Focusing on Others in 2012: January Project

As I share our first month of focusing on others in 2012, please understand that I am not seeking attention for what we've done.  As Katie mentioned in a comment on my original post on this subject, these acts of service are done first of all to glorify God, and secondly, to help us develop a more Christ-like mind.  I share our efforts here that I might have accountability for reaching these goals and in hopes of encouraging readers who seek to have the same focus.

In January, we chose to find ways each week to share our faith. Here's what we were able to do.

• Made brownies, which we put in a basket and delivered to a family that moved in down the street.  We gave them a tract with information about our church and invited them to visit.
• Left a gospel tract at a bookstore and at a mall in a place where people could easily find and read it.
• As part of a church-wide visitation program, we delivered "welcome" baskets (filled with pre-wrapped crackers, cookies, candy, etc., along with information about our church) to homes of people who have recently moved into the area.
• Our nine-year-old invited several neighbors to a special Friends and Neighbors service we had at our church on the 29th.

One of the lessons I am learning is that even my efforts to minister to others can become self-centered.  As I looked about for people to reach out to, I found that my motivation was to accomplish the project when I should have been concentrating on the other person and their needs, especially spiritually.  I need to continue asking God for His help in getting my focus right.

As we were leaving a small homeschool activity a couple of weeks ago, I asked our daughters if they had made any new friends or found a way to be helpful.  Our nine-year-old told how she had helped another girl, then said, "I just did it, and didn't even really think about how I was being kind."  That, I told her, is our goal - that helping others will become such a natural part of who we are that we do it without even thinking.

We'll be choosing another project for February, so watch for another update at the end of next month!

Saturday Salutes

Carrie encourages us to get rid of clutter in 5 Ways Getting Rid of Stuff Will Save You Money.

Being thankful through trials is what Jessica Lynette seeks to show her children in Teaching the Habit of Thankfulness to Children by Example.

If you made some goals for 2012 as I did, Lacey reminds us of The Power of Review in her guest post at Money Saving Mom.

I was convicted by Amy's post on Complaining:  The Heart of the Matter.

The girls enjoyed celebrating our 100th day of school yesterday!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Cooking Class

Since I want our girls to be comfortable in the kitchen as they get older, I know that I need to involve them more in the preparation of our meals. Therefore, I've decided to schedule once-a-month "cooking classes."  While both girls have helped with some of these tasks before, I want them to master these techniques.  Since January is almost over, we will be tackling one of these in the next few days!

1.  Peel, chop, and roast potatoes.

2.  Prepare pasta and sauce for homemade macaroni and cheese.  (This includes a basic white sauce.)

3.  Make and bake homemade bread.

4.  Scramble eggs.

5.  Brown ground meat.

6.  Independently follow a recipe to make chocolate chip cookies.

7.  Prep all vegetables for a salad.

8.  Peel and slice apples and prepare filling for an apple pie.

9.  Help make homemade chicken broth in the slow cooker.

10.  Cook grilled cheese sandwich in the frying pan.

11.  Soak and boil dry beans.

12.  Prepare and serve one of their favorite meals, Cajun Chicken Pasta.

Do your children enjoy helping in the kitchen?  What other skills would you suggest adding to the list?

Let Me Know

One of my desires is that my blog would be a ministry to the Christian women that God brings across its path.  As I write, I am always interested in knowing what topics are most relevant to my readers. 

If you could, take just a minute to fill out the survey below.  It will help guide me as I schedule future posts.  If there is a topic you would like to see covered that's not on the list, please leave it in the comments.  Thanks so much for your input!

I'll Always Be His Little Girl

Photo Source

I love my dad.

He was my first hero, the first man to ever treat me like a young lady.  He listened when I talked, and, when asked for it, gave wise advice.

On my wedding day, as my dad walked me down the aisle, we stopped near the front of the church and a male soloist sang this song.

She skipped across the room in her pretty new dress
Did a ballerina turn in her patent leather shoes
And to say the very least
I was impressed
She was my little girl

And we played our little game again
I said "Who's the only man in your heart?"
And she smiled as we held each other's hands
And she said, "Daddy don't you know?
Daddy don't you know?
You're the only man in my heart"

A few years later in her life
I saw her walking home from school
She had her books in her arms
And a young man at her side
And I felt a jealous pain
And I felt just like a fool
But when the young man told her bye
I said, "Can I walk with you?"

And we played our little game again
I said "Who's the only man in your heart?"
And she smiled as we held each other's hands
And she said, "Daddy don't you know?
Daddy don't you know?
You're the only man in my heart"

Now it's hard to believe this day has come and gone
He put a ring on her hand
That held her Daddy's heart
And I'll always remember as they played her wedding song
The words my little girl said to me

"Daddy, can we play a little game?
Who's the only little girl in your heart?"
And I cried as I softly called her name
And I said, "Honey don't you know?
Honey don't you know?
You're the only little girl in my heart"

"You'll always be that little girl in my heart"

You're The Only Little Girl
© 1986 Steve & Annie Chapman / Shepherd's Fold Music

These days, my dad's heart holds other "little girls" as well - my younger sister and my two daughters. In my eyes, He is still the hero from my childhood days and I am blessed by how he continues to build precious memories with my girls.

Happy Birthday, Dad!  I love you.

If you'd like to hear Steve Chapman sing this song, check out the video below.  He begins the song about 1:45 into the clip.

Celebrating 100 Days of School

In this, our first year of homeschooling, I am making plans to celebrate our 100th day of school, which falls on Friday.  I'm excited that we've been enjoying homeschooling and have made it this far!

Here are some of the activities I'm planning.

• Do a physical activity (jumping jacks, running in place, hopping, etc.) for 100 seconds.
• Put together a 100-piece puzzle.
• Thread 100 pieces of O-shaped cereal on a piece of string and wear as a necklace (and use as an instant morning snack :).
• Fill three small jars with mini chocolate chips and let them choose which jar they think contains exactly 100.
• Using an advertising flyer from the Sunday paper, make a list of items you could buy with $100. (I will have my 5th grader calculate tax and include that as part of the total.)
• Research what happened on this day in history 100 years ago.
• Write the number 100 on a piece of paper and incorporate it into a drawing.
• See how many times you can bounce a ball in 100 seconds.
• Write a paragraph on the following subject:  If I could, I would have a collection of 100 ______
• Glue 100 sunflower seeds to a piece of cardboard. (Admittedly, this is to use up a half bag of sunflower seeds we have in the pantry!)
• Make a chain of 100 paper links and string across the "schoolroom."
• See how quickly you can answer 100 math facts (using flashcards).

Have you ever celebrated the 100th day of school?

Separating the Good from the Evil

"But he that is spiritual judgeth all things..." ~I Corinthians 2:15

In this verse, the word "judgeth" has the idea of "discerneth."  Our daughters and I have been studying discernment in the Bright Lights Bible curriculum we use in homeschooling. The definition of discernment given there is "skill in separating the good from the evil and understanding the bigger picture." I love the way that is worded!

As the keepers of our home, we must have discernment. It begins in our own lives, as we examine our attitudes and actions for any sin that needs to be forgiven and forsaken. Beyond that, our responsibility extends to our family. From media and other materials that enter our home to the friends our children have to the activities we participate in, we need wisdom to see what is potentially harmful. How often we need to pray for help in not giving evil a foothold, even unwittingly.

As we seek to be discerning, we are not to judge according to arbitrary standards, but base our decisions on Biblical standards. I also believe that as we seek God's leading through prayer and study of His Word, He will even give us instincts that will help us avoid potential pitfalls. Surely our discernment, like other skills, can be improved as we use it in our daily lives.

Finally, as our definition of discernment states, it is valuable to remember the big picture. Perhaps there is some activity or influence that might seem acceptable today, but could cause problems as our children get older. All of our decisions can be passed through the filter of I Corinthians 10:31, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

I want to be on guard and actively evaluating the choices we make for our family. As mothers who seek to rear our children as servants of Christ, may we ask for His wisdom and guidance in discerning those things that are best for our children.

Saturday Salutes

Sherry's Aussie Chicken is a "new-to-me" recipe that's becoming a favorite with the whole family.

I think I might follow in Jessica's footsteps and try some Hammock Time with my kids this week.

Rachel shows how she incorporates Legos into math activities.

Here's yet another decorating-themed post for me to drool over!  This one's from Prairie Homestead and includes some practical tips for improving your space.

We're hoping that rain will hold off today so we can take our daughters to play miniature golf (using a gift card our eleven-year-old got back in July....)  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!