Sigh}. Anyway, the kitchen is done and now I'm just slowly collecting accents for here and there. If you have any old percolators you don't want - send 'em my way! I'm looking for some antique-y looking coffee things: tins, mugs, pots, signs. We'll see. It was fun and I am praising the Lord for allowing me a home to make my own. :)

Ok, more Housewife stuff...

I wanted to give a quick review of the AMAZING book - "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald. I finished it a while ago and to be totally honest was sad to be done with it. :( It's THAT good! These ladies have challenged my thought patterns in every aspect of being a homemaker/wife/mom (not in that order) and the Word of God was convicting page after page. If you have an extra $10-16 bucks and have heart that is "hopeful" about homemaking... IT WILL BE WORTH IT! And who knows, maybe you can find it cheaper on Amazon.com or something? (click the link to find out)

In the first chapter I came across this sentence:

"Real women need to know that being helpers to their husbands, raising Godly children, and properly managing their homes takes real work, but the rich reward a woman receives by diligently tending to the ways of her household is well worth the effort."

And that's what got me motivated right away...

Jennie and Stacy shared from personal experiences and lessons learned from other women on the good, the bad and the ugly of this housewife thing. Tho my mom spent many years at home... I know that I still have much to learn, aside from observing her, and this book reminded me of that. I'm baffled as to how to 1) love my husband...really. And be his personal helper. 2) Love my Ava girl. Train her. Mold her. Influence her for Christ...really. and 3) keep up with this house! Some days the task is just too daunting, while others I wake up and just feel very clearly that this is the path the Lord has laid out and all will be well. More and more the latter feeling is taking over! :) And then I came upon a whole chapter that addressed those feelings - YES! And was encouraged with,

"When we recognize and fully embrace our calling, we are finally free to truly enjoy it; we're able to experience contentment in the uniqueness of our role and achieve overwhelming victory in our homes and lives!"

The biggest influence this book (and Scripture) had on my life was the chapter that touched on our personal walks with the Lord. I loved, loved, loved the encouragement offered through their wise words about how to incorporate our children into our walk... instead of getting cranky or even angry when we hear that monitor go off early during nap time - destroying our only chance at a "quiet time". Anyone relate? I don't know your heart...but, OH how angry I used to become if I didn't squeeeeze in those few minutes of solitary time with my Lord while Ava slept. When she was very little - I could feel my blood pressure rise. And, it never made sense to me. Why on earth was I getting angry about this?! I've had 16 months to think about it and it does boil down to selfishness. Thanks be to God for these ladies and their input - reminding me I was not alone in this feeling. Check this out...

"Rather then pouring some cereal and reading my bible with the children while they ate and I sipped a cup of coffee, I would begin my day feeling like a failure, being short with the children - perhaps even secretly feeling like God was unfair. After all, I just wanted to spend time alone with Him; why couldn't He have kept eveyone asleep? I wound up getting angry because I was trying to meet God each day "MY WAY" rather then His, and it wasn't working."

"If this is your season of little ones, find ways to include them in your spiritual life."

"We need to find Him in the commotion of everyday life. We must view serving our families as acts of service to God, rather than acts that "Get in the way" of serving Him."

I was blown away to connect with the authors this way. And to be given such wise advice from women who have been where I am now. One of the authors goes on to share her personal experience of sitting in a chair to read the Word - one of her little sons came to see what momma was doing (after wanting to know what momma was doing allll day long), and rather then becoming frustrated or angry she simply pulled him up in the chair with her and began reading her study passage aloud...with voices...and directing it toward him. It went like this, "Joshua, you came just at the right moment; listen to this, "these things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Isn't that great? Jesus gives us peace in Him! (Jn.16:33)" and goes on to talk about how her toddler went away clapping and grinning because of how excitedly momma had read her bible to him. I put the book down after reading this and wept. Literally. How many times had I selfishlessly pushed away my little one to "concentrate" on God ? How many opportunities missed? I picked the book back up and read this,

"If I strive for a "me-centered" life while I am surrounded by a family who needs me, then I will find myself frustrated and desperate indeed - with an emphasis on despair."

And, wouldn't you know it. During the days as I read this book and got more and more encouraged - it felt as if Satan was working harder and harder to get at me, get me down...whisper lies at me. So many days I battled with selfish pride - still do - and control over my tongue and attitudes. It was as if he wanted to totally distract from all of this rich learning I was taking in. (duh, I know) So, I will tell you this.... don't be suprised if that happens to you. This book is FULL of scripture and wise insight - stuff Satan hates and doesn't want us to see. He wants us to be money hungry, discontent, prideful and forget what God has called us to.

The authors go on to cover topics such as : feminism, work world, avoiding becoming weary, "stepford" husband and the battle of our men being MEN, servanthood, keeping the home, mothering, being a wife, and the list goes on. The cover says it all - I think - "Fresh vision for the hopeful homemaker." Is that you? Need some refreshing? Go for it...

This book has changed the way I view my husband, my child, my church family, the lost, homemaking, cooking, cleaning, you name it... it's changed. Praise be to God for sending this my way at just the right time. He always knows!