The second part of the goal setting challenge at Total Woman Tuesdays is to break down our annual goals into measurable and attainable short-term goals. I sort of did this when I came up with my goals, so here is the ways in which I'm going to meet my goals:

1. I have grown closer to the Lord:

a) Read P31 daily devotional (find another daily devotional)
b) Attend our Young Marrieds and Women’s bible studies
c) Read Christian blogs
d) Read the New Testament
e) Pray for / find a mentor

2. I have become Matt's helper:

a) Read The Power of a Praying Wife daily
b) Read Created to be his Helpmeet before Matt’s birthday
c) Ask Matt specific prayer needs
d) Pray for his protection as he's on the road and in the courts / jails.
e) Keep a clean house, which includes ironing without complaining
f) Cook by making one dinner / dessert out of bon appétit
g) Plan a monthly date night

3. I have built up our savings:

a) Clean Amy's house
b) $50 from every paycheck into savings
c) Talk over purchases with Matt before spending
d) Stick to the budget!
e) Find a second source of extra income

4. I have maintained a healthy lifestyle:

a) Workout everyday on my lunch hour
b) Start running (with Matt, I hope)
c) Eat only one or two sweets a week; nothing more
d) Read six ‘fun’ books
e) Learn how to can fruits and veggies

5. I have helped another woman / wife find their self worth:

a) Pray for God’s will with women’s ministries as I’m not entirely sure what God has in store
b) Be involved with Westgate Women’s ministry team
c) Attend eWomen’s conference in the fall

Goal Setting

I'm joining up with Brittany, one of my favorite bloggers, for her newest mini-series. She's challenged us to name five goals we would like to be true of us a year from now. I have had many goals throughout my life, but the ones that include my heavenly father, my husband / family, and finances have been at the top of my list for a while. Some of them are similar to Brittany's which is why I think I enjoy her blog.

In no particular order, my five goals are:
1. I have grown closer to the Lord. I plan to achieve this by reading His word everyday, book by book, and meditating on his word.

2. I have become Matt's helper. I believe that God created Eve to be Adam's helper and I want to live this out in and outside of our home, for my husband. Outside of the home, I plan to do this by reading The Power of a Praying Wife everyday (lifting Matt up in prayer), asking Matt what his specific prayer needs are each day, and praying for his protection as he's on the road and in the courts / jails. In the home, I plan to keep a clean house, learn to be a better cook, and smile / laugh when he's around.

3. I have build up our savings. I plan to do this by sticking with the budget we came up with and not spending money frivolously. I will work hard at saving the money from cleaning Amy's house to put into the savings.

4. I have maintained a healthy lifestyle. I plan to do this by continuing to workout everyday on my lunch hour and start running (with Matt, I hope). I also want to gain control over my sweet addiction and cut down to one or two sweets a week; nothing more.

5. I have helped another woman / wife find their self worth. This has always been a passion of mine. I plan to do this by speaking God's truth, showing God's word and love to other women, and becoming a friend. I desperately want other women to feel worthy of God's calling on their lives and to live up to their potential with His help. I am not entirely sure what God has in store with this, but I do know through prayer I will follow His will.

If you'd like to join us in this mini-series, share your goals! *I'd say "link-up" but I don't know how to do that on my blog, yet. I'm a work in progress.*

Happy Total Women Tuesday Ladies!!

Love your neighbor

"For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:14

An email from my dad this morning:
A Holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, 'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.' The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.

In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, Which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell.'

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.

The holy man said, “I don't understand.” “It is simple,” said the Lord. “It requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other. The greedy think only of themselves.”

Another one bites the dust...

Last year, many marriages around us seemed to fall apart. Of those we saw on the rocks only one couple is still living together, yet they don’t share the same bed and divorce is a word uttered often. Watching them fall apart doesn’t sit well with my soul. It makes me wonder how they got there and confused as to why they didn’t fight for each other. It causes me to doubt marriage and love and relationships and, I’m embarrassed to say it, God.
This past week, I’ve learned that one more marriage is over. Separated for a year, both hearts are broken or hardened to the other. Thoughts of hatred fill their heads instead of a glimpse of reconciliation. They are moving on, seeing other people and ‘happier now than ever before.’ I learned of this broken marriage and cried. Oh Lord, how can this be??

I know that it can be tough at times. We have an enemy who wants us to fail. In the heat of the moment, Satan loves to bring awful thoughts to the surface. He laughs as tempers flare, harsh words are said, tears shed and doors slammed. He rejoices as one more divorce attorney is called, knowing that his hold on this couple is good and tight. I look at these couples, once happy and in love, friends who’ve now become strangers and I cringe to think that one more number to add to the ever increasing divorce rate.

Then, I have days like today! Days when God leads me through His word, arming me with a weapon the devil has no power over. Sweet memories of our wedding day fill my heart. I twirl my wedding ring and thoughts of the man I’m crazy about drown out Satan’s temptations. The Lord leads me to write down verses on index cards, read words of those who have weathered the storm, and gives me prayers for my husband, for myself, and for our marriage. He reminds me to remain in Him (John 15:4), seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33) take captive every thought (2 Corinthians 10:5) and think on things that are pure, lovely, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

When I open God’s word I am reminded that we do have an enemy who has come to kill, steal, and destroy, but I am also aware the Lord has give me authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19) and, with that authority, I’m going to fight against anything that tries to destroy what God has put together.

I will forever carry The Power of a Praying Wife with me. My copy is ‘loved’ with a binding that is shot but it talks about the number one weapon we have against the one who has come to kill, steal, and destroy. In the first chapter at the bottom of one of the first pages, Stormie Omartian urges us to say “I will not allow anything destroy my marriage.” Today, as I think about that marriage broken, I will say that out loud for all to hear.

*Please excuse my play on words with the title.*

This old house

We live in a fabulous home! It's been such a blessing in our young married lives to have the opportunity to live in my husband's grandpa's unoccupied home. This house is one of the neatest places I've lived in since I left home. I just love it! It has lots of character and history; such a wonderful story to tell those who will take the time to stop and listen. There are pictures of generations before us hanging on the walls & adorning the mantle. The antique furniture has hosted many a family gathering and the wood trim has heard much laughter and supported a few tears.

Lately though, all of the love that I have for these vintage walls hasn't been able to keep joy/contentment in this Exton household, especially not in this female mind. When I have bad days, I so want to chalk it up to living in a borrowed home, stating that my soul is stuck in 'unrest' because I want to be free to nest, I long for beautifully decorated bedrooms and a kitchen with countertops (and a dishwasher), I can almost see then day when we slip off our robes and climb into the giant cozy king bed... Oh, I'm getting carried away in my dreams again!

A conversation about bringing home a new baby or hearing about new curtains another girlfriend bought always comes right before "the look..." You might not know the one I'm talking about, but it's always followed with a "you've got to get out of that house!" My sin snickers as my thoughts agree. "Why AM I still in this ancient house?" I wallow in it for a little bit and I may even stir up a fight because my needs are not being met and why should I have to suffer this way.

Then something happens. I see the picture of my grandparents dancing together next to the sewing of unfinished projects. The Magic Chef oven assists in yet another baking project and thoughts of Grandma Koch run through my mind. As I'm walking down the stairs with a load of laundry, the basket hits the drapes, knocks off a piece of the plastic curtain rod and we belly laugh as George plays with it.

I realize that 'paint the walls red' girl is still there, waiting to be let lose on her own house, but I do not want to lose site of the the lessons learned since we've been here. I treasure the conversations I have with God while doing the dishes (and staring at the catholic church next to us). I want to always remember the dinners we've had, both bad (made by me) and FAB-U-LOUS (made be 'the chef'), and the laughs we've shared in our little breakfast nook. The walks we take in the evenings. The neighbors we've met. The St. Catherine's festivals we've survived. The feeling of being "just the three of us in this old house."

So, when I next see "the look" I pray that I can remember I'm right where God wants me, living out His will for my life, and nothing could be better.

God is Good!!

Wait a minute… it’s June. How did that happen!?!? Wasn’t it just cold and rainy? And, I swear that I was sporting one of my favorite sweaters just last week. Where did this heat come from?? It’s been in the high 80’s this week in OH. The dog is panting so hard he’s about to give himself an asthma attack. And let’s not even talk about the sweat rolling down my legs as I wash those darn dinner dishes. PHEW, I’m tired just thinking about the heat. (I need a minute)

Beginning year number three in a house with not many modern updates, you learn to live differently. No dishwasher means I must be disciplined in staying on top of chores as I resist the urge to sit in front of the TV after dinner. Walking to the basement for our everyday shower means that I must get over my fear of creepy crawlers as I put on my robe and slippers to head downstairs. No central air means that I must be transformed and get creative… summer heat is NOT the enemy!!

Thankfully Matt put the window unit in Monday, with a little help from me, and our bedroom feels as good as walking into an icebox, if that’s even possible. Oh, it is so refreshing! At the end of the day, we sit on the couch hot and sticky, not moving and forget about the joy of snuggling, as we watch that massive TV (we had to buy) and enjoy the Direct TV (we had to get). Then, we travel upstairs for bedtime and BAM! Life changing, mood altering, sweet refreshing C-O-L-D.

Honestly, just like that, when you open the door you are reborn. Have you ever had moments like that in your life? Today I am reminded of God’s word in Matthew 7:7 as I think about opening that door at night. When it gets close to bedtime and the show starts to wind down, I get a little anxious as I think about the icebox that has become our bedroom. I say a little prayer before I ascend the stairs, “Please God, make it cold, cold, cold tonight.” With each step I take, my heart beats faster as the excitement wells up in me, “Oh Lord, this is going to be good!” And, when I put my hand on that door handle I’m almost jumping out of my skin as I think “Open Sesame!” Ah… God is oh so goo-oo-ood!!

Do you know something else that’s like that life changing, mood altering, sweet refreshing feeling… prayer. Stormie Omartian describes the POWER of prayer as “laying down all claim to power in you and of yourself, and relying on God’s power to transform… It (can be) a gentle tool of restoration… It’s a way to invite God’s power into your life.”

Today, I start month number eighteen of reading The Power of a Praying Wife. This book has taught me the importance and power of prayer, saved our marriage, and brought me closer to my heavenly father than I ever thought possible. If you don’t have this book on your bookshelf, I urge you to check it out. You won’t be sorry you did!

A huge thanks to Missie over at Thirsty for my new gift. Go check out her blog!!

Domestic... sort of

When we were married almost two years ago, I didn't know how to cook anything other then pasta and the sauce was definitely out of the jar (don't tell my dad!). Let me back up... when we registered for wedding gifts I was way more into selecting exquisite fine china, cute pink and brown luggage for the honeymoon, and a vacuum then I ever was about mixers, casserole dishes, and dutch ovens. I could have cared less what came into the kitchen as long as it was the right color and could be stored nice and neat.

I did get a book full of recipes at my mother-in-law's shower but I was more into the sentimental value and stories behind the chosen recipes; I wasn't too interested in using them for heaven sakes!

Now, here I sit at the kitchen table smelling the white chicken chili I whipped up after work, simmering on the stove top as I wait for my cupcakes to cool so I can fill and frost with the lemon strawberry frosting sitting in the fridge made from scratch... WHAT?!?! Who is this girl, how does she know what to do with the *fabulous Magic Chef a few feet away and she made what from scratch? *still more interested in the decor then really what it does

Yes, the girl who never asked her mamma a cooking or baking question and only stayed in the kitchen long enough to clean dishes is turning domestic and loving every minute of it!

Oh... and did I tell you that the cupcakes are a healthier version of lemon drop cupcakes. Thanks to Katie at Dashing Dish I'm learning healthy alternatives!!