Making My Home A Haven is important to me. Sharing homemaking skills. Recipes and food. Bible Studies. This is a treasure chest of goodies. So take a seat. Have a glass of tea and enjoy. You will learn all about who I am.
Danny Seldom eats dinner or any other meal with me.
Danny Ate Dinner at the kitchen table where I was working. This made my week.
WHY?
I don’t remember the last time Danny ATE at the table. (Except when we were in Dade city. his computer was there.)
Danny hasn’t eaten with me in years.
BBQ RIBS Collard Greens With Bacon Mashed Potatoes With Gravy
I grew up with family who always ate together. It was the highlight of our day.
Bobby would never have thought about not eating at the table with me.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4
{Cue the Confetti!!!}
It’s time to begin the 11th Annual Making Your Home a Haven Bible Study! This week’s spiritual focus is to Delight in the Lord! Join me for Week 1’s video as we discuss How to Delight in the Lord —then pull out your journals and begin!
When our schedules are full and our to-do lists are overwhelming, it’s hard to stop and enjoy life to the fullest. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross and the forgiveness of our sins, we have a personal relationship with God. Not only should we delight in God as our savior and friend, but God is also a giver of good gifts, that he wants us to delight in!
So how do we delight in the Lord and the good gifts he has given us?
We must stop.
We must stop and open our eyes to the generosity of our God. When we sit still in his presence and simply enjoy the Lord, we find that our souls can be satisfied in him. He is a delight to know!
Once we are still in God’s presence and delighting in him, the fullness and richness of all God has given us, comes to life. Suddenly we see God’s hand in everything. We see God’s love in the chirping birds, a crispy apple, a hot cup of coffee, a bouquet of flowers, a hug from a friend, a beautiful sunset, a powerful storm and the changing leaves on the trees.
People who work too much, don’t delight in life. Instead of experiencing freedom in Christ, they lack the self-control and faith to simply stop, rest and delight.
Every evening the sun sets, signaling it is time to rest. And on the seventh day of creation, God rested. Rest and delight are God given, built-in needs for our souls.
So, it’s time! It’s time to take 15 minutes a day to stop and be grateful, pray, meditate and delight in the Lord and then go forward with the day, delighting in the good gifts God has given us to enjoy. Let’s get started.
Go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home. Each time the glimmer of the candle catches your eye, let it remind you to say a prayer of thanksgiving and a prayer for peace in your home.
I will be starting mine in the morning but you can start yours at dinner time or whenever is convenient for you. I will be placing mine in the kitchen – the main hub of my home. Let’s make our homes feel like a warm hug and a sweet haven all month long!
You see when we do not take the time to tend to our own souls – we have nothing left to give to others. So many times I have found myself busy and running on empty and then I snap – in a moment of frustration and weariness I say or do things that I would never do if I was more rested and connected with the Lord.
And so this month – let’s be intentional!
Begin your gratitude list now.
Pull out a pen and paper and begin. As you set your pen to the paper – wait on the Lord. Seek God and ask him to show you all the ways he has shown himself to you lately.
Give thanks to God for both the big and small blessings in your life.
They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
Introducing the 11th Annual Making Your Home a Haven Bible Study
From Sarah:
FROM SARAH I WILL BE STARTING WEEK ONE TOMORROW : MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020
This study started last week for everyone else. I had to delay starting it due to being sick. Truly sorry about that. The first part was posted early October. It Introduced The Making Your Home A Haven Study For The 11TH Year. The following are the posts that followed. Women Living Well /Good Morning Girls Check Out The Printable Book Mark And The Coloring Book For Children In The 2nd Post.
“Welcome to the 11th Annual Making Your Home a Haven Bible Study! 11 years ago, we began this series and never could I have imagined how much it would resonate with so many women around the world!
Our souls desperately need a deeper connection with God.
So many times we try to mask our struggles, pain, confusion or emptiness by keeping busy and distracted, eating food, going on vacations, seeking success or elevating certain relationships. While many of these things are blessings from God, they are not good substitutes FOR God.
This Bible Study is going to help you slow down.
It is going to force you to pause every day and enter into the presence of our Almighty God.
God’s pace is much slower than this world’s pace.
We must slow down to catch up with God.
We must create calm moments in our day because it’s in the unhurried moments, that we can clearly see and hear the voice of God.”
“Self-care is a very popular concept these days, but I believe that soul care IS self-care.
So, let’s take care of our souls by intentionally creating a physical environment, as well as a spiritual environment, in our homes that brings us closer to God. As a result, we will experience peace and a sense of calmness inside our souls, no matter what we are facing.
Each week, I will provide for you a practical challenge of something I do in my home that makes it more of a haven. I hope you will take the challenges. They do make a difference!
Each weekday, we will pause, give thanks, pray and meditate on God’s Word through SOAKing in the daily scripture reading for the day.
Also, you will find 4 videos, one per week, that correspond with the scriptures we are studying.”
All the resources are free for this study but there is an optional Study Guide available on Amazon titled: Delight in the Lord
The Study Guide is optional, as I will provide for you the daily Bible Reading Plan and many free resources each week here on the blog. BUT I highly recommend the Study Guide. It provides space for your daily gratitude list and daily prayer requests, plus a place to keep all of your Bible study reflections/SOAKs and video notes.“ https://womenlivingwell.org/2020/10/resources-for-the-delight-in-the-lord-bible-study/
Here’s the topic schedule:
Week 1: Delight
Start a daily gratitude list and delight in the Lord, the giver of good gifts.
Go buy an extra-large candle and light a candle everyday in your home. Each time the glimmer of the candle catches your eye, stop, pray and give thanks.
Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
Week 2: Draw Near
Slow down, be still, listen, pray and commune with the God of the universe. He is near.
Keep your candle going and add to it soft music everyday in your home. Choose worship, classical or another form of peaceful music that helps you focus on the Lord.
The Lord is near. (Philippians 4:5)
Week 3: Desires
Take your desires to the Lord in prayer this week.
Keep your candle burning, the music playing and purchase a small bouquet of flowers for yourself. Let that bouquet be a daily reminder of God’s love and presence with you.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)
Week 4: Dependence
It takes faith to rest in the Lord and depend solely on him but he is trustworthy. Delight, draw near, and exchange his desires for yours and depend on God. He loves you so!
Rest is a need not a want. Rest is not optional and it is a blessing from the Lord. So, seek out a place of solitude to rest and pray. Get alone with God outside or in your home. Be still with God and take a much needed bubble bath, nap or still time with the Lord.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)”
These are unprecedented times, when everyone in the world is being encouraged to stay at home as much as possible. This can create a lot of anxiety for everyone. So it’s important that you create a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere, whether you have returned to lock-down or if you’re just practising self-quarantine or shielding. These […]
Below the What Would Have Been in Chicago is Life In Our Neck Of The Woods. Real Life. Life Goes ON.
Dreaming.
We would have arrived in Chicago this afternoon.
Yes, we would have had a Chicago Style Hotdog at the Amtrak Station.
Probably 2 of them. I’d have eaten Danny’s carrots. LOL
We would have walked all over the station. Taking photos. Videos. Of the trains. Of the building. Of the people.
We would be having Chicago Style Pizza throughout the day and nights of our stay.
I had a number of restaurants that delivered.
We were planning on staying at the Grand Hotel (Sheridan) on the riverwalk.
What’s really happening in Our Neck Of The Woods.
Stocking up and then stocking up some more.
I have NEVER had so many CANNED GOODS in my house.
I seldom buy them.
Baby Girl
YUMMY Steak
Our back yard
Strawberry Shortcake during the pandemic.
We had one day when it rain. We were so dry, that a few hours later, there was no sign of water.
Spaghetti Sauce
Spinach Pasta
We were ordered to open Lake Kissimmee State Park on Tuesday. One day after Phase one began. So Phase 2 has begun in certain areas.
The park is opened except for the campgrounds.
It’s a different world we live in right now and you feel it.
Warning signs are all over.
The ONE GOOD THING : THE FLAGS ARE FLYING ONCE AGAIN.
I make at least one trip to the Ranger Station every day now that almost everything comes through delivery. We are still following the “Stay At Home” rules as much as possible.
Our county is seeing an increase in Covid 19 cases. More deaths.
Even though Danny and I don’t venture anywhere we don’t need to, we feel the change everywhere.
I am a hugger who can’t hug or get hugged.
I have an overflowing freezer filled with meat, fish and seafoods. Good quality foods in the cabinets.
Snacks, mainly for Danny.
Fresh fruits and veggies. Hard to find since we live outside of Amazon Pantry delivery. Outside of most deliveries.
I have an over -abundance of essential oils that I use constantly in diffusers all through the house. I use them in my food and drinks as well.
Everyday, I take boxes to the dumpsters at the park.
Thank heavens for the money I have from my parents. I am using OUR TRIP MONEY for all of the extra food and supplies.
Taco Tuesday?Cinco de Mayo
Nachos
Danny and I are fortunate. If we were still living on his, UNDER 2, 000 paycheck, we wouldn’t be making it.
Thanks MOM AND DAD.
We also have the RENT FREE Cracker House here on Rolling Meadows Ranch.
WE have thousand of acres to roam freely here and at the park.
Plus we have Allen David Broussard’s Catfish Preserve Creek State Park as well.
Danny is still working. And will continue to work.
Be SAFE!
Be Happy!
Love One Another (from a distance)
Love Sarah
Danny was wonderful for most of my birthday. As I mentioned in Part 1, I woke up on Wednesday in a bad mood. It didn’t help that it was gloomy outside. Dark And Cloudy. Humid.
I had trouble shaking off “The MOOD”. I knew a lot of it was because I was missing my dad. It was my first birthday without him.
It doesn’t matter how old a person is, (61 here) they will always want their parents in their lives.
Birthdays are always hard. Bobby and I always spent our birthdays together. Even when he grew up, Bob chose to spend his day with his MOMMA. We usually went to the movies. Then that night we would go to the fondue restaurant in Manitou Springs.
“Our signature 4-course fondue dinner begins with freshly made salad with house-made dressing, followed by cheese fondue served with baked bread, fruits and vegetables. For your entrée, you’ll prepare your selections on a tabletop Swiss Raclette grill and crown your evening with decadent chocolate fondue. Our complete menu is available à la carte including vegetarian and gluten-free options. We also boast an award-winning wine collection featuring a diverse selection of top-rated wines from around the world and exclusive, limited-allocation boutique wines. If you are looking for a delicious and enjoyable fine dining or high class restaurant experience in Colorado Springs, only head west a few more miles and be in awe of our mouth watering selection to choose from.”
I was amazed that Bobby enjoyed going there as much as I did. We had so much fun. We were always remembered because we were the ONLY Mom And Son to go there every year.
We dressed up for it.
It was something we looked forward to all year.
Growing Up my mom always went out for our birthdays.
For years She fixed my favorite Chicken And Dumplings. Angel Food Cake with Strawberries.
Not the Southern Version either. We had big fluffy herbal dumplings with a whole chicken. Carrots , Onions And Peas.
It was heaven on earth.
Then one year, in the early 70’s, I surprised her when I requested FONDUE.
I was thinking of Swiss Cheese Fondue. We had that PLUS a fondue pot for cooking steak and veggies.
She made dips and sauces.
My birthday gift that year was a fondue cookbook.
I was hooked.
I borrowed the above photo.
This was similar to what our table would look like.
My favorite color is RED so the first fondue pot was bright red. We ended up with 2 more. Another red one and a gray one. Mom used a couple of one burner units as well.
My brother, John, never was a fan. He seldom stayed long.
The rest of us, Mom and Dad and my sister Donna, loved these nights.
My Aunt Sandy was often there to. Before she moved to Colorado. Her birthday is the day after mine.
I remember the first time my mom’s parents were there also. Oh what fun we had. Lots of laughter.
December 11, 2019
We went to Lake Wales the theatre there. Watched MIDWAY.
We shared a bucket of BUTTERED POPCORN and had drinks.
We had POPCORN with LAYERS OF BUTTER.
The carousel at THE MALL. It wasn’t running otherwise We would have ridden it.
The following photos were actually taken the night before my birthday when we started celebrating. Danny couldn’t wait to give my my gift. So we had FAMILY TIME. Family Time MEANS Danny and I Plus Baby Girl and Vittles (our 10 year old rabbit)
I loved getting the Graceland Musical Set but wish Danny would realize that I really don’t LIKE his FUNNY cards. LOL
NEVER DELIVERED. I WANT IT BADLY. He’s trying to reorder it.
It was NEVER DELIVERED. I would have known if it had been. My favorite song EVER. It was also Danny’s way of telling me that he loved me.
I also know part of what my Christmas gift will be.
Welcome to the 10th Annual Making Your Home a Haven Bible Study! 10 years ago, we began this series and never could I have imagined how much it would resonate with so many women around the world!
Our souls desperately need a deeper connection with God.
So many times we try to mask our struggles, pain, confusion or emptiness by keeping busy and distracted, eating food, going on vacations, seeking success or elevating certain relationships. While many of these are blessings from God, they are not good substitutes FOR God.
This Bible Study is going to help you slow down.
It is going to force you to pause every day and enter into the presence of our Almighty God through the 4 Spiritual Disciplines of gratitude, meditation, prayer and fasting.
God’s pace is much slower than this world’s pace.
We must slow down to catch up with God.
We must create calm moments in our day because it’s in the unhurried moments, that we can clearly see and hear the voice of God.
Intro Video and Resources for the Making Your Home a Haven Bible Study
Slow down, focus, reflect, and think about God’s Word every day this week.
Keep your candle going and add to it soft music everyday in your home. Choose worship, classical or another form of peaceful music that helps you focus on the Lord.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8)
(Click here to see the video and resources for week 2)
Week 3: Prayer – November 18th
Take time to have deeper and more meaningful times of prayer this week.
Keep your candle burning, the music playing and purchase a small bouquet of flowers for yourself. Let that bouquet be a daily reminder of God’s love and presence with you.
The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16)
Week 4: Fasting – November 25th
You can choose to do a 24 hour fast or fast one meal a day for 7 days in a row or fast for a period of time from something like social media, screen time, shopping or whatever you choose.
Seek out a place of solitude to pray. Get alone with God outside or in your home. Be still with God and fervently pray.
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18)
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1)
{Cue the Confetti!!!}
It’s time to begin the 10th Annual Making Your Home a Haven Bible Study! This week’s spiritual discipline is gratitude! Join me for Week 1’s video as we discuss Living a Life of Gratitude —then pull our your journals and begin!
Week 1 – Gratitude
Jesus died on the cross and rose again for the forgiveness of our sins. Through our faith in Jesus, we have a personal relationship with Him. Our God is personal. Never forget that! He is our creator and He loves us. He knows exactly what is best for us. So, He tells us in His Word to –give thanks.
Giving thanks is an important spiritual discipline that helps open our eyes to the good gifts that God has generously given to us each day.
Interestingly, it is also scientifically proven that listing the things we are grateful for improves our relationships, our mood, our sleep, our hopefulness, our resiliency and our physical and psychological health.
Week 1 – Challenge
Start a daily gratitude list!
Go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home. Each time the glimmer of the candle catches your eye, let it remind you to say a prayer of thanksgiving and a prayer for peace in your home.
I will be starting mine in the morning but you can start yours at dinner time or whenever is convenient for you. I will be placing mine in the kitchen – the main hub of my home. Let’s make our homes feel like a warm hug and a sweet haven all month long!
You see when we do not take the time to tend to our own souls – we have nothing left to give to others. So many times I have found myself busy and running on empty and then I snap – in a moment of frustration and weariness I say or do things that I would never do if I was more rested and connected with the Lord.
And so this month – let’s be intentional! Genesis tells us, God created the heavens and the earth in six days and on the seventh day, He rested.
God stopped!
We are made in God’s image and we need to stop too. Stop and simply light your candle and say a prayer of thanksgiving.
Life has many twists and turns each day. It is very easy to become frazzled and frustrated. In our own strength, we cannot be peaceful and thankful. This is where Christ changes everything! While many things will happen in your home this week that feel out of your control, —there is one constant…
God.
God is with you.
And the flicker of your candle on the counter morning, noon and night will remind you – there is a God who loves you, that you can turn to over and over and over with your stress, struggles, worries and fears.
So let’s begin our gratitude lists now.
Pull out a pen and paper and begin. As you set your pen to the paper – wait on the Lord. Seek God and ask him to show you all the ways he has shown himself to you lately.
Give thanks to God for both the big and small blessings in your life.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8) Welcome back to Week 2 of the Making Your Home a Haven Bible Study! This week’s spiritual discipline is meditation! Join me for Week 2’s video as we discuss How to Meditate —then pull out your journals and begin! Week 1 – Meditation Sometimes I find myself distracted while reading my […]READ MORE
The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16) Welcome back to Week 3 of the Making Your Home a Haven Bible Study! This week’s spiritual discipline is prayer! Join me for Week 3’s video as we discuss Living a Prayer Filled Life —I’m sharing the many ways that we can pray including a peek inside my prayer life and my prayer journals. After listening to the video – I encourage you to pull out your journals and begin! Week 3 – Prayer Finding time to pray is not easy! In the past, I have […]READ MORE
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18) Welcome back to Week 4 of the Making Your Home a Haven Bible Study! If you are wondering, what’s next? I will announce the next Good Morning Girls Bible Study in […]READ MORE
