I've been meditating on Joy this past week.
I guess it seems fitting, doesn't it? This blog IS called Joyful Momma Musings, and my website is called Joyful Momma Publishing.
At Reformers, my challenges this week have to do with the fruit of joy. (Reformers, as I said in other posts, is an addictions ministry in our church that I take part in each Friday). The definition of Joy that they give is this: "Joy is a cheerful, calm delight in all the circumstances of life" contrasted with Frustration. I started to realize just how much joy is related to meekness too, in a fresh new way. I have always known that Joy comes from God and that it is not about circumstances, but rather about God in me!
At first I was a little confused as to why the workbook contrasted joy with frustration. What?!? but then I realized that when we are joyful in the Lord (not just "happy") we are less inclined to be frustrated by the circumstnaces of life....we just roll with it.
Come on now, you too, right? I mean, when you are waiting in line at the store and someone decides to barter as if she were in the Morrocan marketplace while standing in the 20 items or less express lane with 23 items in her cart, if you are full of the Spirit you can usually cheerfully and calmly delight in it and even find some amusement in how frustrated the other customers are getting. AH but when we are in the flesh and the same thing happens we tap our feet, turn red and then blue from holding our breath, think unhappy thoughts about the dear lady, and practically breathe fire out of our noses.
that's Joy vs. Frustration....plain and simple. Think about it.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Slothful Saturdays
It's a lazy Saturday here at our house ;)
For my husband's birthday, I am making Shish Kebobs for him as a special meal. He commented recently that he had a hankering for them. However, in the mean while, we have been sitting around doing some laundry, reading, talking, listening to music, and doing some light clean up, and basically staying in doors.
My daughter woke up this morning and decided it was too cold to go to the snow activity that they were having for the youth group, and so she much rather stayed home bundled in her sweats, drinking hot tea than going sledding. So much for looking forward to going sledding. Ha.
I think the only problem with really enjoying the snow is that it is too cold outside to really have a lot of fun. Of course if it gets warmer, then there is no snow so it's a bit of a catch 22 isn't it?
I am happy to see that my washing machine is not broken (praise God). I was wondering as I had one load of laundry overflow recently, but it must have been a fluke as it hasn't done that again. Of course, when digging around looking for the warranty of our less-than-one-year-old washer, I couldn't find it. I could find the warranty for every appliance I have ever owned EXCEPT the one that was malfunctioning. I have learned to keep all of those in the same place, but somehow the one I need at that moment always finds its way somewhere else. Why is that?
For my husband's birthday, I am making Shish Kebobs for him as a special meal. He commented recently that he had a hankering for them. However, in the mean while, we have been sitting around doing some laundry, reading, talking, listening to music, and doing some light clean up, and basically staying in doors.
My daughter woke up this morning and decided it was too cold to go to the snow activity that they were having for the youth group, and so she much rather stayed home bundled in her sweats, drinking hot tea than going sledding. So much for looking forward to going sledding. Ha.
I think the only problem with really enjoying the snow is that it is too cold outside to really have a lot of fun. Of course if it gets warmer, then there is no snow so it's a bit of a catch 22 isn't it?
I am happy to see that my washing machine is not broken (praise God). I was wondering as I had one load of laundry overflow recently, but it must have been a fluke as it hasn't done that again. Of course, when digging around looking for the warranty of our less-than-one-year-old washer, I couldn't find it. I could find the warranty for every appliance I have ever owned EXCEPT the one that was malfunctioning. I have learned to keep all of those in the same place, but somehow the one I need at that moment always finds its way somewhere else. Why is that?
Friday, January 19, 2007
Learning Languages in the 21st Century
After that last post, a friend emailed me and said, "Ok, where on earth do you find good foreign language resources? Can you blog about that next?" So here I go...I'm going to blog about that for a bit before I go grocery shopping. Woo hoo.
No matter what language you are learning, you need a multifaceted approach. If you have a child who is confident in their own mother tongue (speaking, reading, writing, able to look up words in a dictionary, etc.), then you can use an approach similar to what an adult could use, but for a younger child, the best thing I think is to just do immersion, and learning the language in the natural context. Children have an ability to pick up language when it is all around them when they are young--after all, that is how they learned their mother tongue. There are lots of video games for preschoolers in different languages (teaching names of clothing, colors, numbers, and so forth), and some CDs to listen to in other languages.
For older kids and adults, using a multifaceted approach is great. Something that will teach communication in that language, something to teach basic vocabulary, and if it is a different alphabet (or in this case, Chinese Characters), something to help learn the written language too.
I LOVE I-Tunes! This is free. Go to www.apple.com/itunes and down load your free copy. Then go to the Music Store in Itunes....and search for the language you are interested in, under the category of Podcasts. Podcasts are basically on-demand radio shows. There are video podcasts or just audio podcasts. I found at least 20 podcasts just for Learning Chinese, and I listened to them with Anastasia until she decided on one that we both thought would be most helpful (for the record, that is Chinese Learn Online, though we also like ChinesePod). You then subscribe and download the "episodes". In the case of a language podcast, you want to go back to the beginning lessons too. Each time you log into Itunes, it will check for updates to your podcasts, and download them automatically.
Then you drag your lessons into a new folder within Itunes (I made a folder called "Learn Chinese" by clicking on the plus sign in the lower left corner), and start burning CDs. You can listen to it on the computer too....but we take them everywhere. You can also load them onto an Ipod or MP3 player if you are so blessed. :-))
We also found some books by googling Learn Chinese. There was a lot of free websites that helped out initially, and they are a blessing. We also found some inexpensive workbooks designed for bilingual chinese children whose parents want them to learn Chinese characters while living here in the USA. We've made index card flash cards to help learn the words, and we have had some help from a native speaker we met who made sure the pronunciation was spot on, though we have found another book that also shows how to pronounce the words.
Now that she is progressing more and more, she is looking for othre things to learn in Chinese and to read in Chinese. We have found a free downloadable Chinese Audio Bible. We found free downloadable hymns in Chinese. We found free Children's poetry in Chinese on another site, where you could read along and listen.
Hope that is helpful to someone. :-)
No matter what language you are learning, you need a multifaceted approach. If you have a child who is confident in their own mother tongue (speaking, reading, writing, able to look up words in a dictionary, etc.), then you can use an approach similar to what an adult could use, but for a younger child, the best thing I think is to just do immersion, and learning the language in the natural context. Children have an ability to pick up language when it is all around them when they are young--after all, that is how they learned their mother tongue. There are lots of video games for preschoolers in different languages (teaching names of clothing, colors, numbers, and so forth), and some CDs to listen to in other languages.
For older kids and adults, using a multifaceted approach is great. Something that will teach communication in that language, something to teach basic vocabulary, and if it is a different alphabet (or in this case, Chinese Characters), something to help learn the written language too.
I LOVE I-Tunes! This is free. Go to www.apple.com/itunes and down load your free copy. Then go to the Music Store in Itunes....and search for the language you are interested in, under the category of Podcasts. Podcasts are basically on-demand radio shows. There are video podcasts or just audio podcasts. I found at least 20 podcasts just for Learning Chinese, and I listened to them with Anastasia until she decided on one that we both thought would be most helpful (for the record, that is Chinese Learn Online, though we also like ChinesePod). You then subscribe and download the "episodes". In the case of a language podcast, you want to go back to the beginning lessons too. Each time you log into Itunes, it will check for updates to your podcasts, and download them automatically.
Then you drag your lessons into a new folder within Itunes (I made a folder called "Learn Chinese" by clicking on the plus sign in the lower left corner), and start burning CDs. You can listen to it on the computer too....but we take them everywhere. You can also load them onto an Ipod or MP3 player if you are so blessed. :-))
We also found some books by googling Learn Chinese. There was a lot of free websites that helped out initially, and they are a blessing. We also found some inexpensive workbooks designed for bilingual chinese children whose parents want them to learn Chinese characters while living here in the USA. We've made index card flash cards to help learn the words, and we have had some help from a native speaker we met who made sure the pronunciation was spot on, though we have found another book that also shows how to pronounce the words.
Now that she is progressing more and more, she is looking for othre things to learn in Chinese and to read in Chinese. We have found a free downloadable Chinese Audio Bible. We found free downloadable hymns in Chinese. We found free Children's poetry in Chinese on another site, where you could read along and listen.
Hope that is helpful to someone. :-)
Multi-Lingual Musings
Well, I'm feeling better from my fall. Thanks for the well wishes ;). I still have a scraped up knee but it is getting better. I forgot all about it when I went up during the altar call at church Sunday and almost started crying real tears when I dropped to my knees, and, er, not of repentance. Skinning your knee at 7 was always much easier than doing it at 37. LOL Falling is SO not for old people.
Tonight we have RU at our church, and I was just sitting here reviewing my memory verses. I've memorized 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 this week (that comprises 3 challenges, but it seemed somehow easier to just do the whole enchilada at once). I memorized this years ago in German, and so as I am saying it to myself I am having a hard time speaking English. Maybe it is just the way my poor brain works.
Tamie and I were talking and she made the comment about my aptitude for languages, and that is really something I am jazzed about as languages have always fascinated me. I thank God for it. I like to be able to learn languages easily, because I also like to communicate with others. It's also sort of fun to speak a few different languages and have everyone assume you are the typical American (speaking only moderate Spanish, not 3 languages)...and then eavesdrop on what they are saying about you. Ok, maybe that is not so nice, but it does get amusing. Once I was at someone's house in Germany, and they started speaking French to each other because they didn't want me to hear what they were saying and assumed, in the words of the woman, that it was a big enough fluke that I was a bilingual American, but it would be highly unlikely for me to speak french too. Well...guess what? I had 6 years of French in high school and college, and though I don't think I can speak it too well today (I never used it like I use German), I did understand what was being said, and eventually had to come clean about it. Languages are so fun.
Anastasia, my 10 year old, told me just a couple of years ago that she feels that when she grows up God wants her to go to China, and so she wanted to start learning Chinese right now. Of all the languages I *Don't* know! Mandarin is the hardest language for an English speaker to learn. However, that has not deterred Anastasia. I figured it would pass in a few days or weeks...but here we are, two years later, and she is still dutifully learning Chinese, and loving every minute of it ("it makes more sense than English sometimes, Mom!" I heard recently). After a bit of web surfing, I found some programs to help her teach herself Chinese, and we found a native Chinese speaker at a local China Buffet restaurant who was thrilled to help make sure she is on the right track. It provides a fun excuse to go get the lunch buffet every so often ;). GOOOO (that is my alliteration for the Chinese word for Good :-) I am sadly also getting a fifth language stuck in my brain, and actually dreamed of dancing Chinese characters last night).
Before this I always thought of oriental languages as a lot of screeching noises, but now I see Mandarin as a really beautiful language that is very expressive of deep ideas, as it is based on ideas not phonics. Even some of the characters and how they are put together just blow my mind. The Character for the word that means "peace" "bliss" or "contentment" is the character of a house with the character for woman inside of it. The character for the word that means "goodness" is a character for woman and the character for child side by side. There is a lot of family-tie symbolism in the characters that just has such a deep wow factor for me.
Tonight we have RU at our church, and I was just sitting here reviewing my memory verses. I've memorized 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 this week (that comprises 3 challenges, but it seemed somehow easier to just do the whole enchilada at once). I memorized this years ago in German, and so as I am saying it to myself I am having a hard time speaking English. Maybe it is just the way my poor brain works.
Tamie and I were talking and she made the comment about my aptitude for languages, and that is really something I am jazzed about as languages have always fascinated me. I thank God for it. I like to be able to learn languages easily, because I also like to communicate with others. It's also sort of fun to speak a few different languages and have everyone assume you are the typical American (speaking only moderate Spanish, not 3 languages)...and then eavesdrop on what they are saying about you. Ok, maybe that is not so nice, but it does get amusing. Once I was at someone's house in Germany, and they started speaking French to each other because they didn't want me to hear what they were saying and assumed, in the words of the woman, that it was a big enough fluke that I was a bilingual American, but it would be highly unlikely for me to speak french too. Well...guess what? I had 6 years of French in high school and college, and though I don't think I can speak it too well today (I never used it like I use German), I did understand what was being said, and eventually had to come clean about it. Languages are so fun.
Anastasia, my 10 year old, told me just a couple of years ago that she feels that when she grows up God wants her to go to China, and so she wanted to start learning Chinese right now. Of all the languages I *Don't* know! Mandarin is the hardest language for an English speaker to learn. However, that has not deterred Anastasia. I figured it would pass in a few days or weeks...but here we are, two years later, and she is still dutifully learning Chinese, and loving every minute of it ("it makes more sense than English sometimes, Mom!" I heard recently). After a bit of web surfing, I found some programs to help her teach herself Chinese, and we found a native Chinese speaker at a local China Buffet restaurant who was thrilled to help make sure she is on the right track. It provides a fun excuse to go get the lunch buffet every so often ;). GOOOO (that is my alliteration for the Chinese word for Good :-) I am sadly also getting a fifth language stuck in my brain, and actually dreamed of dancing Chinese characters last night).
Before this I always thought of oriental languages as a lot of screeching noises, but now I see Mandarin as a really beautiful language that is very expressive of deep ideas, as it is based on ideas not phonics. Even some of the characters and how they are put together just blow my mind. The Character for the word that means "peace" "bliss" or "contentment" is the character of a house with the character for woman inside of it. The character for the word that means "goodness" is a character for woman and the character for child side by side. There is a lot of family-tie symbolism in the characters that just has such a deep wow factor for me.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Growing Pains
I'm hurting. This past Friday, while dropping off some donations for Goodwill, I slipped and fell. Rather ironically, it was after I had already dropped off the several boxes of stuff that I dropped off. The concrete was uneven and I totally Charlie Brown'ed. I scraped my knee to the point of bleeding, twisted my ankle on the other leg, and scraped my shoulder up (thankfully I was wearing an old leather bomber jacket, as it also got scraped up really good, but protected my shoulder. ) I was picking gravel out of my knee for an hour when I got home.
Because we just got new insurance (an HMO no less), and I haven't yet been able to find a primary doctor, I didn't go to the emergency room. Our insurance (which I suppose is better than nothing) will let you pay all of the fees if it is determined it was not really an emergency. I am also not allowed to go to urgent care unless my primary tells me to go there. LOL So...I didn't go anywhere as I don't have a primary. This week I've been calling around trying to find a doctor in my group that lives near me and that can squeeze me in but everyone is very busy. A few people at church told me about some good doctors they recommend, but of course only doctors people DONT recommend at all seem to be in my HMO. In fact, quite a few of the "I wouldn't let my dog go to that doctor" Doctors (by the anti-recommendations from others) are listed in the book, which makes me very nervous about just picking one.
Thankfully though, it does seem, from other people who have looked at me "unofficially" who have some medical background, that I only sprained and bruised myself and didn't actually break or severely damage anything. Everyone seems to agree that the fact that I felt a bit woosy was possibly from the fact that I also have a very severe head cold and all that spinning on the way down (remember, I scraped both shoulder and knee...and a 37 year old body is not supposed to move like THAT LOL) may have made my sinuses all whacked out...I'm feeling much better just very sore.
ANYWAY....what a thrill, huh?
In the mean while, with my legs elevated and ice on both my knee and my ankle, I have been sitting here doing lots of things that I am usually too busy to work on...such as finishing up the Creating a Website Tutorial that I have been working on, and working on my taxes for 2006. Because my husband lived part of last year in Cleveland while trying to find a job in Michigan, taxes again are going to be something that are going to leave me pulling my hair out. Ohio has more different tax forms than I care to fill out, and Tax Cut doesn't handle all the local ones. As I told Martin last night, I sure do hope he realizes how much the good folks at H&R block would be charging him for all of the tax stuff I have to do with his constant job switching, consulting on the side, and whatnot. Job security for me ;)
Ruth is sitting at the table with me working out her business plan for her business. It is sort of funny to me. How many times have I dove in with both feet without really thinking clearly about something! I told her that her business idea is so awesome I want her to get a business plan together so that she can think it through clearly without just diving in and having it fail for lack of planning. At first she sort of grumbled about it, but after a few months of putting her notebook aside, and watching a friend of the family fail to follow the same advice from me totally fail in what should have been a very successful idea,she decided that maybe doing all of that boring stuff is possibly helpful. Not that a business plan guarantees success, but it helps people to think through what they are doing before they start....it brings up questions that you may or may not have thought of before, and makes you think about some of the tedious things that do make or break a business that most of us would rather not think about. Anyway, it's been both funny to me, and exciting at the same time to see her wrangle with each of these business plan questions and topics, and do some market research, and of course bathing her idea in prayer. The sweet, sweet experience of growth...!
Because we just got new insurance (an HMO no less), and I haven't yet been able to find a primary doctor, I didn't go to the emergency room. Our insurance (which I suppose is better than nothing) will let you pay all of the fees if it is determined it was not really an emergency. I am also not allowed to go to urgent care unless my primary tells me to go there. LOL So...I didn't go anywhere as I don't have a primary. This week I've been calling around trying to find a doctor in my group that lives near me and that can squeeze me in but everyone is very busy. A few people at church told me about some good doctors they recommend, but of course only doctors people DONT recommend at all seem to be in my HMO. In fact, quite a few of the "I wouldn't let my dog go to that doctor" Doctors (by the anti-recommendations from others) are listed in the book, which makes me very nervous about just picking one.
Thankfully though, it does seem, from other people who have looked at me "unofficially" who have some medical background, that I only sprained and bruised myself and didn't actually break or severely damage anything. Everyone seems to agree that the fact that I felt a bit woosy was possibly from the fact that I also have a very severe head cold and all that spinning on the way down (remember, I scraped both shoulder and knee...and a 37 year old body is not supposed to move like THAT LOL) may have made my sinuses all whacked out...I'm feeling much better just very sore.
ANYWAY....what a thrill, huh?
In the mean while, with my legs elevated and ice on both my knee and my ankle, I have been sitting here doing lots of things that I am usually too busy to work on...such as finishing up the Creating a Website Tutorial that I have been working on, and working on my taxes for 2006. Because my husband lived part of last year in Cleveland while trying to find a job in Michigan, taxes again are going to be something that are going to leave me pulling my hair out. Ohio has more different tax forms than I care to fill out, and Tax Cut doesn't handle all the local ones. As I told Martin last night, I sure do hope he realizes how much the good folks at H&R block would be charging him for all of the tax stuff I have to do with his constant job switching, consulting on the side, and whatnot. Job security for me ;)
Ruth is sitting at the table with me working out her business plan for her business. It is sort of funny to me. How many times have I dove in with both feet without really thinking clearly about something! I told her that her business idea is so awesome I want her to get a business plan together so that she can think it through clearly without just diving in and having it fail for lack of planning. At first she sort of grumbled about it, but after a few months of putting her notebook aside, and watching a friend of the family fail to follow the same advice from me
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Pragmatic Obedience
As I said in my last post, I have really been enjoying being reminded of those fundamentals of Christianity, and getting back to basics in that regard. It made me think of how pragmatic we get in our Christianity sometimes. While studying this whole matter of love versus self love, and while meditating on God's expectations for me, as a Child of God, I have also been confronted with some various crisis, some in my own life and some in the lives of others around me. And I began to notice something, while this matter of love vs. self love was fresh in my brain, that we have become extremely pragmatic in our Christianity here in modern day America (and probably other parts of the western world). Our main concern is not, "Is this the right thing to do?" but rather "Does it work? Will it get ME the desired results that I am looking for, to meet MY needs?" How many times do people discuss issues like giving in terms of what God will do for us if we do this, instead of just "Do it because it is the right thing to do!" We help out those in need because God says He will bless us, not just because God says it is the right thing to do. We give our tithes and offerings because we want God to open the windows of heaven on us, not because we want to honor God. Well, maybe we do want to honor God but the fringe benefits are also there, prominately in our minds.
Maybe I am feeling a little bit cynical....since meditating on the whole issue of love, versus self love, and analyzing myself, I have noticed these strange hidden motives of my own heart, where while I want to honor God, I have one eye on what is in it for me. God, I'm giving this to missions,as you have prompted me, now you do your part and bless me really good, ok? God, I'm going to help out this family who is in need, so you be sure to take care of us too, ok?
Of course God takes care of us...that's why He says, as I read in my daily Bible reading today, "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on..." (Matthew 6:25)...maybe part of that taking no thought is not doing the right thing with a hidden motive of bribing God into doing what He has already promised, not even thinking about what benefits might come our way. And this is not just financial giving...that's just a nice clear cut example where people say, Oh I tried that and I became a millinoare or I tried that and it didn't work. Obedience is something we do,not something we try out to see if we are going to get what we want--in any area of the Bible.
Friends with troubled relationships saying, "Well, I tried it the Bible way, but it didn't work because he is still doing (fill in the blank)..." or "I tried training my children but it just didn't work...." Doing the right thing because it is the right thing is a reward unto itself, isn't it?
Here's to obedience without pragmatism in this new year!
Maybe I am feeling a little bit cynical....since meditating on the whole issue of love, versus self love, and analyzing myself, I have noticed these strange hidden motives of my own heart, where while I want to honor God, I have one eye on what is in it for me. God, I'm giving this to missions,as you have prompted me, now you do your part and bless me really good, ok? God, I'm going to help out this family who is in need, so you be sure to take care of us too, ok?
Of course God takes care of us...that's why He says, as I read in my daily Bible reading today, "Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on..." (Matthew 6:25)...maybe part of that taking no thought is not doing the right thing with a hidden motive of bribing God into doing what He has already promised, not even thinking about what benefits might come our way. And this is not just financial giving...that's just a nice clear cut example where people say, Oh I tried that and I became a millinoare or I tried that and it didn't work. Obedience is something we do,not something we try out to see if we are going to get what we want--in any area of the Bible.
Friends with troubled relationships saying, "Well, I tried it the Bible way, but it didn't work because he is still doing (fill in the blank)..." or "I tried training my children but it just didn't work...." Doing the right thing because it is the right thing is a reward unto itself, isn't it?
Here's to obedience without pragmatism in this new year!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Reformers Unanimous
For the last several months (since November, really), I've been attending our church's addictions program, Reformers Unanimous. No I am not coming out of the closet with some sort of addictions problem (thank God)but rather I wanted to get invovled and go through the program so that I could eventually minister to others in this program, and also just because I kept feeling like God was prompting me to do this for a while. I wasn't really sure why.
I've actually be so blessed going. I've had a lot of spiritual growth in my life again since I started going to Reformers. I have found that it is good for us, even if we have been saved for a while, to revisit those basics of the Christian faith now and then. The first portion of the program focused in on the basics of our salvation in Christ, and the finished work of Christ on calvary, and what that means for a new Christian. Instead of focusing in on problems and our struggles, this program focuses on the solution (Jesus). I only wish that I had this program available to me when I was a new Christian, getting over being an alcoholic and drug user, living a party lifestyle. Ironically though, much of what is discussed here are the very things that God showed me as I read His word as a baby Christian. I suppose it is because His Word and the principles He has set forth to govern our lives don't change...they aren't original with me or with Brother Currington (who wrote the Reformer's program)...but with the Lord Himself...the one who does make us Free Indeed. Woo hoo.
I'm already into the second part of the program, where I am studying right now the differences between True Love (Godly Love) and Self Love.It really has given me lots to think about....to meditate on. Like I said, addict or not, baby Christian or seasoned saint, it is so good to revist the fundamentals of Christianity. I have recognized in my own life the struggle between the perfect sort of Love that God works through us by His Spirit...and the sort of selfish love we have all been guilty of (doing things out of a supposed love, but with some underlying motive of personal gain and glory). It occured to me to ask myself when I do things, "Would I still be doing this if no one else was watching and no one was looking,and no one ever knew I did this?" Would I still do this "loving thing" for someone if no one else ever found out who did it?
In some ways I think of the legendary man Nicholas, Bishop of Myra (upon whose life the Santa Claus tradition is partly based)....details of his life are sketchy as he lived during the persecution of Christians by the Emperor Diolectician, however, as the story goes most of what he did was done in secret, employing only trusted helpers who vowed to keep this thing secret (though they told the story after the death of the man), and we will probably never know the fullness of the generosity of this man. Do I give to others in need to hear other's praise me or do I do it because I want to meet a need? What a challenge to think about that!
I've actually be so blessed going. I've had a lot of spiritual growth in my life again since I started going to Reformers. I have found that it is good for us, even if we have been saved for a while, to revisit those basics of the Christian faith now and then. The first portion of the program focused in on the basics of our salvation in Christ, and the finished work of Christ on calvary, and what that means for a new Christian. Instead of focusing in on problems and our struggles, this program focuses on the solution (Jesus). I only wish that I had this program available to me when I was a new Christian, getting over being an alcoholic and drug user, living a party lifestyle. Ironically though, much of what is discussed here are the very things that God showed me as I read His word as a baby Christian. I suppose it is because His Word and the principles He has set forth to govern our lives don't change...they aren't original with me or with Brother Currington (who wrote the Reformer's program)...but with the Lord Himself...the one who does make us Free Indeed. Woo hoo.
I'm already into the second part of the program, where I am studying right now the differences between True Love (Godly Love) and Self Love.It really has given me lots to think about....to meditate on. Like I said, addict or not, baby Christian or seasoned saint, it is so good to revist the fundamentals of Christianity. I have recognized in my own life the struggle between the perfect sort of Love that God works through us by His Spirit...and the sort of selfish love we have all been guilty of (doing things out of a supposed love, but with some underlying motive of personal gain and glory). It occured to me to ask myself when I do things, "Would I still be doing this if no one else was watching and no one was looking,and no one ever knew I did this?" Would I still do this "loving thing" for someone if no one else ever found out who did it?
In some ways I think of the legendary man Nicholas, Bishop of Myra (upon whose life the Santa Claus tradition is partly based)....details of his life are sketchy as he lived during the persecution of Christians by the Emperor Diolectician, however, as the story goes most of what he did was done in secret, employing only trusted helpers who vowed to keep this thing secret (though they told the story after the death of the man), and we will probably never know the fullness of the generosity of this man. Do I give to others in need to hear other's praise me or do I do it because I want to meet a need? What a challenge to think about that!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Christmas Celebrations at our House
(A somewhat unflattering picture of me with the pooch in my lap after filling up on Turkey on Christmas Day)
Happy New Year, everyone!
Life, as you can imagine it, has been insanely busy at our house. We had children singing in Christmas programs, and a teen who sang in the cantata (and all of the practices that go with it) and a mommy who sewed some costumes for the cantata too...not to mention a hot sale over at the This Old Schoolhouse website bookstore which kept me hopping, filling orders every day after Christmas. Praise the Lord for that. :-) And of course, there was time for baking, time for family, time for friends, and time to just spend time reflecting on just the awesome miracle that is Christmas. I hope every one of you spent time this Christmas reading the story in the Bible of Jesus' birth, and reflecting on what an amazing miracle that was. To think that the God who made heaven and earth came down to heaven in the form of a little baby is just to amazing to think about if you really start to ponder it. I always am reminded of that verse in 2 Corinthians 5:19, that says "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself." If you didn't do it already, I have a great Advent Family Devotional in Ebook format on my website that you may be interested in for next year. Coming soon (next year hopefully) we will have it translated into Spanish, German and French, per many requests.
The fact that we have all had sinus problems and bronchitis for the last few weeks has only added to the back log of things that need to be done. I was holding someone else's child about 4 weeks ago, when I realized the poor little toddler was getting hotter and hotter, and sounded really congested. Within three days, I was also getting hotter and hotter and also sounding congested ;)....and soon the whole family had joined in on the fun, such that I caught it again after feeling better for a week. Thankfully though we are all still coughing a little bit, we sound much better, and my son is still boasting of being the only one in the family who remains healthy.
Of course there was also good food. My husband loves peanut brittle (the amazing part of that story is that despite enjoying peanut brittle he has only a few cavities in his mouth!), and he loves cashews instead of peanuts, so I spent some time this year making him some Cashew Brittle (which I suppose is also called "sugar" hee hee). My son, who hates nuts, observed it would taste better if it were just brittle. However, Hubby loved it. I like walnuts and hazelnuts best, so I used all of the hazelnuts from my hazelnut bush, and flavored the syrup with some mocha candy flavoring, before pouring it out. What we had was mocha flavored hazelnut brittle. It was heavenly. I'll post the recipe sometime soon, Lord willing. For the real food, we had Turkey with all the trimmings. You just can't beat that.
I am thankful too for children who are not all whiny about wanting the lastest and greatest toys and who are happy with whatever they get. I've seen so many bratty children again this year who whine and fuss at their parents about what they "expect", and it breaks my heart. I got a box of those amazing "Belgian Truffle Seashells" and that was more than enough. :-)...I'm easily pleased. LOL but I would not complain if there was an IPod under the tree either.
Without further ado, here is a photo of our Christmas celebration, with the whole crew (children, grandparents) at the table.
The kids and I decided to put the christmas lights up in the dining room around the entire top of the room. It made it look really nice in there. I think we may just leave them. Is that too redneck of us to have Christmas lights up all year long?
Somehow my kitchen looks a lot messier in this picture than it does in real life...but anyway, this is a picture of my hubby carving the bird.
Happy 2007!
Monday, November 13, 2006
My Birthday
I guess, though it is past, I should tell you a bit about how my birthday went. In short it was pretty good as far as birthdays go :-)
This year, I got some great, "from the heart" presents from my kids. I think it is really sweet that my children try to think of things they can get me within their means, and I so appreciate this. My baby decided that she should download the soundtrack to Narnia through Itunes for me. She thought I'd really appreciate that. So, she went on my computer, onto the ITunes program I have (nearly always open on my desktop), telling me she was doing something special for my birthday. Well, when I went back on later that day, I couldn't for the life of me figure out why I was missing $10 out of my Paypal account (LOL), and I couldn't remember what I had bought for those ten dollars. turns out, I found out later that day (before contacting customer service thankfully), my dd burned me a CD with the Narnia sound track on it and a sweet birthday message recorded with Audacity. She just didn't realize I'd get the bill...but it's the thought that counts, right?
My dh shocked me with the gift of a laptop for my birthday. I am just thrilled with the ability to walk around and type at the same time (As if i don't do enough multitasking). With it I got QuickBooks Pro to start keeping better track of business stuff (right now, I use a Dome Accounting book, which works good,but not great). It's been a learning curve to type all of that information in there. ;) THe other day, my dh opened up quick books out of curiosity as to how things were going with the business, and he got really excited until I told him I have only had time to key in income not expenses. LOL (that does change quite a bit ;)).
It's pretty weird to think of myself as a 37 year old mother to a teenager and 4 other children. Growing up I used to think 25 was old, but then I changed my mind and decided that 30 was definitely OLD. Well, I hit thirty (or rather, like a mack truck it hit me), and I realized it wasn't so bad. Now I have a husband turning a whopping 40 years old this coming January, and even 40 doesn't seem so "huge" any more. Even my closest friend is 51!!! WOWIE
But...one thing is for certain...how ever many years or days or hours or minutes I have, I want my life to count for something more than just me. I want to make a difference in the world around me for Jesus, and I want to leave a lasting positive inpression! I don't want to waste a single day that i have left. How about you?
This year, I got some great, "from the heart" presents from my kids. I think it is really sweet that my children try to think of things they can get me within their means, and I so appreciate this. My baby decided that she should download the soundtrack to Narnia through Itunes for me. She thought I'd really appreciate that. So, she went on my computer, onto the ITunes program I have (nearly always open on my desktop), telling me she was doing something special for my birthday. Well, when I went back on later that day, I couldn't for the life of me figure out why I was missing $10 out of my Paypal account (LOL), and I couldn't remember what I had bought for those ten dollars. turns out, I found out later that day (before contacting customer service thankfully), my dd burned me a CD with the Narnia sound track on it and a sweet birthday message recorded with Audacity. She just didn't realize I'd get the bill...but it's the thought that counts, right?
My dh shocked me with the gift of a laptop for my birthday. I am just thrilled with the ability to walk around and type at the same time (As if i don't do enough multitasking). With it I got QuickBooks Pro to start keeping better track of business stuff (right now, I use a Dome Accounting book, which works good,but not great). It's been a learning curve to type all of that information in there. ;) THe other day, my dh opened up quick books out of curiosity as to how things were going with the business, and he got really excited until I told him I have only had time to key in income not expenses. LOL (that does change quite a bit ;)).
It's pretty weird to think of myself as a 37 year old mother to a teenager and 4 other children. Growing up I used to think 25 was old, but then I changed my mind and decided that 30 was definitely OLD. Well, I hit thirty (or rather, like a mack truck it hit me), and I realized it wasn't so bad. Now I have a husband turning a whopping 40 years old this coming January, and even 40 doesn't seem so "huge" any more. Even my closest friend is 51!!! WOWIE
But...one thing is for certain...how ever many years or days or hours or minutes I have, I want my life to count for something more than just me. I want to make a difference in the world around me for Jesus, and I want to leave a lasting positive inpression! I don't want to waste a single day that i have left. How about you?
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Happiness Is....
Last night, my youngest daughter, just as the evening was winding down, came to me with a Bible and said, "Can we read together? PLEASE?? I so want to read the Bible with you today mommy!" And so, we sat down in our little reading nook. We have this area inside of our stairwell that fits a small loveseat and a bookshelf, and a lamp, where each of my childrn have sat with me, learning how to read, and practicing their early reading skills. We sat there, and read a little bit in the Book of John in the Bible...and I realized how blessed that is, to have a child who wants to learn about Jesus and read the Bible...not only a child though, but five of 'em! :-)
Woo hoo.
Blessings,
Kimberly
Woo hoo.
Blessings,
Kimberly
Monday, November 06, 2006
Last week happenings
Last week we had Missions conference in our church, which I look forward to every year. I have been sitting here thinking of how to sum that all up for my blog, and my thoughts are all swirling around.
It is a blessing to have children who long to serve the Lord in whatever way they are able to. I can say with John, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (3 John 4). It really is a joy for this mom to see children come up with ways to be a blessing to others without me nudging them on! My kids, each year, talk to the missionaries, and they also try to make them each cookies to take with them on the last day. This year, we did ginger bread cookies.
It's also a blessing to be challenged about needs that extend beyond ourselves and our immediate area. Wowie.
Then there's the blessing of being reminded of the faithfulness of our God, and how we can trust Him with our every need. I think that is a reminder we can all use! Trusting God goes beyond one or two of our pet issues, and encompasses the whole of our lives...a life truely yielded to God, where we are willingly obedient to Him.
It always amazes me when parents are negative about their children becoming missionaries or wanting to serve God in some way. I am so thankful that my children are tender about being yielded to God. I've always told them...all I want for you guys is to be in the center of God's will, whatever that ends up being. Amen?
Have a great week.
Kimberly
It is a blessing to have children who long to serve the Lord in whatever way they are able to. I can say with John, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (3 John 4). It really is a joy for this mom to see children come up with ways to be a blessing to others without me nudging them on! My kids, each year, talk to the missionaries, and they also try to make them each cookies to take with them on the last day. This year, we did ginger bread cookies.
It's also a blessing to be challenged about needs that extend beyond ourselves and our immediate area. Wowie.
Then there's the blessing of being reminded of the faithfulness of our God, and how we can trust Him with our every need. I think that is a reminder we can all use! Trusting God goes beyond one or two of our pet issues, and encompasses the whole of our lives...a life truely yielded to God, where we are willingly obedient to Him.
It always amazes me when parents are negative about their children becoming missionaries or wanting to serve God in some way. I am so thankful that my children are tender about being yielded to God. I've always told them...all I want for you guys is to be in the center of God's will, whatever that ends up being. Amen?
Have a great week.
Kimberly
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Music and Clothes, Clothes and Music
Shopping for Music books can be every bit as much as an experience as shopping for clothes with your teen daughter. This past weekend, we were off on a quest for some Christmas music that reflected my daughter's advancing skill in solo piano playing.
Off we trotted to Herter's Music in Saginaw to find the right book full of Christmas music. She couldn't seem to decide at all, and had to read and hum each line. After about ten minutes, my day got a whole lot longer when the helpful sales lady gave us a practice room to try out the different music books. I never realized that a music store could have the equivalent of a dressing room available.
Some three hours later, as the intercom notified us that the store was closing, we finally decided on four books. We have the complete score to the Nutcracker, and three books full of Christmas hymns and carols. I am thankful for the talents God has poured into her. She wants to play piano to honor and glorify God. If that means a few hours on a Saturday at a music store, oh well. :-))
Off we trotted to Herter's Music in Saginaw to find the right book full of Christmas music. She couldn't seem to decide at all, and had to read and hum each line. After about ten minutes, my day got a whole lot longer when the helpful sales lady gave us a practice room to try out the different music books. I never realized that a music store could have the equivalent of a dressing room available.
Some three hours later, as the intercom notified us that the store was closing, we finally decided on four books. We have the complete score to the Nutcracker, and three books full of Christmas hymns and carols. I am thankful for the talents God has poured into her. She wants to play piano to honor and glorify God. If that means a few hours on a Saturday at a music store, oh well. :-))
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Getting back to basics
Lately in our house we've been focused in more on getting back to basics.
It seems I did a great job training my oldest two children, and somewhat trained my third daughter, but didn't do such a great job with helping the younger two learn how to properly do some chores. My older kids actually did a bit of an intervention recently (LOL) and asked me if we couldn't do some "boot camp" for chores again with the two youngest, so that they will learn how to do things the right way too.
For the record, they are 7 and 8 years old.
Anyway, we have been working on that lately. This week we are focusing on cleaning up our rooms, making the bed, putting away laundry, and that sort of thing (basic non-hygiene self care). All week long, I spend time helping them practice these skills so that we can all work together.
What an adventure!
Hey, don't forget....Sunday is my birthday, which means MONDAY is the BIG SALE! Woo HOO. You don't want to miss 37% off by typing in the right coupon code. Sign up for my newsletter through my shopping cart, and you will get the coupon code for the sale.
It seems I did a great job training my oldest two children, and somewhat trained my third daughter, but didn't do such a great job with helping the younger two learn how to properly do some chores. My older kids actually did a bit of an intervention recently (LOL) and asked me if we couldn't do some "boot camp" for chores again with the two youngest, so that they will learn how to do things the right way too.
For the record, they are 7 and 8 years old.
Anyway, we have been working on that lately. This week we are focusing on cleaning up our rooms, making the bed, putting away laundry, and that sort of thing (basic non-hygiene self care). All week long, I spend time helping them practice these skills so that we can all work together.
What an adventure!
Hey, don't forget....Sunday is my birthday, which means MONDAY is the BIG SALE! Woo HOO. You don't want to miss 37% off by typing in the right coupon code. Sign up for my newsletter through my shopping cart, and you will get the coupon code for the sale.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Birthday Sale
I am having a big birthday sale on my websites bookstore this coming Monday,
to celebrate my 37th birthday. For that day only, there will be 37% off of
all books and ebooks I have written! This includes:
Thriving on One Income (Book or Ebook)
Quiet Times in Loud Households (Book or Ebook)
Advent (Ebook)
Bread by Hand Ebook (Ebook)
Growing Your Groceries (Ebook)
The Basics of Frugal Cooking (Ebook)
and
The Ehandbook on Ebooks (Ebook)
Just enter this special coupon code to get the discount: NLOCT06
blessings,
Kimberly
Jonah and the Vine and a God who PROVIDES
Someone emailed me recently to ask me if I personally ever get down over
financial issues. After reading my book, Thriving on One Income, she was
wondering if I ever have those down days, with discouragement and so forth
at not being able to have all that it seems others have.
The truth? YEPPERS!
I really think it comes and goes in seasons. It depends on a lot of things,
but most especially what I am allowing into my head. I've noticed that if I
have spent too much time with my mom (who has a lot of nice stuff), or
anyone who has "nice things" or at one of those home parties where everyone
is buying up things and I am scanning the list for anything under $5....I
get down. I wonder, WHY ME? Why can't I have what (fill in the blank) has?
I think I hit my low point last summer when my husband finally got a good
job after years of being underpaid....and then in a few months, they just
closed down the shop and moved it overseas for cheaper labor. I was crushed,
and angry. It was rather ironic too because the week that this all
transpired, a large white truck pulled in my driveway and dropped off 4
cases of books--copies of my book Thriving on One Income that I had printed
up and perfect bound with shiny new full color covers. I was really having
a pity party and a temper tantrum all rolled into one over this whole issue,
and so my husband ripped open one of the boxes, and handed me a copy of my
book and said, "You may want to read this. It might help. Some lady who has
learned to be content on a very small income wrote it to be an encouragement
to people in these situations."
I was not amused.
However, a few pages into my own book, I was really convicted. It isn't a
one time thing--that whole "contentment thang". Sometimes we have to go back
to the Lord over and over and over again concerning the exact same issues,
because in our own human strength we just CAN'T! However, in God's power, we
can. His grace is sufficient for us, even in seemingly "mundane" areas like
being a stay at home mom.
Just recently, as I was reading through the book of Jonah in the Bible (as
in Jonah and the Big Fish), God really showed me something. You see, I have
always been somewhat mystified by the part of the story where Jonah is
having a temper tantrum outside of the city, and God allows the vine to grow
up and to shade him, and then God allows the vine to die, upsetting Jonah.
It never really made a lot of sense to me in a practical way, but when I
read that recently, God showed me that I am a lot like Jonah in that regard.
Just when we were having a really hard time to the point where we were both
ready to give up, God sent along a vine (the nice job). Though it didn't
last long, it was shade for a season, so to speak. God allowed it to whither
and go away, and like Jonah, I was upset....mostly because I was missing the
big picture.
God was STILL My provider, no matter what job we had, if any. And even
today, with the job my husband has now, it is all God's grace that we rely
upon, not ourselves, or our employers, or anything else. Praise Him
Saturday, September 30, 2006
the problem with buying things all at once
Busy week this week! When you get married and later buy your first home,
usually the next thing on your handy-dandy to do list is to buy all of your
appliances for your new house (unless of course they came standard). Its
quite nice because you get a great deal on the prices on these things when
you buy them all at once. There is a problem though.
Sometime around your fifteenth wedding anniversary, it comes time to pay up
again as all of those appliances start to die.
This year, we had a washing machine give up the ghost, despite a few repair
person visits. Thankfully someone from church had an old washer they were
not using, and so I was able to use that, until it also died (it was not in
great shape to start but it tided us over). Then the dryer gave up the
ghost, though that was not as urgent--I am able to put the laundry outside
to dry if I must, though I really don't feel like using a washboard to do
laundry for 7 people. After we got the dryer fixed (thankfully not needing a
new one), we knew we had to get back on track saving up for a new fridge,
because that had been misbehaving for a couple of years. We bought it on
clearance, with a no warranty policy, knowing the model was not made for
very long because of some problems they had with it. Still, it was all we
could afford back then, so we did it. Many years, and many more ruined
groceries and expensive repairs later, the fridge finally decided to go out
with a finally bang.
I woke up Monday morning, groggy as I always am in the morning (definately a
night person), poured a cup of coffee, blindly reached into the fridge for
the milk, and started to pour when a nasty smell hit my nose about the same
time I heard "Plop, Plop, Plop". My milk was now solid and smelling like
yogurt left on a hot rock in the sun on a summer's day. I opened the fridge
with my eyes fully open this time, and realized my butter and cream cheese
had both melted down the front door of the fridge, which felt hot to the
touch. The inside of the fridge was warm except for the very back, which was
frozen solid. I was almost afraid to open the freezer. In it, the Ice Cream
we had just bought Saturday Night was encased in frost, and everything
looked frosty in it.
Thankfully, we had been saving towards a new fridge, but we were not quite
ready for this anyway, because we also had a car in the shop. Repair bills
are such an unromantic and unfun thing to spend money on, aren't they? LOL
Monday my husband and I went out and looked around and different Fridge's at
different stores, comparing prices and seeing what was available. After
praying and discussing the matter we decided on a fridge we saw at Home
Depot, with a bottom freezer, and an alarm that lets us know if a child has
the fridge door open too long. It also fits seven gallons of milk in the
door, not that we ever buy that many at once. Still, it's nice.
I went back on Tuesday to Order it. Tuesday I was supposed to go to my
friend Toni's for some sort of home party demonstration for one of those
direct sales companies, and I had a child with a sinus infection still home
and on the couch, but on the mend. So, I decided to leave the kids home with
my teen daughter in charge while I first went to the credit union to
withdraw money from our appliance savings fund, and then on to home depot,
and swinging around to pick up some dinner on the way home for them (a rare
treat!), before heading off to Toni's. I arrived at Home Depot, and there
was a mad rush in the fridge department--five other families were there
buying refrigerators on Tuesday afternoon. A nice fellow who doesn't work in
that department helped me out, though it took a bit longer as he is not used
to ordering these things. By the time I got up to the checkout a full hour
had passed--so much for in and out!
I went through the self check, hoping that would be faster, as everywhere
else there were long lines. Well, as seems to happen when we are in a hurry,
something went wrong. The checkout girl had to key in my order information
by hand for this as I was paying with both a check and the cash from my
emergency account, but accidentally she hit that I gave her four million
dollars instead of four hundred! At first I thought maybe I won a
contest--you know, like the "lucky millionth customer" or something, because
my checkout started to spit out money at me, and the floor soon had tens and
twenties spilling out all over it. Soon, I realized actually the computer
didn't know what to do, or how to give me 3.9 million dollars in change. As
funny as it was, it soon became rather unfunny as they couldn't figure out
how to void it all out, and how to actually ring me up. I was there for
another super long period of time, before my daughter, Ruth, called to ask
where in the world I was (my parting words were, "I'll be back in an
hour"--3 hours ago). I finally just went home, and let them call me when the
succeeded in ringing it all up.
Finally, the good folks delivered my fridge, and hauled away the old one.
The fridge seemed smaller in the store, but this thing is HUGE. the kids all
think it is really cool (pun intended). So far, so good. My milk is still
liquid, my butter is still solid, and no lettuce has frozen in the crisper
yet, so I would have to say, mission successful.
Well, the only thing left is the stove. I better start saving!
Blessings,
Kimberly
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Work at Home (part two)
More on the whole Work at Home topic....
These are some more questions I've been asked from others about working from home.
<<How do I find out which work at home program out there really is legit and will work for me?>>
As I said in my last post, I have only lost money on those work at home "programs". I've pretty much
done them all too over the last 14 years. I used to think I was a bad
salesman. I wasn't. I just didn't have a passion for what I was selling, and
I was unable to sufficiently fake that passion when trying to get people to
open their wallets.
What works is this: Find something you are good at AND are passionate about
AND love to do, and pray hard for wisdom as to how you can make money doing
it while researching whether or not there is a need in that area (ie, you
are not trying to do the exact same thing that 300 other people are
doing--which is why work at home programs don't work for the majority of
people who sign up--just those who are go-getters who could sell snow boots to someone living on the equator). If you are not PASSIONATE about selling what you are signing up for, how are they going to sell enough to support you? If you are not
passionate about selling mortgage services from some work at home company
program, how do you expect to sell them? You won't in any significant
amounts!
My husband didn't think he had any potential self employment prospects
(after all, what he does requires a machine that costs about half a million
dollars and we are a little short of that amount :P). Then he realized, he
is passionate about what he does, <I>but that doesn't mean he has to have an
expensive machine to share that passion</i>. He can train people (which I might
add he was doing for free to be a "nice guy" for the last few years when
people would call and ask for help, because he already had a great
reputation). He has developed a training module, and he goes into companies
that have just laid out the half a million but don't know what to do with
their cool new toy, and teaches them how to use it. Instead of giving them
the same training that the tech support gives (from people with engineering
degrees who have never actually ran such a machine but understand
theoretically how it is supposed to work), he gives them practical, hands on training,
catering to the accounts they already have, from someone with 20 years in
the field. He is also working on an ebook and possibly some Camtasia-powered
tutorials to demonstrate CAD programming for Wire EDM. For the ebook, he is
dictating into a digital voice recorder, because he hates writing, and I am
going to make it sound good on paper. :) Hubby also makes money by putting a
box for returnable (10 cents in Michigan) pop cans next to his machine at his
regular job. It pays for his gas for the week.This is creative money that costs him
nothing extra!
Just to give you some more examples of creative thinking, I am going to
share some things my kids have done. Just a little bit of ingenuity, and
they made some money this summer. All of these are simple ideas, not "get
rich quick" schemes, and all were incredibly successful....it just took at
little bit of creativity (And children who like to fall asleep listening to
Alice Seba podcasts and the audio book of Rich Dad, Poor Dad).
I don't want to give away too much (because it is such an original idea),
but just this past week my 13 year old daughter came up with a business idea
based upon this principle that I think is nothing short of brilliant. It is
based on something she is passionate about, a need that is as of yet unmet
in the world around us (or so it appears from preliminary research), and
that is within her budget and skills to start. For school over the next few weeks, one of her assignments is going to be working on developing this idea further, and developing a Business Plan in the process.
My son has also made money with two gumball vending machines. The first one
is located in a Tire store (where customers wait for their cars to
get done staring at the three selections of candy before eventually giving
in. If they are waiting too long they buy fresh gum when the old gum gets
stale!). We empty out the "loot" every week, and he grosses about as much as
me (he's 11). Within a few weeks at this place, he bought a second gumball
machine on Ebay. The other one we didn't find a place for yet, but my son
and I agree that right now it is also in a lucrative spot (it's full of
skittles and located next to dad's computer). We empty that one every three
weeks. Before that, we let people borrow it for their garage sale, and we
paid them 10% of the profits. It was full of quarters each time. Ever
thought of owning a vending machine? Cheap start up! Even a kid can do it!
Are you passionate about candy? Do you have anywhere nearby that would let
you set it up? Judah filled a need (something to chew on or eat while
sitting in a car repair place)--worked within his passion (can't resist a
gumball machine)--and shared it with others (sold the idea to the manager of
Kan Rock, and placed the product in front of a captive audience).
My three youngest children (ages 9, 8, and 7) came up with a great idea this
summer when we had our garage sale. Because it is always so hot and we are
always so thirsty at garage sales, when we had our garage sale, my girls
asked to buy several cases of pop, and several bags of ice. They filled the
coolers with pop and ice, and they charged $1 per can of pop (the cost we
figured at $0.30 per can including ice because of a sale). They also sold
Popsicles for $0.50 (they were bought in a box of 100 for $1.99, and we sold
300 Popsicles at my garage sale alone). After this worked well at my garage
sale (They made more than the garage sale did), they decided to ask friends
who were having garage sales if they could have the coolers at the garage
sale, and who can resist cute little girls asking this question? They
actually worked at 6 garage sales this summer. Filled a need (everyone wants
a cold drink while garage saling)--worked within their passion (they all
like soda pop on a hot day)--shared that passion with others (made sure they
took a refreshing sip when customers were around).
Be creative. Ask the Lord for Wisdom (James 1:5). If it's His will, He will pave the way, amen?
As I said in my last post, I have only lost money on those work at home "programs". I've pretty much
done them all too over the last 14 years. I used to think I was a bad
salesman. I wasn't. I just didn't have a passion for what I was selling, and
I was unable to sufficiently fake that passion when trying to get people to
open their wallets.
What works is this: Find something you are good at AND are passionate about
AND love to do, and pray hard for wisdom as to how you can make money doing
it while researching whether or not there is a need in that area (ie, you
are not trying to do the exact same thing that 300 other people are
doing--which is why work at home programs don't work for the majority of
people who sign up--just those who are go-getters who could sell snow boots to someone living on the equator). If you are not PASSIONATE about selling what you are signing up for, how are they going to sell enough to support you? If you are not
passionate about selling mortgage services from some work at home company
program, how do you expect to sell them? You won't in any significant
amounts!
My husband didn't think he had any potential self employment prospects
(after all, what he does requires a machine that costs about half a million
dollars and we are a little short of that amount :P). Then he realized, he
is passionate about what he does, <I>but that doesn't mean he has to have an
expensive machine to share that passion</i>. He can train people (which I might
add he was doing for free to be a "nice guy" for the last few years when
people would call and ask for help, because he already had a great
reputation). He has developed a training module, and he goes into companies
that have just laid out the half a million but don't know what to do with
their cool new toy, and teaches them how to use it. Instead of giving them
the same training that the tech support gives (from people with engineering
degrees who have never actually ran such a machine but understand
theoretically how it is supposed to work), he gives them practical, hands on training,
catering to the accounts they already have, from someone with 20 years in
the field. He is also working on an ebook and possibly some Camtasia-powered
tutorials to demonstrate CAD programming for Wire EDM. For the ebook, he is
dictating into a digital voice recorder, because he hates writing, and I am
going to make it sound good on paper. :) Hubby also makes money by putting a
box for returnable (10 cents in Michigan) pop cans next to his machine at his
regular job. It pays for his gas for the week.This is creative money that costs him
nothing extra!
Just to give you some more examples of creative thinking, I am going to
share some things my kids have done. Just a little bit of ingenuity, and
they made some money this summer. All of these are simple ideas, not "get
rich quick" schemes, and all were incredibly successful....it just took at
little bit of creativity (And children who like to fall asleep listening to
Alice Seba podcasts and the audio book of Rich Dad, Poor Dad).
I don't want to give away too much (because it is such an original idea),
but just this past week my 13 year old daughter came up with a business idea
based upon this principle that I think is nothing short of brilliant. It is
based on something she is passionate about, a need that is as of yet unmet
in the world around us (or so it appears from preliminary research), and
that is within her budget and skills to start. For school over the next few weeks, one of her assignments is going to be working on developing this idea further, and developing a Business Plan in the process.
My son has also made money with two gumball vending machines. The first one
is located in a Tire store (where customers wait for their cars to
get done staring at the three selections of candy before eventually giving
in. If they are waiting too long they buy fresh gum when the old gum gets
stale!). We empty out the "loot" every week, and he grosses about as much as
me (he's 11). Within a few weeks at this place, he bought a second gumball
machine on Ebay. The other one we didn't find a place for yet, but my son
and I agree that right now it is also in a lucrative spot (it's full of
skittles and located next to dad's computer). We empty that one every three
weeks. Before that, we let people borrow it for their garage sale, and we
paid them 10% of the profits. It was full of quarters each time. Ever
thought of owning a vending machine? Cheap start up! Even a kid can do it!
Are you passionate about candy? Do you have anywhere nearby that would let
you set it up? Judah filled a need (something to chew on or eat while
sitting in a car repair place)--worked within his passion (can't resist a
gumball machine)--and shared it with others (sold the idea to the manager of
Kan Rock, and placed the product in front of a captive audience).
My three youngest children (ages 9, 8, and 7) came up with a great idea this
summer when we had our garage sale. Because it is always so hot and we are
always so thirsty at garage sales, when we had our garage sale, my girls
asked to buy several cases of pop, and several bags of ice. They filled the
coolers with pop and ice, and they charged $1 per can of pop (the cost we
figured at $0.30 per can including ice because of a sale). They also sold
Popsicles for $0.50 (they were bought in a box of 100 for $1.99, and we sold
300 Popsicles at my garage sale alone). After this worked well at my garage
sale (They made more than the garage sale did), they decided to ask friends
who were having garage sales if they could have the coolers at the garage
sale, and who can resist cute little girls asking this question? They
actually worked at 6 garage sales this summer. Filled a need (everyone wants
a cold drink while garage saling)--worked within their passion (they all
like soda pop on a hot day)--shared that passion with others (made sure they
took a refreshing sip when customers were around).
Be creative. Ask the Lord for Wisdom (James 1:5). If it's His will, He will pave the way, amen?
<<Can you seriously make money online, even with very little start up money (under $100) and what do you do if you do make
a living this way>>>
The short answer: YES, and it grows every week. Read on for the
much-too-long-but-hopefully-inspiring version with the nitty gritty
details...
I am definately a Newbie at this too (but an expert at failing at network
marketing programs and work at home schemes). I have been gradually
increasing my income via my businesses, and it has amazed me. My husband
and children are also breaking into the entrepreneurial game too.
The main thing I think I have learned over 14 years of TRYING and failing is
that we can't look for a formula, or a "work at home program" or anything of
that sort. We've got to be creative!
I have two websites. The first (www.joyfulmomma.org) I sell books and
ebooks that I have written on it. I also sell books and DVDs from other
entrepreneurs (those products which I have personally found useful and of
value). My niche is books, ebooks, and resources that would be a help to the
average mom who wants practical advice. Additionally, I have several
affiliate marketing links on my site which bring me in some cash from time
to time, though I have to admit that I don't market those quite as
aggressively as I probably could. My second website is
www.kimberlyeddydesign.net , where I market my web and logo design services.
This past year, I have done 6 websites, with logos, custom artwork, and so
forth. I've done several banner ads for small businesses. I absolutely love
animating things. it'sbrought in a steady stream of income. I have tried to focus in on marketing
my web design business to a niche (those that want an attractive, custom
website--thus far my clientele has been freelance artists and musicians, and
one mom with a home business). I am by far not a "programmer" but I do have
an artistic eye, and I am trying to market to that end. I am getting ready
to revamp that site some more, now that I have grown more in my skills and
also in my understanding of marketing--but praise God I've been too busy
getting paid to do other people's sites that I haven't had time.
I have an upcoming line of products that will combine those two....video
tutorials for logo design, graphic design, animation, and so forth. There is a need for good, practical, computer graphic and art
instructional materials for homeschoolers. I hope to fill that need.
The key is to think out of the box. Look at the skills that God has uniquely gifted you with. You have something that no one else has, that can bless the world, while at the same time helping you to earn some extra money (or even eventually supporting your family).
blessings,
Kimberly
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
www.joyfulmomma.org
Check out our all new bookstore, with more exciting products to encourage your family, plus my all new ebook, "The Basics of Frugal Cooking"
www.joyfulmomma.org/bookstore
www.joyfulmomma.org
Check out our all new bookstore, with more exciting products to encourage your family, plus my all new ebook, "The Basics of Frugal Cooking"
www.joyfulmomma.org/bookstore
Work from Home Programs? (Part One)
I get asked a lot of questions via email. One of the recent questions I Was asked bothered me in particular. You see, I was trying to have some residual income by having Google Ad Sense ads on my site, thinking this would be a great opportunity to both earn a small amount of commissions, and also help spread the word for like-minded sites on the internet. Sounds good, right?
Well, google started putting ads on my site full of "work from home" offers geared towards fleecing moms who want to stay home with their children. I have tried to change my settings, and things would be ok for a while, and then suddenly--whammo! My ads were again for work at home programs.
I thought I had fixed it once and for all when I got an email from someone that asked me which work at home program would I recommend for moms who want to stay home, "from those advertised on your website". My heart absolutely sunk, and before doing anything else, I took the ad-generating code off of my site once and for all. Instead I now just have links to products and services that I have personally used and recommend, mostly in the form of either affiliates or banner exchanges.
Sadly, I was unable to respond to the person who wrote to me, so I am hoping she is reading this. My computer crashed and I lost everything in my in box, which was quite a bother! I thought I knew the name, but I don't have an email address for anyone with that name.
So, what's the problem with work at home programs?
The problem with them is not so much the Working at Home thing--though we need to exercise self control there, as working at home can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how we handle it. We need always focus on the basics first--taking care of our family, and having time for them, instead of spending hours taking care of a business. A business can be every bit as much of a 'job" as going out and getting a job is (sometimes with a smaller paycheck, sometimes with a bigger one).
The problem I have is, after participating in many "great business opportunities that are perfect for the Stay Home mom wannabe", I have been out both time and money, and that in large amounts. Just recently, someone I know went to a meeting to hear about a great online business opportunity, where for only $1200 they will set you up with your very own website, and your very own company. That is so sad. You can do that for so much less! I pay only $10 a year for my domain, $10 for my DBA license, and $14 per month for my hosting, and I did all of my own webdesign. All my friend would have been getting in this "great deal" is a canned website, and some overpriced products to sell. And sadly, THIS is what most of those "Work at Home Opportunities" are.
Another friend's mom signed up for one of these, and got a "free" computer with it. She has to pay $500 a month for the next three years but was assured that this amount will "completely pay for itself". She's not even sure what she is selling, but hey, she got a free computer! (for the record, the most recent Dell Computer Catalogue has a fine system listed for under $500! There is a cheaper way, than getting a "Free" computer with your agreement).
But enough of the negative stuff. what about some positive stuff? Obviously I am a work at home mom. I do make some money online, and my business doesn't run my life or drain all of my time and money. Where, besides these scams, should a mom whose family needs extra money turn for some advice?
As you may have heard before, successful people do what they love to do, and do best. I love to write and to design things--and I do it well. Therefore, I believe that is why I am successful as a writer, and successful as a designer, without it being a drain on me or on my family. Think about the skills that you have, and how you might market those to fill a need that others may have. Businesses that are trying to do exactly what everyone else is doing are going to die, unless they are run by expert sales people--that's why some people do well in those programs and others fail. Also, it is much easier to sell a product or service that you really love and believe in, over and above trying to sell some products just for the sake of selling stuff and making money. If you aren't passionate about it, you are not likely going to be very good at getting the word out, and selling.
Also, moms especially need to learn to work smarter, not harder. When I was breaking free from signing up for work at home programs (I did like 10 of them, no kidding--I guess I don't learn too quick ;))....I decided to have a home crafts business. Well that is a great idea, if I enjoy spending every waking moment making crafts, and then going out and selling them en masse. There simply is not enough hours in the day for a busy mom to succeed in such a venture and still have a LIFE. On the internet there are many ways to make money without spending all day long doing it---finding products you really love and believe in, and then promoting those as a retail website, for starters, or selling a booklet you wrote (better yet, an ebook--low overhead!). As a work at home mom on the internet, you are not a slave to normal work hours or limited to only selling to those people in your immediate vicinity. I live in one of the poorest counties in Michigan, where it seems every other house is up for sale, and all of the factories are closing--but Praise God, I don't have to sell to people who live around me (who have no cash). I have had customers in Malaysia, India (Hi Anitha! Waves!!), New Zealand, Vanuatu (I had to look on the map to find that--but there ya are! Used to be the New Hebrides Islands where Missionary John Patton served), the Canary Islands, and I just sold several books to someone in Poland. The point is, if you have a niche product of high quality, and a reasonable price that people want...even if it does appeal to a small niche market...you have the entire world to market to, increasing your chances of success.
I could go on and on about this, but I won't. Maybe another day. But, here are some great resources (FREE ONES) that I have found recently.
First of all, there's some great Podcasts out there. What's a podcast? Well, it is sort of like a radio show that you can subscribe to and download on your computer. If you go to www.apple.com/Itunes and download Itunes (for free), and then click on "music Store" in Itunes (Sadly they don't always have great photos on the front page of their music store--so use caution there)...and click on "Podcasts to your left hand side. There are lots of good ones if you search Ebiz, or WAHM that may help. The two I love best are:
Work At Home Moms Talk Radio (that is weekly and it's geared to moms, with stories and interviews of moms who work from home)
Ebiz Vodcast (this is a video podcast that talks about websites, online store issues, payment acceptance issues, etc.)
Rich Dad Podcast (sometimes audio, sometimes video)
Entrepreneur Magazine's Ebiz Podcast (good general info)
Also, there is a lot of great information out there on websites like Family E-Biz www.familyebiz.com, which has a great free newsletter that is packed full of information. I also like the information (and products) at www.aliceseba.com and her other website www.internetmarketingsweetie.com which has great info about marketing.
Entrepreneurs-at-Home Yahoo Group (go to groups.yahoo.com and search for it) is a discussion board for budding entrepreneurs.
There is a better way, besides just signing on the dotted line for this exciting opportunity (and living to regret it)
Blessings,
Kimberly
Kimberly
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
www.joyfulmomma.org
Check out our all new bookstore, with more exciting products to encourage your family, plus my all new ebook, "The Basics of Frugal Cooking"
www.joyfulmomma.org/bookstore
www.joyfulmomma.org
Check out our all new bookstore, with more exciting products to encourage your family, plus my all new ebook, "The Basics of Frugal Cooking"
www.joyfulmomma.org/bookstore
Sunday, September 17, 2006
sprained ankles and unrequested down time
I have been doing a lot of work outside, clearing up the garden for the
year. Today I was out picking some more tomatoes, when I did something
really dumb. I didn't see a tomato cage lying on it's side in the path until
I had both feet in it, and I was falling down. Ugh. I hate it when that
happens.
First of all, I hate feeling stupid...nothing like falling face first into
terra firma to make you feel really silly, especially when it is the result
of not watching your step. My mom used to always call me "Princess Grace"
and it was not intended as a flattering term of endearment, but rather a
sarcastic reference to my lack of grace when doing simple things like
walking. I am a total clutz at times, though I've gotten better as the years
wear on. Still, It would appear that sprained ankles are becoming a yearly
thing for me. No, wait...maybe more frequently. Just this past spring, I
tripped on a rock and landed prostrate on the ground, thankfully throwing my
hoe clear of my body instead of landing on it.
Then there's the pain that is involved. Skinning your knee is one thing, as
we have all done as kids. But skinning your forehead and the tip of your
nose really smarts. I have a bruise on the top of one of my feet where I got
tangled in the wire tomato cage (yes, I was barefoot, as usual), and my
ankle is again swollen. I have been elevating and icing it all afternoon,
and taking Arnica Montana, which seems to help the swelling and bruising
when this sort of thing happens.
Finally, there's the fact that injuries to ankles tend to earn me
unrequested down time--time in the Lazy Boy, with my feet up. For me, that
is pure torture. I hate sitting for long periods of time doing nothing. I
couldn't even sit here and do something on the computer, as that would have
required me to put my foot down, and my husband wouldn't have any of that.
I have two large bushels of concord grapes that I need to can tomorrow, and
one bushel of tomatoes, and yet I know from experience that I really need
to stay off my feet for a day or two, to prevent this from being worse, so
this should be interesting. ;)
On a lighter note, I've spent a lot of quality time today reading Mary
Poppins by P.L. Travers to myself. I had forgotten what a funny book that
is, and how entertaining it is. I promised the kids I'd start reading from
Robin Hood tomorrow, but I think I'll read Mary Poppins next too! What are
you reading with your children this week?
Friday, September 15, 2006
Coco
Sometimes when I start telling too many stories about life at my house, life
growing up, or the many adventures I have had as a world traveler in my
younger years, and especially when I start to wax poetic about our many
house pets (past and present) people think I am either quite a good story
teller, or they insist I should write a book about all of this stuff. I can
assure you, I couldn't possibly make some of this up--it's just to weird. As
for writing a book, I've thought about that too. I am not sure what sort of
market there is for a book containing disjointed essays about my adventurous
life, and I am also not so sure I want the entire world reading about it. ;)
When I went away to college back in 1987, I think my parents only feigned
sadness, and soon replaced me--with a Carin Terrier mix puppy. The first
time I came home on break, I was greeted at the door at 2 am by something
that resembled a Tribble (<---reference to a Star Trek Episode), which
immediately began to chew on my foot and bark (at the same time). I also
found out that the dog was given permission to live in my bedroom and sleep
on my bed, and had apparently not been too happy that I was sleeping in
*her* bed. Yes, my parents gave my room away to a dog.
Being, at the time, a reporter and columnist for the highly respected
newspaper, The North Wind, up at Northern Michigan University, I immediately
vented my anguish in a "For What It's Worth" column, which then gave me my
first pile of fan mail (before that I seemed to specialize in flames, so
this was a turning point in my writing career). Trust me, there were several
blogs' worth of material in my adventures with Coco back in those days. Even
one of my professors was horrified to hear from my own lips that, no, I did
not make it up, and yes, the dog really was given my bed and my room, and
indeed, it does look like a Tribble. My column was too long for me to
include a photo.
It's funny to me that most of my friends and acquaintances from college
still, to this day, mention Coco the Tribble-dog, and are usually surprised
to hear she is still alive, and to hear further adventures about her. She
now lives with my mom and her new husband, and shares a crate with her
step-dog-brother, Hans (who is, amazingly, older than Coco). Coco still
seemed young, though she had grown slightly blind (my mom will bang her dog
dish so she knows where the food is), and often gets down steps by rolling,
and then shakes it off, wags her tail and runs along like a little puppy,
even at her age.
In fact, my kids had a hard time with saying "Grandma" when they were
little, so they always called my mom Coco. Eventually they called her Coco
Grandma.
Well, friends, Coco left this world the other day. I was not really
surprised, as she seemed to be getting sicker, and I knew my mom was going
to have to make "the decision" sooner or later, but just didn't want to. It
was somewhat sad to hear the news, especially since she resulted in my first
"popular" piece of writing.
By the way, I have all of my old writings from my North Wind days--EXCEPT
that piece! Yes, folks, I even have the in-depth reports that I did with
Stephanie Williams when I found out about them thinking about dumping
nuclear waste in the U.P. way back when...but I don't have that one. I know,
because I looked for it shortly after my mom called to tell me they buried
Coco.
This may sound sort of inappropriately funny, but after digging the hole,
and before putting her in, Hans (the older-than-even-coco dog) FELL INTO the
grave, and they had to rescue him out. As I said before, I could not make
this stuff up if I tried. I haven't even started to tell you about all of
the dogs and cats I've had since I moved out--another time maybe?
So, if there are any of you sweet NMU Alums out there who remember that
column (it would have occurred sometime between 1987-1990, though I believe
it was in the earlier years), please send it to me. I'd super appreciate it!
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