Tuesday, March 10

HomeMaking :: More Than Dishes And Laundry {Part Three}



HomeMaking :: More Than Dishes and Laundry
A Study Series written by Peggy Hostetler


(Part 1 of this study series is found HERE)

A Vision Takes Shape

When I ponder the words, "homemaking vision", I think of the way in which I view or see my home making. And inside of that "seeing" lives my personal goals, plans, dreams, hopes, prayers and other aspects that make up it's core. 

These things are mainly rooted in my upbringing, my childhood experiences, my mother's role within my family home and the ways in which she carried it out. 

Some were forged by special women in my life, media; such as television, books, movies, while others were added by mentors, church life, my faith, the Bible, my age and maturity. 

My vision has changed only slightly over the past many years of marriage, though I can not  recall a purposefully set pattern during those early years, especially those rough few. Difficult and hard times are the biggest culprit for dimming and blurring your vision.

 As time moved on, children were added to our home (six in all with one having special needs) and then as the homeschooling movement began to form, so did a new vision. With that...I came into my own and have pretty much remained the same.

Over the years, the outside view of my vision has taken on different shaped flesh if you will. While the outside has been shaped and reshaped because of changing needs, the core has not. The core has remained the same and it is where I always come to when I have lost my way, when I steer too far, and especially when I think I can do it on my own. 

And yet, the very essence of my vision is my belief in and love of Christ Jesus.

~*~*~*~

Food for Thought

Be thinking about your "homemaking vision".

Write down what these two words say and mean to you. If you have never thought of having a vision for your home, begin thinking of possible tiny steps you could take to put one in place.

Remember your vision for your home will not look like any other. You are unique and so is your life.

Use your journal to write down your heart thoughts.

continued...

Friday, March 6

HomeMaking :: More Than Dishes And Laundry {Part Two}

HomeMaking :: More Than Dishes and Laundry
A Study Series written by Peggy Hostetler

Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash

(Part 1 of this study series is found HERE)

My Personal Oil Lamp

I believe the lamp is likened to my relationship with our Lord and the oil and globe are the state in which that relationship is in.

Personally, when my lamp is running on empty or my globe is black with soot, then things are very off at my home front. I have neglected the most important person in my life, my Jesus. I have allowed other things to press in on me like the storm. I have fallen unprepared and thus am caught off guard. It has been either neglect, busyness or the taking for granted of the Savior. All of which can cause the breech and all of which, sadly are of my own doing or perhaps my own undoing.

This holds true for our lives in general and affects many other areas, but for this series homemaking is the center focus.

It is times like these that I have most often misplaced my homemaking vision and what happens is discontentment sets in, hurried-ness becomes the norm, confusion circles around me and if left go unchecked, resentment will hush in like a fog and quietly cover like a shroud.

So look to the lamp as your centerpiece for this study series moving forwards,  as a symbol, a thermostat if you will.

~*~*~*~

Food for Thought

Over the next few days be praying over and thinking about your personal oil lamp.

Take spiritual inventory of your oil and globe and see how the wick is doing. Maybe go back and re-read part one of this study again.

Journal your heart and next week I will share more about having a "homemaking vision" along with my own in part three, A Vision Takes Shape.



Monday, March 2

The March/April Edition of The Simple Woman's Daybook


For Today

Looking out my window... a gorgeous sunrise full of promise

I am thinking... that I really love this wooden piece for the mantle that I found at Hobby Lobby. 


I am thankful... for the upcoming ladies retreat held in April, an early birthday gift.

One of my favorite things... a new calendar page being turned over. 




I am wearing... gray leggings, gray cami, black long-sleeve and a gray, white tunic and thick socks because it is chilly this morning.

I am creating...




I am reading... Rebekah Lyons new book, Rhythms of Renewal : Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose and slowly studying through Beth Moore's newest book, Chasing Vines and Max Lucado's Jesus : The God Who Knows Your Name. 


I am listening to... my new cd by Carly Pearce. I am a country music girl at heart and love her stuff. 

I am hoping
... to get a binding on this pretty.



I am learning... that fear serves no purpose.

In the kitchen... plans are taking shape for a complete do-over. After 34 years and six children later, I am over-the-moon excited and so is my tired kitchen!!

Post Script


If you missed last week's post sharing the new study series I will be writing here on my blog, you can find the link on the sidebar. It is entitled, HomeMaking...more than dishes and laundry. I will also be listing them on the sidebar in order for easy access. I pray it is a blessing to you.

Shared Quote

"His love motivates her respect; her respect motivates his love."
~Emerson Eggerichs

A moment from my day... doing a deep spring clean in my studio room. Starting there first since this is my "brain central" room for the rest of the house. {smile}


Post Script

If you enjoyed reading my daybook and would like to create one of your own, HERE is the link to the format, guidelines and complete list of prompts. 




The May/June 2020 Edition will be posted May 4th

Dear friends, I love that you take part in the daybook, but I see the below guideline being forgotten from time to time. Please respect the daybook and read the below statement, in particular the "multiple linking".

The Simple Woman's Daybook is not connected to any other link up.



"This means re-wording, adding to the prompts, mixing someone else's link-up prompts to TSW Daybook and multiple linking in combination with TSW Daybook will be removed. 

I would truly like to keep the TSW Daybook, individually unique and in tact."

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Friday, February 28

HomeMaking :: More Than Dishes And Laundry (New Study Series)



HomeMaking :: More Than Dishes and Laundry
A Study Series written by Peggy Hostetler

The Stage is Set ~ Part 1

You are sitting at a circular oak table in a room just after dusk. On top of the table is an old-fashioned cotton doily in the same round pattern as the table. In the center of the table is a beautifully etched glass oil lamp covered in a gray dusty film. The wick is hardened with black soot and the base is near empty of any oil. From what remains exudes a strong smelling odor and it has become yellowed with age.

You feel alone, sad and filled as it were with emptiness. You are enveloped in near darkness with a feeling of fret and worry. There is a chill as the thunder begins to rolls in. You are unprepared to ride out this storm. You want to flee as the twinges of fear now settle upon you.

There is unrest and a confused state you can not explain, but you know it is not right nor where you want to be.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


The Stage is Set ~ Part 2

You are sitting at a circular oak table in a room just after dusk. On top of the table is an old-fashioned cotton doily in the same round pattern as the table. In the center of the table is a beautifully etched glass oil lamp with an even burning, never wavering flame. The wick has been trimmed neatly, the globe of the lamp is bright and clear and the base is full of fresh oil.

The wind is howling, the rain is pouring, but as it beats against the windows you feel warm and safe inside. You feel secure with the warm glow of the lamplight. You have a peaceful quieted heart and know a sense of coziness within your soul. Your state of mind is thoughtful and focused.

There is rest and a simpleness of space and time you can not explain, but you know it is right and where you want to be.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Just an Oil Lamp?

Do I have oil in my lamp? Is the wick trimmed and burning brightly or is it overdue for a straight cut? Do I take the time to freshen my lamp with new oil, filling it full? Is the globe clean from dust and soot?

As women, we do not want to be caught like the foolish virgins...asleep, with empty lamps, but we want to be like the wise ones with lamps full and ourselves fully awake.

~*~*~*~

Food for Thought

Look up Matthew 25-
{write this passage down}

Look up the word wise and write its meaning

Look up the word foolish and write its meaning

* Please feel free to take notes from this study series for your personal use. 


to be continued...

Monday, January 6

The Simple Woman's Daybook {January/February Edition}



Hello Friends!

It has been a wonderful Christmas and New Years holiday here on the mountain and I am hoping you had the very same with your family and friends. 

January brings new beginnings to many things and here we are with a new edition as we enter the 12th year of the daybook. It looks like December posting was slow and few of us had the time to stop by. So, I am thinking for this year of The Simple Woman's Daybook, I will be posting a new community link every two months with six for the year in total.

 For myself, I am taking a bit longer to get my own together for this new year, but will be back come the March/April Edition.



Please carry on and post your daybook (if you wish) below. If you are new to the daybook community, please see the "daybook guidelines" at the top of the blog. 



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Monday, December 9

The Simple Woman's Daybook {December Edition}

For Today

Looking out my window... gray after a pretty and cold week-end.

I am thinking... how lovely a day to pick the tree Saturday was.



I am thankful... for our latest beauty's first Christmas.

Evelyn Grace

One of my favorite things... spending time with my December birthday baby girls 
{Evie's momma is on the left}



I am wearing... leggings, cami, sweater and long socks

I am creating... pretty places around the house




I am watching... favorite Christmas movies

I am reading... this and it is found here



I am listening to... this and loving it so much!

I am hoping
... for good Christmas eve weather for safe travels to and from home.

I am learning... to "take" tea every day and this day tidying fabric with my hot cup was especially nice!




In the kitchen... stocking and replacing spices

Board Room

A few editions back I shared this," Pinterest is no longer something I take part in. I guess I have just lost interest. So next month I will be filling this space with something different and a bit more of value." You will now find just that in the tiny spot below.

More Of Value

The Edges...Because This Is Where We Live

And now this by Timothy

Shared Quote

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." 

A moment from my day... 





Post Script

If you enjoyed reading my daybook and would like to create one of your own, HERE is the link to the format, guidelines and complete list of prompts. 




The January Edition will be posted January 6th

Please NoteIf you want to be notified by email of each monthly daybook edition you can "subscribe" using the box on the sidebar. 

To all of my readers and to those who still take part in the daybook...I wish you and yours a blessed and holy Christmas.


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Monday, November 4

The Simple Woman's Daybook {November Edition}

For Today

Looking out my window... skylight window that is


I am thinking... how nice it is to have early morning light instead of dark


I am thankful... for harvest time and season




One of my favorite things... the little alpaca that rests on my bed thru the day


I am wearing... a few less layers now since the wood stove is now on duty

I am creating... the family Christmas list...adding a few new names this year

I am watching... Hallmark's Cedar Cove series


I am reading... the church bulletin and noticing another ladies rally for November

I am listening to... and loving this  Truth!

I am hoping
... and praying that answers come, but until then...

I am learning... to keep my eyes on Jesus




In the kitchen... Muffins last month...scones this month. 



Board Room

Last month, I shared this," Pinterest is no longer something I take part in. I guess I have just lost interest. So next month I will be filling this space with something different and a bit more of value."

So, this month and from now on in this space I will do just that. I am giving it the title, More of Value and under that heading is something I have found to be...

More Of Value 

found -----> Here

Shared Quote

A moment from my day... Thanksgiving early right in my back yard! The best eating is wild turkey. But, not this time...ham it shall remain.


Post Script

If you enjoyed reading my daybook and would like to create one of your own, HERE is the link to the format, guidelines and complete list of prompts. 




The December Edition will be posted December 2nd

UPDATED December 2nd...The December Edition will be posted Monday, December 9th instead of  Monday, December 2nd. Thank you for understanding. 

Please NoteIf you want to be notified by email of each monthly daybook edition you can "subscribe" using the box on the sidebar. 

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Monday, October 7

The Simple Woman's Daybook {October Edition}

For Today

Looking out my window... much needed rain

I am thinking... Lord Jesus, thank you...just thank you.

I am thankful... this little girl has made it safely into the world. Oh! the plans he has for her life!

#5 grandbaby



One of my favorite things... getting all the fall pretties out of the closet and decorating

I am wearing... my favorite black leggings, gray cami and gray sweatshirt

I am creating... not much of late, just too deep in book and bible studies to get to anything new.

I am watching... YouTube videos to find good soup recipes.

I am reading... The book of Judges in the Bible

I am listening to... the audio lessons on Gideon and learning so much through this study written by Priscilla Shirer.

 

I am hoping... to get to the studio/craft room in the next few weeks.

I am learning... to always, always look to God instead of to the problem. It takes the weight of the situation and lightens it and your mind heaves a great sigh of relief.

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

In the garden... Samuel helping Daddy gather the last of the potatoes before turning it over to rest til next year.



In the kitchen... All things muffins!

Board Room
shared from my Pinterest board

 Pinterest is no longer something I take part in. I guess I have just lost interest. So next month I will be filling this space with something different and a bit more of value.

Shared Quote

 from my church notes..."To reject Jesus is to reject our own identity" 

A moment from my day...






 I moved my desk to another room on Saturday to follow the light.

Post Script

If you enjoyed reading my daybook and would like to create one of your own, HERE is the link to the format, guidelines and complete list of prompts. 




The November Edition will be posted November 4th

Please NoteIf you want to be notified by email of each monthly daybook edition you can "subscribe" using the box on the sidebar. 

PLEASE NOTE! Networked Blogs is no longer in operation, but I will still be manually adding the monthly daybook edition to facebook. So if you wish to get notified at facebook, simply like my page, thesimplewoman

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Monday, September 23

If I Had A Remembrance Book : Blessed Assurance



 See my first remembrance book post here


"If I had a remembrance book I'd write..."

My life is in you, Lord. My strength is in you, Lord. My hope is in You, Lord, in You. It's in You.

Where is your hope this morning? Does it not feel good to share this love with one another, to unashamedly share on our blogs of this love. So that others may see the peace we have, the hope that we have and that it is of God and not of anything else. Some days that is all that we have. Oh, the blessed assurance in that...

I awoke this morning to a quiet home with still sleeping children, tucked in their nest savoring the last few deep breaths of sleep. Safe and sound in the assurance that their Momma would be there in the kitchen to greet them when they awoke. To make them a warm breakfast, to hug them in the way they know best and to know what the plan is for the day...to be there alongside of them to carry it out.

In much the same way, I slept in peace knowing that when I gave in to the new day, that the Lord would be there as he always is to greet me with soul food. His love for me that is all surrounding, without end, knowing he holds the plan for my day and will walk beside me to carry it out...safe in the blessed assurance.

(taken from my notebook of written memories 2008)

Monday, September 16

Unashamedly Given



Lord Jesus, my prayer today is that we might all come to know you better and to follow you where you would lead. That we would not question your authority over our lives or your purpose for what you do and what you allow, but hopelessly become blind to ourselves and see only your goodness. 

Grant us wisdom to speak when we are to speak and to be quiet when we are to be quiet. Help us not blunder ahead, but stay and follow close behind you.

Give us peace in the midst of trials and hardships, to feel your presence sweetly falling upon our lives.

Help ease our minds that become so entangled in life and loosen the knots that would choke out our joy. Heal our bodies and our minds and put your protective hand upon them.

Help us accept answers to prayer when they are not the answers we seek. Help us not only to know, but to remember that you are holding all things fully and firmly in your hands. 

Simplify our lives, Lord and do what needs to be done to get back our attention. May we see you daily in the little things that we so often let pass by. 

May we be content in you, but not commonplace in where we are.

Nurture our souls, grow our reach, make manifold the influence of our lives. Remove any hindrance that would seek to quiet our resolve and set out to trip us up.

See us, Lord...see our broken hearts, see the pieces...use all the parts and fragments and make them whole again. Bind them up even stronger than before. Set our feet on firm ground and on the solid path of truth.

Oh, that we would be humble in spirit..in a world that would seek to crush that humility and that simplicity. Erase our fears, quiet our worry, dim our anxiousness.

May we let our light shine and not just shine, but shine brighter than ever before... so that others may see and be guided home to you. A meek and gentle spirit that is in submission to you, Father. 

Forgive us. 

Help us to love and to love unconditionally

See my open heart.

With praise and honor to you Lord,

 our living hope.


unashamedly given,

peggy

Sunday, September 1

The Simple Woman's Daybook {September Edition}



It has been a wonderful summer, but I am taking another month to ease into the next season. Right now...quiet and simplicity are most important to me, as reflected in my picture above.

Please carry on and post your daybook (if you wish) below.

I am *hoping to be back with mine come October.




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