organization

Freshen Up Friday

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My whole world is refreshed because of  my new kitchen, but there’s one spot that I especially LOVE!
Look…

It’s my pantry!

I love it!!!!

It’s so wonderful having all my canned goods and extra products right here at my fingertips! I don’t have it completely filled and ready, but I thought I’d give you a little look inside, and also a little encouragement as how to refresh your own pantry, closet or cupboards.

Use similar materials to hold things. I decided that I didn’t want everything to just be stacked in the pantry and make it look cluttered. So I am using two finishes: glass jars and light wicker baskets. You could go with black trays, or red, wire or white baskets. It will create uniformity. Hobby Lobby has great containers like this, and when they’re on half price sale, it’s a great deal!

Also, using baskets can help you organize items. I have a basket for baked goods, like store bought cookies or crackers. I have one for baking items; chocolate chips, my extra oatmeal (I buy it in bulk), brown sugar, and nuts. One basket holds my paper plates and colored napkins. My jars hold oatmeal, popcorn, nuts, and pasta. I love the jars with the chalkboard labels!

Even if you don’t have a pantry, you can still use small baskets or containers to corral your cupboard items. Your spices could go in one. Baking soda, powder, salt and corn starch could go in another.

You should love opening up the pantry or cupboard door because not only is everything within your reach, but it’s also easy to find and looks attractive.

Do yourself a favor and refresh your cupboard or pantry this weekend. It will make things easier to use, and create a place you love!

Now refresh someone else:

Pastor Encouragement: Pray for your pastor’s children, and especially that the pressures of the ministry will not discourage or embitter them. Pray that your pastor will provide godly leadership in the home, not based on fear of what others will think, but according to Scriptural truth. If your pastor does not have children, pray that God will give him many spiritual children as he shares the Gospel.

Husband Encouragement: As you continue in your 30-day challenge, not speaking negatively and focusing on positive encouragement, hear the Lord’s admonition today: “Be quick to hear.”

If listening is a real problem for you, play a game with yourself. See if you can listen to your husband for one whole day, only speaking when asked a question. If your husband notices the difference, explain that you are learning to listen more — not only to God, but also to him.

Do you have a pantry? Is it easy to use? How do you organize yours?

Be refreshed,

Husband · Pastor

I’m Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Hello, Dear Readers! I have truly missed being able to connect with you here! It took a little longer to get Internet connections to our newly constructed house, but it was probably a good break. It has given me more time to get settled into our new home as well as participate in a couples retreat, direct a wedding, make a trip to Kentucky and host a couple gatherings – all in the last two weeks! Things have been busy, but very wonderful!

The view from my devotional chair

While we were moving and getting settled, so many people were a blessing to us; they refreshed us.

  • Some brought food and beverages on the day we moved.
  • Some helped me pack before the move.
  • Some helped me unpack after we moved.
  • Many sent cards of congratulations on our new home.
  • Some have come to visit and welcome us!
  • Some have given gracious gifts for our new home.
  • Many have prayed for all the details and let us know how they were praying.
  • Many have rejoiced with us in God’s provision. It’s harder to rejoice than to weep with those that weep. Seeing others’ joy in our blessing is really special.
If someone you know is moving, consider how you could refresh them at this time by looking at the list above and asking the Lord what He would have you do. Moving is a daunting task, so whatever you do for them will be really appreciated! If you can only pack up one cabinet of dishes, it will be one less cabinet they have to pack. If you could only have time to bake them some cookies for the day of their move, it will help fortify them on that exhausting day. The point is, do something. You will be refreshed as you encourage them!

Back to our desire to encourage our pastor and our husband:

Pastor’s Encouragement: Pray that God will protect your pastor’s wife from bitterness when her husband is criticized. Pray that her prayer and devotional life will be consistent, and that she will guard her mind and heart. (As a pastor’s wife, I know how much I need this prayer! Thanks in advance for those that will pray this for me!)

Your Husband: Plant seeds of faithfulness into your husband’s heart by praising his integrity and loyal actions. Write him a note expressing how much it means to you that he has honored his marriage vow.
*Note: If there has been unfaithfulness in your relationship, thank the Lord that your husband is still with you, and thank your husband for it too. Keep building. God can make beauty from ashes!

I can’t wait for the days ahead! I have pictures of our house to show its progress. Though things aren’t decorated yet, I’m pretty well unpacked. I have some devotional thoughts I’ve been thinking about and some great new recipes to share too, so keep tuned! I’m back online! 

What have you been up to since we last met here? I missed you!!!!

Love and hugs,

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Stay Tuned…

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Hello Friends!

Please forgive my absence this week – our internet didn’t get set up earlier this week as we hoped. I have missed being able to blog this week, but I’ve had fun getting settled in the new home the Lord has graciously given us!

I’ll be back as soon as we’re online!

With love,

Prayer

Cottage of Content

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What a wonderful and very full week and a half this has been! We have moved out of two houses (my MIL’s and ours), moved into ours, gotten partially settled in, gone to The Wilds to speak for Family camp, cleaned the parsonage to ready it for selling, and then added all the other regular routines of ministry and life into those busy days. But you know what? It’s been so great! Our hearts are rejoicing in God’s goodness to us.

Last week while I was unpacking, I came across a little decorative plate that came from my Grandma. On it is written:

As I was wandering o’er the green,
Not not knowing where I went,
Perchance I saw a pleasant scene,
The cottage of content.

 It was at that moment that I knew what I was going to name our new home…The Cottage of Content! This is the place the Lord has given us. It may not be to someone else’s liking, but it’s PERFECT for us! We love the location, the layout, the style, the yard…everything! It has everything that I prayed for, and then some! 

Luke 11:11 says that if a son asks his father bread, will he give him a stone? Of course not! There were other houses that we liked, and prayed about, but they were “stones.” The Lord kept back this “bread” for us. He knew we needed to wait for it to be ready. He wanted to give us the best, as a wise, loving Father.

How wonderful when God provides! Whatever you’re praying about, don’t quit! Keep asking. God is a loving Father who doesn’t want to give you a stone; He wants to give you the best bread to satisfy you! Then you can accept what He gives and be perfectly content with it. You, too, can have a “Cottage of Content!” Just wait.

If you could name your house, what would you call it?

With love,

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Hello From The Country!

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We’re still working on getting our internet set up out here in the country, so I don’t have a typical Monday post for you. However, I’d like to take this opportunity to let you know that my oldest daughter, Whitney, is launching her blog today! You’ll find her blogging about all the things she loves at Come Home For Comfort. Be sure to stop by and tell her I sent you!

I’ll catch you (hopefully) tomorrow!