Simple Spaces - The Master Bathroom

I am so excited to introduce a new topic on my blog!   I was going to share my first post in February, but I got so motivated that I couldn't wait.  In keeping with my new Housekeeping Mission Statement for 2013, "This home is a peaceful, simply organized, warm and inviting sanctuary..." I am focusing on the "simply organized part.  Each week I will pick an area of my home to clean, sort, organize and simplify. 

Last week I chose the Master Bathroom.  It's been bugging me for a while.  The spaces under the counter were crowded and the drawers were overflowing with an assortment of things that have collected since we lived here.  The before and after pictures sort of tell all.

Before - under my sink

Before the simplifying process there were lotions and shampoos and other hair products and misc. items all thrown under the sink together.  I took everything out, wiped down the surface, and started sorting.  Honestly, a lot of it was garbage.  I had to really consider whether or not I was ever going to use some of it again and if not, get rid of it.  I gathered all the jewelry together and sorted through all the makeup.  I put the jewelry in a container that I bought, and the makeup that I keep separate for special occasions in a travel bag.  The basket holds all of my manicure items/hand lotions.  (I like to pamper myself from time to time.)


After - under my sink

One of my biggest frustrations in the morning used to be how hard it was to find anything in my bathroom drawer.  Hair bands, makeup, glasses case and more were all one big jumbled mess! (As you can plainly see.)


Before - my drawer

 Again, I took everything out of the drawer and wiped down the inside.  As I was removing things I put away any makeup that wasn't being used on a daily basis, found a home for all my hair bands and bobby pins, and threw out any garbage.  Then I began to sort through what was left.  There wasn't much to put back in the drawer.  I don't know why I didn't do this sooner!  MUCH better!


After - my drawer

As with my menu planning, I find inspiration from other bloggers.  Two of my favorite organizing blogs are I'm an Organizing Junkie, and the organizing section of Clover Lane.  Sometimes you just need a little extra encouragement to "jump start" the organizing process.  But once you start, I can tell you from experience, it's addicting! 

I can hardly wait to share my next simple space with you.  My goal is to de-clutter as much as possible in 2013.  What kind of organizing projects are you working on in your home?  I'd love to hear from you!



Homekeeping Mission statement 2013

We've been talking about setting up a "real world housekeeping schedule" over at Home Sanctuary.  Last week Rachel Anne walked us through several simple steps of putting together a reasonable plan that fits our current lifestyle and allows time to "breathe," which is her theme of the year.

I have to say, I've been tweaking mine, and adding to it, and moving things around to see where they best fit in to my own simple plan.  Every day I seem to realize something that I forgot to schedule in and I am tempted to make things more complicated and difficult on myself.  But I have to remember that it is not about having an immaculate house, it's about turning this place we call home into a sanctuary. 

When we were done creating our schedule at the end of last week, I asked Rachel Anne to re-visit the small thing of writing a homekeeping mission statement.  I wrote one years ago when I started following along with the Small Things, and then again in 2011.  That was before we moved here, so I wanted to make sure that mission statement still fit my current season.  I didn't change it all that much, just tweaked a few words and re-wrote it in the present tense.   I like how Rachel Anne did that with hers...it had a nice ring to it.

Here's my final draft:

"Our home is a peaceful, simply organized, warm and inviting sanctuary. It is a safe haven where relationships are valued and unconditional love and acceptance are shown. We strive together to maintain a reasonable housekeeping schedule and share responsibilities to keep clutter at bay.  It is creatively decorated and affordably furnished to provide a relaxing living environment for our family and all who pass through our doors."    


I think it really reflects how I feel about what I desire our atmosphere to be here at home.  When I wrote my mission statement two years ago, I had the "three legged stool" in mind that Rachel Anne so lovingly refers to on her blog: peace, order, and beauty.



(This artwork is courtesy of Rachel Anne Ridge at homesanctuary.com)

Now all I have to do is to carry out my mission statement one small thing at a time!

"By wisdom a house is built,
And by understanding it is established;
And by knowledge the rooms are filled
With all precious and pleasant riches."
-Proverbs 24:3-4

 



SSMT Verse 2

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." -Galatians 5:1

This is the verse I am working on for the next two weeks.  Here's what it speaks to my heart:

1. It was for freedom that Christ set us free - well, duh.  In Galatians 2:21 Paul says "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing."  It is by grace we are saved, through faith in Christ. (Eph.2:8)  If we could have been saved and reconciled to God through the Law, then He wouldn't have sent His son to die on the cross for our sins.

2. Keep standing firm - you know how sometimes you feel so confident and then all of a sudden you feel as if you slipped on a banana peel?  Maybe it's just me.  In order to keep standing firm, I have to constantly be in the Word, praying, and spending time with God.  I also have to surround myself with other people that can encourage me in my walk with Him.  It's when I start to believe that I am strong enough on my own that I slip and fall. Which brings me to #3...

3. Do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery - Paul is not talking about slavery in a literal sense here under another person.  He's talking about being subject to the law, rather than relying on grace and righteousness in Christ.  I am a rules girl.  I always have been.  So give me a list and I'll follow it.  It's both a blessing and a curse in my life.  I want a magic recipe for a perfect life.  The problem is, there is no perfect life.  There is only grace and forgiveness.  I can't expect to be the perfect wife, mother, and homemaker just by following a set of rules and guidelines.  For me, that would be what Paul is referring to as a "yoke of slavery."

Christ said "Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

The yoke of Christ in exchange for the yoke of slavery.  That sounds pretty good to me.  I no longer have to rely on my own strength, but I can rest in the freedom that Christ has given me.

So that's what God has been speaking to my heart through His Word this week.  How is He speaking to you?  I'd love to hear from you!

Blessings,
Melissa 

Think Small

I know, I know...you've always been taught in life to "think big!"  That's not the case here.  In fact, when I started this blog I was thinking small.  "Small Things," that is!

Several years ago I was feeling rather defeated when it came to keeping my home clean.  Hey, I was just trying to remember to breath with a new baby and four more small children clamoring at my feet for my attention!  But then a friend showed me Rachel Anne's blog, Home Sanctuary.  She helped me have an entire new outlook on being a homemaker. 

As an at home mom, I felt the pressure to always keep my home clean, have delicious meals on the table and make sure everyone was taken care of.  Do you detect a hint of perfectionism in there?  Well, I was setting myself up for failure. 

Rachel Anne made me realize that building sanctuary in my home is not about everything being perfect.  It's not about a spotless kitchen, or gourmet food.  It's the Small Things that make sanctuary happen.  With her help, I've learned that Sanctuary is a three-legged stool, made up of Peace, Order, and Beauty.  It takes all of those things together to make my home a safe haven for my family and all who enter here. So after reading a few of her posts, I joined the Company Girls and dug in!

I've learned a lot as I've followed along with the small things since that first day.  I've made friendships and won prizes and cheered on other Company Girls.  I made it through some really tough times and blogged about some exciting victories.   With a little effort and a LOT of prayer, I've come a long way on my journey to sanctuary.

But my journey is far from over.

Now I'm in a new season in my life.  All of my kids are in school (grades K-6), and I've gone back to work part time.  My schedule looks way different here at home, but I'm still striving towards sanctuary.  Every day I remind myself to just breathe.  It's the theme over at Home Sanctuary for 2013.  Take it one small thing at a time.

Rachel Anne extended the invitation so wonderfully that I'm going to now pass that invitation on to you.

I'm inviting you to find that part of yourself that longs to come home to a place that is uniquely "you" and comforts your soul as soon as you walk in the door. I'm inviting you to give up the silly notion of "perfection" and embrace the deep truth that "Home is Sanctuary," no matter how big or small, fancy or plain. It is the place where you create history, find your faith, accept each other's flaws, and give one another strength. It is where you'll find beauty and grace in everyday dishes, tossed backpacks and mismatched socks. It IS there....even if you don't see it right now. I'll show you.

 

 So think small in 2013!  Come join the Company Girls and simply Breathe.

Siesta Scripture Memory Team Verse 1

If you're wondering what in the world Siesta Scripture Memory Team is, you should check out Beth Moore's post on the Living Proof Ministries Blog here.  She can explain it much better than I can!    The short explanation is that I am commiting to memorizing two verses a month with thousands of other women across the world!  I'm excited to say that this is my third time participating with the SSMT.  I look forward to discovering what treasures God has for me to discover and memorize from His Word in 2013.

Here's my verse #1:

"And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you." -Psalm 9:10 NASB

And then there's this verse, which she suggested if those participating didn't already have one in mind:

"You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance."  -Psalm 65:11 NIV

Happy New Year!  I look forward to getting back to blogging more in days to come. :)