New Country...New House...New Life?

Since December (and my last post) we have moved. Perhaps I could let that be my one and only reason for being absent on this blog. That is the easiest and most obvious reason. However, it wouldn't be true.

We have moved from the West Coast of Canada all the way to Madagascar! We have changed country, climate, home, culture, language.. one might say we have changed lives. Despite all of this outward change, some things remain the same. And I am so thankful. (Not because I am sad to be here... quite the contrary, I am very happy and peaceful to be where God wants us) But I am thankful, because no matter what kind of change we experience certain things continue to be my focus in this season of my life:

• My Lord, remains as faithful and present as He promises to be
• My husband, happy to be back at work - still requires my respect, love, and affection
• My children, are still my children - they still require hugs, kisses, and training and correction

So, here is the thing. My family and I are serving God in Madagascar through MAF, and I am trying to find out how or if this blog should continue. Besides being a personal journal of sorts, I'm not quite certain what purpose it is to serve, if any at all. The heart searching will continue and I may or may not be back to write about life as a mother in Madagascar. 

Simplicity of Staying At Home

Another post I found encouragement from this morning! This mommy's heart resonates with my own.

PassionateHomemaking

Where are finding your fulfillment?

A Quick Cozy Project

Being in the mood for a quick crochet project, I put this Bible cover together last week. I love this waffle pattern. It makes thinner yarns a little more cozy, and the pattern looks so interesting. I was given a baby blanket made in this pattern and it happens to be my daughter's favorite blanket right now.

I am spending much of my spare time knitting and crocheting and trying to search online for wool and yarn possibilities in Madagascar. I am convinced that there must be supplies there since many wool and yarn retailers in the States and Australia import some of their specialties from Mada. Let's hope, so my love for this craft may continue past the few supplies I have tucked away in our crates Mada-bound. Plus, I have found some tank top patterns I am anxious to begin for the girls.

Any projects on the go at your house?

Twenty and Ten

We have begun our fourth novel this morning! Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop. This novel is about young jewish children who must hide from the Nazis during WWII. They are hidden in a little school among other children.

How's your homeschooling adventures going so far?

Goals - Purposes

St Charles River - Quebec City

For the past 6 weeks, dear friends (from across the country) and I have been studying 1 John. My small group happens to be close friends from my home church, and it has been such a blessing to keep in contact this way. For me, it has meant so much to share in what God is teaching them about His Word! This morning, I read a short devotional that is related to 1 John 2 & 3, where John is talking about living for Christ. What does that mean? What is our purpose in life? Should our life-goals be different than nonbelievers? What should our priorities be?

Thought I would share it here:

When  I look back on my life nowadays, which I sometimes do, what strikes me forcibly about it is that what seemed at the time most significant and seductive, seems now most futile and absurd. For instance, success in all of its various guises; being known and being praised; ostensible pleasures, like acquiring money or seducing women, or traveling, going to and fro in the world and up and down in it like Satan, exploring and experiencing whatever Vanity Fair has to offer. In retrospect all these exercises in self-gratification seem pure fantasy, what Pascal called "licking the earth." They are diversions designed to distract our attention from the true purpose of our existence in this world, which is, quite simply, to look for God, and, in looking, to find Him, and having found Him, to love Him, thereby establishing a harmonious relationship with His purposes for His creation. -- Malcolm Muggeridge


As a mother I tend to set pretty high goals for myself and my children, and quite frankly it can set us up for disaster because they just aren't practical very often. However, when I sit back and really assess what is important and what I want to accomplish and just focus on that, it is slightly less chaotic.

What are your goals with your children? Are you purposing to focus on those things that are most worth-while? I have been challenged by this thought lately as we are still in the throes of transition in Quebec and will soon be in a more permanent home in Africa. Maybe there will be more thoughts on this later .... ... . if I have time :)

When They're All Preschoolers

If you are in a similar boat as I am (all your children are kindergarten/preschool age or younger) than you have probably wondered or asked another mom "How are you managing?"

I couldn't have said it better myself when I found this article. We have implemented just about all of her ideas over the past couple of years and it works so well! From having the little baby on a schedule, to consistent quiet times for everybody to practicing obedience in a fun way, this mother has summed up her tips beautifully. Please read her article - if you have time, or quickly scan the bullets below. (In no particular order by the way)

• Put your baby(ies) on a schedule--makes for a more predictable day
• Everybody has quiet time after lunch
• Practice "obedience" time we call it Training Time in my house. Make up things for you kids to do for 10 or so minutes, so they are practicing obedience without tough emotions in the heat of a moment.
• Prepare for the next morning Tonight! Get the coffee ready, lay out clothes for yourself, or everybody. Make your husband's lunch. Run the dishwasher! :) Put clothes in the washing machine. Whatever you have to do to make your morning more seamless.
• Simplify - stay home more.
• Be flexible. Be willing to change as the Lord leads you to. If something isn't working, make the appropriate change that is best for your family!

Cute Crochet

This crochet pattern is so easy, and so quick! The slippers pictured above will fit my 5-year old daughter but the original pattern is made to fit a 2-year old. Probably even if you are a beginner-intermediate crochet-er you could adjust this pattern to fit a child of any size. The reason I love this pattern so much is that it is quick. These whipped together in less time than it took to watch a movie--a huge plus when I want to make several pairs.

Happy knitting/crochetting