The part-time homesteader

After the holidays, my weight was in an upward trend while my health was in a downward trend. I'm sure I'm not alone — maybe my dryer really did shrink my jeans??

Let me tell you, though, gluten, processed foods, sugar and refined carbohydrates are not my friends.

At my low point, I fainted after church when my blood sugar plummeted. Jonathan revived me with milk and peanut butter. It was a blood sugar roller coaster there for a while, though.

And there's more: eczema, infertility, mood swings, insomnia, etc. As for me and my family, we've had enough.

I'm presently toiling over a dilemma as old as time. I'm a working mom (albeit part-time work). I still spend every day wishing I could have done more. Nothing brings me more pleasure than watching my family — especially Nora — enjoy a healthy and delicious meal prepared by me.

I wish I could be on a few acres of land raising some of my own food. I've already named my goat. I can taste the goat cheese. I can't wait to process my first chicken. I want a grove of fruit trees and a sprawling garden. I want to go to bed exhausted every day with dirt under my fingernails.

My coworker talked me into ordering a Mennonite cookbook. That's when you know you're all in!

First rule of motherhood is simple, though: Do what you can and let go of the rest. As a Christian, I am working on finding contentment in Christ alone. That doesn't mean I can't set goals for the things within my power to accomplish.

I did a gluten detox for 10 days and dropped a few pounds and got my blood sugar back under control. I'm doing my best to limit processed foods. We've been using the Nutri Bullet my parents got me for Christmas to make healthy morning smoothies packed with nutrients. I've made homemade apple sauce. I've been making my own chicken bone broth. I want to explore the idea of eating local foods.

There are some limitations, presently. My home in the city doesn't have ideal space for a garden. I'm not supposed to have farm animals. I'm looking for a workable solution to this, but we love our home, so we're not sure what to do.

For now, I'm calling myself a part-time homesteader. Every day I'm reading more about what that entails. I'm building a community of like-minded people who can encourage me and share their knowledge. I'm doing what I can in the hours provided me. I'm also always on the lookout for your tips, recipes and proposed solutions. If you've got them, please message me!

God bless!


PS I laugh when I watch this commercial, because it reminds me of my tendency to turn to extremes. If you can't laugh at yourself....

Encouragement

My church is in a period of transition — at times painful — and so is my community group (again!). In general, I don't have to look far to find evil, suffering and death.

But, for the Christian, even when we suffer we suffer with hope. We know that even as the squishy parts of us get gouged out by this world, He will fill us up with Himself. And, over time, we become more Him than us and can bear all things. To God be the glory.

God is constant and unchanging. His mercies are new each morning. Philippians 2 has been my constant source of encouragement:

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Give them Grace

Our recent Florida vacation afforded me time to start reading the first of those Christian parenting books you all recommended. I just finished Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus, by Elyse Fitzpatrick, and I highly recommend it to Christians with kids or who want kids — heck, there was so much Gospel in this book that I recommend it to those people who don't even know Jesus.

This book was all about the irresistible love of Christ and His inexplicable grace for us. Staring hard into the plan of redemption and salvation will change your heart — certainly the way you parent. The book had encouraging quotes like, "Believe that God is strong enough to save your children, no matter how you fail."

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2Corinthians2:9

The authors talk about two kinds of children: The rule follower and rule breaker and how each equally need Jesus. I am the oddball who identifies with both of these. I grew up trying to please my parents by following all the rules. I worked so hard at attaining my own salvation that, when that plan failed, I opted for rebellion. So, quotes from this book like, "She needs to hear that her desire to prove her own worthiness is one of the greatest hindrances to faith that she'll ever face," really speaks to the ache that remains in my heart from trying so hard to be God.

"Jesus Christ loves both rule breakers and rule keepers. And because of his Son's perfect obedience, both of them can be called 'beloved sons.' When the believing rule breaker sins he can look up and say, 'Jesus is my righteousness.' And when the believing rule keeper realizes her self-righteousness, she too can look up and say, 'Jesus is my righteousness.'"

I loved that the book examined what scripture says about parenting and discipline. What the book didn't do was give us legalists another list of rules to abide by to make our children perfect (darn it!). Law doesn't breed obedience and love. Which is where that grace thing comes in.

I feel guilty when I spend my five minutes of down time a day reading something other than the Bible. I didn't feel guilty reading this book because it was rich with God's word. My only complaint about the book is that some of the conversations given as examples of what parents could say to their disobedient children to point them to the gospel are a little unreasonable (even if the things they said were true). In the author's defense, she does basically point that out herself, though.

Hopefully without giving away too much, their advice for Christian parenting boils down to this:

"I would love them, discipline them, and tell them about Jesus."

Also, we'd do well to remember that we are "partners in grace" with our "dearly loved sinners."

As this week draws to a close I can't help but think how different a place I am finishing this book than when I was reading it from my beach cottage. If only life could keep that pace. I loved spending the extra time with my family. I must learn to prioritize them. And, on that note, there are some changes coming for my family, but I'm going to make you wait for my next blog post!

By the Book

Books have shaped who I am as a person. Obviously, I believe in the power of the written word, or I wouldn't be a journalist! There are many reasons why I read — for understanding, escapism or simply to bask in the presence of literary genius (I call it research!).

Without further adieu, here are 10 of my favorite books/authors (I narrowed the list from 1 million – you’re welcome!), and the reason why I feel you should read them:

10. Mere Christianity — C.S. Lewis

Everyone should read a book by C.S. Lewis, if for no other reason than to try to wrap your head around how smart this man was! It makes me sad that this kind of intellectual prowess is virtually extinct. Lewis says profound statements about the Christian faith.

9. Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will – Kevin DeYoung

Read this. And then gift this to every graduate you encounter. Better yet, gift this book to everyone you meet. It’s truly a liberating read that dispels erroneous notions that we’re to wait to find out God’s will before we act or make decisions. Where is faith in that? We already know God’s will: Be Holy like Jesus, by the power of the Spirit for the Glory of God! Amen!

8. Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream — David Platt

My wonderful community group at Four Corners is wading into this book right now. Platt aims to remind Christians that the “American Dream” often runs in direct contradiction to the Gospel. We’re not to make much of ourselves, we’re to give everything to make much of Him.

7. Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions — Greg Koukl

Ever wondered how to share Christianity with a non-believer? This book is an invaluable resource for the Christian ambassador, just as the title implies.

6. The Case for Life — Scott Klusendorf

Never have I read a more articulate, logical argument for protecting the lives of the unborn. Period. I challenge you to read this book and not give credence to these scientific and philosophical arguments against abortion.

5. Atonement — Ian McEwan

Everyone should read something over his or her head. Consider it a challenge. Plus, I think this author is one of our time’s truest literary geniuses.

4. Vintage Jesus — Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breshears

Your guide to understanding Jesus as fully man and fully God. Ever had a question about Jesus? It will likely be answered in this book with sound, scriptural doctrine. As a bonus, the authors are funny and the information is presented in an understandable format.

3. The Prince of Tides — Pat Conroy

It’s a masterful novel woven together with human emotion — not to mention that Conroy is one of the most prolific southern authors of our time. You marry his characters for a season, and I always grieve the end of a Conroy book. He says simple, yet profound things that resonate in your soul.

2. A Confederacy of Dunces — John Kennedy Toole

Funniest. Book. Ever. If you don’t laugh until you cry reading this book, you’re probably not smart enough to understand its humor. It is packed FULL of hilariously witty one-liners in case you ever need to belittle someone in the most artful way imaginable.

1. The Bible — God

Read it and re-read it for as long as you’re alive. You'll never outgrow it or graduate away from its life-changing message, which is summarized in the person and work of Jesus Christ.