Rural Simplicity

Christmas weekend is finally over. Wow! was it long, busy, and fun! We had four family get togethers between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and a 5th one two weeks prior. Not to mention self bought Christmas items from shopping the day after Christmas clearance sales! Talk about needing some more closet space. 3 days later and I'm still procrastinating about finding homes for everything. It will take a major overhaul to find a home for each gift and blessing.  And this isn't all of it...  We are excited to host the family New Year's Eve party this year (which as you all know comes six short days after Christmas!). I have a hugemungo list broken down into each day and section so I make sure everything gets done and finds a home before the second round of festivites. I made my list yesterday and woke up this morning thinking about getting the first of many loads of laundry on and hoping my two year would stay in bed a teeny bit longer so I could take a quick, pea

If you missed Part 1 of this series, you can find it here . Last time, I gave you details on how to have a vision retreat. Today, I want to show you our schedule  of what we actually did and some fun pictures. Our destination was Columbus, Ohio - a short 3 hour drive (in comparison to our monthly 10 hour trek with a 2 year old). We pricelined a Hyatt Regency in the middle of downtown for a total of 3 nights. We were told 3-5 days is recommend for a thorough retreat, so we left Thursday evening after work and came home Sunday evening. I thought it was the perfect amount of time, although we did not complete every question. Vision Retreat Schedule THURS. 17th …   - Leave from office @ 6:00pm.    - Bring/eat dinner on the way  - work on VR material  - Arrive at hotel 9:00pm / stay in FRIDAY 18th …  - up 7:30am  - breakfast (brought and in room)  - work on VR material  - Short North     + eat lunch/ work on VR material  - ice skating 3:45pm-5

Have you ever heard of a vision retreat? Do you have a failing marriage? a good marriage? lots of kids? no kids? grandkids? It really doesn't matter, because the retreat is geared for the couple and whatever season of life they are in.   In summary a vision retreat is a time when you and your spouse get away from the usual, the kids, the house, etc... 3-5 days is best. Balance your time between discussion and relaxing fun, and make sure to never leave a discussion unresolved. You will cover things like core beliefs, child training, finances, etc...  My husband and I just came home from our first vision retreat, You can find the details on this post.   Here is a book I recommend written by Jimmy and Karen Evans . It is a workbook with 1) Ways to prepare for the vision retreat 2) Step by step questions for the vision retreat. You can buy the ebook and just use a notebook to record your answers or buy the hard copy and write it in.  Buy the book here The booklet

The older one gets, the more experiences they have had, and the more things they own. And when it comes time to get that special someone a gift we often come up short of something meaningful or useful. Our parents tend to hit this stage once the last of the children are out of the house and they are ready to downsize - not acquire more. So here is a list of items that might help you think of the perfect gift. ( but did you know that some people who say they don't want anything for Christmas really mean it? just make sure they really do before you skip on their holiday treat this year!)  1) Family photo - parents are always low on recent family photos. (Especially of the grandkids!) 2) Gift cards to their favorite restaurant or coffee shop 3) Freezer meals 4) Favorite candy or snack 5) Craft/ornament from the grandkids 6) Things that run out - stamps, notecards and envelopes, tea, coffee, perfume, etc... 7) Lessons, you can give them lessons or vice versa

We are about to start a names of God study in Sunday school, and it reminded me of a poem I wrote many years ago. The Names of God Molder, Creator - Maker of all things. Goodness and mercy to all He brings.  Abba, Father - Child of God.  Hold my hand through life's facade.  Friend, Brother - Always listens to my woe,  Takes his sword to kill my foe.  Shepherd, Lamb - carer of sheep, Gude me through the water deep. Bearer of the Cross - forgiver of sins, Salvation, on my repentance depends Saviour, Redeemer - lifter of hearts,  Shelter and keep me from the world, set apart.  Awesome, Almighty - God of all things,  Glory and honor and praises I'll sing.  What names of God have you studied or reflected on recently? This is a never ending poem, what lines would you add? Sarah

Here is a quick story with a great moral. Enjoy! Flawsome’s Failures Flawsome was a nice little goose. She was small and white and had a lovely personality. She loved to sing while washing in the pond and very seldom was she not whistling as she waddled here and there across the yard. But Flawsome wasn’t the smartest goose. She was always trying to be like the other animals.  One bright and cheery Tuesday morning just as the sun was rising, Jack the rooster flew to the peak of the barn and “cock-a-doodle-doo!” Flawesome was inspired – “what an exciting thing to do”. So up she flew to the top of the barn. But Flawsome’s feet weren’t made to hang tight onto the barn… Whoosh! Off she slide down the roof and into the air – Thud! But, not to be discouraged, Flawsome decided that Jack did good enough at his job and she would leave it to him to wake everyone up. As  Flawsome waddled across the yard she noticed Albert the pig rolling in the mud. Flawsome stepped a little close