Three Incentives to Help You Accomplish Your Goal

September 17, 2015September 30, 2015 RefreshHer2 Comments

That adorable black dress that’s a little too tight and your niece’s upcoming wedding have a connection – it’s called incentive. So you cut calories out of your daily diet, say “no” to the special coffee drink at Starbuck’s and pretty soon you’re smiling in the mirror – wearing that adorable black dress.

Sometimes all we need is a little motivation to get us spurred forward in a goal. A couple days ago, I posted about living a life of poverty; a life that does lots of talk, but not as much action.

Could I encourage you today to look at the list you may have made mentally, of what you have only been talking, about and get a little incentive for those goals?

Here are Three ways to get incentive for a project before you:

Have someone hold you accountable. Ask your spouse or a close friend to check up on your progress. Wanting to start an exercise program? Have a friend text to ask you how it’s going. I actually have a friend who asked me to do this for her, and at first she had to answer in the negative about getting started, but then, because she knew I’d be asking again soon, she got the program off the ground! Weight Watchers works on this principle of accountability. When you know you’re going to stand on the scales, it is quite an incentive to say “No” to the birthday cake at the party at work!
Make progress markers on your calendar. I’m trying to memorize a passage of Scripture. I went to my Google calendar and marked what day I should be finished. That has been staring me in the face, and keeping me from losing sight of my goal!
Plan a reward for when you get finished. If you plan to clean out the basement or your family room, for instance, decide that once it’s finished you’ll host your girlfriends over for a party in your newly cleaned space! Take yourself for a manicure or facial after another goal is completed. Whatever kind of reward would motivate you – put that incentive out in front!

These incentives will help, but the best help is prayer. Proverbs 16:3

Commit thy works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established.

The Lord will direct and give you wisdom about how to move to the next step.

Don’t let those desires sit and collect dust like books on a library shelf, give yourself the motivation necessary to move past the talking and get it accomplished.

Lovingly,

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Bow Making Is Easy!

September 11, 2015September 16, 2015 RefreshHer8 Comments

I made this flag last year. I simply

Cut the burlap to the size I wanted
Frayed the edges of three sides.
On the top, I turned it down and made a casing for the pole to go through.
I used acrylic paint and free-handed a simple pumpkin on.
I used narrow ribbon to create the monogram and attached it using hot glue.

It was a super easy project and held up in the weather really well! The only thing that needed replacing was the bow. Here’s a video about how I made my bows:

Here’s the finished edge of the bow:

Will you make something crafty for your fall decor? Sometimes all you need is a fresh bow…try it!

Stay refreshed,

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Before your Blessing, First This

September 9, 2015September 9, 2015 RefreshHer6 Comments

A Peek at my week will reveal…

Without six weeks of classes, cooking and hard work, there would have been no celebration dinner like we had last Saturday night! All the husbands were invited to join their wives in celebrating the completion of the Six-week course of Apples of Gold. We had seventeen in attendance and had a really sweet time together!

I used fall colors and apples as my theme for the tables as you can see on this one.

Without a job, there would not be the need for rest on Labor Day! I’m thankful for the Monday we were able to spend at a park with views of the mountains and a lake! It was gorgeous. We had KFC grilled chicken and I brought Mason jars of sweet tea to cool our parched throats. How pretty is a jar of tea at a picnic?!

Without dark nights there would be no joy of morning! The picture below was taken from my rocking chair at around 7:00 a.m. It was so special to sit there and watch the sky go from black night to the wonderful colors of the morning!

After our picnic on Monday we headed further up the mountain to get fresh South Carolina Peaches! These were about the size of baseballs! Without the further drive up the mountain and enduring some steep curves and slopes, we wouldn’t have had the blessing of peaches in our yogurt yesterday morning! It was worth the trip!

Liza surprises me sometimes and enjoys being in my lap while I work at the computer. She’s not really a lap cat, so I’ll take all the attention she’ll give me! Pets are work and take special care, but without them, life wouldn’t be nearly so sweet! She’s a faithful companion!

I hope you see where this post is going. Without hard things there’s no blessing – no reward. Whatever hard thing you’re enduring right now – like

early mornings because of job schedules
sleepless nights because of a baby
interruptions in life because of illness
waiting instead of possessing whatever it is your heart wants right NOW

remember that it will be worth it to receive the blessing – and it will come eventually. Don’t give up. One day you’ll be posting a picture on Instagram or writing an update in your status about God’s answer and how much better it is than you ever imagined! Keep waiting.

Lovingly,

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How I Spend My Time Each Day

September 2, 2015September 3, 2015 RefreshHer6 Comments

As I was typing the title – “How I spend My Time Each Day” the word spend struck me. Time is like money – it’s given to us to use wisely. It’s our choice to “spend” it on bubble gum or sirloin.

When my girls were in home school, I’d dream about the day when I’d be able to run to Target and the grocery store alone and without the worry of what I needed to help them with, or what school responsibilities were waiting for me when I returned. I loved being with them, but we spent lots of time together and it was fun to have an hour or so by myself. Now that I’m actually in that place in my life, it seems there’s more to do than ever! I find now that more than ever, it’s really important that I organize my week so I can maximize my time and not waste it on trivial things that don’t matter. This is truly an issue I give to the Lord over and over again.

One important step to spending time time wisely is writing out a plan of what I need to accomplish in my daily planner. That usually happens either the night before or first thing in the morning. I also have my menu written out so I know if the meat needs to be thawed, or something put in the crock pot for supper. I can look ahead and see if I need to get a jump start on something that’s coming up later in the week.

So here’s what a typical day looks like (and remember that interruptions that change what we planned are also of the Lord):

Rise between 6:00 – 6:30. Some days the Lord wakes me earlier and I try to get up when He does. I believe that’s His prompting that I need those early morning hours with Him. Just this week as I read Mark 1, I was reminded that the Lord got up long before it was day just to spend time with His Father. I believe it was in those prayer times that the Lord Jesus got His direction for the day (v. 35). How else would He have known which town to go to, or who needed Him the most? I must follow His example, if I’m to know how to spend my time each day!
Wash face, brush teeth, the FEED THE KITTY!
Head to the laundry room to feed Liza. Pick up the laundry load get it in the washer..
Quiet Time. Bible reading, journaling, Bible memory work and prayer time. (This is usually and hour and half or two hours. It’s such a luxury to have this amount of time – I remember the days when I’d be in prayer and I’d have many knocks on my bedroom door. =) That was fine, but it’s a blessing that my only disturbance now is a kitty wanting attention or my husband bringing me coffee!)
Walk around 8:00. – I walk close to 3 miles
Breakfast
Shower, get dressed for the day. While doing that I’m tossing the clothes in the dryer, then folding them after I’m dressed.
Clean bathroom.
General housecleaning – Each day it’s different tasks, but could include – dusting, wiping down appliances, mopping floor, cleaning glass doors, wiping out oven and fridge, grocery shopping,etc.
Lunch
Write blog post before supper
Work ahead on things coming up – Bible club, speaking engagements, Bible studies, etc.
Prepare supper
Ministry/ time with my husband in evening

I’ll Quickly show you what each day of the week may hold:

Monday – Rest. After a busy week, I try to sleep in a little and catch up on time with my husband.

Tuesday – Normal routine. Work ahead on projects, if possible.

Wednesday – I found that Wednesday is a good day to devote to “others.” Since Wednesday night night we’re planning on being at church, I just make that the day I think about others all day! If someone needs a card, a call a visit, or a meal made, I try to do that on Wednesday – my Others Day.

Thursday – Aside from my normal routines, this is the afternoon I have Bible club with the neighbor children, so I need to get things out and ready for our 4:00 time together

Friday – I try to work ahead for my blog on Friday. I like to keep Sunday media-free, so I do Monday’s post either on Friday or Saturday.

Saturday – Prepare for Sunday. This may include preparing for having company for dinner. I set the tables, prepare the food and also make sure I’m ready with clothes ironed for the morning.

Sunday – This is the Lord’s day. The only work I do is the meal. I nap after dinner and look forward to being back in church Sunday night!

Extra tips:

I keep books I’m reading in a couple places in the house, so when I have a few minutes I can read, rather than waste time on my phone or computer.
I keep my memory verse cards at my fingertips so I can take them with me in the car or around the house and review as I’m driving or working on a project at home.
I try to challenge myself to do little 5 minute projects like clean out a drawer, iron linens, or sweep while I’m on the phone, waiting for the coffee to perk, or waiting to head out the door to an appointment.

I confessed a minute ago that I wrestle with wasting time – mostly with with my phone, and it’s something I give to the Lord, but I seldom ever watch television, unless I’m doing something else while watching. I see the benefits of spending my on sirloin, rather than bubble gum!

vs. Related image

What do you choose?

Do you wrestle with spending your time wisely? What changes need to be made in your routine? The Lord will help you!

Lovingly,

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Training Your Preschooler to Sit in Church

September 1, 2015September 1, 2015 RefreshHer12 Comments

You looked so forward to being in church last Sunday, but by the time the service was over you had wrangled with your preschooler in the pew, your blouse was spotted with juice drops, the floor was littered with Goldfish Crackers, and you’re more ready for a deserted island alone without food or water than you are for the Sweet By and By!

Been there? Most of us have! But there is hope for you and your child to be able to sit through an entire service and actually hear the message and get a blessing out of it! Read on!

The picture below is the best place to train your preschool-aged child to learn to sit in church…

This is your living room or family room couch. That’s right, the best place to train your child about church is in your own home. If you wait until Sunday morning to try to teach them to sit down rather than run the aisles and to whisper, rather than shout out their requests, you’re headed for disaster and major frustration. Here are my suggestions for training a preschool-aged child to sit in church:

Clear the area you’re going to sit in and make it free of distractions. TV is off and toys are stashed away.
Get one or two quiet activities like a Bible flannel book or other quiet book, and perhaps one quiet toy like a coloring book and a few crayons (no markers!). These toys will be reserved only for your Quiet Time, so they’re “new” each time they’re brought out. Purchase or make several books/quiet toys to keep only for this teaching time and Sundays. Take a look at this! Find similar ideas on Pinterest!
This is a magnetic fishing pond! Super easy to make and super fun for your child. Also super cheap!
Set the timer for five minutes to start. Gather yourself and your child and tell him he is going to sit on the couch with you until the timer goes off. Give him one book or toy and tell him he may play with it while you sit on the couch, but that he may not get down or talk. It’s time to listen. Show him how to sit, and remind him this is QUIET TIME. Tell him If he talks the toy will get taken away – he must play without talking.
Turn on a Podcast of your pastor, if available. If your pastor’s sermons aren’t online, use another broadcast. Have your Bible out and you sit still and listen.
When/if your child starts talking, try not to answer with words, but put your finger to your lips and shake your head “no.” Don’t answer a question for those five minutes. Give a couple silent warnings the first couple of days, but after two heads shaken, take the toy away as you promised you would do. If the child throws a fit or screams, take him out of the room, go to his bedroom or yours and remind him what you’re asking. If he continues to disobey you may need to apply loving discipline to correct his disobedience. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. Prov 29:15
When the timer goes off, discuss how they did. “You talked to Mommy, but remember, this is Quiet Time; time to listen to pastor preach. Or, “Yay! You sat so quietly and played! I’m so proud of you and so is God! We got to listen to Pastor preach and that makes God happy!”
The next day and for the whole week, keep up with the five minutes. The next week extend it to ten minutes. Keep at this until you’ve worked up to 30 minutes. A three or four year-old will be able to sit and play without food for thirty minutes. They’ll wiggle, they’ll sigh, but don’t give in and don’t give up! It will be worth it!
If you have more than one child, have a separate bag for each child. Give only one toy at a time, and have each child on either side of you. Be consistent! If they talk, warn once, then remove the toy.
If they throw a fit, discipline in another room, but then bring them back in and complete the five minutes. This will be the same routine once you take them into the service at church. If they disobey, you must discipline, and it shouldn’t be just that you go out and play in the foyer – that’s what they want! Either discipline, then bring them back to the back row where you were wisely seated, or sit out there with your arms around them so they are not able to get down and play.
Make this training time at home something to look forward to – not a miserable drudgery. That can be accomplished by the activity you choose to put into the bag, but again – just a quiet toy – not treats or lots of toys. Make it biblical, if you can, so they’re also “hearing about God.”

Who knows? You might even glean some wonderful Truths during your at home Quiet Times! It won’t be long – just a couple of months until you’re able to sit in church and actually enjoy the service. You know what? Your child will enjoy it a whole lot more, too!

Any questions? Any other suggestions?

Lovingly,