Christian Homekeeping

I finally organized all my printed recipes into ONE binder, yes a very big binder!  I've been meaning to do this for a long time but only made the time this past week.  I do plan on organizing even further later when I type of copies of my favorite recipes in my cookbooks and print those out.  At that point, I will need another big binder most likely.  I also have some really old recipes in a cabinet that I no longer make (fatty food) and I may pull those out and type them up and print as well.  That way, if my daughter wants my recipes, she can have a digital copy and print her own one day.  I even have tons of recipes on my computer that I've never printed out or even tried before.  But that's for another day!





Here are the categories I made:

Chicken
Turkey
Beef
Beans
Meatless
Pasta
Sides
Snacks
Breads
Breakfasts
Beverages
Desserts
Other
Household
Health

I've learned that whether or not you are a Christian, there is a law that seems to happen that whenever the man and woman step into their proper roles - the result is a blessing.  I dare you to try it.  I've done this for 20 years!  If the man fulfills his Godly role of being the provider and the head of the home and loving his wife as Christ loved the church and the woman fulfills her Godly role of being the keeper at home and in submission to her husband and respects him and his decisions - you can't help but be blessed!!

During this time of quarantine we can see so many women acting like they are literally dying by 1. Being home and 2. Being home with their kids.  These women are so unaware of what they were made for.  Their children FEEL that they are unwanted, I know because I was one of them with a mother like that.  Let me tell you something women that are like this, listen to me and listen close.  It is time for you to SURRENDER.  You are called to sacrifice yourself for your husband and children.  You can't be selfish, it will only hurt the ones you are supposed to love the most - your family.  Let go and surrender your agenda and serve your family!

We are called to a life of service as women.  We can't let our own pursuits take over to the point that we are serving self and neglecting not only the very people we are responsible for; our children; but the very thing we are created for!

After 20 years of living on one income and being in my role as a woman and my husband in his as a man, I can look back and see the wonderful law of blessing that God has put upon this type of unity.  It's as if no matter how 2-income couples try their hardest to get ahead, they have to work extra hard for it than we did.  Sometimes God has just handed us things on a platter for free.  Was it just because we were His children?  I don't think so because I know unsaved couples that saw this law of blessing performed in their lives because of the proper unity of roles.  There is just something about obeying the natural roles that applies to everyone!

In reality, the "law" is actual obedience to God's Word and thereby comes the blessing.  God created us in the roles He did and they work in perfect unity when performed and if we do the opposite, we can't expect that this law of blessing will reside upon us because we are in disobedience.  It's time to get this law of blessing working in your family today!  No career is worth disobeying God for and neglecting your home, husband and children.  Disobeying this very basic role for which you are made is only going to hurt you and that, quite possibly, for all eternity.

My life is virtually the exact same as before this pandemic, minus missing physical church services and going shopping other than groceries.  Life has actually been way busier for me as I'm cooking and baking more to utilize what we have on hand to meet our cravings.

Some things I made (all homemade) worthy of note were: Cincinnati chili, Pintos/Onions/Potato Stew, Chicken/Kielbasa Jambalaya and then for desserts - blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls.

We had purchased the last 2 years of homeschool curriculum for our daughter, grades 11 and 12.  I now have materials to school Preschool-12th grade in this house.  I had no idea how I was going to fit these new books on our already full shelves, there just wasn't any room.  I also have several bookshelves downstairs of non-homeschool books.  Here was the dilemma:

The new books needing a home:


The lack of space to store them:



Those toy food items with prices on them are our math "store" right now.  You can see I have no space to put anything else.  But, I knew with organization and God, anything is possible!  Prayers go a long way as you will soon see.

I also had our craft cabinet in the garage since we moved here, 3 1/2 years ago almost.  I really wanted it in the house and specifically in the homeschool room.  Just didn't think it was possible..  Well, I moved the small bookshelf beside the desk work area and them moved the easel where the bookshelf was AND my husband brought up the white craft cabinet.



Now, tell me how is it possible that I actually brought MORE stuff into the homeschool room, yet I condensed it, even have leftover empty containers AND space opened up on my bookshelves to fit the new books?  If that wasn't enough - it literally feels like we have more space in here!




There is still a lot more organizing I want to do of the things on the black bookshelves and I may even be able to bring in our science supplies that are in the garage!  I also plan to put a big bulletin board or posters on the wall by the bathroom, where I currently have the human body sticker poster.

I can take any child, any age, any grade and school them in this room!  I thank God for that ability.  I have less than 12 years of schooling for my son, 2 1/2 years left with my daughter and then hopefully more with children God will give us through adoption.  It has been a long journey since we started but the Lord has been with us all the way!  We're almost to the finish line with our daughter!!

14 years ago we bought a used dryer for $99 and well... it caught on fire and thankfully the Holy Spirit nudged me to go check the dryer, ok, several nudges before I finally listened - to save the house just in the time!  It burned the back wires, thermostat, element and metal before I turned it off.  The top of the dryer was so hot, I almost burned my hand.  We were going to fix it but the appliance repair said it was too dangerous and to get a new one.

Since it took a few days to deliver, I took the opportunity to do a deep cleaning on my laundry room.  I cleaned everything - like look at the dirty wire racks:


Nice and clean now:


We still have the washing machine we bought 14 years ago used too, I think its from the 80's originally.  All we've had to replace was the dogs (hooks in the agitator) and those are $3.


I got the rug in New Mexico, I would decorate my whole house in this decor if I could!  Absolutely love New Mexico!