Flying Within Radar

I've learned something the last couple days, and I have to give thanks to the Lord for what I've learned. Though I didn't learn a lot that I didn't already know, I did learn some different perspectives on things I did think I already knew. You see, I attended a leadership conference, because even if I am only ever a "mother" to my children, I am still a leader to someone. The fact that I will not always be "just" a mother, and the fact that I do in fact influence others pretty regularly, it was a tremendous benefit for me to learn these new perspectives.

Frankly, it didn't matter to me what the denomination of these teachers were, and in fact I still don't know what all of them are. What mattered to me, is that they did teach some biblical truths, even amidst the stuff that is very useful even in the secular world. Among some of the best things I learned these past couple days was how to "light up the radar screen in heaven" with my prayers...

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

This is the "radar screen" that I was shown. A man by the name of Bill Hybels taught on that.

I've talked so many times about the importance of prayer, and being in the Word, but I must confess that I don't follow my own advice, nearly often enough. I want to light up that radar screen all day, every day. So, I have a challenge for you...before I tell you what the challenge is, I have to admit it's not my own idea. It came from another of the speakers at the conference, and regardless of what his denomination is, this was one such teaching, that no one can argue with. The challenge is this, and my husband and I are both taking it...just to see the benefit, and we already are... the challenge is called the 60/60 challenge.

Every day, for 60 days, set a timer to go off every 60 minutes, and when that timer goes off, PRAY!! Or, sit for a few minutes in silence, waiting for the Lord to speak to you. I've only been doing it for a day so far, and I have to say, my outlook on my daily life, my confession of my sins, my ability to stand firm in my faith- and flee from temptation, has already seen a tremendous change. I just want to challenge each of you to try this... can you imagine...if there was such a thing as a real radar screen in heaven, that we lit up every time one of us was in prayer, truly seeking the Lord's will, how many "lights" would show up on that screen?!?!

I don't share this with you, as any sort of pastoral or ministerial thought. I only share this as one of the members of the Body we all belong to. Won't you give it a try??? If you decide to try it (and it's not difficult, I promise) I'd love to hear how it's changing your daily life...Blessings to you all!!!

There is no "MORE" to this post.

A Schedule??? What's That??

Robyn at Overflowing Grace posted the other day about her daily schedule and asked that other SAHMs let her know what their schedule was like. My first response was "Schedule?? What's that??" Then I realized that I do have a schedule. It's just not the same every day. So here is my "schedule" just for her. :)

Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays

6:00- 7:00 am wake up, get coffee, do bible study.
7:00- 7:15 am talk with hubby about coming day and pray with him before he and eldest daughter leave for the day
7:15- 8:15 am feed 3 youngest children, get them ready for school.
8:15- 8:30 am take son and 5 year old to school
8:30- 9:30 am try to blog while 2 year old watches some PBS cartoons
9:30-11:45 am clean kitchen from breakfast, do a load or two of laundry and play with baby.
12:00 noon pick up kindergartener from school
12:15 feed baby and 5 year old lunch
12:30-1:00 pm put baby down for 2 hour nap, help kindergartener with homework
1:00-2:30 read, blog, answer emails, research, bible study
2:30-3:00 pm play time with youngest kids
3:00-4:30 pm do more laundry, clean bathroom, and monitor older kids homework and chores completion
4:30- 5:00pm get spiffied up for hubby's arrival home
5:00- 5:30 pm talk about day with hubby
5:30- 6:30 dinner prep(except on Mondays- dinner is done by 5:45 so kids and hubby can go to BSF until 9:00)
6:30 dinner
7:00 pm bath time for two youngest (bath time is always play time
7:30 pm bedtime with prayers for baby, and time to settle in for 5 year old. (she gets to watch a little TV)
8:00 pm bath time for son- make sure he cleans bathroom and brushes his teeth, and puts away clothes that I washed during the day
8:30 bedtime with prayers for son, bed time and prayers with 5 year old, bath time for oldest daughter. Monitor water usage, make sure she cleans bathroom and puts away clothes I washed during the day.
9:00 bedtime with prayers for oldest daughter
9:00-10:30 pm time with hubby listening to bibilical messages, or talking about day, or both.
10:30 pm shower and bedtime

My schedule for Tuesday varies in that I have a bible study from 9:00 to 11:30 so everything else that usually happens in that time frame gets moved to later. Hubby also has bible study in the evenings so I get to be single mom on that night.

For Wednesday, it's early release day at the elementary school, so Kindergartener gets picked up at 11:15 am. I prepare snacks and room for a small group that meets in my home from 12:00 to 1:30. In the evenings, I have choir practice, and my eldest daughter has High School midweek so dinner must be done earlier.

On most Fridays, our day is as stated above, unless I am in a drama at church. If I do, then I am there from 6:00 to 8:00 in which case hubby does dinner and bath duty. Saturdays, hubby serves as parking attendant at church, so the day is free until 5:00, unless the New Day choir (which I'm in) is on that week, then I have to be at the church by 4:30. On Sundays, our day is full of church related activities. Serving in Children's Ministry for hubby and eldest daughter. Serving in choir, or drams, or Women's Ministry leadership, or Growth Group meetings for me. If we have a Sunday open in which one or both of us is not serving then we spend the day getting caught up in any bible studies we didn't finish during the week, or do something as a family.

Oh, and right here is where I admit that I am addicted to my computer, the blogosphere and all my blogging buddies' blogs, and that I will take any free minute to blog some more, or read their blogs. :)

Unfortunately for my family, we're such a large family that there isn't alot of room for surprises. But then again, maybe I'm just not very organized. I try, but being organized is too much work. :) In the words of Beth Moore, I am an ADD housekeeper. (She said that about herself, but I agree about myself.)