Stamping the Image of Christ

I've always loved to read, but once I had children, my "free" hours seem to be getting fewer and fewer. I tend to be a lot more selective with my reading choices. I always have a stack of "waiting to be read" material. Last week, I picked up a book that I have had on the waiting list for several years. I'd fallen in love with this author in high school (she has the best book ever on establishing Biblical guidelines for dating and waiting on God's best - Lady in Waiting). I love that her writing style includes so much Scripture. I was excited to dig into "The Mentoring Mom: 11 Ways to Model Christ for Your Child." Before kids, I might have breezed through this book in a day or two, but now, I tend to "chew" on a chapter for a little while.

I've been contemplating that first chapter for about a week now. The privilege I am given as a mom to stamp the impression of Christ on our kids is overwhelming. I love teaching Hudson Bible verses and singing Christian songs with both kids. We read Bible stories, watch Biblical cartoons and try to reinforce the lessons they learn at church.

I know the impact my parents had on my spiritual growth, and I am excited and scared to death that I have that responsibility with my own children. I think that's why I've been putting off reading this book...If I didn't read it, I wasn't responsible for implementing these truths. The task felt overwhelming. But after the first chapter, I am excited...I want to model Christ to my kids and help them see the importance of devoting their lives to the Lord.

One life wholly devoted to God is of more value to God

than one hundred lives simply awakened by His Spirit.

Oswald Chambers

I think I felt that I hadn't been mentored enough. I felt that I needed to gain more Biblical knowledge and be under someone else's instructions longer before I would be able to adequately train my children. But then I read this sentence...

The good news is, being a mentoring mom is a learned science, 

and as long as you are teachable, you will be able to stamp good images

 on your children's lives.

Mentoring doesn't need to be a formal "sit down and let's talk" weekly appointment. It's simply "making disciples" like Jesus talked about in Matthew 28:19. It means to "stamp and image" on another individual...and I can start stamping the image of Christ on my kids everyday. Hudson asks to pray at meals and before going to sleep. He lists people he wants to pray for, and we are often surprised at his tender, observant heart. The simple activity of praying consistently with him has taught him that prayer is important and necessary.

I began reflecting on those who have stamped the image of Christ on me. Throughout my life, I have been greatly influenced by several key individuals...

I thought of my mom's gentle spirit and dedication to the Word of God. Her desire to encourage others and make her home welcoming to others has helped form who I am today. I remember a modesty talk that my youth pastor's wife gave at a retreat. A professor in college took me under her wing and taught me so much. I find myself asking, "What would Mrs. Martin do?" often. My roommate in college had such a consistent quiet time. Her devotion and dedication stuck with me. Another friend, though older, is memorizing entire books of the Bible. She's taught me that there is always something for me to learn. The Lord prompted me to send a certain Scripture verse to a friend via email after she'd had a miscarriage. That friend told me, "Always follow through when the Lord prompts you to share a verse with someone...It was exactly what I needed." The list could go on and on...

In this "Stay-at-Home-Mom" phase of life,  I often find myself falling into a trap, though. I tend to think that my days of being mentored are over or on pause. But the first chapter in this book addressed that too! Some mentors are even found in the pages of a book. And so, being a list maker, I started writing down influential books in my life. 

I've been mentored by Elisabeth Elliot in Passion and Purity. Rachel Scott's testimony in this book encouraged me to keep journaling. Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God. Nancy Leigh Demoss in A Place of Quiet Rest. Carol Kent in Becoming a Woman of Influence. A.W. Tozer in "The Pursuit of God." Francis Chan in "Crazy Love" and Beth Moore in "Jesus the One and Only" and "Stepping Up." The list could go on and on...and I will continue to add to it because I want to remain teachable. I am so thankful that I can be encouraged and influenced by another Christian's written word. These authors will never know it, but they are mentoring me. 

And so, at the end of those days where I picked up toys and changed diapers and wiped noses, I will keep having my time in the Word and my time with a Christian author. Because in order to stamp the image of Christ on my children, I need to make sure I am continually surrounding myself with material that stamps the image of Christ on me.

University Detox

My life has completely changed in the last 6-8 months. Before we moved into our new home, I was one of the Resident Director's for the girl's dorm. We lived in an adorable little apartment on the first floor of the dorm.

After moving into our current home, I continued to work in the Financial Aid Office at the University. This helped me to ween myself off "campus life." I still had student interaction. It felt like a gradual step-down process.

It's a little bit of an adjustment. Don't get me wrong - I love our home and I love focusing on our marriage/home as my full time job. But there have been some things to get used to. Being an RD is not just a job - it is a ministry and it becomes your life. You have leftovers and you think, which girl in the dorm would want these. You watch a movie and think, "Is there a girl that needs to escape dorm life and watch this with me?"

Before Jeremiah and I were married, he was the RD for the guy's dorm. After thinking over a list of some of our closest friends, I realized that most of them also held some sort of student leadership role on campus at some time. Whether it was RA or RD, we've got that bond.

My partner in crime/co-RD, Stacie sent me a link to a "Student Affairs Detox."  I had been compiling a list of "You know you were an RD if...." list. Stacie's link provided the icing on the cake.

List from here.

Here's my list of reasons that you know you've been an RD if...

1. You find yourself looking for quarter slots on your washer and dryer.
2. OR you feel the urge to pull your clothes out of the dryer as soon as they are finished - just so no one else swipes them
3. You think about the possibilities of placing a card reader on your front door.
4. You find yourself typing @tntemple.edu for every email address - even your gmail account.
5. Your household has semesterly fire drills. One announced. One unannounced.
6. You feel the need to schedule weekly activities - game nights, movie nights, skating parties, etc.
7. You will not allow double stick tape in your house - it destroys the paint on the walls!
8. You feel the need to have your overnight guests get "Guest Perm" and make them post it on their doors.
9. You make sure your bed is made and your trash is emptied every Tuesday and Thursday.
10. You get a strange craving for chicken fingers and french fries each Sunday evening around dinner time.
11. When you get a craving for chocolate or a Cherry Coke, you wish there was still a pair of vending machines at your front door.
12. You miss that endless supply of hot water.



Pin found here.

13. You still stock your cupboards with lots of snack foods (popcorn, cookies, brownies, etc.) in case the girls come over to hang out.
14. Your phone rings in the middle of the night and before you say hello you've already located your shoes and keys.
15. When you need a blue scarf for an outfit, you contemplate asking your neighbors if they have one you can borrow.
16. You wonder if your neighbors will join you in a Christmas decorating party.
17. Once a month you walk through your house, pointing to rugs and catty-corner furniture and say "Fire Hazard."
18. You find it normal to shower with flip-flops on (Although, I didn't have to do this in our apartment).
19. You lock your bedroom door each time you exit.
20. Your house participates in hall meetings each Monday night.
21. When you go to Walmart, you feel guilty for not having 3 or 4 girls hitching a ride.
22. You still want to show your school ID for discounts at the movie theater and free drinks at restaurants.
23. You fill out a Leave of Absence Form each time you travel.
24. "Tornado Warning" has a whole different level of dred for you.
25. You catch yourself wanting to tell someone at the mall that they are not really in dress code.  
26. You feel the need to place a dry erase board on your front door.

These are just a few of the indicators that you may have been an RD at some time in your life...

A little help folding the laundry

Now that I am a stay-at-homer, I am getting my housework accomplished much more efficiently. But today, as I wrestled to neatly fold a fitted sheet, I thought to myself, "I know there is a better way." Growing up, mom's sheets always looked amazing. From a distance, you couldn't tell if the folded sheet was a fitted or a top sheet. With my sheets, it was pretty obvious that the big fluffy wad was the fitted one. While I was working, I didn't really have time to get it folded neatly. I would get the fitted sheet in a semi-folded form, enough to lay decently on the shelf. But now, I actually have time to learn how to do it correctly.

I had seen this idea sometime back on Pinterest. Store your sheets inside the pillowcases.



Pin found here.

 But before I can store my bedsheets like the Pin, I've got to figure out how to fold them neatly. The top sheet always looks so nice...but the fitted one is always struggling a bit.

Many years back, my friend Martha taught me how to fold a T-shirt. Check out her instructions here...there's a video. Prepare to be amazed. Or, check out these illustrated instructions.

I figured she may have some solution for fitted sheets as well. And she did.

I will be practicing. If I could master the 2 second t-shirt fold, I can also master this.

Have you found any folding tricks lately? Were you able to fold your t-shirt the magical way?

My Job Description

Things have changed...We've made a big decision. I am loving the new arrangement.

I am now a full time wife.

Yesterday, was the first day of my new life. "What led me to this decision?" you might ask. When we were in Brazil, I was busy all day long. If we weren't riding our bikes to the store, we were cutting up chickens. If we weren't scrubbing the kitchen, we were mopping floors. If I wasn't reading books to Evelyn, I was helping Sarah prepare for guests that were coming over for lunch. Dave and Sarah also had a constant stream of people coming to their house for different forms of discipleship. Some were one-on-one. Some involved a group discussion. But I loved every minute of that lifestyle. I loved that we were available to help them in any way.

Jeremiah noticed a change in me as well. Now, I am not saying that this is the decision that every woman needs to make. Often, it is not financially possible. Often, a woman thrives at her workplace as well as at home. But for me, I was getting bogged down. It seemed as if I would give my very best at work - I am the type of person that must give 110% at all times in whatever I do. But by the end of the day, I was tired and grumpy. We love to have people in our home, but I didn't have time to cook. I love to lead Bible Studies, but I was barely having time to do my own devotions each day. I enjoy couponing, but I didn't have time to cut and print coupons. I want to clean out the basement, but I hadn't even had a chance to put the Christmas decorations away.

Upon our return to the States, I began to pray for the Lord's direction. We ran budget numbers. We planned. We prayed. And Jeremiah and I both came to the conclusion that it was time for me to make our home my #1 job.

Pic found here.

After 2 days of being at home, I am loving the change. I feel I can help Jeremiah so much more. My meals get planned. The laundry gets washed. I even have time to make him breakfast in the morning.

Pic found here.

When Jeremiah is off from work, we are now free to go visit family. We can have friends over for dinner all the time. Ashlee and I can grocery shop together. The possibilities are endless.

Last night, I began praying that the Lord would help me to become the best housewife that I could be. I read through Proverbs 31 in a few versions, hoping to gain some insight and direction. I love the paraphrasing from the Message. I see this as my job description...

A good woman is hard to find,
   and worth far more than diamonds.

Each time I look at my engagement ring, I am reminded of the promises I made to Jeremiah.

Her husband trusts her without reserve,
   and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
   all her life long.

I even had enough time to send a little love note with him to work.

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
   and enjoys knitting and sewing.

Maybe now I'll actually finish all my crochet projects. I think this is also telling
me to use my Hobby Lobby coupons :)

She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
   and brings back exotic surprises.

I'm not sure how I feel being compared to a ship. And I'm not sure that Aldi
is that far away, but I did go grocery shopping. That can count for my exotic
surprises from afar.

She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
   for her family

It was so nice to be able to have time to cook Jeremiah breakfast.

And I may make a tradition of us eating our breakfast togethe. Who says
dinner is the only meal you can sit at the table as a family for?

and organizing her day.



I love my lists.

She looks over a field and buys it,
   then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
   rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.

I chose to start the morning with my exercise clothes on. Ashlee and I walked
around our neighborhood. I found $1.60 on the road - guess that means
exercising is rewarding!

She senses the worth of her work,
   is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
   diligent in homemaking.

Guess that means I need to keep looking on Pinterest and keep crafting!

She's quick to assist anyone in need,
   reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
   their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
   and dresses in colorful linens and silks.

Ok, let's be real - the only article of clothing I've ever made is a scarf.
But at least that's a start. See how I made it here.

Her husband is greatly respected
   when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
   brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
   and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
   and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
   and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
   her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
   but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
   The woman to be admired and praised
   is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
   Festoon her life with praises!

Each day, I am going to try to implement as many portions of this chapter into my day as possible. I am so excited to be able to give our home my best. I am so thankful that the Lord has provided for us so that we could make this decision. And I am so blessed to have a husband that is so supportive. Let the adventures begin!