Master Partier: Jesus

 

Jesus was a master partier.  No, He did not include unacceptable behavior in His gatherings.  He just found that people take down their defenses when you sit down with them and eat.  He was often found with the disciples feeding people or attending a party.  His first miracle was done at a wedding feast.  He enjoyed cooking on the beach with the disciples and even invited Himself over to Zaccheus’ house.

You too can get beyond the walls that people have erected by practicing some simple hospitality tips.

*  See the people around you and pray that God reveals who you are to minister to.

* Simple is best.  The person in front of you should be the focus, not the food or the preparations.  There is some Martha preparation for every gathering, but you must have the Mary time of just sitting down and giving your guest your attention.

* People are not as concerned about the food you serve nor whether your home is perfect as long as they know you love and care about them.

* Listen to where they are.

* When the time is right, share the Hope that is in you.  You may not share the “gospel message” until a trusting relationship is developed, but you can share what keeps you going and balanced from the beginning of your friendship.

* Be patient and allow God to reveal His timing.

No matter how you party, whether it is a pre-planned event or just an impromptu meeting for coffee, the main thing is to be willing to share the Hope that is in you (1 Pet. 3:15).  If you live a life daily devoted to Christ, your life will reveal there is something different.  Then just love the person God puts before you.  Don’t try to change them, let Him do that.

 

 

 

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Getting It All in Order This Summer

Having a plan for house cleaning and organization will help your summer run more smoothly. Here are a few techniques I use in my family of eight.

ORGANIZING: What needs to be organized?

• Put like items in a similar location. Decide on area of home items makes the most sense to be in.

o   Batteries – all over house? Put in one location such as a drawer or basket near games. Maybe a drawer in the laundry room?

• Three bag system: give away, throw away, store away.

o   Label with permanent marker.

o   Use boxes to store clothing for kids for the next seasons, label.

o   Do not keep things if you did not know you had it and would not know where to find it again.

o   Do not hoard, this is a sin. Be generous and give to others; only keep what you are a good steward of and use.

o   Clutter is a contributing factor to feeling overwhelmed.

• One box:  items to go to another room (so you don’t get sidetracked).

o   Once you have established where items should go in your home and made proper accommodations for items, kids can take this box and put things in the right location.

• Everything needs to have a place:

o   Your home stays much more organized, and flows smoothly.

o   Clean up is easier when all family members know where things go.

o   Entertaining on a whim, having kids’ friends over without them feeling embarrassed (your husband too), is much easier, because you can quickly have everyone put things in their proper place.

o   Think before buying. Where will this huge doll house go? Should we buy that adorable play ironing board? Where will it go to play with it and where will you put it away? Don’t buy it if won’t fit your home. That big, fancy cutting board? Where?

o   Buy things thinking ahead of how they will be stored and where. Legos – clear boxes.  Doll clothes, pull out clear stacked drawers, etc.

o   Less money is spent because you see what you have and do not it buy again.

• Empty everything out of cabinets, closets, and drawers when cleaning them.

o   Only put back what you will really use.

Those extra pots – you have never used them, those pencils that no one likes because the lead is too light, those dry markers (teach kids to throw away when they are no longer good).

o   Put back according to similarities.

§ Pantry – veggie cans together, soups together, starches together.

§ Clothing – jackets together, pants together, facing same direction.

§  Have a list and pen ready of what items you discover you need.

• Those underwear that all have holes, leaving you one good pair! (Put on the list!)
• Backpack that’s falling apart that kid has used for 5 years; throw away, put backpack on list.

§  Plan one shopping trip to get these needed items.

• Teach family members to add to this list as needs arise (groceries, school items, toothpaste, milk, shoes, etc).

o  Use the sorting system: three bags, and the one box (to go in a different room) and make the end result be a reflection of truly what you use/wear.

• Locations to consider that might need organizing this summer:

o   each closet

o   laundry cabinets, drawers

o   kitchen drawers, including junk drawers

o   school supplies

o   all kids clothes: closets, drawers, (3 bag system, plus box)

o   suitcase closet, skis

o   junk room, closet

o   under beds

o   each room thoroughly

o   Every drawer in house, start at one room of the house and work your way through – have kids learn. (Do not hoard! Will you really use this?)

o   Only put back what you will really use.

o   File cabinets, paperwork, documents

o   School work; past papers, art projects

o   Kitchen cabinets, spices, Tupperware, pantry

o   Garage – (oh my!)

HOME IMPROVEMENTS/PROJECTS:

• What have you been procrastinating on?
• Take a pen and paper and travel from your driveway, looking towards your home, scanning the yard, front porch, flower beds, the front steps, then move inside to the foyer, and each room of the house.
• Then take that list to your family and come up with a reasonable plan on what you can do, hire to have done, learn to do (let your researching kids look up things on the internet), painting, etc.
• Set a reasonable goal.

Now that you are quite possibly overwhelmed, let’s remember to use this list as ideas… and for you to just bottom line it…and not be numb and do no planning.

What are the main things that stick out that you need to focus on?

What are the priorities God is giving you to focus on this summer?

What do you want your summer daily schedule to look like (the days you plan to be home – at least for the morning hours) and what are the main things you want to put into that part of your day?

• Be flexible! Be willing to go have lunch with someone to interrupt your cleaning.

Jewelry Organization: Untangling the Mess

Do you have a drawer filled with tangled jewelry? I used to…

Some prefer using a hanging system for jewelry organization such as Carla shared with us last year. She taught us how to use a bulletin board to create a fun and functional system here.

Rhonda Ellis has a system for those of us who like to shove it all in a drawer…neatly. Using clear Zip Loc style bags, Rhonda labels each with the date and if her jewelry is real or costume.

Does your daughter know which of your pearls or real or fake? Clearly marking the baggies will save dress-up heartache.

When a piece is no longer worn or out of style, she suggests storing it for future grandkids one day. I like the ease of popping a price tag on the bag and putting it in a consignment or yard sale.

What I like about Rhonda’s system is I now have a way to keep matching pieces such as necklaces, earrings, and bracelets together. No more rummaging through my drawer trying to locate the other earring on Sunday morning. Also, when traveling it’s easy to pack just the baggies needed. I also put pieces not in a set by kind, such as a baggie of bracelets.

How do you organize your jewelry? Any suggestions to share?

 

Homes Opened to the World

Have you ever been overseas, across the country, or just so far away from home you don’t see  family or friends often. if at all?  I have.  I have and I’m sure some of you have.

One of the loneliest times for me were the holidays and weekends. Everyone else was spending time with family – at least it seemed so. I’d sit at home wondering if I’d ever have a social life, fit into the new community or find authentic friends. No matter how often I reached out and made friends, when holidays came they had family, and we didn’t.

As a family we decided to invite others who were in the same situation into our home for these celebrations.  It’s been a wonderful way for our family to meet others from various countries, hear amazing stories of faith, courage, and powerful conversions.  We’ve also seen the heartache of losing family, being tortured or deported for faith in Jesus, in individuals who may never see family again. Our eyes have been opened – just a little – to the people God loves around the world, yet right in our neighbourhood.

God has given us creative ideas on how to show grace to people from other lands.  He may give you different ideas, but if you want to know how God has directed us, here is what He has taught us:

Learn to Cook an International Meal: Ask your international contacts to teach you how to cook a traditional meal from their country. Offer to pick them up so they can take you to an ethnic food mart to purchase the right ingredients.  Have them over for an afternoon and evening of cooking and then enjoying each other’s company.

Take note of special days: Birthdays, anniversaries, traditional holidays (such as the Chinese New Year) can deepen the loneliness for international friends. Consider giving a card or gift, perhaps inviting them over, or planning to visit their home for that occasion.

Remember Christmas: I know it is many months from Christmas right now, but this is a perfect time to begin praying about what you might do and who you might love with grace next Christmas. Little gifts are surprising ways to show grace to your international friends. They don’t have to be expensive… just thoughtful and given with love. Don’t forget that you may have a week’s worth of gatherings, family get-togethers, church activities, etc, but their days could be empty. Consider inviting them to be part of your celebrations.

Invite them into your culture: As much as they want to maintain their culture, it is important to most internationals to understand the complexities of their new culture. How a typical family spends a day, what we eat, how we celebrate events and occasions, and even the etiquette that may seem second nature to us is all foreign to them. It can be fun to explore differences. We have learned there are many strange aspects to our culture – we have no idea where they came from or why we do it that way.

Learn about them: Each person is unique. That may seem like an obvious statement, but we’ve met many people who think all Chinese like the same thing or that all people from one culture become doctors, etc. Remember that each international you choose to love has her own unique likes, dislikes and personality style. One more thing… if they don’t speak your language well, take time to work at it to understand. And don’t speak louder at them just because they didn’t  understand!

Bless them with their favorites: Finding a good recipe online or making one they have previously taught you, and bringing it as a surprise or serving it when they come to visit is a very special surprise that will make them feel loved and cared for.

Ask them for their stories: We’ve learned so much from hearing how Hindu families found salvation in Jesus, or the story of a wonderful Asian missionary who was in our country for refuge after his recent torture and deportation, or a young newly-married woman who excitedly shared how her Buddhist father had recently given his life to Jesus. What about your stories? They want to know you, too.

Share the gospel: You may not ever go overseas for mission work, but you don’t need to go far from home to find those who have come from overseas and still need to know about the truth of Jesus Christ. Living authentic Christian lives and inviting others into it, speaking words of truth and bathing them in prayer are the best gifts you can give your international friends.

There are many ways to show grace, love and hospitality to internationals in our communities. Ask the Lord if there are internationals in your community who need to experience His love through you.  You will gain rich and deep friendships whether they last a few years or a lifetime.  And remember:  There may be a language barrier, but there is never a Love barrier!

Have you ever been ministered to when you were far from home or family? Have you been blessed by giving of yourself to internationals?  We’d love to hear your story!

To leave a comment:
• If you are reading this post in email form, click the article headline. This will take you to the article on MMCW’s website.
• Scroll down until you see the box entitled ‘Speak Your Mind’.
• Enter your name, email (it will not be published) and your website or blogsite if you have one (you do not have to have one).
• Click on the big empty space and then begin typing your comments.
• When you are done, click ‘submit comment’. That’s it! We look forward to hearing from YOU!

Hosting a Valentine’s Dinner Party

Everyone tends to think of romantic dinners for two when it comes to Valentine’s Day.  But getting together with a group of couples can also be a wonderful way to enjoy the holiday.  Here are some simple tips for hosting a Valentine’s Dinner Party!

• Make it as easy on yourself as you can.  Send out e-vites instead of snail mail invitations.  Evite.com has lots of free invitation templates and even lets you attach a map to your house.  Type up the party details, add your guest list, click and send.  You’re done!

• Six couples make for a great dinner party.  It’s not too many people to become unwieldy, yet big enough to allow for lots of conversation.  If you have room, consider dragging your kitchen table into the dining room and placing it end to end with your dining room table.  Matching tablecloths will give a uniform look and then all the couples can sit together.  To accommodate this in my home, we had to use a measuring tape and try various configurations before we found one that worked.  In the end, it was well worth the extra trouble.

• I didn’t have enough china for 12 people, so I used two sets of dishes, staggering the place settings every other person.  To pull it all together, place a red, heart-shaped doily on each plate.

• A simple meal that keeps you out of the kitchen and mingling with your guests is best.  Lasagna  is festive (and red!) and can be made the day ahead and popped into the oven before the party.  Add a tossed salad and garlic bread and you’ve got a winning combination.

• Purchase store-bought desserts from the frozen section.  For my Valentine’s dinner party, I found French Silk Pie and plain cheesecake, both on sale the week before Valentine’s Day.  I added some cherry pie filling to the cheesecake and voila! We enjoyed a delicious dessert that took no time at all to prepare.

• As an added touch, dip some strawberries in melted chocolate.  Serve them on trays for guests to help themselves while you are plating dessert.

• After dinner, challenge your guests to a Valentine’s quiz, “a la Newlywed Game.”   You’ll all have fun laughing as husbands and wives attempt to guess what their partner is thinking, and you’ll learn more about each other in the process.

Countdown to Valentine’s Day Wreath

Before we know it February will arrive with all its red, pink, and purple sparkles. In our corner of the world Valentine’s Day is a family affair.

The best husband on the planet gets up in the wee hours of the morning to decorate the house with hearts, balloons, flowers, and all things Valentine.  When he was old enough to understand, our son was enlisted to help with the decorating and cards. Each of the girls gets a flower, something sweet and a card signed with love from Dad and Evan.  The guys love creating it for us, and always find new ways to make the day sparkle.

Last year when I was helping the girls with these Tea Wreaths, I tucked away the idea until now.  Because I love the idea of counting down to an occasion and surprising my husband,  I came up with a Countdown to Valentine’s Day Wreath. It looks like this:

And it starts out with this… A piece of cardboard (about12x12) scrapbook paper, 14 clothespins, glue and hot glue.

 

Cut a wreath shape out of the cardboard. I used a dinner plate for a template.

Make sure the wreath is wide enough for a clothespin…cover it with scrapbook paper. I’m sure there are more graceful ways to do this…but it worked. You can cover the back as well–or not.

Using coordinating paper, cut and glue strips to fit the top of each clothes pin.

Now set the pins on the wreath and decide on spacing and color.

 

Once you’ve decided, hot glue each pin in place, making sure the closed end faces out.

Using the leftover paper, or any other color you like, cut and fold little notes that can be clipped on. I cut a few to see what size I thought looked best, in hindsight I thought heart-shaped notes would look great as well!

Funny, sweet, romantic, you decide. Get creative and write 14 messages inside each note.  Number each one on the outside and clip to the wreath. Make sure your notes are placed fold side out to prevent peeking.  Add a ribbon for hanging and you’re done!

The nice thing about this wreath is it can be put away and reused each year. While I was working on my wreath, I had a few ideas for a variation on the theme.

• A birthday countdown

• A gift for a friend with weekly scriptures and encouragements

• A smaller, 9 month pregnancy countdown

• Countdown to a trip, a homecoming, or?

It’s a very quick, easy, project to complete! I am looking forward to February 1st!

To leave a comment:
• If you are reading this post in email form, click the article headline. This will take you to the article on MMCW’s website.
• Scroll down until you see the box entitled ‘Speak Your Mind’.
• Enter your name, email (it will not be published) and your website or blog site if you have one (you do not have to have one).
• Click on the big empty space and then begin typing your comments.
• When you are done, click ‘submit comment’. That’s it! We look forward to hearing from YOU!

Katharine is mom to four incredible kids and wife to the best husband on the planet. Visit her blog…

No-Sew Fleece Blanket

One year for Christmas, I made no-sew fleece blankets for all my kids, as well as for the grandmas.  This year I made another one for our new baby.  I am not crafty at all, so believe me when I say that anyone can make these simple blankets in just a couple hours.

Supplies:

Two pieces of fleece (same size):  1 to 1 ½ yards for a baby, 1 ¾ yards for a child, 2 yards for a teen or adult (fleece can be the same pattern or coordinating colors or patterns).  For our baby’s blanket, I bought 2 ready-cut fleece packages (1 ½ yards each) at Wal-mart.

Sharp scissors

4” x 4” piece of paper

1)      Layer the two pieces of fabric one on top of the other.  Place the 4” x 4” piece of paper on one corner and cut around it.  Do the same with all four corners.

2)      Next you will cut the fringes.  I don’t use a tape measure, but you could if you wanted to.  I just eyeball it and cut fringes all the way around, making each fringe about 4” long and 1” in width.

Tie knots all the way around, using one fringe from each piece of fleece.  I use double knots so that the blanket won’t come untied in the wash.

To leave a comment:
• If you are reading this post in email form, click the article headline. This will take you to the article on MMCW’s website.
• Scroll down until you see the box entitled ‘Speak Your Mind’.
• Enter your name, email (it will not be published) and your website or blogsite if you have one (you do not have to have one).
• Click on the big empty space and then begin typing your comments.
• When you are done, click ‘submit comment’. That’s it! We look forward to hearing from YOU!

When It’s All Too Much

When her family moved from Virginia to Guatemala with Servants4Him, my friend Maureen and her husband de-materialized.  That meant her family had to get rid of a lot of stuff for the big move. From their ten-year-old daughter to their junior in high school, the family was on board to downsize and de-clutter.

Maureen let each child have one large Rubbermaid tub to fill with memories and treasures from their lifetime to put into storage. When I asked her what those cartons held, it was more about what they didn’t hold. The kids lined up their trophies, took a picture of them, and threw them away. They posted their artwork on the walls, took pictures, and tossed them in the trash.

At first, the de-materializing process was freeing: they tossed, sold, and gave freely. But then it became frustrating: she claimed their “things” just seemed to multiply. After giving away 100 books, she’d find 300 more. And then came the feelings of sadness. As their friends drove or walked way with mementos, they felt a painful, “But that was mine……..”

It’s hard to give up possessions. In his book,  It’s All Too Much, Peter Walsh claims we don’t want to downsize because we’re afraid our best memories are behind us instead of in front of us. “The only way to find out what the present holds is to actually live it; clinging desperately to the past seriously endangers your enjoyment of the present. If you let your sentiment overrun your house, you’re inhibiting your family’s ability to have a life worth preserving.” Walsh claims clutter makes us forget what’s really important, monopolizes our time, steals our space, denies us peace of mind, and jeopardizes our relationships.

Pshew! That makes me ready to de-materialize. And January is the perfect time to consider what to donate, sell, or throw away so that our family can live better in the present and plan for the future.

When Maureen asked her youngest daughter if she’d still feel at home in America, Emily replied, “Home will be wherever somebody misses me.” Oh, they will be missed, but I don’t think their family will miss their “stuff.” They’ll be too busy living in the present and investing in others’ lives. And something tells me their best memories are still ahead of them.

As believers in Christ we have the same hope:  our best memories are ahead of us.

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Mark 6:19-21) (NIV)

Thanksgiving Gratitude Tour

Thanksgiving is a beautiful celebration thanking God for His faithfulness, provision, and protection upon our nation and families. The commercialization of Halloween and Christmas make it the forgotten holiday  because it’s hard to sell an attitude of gratitude. Thanksgiving at our home starts October 1st with fall decor making an appearance then goes into full swing November 1st.

One thing I’ve learned over the years from wise mentors is to plan ahead when it comes to Thanksgiving so the actual day is one of ease and not chaos. For years now MMCW has gathered resources to make the planning ahead as simple as can be. Loi put together a daily to do list for November to take the stress out of last-minute planning and surprises. Our recipe section is filled with Thanksgiving favorites such as Sweet Potato Pie, homemade cranberry relish, and even a complete Thanksgiving menu.

This week we will start adding to all these favorites with new recipes, craft ideas, and inspiration. To kick off our month of gratitude we would like to invite you to share your Thanksgiving favorites too. It’s as easy as can be with the new Mr. Linky system. If you have a blog, simply link up your Thanksgiving recipe, decorating, devotions, picture posts with us by November 8th.

For those of you who do not have a clue as to what I just said, trust me you’re going to like this. Over the course of the next week, bloggers will link to MMCW. Bookmark this post and visit daily to see who has joined in. You will see a thumbnail photo of each blogger’s Thanksgiving article along with a title. You can click a photo and be transported to a new blog for a visit! To kick-start our Thanksgiving tour, I’ve added some of MMCW’s Thanksgiving favorites to the links.

Looking forward to visiting with each of you!

Fall Links to Enjoy

Autumn Pocket Folder …Dorie at Just Next Door shares a fun fall project for the kiddos.

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