SOOOOO true!!!!  Make your loved ones FEEL your love today!!!!

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

God made us to NEED Friendships!

Warning: I am very passionate about the following topic! I originally shared this post back in October of 2008, but it totally stands true today. I 100% believe that God gave us a NEED for friendships.

Modern life can be very lonely. It doesn't matter if you are a stay at home mom, work at home mom, full time "paycheck" mom or any combination of that. We live in a RUSHED, busy, fast paced world that squeezes out all of our time, resources and energy. It doesn't leave a lot left for friendships.

I am a people person and really enjoy being around others. I find conversation invigorating and inspiring. God has put in me a strong need for relationships. I HAVE to connect with others.

This week I have had the privilege of spending time with TWO different friends. I met for lunch on Monday with my friend, Jackie. Jackie and I have only been friends since spring. She is older than me, but it goes to show that when God is involved in your friendships age doesn't matter at all! I believe that God has bought us together for a reason... to encourage, inspire and push each other in our personal walks with our Heavenly Father.

Today my friend, Brook, came over for a nice visit. We try to get together every other week on Wednesday mornings. We have known each other for almost 9 years... she was pregnant with her first, she now holds her precious baby girl, number 5! She is such a blessing and encouragement to me. We are both mothers of many young ones and understand each other's challenges and stresses. She was also pregnant at the same time while I was expecting my last two babies. Pregnancy and babies created a bond between us. She is also married to a "Chris". I think that one reason Brook and I get along so well is because we are opposite in so many ways. We always joke that personality wise I am like her husband, Chris, and she is like my husband, Chris! Some of the best qualities of each of our spouses we find in our friendship! Opposites really do attract in friendships as well as in love.

Making time for friendship is important. Life is BUSY and CRAZY, but doing the IMPORTANT things first puts things in the right priority. I value the group of wonderful ladies I meet with for Bible study on Friday mornings more than I could ever express. They are not only wonderful friends, but the accountability to be in the Bible completing the study is just what I need. My family also participates in a small group Bible Study/fellowship every other Friday evening. We ALL look forward to 'Jordan' Fridays very much. Getting together as families is also very important.

I went through a very lonely time a few years ago... I finally felt the Lord tell me to stop feeling sorry for myself and to reach out to others and BE a FRIEND! God's principle of sewing and reaping is true in every aspect of our lives. As I put energy and effort into being a friend and reaching out to others God has blessed me with friendship in return. Friendship is a lot like gardening..... I think that I will make that another post! LOL!!

I encourage you, reach out to women around you. Become a friend to someone. They don't have to be just like you, the same age, or have the same lifestyle or hobbies. Some of my good friends live the town life, others live out in the country. I have friends from many different churches, but we all love Jesus. We all have a need for relationship, we all have the need to be valued. Modern life can be lonely.... we can go days without real conversation. Give someone a call, write a note or invite someone over! Lunch dates, play dates, Bible studies and phone conversations are all possible if we just put out the effort.

My best friend, my sister Melissa, lives 50 miles south and is a full time "paycheck" mom. Between distance and time factors we don't see each other as much as we would like, but we make it a point to talk on the phone and email on a regular basis. Do what works.... be a friend and enjoy friendship!

Ok... off my soap box!!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Choosing Simplicity.... Hospitality and generosity on a budget

Is it possible to be both frugal and practice generosity and hospitality?? To stay on budget and still prepare a meal for a friend? YES!!! I believe 100% that as Christians we are called to practice hospitality and sharing. Tomorrow I share about a very passionate subject of mine: that God created us to NEED friendships. God has called us to love one another. A meal is a wonderful way to show and express love and care. I also know that God is our provider and if he is calling for us to be generous (which he is) then He WILL supply all of our needs!!! You can not out give God.... He will always make a way!!! .

How to be both Hospitable, Generous and Frugal:

1. Make big batches of food. If I am taking a meal to someone I will just make double of what I am making for our family. If you are having quests over just make double to serve.
   
2. Stock up on loss leaders so that you have a supply in your pantry to prepare from.
3. Give a treat. If you don't want to make a complete meal a loaf of home made bread is a BIG treat for most people. Also, dropping of a desert always shows love. You can also invite friends over for desert and cards... this is one of our winter time favorites.
4. Never turn down help. If you invite friends over and they ask what they can bring have them bring a side or a desert. I NEVER mind taking something when we are invited and it really helps cut down on cost.
   
5. Keep the meals simple. I can not say this enough. BEING with others is the important thing... not impressing them with what you serve. Hospitality is OTHERS focused... entertaining is ME focused. Use the same frugal recipes you use with your own family.
6. Give a gift from your garden. I don't know of anyone that will turn down fresh produce... unless they have a garden in full swing!
7. Give a gift from you pantry.... Do you can? Do you freeze? A homemade loaf of bread and homemade jam is a real treat!
   
8. Remember it is the HEART and ATTITUDE that God looks at!!!! A gift in love is what God desires.... He calls us to be cheerful givers. Don't give out of DUTY!

In our crazy, busy and frazzled modern world an evening of hospitality or sharing is a BIG way to show the love of Christ to others. It means a lot. Think about the last time someone had you over for dinner or dropped off a treat for you. How did it make you feel?? I know it made you feel loved and cared for. Extending our love by having others in our home is a powerful way to bless them! Be encouraged... you can practice hospitality and generosity without breaking the bank.

I believe in keeping things simple!!! Give my sample menu a try... they are easy to double, have some friends over and practice hospitality! www.simplefamilysupper.com

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

CUTENESS!!!

Thank God He gave me at least ONE girl!! With 3 sons my daughter and I at least have each other!! Robyn is past the age of dressing in totally "cute" clothes, now she has moved on to beautiful. Each season is wonderful and must be enjoyed to the fullest! A local gal I know sews the most ADORABLE clothing! Please check her site out, you will not be disappointed! If you have a young girl she you will love the way she looks in these quality, handmade items!!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Making Friendship a priority

It is so easy to let LIFE get in the way of spending times with friends. You know what I mean.... there is always the house, the kids, the work, the school, the activities, and church.... If I am not intentional about SCHEDULING time with friends it just doesn't happen. I have a "Mom's Group" Bible study that meets every Friday morning. It is a HUGE blessing!!! That group of ladies is my weekly lifeline. We are going to get the whole families together for a cook-out at our place this Sunday evening! We are all looking forward to it. Not everyone will be able to come, but we decided to quit waiting for the "perfect" time when everyone could come and just DO IT!!!! Letting go of perfectionism can be hard... but oh, so worth it!!!

Today, I visited with another friend. Our children had a wonderful time playing together and Brook and I had a chance to catch up. I hadn't seen Brook in months..... we hadn't put it on the schedule. We had a GREAT chat and it reminded me again how important making time for friendships really is.... The fact is that at the end of the day it is the relationships that bring value and satisfaction to life!!!! By the way, Brook is an EXCELLENT seamstress.... you can visit her shop, here. I am blessed to own several things sewn by her loving hands!

So my encouragement for you today is to make some time for REAL life friendships. Internet friendships are great and valuable (I have 'met' some very wonderful people on the computer), but there is something extremely SPECIAL about real, in the flesh, friendships!!!!! Give a friend a call and schedule a visit!!!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Friendship and Parenting Resource

Mmmm... a warm bowl of soup and a yummy salad.... Sharing both with a friend warms not only the belly, but more the spirit! Friendships are SO valuable, worth every effort, worth every tear and every smile!! Thank you, Leanne, for blessing me with a wonderful "night out" and wonderful conversation over soup and salad (at Olive Garden... one of my FAVORITE places)!! (Also, thank you for the FUDGE! My Robyn was SO excited... Dana's PB fudge is her all time FAVORITE Christmas treat! I even let her have a SMALL piece before she left for school... shhhhh... don't tell the "good" moms!)

Leanne and I did talk about our children... and our challenges with our "strong willed" ones came up. We each have one that is more challenging than the others. Anyway, I have been encouraged and challenged and HELPED by Keven Leman over the years. His new book is WONDERFUL! You can listen to him with Dr. Dobson on Focus on the family.... VERY good! Even if you don't have a "strong willed" child you will find a nugget of truth that will equip you in your parenting journey.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

God made us to need friendships!

Warning: I am very passionate about the following topic! Modern life can be very lonely. It doesn't matter if you are a stay at home mom, work at home mom, full time "paycheck" mom or any combination of that. We live in a RUSHED, busy, fast paced world that squeezes out all of our time, resources and energy. It doesn't leave a lot left for friendships.

I am a people person and really enjoy being around others. I find conversation invigorating and inspiring. God has put in me a strong need for relationships. I HAVE to connect with others.

This week I have had the privilege of spending time with TWO different friends. I met for lunch on Monday with my friend, Jackie. Jackie and I have only been friends since spring. She is older than me, but it goes to show that when God is involved in your friendships age doesn't matter at all! I believe that God has bought us together for a reason... to encourage, inspire and push each other in our personal walks with our Heavenly Father.

Today my friend, Brook, came over for a nice visit. We try to get together every other week on Wednesday mornings. We have known each other for almost 9 years... she was pregnant with her first, she now holds her precious baby girl, number 5! She is such a blessing and encouragement to me. We are both mothers of many young ones and understand each other's challenges and stresses. She was also pregnant at the same time while I was expecting my last two babies. Pregnancy and babies created a bond between us. She is also married to a "Chris". I think that one reason Brook and I get along so well is because we are opposite in so many ways. We always joke that personality wise I am like her husband, Chris, and she is like my husband, Chris! Some of the best qualities of each of our spouses we find in our friendship! Opposites really do attract in friendships as well as in love.

Making time for friendship is important. Life is BUSY and CRAZY, but doing the IMPORTANT things first puts things in the right priority. I value the group of wonderful ladies I meet with for Bible study on Friday mornings more than I could ever express. They are not only wonderful friends, but the accountability to be in the Bible completing the study is just what I need.

I went through a very lonely time a few years ago... I finally felt the Lord tell me to stop feeling sorry for myself and to reach out to others and BE a FRIEND! God's principle of sewing and reaping is true in every aspect of our lives. As I put enegy and effort into being a friend and reaching out to others God has blessed me with friendship in return. Friendship is a lot like gardening..... I think that I will make that another post! LOL!!

I encourage you, reach out to women around you. Become a friend to someone. They don't have to be just like you, the same age, or have the same lifestyle or hobbies. Some of my good friends live the town life, others live out in the country. I have friends from many different churches, but we all love Jesus. We all have a need for relationship, we all have the need to be valued. Modern life can be lonely.... we can go days without real conversation. Give someone a call, write a note or invite someone over! Lunch dates, play dates, Bible studies and phone conversations are all possible if we just put out the effort. My best friend, my sister Melissa, lives 50 miles south and is a full time "paycheck" mom. Between distance and time factors we don't see each other as much as we would like, but we make it a point to talk on the phone and email on a regular basis. Do what works.... be a friend and enjoy friendship!

Ok... off my soap box!!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Thank You, ValleyGirl!

Thank You, ValleyGirl! Tammi completely surprised me by creating this Simple Family Supper button for me!! I LOVE it! I am NOT computer savvy and had failed at my attempts to create a button... now I have a BEAUTIFUL one!!! Tammi did this completely on her own, just as a gift of service... God is still alive and at work, don't let anyone tell you otherwise! THANK YOU!!!!!


Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

Works for me Wednesday

Lunch with friends!

When I was working I would have lunch with a friend at least once a week. I really missed this when I came home.

I really enjoy friendships.... I missed the connection I felt with others and longed for "lunches"! What works for me is the "mom's group" that meets in my house each Monday morning. The children have fun playing and us mom's get some wonderful "girl" time. We settle in my living room for a time of Bible study and prayer and then we have fellowship time around SNACK (the kids favorite time of the morning!). I look forward to this morning every week. On the first Monday of the month we take turns hosting group at different homes and we have a pitch in lunch. These Monday's are extra special because we get longer time to visit. The kids love it too, because they enjoy going to each other's homes.

If you are like me and enjoy visiting with friends.... take the plunge and invite some over. Keep it simple, have each one bring something. Enjoy your time together! Women need support and encouragement that we give and receive from fellow female friends. Remember, it isn't about your house being perfect, your kids being perfect, or even you being perfect... it is about friendship and the blessing that is in our life!

Have a great day!
Heather

Give one of the EASY meals on the sample menu a try....!
www.simplfamilysupper.com

Choosing Simplicity.... again

Choosing.... Choices.... How do I spend my time, my money, my energy? What emotions do I nurture? What attitudes to I hold, what words do I say??? Oh, so many choices and you know as much as I would like to pass the buck, I can't... It stops right at me!

I am participating in a wonderful bible study ("Life management" by Elizabeth George) with my weekly "mom's group" that meets at my house. We are on week 2 and it is just what I need.... kind of a spiritual kick in the ___! It has all been about PRIORITIES and making God #1! If we do that, then the rest will fall into place! Not majoring on the minors and giving our best, our first, to the word of God!!!

I have asked this special group of friends to hold me accountable. I have made a chart that I will keep track on and have asked them to initial it each week after they read it. I have also asked my hubby to make sure I am up by 5:30 am.... he is an EARLY riser (usually no later than 5am without an alarm)! Getting up earlier than the kids gives me time to shower, spend time with Chris and get in the word *before* life with 4 children starts! I must get my mind/emotions/choices lined up with God and then HE can guide me through the craziness of the day with HIS strength!! I am soooo blessed to have this amazing group of ladies! We have bonded and can be honest with each other. We trust each other and love each other!

If you don't have a group like this I challenge you to start one!!! That is what I did! About a year and a half ago I was lonely and needed a real life group of friends that all loved the Lord. I just made phone calls and invited women to participate.... I had a wonderful response. I was the only common link... the other women didn't know each other. Women are hungry for relationships that go beyond the superficial..... I challenge you to pray and then reach out!!! You will be blessed! Be an honest, open, trustful friend! Love, show compassion, be real! Open up your home (no it does not have to be perfect) and start something that will impact lives!!!

If you have any questions or comments about starting/facilitating a small group please ask!

Have a great day!
I need to get OFF the computer, that is a CHOICE I need to make... less computer time!!!
Heather

Choosing what is for supper doesn't have to be stressful!
Check out www.simplefamilysupper.com to take the stress out of "What is for supper?"