Tidy

Tidy-neat, orderly, or trim, as in appearance or dress: a tidy room; a tidy person; clearly organized and systematic: a tidy mind; a tidy way of working.

I tend to use this word tidy, alot. Tidy up-tidy up your bedroom- tidy up the living room please-tidy up the play area before you leave -are little reminders I give out daily to the children. I will often say, when asked where I am , I'm tidying up. It's a pleasant word, if you will. I don't feel like I am barking an order or lamenting yet another mundane cleaning task when I say it this way. Keep it positive!

What exactly is tidy? Well, the definition above is pretty spot on. I think clean and neat, organized, calm and peaceful are words I would associate with the word tidy.

I was pondering on how tidy can also relate to my spiritual walk. First and foremost I am a daughter of the King, then wife and mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. How are all these areas in my life? Are they tidy or are they chaotic, out of order, unorganized or clearly not working how the good Lord intended. 

Life can get pretty untidy when our priorities are out of order. If I am constantly committing myself to activities outside the home then I cannot homeschool properly, and I know we are called by the Lord to homeschool. If I am not diligent in planning meals and shopping wisely we will overspend, eat out too often and cook unhealthy meals. If I don't take the time to keep my home clean and the laundry done, what kind of message am I sending to my husband, children, and any visitors who may pop by. Basically, not keeping my priorities in order sends God the message that I really don't care for the calling He has placed on my life.  Life is certainly about more than cooking, cleaning, and laundry, don't miss the point. What I am trying to convey is that when we have an untidy spiritual life it spills over into our daily life making us ineffective witnesses for Christ.

Recently I was reorganizing our school cabinet. Some curriculum was just not working for my special needs child and I needed to switch out books and write new lesson plans.  My kitchen dining table was a wreck! We do school in this room daily. I do have an extra room , but found it too difficult to have children too far removed from me when having to do little household tasks in between lessons. Well, the chaos in this room was distracting me and bothering me, alot.  I did get it all organized and tidy, making me feel a whole lot better. 

When our spiritual walk is untidy, dry, lacking in substance, how do you feel? Do you feel a lack of peace, a chaotic or unsettled mind? I know I do! Having an untidy walk will open you up to spiritual attack and you most certainly won't be ready to do battle if your in this kind of state.  I have been so blessed by Teri Maxwell's book, A Sweet Journey. I would encourage any believer who needs a strong dose of encouragement in developing a daily time with the Lord to order this book. It's practical hands-on approach will help guide you to a fulfilling daily relationship experience with your King.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah26:3 (NLT)

I do love how the NLT translates this verse above. We need to keep our thoughts fixed on our Saviour. When we do we get peace and order in our lives. Tidiness, if you will.

Keeping our priorities in order and our spiritual walk foremost in our lives will not only bring peace to our lives and homes , but make us effective witnesses for the gospel!

This is the kitchen dining area all tidied up. During the day it is filled with books and manipulatives and all sorts of learning games, etc.  It is always tidied up mid- afternoon when we stop school and dinner prep is under way. If you came to visit in the middle of the day you would wonder when the tornado came through!

*Note:  My plug for Teri's book is totally unsolicited and I am receiving no compensation. I feel it is a wonderful resource and just wanted to share.

We've got our priorities all screwed up folks!

What in the world is going on?!

 The world lost Whitney Houston recently, Michael Jackson and Amy Winehouse in the last year or so. Considering the lifestyles these three led, why in the world is anyone surprised they are dead?  You have drugs, recreational and prescription, and alcohol ingested in extreme amounts over the course of years. How much abuse can the body and mind take before it just gives up. They all led very fast lifestyles so removed from God that their deaths clearly can't be that shocking. Or can it?  I mean really, people are publicly mourning! I am in no way trying to diminish the talent that God bestowed upon them. They all had incredible voices and writing gifts--but, they used it for the glory of themselves and the world, not God.  I am sorry for the children and families they left behind. What kind of lives will they now lead? I posted pics of these *stars* in their better days. If you google their images you can get some pics of them all strung out, the results of the lifestyles they led. 

I say we have a huge case of priority disease. When images of orphans and war torn countries don't illicit the same amount of sympathy and public action as the death of some drug addicted celebrity, we have a problem.  Please read this post by Adeye, at No Greater Joy Mom and view these pics of orphans that are being aced out of a system that says they are too old and put into asylums with adults. Now this ought to upset you. This ought to make you cry. This ought to make us all do something!

In one picture there is a group of blue cribs with children on the floor. I remember reading the article when  US soldiers found this orphanage, CBS news reported this, I hope you will read it. 

It is my sincerest hope that as Christians we are more distraught by what Adeye writes as a travesty to humankind than mouring the loss of the above entertainers.  

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. ~James 1:27 (NIV)
 
This Scripture is really pretty clear isn't it? Are we all so comfie in our homes and lives that we can't step out and do something. Do we sit around and  say I have all I can do taking care of MY OWN family? Well, that thinking is just wrong. These poor souls are part of God's family and if your a born-again believer, they are part of your family! The church needs to wake up and consider the plight of orpans worth addressing. Not all can adopt (or can we?) , but we can contribute financially, pray, or elect officials who will vote to fund institutions that take care of these poor souls.
 
So what can you do, what can I do? Let's all be in prayer about this and ask our heavenly Father for answers.  God bless~Suzanne
 

A Tasha Tudor Valentine's Day Greeting!

Greetings Friends! I do hope you awoke to a little card, store bought or homemade, a nibble of chocolate and the sweet words of I love you. Our little celebration will be a bit low key as we have sniffles and flu-like symptoms going round. Yesterday, I did manage to make a cake, cupcakes and sugar cookies using Tasha Tudor's receipts from her Valentine themed book, All For Love and her Corgi Cottage Cookbook.  For the cake I do double it and there is a layer of strawberry mousse in between the cakes. Receipt for the mousse is from the clever Silver Palate girls cookbook. A sprinkling of coconut and a dash of festive, sparkly candies, plus a ripe and tasty strawberry on top makes for one pretty little cake!

Around our cake and other goodies are lovely handmade cards from kindred spirits belonging to a Tasha Tudor group called Take Peace.  Each year many of us exchange a Valentine's Day card to each other and our Annabelle's. It is so much fun to watch for the post around Valentine's Day as you never know what will be delivered! Cards, chocolates, gifts for the dolls and bears, all thoughtful gifts from precious friends. 

In Tasha's book All For Love, she tells how the Tudor family celebrated this day of love.  Although she does say, and I quote, " Love is not confined to Valentine's Day in our family or among our friends. There are many occasions all through the year to tell people that you love and appreciate them".  This is a delightful book you must have if you have little children especially. Reading of how Tasha's children received little cards to their dolls and bears fom Sparrow Post is really quite magical.  They also celebrated with cake booths and florist booths decorated with all sorts of treasures little hands would find enchanting.  All the goodies such as cakes, pies, and tussie mussies could be bought with buttons. What fun!

Until next time, God bless!

Blueberry Cottage February News!

 Dear Readers,

A very happy February to you and yours! Where in the world did January go?! My, I have indeed missed this space, but with that said, I have gotten quite a bit accomplished and find myself focused on my days as a wife, mother, and homemaker flowing much smoother.  I do have a few things to share and hope you will enjoy them. 

Before I went to monthly blogging I had asked if anyone had a topic they would like taken under consideration. Well, a sweet lady named Amy wrote to me and asked if I may explore how one might care for a very ill spouse while still trying to stay home and homeschool. A tough one for sure! It took alot of praying and my husband and I sat and discussed this at some length. I pray this will bless anyone who finds themselves in these circumstances. Please know we are not experts and we're just sharing what came to our hearts after reading the emails I exchanged with Amy.  Amy's words will be highlighted in blue.

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A KEEPER AT HOME IN THE MIDST OF ILLNESS

Hello! I have been a follower of your blog for a few years now. Lately a big question has been knocking on my heart's door. Without making this too long, suffice it to say after a young adulthood of"career" (public school teacher) and becoming a mother finally at 40, deciding to homeschool and homecare and truly believing this is where I ought to be and where I want to be...I now find myself with a very chronically ill husband who is unable to work and a child with many mild/moderate physical issues that are quite demanding timewise as well as love-wise. Iam find myself wondering over and over again how the whole Titus 2 woman idea applies to those who find themselves severely pressured to leave their homes and find work, due to illness or death of their husbands. And how does one take care of a sick husband and child if one is at work??
 When I pray for guidance regarding doing what "society" seems to say I should...ie., get a "real" job, all I see/feel/receive is blankness...not even darkness, just nothing. I can not tell if this is because I want with all my heart to avoid leaving home or even having employment take up my precious home time or because it is truly a sign that I am not to pursue it. I know you can not advise me on this specifically and I am not asking you to, but I am wondering if you have any thoughts to share re. Titus 2 concepts when circumstances seem to be pushing a woman to work for pay outside of caring for family/home who need her. Perhaps this topic would interest others...

Thank you for your time and blessings on your work,

Amy

This dear lady's family is in need of help.  Amy and I have exchanged emails and I have some further details on her situation. Most of our conversations will remain private in order to protect her privacy.  I also will not share the nature of her husband's illness nor her daughters.  This is not to keep anyone guessing , but simply, it helps one not compare their own situation to anothers.  The apostle Paul never shared his "thorn in the side" that he asked God to remove. I believe this is so that we may never compare our own physical limitations or ailments to his. We know he suffered yet till persevered preaching the gospel. 

Let's review Titus 2:4-5:

These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children,  to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. (NLT)

 Paul, in his letter to Titus, is instructing him on how to communicate to his congregation the importance of their divine roles in home and society.  Since we know Scripture is given by God we can also be certain that God wants a woman in the home and subjective to her own husband.  There isn't another soul capable of running your home and loving your children.

We live in a society where homes are empty, extended families are often not even in the same geographical location and the pressure for women to work outside of the home is sometimes fierce.  Gone are the days when extended family could help take care of each other. That is a rarity these days.  Even sick school children don't have a kindly grandmother to stay home with while mum works, because grandma is also out working!  Our churches are the next place to secure help, right? Well, with most of the women in our churches are working, how can they be expected to help someone like Amy. If they are unable to find time to cook when they come home exhausted, I don't think they'll be able to fit cooking a meal for another into an already busy day. Please, ladies, let us not cave to the dictates of our current society. What God wants us to do is far more important! It matters what He thinks of us, not what a relative or neighbor thinks we should be doing.

  With all this said, my husband and I think it is extremely important for a wife to stay in the home to take care of a sick husband at all costs. Of course, if the husband desires the wife to seek outside employment then she should defer to him as her head. This is an area for prayer should this happen. What we would advise here is alot of prayer, the husband and wife constantly seeking the will of the Father.   

Family is sporadically helpful but it is unpredictable and they are far away and full of their own health problems...us being older parents and all. Church people are great and want to help but here is where I have my biggest heart/prayer challenge. How can I ask others to help us to the extent that enables me to stay home and homeschool my child when those others send their own kids to daycare/schools or see my choice as pure (and perhaps crazy and selfish) luxury? It just doesn't sit well with me at all, so I am confused.

Again, I would reiterate that what others think is much less important in comparison to what God thinks.  Hopefully, Amy won't find condemnation from her church family. Staying home to care for a sick spouse is not a luxury , it is a sacrifice.   If confronted with what she fears others are  thinking, she might tell them of all the impracticalities of her working at this difficult time. This could also be a time to share her and her husband's convictions regarding being a keeper at home. If this can't be accepted it might be best to gratefully thank the others for their help, but decline further offers. Amy and her husband wouldn't need the added stress of dealing with others judgements. Yet, if your church family is willing to pitch in gratefully accept it! We are to love and serve one another as Christ served the church!

That's why you must encourage and help each other, just as you are already doing.

~1 Thessalonians 5:11 (CEV)

 My biggest reasons for homeschooling are moral, health and spiritual in nature, but those ideas tend to get belittled in the modern world. I pray daily about this and so far we have not gone underwater, though our savings are dwindling to very very little wiggle room - a few months at best. On the other hand, we are staying afloat. So do I just carry on trying to care for my husband and my daughter(who just broke her arm!), hoping all will be provided or is that selfish and lazy?

Yes, carry on caring for your husband and daughter! This is neither selfish or lazy. This is your divine calling. 

With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don't hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.

~1Corinthians 15:58 (MSG)

My husband and I wanted to share some practical helps.  Eight years ago I suffered an amniotic fluid embolis. My husband had to take a leave of absence from work for two months to care for me. We did have a loving family to help us, for that we are truly thankful. Also, we had church family that offered to cook and clean.  My huband is very fortunate to have short term disability in place for family. He was able to take the time off paid and without penalty.  But, not everyone has family to help nor the financial security.  We understand this and offer a few suggestions. 

• Before depleting savings, retirement funds or the like, consider the possibility of downsizing. If your mortgage is too high consider selling and renting for a time. Perhaps a family member can allow you to stay with them, if things are very bad.
• Downsize in all areas of your present budget. If you have two cars and loans get rid of the loans and use one car. Get super frugal so you can save every penny.
• Don't feel guilty about applying for aid. You have paid into this system and when a tradgedy strikes there is no shame in using these systems to help you get through a difficult time.  You have rendered what is Ceasar's and Ceasar has these systems in place to help.  Social security benefits, food stamps and the like are resources to consider.
• Let your church family know you need help. If they are willing to help you then let them. One day another family may need your help. 
•  If you have family that can also help, let them. Families should operate this way.
• In Amy's case she does have a degree in teaching. Do you have a skill or knowledge in an area that you can share right at home, such as tutoring. Homeschool groups are always forming co-ops and may need a professional teacher to instruct in highter maths and sciences. 
• Are you able to share your business or trade through an e-book, offering tips and insights to the trade. If physically unable to work perhaps private consulting or teaching in a trade school or through an adult evening education program. 
• Apply for benefits with hospitals to help with co-pays and medical bills. Most hospitals have hardship case benefits. Never neglect the medical care you need to save a buck, talk to the doctors and administrators. Some docs will work pro bono if they know your situation.  Hospital administrators can offer payment plans and deferments.
• Seek help from naturopaths and holistic heatlh providers. They will often work with you regarding payment plans and insurance and disability claims. Some may even barter with you for a trade of skills.
• For the caregiver, don't neglect your own spiritual and physical health. Stay constant in God's word and take quiet time to pray and study.  If someone offers to stay with your spouse while you "get some air", take them up on it.  Meet a friend for coffee, go for a walk, just get out a bit. 

Amy would welcome any suggestions you may have to offer, feel free to leave a comment.  Please pray for her and her precious family as they seek to do the Lord's will and pray for health to be restored and God receive the glory!

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Kids Kreate!

There has been alot of tracing, cutting, stitching, glueing, glittering and the like going on around here. All good I tell ya! Nothing makes me happier than to have a little voice asking me what can we make Mum. Lydia embroidered four pillows and gave them to her nieces and nephews. For a couple of weeks the floor was sporting little emboidery threads of all colors.

She did everything, including the stuffing.

And there has been a whole lot of making  in other crafting areas too! Jewelry, but I will show you that later...hehehehe... But, there are Valentine's Day Cards ready to go.  Each year my Tasha Tudor group,  Take Peace  has an exchange we call The Sparrow Post. I was busy making my contribution and you can see Lydia jumped on the bandwagon to get some done too. Hers are for all the little ladies in the nursing home we visit. We buy them a pink carnation with a bit of baby's breath and give them the handmade card, oh my, you may think you gave those gals the moon they are so appreciative! Lydia loves blessing them with her handmades:-)

 Here are some of her Valentine's waiting to get wrapped.  You gotta love the outfit. She informed me that nobody matches their clothes these days. Ahem....

These are some of my Valentine's ready to be posted to my kindred spirits. Oh, the most lovely Valentine's I receive for myself and Annabelle from this group. So many artistic folks!

The little cards are for other folks Annabelle dolls, bear families and the like. Yes, we get a bit child-like in this, much the same as Tasha Tudor did. The little cards were from Tasha Tudor's Jenny Wrenn Press. They are replicas of miniature Valentine's she painted for her childrens doll and bear families. Aren't they darlin'! I have a whole bunch of them:-)

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Birthdays!

This is a picture of me and my daughter Jillian. We share birthdays this month within two days of each other. Our birthdays were simply wonderful! We both love Italian food and our favorite cake is coconut and we loooove mounds bars so I always make my dear friend Angelia's Mounds Bar Cake. You gotta try it, it is delicious! Now, plan on adding some calories and sugar to your diet if you make and eat this...LOL!

I dont' care how old my children get, I still love to spoil them a bit on their birthday and create memories for when I am no longer with them. I always make them their favorite dinner and cake and a few presents are a joy to give and receive.

 I may pop in before March as I have knitting to show, a very sweet giveaway and more kids kreations, Lord willing. Until then, take care and keep loving your families!
And may God bless you, dear reader, as you seek to do His will and be the best wife, mum and homemaker you aspire to be.

 Blessings~Suzanne

New direction for Blueberry Cottage

 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.  Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. ~Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT)

Have you ever drawn a picture in the sand at the beach, then watched the water wash a little bit of your artistry away with each new tide coming in, until finally the picture was but a memory?  This is how I feel lately about my time. That each day more precious time is being erased, which it is.  The hours in each day never seem long enough, do they? Yet, we can be reassured that the Lord gives us just the right amount of time for what He wishes us to accomplish each and every day. Now, how we choose to spend that time is up to us.

Time and the wasting of it has been on my heart alot lately. I have been taking a long, hard look at how I spend all of my time. Praying for the Lord's direction in this area.  What I have been convicted of is that blogging and internet time is taking up way too much of my time. Time better spent on family, children, my home.  Oh, I know, I could reason that it is only a few hours (or more!) a week, but really, those few hours would be better spent on my main ministry which is my family.  As I visit other blogs and sites devoted to homemaking I wonder how these women manage to post each day or bloghop without neglecting their main ministry. Honestly, something has to give if you can blog, twitter, facebook, pinterest, etc., all day.  I don't wish to stand before God and have Him chastise me for wasting precious time He gifted me with.  Yet, I do love writing and encouraging women, sharing a bit of me in this space.

What's the solution? Well, I feel the Lord doesn't wish for me to abandon this blog entirely. I have considered just posting a few times a week, but then you still feel that time restraint to write a bit each and every day just to get a post up.  The answer (light bulb moment)---monthly.  Yes, a monthly column on the first or thereabouts of each month will be published. The focus will be family, nature, hearth, and hobby farming, just like my blog header says! I have managed to schedule in a couple of  half hour slots each week to devote to writing a monthly newsletter type of post. And if I miss them because of other things going on here I won't feel guilty! I will still check comments and email at the end of the day and try my very best to reply. Yet, the days are so filled with homeschooling and homekeeping and just being a wife,mum, and grandmother that it could take a bit to get back to people. One promise I will make, is to daily pray for each soul that stops by here, that you will be blessed and motivated in your vision for your homes and families.

Each day I will also pray about what the Lord wishes me to write about. Perhaps you have a topic you would like to see discussed or addressed? Please email me at overmygardengate@gmail.com and maybe the Lord would have us brainstorm a bit. 

Lastly, I am often asked how I schedule or manage to get all done that I do. First, I don't get everything done....that is truth right there! What I have found that helps me tremendously is Teri Maxwell's resources. I have always felt Teri is that mentor Titus 2 speaks about. I have found their scheduling books and monthly corners quite helpful in keeping me focused on my priorities. 

I bid you a lovely and blessed January. Here in New England we are bracing for our first wintry mix of snow, sleet and high winds. The woodpile is high and the cocoa can full. I am hoping to tuck in with a bit of reading to the children and maybe even a bit of knitting amongst this blast of old man winter.

May God bless you, dear reader, as you seek to do His will and be the best wife, mum and homemaker you aspire to. Blessings~Suzanne