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Showing posts with label Blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blogging. Show all posts

Monday, April 2, 2012

Show & Tell: Links You May Have Missed

On Wednesday of last week, we closed on our new house (yay!) and so we're in the thick of packing, arranging appointments with painters, locksmiths, etc., and expecting our crate from Istanbul to (hopefully) be delivered sometime this week (another yay!).  In lieu of my normal sharing of random thoughts or recent Bible studies, I thought I'd link up to all the Making Home posts that have been making their way around Pinterest.  (Here are my Pinterest boards, if you're interested.)

I hope you enjoy looking through these old links; I'm going to be enjoying literally "Making Home" for the first time in a while.  :)




Hope you find something encouraging or thought-provoking from this list of oldies.  :)  Have a great week, and I'll see ya when I see ya.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Soul Care: Daily Giveaway #5- LAST CHANCE!


Congrats to those who have already won this great book: Jessica B, Erin M., Kate, and Erica!!!

This week, I'm giving away a wonderful book by Steven W. Smith, called Embracing Soul Care: Making Space For What Matters Most.  I've been writing a series sharing ideas and encouragement from the book, and Mr. Smith wrote and offered  FIVE copies for me to give away through Making Home!  


Today is the 5th and final giveaway.  Each day, I'm asking you to answer one question in the comments & leave your name & e-mail information (so that I can get in contact with you if you win)!


TODAY, the question is:
What is God teaching you right now?  Or, what is one way you currently see God at work in your life? 


*** Contest Details: Entries will be taken until 8pm CST, at which point I will use a random number generator to select the winner.  I will announce the winner both in the comments of this post & at the top of tomorrow's post.  ***


Don't forget to LEAVE A COMMENT w/ your answer, name, and e-mail address!!!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Soul Care: Daily Giveaway #4


Congrats to those who have already won this great book: Jessica B, Erin M., and Kate!!!

This week, I'm giving away a wonderful book by Steven W. Smith, called Embracing Soul Care: Making Space For What Matters Most.  I've been writing a series sharing ideas and encouragement from the book, and Mr. Smith wrote and offered  FIVE copies for me to give away through Making Home!  


Today is the 4th giveaway.  Every day this week you will have an opportunity to win this book.  Each day, I'm asking you to answer one question in the comments & leave your name & e-mail information (so that I can get in contact with you if you win)!



In Psalm 19:7, we are told that Scripture "revives the soul".  Many of the Psalms were used for worship by Jews & within the early church.  Throughout my life, as I've experienced various emotions, I have noticed that I can always find a "voice" to express my heart in the Psalms.  Smith points out, "The psalmists honesty helps us articulate the deep stirring of our own souls."

THE QUESTION FOR TODAY IS:
Do you have a favorite psalm?  If so, please share it... if not, please share something you have noticed in Psalms that communicates to you.... perhaps the expression of human needs, or the intimate communication with God, or the awe & wonder toward His creation.  
PLEASE SHARE YOUR ANSWER IN THE COMMENTS, along with your name & e-mail address/way to contact you, and you'll be entered in the giveaway for today!  Thanks! 




    *** Contest Details: Entries will be taken until 8pm CST, at which point I will use a random number generator to select the winner.  I will announce the winner both in the comments of this post & at the top of tomorrow's post.  ***

    Don't forget to LEAVE A COMMENT w/ your answer, name, and e-mail address!!!

    Tuesday, March 20, 2012

    Soul Care: Daily Giveaway #3


    Congrats to those who have already won this great book: Jessica B & Erin M.!!!

    This week, I'm giving away a wonderful book by Steven W. Smith, called Embracing Soul Care: Making Space For What Matters Most.  I've been writing a series sharing ideas and encouragement from the book, and Mr. Smith wrote and offered  FIVE copies for me to give away through Making Home!  

    Today is the 3rd giveaway.  Every day this week you will have an opportunity to win this book.  Each day, I'm asking you to answer one question in the comments & leave your name & e-mail information (so that I can get in contact with you if you win)!


    In the book, Smith writes:
    "Valley times of the soul can be unpredictable.  We don't know what is ahead.  Valleys are experienced, not escaped.  We endure the lows, feel the agony, and hope for a way out.  These are times of aloneness, yet for those in Christ, the awareness of our traveling companion makes all the difference."

    Of course, we've all experienced valley times.  Some of my hardest days were described perfectly by Smith-- "experienced, but not escaped."  TODAY, the question is:
    From YOUR "valley" experiences, what help is needed by someone enduring/experiencing a prolonged valley time?  Essentially, what help could/did someone have offered to you (in a valley time) that would have truly been a welcomed blessing?  What can others learn from your valley times?

    *** Contest Details: Entries will be taken until 8pm CST, at which point I will use a random number generator to select the winner.  I will announce the winner both in the comments of this post & at the top of tomorrow's post.  ***


    Don't forget to LEAVE A COMMENT w/ your answer, name, and e-mail address!!!

    Monday, March 19, 2012

    Soul Care: Daily GIVEAWAY #2 (new chance to win each day this week)

    (Today's giveaway is now closed.  Congrats to Erin M., the winner!  Check back each day this week for more chances to win!)
    Congrats to yesterday's winner of this great book, Jessica B!!!

    Just like yesterday, I'm giving away a wonderful book by Steven W. Smith, called Embracing Soul Care: Making Space For What Matters Most.  I've been writing a series sharing ideas and encouragement from the book, and Mr. Smith wrote and offered  FIVE copies of this amazing book for me to give away through Making Home!  

    Today is the 2nd giveaway.  Every day this week you will have an opportunity to win this book.  Each day, I'm asking you to answer one question in the comments & leave your name & e-mail information (so that I can get in contact with you if you win)!


    Last night, I read a portion of the book where he talks about times of going through the transforming fire of God:
    "People who have endured a furnace of transformation attest that there's nothing else like it.  The fires can become so hot and furious that the one tested wonders whether survival is possible.  ...Once you feel the singe of the fire you begin to give up expectations.  You bend low into the process and trust the hands of the One who brought you there.  ...The Potter's furnace is where true transformation occurs.  Without the heat, and without change, the pot will not last."  


    TODAY, the question is:
    Have you been in a situation like he describes, "a furnace of transformation"?  (yes, no, maybe)  Please share as much or as little as you like.  Consider these questions: are you in a hot spot right now, or have you recently come out of the "Potter's furnace"?  Do you bend low into the process & trust the Potter in difficult times, or do you tend to buck and try to make for a more comfortable place?  Can you look back in your life and see times when the "heat" in your life actually transformed you and did things that ease & comfort would not have produced in you?
    Leave a comment, even if it's a brief one, to be entered into the giveaway.  I look forward to reading your comments!


    *** Contest Details: Entries will be taken until 8pm CST, at which point I will use a random number generator to select the winner.  I will announce the winner both in the comments of this post & at the top of tomorrow's post.  ***


    Don't forget to LEAVE A COMMENT w/ your answer, name, and e-mail address!!!

    Sunday, March 18, 2012

    Soul Care: Announcing a DAILY GIVEAWAY!!! (Beginning today)

    (Today's giveaway is now closed.  Congrats to Jessica B, the winner!  Check back each day this week for more chances to win!)

    Perhaps you've been keeping up with my recent "soul care" series... all based on a wonderful book I'm reading by Steven W. Smith called Embracing Soul Care: Making Space For What Matters Most.  I hope it's been an encouragement for you.

    Mr. Smith wrote me and offered up FIVE copies of this amazing book for me to give away through Making Home... I'm so jazzed!  Thank you so much to Stephen Smith for this great giveaway!

    So many of you have written me, commented, and/or facebooked me, saying what an encouragement these ideas have been to you, and so I can't wait to let FIVE of you get your hands on his amazing book!

    Every day this week you will have an opportunity to win this book.  Each day, I'll ask you to answer one question in the comments & leave your name & e-mail information (so that I can get in contact with you if you win)!


    TODAY, the question is:


    Which phrase would you say BEST DESCRIBES the current state of your physical body/physical health?
    1. Used up & spent 
    2. Weary but still moving 
    3. Mediocre. 
    4. Doing pretty good, feeling pretty good 
    5. Fantastic!



    *** Contest Details: THIS CONTEST HAS ALREADY ENDED.  ***


    Don't forget to LEAVE A COMMENT w/ your answer, name, and e-mail address!!!

    Friday, October 21, 2011

    10 Things I Learnt About Blogging at The Problogger Conference Yesterday

    It's ok to use your your own photos - it really is. It's original content and it shares a little bit about who you really are and helps your readers get to know you.

    Can I do this in 10 minutes?...... as I am about to board my plane, to head home to my lads.
    Let's give it a go!

    1. Be yourself. No really. Don't pretend. Be who you really are. Write like you talk and think... and it will come out in your blog. Your readers want to know you. They really do.

    2. Your blog has to have soul. Be passionate. Be excited.

    "No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader".
    "No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader".

    Hmmm, have had a few tears here.... and surprises. Tick.

    3. Tell stories. Stories inspire. Stories drive people to find information. Readers don't always want to be bombarded with information. Inspire, then teach. Inspire, then be useful.

    4. Know your dreams.... and dream big.

    5. Experiment - test - tweak.

    6. Know your readers. Understand your readers. Do not assume your reader is you. Engage your readers. Give something back. Appreciate your readers. Respond to readers (as best you can... I add that as I sat there guilty as hell when all the newbies were rabbiting on about how they respond to every single comment). I'm trying. Post life catastrophes, I will get better at responding to every one of my readers.... somehow!

    7. Look at your 'Blog Post Title' or your 'Headline' if your content bombs!
    Hmmm, maybe the post title, 'Yesterday', which I use ALL the time..... is just super lazy!

    8. Share and share. Create shareable content.....and share. You know... what you give out... comes back to you. Share. Be generous... and enable readers to share your stuff... you know all those social media buttons, stick them around so readers can share your content.

    9. Have original content. Don't sort of copy. Be you. Create your own stuff. Use your own photos as much as you can.... yes, me and the 'duck'.... totally vindicated.

    10. Give readers a reason to stick around. Give them something now and something for later. Give readers a reason to come back.

    11. Clearly define what success looks like to you... in 3-4 years from now... and hold on to that.

    Ok, so that's 11.

    Final boarding call. Speak tomorrow.
    Have a great Saturday!

    Photobucket
    Duck photos?.... 'original content'!!! 
    Crappy iPhone photos are a.ok!

    Monday, October 17, 2011

    When Do You Blog?

    Not blogging. Working.

    Yesterday, I retweeted a quote on Twitter that said something about not posting a blog post just for the sake of it... post when you've really got something to say.

    It made me really think. Do I post every day because you are expecting me to post?... or do I really have something to say? Then it got me thinking... well it all really boils down to why you blog... and how you blog and maybe when you blog?

    It's all quite psychologically complex really.

    For me?
    I blog as soon as I wake up. I wake very early as I crash early at night (not long after my boys). I generally blog about what pops into my head on waking, or anything interesting that happened the day before..... so I've always got something to say... even if it is just categorised under 'waffle'.


    The great thing about blogging is that it heightens your senses. I am always 'awake' and aware, living my daily life, interacting with people, noticing interesting things. Anything that stirs an interest?... 'straight to the blog' the next day. For me, blogging has always been a bit of a 'life journaling project' so my posts reflect my life and generally what is relevant on the day.

    Yesterday.
    Child labour.

    I look back to why I started blogging... it was to journal my house planning and build back in early 2008, what, almost 4 years ago now. I blogged in the mornings, off the top of head, discussing the house progress and general catastrophes that had occurred the day before. Nothing much has changed! I blog in the mornings, off the top of my head, discussing 'yesterday' generally and possibly the catastrophes that occurred the day before!... oh and occasionally pretty stuff that takes my fancy.

    Next door to yesterday's beauty.
    Unrenovated perfection.

    I often read of bloggers working really hard on the weekends, pre-preparing a whole series of posts for the week. It really is a serious business these days. I must admit every time I come across someone who is well planned and organised in the blog post business, I think oh goodness, now there's a thought, maybe I should do that and be more organised. I mean what if I run out of things to say? Or wake up and have nothing much to say. Na, it's just not me. If I run out of things to say?...so be it. Those days you'll find me AWOL. They don't happen much but at least you know on those days, I just have nothing much to say! "She didn't post today, she must have woken up 'blank'".

    Breakfast meeting.
    'Posto', Boundary St, West End. My second home.
    Justine makes the best scrambled eggs in the universe, with the best tomato relish on the side.

    So for me, my posts really reflect the way I live my life. I'm an early riser so I have a couple of deliciously quiet, perfect hours in the new day in which to share my thoughts through my blog. I have a blogging rhythm that fits comfortably into my life. No pressure. Sustaining. A daily connection with you that flows gently.

    Can't you tell I am going to the  'Problogger Conference' in Melbourne at the end of the week?!!! I'm thinking. I know we're all going to have to sit down and think seriously about our bloggys. I am asking myself the questions I know they are going to ask..... and trying to answer them.

    When do you blog? Why do you blog? Do you pre plan posts? or are you a total waffler like me?
    I'd love to know.

    Happy Tuesday!
    Photobucket
    P.S If anyone from my boy's school is reading this... we are wagging Guitar Ensemble practice this morning. We had a late one last night, making the most of the pupil free day off school. I know bad mother all 'round! Shhhhh!

    :)
    He's still there.
    And says 'hi'.

    Thursday, July 14, 2011

    Some Days You Just Want To Escape

    Image Courtesy Haven In Paris

    Do you have those days? Where you start somewhere in blogland and you end up in a beautiful place and you don't know how you got there? Some days I just want to travel and travel through this medium in search of beautiful things and people and places and inspiration. 

    Today I'm off through the Paris Apartment. I follow her links and I always end up somewhere totally magical.

    Where do you go for inspiration? Where do you 'escape' to? 
    Photobucket
    PS Can't you tell I have an in-tray beckoning. That's when I find the best places to escape to.
    Happy Friday!

    Friday, July 1, 2011

    It's Time.

    It's been long enough. I'm a gal who best analyzes and learns and drives home (to my own brain) what I've learned by writing out my thoughts. This break from regularly writing here at Making Home has been necessary-- while I took time off to go intense with Turkish, and then to have Moses... but I need to be back in the habit of writing regularly. My mind gets all random and unfocused when I'm not regularly writing, and for the last couple years, I've been journaling in written form more...

    but I think I need to do that here now.

    There are so many thoughts swirling... and I can't say what I'll write here at Making Home in the future, because I don't have a "master plan". But I really intend to just start sharing my Bible studies, and solidifying my thoughts in this way. I've found that I rarely remember to go back and re-read things I've learned in when recorded in journals, and these things get lost and forgotten. Prayers, intentions, moments of insight or conviction, they all get written in longhand and then pass from memory. I don't want that to happen anymore. For some reason, I go back and re-read things here at Making Home. So this is a good place for me to start writing things down.

    All of this is just a stream-of-conciousness statement of intent. So you know why the sudden change will take place, and also as a line in the sand for myself.

    Feel free to remove me from your RSS feed if this no longer meets what you expect here at Making Home, and feel free to join up and comment even more freely if you want to. I have no idea exactly where this jalopy is headed, but I'm filling up the tank and heading for the open road... I welcome whoever wants to come along.

    Thursday, June 30, 2011

    Enough About Me, How About You?

    Via Rachael Phillips, Pinterest


    "Your blog is your unedited version of yourself". ~ Lorelle


    As you've probably noticed, I am pretty diligent wrt popping into my blog each day and rabbiting on about something/anything. It's a daily habit now.... over 3 years of espousing my opinions on everything.... are you sick of me yet? Hmm, dangerous question. I have had a few life setbacks recently and to be honest, some days/weeks I have struggled to be here. Some days, when I just want to bypass the computer and head out the door, I ask myself, 'why DO I blog? what draws me here?' I am sure you ask yourself the same question, especially when the blogging mojo flies out the door, as it often does.

    Why do I blog? First and foremost, I put something up most days as I know that many of you join me for breakfast and coffee in the mornings. I know you are there waiting for me. I receive your emails about how my blog fits into your life. I am grateful that I can be part of your day in some little way.

    Secondly, the friendship. You are my friends. I have met many of you in person and I share my day with you, long after my blog post in the morning. We tweet, we email, we share, we scheme, we support each other, we meet for coffee, I stalk your building sites!

    Thirdly, I believe blogging has helped me discover me. Through my interactions with you, I have discovered more about myself than ever before. I also think I tune in each morning to 'be with me'. This is where I can be me. Funny isn't it. This blog is me.

    And lastly, I am going to build another house and I want you there to help me again. I couldn't have done it last time without you. Honestly. Wait for me, will you? It's gonna be a beauty.

    I feel like a bloggy rest this weekend (although I will have to post tomorrow just quickly when Katrina and Amie finish their first room on 'The Block'. Have to put in my 2 bobs worth).

    So why do YOU blog? What keeps you going? What inspires you to check in every day? How has blogging changed/shaped you as a person? I am so curious to know what YOU think.

    ..... and Happy Friday!
    Photobucket

    Tuesday, April 26, 2011

    Whatever's on my mind...

    We've had a slew of things happen in the last month or so to keep me offline, from coming back to Texas, to getting settled (and all that that entails), to meeting up with friends old and new, to the 7+ day saga of getting our computer gutted and back in the saddle, to, well, the beautiful blue sky and green grass of Texas beckoning us to come out and play, go for walks, picnics, and take pictures. :)

    But I'm back, anyway. And my thoughts are swirling... here's a few samplings of the things on my mind:
    • How God leads us. Sometimes we sense a very clear "DO THIS!" about a particular decision or specific direction in life. I felt this way about where to attend college, moving overseas, and homeschooling. Other times it seems that God gives us a wide open road with several options. I don't know how it all works out... I trust that He is sovereign, and that He knows all, and that He guides His children. Sometimes it just boils down to trusting Him and taking the next step.
    • Can't believe Moses is 9 months old! Seems like he was just born. Sounds cliche, but I guess it feels this way no matter how many times you experience it.
    • Food here doesn't taste as good to me as I expected it to. Granted, I'm still eating it, but it's just not as "WOW" as I thought every blissful bite would be. Maybe it's because I've cooked from scratch now for nearly 5 years and my tastebuds have adjusted to fresh foods? But jarred-sauces (even the fancy-sounding ones) just can't compare to fresh chopped tomatoes, garlic, and basil... and open-pop-biscuits are nowhere near as fabulous as homemade cream biscuits. Still, I was looking forward to all of these flavors, and so far the only ones that have lived up to my expectations have been Blue Bell, Chipotle, and Red Robin.
    • Oh how I love the library! Free! Just a few blocks away! Books everywhere! And even DVDs! I'm enjoying taking the kids a couple times each week.
    • The No-S Diet is still going great. I'm down 3 pounds from what I was a couple weeks ago. On average, now that I'm not just holding my weight (like I did while I was in just-arrived-back-in-TX-eat-everything-delicious-that-you-possibly-can mode) I'm losing about 1 pound per week. More than that, I'm noticing that my personal self-control has grown, and that I'm really, honestly, content with how much (how little?) I'm eating now. I eat good-sized meals throughout the week, and enjoy treats on the weekends. It's simple, and makes good sense. As I've said before, I hope to eat like this the rest of my life. I feel like I have a healthier attitude towards food & sweets than I've ever had before (and I've never been one with an eating disorder, etc., just never exercised much self-control in this area). This feels great.
    • Couponing is incredible. INCREDIBLE! It is crazy how inexpensively we can feed our family here, and how conveniently... now, I will say, I'm having to be more intentional about eating well, because of the difference in the quality of produce... but the toiletries, convenience foods, and disposable goods that we can get for a fraction of the cost is amazing. I'm following "CouponMom"'s system (free), and greatly enjoying the benefits.
    • I'm currently reading Wendy Shalit's "Girls Gone Mild"... what a thought-provoking, culture-exposing book! Her thoughts on how the current sexual climate among college students & young professionals works (or rather, doesn't work) knocks some heavy blows to the ideas of feminism and "liberation". Have you read it?
    • Monogamy is so incredibly freeing. Reading the book I just mentioned has just made me all the more thankful for a joyful, safe, and fun marriage bed! What a headache to constantly fret and wonder about presenting oneself in the best light, worrying about sexual issues (STDs, birth control, how to do x to satisfy your new lover, etc.), and more. How freeing and wonderful to be in a love relationship, walking side by side, where each romantic encounter is somehow different and unique and yet familiar and comforting! How precious it is to be in a God-centered marriage!
    I anticipate that I'll be back to writing again soon- more than just the "7 Quick Takes" variety I've been doing lately-- as there are lots of thoughts swirling right now. Anything on your mind?

    Friday, December 17, 2010

    7 Quick Takes Friday - #9

    OK, now for this week's 7 Quick Takes... and it's gonna be quick.
    1. We made over 300 Christmas cookies this week, and today, just now in fact, we delivered them all to neighbors. I'm trying not to eat them, cause technically, I shouldn't until tomorrow and Sunday, but man, they're good. And cute too.

    2. OK, yeah, I hinted at it up there in #1, but I'm still doing the No S Diet, and loving it. I think I'm down a few pounds, but I don't have a scale to know for certain. But my clothes are looser and I'm happy. This is the most sensible "diet" I've ever heard of. Really, it's not a diet. It's just basically "Self Control and Common Sense 101". And yes, I think even with the occasional Christmas-cookie-slip-up, it's really reasonable for holiday times too.

    3. My 4 year old daughter calls both Zaccheus AND Ikea "I-kee-us". I am fairly confident that she realizes that they are not the same thing, but nevertheless, both are "I-kee-us". Why you need to know this I have no idea, but there it is.

    4. This year, we traded in our 2-foot-tall tabletop Christmas tree for a free-to-us (including multi-colored twinkle lights!!!--YAY!) proper 5-foot tree. But it started out very, very, uh, bare. Last week, (which we'll affectionately title, "every-single-person-in-our-family-got-the-croup-except-my-husband-wonder-how-he-avoided-it-must-be-those-GNC-vitamins-week") we watched a ton of movies and I made about thirty gazillion ornaments. Little squeezable soccer ball toys got covered with fabric and beads... leftover yarn from "Violet's" blanket became 4 star ornaments and 8 stuffed ball ornaments a la Attic24... I even felt like the origami queen there for a day or so. And I used old ribbon stashes to make a chain garland. And now we have quite the homespun tree... the kids are quite enamored with it.

    5. Speaking of Ikea, we live close to one, and we occasionally stop in for a cheap and easy lunch: hot dogs. We joke that the kids will one day make it to adulthood and wonder why anyone would buy furniture from a place that sells hotdogs. Anyone else a fan of cheap food at Ikea?

    6. I've done some reading this year, but not as much as in years past... I'm also in the middle (currently) of about 10 books or so... what about you? Any great books to recommend? I read some that were OK, some that weren't so great, and re-read quite a few this year. I'd love to hear from you about great things you're reading.

    7. Just came across this video: What if Joseph and Mary were on Facebook?

    Best wishes for a great Christmas holiday to you and your family. Here's hoping you avoid sickness and make some special memories with your family!

    Sunday, February 14, 2010

    And the winner is...


    Last week, I was privileged to host a giveaway for Mary Ostyn's book (published last year) called, "A Sane Woman's Guide to Raising a Large Family". (Which I HIGHLY recommend. It's full of practical wisdom, helpful tips, and written with a humble but insightful perspective from a mom of ten.)

    So, without further ado, the winner is:

    Commenter #8, Linda, who blogs at "Linda's Lunacy". As a mother of six, I hope this book will bless you as it's blessed me. Linda, please send me an e-mail at makinghome@pobox.com, we'll exchange information, and I'll have the book shipped to you.


    Thanks to everyone for participating in the giveaway, and be sure to
    check out Mary's blog, as well as her two books, A Sane Woman's Guide to Raising a Large Family and Family Feasts for $75 a Week.

    Blessings to you all!

    Saturday, January 2, 2010

    2009 Review: Life and Books

    2009 was a good year for our family; I hope it was for yours. That's not to say it was without difficulty, but we really had some neat experiences:

    ---> We moved to a new (cheaper, more diverse, more relational) neighborhood
    ---> I focused in and worked hard on learning Turkish
    ---> A family trip to Egypt, full of history and beauty, fulfilling a dream I've had since childhood
    ---> We memorized the first chapter of James together as a family
    ---> I took a nice, long blogging break (and have found that, in the season I'm in, I really don't miss it that much)
    ---> Found out we're expecting #5 (who the doc thinks is a little girl, but I'm only 14 weeks so it's a bit early to be certain)
    ---> My mom came for a visit
    ---> Doug gave me a sewing machine for Christmas and so I've been loving learning this new skill
    ---> We had yet another virtually commercialization-free Christmas overseas (this is one huge joy for me in living abroad)

    BELOVED BOOKS
    As for books, some of you may remember that I laid out a 40-book list goal for myself at the beginning of 2009. I did *almost* read 40 books in 2009, but only about half of them were from the list I put up at the beginning of the year. I am about halfway through 10 others of the list, and 10 others I haven't even started. (Here are all my book reviews for what I *did* read in 2009.) It was an ambitious goal, and perhaps, too, I am a bit too "P" (if you don't know the Myers-Briggs personality types, that means a bit too random/spontaneous) to read solely according to plan. One thing I learned is that I like reading fiction more than I thought I did, and I ended up weaving in more of it than I had planned.

    Here are my top reading highlights from 2009:
    1. Sacred Marriage-- (Gary Thomas) - This is the least typical, the most challenging, and the most helpful marriage book I've ever read. I highly recommend it. For any Christian, male or female, I believe it will help put marriage in its proper perspective... not as a relationship of getting, or even of "each giving 100%", but as a state of growing more like Christ.
    2. What Our Mothers Didn't Tell Us: Why Happiness Eludes the Modern Woman-- (Danielle Crittenden) - I said this on my review page, but I'll say it again... I think this book should be handed to every single woman in America under 40. Those of us who have grown up with feminist principles interwoven into every history lesson, every self-esteem talk, every career day, have more to think about than what's been presented to us. Crittenden offers a balanced, thoughtful, much-needed perspective on approaching life as a woman in this modern world.
    3. The Unlikely Disciple-- (Kevin Roose) - Interesting book, this. For anyone who has spent significant time in evangelical Christian circles, this is just the sort of book that can help us reexamine the "furniture" of our lives... the things we take for granted in life that others look at and notice about us. Roose, as a secular journalist major, entered a very conservative Christian university for a semester to examine young evangelical life "from the inside". He offers a surprisingly balanced (for the most part) perspective that I (as a girl who grew up in church and went to a Christian college) found refreshing and insightful.
    4. No Graven Image-- (Elisabeth Elliot) - I heard about this book from a friend and was surprised as I read. It's Elliot's only novel, and she doesn't shy away from tackling hard questions about life, God's sovereignty, and many of the gray questions I have wondered about throughout the years. Certainly, it's not an "easy" read as I felt the need to debrief and talk through some of the overarching questions raised in the book... but it is insightful and valuable and a beautiful novel in its own right. I highly enjoyed it... but perhaps more importantly, I walked away thinking, which I imagine was Elliot's aim. It's not still in print, so if you can get your hands on it, it's worth it.

    Here's hoping that you have a thoughtful, enjoyable year full of growth and joy throughout 2010! Many blessings to you and yours! ~Jess

    Saturday, September 12, 2009

    Radio Silence

    I used to love the show, Alias. Still do, really, but it went downhill in later seasons. But those first couple of seasons-- wow!-- they were incredible. Aside from the occasional racy outfit, the predicaments and feats of Sydney Bristow were cliff-hangingly delightful.

    At certain points, when Sydney was facing a dangerous point in a mission, she'd go "radio silent". Maybe she didn't want to be detected by enemies, maybe she needed full concentration, or maybe the radio transmitter would interfere with the mission at hand. Whatever the case, for a period of time, she'd turn off her earpiece and her microphone and just do what she needed to do.

    In my own effort to give full concentration to the job at hand, I'm sensing that I need to turn off the communications for a while and enter a time of "radio silence" with Making Home.

    There's a lot I'm learning and growing in... and I want to learn and grow more. I'm 29, ya know? (Though, to be truthful, I only have about 4-5 more weeks I can say that.) :) There's this awesome man I get to hang out with and serve and love and grow with, and I don't want to be distracted by technology. There's raising, training, and schooling these four wild and wonderful kiddos... and I want to do that well. I have a funny little recently-weaned 18-month-old who needs some training and lovins. There are incredible books I want to read... most of all, the central book of my life: God's Word.

    I don't want to get to the point where everything becomes related to an online world. I don't ever want my kiddos to think that computer interactions are the most significant in my life. And I just need to exercise some good ole' self-discipline. And I guess, to relate this all to Sydney & her crazy wigs, I don't want these optional (often even helpful) transmissions and communications to interfere with the task I've been given to do in this period of time.

    Please don't take this as a judgment on anyone else, or on you, or even on me a year ago or me a year from now. For years, I've read other people's "I need to step away" blogposts and message board comments and seen that as a portion of their own personal journey. This is mine... for now.

    I don't know how long this season will last, but I am certain that don't want to contribute to "noise" or just put more opinions out there. I don't want to be a resounding gong or spend time creating unnecessary yokes for others. If and when I write, I want the things I say to *last*-- to have meaningful, biblical, practical helps for the people who read them-- to hold up over the course of time and not just be a flash-in-the-pan perspective based on personal or cultural ideas-- and to communicate both love and truth. In recent days, I've gone back through old posts and deleted many. I've tried to whittle down Making Home to more of a central message/theme in hopes that those who continue to read here will be encouraged and challenged to follow Christ.

    As Anton Ego says on "Ratatouille", "You know what I'm craving? A little perspective. That's it. I'd like some fresh, clear, well-seasoned perspective."

    For this next "season", I need to shut off the communications, gain some perspective, and focus in on my task. I enjoy interacting with you all. I love being able to share what I'm learning or tips I've picked up along the way and encourage, challenge, and/or help others. I even enjoy getting gentle pushback when others have a different perspective. And it is truly joyful for me to point people towards Christ-honoring, valuable, and thought-provoking resources.

    But for now, I need to give my focus and the "best" of who I am and what I have to the people who are right here in front of me. This summer has given me some perspective on that, and I'm gonna run with it for now. I have no idea how long it will last; I'm sure I'll still keep up with some of you via your own blogs... but for this portion of my "task", I'm flipping the switch and going radio silent. See you on the other side.

    Wednesday, July 1, 2009

    TTFN, and a Summer Show & Tell

    There must be something about this time of year. This week it hit me that I need to spend time away from this screen for a while. I try other methods (giving myself certain amount of time online, or try to only visit certain sites), but end up frustrated or it just doesn't "stick"... just shutting it off for awhile works better (for me). I've learned that if I do this every so often, I neither overestimate the importance of online activities, nor underestimate the resources, wisdom, and comraderie available here. And if I do this every so often, I don't end up shutting down my blog, only to realize that communicating by writing is a part of how God built me and that I need to get back to it.

    Time away helps me to rightly value what's here, and rightly value what's NOT here.

    So I'm taking some time away, not sure how long. About six weeks from now, our family is going to Cairo for our family vacation (we found a good deal and quickly snatched it up--YAY, I can't wait to see the Pyramids!!!), so it may be even after that, something like 2 months. We'll just see. And I reserve the right to hop back on, without shame, if there's something that I feel prodded to write about. :) But regardless, I hope you have a delightful summer- full of knowing Christ more, and joyfully loving family and the people around you.


    As a parting gift, here are the links I've been storing up since the last Show & Tell (and I'll decorate them with recent pics of my kids):

    FEATURED ARTICLE:
    • KNOW YOUR BIBLE! Randy Alcorn warns that not knowing the Word of God is a monumental problem in the modern church... and I agree.

    CAUSE IT'S INTERESTING:

    RELATIONSHIPS:

    LIFE WITH KIDS:

    HOMESCHOOLING:

    GOOD FOR A LAUGH:

    Sunday, March 1, 2009

    The Times, They Are a'Changin.

    So many things, I don't know where to start. But I'll start nonetheless.

    First (and very happily), we're moving. Not a huge move... nothing like what we've done in the last few years (cross-world, multiple times), but still, a move. A new apartment to set up (the living room of which is pictured at right). New norms to become accustomed to. New friends to be made. New cabinets to organize. New neighbors to meet. New daily routines to figure out. New specifics in our house rules. New stores to find. New roads to get to know. New, new, new. All beginning this Friday! :)

    Second (also very happily), I have begun a more intensive regimen for language study. You see, since we moved here, I have only gotten bits and pieces. Got a late start so that Doug could go great guns with it, then got a couple months' worth, then had our 4th child, and then time has been difficult to find ever since. Sometime this year, I'd also like to add in language study to our homeschool times as well, so that the kids can be more intentional in their language learning.

    Anyway. This last week, I began lessons once again. And it feels good. But I can already tell that it may put a dent in how much time/energy/mental thought I can spend here. Until & unless you've tried to learn a foreign language in that setting, it is difficult to comprehend just how much of your brain power it consumes, and just how exhausting it can be. I know that spending my "free" moments here and there studying will all but eliminate my scouring of articles online, which means that Show & Tells will be scarce for a while (sorry to those of you who have said that's your favorite feature around here!). I hope to still have time to read-- for pleasure, spiritual growth, and being challenged-- but I'm not sure that I'll have time to do reviews of the books, unless I feel particularly impressed to do so.


    ALL THIS TO SAY...
    I don't know in what form Making Home will continue for this season. Writing is so much a part of who I am, how I de-stress, how I work through issues/concerns of life, and how I examine Scripture & spirituality... that I'm not of the opinion that I can ever just stop writing.

    But where does any of this that I've listed above leave any time to write? I have no idea. I think this is going to be a season in which I'll grab time when I can. I still hope to write, realistically maybe once a week. But we'll just see. Real life comes first. And while Making Home is a part of "real life" for me-- a way for me to engage with others, grow & learn, and authentically share what I'm learning/doing-- right now, it will take a back seat to other more pressing real life demands.

    I hope to still hear from you all. It's been 2 & 1/2 years since I started Making Home, as a way to just get out random thoughts, and what I've received back-- in terms of personal growth, friendship with so many women around the world, being challenged to think & write carefully, and encouragement from so many of you-- has been a treasure.

    This post is not a goodbye, or even a "pause"... but it IS intended to be a note that says something like, "I don't know exactly what's coming, but looking at the future realistically, I don't think we'll be able to talk as often as we have... but I sincerely hope we can still be friends-- friends that can pick right back up where they left off, and enjoy intermittent, random moments strung together to make for meaningful interactions." :)

    Blessings to you all! And I'll see ya when I see ya.

    Friday, January 16, 2009

    New Years Diversions... (January's Mega Show & Tell Post)

    FEATURE ARTICLE: CONSIDER YOUR LEGACY
    Two women in the same newspaper... which has the greater legacy, and which should we be striving for?
    "One is a public figure who grasps at power and prestige like a drowning man to a life preserver, who is admired because she can shoulder her way in a world once deemed to belong only to men. She seeks dominance, perhaps for its own sake. And then there is a modest country woman whose success can be measured in the productive lives of her many descendents and the remembrance by hundreds of her steady and consistent virtue passed on to generations. They were both in the same newspaper. Which one has the real power?" Read the whole article here.

    SPIRITUAL GROWTH:
    KICKING 2009 OFF RIGHT:
    WOMANHOOD:PARENTING & RELATED ISSUES:
    ABORTION:
    LINKS THAT EXPRESS SOME OF MY RECENT THOUGHTS ABOUT BLOGGING:
    GOOD REMINDERS:
    • Take the picture while you can.
    • You can make your own baby food-- it's better, cheaper, and extremely easy!
    • Interesting thoughts about praising your kids.
    • Breastfeeding moms: GET PLENTY OF IRON! (I didn't, and began having slight fainting spells a couple weeks ago. Once I began taking my iron supplements again, they went away.)
    • Married women: Just Say "Yes"! My good friend Kelly just started this blog for encouraging married women... let me tell you, she is one inspiring lady in this area of blessing your husband with a fulfilling intimate life. So check out her blog, and consider adding it to your bloglines account!
    • Sheila shares an interesting thought about why many women don't enjoy sex... and a way to rightly "awaken love". Perhaps this could help you?
    Thoughts on FOOD & CAKE DECORATING:
    RANDOM BUT (potentially) INTERESTING:
    GOOD FOR A LAUGH:
    Happy reading!!!
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