Long time..... Not sure I will ever have any readers again!

 Life has a way of taking what we think is important and clearing away the cobwebs to reveal what truly matters.  God used our son's battle with leukemia to wake us up.  Wake me up.  I haven't written on here in a long time because all of *my* passion for writing about things just seemed to vanish.... all that mattered to me was my son and our family. 

Wes completed a bone morrow transplant in April 2013. He was able to be in remission until April of 2014.  Now we are at the fight again.  VICTORY is already won because GOD is BIGGER than leukemia.  IF you are interested in following his journey and our journey of faith please click the link on my side bar.  Life has not been easy the last 2 years, but we have grown so very much.

Choosing Simplicity has meant focusing on the only thing that is completely true: whether we each live but 1 day or 100 years our time on earth is short.  The only thing lasting is eternity.  Our relationship with Jesus determines our eternity and it determines the peace and strength we have for living the life we have here on earth. We live without fear!  We live knowing that we have Jesus covering our eternity!!  God's peace through salvation takes away all the deep stress in life!!

Have a BLESSED day,
BE a BLESSING!
Heather

My son's fight is just not his own!

Leukemia has brought out the best in our community!  God has showered his love to our family through so many people being the hands and feet of Jesus in our life!  This week is "Wes Week" at his local high school.  BLESSED does not begin to even describe how we feel.  As a mom with a son fighting this cancer it absolutely melts my heart to see the ARMY of people fighting alongside my son!!

 







Here is a TV news report about my son and his school's "Wes Week".....  I thought that some of you might be encouraged by my son's Million Dollar Smile, and the love that shines through on this video.

Here is the link to Wes' Caring Bridge site if you would like to follow his journey to VICTORY!! 

Have a BLESSED day,
 BE a BLESSING!
Heather

GOD is BIGGER than leukemia

 Life has shoved us off the edge of a cliff, but you know what?? We have landed safe in the arms of Jesus! NOTHING can separate us from the LOVE of Jesus! And IN HIS arms and though HIS power Leukemia has no hold on our 15 year old son, Wesley!! 

 12 days ago he was diagnosed with (pre- B, A.L.L.) leukemia.   God has shown up in so many ways and God continues to show himself faithful!!  Please pray for him!  Prayers move mountains!!  God in the business of healing!!

Have a BLESSED day,
BE a BLESSING!
 Heather

Practicing Lent with a social media fast.....

The church we attend does not formally practice Lent.  However, we as a family believe in the value of fasting.  After all.... Jesus said "WHEN you fast".  We teach our children that giving up something our flesh loves/enjoys during the lent season we can grow closer to God.  When our flesh longs for the item we have given up we go to God instead.  It is a very real reminder that we are FLESH and that we NEED our Savior!!  During this time of lent we each prayerfully decide what to give up.

I am going to be giving up social media and blogs again this year.  I know I have not been blogging as much as I used to but I find that I spend way too much time on facebook.  Social media has its place, but for the time of lent it will not have a place in my life.  I did this same fast last year and was very blessed by it.

I am also giving up another fleshly love.... sugar!!  I must be crazy!  Yup!  Crazy about Jesus and I want to make HIM my source of comfort rather than that chocolate cake I love to bake and  eat.  I will tell you my family is a little concerned I will stop all baking and that they will be forced to give up sugar, too!  LOL!  I assured them that I will still produce a treat or two!

I ask that you pray for our family as we each fast during lent and pray for all individuals practicing Lent.  God has a great desire to be the number one priority in our life..... we just have the tendency to fill up our hearts with all kinds of other things instead.  See ya again in April!


Have a BLESSED day,
 BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Choosing Simplicity...... Abundant Life!

In my relationship with Christ I have an abundant life!!  Abundant in my spirit measured in my heart, not in my bank account!  My God supplies all my needs and I am so thankful for that promise.  I am also so very glad that my level of peace and joy does not come from the balance in my checkbook , the house I live in or the vehicle I drive.  My JOY comes from the maker of Heaven and earth and I get very excited about knowing that this earth is not my home and I will spend eternity in HEAVEN!

If you don't have this peace, please find it in Jesus!  Call out his name and He will be there!!  He longs to draw you to His side and cover you with His grace and love.  You are loved with an everlasting love.  There is nothing you have ever done, or will do, that can make him love you less (or more for that matter).  Today, reach out and cling to the source of abundant life!!  Jesus!

"B-L-E-S-S-I-N-G" prayer for my husband

Praying for my husband is one of the most powerful things I can do for him.  Prayer moves mountains.  With God all things are possible.  The enemy does not want us to pray and will work hard to make prayer seem like it really isn't "doing anything".  However, that is far, far, far from the truth.  Prayers move mountains!  When we pray we release God's power. 

Several years ago I heard this prayer outline and I love it!  After I drop off the kids at school I pray (out load..... keeps this attention deficit girl focused) on the way home.  This BLESSINGS acronym has been such a helpful frame work for me.  It covers so much!  I encourage you to set a time each day that praying for your spouse will be come a habitual part of your daily routine.  Your spouse will be BLESSED!!

BLESSING my husband with prayer

B- Body, health, strength, safety

L- Labor, favor and success at work

E- Emotionally, encouragement, joy, peace

S- Spiritual, personal walk and as leader in home

S- Socially, Godly and strong friendships

I- Intimacy in marriage, emotionally and physically

N- Needs, specific

G- Guidance and wisdom, as the leader of home

Our YOUTH rise up and SEEK the Lord!! See you at the pole!

 This morning, bright and early, 40+ kids met at our local jr/sr high to PRAY and PRAISE!!!  What a sight to see!!!  God is GOOD and the youth are rising up!!!!  I am so proud of my oldest two serving God as group leaders and praising God on the worship team.  It was so encouraging to see these youth live out their faith and make a stand that they are NOT ashamed of JESUS!!!

 We are so blessed to live in a nation with FREEDOM to meet and pray without fear.


May God answer the prayers of these faithful youth and all the youth that gathered today across the nation!!!

I was also greatly encouraged today to see our vice principle (public school mind ya) JOIN in prayer WITH the youth!!!!  He not only showed his support for this event, but PRAYED with the kids!

Did your kids/your local school participate in this national event??

Here is some information about the national "See you at the pole" event:

See You at the Pole™, the global day of student prayer, began in 1990 as a grass roots movement with ten students praying at their school. Twenty years later, millions pray on their campuses on the fourth Wednesday in September.

See You at the Pole™ is simply a prayer rally where students meet at the school flagpole before school to lift up their friends, families, teachers, school, and nation to God. See You at the Pole™ is a student-initiated, student-organized, and student-led event.

Have a BLESSED day,
BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Making Mistakes! Making Right.

Oh, how very many mistakes I make.....

How often I goof up and don't handle things right.

 This morning was one of those mornings.  The Monday morning madness.  Try as I may I don't always have smooth sailing.  I said stinging and hurtful words to my daughter.  She got hurt and said stinging and hurtful words to me.
 
Yuck.

Ick.

Can we just all go back to bed and start over??

No.  Drat.

I repent.  God forgives.  But the hurt is still there.  God, how do I make this right?  How did it go so wrong?  The truth?  EXPECTATIONS were not met.  She did not meet mine, I lashed out.   If we had just communicated earlier we would have been on the same page.  Learning this lesson..... AGAIN!!  Why am I such a slow learner??

Dropped the boys off at the bus stop and kept daughter with me.  I drove her the long way to school so we could talk.  Repented to her, asked her forgiveness.  We talked over what happened and how we should have handled all things concerned.  We grow.... together.... in this thing call life.  We grow.... together in learning to be more like Christ.  We have a heart to heart about some of the things that are causing each of us stress.  We determine to support and encourage one another rather than create more frustration.  We create a plan for expectations for the rest of the week.  Learning.  Loving.

By the time she headed into school the tears were replaced by smiles.  We prayed together and we gave our day to Christ.  Oh, am I so thankful for God's love, mercy and grace!  I am thankful that God never gives up on me and that HE works in our life!  Life will never, ever be perfect.... but with the Lord it is never hopeless!

Have a BLESSED day,
BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Being vulnerable.... being real....being loved

 Support, listening ears, big hearts, hugs, tears and prayers.  FRIENDSHIP!   Unconditional love.

I am so incredibly blessed to be a part of a weekly Bible study with some amazing women.  One of us is going through some extra hard stuff right now and the tears were flowing and the prayers were rising and our time in praise was a time of standing in faith on God's promises!!

If you don't have a tight circle of Godly friends I encourage you to REACH out and make one.  We live in a CRAZY busy world but we NEED friendship!  God Gave us that need!!!!  I have written about my strong convictions about our need for REAL life friendship before...... 

I am grateful for the internet and the online friendships I have developed!  You are a blessing to me.  However, I NEED my real life friends and they NEED me!!  Today was such an incredible reminder why God created the church body, he CREATED us to need each other!!  I just wanted to encourage you to reach out and cherish the real life, in person, friendships that God has given you or challenge you to reach out to create some.  It means being vulnerable, that can be scary, but so worth it.

Have a BLESSED day,
BE a BLESSING!
Heather

My addiction is broke! I am FREE!!

"You had an addiction?"  I hear you asking.  Yes.  Addicted to myself.  My SELFISHNESS led me to a computer addiction, an escape from real life!  YIKES!!! 

When I felt God calling me to give up recreational computer use for lent I was sure I was hearing things wrong.... but I finally decided to follow HIS leading and give it up... for an entire lent season.  Let me tell ya.... the first week was HARD the second week was still hard and after that I had days that were hard!  I was so used to plopping myself down in front of this ol' thing and disappearing into a world beyond my own four walls and my own four children.  I had made my daily escapes from home such a habit that when I felt such strong withdrawal pains I had to admit the truth.... I was addicted to this 'escape' method.  I was feeding my selfishness rather than LIVING the life that God has given me.  I was trying to escape from the mundane parts of life (dishes, laundry, homework, sibling rivalry, etc).

I know it sounds horrible.... but I had so many nicer words for my addiction.... such as connection, learning, research, relaxation, fun, friends, and even more holy ones such as ministry, encouragement, insight and learning.   Ha!  Hogwash!!  The truth was is that I have used the internet as a selfish tool more than I have used it for good.  I selfishly waste time, energy and precious moments I could have with REAL people by leaving home via my computer.  Even if I physically stayed home all day, my heart and my mind were off somewhere else way too much!!


As the withdrawal symptoms reared I spent a lot more time in prayer.  I had to give these feelings to God.  I was sacrificing this selfish part of my life to him as an offering.  I wanted Christ to work in my heart.  He did!!  My prayer life deepened and I have felt His presence so much more.   I spent a lot more time listening to praise music, more time reading the Bible and other good books, more time baking and doing projects and more time talking and having fun with my children and husband.


My life is far from perfect, but I tell ya FREEDOM is a wonderful thing.  Lent finished as we celebrated Christ's ultimate sacrifice for us.  Celebrating LIFE in JESUS!!

Now that lent is over and I can technically get back on the computer I have to tell you I don't have much desire.  FREEDOM is wonderful and I don't want to end back up in bondage......  I want to live my life free from addiction of any kind.  (ok... I might still have a few such as chocolate and fountain sodas!!)  Whom that the SON sets FREE is free indeed and I want to stay that way.  I know myself... if I'm not careful I will allow my flesh to get sucked back in.


I will be VERY, very limited on my recreational computer usage.  I want my time on the computer to bring my savior glory, not feed my selfishness.   So please don't take it personally if I don't visit your blog as much or write here too often.... just know that for right now I am learning to deny my flesh and follow Christ.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING! Heather

Making some tough choices....

Lent.   This is a relatively new thing to our family.... we did not practice lent as I was growing up.  However, I believe that fasting is a very important thing to do and that  lent is a deliberate time of fasting and focusing on the gift of salvation that Christ gave us.  For the past couple of years each one of us in our family has given something important/something that we hold dear.  Usually, I feel God call me to give up sugar.... I have a huge sweet tooth.  However, this year I feel Him calling me to something different.... something tougher.

Computer.  Blog.  Facebook.  What!!!!  Really God?? Really??  What about all the things I learn?  All my readers??  What about all the friends I have online??  YIKES!!  As I have resisted giving up computer I realize that the computer has become a very ME, MY, I kind of thing.  I spend time on here that should/could be much better spent serving my family, playing with my kids, reading to my children,  praying, reading my bible, reaching out to others, helping at my children's school, and the list goes on.  If I'm really honest (which is a little tough to do when confronting ones own weakness) I spend WAY too much time on the computer.  The computer is a great resource for me.... I look up countless things from recipes to questions about my chickens, to growing potatoes to which president is on the US nickle.  All kinds of wonderful and interesting things to be found!!  I also have connected with some amazing Christian women and am encouraged, inspired and convicted by posts I read.  It has been a tool for growth in my life, one for which I am very grateful for.

However, on the flip side I use it to ESCAPE the mundane responsibilities of homemaking, of life.   I use it to escape the realities of real life...the parts that are not so pleasant..... like doing dishes and dealing with attitudes.  I use it to COMPARE myself, to judge my abilities... this is both good and bad.  Usually I end up falling short of all the cool things others do and have.  The computer has become a too big a part of my daily life.  Yikes!

Giving up the computer for lent will not be easy... I know that my flesh will be going through withdrawal... I will have to LEAN on Christ rather than on computer breaks.  My energy, my refueling will have to come from HIM rather than gleaned inspiration from others. 

I will miss ya all!!  But I answer to the call and am going on a computer fast.  I have done other fasts from the computer and they have been very beneficial in my life.  I always loose 'readers', but I gain much more in my heart.  When how many readers I have becomes too great a worth in my life I know it is time to re-evaluate.  So, I bid you all a LENT farewell!  Taking some time to FOCUS on our Savior and what HE wants for my life!!


Participating in lent is a growing experience.  As always, why am I surprised that when we DENY our FLESH we are able to HEAR Christ more fully??  Why does my FLESH cry out so selfishly for the ME, MY and I things??  Maybe this time I will really get it!!  My prayer is that during this no computer time my Spirit will be zoned in on hearing my savior!  That I will GROW in HIS love!!


Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather
What is for supper?? Eliminate this daily stress from your life! http://www.simplefamilysupper.com

Discover What your LOVE Language is.....

 Taking this 5 Love Language assessment from Gary Chapman is easy and fun!  They have one for husbands, wives, singles, teenagers and children.  My husband and I took it a couple of years ago and I learned that his love languages are NOT what I thought they were!!  Man, and after all that effort that could have been spent more wisely and effectively.....  Oh, well... any effort to show love is good, but hitting the mark with their love language is much better.  We found that we actually have the same primary love language: Words of affirmation.  Learning this has helped me focus on SPEAKING and writing  words of respect and encouragement to him.  It is also easier for me to express this love language because I know how much I love it.

Anyway, I'm going to have my 2 oldest children take the assessment..... I wonder if I have them figured out correctly!  I'm all for learning how to better love my family.

Have you taken this assessment??  What did you discover was your primary love language??

Have a BLESSED day,
BE a BLESSING!
Heather

What is for supper?? Eliminate this daily stress from your life! http://www.simplefamilysupper.com

I discovered a VALUABLE resource!!

Homemakers by choice has been around for a long time..... but I just found them last week.  I have been listening to  podcasts while I work around our home.  Let me tell you I have been BLESSED.  What an incredible source of encouragement, inspiration and an occasional swift kick in the....  Folding laundry and doing dishes has been a great time for me to soak in these powerful messages.

Have you ever heard of this ministry??  If so, what is one of your favorite messages.  If they are new to you, too.... check them out and then let me know what ya think!

Have a BLESSED day,
BE a BLESSING!
Heather
What is for supper?? Eliminate this daily stress from your life! http://www.simplefamilysupper.com

Helping my children WALK with Jesus!!

Keys for Kids!!! We LOVE it! Growing up it was a part of our family devotions. I loved the stories as a child and learned so much about God. Today, I am the parent helping my children learn to WALK their everyday life with Jesus and we use Keys for Kids as part of our tools.

We have used Keys for Kids for five years and this year we started using the PODCAST version. After all those years listening to MOM (me) read (the printed version of Keys for Kids) the kids find it MUCH, much, much cooler to listen to Uncle Charlie! I have to admit, hearing his voice brings back wonderful memories of listening to the Children's Bible Hour when I was young.

The stories in the Keys for Kids really make WALKING out the word of God come alive. The stories are very relate-able, realistic and interesting. The Godly principles taught will last a life time.

So, what do my kids have to say??
My oldest son Wesley (age 13), says that Keys for Kids is a good devotional to use because "the stories are good and apply to real life even though I am getting a little old for them". My daughter, Robyn (age 11) enjoys Keys because "It helps helps me get through the day because they help me learn what to do". My son Ethan (age 7) says he likes Keys for Kids because "I love God and they help me learn about my life and what to do." My son, Nate (age 6), says Keys is good because "we love God and it helps us to learn not to say bad words and other bad things and it helps our heart".


If you are looking for a way to help FEED your children's SPIRITUAL life you might enjoy Keys for kids, too!! If you are already using Keys, what is your favorite thing about this devotional?? Did you use Keys for Kids when you were growing up??

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Sometimes I'm a grump....

Yep. Grumpy. Not pretty.

Not good.

Not cute.

What to do about it??

Admit what is really at the root.... what is really bothering me?? Sometimes life is HARD!

Should I really take it out on my family? NO!

Oh, Jesus, forgive me!! Family forgive me!!

Deliberately CHANGE my attitude.. yes, that can be done. Hard, but very, very possible.

Rest in GRACE, move on.

Smile, be thankful, be content.

Give a hug, receive a hug.

Eat some chocolate!

Turn on some praise music

Get some extra sleep.

How about you?? How do you handle the grumps??

Have a BLESSED day,
BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Don't be grumpy about supper!! Download the FREE Simple Family Supper menu plan kit E-book today! For the LOVE of FAMILY!!!!

Doctors only gave her months to live... God had different plans!!

Way back in 1999 I met Amanda McClung. We became fast friends and became Bible study buddies until she moved away (her husband is in the military) in 2003 (Miss her very much). Amanda's life was turned upside down in March of 2009 when she was diagnosed with sage III colon cancer. She was given only months to live, but GOD had different plans!! We serve a BIG God and He still works miracles today! Amanda is alive and well living 100% cancer free!! To God be the glory! To read a wonderful article about her complete story go HERE. You will be encouraged! Pass on the word... Our GOD heals!!!!!!!!!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

For the LOVE of FAMILY I am giving away complete copies of my Simple Family Supper February Menu Plan Kit E-book. DOWNLOAD your copy today!!!!

Make me a woman who......

Lord,

Make me a woman who loves you more than I love what others say about me or think of me.

Make me a woman who guards her heart.

Make me a woman who loves You more than I love how I appear to others.

Make me a woman whose heart is pure.

Make me a woman who returns only love.

Make me a woman who grows more and more to care about those around me–especially those hardest to care about.

Make me a woman who sees with compassionate eyes.

Make me a woman who doesn’t always have to be right.

Make me a woman who loves truth more than popularity.

Make me a woman who chases after Your heart.

(Thanks Generation Cedar for this!!!)


Added by Me: Lord, Make me a woman that fights to keep family a priority! A woman that deeply loves my husband and children. Make me a woman that understands that I can make a difference for eternity by focusing on building my family up!!! Make me a woman that makes a difference through the power of the Holy Spirit working in my life!

Don't forget: for the month of February I am giving away as many FREE copies of my Simple Family Supper February Menu Plan Kit E-book as I can. BUILD your family... share some simple meals together!! Let the Simple Family Supper menu plan take the stress out of supper and allow you to share some wonderful family time. Download your copy today and pass on the word!!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

A great way to start off the day.....

The first hour of the day (well, the first hour I am awake) is very special. How that morning hour goes tends to set the stage for the next few hours. I can tell you it is very helpful for me to get up BEFORE the kids... have some quiet alone time to think and pray before I have jump into my role as Mom. I will admit when I over sleep and am forced to jump into mom mode immediately I am far too likely to not be the Mom I want to give my children.

Today we have a two hour delay due to very cold temperatures and blowing and drifting snow. I was able to sleep in a little and still have some quiet alone time before the kids got up! Yeah!! (I'm not naturally a early morning gal so sleeping in till 6:30 was a treat) Connecting with God FIRST really helps me to connect with others (I know... shocking!). :)

This morning I ran across the following prayer on Homespunheart and I printed it off. I think I am going to start praying this on my own and with my children every morning. *I need to write a post about the lessons our family has learned about prayer this year. God is GOOD!

"Lord, here are my hands;
I consecrate them to Thee.
May they never touch anything
that Thou wouldst not have them touch,
or do anything that would dishonour Thee.
And here are my feet;
I dedicate them to Thee.
May they never go
where Thou wouldst not be seen.
Here, Lord, are my eyes.
May they never look upon anything
that would grieve Thy Holy Spirit.
May my ears never listen to anything
dishonouring to Thy Name.
May my mouth never be opened to speak
a word that I would not want Thee to hear.
May my mind never retain a thought or
an imagination that would dim the sense of Thy Presence.
May my heart know no love,
and cherish no feeling that is not of Thee."

~ Oswald J. Smith

"The Man God Uses"


Have a BLESSED day,
BE a BLESSING!
Heather
What is for supper?? Eliminate this daily stress from your life! http://www.simplefamilysupper.com

This is the day......

To enjoy each moment.... because this is my life!! Instead of making a list of new years resolutions this year I did what many others are doing.... prayed for one word to focus my efforts on. The word that God gave me was CONNECT. Connect with God, my husband, my children, my friends. I am a type A personality... I love accomplishing things, doing things, making things. I too often have pushed aside moments of connecting with the people I love in order to check the next thing off my list. CHOOSING SIMPLICITY means saying NO to some doing and YES to some people. It requires a re-evaluation of my 'to do' list. God never fails.... when I choose to connect with Him first all the other 'connecting' is much easier.

TODAY is my life. As my family prays for Joanne Heim and her family we realize in a fresh way how uncertain our time is. Celebrating today by CONNECTING with my loved ones is my focus for the year. Focusing on what matters most..... and I can tell you that I am learning that it is not a neatly checked off "to do" list. I will also admit there have been many things that have revealed my selfish heart. It is often easier to retreat to the laundry than give a loved one what they need. How sad is that. I have found that I base my worth far too much on my ability to accomplish things rather than resting in the grace of God. I am learning, I am growing. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord."

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!!!!!! It is with a joyful heart that I anticipate CONNECTING with others today!! :)


Have a BLESSED day,
BE a BLESSING!
Heather
What is for supper?? Eliminate this daily stress from your life! http://www.simplefamilysupper.com

Choosing Simplicity... Choosing Contentment.

Ahh.... I hear it..."that is so sweet". What a nice idea. Actually, NO! Choosing Contentment is not sweet. Rather it is a BATTLE! Contentment goes against every cell in our flesh. We WANT more, we want different, we want perfection, we WANT, want, want!!

Choosing Contentment means taking up deliberate battle against our raging, wanting, desires. It is NOT easy. Am I trying to discourage you from Choosing contentment?? Definitely not. I am being honest.

Have you ever thought that you were the only one that Really, really, really struggles with discontentment? You are so not alone. We ALL have issues of WANT. We might not all want the same thing (and that enters us into comparison), but that isn't the point at all. Discontentment is longing for what we don't have rather than choosing thankfulness and joy with what we do have. It is a heart issue. aarrrgg... why do we have to have heart issues! Heart issues are a battle ground!! Take up the sword with me and join me in slaying this discontentment dragon.

I think that sometimes we fear that having contentment means we are 'settling' for less than we can be. That somehow we will give up hope at "making progress". Questions like "If I become content with my body will I just always be over weight?" or "If I become content with our income will we always be paying peter to pay paul?" We fear that life will somehow become LESS worth living if we give up WANTING. This is such a trick of the enemy. God's ways never seem to make sense to our earthly minds. Truthfully, though, contentment sets us free! Contentment gives us the power to LIVE RICH. Wealthy is a matter of money, RICH is a matter of the heart.

Will you take up battle with me?? Will you wage a war for contentment?? If you want some more inspiration hop on over to the Stay at Home Missionary and join up with her challenge. I am in! Are you??

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather