Category: Coronavirus

How To Pray During the Coronavirus
Coronavirus · Prayer

How To Pray During the Coronavirus

RefreshHer2 Comments

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Good evening, Friends!  I am posting totally out of my normal routine just to let you know that I’ve posted a new video to You Tube this evening.

As I’m sure you’ll hear in my voice on this video, I have a true burden about using the remainder of this during the Coronavirus with our ear leaning in towards the Lord to hear from Him, and also knelt before Him in prayer. If we don’t take advantage of this time to seek the Lord, how can we expect things to be different when it’s lifted?

The video is just under ten minutes long.  I’d love for you to listen and then ask God to help you to apply these simple truths to your own prayer life.

One man in I Kings made a difference because he prayed.  We can be just as effective…but we must pray.

Let’s refresh the world around us by having a heart for prayer.

Lovingly,

denise a

Coronavirus · Refreshment in marriage

Improving Your Marriage While Staying Home Together

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iron a

nug·get
ˈnəɡət/
noun
plural noun: nuggets
a small lump of gold or other precious metal found ready-formed in the earth.
A small chunk or lump of another substance.
Valuable items don’t have to be large to be worth much, and the same goes for pieces of advice.  Even little nuggets of advice can be valuable.  That’s exactly what I want to share with you today…some nuggets of marriage advice.
I’ve heard (and also witnessed myself!) that spending so much time at home together during these Coronavirus and Safer At Home days, is causing marriage relationships to be strained at times. We love our spouse and love being with them, but due to stress, added meal prep, extra dishes and a change in our normal routines, the difficulty of it all is often played out in our relationships.  
I’m going to share five nuggets of truth that could help ease the stress!

In this post I talked about appreciating the differences between ourselves and our husbands.  My little preference was about the shower bottles’ lids being closed.  I even said that my husband had no idea that that bothered me!  Every day when I cleaned the shower, I would simply snap his shampoo and body wash lids back down, but I never said anything to him about it.

Guess what?

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Ever since then his bottles have been shut tighter than a toddler’s teeth at supper time!  Yep, he read my post and took it on himself to take care of that tiny issue! (How sweet is that?!) What did it take?  Communication.

Nugget #1 ~ When there are things that bother you, lovingly speak up. 
I’m clearly not talking about little pet peeves like mine; I’m talking about things that would really cause a rift in your relationship.  Many times things go on and on simply because we don’t share it with our spouse.  Either we think he should know it (!) or we’re afraid to tell him.  Sharing what’s on your heart might not remedy the issue immediately, but at least you can get it out there where it can be discussed and prayed about, and possibly have a conclusion decided upon very quickly.

When I was changing our sheets this week, I noticed that the top hem was really wrinkled.  I started to continue to make the bed and then I remembered that I usually always iron the guest bed.  Then I had another thought I needed to make our sheets pretty, too.

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Nugget *2 – Never do for others and neglect your husband.
If he’s our priority (and he should be), we won’t want to forget to show him the special kindness that we do for other people. Right now perhaps we’re thinking of thoughtful things we can do for our friends and family, but have you considered what special gesture you could do for your husband?  Need a few suggestions?

~Be quick to respond with a positive word when he suggests taking a walk, a drive in the country or doing a project in or around your home. 
~Make meal time special by setting the table and/or fixing one of his favorite foods.
~Look your best by simply getting ready each day.  That doesn’t mean you have to dress to the nine’s, but put on a little make up and put on real clothes – something as simple as jeans and a cute shirt with the addition of a necklace or earrings.

Continue reading “Improving Your Marriage While Staying Home Together” →

Biblical Womanhood · Coronavirus · Dealing with hard times

Dealing with the Ho-Hum and the Hard

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We may think it would be fun if every day was full of happy people, easy chores, prepared meals, and warm, sunny days, but let’s face it, that just isn’t reality.  We all know that is not true especially during these STAY HOME days of Covid19.

Many of you ladies have been forced into using your home as your office space, or have become overnight home school teachers.  Others may have suddenly had their husband home all day, every day – a whole new thing to enjoy/deal with.

How can these days be ones to look back on as joyful, prosperous, growing days?  Is it possible?  It is.  Let me share a simple truth I read in God’s Word that tells us how ~ Continue reading “Dealing with the Ho-Hum and the Hard” →

baking · Coronavirus · Meal planning · refreshment at home

Ideas for Meal Planning and Grocery Shopping During Covid 19

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Simple strategy in managing food for our families is always important, but certainly so in our current situation.  I’m going to share with you five things that I’m doing right now to plan wisely for our meal planning and shopping.

  1. Each week after I pick up my on-line order at Kroger, I go ahead and immediately start another on-line order and schedule it for the next week. The time slots fill up quickly, so this way I know I can go back a week from now and get what I need.  Also, I can go back on the Kroger app and modify my order up to midnight the night before I pick it up.  So even if I just put in an order for milk, initially, I am able to add whatever else I need before my actual pick up.

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  2. I’m shopping for two-week menus at a time (that is aside from dairy products and fresh fruit. Last week my Kroger order was under $15, for milk, yogurt and a few other essentials). I have planned ahead so that we only have to make minimal trips out.  I’m blessed to have a large freezer in the garage, so I have plenty of meat stored away (which is my normal way of life!). I also have breads, frozen vegetables, and ice cream in that freezer (ice cream isn’t a necessity, but a nice treat when you can’t stop at Chick-Fil-A for a cone!).
  3. I’m buying fresh fruits and vegetables that have a long shelf life.  Broccoli, apples, lemons, small colored peppers, cherry tomatoes, head lettuce, carrots, potatoes and onions have served us well!  I even pickled red onions and have wondered how I ever got along without them!! They are delicious on tacos, salads and sandwiches!

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  4.  We planted some fresh lettuces and broccoli.  I have three raised beds and have grown tomatoes and cucumbers, but never these greens.  I’m excited about trying my hand at it and am hopeful for some delicious salads as result!
    I’m wondering if there will be a rise in gardening this year.  What’s better than growing your own vegetables?! It’s so cost effective and the time outside is refreshing!
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5.  I’m praying and not panicking.  Matthew 6 has become a much read and reviewed chapter for me.  There are so many wonderful reminders about how God provides for us and will care for our every need.  Why should I worry?  I’m resting in God’s promises. I’m planning and preparing as wisely as I know how, then I’m leaving it all in the hands of a  sovereign God.

How are you doing at getting what you need for your family?  If you have any tips to share, please leave them in the comments below!

Refresh yourself and your family with some wise planning, but most of all, trust in a God Who loves you!

denise a