There is a buzz among the beloved Women’s Bible Study ladies right now … God Speaks!  We’re journeying through Priscilla Shirer’s Discerning the Voice of God Study and it is phenomenal. It was so fun, this past week,, to hear from women — many! — with stories of how God truly is leading them, speaking to them, drawing them into new depths in their times with Him more than ever before. You can’t help but me moved by this work God is obviously doing — thank you, Lord! 

And can I just share another crazy God-story? So, recently I have been praying and feeling burdened about finishing the book (I’m writing Sacred Mundane the book). People kept asking me how it was going and my answer was, “It’s not going. I have no time to write a book!”  It was true. With Bible study, speaking, ministry, family, two kids, blah blah blah… when on earth was I supposed to carve out time to write? Even my Friday “writing-days” have been full with other things for almost four months.  Not a single word more had been written (besides the first few chapters already completed).

So during the first week of this study this seemed to be the topic of conversation between me and God. He kept bringing it up, through prayer and through the innocent inquiries of other people. I kept saying I didn’t know what to do. So He started hinting.

First, a conversation with a godly woman I know. I’ve often wondered, “How do you do it all?” She finally shared that she goes to bed early each night then rises between 3:30-5am to begin the day.

Excuse me? You rise before 5am? I had been battling just being up by 6am! (And losing that battle, I might add.) Surely, she was just plain crazy. But it lingered with me …

Then, as I prepared to write a week’s 52 Bites post, another one stood out to me. Get Up Earlier was the title. I didn’t even read the rest of the entry … I could guess what it said!  Then, finally, yesterday I went to my weekly 6am prayer meeting. A group of sweet women have been meeting for two years and every week God faithfully shows up. This particular morning there were fewer women than normal so apparently I was going to be getting some questions about my life:

They asked pointedly about the book.  I explained: No time, blah blah blah.

My lame answer didn’t satisfy them one bit. They prayed like nobody’s business. They called out to God and asked Him to miraculous open up time, lead me, show me where to say no, to make me more efficient. They offered to watch my kids (!), these women are amazing. Then just as we left one of the older gals mentioned that God had led her recently to get up at 4am each morning, to do some of her own writing work. And she’s near 70! Perhaps …  I went home walking on clouds — God was clearly leading.

Talk about a quick answer. That day was divine. Our chores and homeschooling were done earlier than normal. The week’s laundry got done. The ironing got done. The kids were happy. I even had a friend over and got a haircut!  I wrote a half a chapter during Heid’s nap! The kicker: Because my mom’s foot has healed so well my parents offered to come in on Mondays and hang with the kids so I can write.

AMAZING. All in one day. The only tricky thing that remained was this running schedule. I had felt led by God to do this half-marathon to support my friend Shawna. No way I was backing out of that. But half-marathon training is time consuming! Even just 4-5 hours a week is time when a lot of words could be written … but God could sort through that too.

So last night, I told Jeff my plan, expecting me to say I was crazy. He didn’t. In fact, he said he’d get up too. (My sweet man!) So at 4am that morning my alarm chimed and, by His miraculous power, I got up!

After a sweet hour of real quiet time, talking back and forth with the Lord (which was amazing in and of itself) I opened my computer to write. As my email popped up I noticed a message concerning Shawna’s half-marathon.  This, the very first morning of getting up early by faith to write, I began to read … smiled … shook my head.

Her half-marathon run was switched to a 10k. 

What? Half the distance? Instead of more than 13 miles I’d now be running 6.2??

Crazy.

Really, God? You are amazing. A 10k will still let me be in great shape and keep me regularly exercising, without the tremendous time-commitment of training for a half-marathon. There will be time to write Sacred Mundane.

Sometimes you just have to stop and worship. 

I just had to share this. Our God is so personal! For the last few months, I’ll confess, I felt like something was missing. This is it. Communing with God and LISTENING to Him. Not going through the motions. Not striving, stressing, worrying. Listening.

He is up to something great in your life. Perhaps, today, stop for a moment and ask Him what it is…

{THANK YOU for reading, and I welcome your continued prayers throughout this adventure.}

 

{Revisiting these thoughts today … }I remember reading about a missionary who devoted his life to a certain people group in Africa.  He was only one of many missionaries to this group, but he soon became their favorite and they were receptive to the gospel message he shared.

Why? 

The natives said, “We know that man really loves us because he plays with us.”

He played with them.  Apparently he took the time not only to preach to them, to read to them, even to serve them through building and repairing, but he took the time to simple play with them, engaging in their recreational fun.

I got spoiled all fall because it hardly rained a drop.  There were probably only two days all season where Dutch and I didn’t get to take our long morning walk to the park.  Those walks are my salvation–exercise, fresh air, and a break from reading Curious George and playing trucks.  I get some quiet time to think, then Dutch gets time to run around and let off steam.

December brought two weeks of being  completely snowed in, then one week of me being sick, now another week of Dutch being sick.  We’re close to a month without our daily walks!  And I admit it’s starting to wear on me.  The days can drag on when you’re confined to a small house with a two-year-old who wants YOU to read aloud, wants YOU to get on the floor and make the truck noises, wants YOU to build the fort and get inside.  I wish I could tell you that my favorite thing in the world is playing with plastic tractors and reading Richard Scarry, but it’s not. Way too often I would rather be doing something…well, productive.

Meaningful.

But today as I was lying on the floor playing trucks, I thought about the missionary’s life, and how the key to the gospel going forth in that tribe in Africa was the fact that he played with them.  He lay aside his agenda in order to show them his love in their language.

I’m praying that God will help me remember that I earn Dutch’s ear by the years I spend on the floor, making truck noises.  The years I spend on the couch, reading Curious George.  I pray for the grace and patience to simply play with people, to join them in what they love to do. 

… {And now, three years later, I read this post and smile. It already is paying off, and though my days continue to be mundane I am already seeing the fruit of all those hours on the floor. Thankfully Dutch now plays with Legos — way more fun than toy tractors!  Today it was reading the Star Wars Lego Encyclopedia entries OVER and OVER and OVER.  Praying for you today to embrace the Sacred Mundane and to play with those you love, to show them love and earn their ear. Thanks for reading.}

*Thank you Lacey Meyers for snapping this photo!

 

Did you begin?

For those of you doing the Stealthy Ninja Christmas Angel 12-days of Christmas, today is the day to begin! Not sure how? Here are a few ideas below. Of course it depends on size of family, age of kids, etc.  Include a note (disguise your writing if they know you well!) and an encouraging verse or truth from God’s word. Most of all, pray for the family each day and have fun blessing them!

1 pillar candle

2 small loaves of homemade bread

3 candy canes

4 packets of hot chocolate

5 $5 gift card to Starbucks

6 slices of pie (a whole pie sliced)

7 Christmas cookies

8 8-pack of pretty notecards

9 tea-bags (individually wrapped, assorted)

10 small Dove heart chocolates

11 (Christmas Eve) Christmas/worship CD with 11 songs

12 Fresh cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven (or muffins)

Finally, I just love all the precious Christmas cards in the mailbox! I love reading Christmas letters, and I just sit and stare at the precious pics of friends and families we rarely get to see.  But then I always hate to just put them away.  So another way to make the most of them?  Christmas Card Prayers. Each day when you open a Christmas card or two read them and then put it in the middle of the kitchen table. Then that night, when you do family prayer time at dinner, you can pray for the families whose card you received that day. Fun way to bless those who have taken the time to wish you a Merry Christmas.

May your next 12 days, anticipating Christ’s birth, be blessed as you love others, celebrate Christ, and let your heart prepare Him room. Have fun and thanks for reading!

 

You don’t!

I love this quote from Jared Wilson,

“We all know we could use more Bible, but we often forget we could use less of everything else.”

Isn’t it true that making time for what matters is often simply a matter of what we choose not to do. So, here are a few of the things I purposefully don’t do.  NOTE: None of these things are bad, they might be the very things you’re trying to make more time for! That’s great! But for me, these are the things I limit, in order to make time for writing and playing.

• I don’t spend much time on Facebook. (A couple minutes at the most, every few days.)
• I don’t surf the web. 
• I don’t watch TV.
• I don’t cook elaborate meals.
• I don’t have a spotless house. (love that muddy footprints pic above. That’s my house!)
• I hardly ever shop. (I do a monthly Winco trip/Trader Joe’s trip and use Amazon Prime (free shipping) for gifts, books, etc. Other than that we just don’t shop much.)
• I don’t read lots of blogs.  (I know, awful! I totally don’t blame you if you don’t have time to read mine. I consistently read a few, and periodically check others of people I love.)

The secret to doing it all is just NOT doing it all, right?

Living purposefully. Choose wisely. Laying out our days before the Father and asking Him what He would want for our minutes, our moments.  We’ll only learn how to “do” when we learn how to “don’t.”

Now, am I 100% satisfied with my daily routine? Of course not! Always in progress. There’s another list of things I DON’T do but this isn’t on purpose, it’s just the things that inevitably slip to the wayside. I really would love to make more time for these things … perhaps you can help by sharing YOUR ideas? I don’t …

• Exercise. That is, during the winter. I love running when the weather is nice. But how to schedule in winter-time exercise? It’s just not working right now. Would love to fit this in.
• Thoughtful gift-buying. I do love buying people gifts but often don’t take the time to really invest in something special. I’d also love to hand-make gifts … Would love to take more time for this.
• Service-volunteering. My “ministry” is heavy on teaching, leading, mothering, etc. but lower on the down-and-dirty service type things. Again, this is a season, but would love to make more time for serving in those ways.
• Decorating. I kinda gave up on house-decorating. In some ways it’s freeing, and I actually love our simple lifestyle, but in some ways it’d be fun to spend more time sprucing things up. It’s just not the season. Someday.

So… What are the things that you purposefully DON’T do and the things perhaps you don’t but really wish you did … Thoughts?

*For the record, no I don’t have a housekeeper or anything like that. BUT, if I became extra busy with a book or speaking engagements (or if I worked full-time like many of you!) this would be the first thing I’d do.  Paying a hardworking, honest housekeeper can be an excellent use of finances, if you have the ability, but that’s another topic. For now, I don’t have one.

And by all means I don’t have it all figured out! Would you share with me your own “do it all” and “don’t do it all” tips and thoughts? I would love to hear!

{Thank you for sharing, reading, and giving me moments of your precious time! I take your time seriously and pray not to waste it! By grace, Kari}

PS, Keepin’ it real: Last night before my mentor meeting I felt totally overwhelmed, like I hadn’t had enough time to prepare for the girls, we also had community group in our home while I was gone, and I felt bad for leaving them all because I had two commitments at the same time, I tucked my children into bed at 9:30PM (!), and this morning I woke up to dirty dishes in the icy cold water in the sink. Ha — see when we juggle many balls we inevitably drop them all on the floor and it’s ok!

 

Yesterday we talked about the oft-thought (though not oft-spoken) question, “How do you do it all?” We looked at the comparison trap, but also at how helpful it can be to really share the nitty-gritty how-we-git-er-done details of daily life. As promised, my thoughts: First, very simply — call it good, bad, hugely helpful or completely inapplicable, here’s the nitty gritty of what I do:

• Blogging/Writing/Speaking: I “work” from about 2-4 each day and then sometimes on Fridays. Heidi naps and Dutch has “quiet play time” during this time, so I curl up on the couch and write. It’s not a long enough chunk of time to really work on the book, but I can usually write a post, or at least get caught up on email, plan my study-times, etc.  Jeff is off on Fridays, so I try to work Fridays until 4pm. This gives me a longer stretch of time to study or work on the book. For the past few months, though, these Fridays have been hard to come by. Hence the previously-mentioned tears. Come January they’ll be reinstated for good. {Note: This is the same habit I’ve had for 5 years, through seminary, etc. It’s morphed with infant sleeping-schedules but always the general afternoon was mommy/quiet time.}
• Quiet times: In the mornings I need Jesus! Again, this is harder now that the kids share a room and get up earlier, and since it’s too cold in their rooms for them to play. So we let them sit in front of the fire and read books or play quietly until 8am. From 6-8am is my own time. Bible, prayer, sometimes shower. Yes, sometimes they’re crawling on me, or asking for a snack, but as they become more independent (can get an apple from the fridge, for example) this is getting easier. {Note: No, there’s no rule that quiet time comes in the morning, but I just have to have to set my compass straight on Jesus first thing or the rest day will be off-course!}
• Reading: Reading is sacred! I save reading for evenings. I try not to blog or write at night since the screen-light isn’t good right before bed (although right now it’s 9pm so go figure), but reading is the perfect wind-down activity. Lately Jeff and I have been reading together at night, even better! {Note: Whether or not you like to read, make time to feed your soul with good input!}
• Meetings & playdates: I really try not to overdo these. Because I’m an introvert (who loves people!) I have to have plenty of alone/downtime or else I get cranky.  So I’ll have 1-2 meetings and/or playdates a week. Since my kids are in “church” twice a week and we have two community groups with kids each week, this gives them 5-6 interactions with other children (plenty!) and ensures I don’t lose my mind. If I need to meet in quiet, without kids, I’ll just do it during that 2-4 rest time in my home. My kids also cooperate and behave much better when we have plenty of time just us, at home.
• Hubby & Kids: Thursday is date-night with my man. We only go out once a month, but since we’re both homebodies we prefer staying in anyway. This is usually popcorn, scrabble, a movie, or a good book together. Usually just time to talk uninterrupted is the best part.  For my kids, because I’m a stickler on my “morning time” and “rest time” space, I really do try to give them my undivided attention the other times of the day. We play, do school, clean together, etc. during the mornings and late afternoons. I don’t check my email or facebook during those other times (unless they’re really engrossed in something or playing together and have forgotten about me.
• Housework/Cooking: I list this last because it is last! No, I do housework and cook but not elaborately. I clean a bit each day, mid-morning, and have the kids with me or helping. We do laundry together. We make beds together, straighten up together, clean out the fridge together. Today we sorted all the toys together, giving some away.  I cook 3-4 times a week, between 4-5:30 and then rely on leftovers the other nights. {Note: Perhaps it’s pathetic how simple our meals are but it’s a HUGE time-saver and my hubby & kids are happy so it works. Today I made potato vegetable soup at noon and ate it for lunch and dinner. Pathetic? Maybe. But it was yummy, filled our tummies, and gave me an afternoon free!}

 

“How do you do it all?”

Apparently I wasn’t the only one with this question in my mind.  The well-known speaker and author was live, taking questions from women in the audience on spiritual-life. But interestingly, by far the most common question had nothing to do with “spiritual” life at all. It was this, the echo of my own heart:

“How do you do it all? Raise kids, keep house, be a wife, write books, travel, speak?”

I leaned forward in my chair. What would she say?   I must admit I was weary myself.  While not even in the same realm as this popular speaker, I was in the midst of a full schedule, attempting to write a book, keep up a blog, move households, and be a wife-mom-friend-daughter-neighbor-disciple-ah! Yes, Mrs. Mom-Wife-Author-Blogger-Speaker, pray tell: How do you do it all?” 

Can I just be terribly honest?  I felt a little disappointed at the answer. She said something about finding that quiet space in her own heart so that she could be still amidst the chaos and hear from God, in order to write.

Not knocking this. I totally agree. Quieting our hearts to hear from God–yes.  But perhaps I wasn’t the only one who wanted to know really, no, really, how on earth do you find the minutes in the day to actually, physically do those things?

You know what I mean?

Another honest confession: I actually cried right after that.  I really wanted a fellow mom-writer to share how she really does it. Like, um, who is watching your kids while you’re on TV? You know, those kind of questions. Does she have a housekeeper? Does her mom help her? During what time of day does she write? Would you, just for a moment, open up the windows of your house and let me have a peek at the nitty-gritty?

Hence this post. Now please understand: For goodness sake I’m not saying that I’m some big author-speaker-lady. I have a teeny tiny blog and am struggling to string words together into a book. You who know me well are not impressed. But at least five times this past week I’ve heard, “I don’t know how you do it all…” And because whether we’re writers or volunteers or full-time career-women or full-time moms, we’re all attempting to “do it all” in some capacity. So let’s talk about this. Two things:

1. Beware the comparison-trap.  Oh, oh friends — aren’t we so tempted to compare? The truth is we’re all doing a lot. Some of us work more, some have special needs children (I think I qualify, Dutch is quite a character!), some of us homeschool, some of us spend hours quietly counseling others, some volunteer at their children’s schools, some knit shawls by the dozen for the sick and needy, some devote much time to housework because we know it blesses our husbands, some make meals to take to others – we’re all “doing it all” in some capacity, it’s just that some things are more visible than others. We’re each simply responsible for the “good works prepared advance that we should in walk in.” (Eph 2:10) Our own specially-prepared works. That’s all we need attempt.

That said, it can be helpful to share the ways we “do all” we’re supposed to in our own life. Practical things. I personally found it hugely helpful when Angela Davis wrote about her laundry routine on FrugalLivingNW (and shared that she pays someone $5/week to run her loads!). So, take it or leave it, tomorrow I’ll share my own personal “do it all” thoughts. Whether you’re trying to blog or volunteer or make time to read your Bible, perhaps this can help.

{And please, consider sharing with us your own helpful “do it all” tips. I’d love to glean wisdom from the nitty-gritty in your life! I’ll see you tomorrow … thanks for reading.}

 

Have you already made your holiday to-do list? Chances are you’re halfway through your Christmas-shopping, Thanksgiving-prepping, and Christmas-letter-writing.  Or perhaps you’re going the simple route by buying 20 gift cards, a Marie Callender turkey dinner, and writing an email-note to your loved ones to let them know you’re still alive. That’s great. Whatever you’ve decided to do, do it for His glory and savor His grace.

But while I don’t like the fact that we tend to stuff everything into one month (visiting everyone we know, writing them all letters, buying them all gifts, and decorating our house perfectly), I do love the fact that Christmas urges me to do the things I really do want to do more of year-round.  It’s almost like an annual accountability-check. Have I kept in touch with people I love? Have I written to them lately? Have I given a gift to my husband? Written a note to my neighbor?Perhaps we try to stuff too much in, but I must say I love what the “stuff” is and will continue to enjoy it in healthy measure.

To be fair, it is a season to celebrate. And let’s be honest: Celebration takes some effort. We could just lie around and rest all through December, but this is the birth of Christ! It’s worth a celebration!

So instead of just lamenting the busyness, let’s just be sure our activities are drawing us closer to Christ. Amen? 

So this next week Advent begins, the preparation of our hearts for the birth of Christ. What will you do? How will you capture this season in a way that draws the heart of your family closer to the Savior? We’re still deciding what all we will and will not do this year, but might I suggest one fabulous resource?

Ann Voskamp’s Jesse Tree Devotional.

What I love about it: It’s daily, gospel-centered, inspirational, simple, creative.

And it’s done for me. I’m sold.

What will you do this Christmas to celebrate His birth with your family? I’d love to hear your ideas, so please take a moment to share what’s worked and blessed you in the past. We’ll look at another idea tomorrow, before we celebrate Thanks-giving on Thursday.

{Thanks for journeying with me, and thanks for reading.}

PS Be sure to stop in here this Friday for fabulous Black Friday deals!

 

I’m probably exposing my amateur status right now, but that’s ok because the truth is:

I’m not a professional anything.

I’m an amateur, a newbie, a beginner blogger-writer-author who bleeds ink and plans posts in my sleep and–it’s no secret–dreams of using writing to display His glory and encourage women to live the Sacred Mundane.

I want women to move beyond a defeated daily escapism-existence and move into a glorious fulfilling sacred mundane that drips with the Spirit and displays the daily glory for everyone to see.

So … yesterday I got the (my) book proposal and sample chapters back from the editor. Next step: The literary agency will seek a publisher.

Might I humbly ask you to join with me and pray? 

With all my heart I believe this message comes from the heart of God and is what so many of us need every day.  So it would be extravagant grace if you’d join me in asking Him for just the right publisher at just the right time. And that just the right words would find their way to the page. For His glory.

I would also ask that if this site has blessed you in any way that you share it with your friends? I don’t track numbers or run analytics and I’m not here to be homecoming queen, but the facts are that publishers look at an author’s site to see if she’s worth their time.

Would you, dear readers, be on my team?  Would you pray that I’m not prideful, that I don’t cower in fear, that I rest in who I am in Christ and trust Him at every turn? (And pray that I don’t crumble in tears every single time a rejection letter comes?)

A thousand thanks. And if you’re pursuing a dream you believe is from the heart of God, would you let me know how I can pray for you? It really is a joy to dream together. {Thank you for praying and for reading.}

 

Today’s pinch-me moment: Sitting out on the back deck overlooking two acres of green, trees swaying in the gentle breeze. It is bright blue sky, not a cloud in sight, and close to 70 degrees. In a t-shirt, with a cold drink, doing my “work”: studying God’s Word.

All this and heaven too? 

{Right after I wrote these words I got stung by a bee! No, nothing’s perfect here on earth. But this pinch-me life of joy and grace is worth a few bee stings along the way… What’s your most recent pinch-me moment of gratefulness? Would you share it with us? Thanks for reading.}

 

Oh friends, grace! It’s way late Wednesday night. What a full day and this little update is not getting the time it deserves, but please let me share briefly about how wonderful our little ugly-beautiful home really is? In fact, how it’s not ugly at all … it’s perfect.

God knew. (Doesn’t He always?)

Here’s why: {and perhaps you too have reason to reflect on how perfect is the space you occupy at present?}

1. Huge great room with vaulted ceiling. It is living room/dining room/library/office/playroom and it wears every hat perfectly.

2. Kitchen that is way smaller than my other one but holds way more stuff! Not sure how that works but I unpacked every box and still had many empty cabinets.

3. Pretty leaded glass cabinet doors … who knew a kitchen could be a place to display beauty? My favorite are the kitchen cabinets filled with old books.  Who keeps books in their kitchen?? The Pattersons!

4. Long skinny window above the sink that looks out over fields, trees and barn. Catching a glimpse of Jeff and kids heading in from the barn, holding hands and swinging arms. (Picture above is from my kitchen window!)

5. 1,100 square feet (in the main living space) means close quarters. Love it.  Kids snuggle up in their shared room. I can see Dutch’s face on his pillow as I work in the kitchen at night. He watches me as I work, drifts to sleep.

6. Kids can play in bath and I can finish dinner dishes because the kitchen and bathroom are practically connected!

7. The best spot in the house: the view from my side of the bed. If you lie down all you can see are trees and sky in 180 degrees. You can’t tell how amazing it is until you lie down in just the right spot. God’s kiss just for me.

8. Exploring the barn with Dutch. There’s just something so cool about an old barn!

9. Picking a 5 gallon bucket of apples  in 15 minutes from our trees. Kids picked off the ground, mama did the tree. Bucket of tart green goodness just waiting for a piecrust. Mmm…

10. How the kids’ beds and furniture fit perfectly in their room.

11. The “bedroom” that’s not attached to the house, but randomly stuck onto the other side of the carport. Odd yes, but I decided to call it a Writing Cabin and now I’m in love. My own Walden Pond.

12. Lighting. Who knew it made all the difference? It feels warm, soft, inviting. Love the lighting.

13. One tiny bathroom means less to clean.

14. Squirrels everywhere!

15. Neighbor Lois. Talking over the fence.

16. Box of plums from her tree delivered to our door.

17. Living in a treehouse — the windows in every direction look at out trees. Living on the top floor makes it feel like a refuge. A high tower of safety. A haven.

18. Smell of wood fire burning, sound of kindling crackling in the early morning.

19. Using all the old stuff we have and love that didn’t look right in our brand new house.

And…of course there are the funny things. The “adjustment period” that includes:

1. Setting off the smoke alarm every single day. Yes, six days in a row. The electric coil stove is just a little different. I’m learning. {UPDATE at 8:06am Thursday making oatmeal: Make that seven days in a row…}

2. Trying to fit Heidi’s potty, the kid’s step stool, the scale, and the trash basket all on the 3′ square bathroom floor and still be able to open the door and get in the shower. We did it!

3. How my cell phone doesn’t work in the house … although I don’t mind that much…

4. How the doorbell doesn’t work. Sorry Community Group members, we didn’t know you were here!

All in all, I love this house. And I love what God’s doing in our family through it.  And thank you again for your grace. These next two weeks of our life are FULL, of wonderful things but full nonetheless … would you mind slipping up a prayer for us? And if a one-line post is all your feedreader finds from me, enjoy the extra five minutes you’ll have in your day and know there’s more to come. {Thanks for reading.}