3 in 30 April Week One

Proposed Goals for APRIL

1. a) Something that needs to be done daily (Stop, Start or Continue)

Go for a walk, or some form of exercise each day, as I continue to drink more water.

1. b) One time practical project that needs to be knocked off the 2011 list.

Paint the Downstairs Bathroom

1. c) Personal Creative Project

Bake bread (from scratch); Up my blogging to twice a week consistently.

April. I've been looking forward to this month starting. It's definitely a new beginning for us is so many ways. I figured these goals were simple enough to do while I adjust to a whole new way of living :) aka, no job, full time kids, homeschooling research/ planning and "the next step" for us as a family. I'm looking forward to it.

3 in 30 March Week Four

3 in 30 Closing Comments on March...

Again, I cannot complain, another good week goal-wise.

Overall 2011 Goal: SIMPLIFY LIFE

My March Goals Status:

a) Something that needs to be done daily (Stop, Start or Continue)

Stick to one time a day of logging on.

I had a couple of bad days this week, when for some reason I kept checking on again and again for a couple days. Then I snapped out of it, and missed a couple days, and now we're back to the daily routine. I have no idea why that happened.

b) One time practical project that needs to be knocked off the 2011 list.

Organizing the Office, primarily the Library

So the books are organized...

BEFORE AFTER

...and I have 4 days to get to the "office side of room". Since this is primarily the husbands domain, I've been procrastinating, but I've noticed that when the desk in there is clean, he uses it, when it looks like it currently does, he clutters up MY spaces. So it's more motivation to get er done!

see why i shutter?

c) Personal Creative Project

I did a bit of writing, have written a couple unfinised lists for creative projects, but I did start our FAMILY MISSION STATEMENT and HOMESCHOOLING MISSION STATEMENTS, which will be featured in a later post J I also, did a lot of reading again.

As the date of my job wrapping up nears I find myself in this really weird place mentally and emotionally, the fact that it co-incides with a dear friend moving out to Sasketchewan on the same day makes it all the weirder. It feels literally like the end of an era - and well, maybe it as. It was almost 17 years afterall. But it's this mamoth thing, that isn't really mammoth. So dear readers, I'm not sure what is on the other side of Thursday (April I know) - but it's gonna be good.

Proposed Goals for APRIL

1. a) Something that needs to be done daily (Stop, Start or Continue)

Go for a walk, or some form of exercise each day, as I continue to drink more water.

1. b) One time practical project that needs to be knocked off the 2011 list.

Paint the Downstairs Bathroom

1. c) Personal Creative Project

Bake bread (from scratch)

Where do you go to church?

Where do you go to church?

I am often asked this question, and honestly lately, it's been setting my mind a twitter...

Really, what's being asked is "where do you go, to be who you ARE?"

Most people who've spent any amount of time as a follower of Christ understand this principle. We are taught that we are the church. When we become a follower, we become part of a body (Eph 5; 30) where Christ is the head and we make up the rest of the parts, working together to minister to the world... we are a body, a group of people, a FAMILY, all children, brothers and sisters. We are meant to be ONE. Over and over and over again in the New Testament, the body aka the church is encouraged, almost commanded to "be on one mind, one spirit, have the same love..."...there is ONE body, and ONE spirit, just as you were called in ONE hope of your calling; ONe Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism; ONE God and Father of all, who is above all, and through and in you all." (Eph 4:4)

So we come back to the question... Where do you go to church?

Socially and culturally it refers to the smaller group of people you choose to meet with weekly in a building to celebrate, to worship Christ. I so long to answer..."it's irrelevant."

But it's not. Nowadays, today, where you meet is of utmost importance. How you answer will determine (in some minds) how you believe - that is what factions of doctrine you hold yourself to. How you answer will imply the outward expression of your faith or the "passion" you have or don't have. It will let people know your morality, your social standing, your dedication to family, etc. etc. etc. Of course we know this can't REALLY tell us these things because no one really knows what is in a heart, except God that is. I wonder if many of us find a sort of peace in being able to hide behind the group we belong to, rather than BE, who we are in our world.

In doing this, we rob ourselves of our true place, our true identity as members of the body, the world-wide body of Christ. When we are aware of our place in the greater picture, when we know our authority and our responsibility. It changes everything.

We are meant to work together, all together, to encourage, bless, lift up, mourn with, rejoice with, grow with and worship and celebrate with - without limits. Without limits of time, space, geography, social standing, culture, language, age or gender.

If only we would have our eyes opened to see how deep, wide, high and vast the great Love of God is... that love that's been poured into our hearts.

Our hearts are meant to be poured out in our world, as Jesus was. We are meant to love each other IN the body, so as a body, we can love the world. God hasn't changed, and He loves the world so much, that He...gives.

Don't you think that so much of church as we know it today, is about Taking. I mean really, we just want to celebrate together, be encouraged, and then be left to do our own thing. Churches have become programs, mortgages, the big show, employment opportunities, places for hospices from the world.... when really, its just supposed to be a simple celebration, an opportunity to share the joy of the LIFE that we live every other day - with Christ and with each other, as light and salt in the world.

I'm beginning to think that the best way for me to personally answer the "where do you go to church" question is...

I don't go to church, I AM the church. I am part of the body, and wherever I go, the rest of us are. I hope that my life is a demonstration of God's love for you today, how can I serve You today?

If you want to know what group of people, or what building I'll be celebrating in soon...well it's like this, just like in my earthly life, the where, the how and the scope of what I celebrate changes - it does in my spiritual life too. My worship is all the time, every day, because I'm a follower of Christ. My celebration oppourtunities are vast, there are hundreds of places where members of this body can be found, maybe it will be a big group, maybe it will be a small one, maybe I'll be able to speak the language, maybe I won't...it doesn't matter. We are numerous, we are the body, the body of Christ. We are the church.

I found the following applicable, (from this blog)

Acts 2:42-47 – 42. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46. And day by day,attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47. praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lordadded to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Many people in the early church were being saved everyday because they were seeing them gather in the temple and in homes. They were seeing their love for one another and the community being established and because of it they believed in God. I also think it is reflectent of what Jesus said in John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” When people get to see how we relate to one another and worship God they will know who we belong to.

The expositional part of this blog post is over, if you want to read about my personal encounters with this truth, keep reading, if not. Be blessed.

Yes, WE are the church. It was never meant to have limits. I've experienced this way to much over the last 17 years, and I've been so blind.

God is not limited by the things we are limited by. He is not limited by time, space, geography, social standing, culture, language, age or gender.

While visiting India in 1998, I had the joy of celebrating Jesus with hundreds of believers in worship, and then again in smaller gatherings over two weeks. I could not speak the language, but there was no limits with God. Souls met their creator, bodies were healed, I rejoiced with a precious part of the body of the Christ, and we were ONE.

When I was travelling Canada in the year 2001, my husband and I had recently experienced our first of two miscarriages, after 3 years of brutal battles with infertility. I happened to be travelling in Eastern Canada on the day when I would have been due with my daughter, it also coincided, painfully, with Mothers day. God used a group of women I had never met to minister to my broken heart in ways that are unspeakable. I do not remember their names, but I remember the Love of God poured out to me.

In 2003 I traveled to visit my sister in France, we decided to attend a celebration service there in a village outside of Rouen, near the Northern coast. It was undoubtedly one of the most wonderful times of fellowship I have experienced with believers to this day. We shared a meal, the word, and life. It was beautiful truly.

there are countless other memories to add to this that span from North America to the South, across oceans to the Pacific Rim and back again.

As my eyes continue to be opened, I'm aware of this truth more and more. I recently had the privilege of visiting with friends and also followers of Christ in South Carolina - I joined them where they celebrate Christ each week, and it was powerful and timely to me, the sharing of the word, the fellowship all weekend long, the prayer time, rejoicing and mourning together. A couple weeks later we had friends and followers stay with us for a holiday, and again, precious fellowship, open hearts, honest prayers. Last week a family crisis rose up, and it was incredible, thanks to the power of the world wide web, to alert the believers I've come to know, love and value - to pray, to have the burden shared by the WHOLE body, from my limited perspective, and again to share in that burden for others when I've been made aware of a need.

I'm not sure who all reads this, but today I want to send a shout out to a friend in Europe. Once I was told that you Lindsay (in Croatia, yes you) read this from time to time - last week I saw your facebook status, and my heart was touched, and I lifted you up in prayer. We are the body, we are sisters and I hurt for you, I felt it. Be encouraged that you are part of something that is much bigger than you alone, something that is strong when you feel weak, wise when you are uncertain, and full of hope and peace when you are despairing - you are part of the body of Christ. We are Unlimited.

My love and affection to all of you reading this who are followers of Christ, may it not cause offense but hopefully inspire us to BE. To those who perchance who have read all this way, and do not follow Christ, thank you. Please leave a message or comment if you have questions, want to know more, or wonder what it means to be a follower of Christ, and I'd love to connect further with you.

Blessings,

T

3 in 30 March Week Three

Again, my week went pretty good especially considering it's March Break and the kidlets are home, and we had company 5 out of the 6 days so far.

As I mentioned last week, we have had a run of HUGE steps in our lives taking place all in the past month - in short, I decided to accept a proposal to discontinue working in ministry (they wanted someone full time and we mutually agreed that I just wasn't happy anymore - it took me almost 2 years to reach that conclusion, i know, I'm slow).

We attacked our list of "problem areas" and as a result sold our small business that has been the bain of my existence for 2.5 years (thank you Jesus!) among other time consuming but necessary things in order to

SIMPLIFY LIFE which was our goal for 2011. Another is reaching the decision to Homeschool next year (September); which is a super big deal...and I'm still reeling. It was easy to begin attacking, cleaning and purging areas of the house in dire need like the office, the shed, the garage, the guest room...and alas, it opened up the can of worms known as "now all this room needs is..." Thank goodness April is just around the corner!

My March Goals Status:

a) Something that needs to be done daily (Stop, Start or Continue)

Stick to one time a day of logging on.

I have continued to stick with this and it's been great! In fact a few days I didn't log on at all! (gasp!)

b) One time practical project that needs to be knocked off the 2011 list.

Organizing the Office, primarily the Library

I did start it last week, and the library side of the office looks amazing. I also cleaned up the loft (aka sewing, gift wrapping, storage area)

c) Personal Creative Project

Compile file on Homeschooling Research; Continue Writing (Try Book chapter idea)

I feel like I can definitely tread water in the overwhelming tide of information on homeschooling that I've come across, and I'm doing OK, I feel like I CAN do this. In the personal writing area...well...I've still got a week. Seeing as I've been putting my emotions on hold all month (ie. I had to pack up my office, tie up loose ends, etc, deal with "leaving" after 17 years...and that's just pertaining to my job!) I have a feeling April will begin the onslaught of "writing it out".

3 in 30 - March Week 2 - Check Up

3 in 30 - 2nd Friday of each month: “Check-Up”
How did this week go for you?

My week went pretty good. I'm actually quite happy with the small amounts of progress in my goals. We have had a run of HUGE steps in our lives taking place all in the past month - aka, decisions re. my work, selling a business, and more - all as part of the overall goal of SIMPLIFYING LIFE in 2011. So far, God has been working miracles to bring this about and quite frankly I'm awed and humbled by His amazing GRACE.

My March Goals Status:

a) Something that needs to be done daily (Stop, Start or Continue)

Stick to one time a day of logging on.

I have continued to stick with this and it's been great! I have "cheated a couple times, only because I was awaiting important information via Facebook, and it feels like I've been on more because a lot of my homeschooling research is being done online.

b) One time practical project that needs to be knocked off the 2011 list.

Organizing the Office, primarily the Library

I am starting this TODAY because next week is Spring Break and we have house guests part of the week and I am loathe to the possibility of someone seeing the mess of a state it's in.

c) Personal Creative Project

Compile file on Homeschooling Research; Continue Writing (Try Book chapter idea)

I have become very optimistic about the Homeschooling option thanks to referrals by aforementioned friend Lauren and also Tracey and Estelle - who helped provide me with more vital information and encouragement. I also have started the preliminary steps of writing down all the randomness that's been floating around in my head. Yay.

Favourite Things - Some New Reads

For those of you who aren't familiar with my reading habits, I read ALOT, I read FAST and I MIX it up between fiction, non-fiction and classics - at random. I usually have between 3 and 7 books on the go at the same time...and yes, I usually finish them (unless I'm bored or find it is not delivering what it promised content-wise). I tend to read as much fiction as anything else because it has helped me learn to read faster (which is a must for a mom), and if I'm just not digging the book, I can quit it guilt free. I can also buy fiction for cheap at thrift stores, and will borrow - whereas most reference or non-fiction books I like to have my own copy as I will write in them, underline, highlight, refer back to and yes, re-read as needed.

People ask WHEN do I have time to read... my answer...how can you NOT prioritize reading? I read in the van while waiting for the bell to ring. I have a stack of books by the toilet (out of flushing range of course) so whenever I'm in there; I read before bed; I read often when I should be cleaning, and I read while sitting in the living room while the boys are watching there fav shows, i usually have a book in my purse, and one in the van... I make it very easy for myself to find time to read.

OK, so here's the skinny on what I've just finished, am reading or about to read (as in, it's in possession)

Loved Power Down - it was fast paced, required learning some new vocab and despite some foul language it was a great read. Since I love Vince Flynn and his recommendation was so high, it was an obvious pick.
Recommended by a random guy at Value Village - I really enjoyed this novel - though it was at times quite lurid and used a lot of profanity... I liked the characters and it moved quick, plus it takes place in Europe so of course I liked it.

I love Sarah. I think I've read all of her books. Simple Abundance was life-changing for me, and since the topic of this one is particularly applicable in this season of my life, I just had to get it. It has very SHORT chapters, which I love for books that are meant to get you thinking about your life... I'm about 5 chapters in and loving it.
I also love Emilie. She is a seasoned mom, wife and Christian. I picked up one of her books on organizing years ago at the airport in Minneapolis and found in her a kindred spirit regarding family and home. I found this on a clearance rack in South Carolina last week, so I picked it up. It's great.
My current re-read. Read this years ago, just after I'd had Lucas. Have been feeling I needed a refresher (especially since I'm exploring Homeschooling and Dr. Dobson talks about boys and school in the book - chapter 13)
Found this at The Book Depot (side note - is not this one of the BEST places in the Niagara region?!) oh my gosh, the hours I have spent in the bargain sections - racks and racks of new books for $1-5.00... anyways, in my research I thought I'd check out what was available for homeschoolers at The Book Depot - and well, there's a TON!

My current food reference thanks to Jodi who gave me this terrific find for my bday last month. I'm loving it (even just to look at the pics and be inspired)

I was looking for this book by Craig Groeschel while in South Carolina - but alas they did not have it yet - so I got this one

instead, and I'm stuck on chapter one (because it gives you homework, and well, that requires serious comittment to sit down and "think" about my life, my vision, rather God's vision, etc. and since I'm yet again in ANOTHER season of change (I know, you who have been with me awhile, are thinking what the heck!? - yeah, explanations to follow in future post)

I've been using this guide with my gardening for the past year, and I love it. It's the coolest, it is more of a journal/text book, so not a sit down read all at once type book, but one that stays on my desk and I return to it again and again. Since I've been purchasing seeds and planning my summer plantings, I pulled it out again this past week.

Finally, here's the latest fiction I'm reading. Wicked - The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. for some reason the title did not transfer over when the image did - weird.

It's pretty self explanatory J

So, that's it for now. t

3 in 30 March Week One

We're only 4 days in, but I'm so energized. There's something to be said for making decisions. A certain freedom follows. I feel liberated alright. I also am happy with the progress I've already made:

a) Something that needs to be done daily (Stop, Start or Continue)

Stick to one time a day of logging on.

I have stuck with logging on once a day (this does not include the emails that come directly to my Blackberry, but I've been pretty good about keeping those quick (especially since they usually pertain to scheduling).

b) One time practical project that needs to be knocked off the 2011 list.

Organizing the Office, primarily the Library

I have NOT started this yet - frankly, it scares me. It really does. However, I will get it done because, well because.

c) Personal Creative Project

Compile file on Homeschooling Research; Continue Writing (Try Book chapter idea)

I went on a mini-vacation (the first since becoming a mom) and while my soul was being restored, my heart encouraged and my mind challenged, I got a HUGE start on the homeschooling research thanks to a very VERY good friend. I also have started a bit of the writing projects too, but have been doing a WHOLE lot of reading lately (and that's also part of the process)

I love this 3 in 30 group, it just helps keep things in perspective and keeps me grateful.