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RSSI've been doing a lot of reading on some great blogs lately. The one I've been reading the most, however, is Kate's blog at A Simple Walk. I've read blogs similar to hers before, but for some reason her posts have really struck a chord with me.
Reading her posts about home management has really caused me to consider whether I could ever do some of the things she has done, and is doing, in the area of planning. I've been half-heartedly trying to budget better, trying to spend less on groceries, trying to plan meals a little, and trying to keep my house cleaner, etc., but I've really failed miserably. We repeatedly overspend on groceries, I rarely cook any meals, my house is cluttered and dusty (you don't even want to see what my side of the bedroom looks like right now), and I lose my temper with my kids all too often.
I know all about the "Proverbs 31" woman, but her ideal has always seemed completely unattainable for me—something that only the already-perfect woman could achieve.
But I've got this unsettled feeling now (maybe it's conviction?) that I need to stop trying and just start doing. I need to stop making excuses and go ahead and do what I need to do; not wait until I feel like I have the energy to do it. I realize I'm not being what God would have me to be as a wife and mother. And it's time…it's past time to change that.
So, with all of you as my witnesses—as my accountability—I hereby pledge to change. I realize I need to start with baby steps so I'm going to begin with these three basic steps:
1. Establish a regular quiet time with the Lord. This has always been haphazard with me, and I realize that this is probably the main reason why I'm so dissatisfied.
2. Plan our meals for a week (for starters)—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks—and then of course, stick with the plan!
3. Plan out my housework for the month: daily, weekly, and monthly chores. Kate, again, has been an inspiration for this one (and I might just have to steal the list she's already made up for herself!) But, again, once the plan is made, I have to do the actual work.
Just those three "little" things make me a quite nervous! I mean, can I actually accomplish this?
My husband will be completely supportive of me in this venture (he's an incredibly supportive husband in practically everything!), but I admit to being much more than a little anxious about my ability to do this. I will definitely be spending time in prayer about this, because God is really going to need to strengthen me.
I will be working on my menu plan and housework plans over the weekend and hope to post them by Monday (if I don't set a deadline for myself, it'll never get done!).
So, until then…
Joy is the wife of 
I love you.
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Once you establish your quiet time and do it regularly it becomes a habit and is much easier to accomplish. I used to try to do mine at night and then we'd get busy or be gone late and I wouldn't do it. I changed it to the morning and it's so much easier to make it part of my day that way. This can be tough with little kids though. Mine are older so it's a little easier now. Don't be too hard on yourself though. God knows your heart and your desire to be with Him. Pray for Him to open up opportunities during the day for you to spend time with Him if you need to.
Planning out menus does help a lot! It helps at the grocery store and it helps in a busy lifestyle too. I have a blank menu that I made on the computer (that I'd be happy to share if you want it) and every two weeks I print a new one and fill it in and then hang it on the refrigerator. That way I can look at it each morning and know what I need to have ready for the meals that day.
I think housework can be done fairly easily if broken down room by room and day by day. For example, if you decide that the living room gets cleaned on Monday, the bedroom on Tuesday, the bathroom on Wednesday, etc. it makes it an easier task than to think about taking on the whole house. Does that make sense?
I pray that God gives you great success in these three areas that you're starting with!!
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I'm a P31 Wannabe too!
You CAN do it Joy. The past few months I have been working on the exact same things. Although I have always cooked a lot, everything else was half-hearted. But after starting to work on consistently doing my morning quiet time (actually setting my alarm and pulling myself, moaning and groaning out bed before the kids so I can actually hear myself and the Lord!) I'm finding that everything else is slowly falling into place. I started off by asking God to just get me out of bed to be able to spend time with Him (I still have to pray this). And through that time spent with Him, He's showed me where and how to change the other things in my life that need work.
You can totally do this with God's help and your husband's support! Just remember, baby steps. Don't swamp your system and then burn out and give up. =0)
(I'll be posting more on the changes I've made to my schedule, buget, chores, etc. in the near future too)
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Joy, can I tell you that reading this made me laugh? Do I know that woman you are talking about? Surely she is not ME because I am so far from having it all together. I struggle with it everyday, and I am always trying to push myself to get better. (In fact, I have found you to be such an encouragement. You are doing amazing things with your children, your homeschool, your marriage…I have felt pushed by you to do better at those things.)
We can get there by taking baby steps everyday though. The previous commentors are right. Trying to do too much too soon can only lead to burn out! I'll be walking this road with you.
Thank you so much for your kind words. God will bless our efforts!
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Two different things struck me in your post. The difference between comparison/guilt and as you stated conviction. The only thing is we are the only ones that know which it is coming from. No one else can really say as some people are ok in a cluttered home and others get depressed. The time with the Lord will enable us to see what we need to take on and what we don't.
Terrific POST!
Blessings,
Debbie aka The Real World Martha(S)
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I can empathize with all of what you've said. I think you're on the right track by proceeding with baby steps and having witnesses to keep you accountable. Of course, your time with the Lord will help immensely. Another resource that I have found particularly helpful is flylady.net. On this website you will be encouraged to do everything in baby steps. The website is dedicated to helping us to be more organized and decluttered. She tells you to do everything in baby steps. I hope it's helpful. God bless you & keep up the good work!
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You can do it Joy! I love that your husband was the first to comment! You are really blessed!
Toni
http://thehappyhousewife.com
(still working on the logging in thing
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