homelifeapr2001

Heartchange 26 March - 15 April 2001

Dear Sisters

We are slowly but surely settling into having business at
home. I have found that it is more than just 'business as
usual'. There's so much more. We have the fax machine and
an extention phone in our home, and the children are
learning to be very discerning with calls. Also, because it
is a business phone, they understand that all has to be
quiet when the phone rings. And rightly so. They are no
longer 'young-er' children that cannot understand this
concept. When one opens up business at home, it is allowing
a lot of 'family privacy' to be put out there, on show ~ for
'whoever' to see. Just the other night, a business
associate had to come indoors so that we could write him a
cheque. I was so grateful that my home was nice and neat
and tidy. I guess what I am saying is ~ at this stage, I
feel as if I need to keep 'on my toes'. All the time. But
then again.... that can't be bad, as it is good discipline
to keep my home welcoming. It is good practice to be
hospitable.

I have been impressing upon my girls that what we do here
and what we do now ~ is service to the Lord. Whether our
'flesh' riles up against what we are doing ~ at home or not,
it is what the Lord intended ~ for us. I remind them of
this regularly, so that it is a mindset for them. Service
to the Lord, for them = obedience, honour and respect to
their parents. I want them to know also that I don't have
all the answers for them, that I am learning along with
them, that I struggle with them. But at the end, 'twill all
be worth it!

Here's a little of what we've been doing in the home ~

This week, I got the girls to fold the washing for me. They
fold the washing, put it on to each person's pile, then take
the piles to each person's bedroom. The children pack away
their own clothes into their cupboards and drawers, and I
pack away mine and my husband's. I have taught them to put
folded washing for the drawers and shelves one side, and
leave the clothing to be hung up on coathangers in a
separate pile. When going through my 'hang up' pile, I
found that a few of my skirts were not even turned the right
way around. One was inside-out and crumpled. I called my
daughters and showed them the skirt. I asked them if I had
ever presented them with such an item. They hung their
heads and told me that no, I hadn't. I told them that it
was disrespectful and lazy to just throw the hang up washing
on one side without straightening it first. The looks on
their faces were enough for me, and they apologised for
doing this. I find that I have to constantly remind them to
show respect in the small things ~ and that love is in
action, not only in words. That what they are doing ~ in
the home IS their service to God.

Each week, we clean the fridges and pantry. Emma cleans the
fridge, sorts out the 'rotter drawer' and repacks it nicely,
economising on space while sorting out dishes of left-overs.
Sarah does the pantry, wiping the shelves, sorting the food
items into cans, baking goods, jars, and containers. It is
gratifying to know that they are quite efficient in this
'weekly food organising'. When the weekly part of our
shopping comes in, it comes in to nice, clean and orderly
surroundings!

While cleaning the stove, I noticed that the overhead
stove-light, mounted on the wall above the splashback was
full of 'splashes'. Dirt, grease and little gnats were
piled up on the cover. I ran a sink full of hot, sudsy
water and promptly scrubbed the light cover. While I was at
it, I asked Emma to bring me all the other kitchen
'spot-light' covers. Sam stood beside me and watched.
"Don't you love the sound of scrubbing, Mom?", he asked me,
as I scrubbed away with our sturdy bottle brush. "Yes, but
not as much as the clean item once it has been scrubbed,
Sammie" I replied. He looked at me, smiled and said "I
agree, mom!"

We found some wonderful old-fashioned baking tins at the
op-shops last week. I bought a set of three ~ extra large
pans for $5. We can't wait to use them, as when we bake
cakes, we always double the batter, and end up having to put
excess batter in muffin pans. I look forward to serving my
family with a huge, wholesome tasty cake!

Another item I found at the op-shop was an enamel pot-roast
pan with lid. I was so thrilled! Not long ago, I had
bought a similar one from a local party-plan lady for a
price I am too embarrassed to mention! This special find
was $3 with not a mark on it! This has taught me not to be
so hasty and look around before buying brand new!

It must have been the 'season' for great bargains. Our
spare room, which was once my brother and sister-in-law's
bedroom, is now occupied by both girls. We had makeshift
curtains, but recently we 'happened' upon two curtains,
found separately, with the same design. They are those
fluffy lace style curtains ~ very feminine and both the
girls love them. The Lord seems to supply things before I
can even ask Him. Furthermore, it was a 'wanted' item,
rather than a 'needed' item. Such loving, tender kindness
He shows us!

I have started to buy the bulk of our groceries on a monthly
basis instead of a weekly one. I have made lists of monthly
requirements, as well as a list for the perishables, which
are bought weekly. This seems to have simplified our weeks.
Each child knows what is required on a weekly basis, and
when we go to the grocery store, I give each of them
instructions what to get, and they all set off ~ in
different directions ~ on their 'food selection' mission. I
find that as we are shopping, I am forever teaching them
about quantities, prices, comparisons, ingredients, brands
and quality. They are my little sponges and absorb so much.

Do you all have Tupperware? If your plastics cupboard is
anything like mine ~ it is absolute havoc! ha! We cleared
what we refer to as the 'Tupperware Cupboard' this week. We
put lids on all the containers that we could, and any excess
lids we got rid of. Obviously, after all this time, the
'partner' to the lid had not shown up! And so ~ out they
went. It's amazing how I have shuffled them around all this
time, waiting for their partners. I now have all my
casserole, salad and larger dishes in this cupboard. The
plastic containers with lids were transferred to a cabinet
in our dining room, as I use the dishes more than the
containers! It's so nice to go into the cupboard without
fighting a mount of plastic. This has put my kitchen
cupboard to better use, as I think of all of the kitchen
cupboards as *prime real estate*!

At the front of our house we have a child's cubby house.
For some time, I have wanted to use this as a kennel for our
dogs. I love to make use of things, and this has been
sitting under the trees like a little 'cabin in the woods'.
Quaint - yes. Practical - no. Unfortunately, the cubby
house is so heavy; ~ far too heavy for us to move, and so we
have had to wait for Andre's help. But..... alas...... I am
pleased we have had to wait, as we now have a woodshed! Sam
sorted all the logs. Large ones are piled to the right,
smaller ones to the left, and kindling in the basket. It is
neat and tidy and orderly. Just the way I like things. Sam
is so chuffed that he is now the 'Woodkeeper'.

I have been unusually cranky (or 'crabby' as we refer to
crankiness) just recently. I have wondered why. Over
coffee one day, Andre and I were talking and it suddenly
'dawned' on me; ~ the reason for this. You see, sisters, I
have been so very frustrated! Like most of you, I'm sure ~
there is so much I would like to do and I don't seem to be
going anywhere fast. I love to work in my home. I love to
build it up, decorate it, make things for it, create
memories for my children. Make a haven for my family. My,
how the Lord has changed my heart! I cannot even conceive
of His miracle work in my life. Homemaking takes time and
effort and dedication. Days seem to fly by. Then weeks,
then months. I have always used huge blocks of time to do
projects in. I now have no other choice, but to do them in
tiny blocks. Small steps. And the beauty of this is that I
am 'achieving'. Yes! Slowly, but surely I am 'getting
there'. Can you guess my weakness? Impatience! The Lord
continues to train me. I am ever grateful to Him.

A friend told me a way of remembering things when you spend
time at your computer. What she does is opens up a new
message. As things come to mind, or she wants to create a
'to do' list (how often is there no paper close by to jot
this down?), she types them in the body of the message. At
the end of the day or session, she then sends the email to
herself, and, if necessary ~ prints it out. What a good way
to.........

Remember how I told you that I love to learn how to do a
variety of things within my home ~ in all aspects of
homelife? I am currently reading a book by Mary Pride
called "School Proof". Although Mary is a home-schooler
herself, I have found her writing, suggestions and tips to
be very encouraging ~ no matter if you homeschool or not.
She writes about ways to teach, organise and create a
mindset, impressing the importance of learning being a way
of life. Also how to encourage your children to love to
learn. To love the life the Lord has give to them, His
creation.

And with that, dear sisters, I will now leave you with these
words.......

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast,
unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the
Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58

With love,
Helen

Heartchange 16 - 29 April 2001

Dear Sisters

It has been tax time here in Australia. Each quarter we are
required to fill out forms ~ reporting our business
transactions. Sisters, I have never been any good at
figures and accounting. And yet ~ the Lord has placed me in
a position to do exactly this. I have learned to write the
procedure down, as I do it. This way, I can just refer to
my notes without 'over-taxing' my brain power, copying down
figures as they are needed! I know this will save time, as
whenever tax time rolls around, we are always busy with
something else and I find the hardest part is to concentrate
when I have so much on my mind! Needless to say, the notes
help me tremendously.

Each Friday we try and get the house extra clean and tidy.
It's always good to enjoy our home over the weekend, with no
clutter or built up chores. We never know who the Lord may
bring over.

My son had a nasty accident on his bike last week. He
scraped his forehead and nose and has a huge scab over his
left eye. Later, this same eye swelled up, due to an
infection from the graze. I took him to the hospital after
church and was told by the doctor on duty that it was the
right thing to do. Sam has been on antibiotics and the
swelling has gone down. I am treating his skin with vitamin
E oil. I pierce one of my vitamin E capsules and gently rub
it over his head. He says his face itches like crazy! A
sure sign of healing....

I find that when my children are sick, it is a special
bonding time with them. The Lord shows me how very precious
they are. I checked my attitude towards my son, as he felt
low with his pain. I am determined to remain patient and
kind(er) towards him.

I've been teaching the girls to love and respect their
brother, as he will be a man one day. I've asked the Lord
to make him a mighty man of God. I've also told Sam this
very same heartfelt prayer. He just smiles and looks at me
~ eyes full of love.

We haven't been a musical family, but I see a leading to
become one. All the children have a desire to play
together, each on their separate instrument. I have never
placed much importance on music, but I see now how important
it is to them. In an effort to encourage this, we have been
photocopying hymns for each of their song folders. Sweet
music to my ears as I hear them practice "Sweet Hour of
Prayer". Our pastor is going to lend me his banjo! That's
for me ~ mamma to play! Yikes.....

Andre has installed an intercom system in our home and one
in his workshop. We are still having a good chuckle about
it. He calls me and we meet half way in the garden for
morning coffee. Today, we were sitting on old crates,
basking in the sun together. I had a thought to set up some
type of special nook for us for those special breaks
together. Somewhere out of the wind, with the option to sit
in the sun or shade. Hmmmmm...........

I have been using the evenings as 'research time'. I have
been pouring through the homeschooling books, learning so
much about how and when children learn. It has been such an
exciting journey. I have a notebook close by to take notes
of what to implement with our own children. Cutting through
'educational clutter' and focussing on what will 'work' for
our family, bearing in mind the character of our own
children.

Because we are heading into our winter season, I bought a
multi-vitamin syrup for the children. They tell me it is
terrible tasting! I want to build them up to help their
systems combat the cold and flu season. I have also treated
them for worms and marked this down on the calendar for
future reference.

This week, I had to contact my brother at work. He is a
builder/ bricklayer/ tiler, so he is always 'flitting'
around. He told me which street he would be working in, but
couldn't tell me how to get there. I was so grateful for a
photocopy of a local map, kept in the cubby of our car. We
also have maps for a couple of other local towns, too. One
never knows!

While we were in town, Emma made three cakes. One gluten
free ~ just for me! and two chocolate cakes. They were
scrumptious! Oh, how important it is to train our children
in lifeskills. Of course, we offered Emma much praise.
Encourages her to try something new next time..... (she's
often been known to phone me and ask if I can bring her a
'special' ingredient while we are out shopping!)

We had a lovely, cosy, family chat this Saturday morning ~
by the fireside. I find those kind of moments are often
un-planned. Andre told me he *should* have been outside
working, but that he just loved being inside with his
favourite people of all time ~ smile ~

Here's a fish recipe which I cooked the other night. Very
tasty....

COCONUT LING

500 - 800g Ling fillets, cut into strips
1 can coconut cream
1 can peas
2 small chillies, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp ginger
olive oil

Method:

1. Mix ginger, garlic and chillies with a little coconut
cream in a small bowl to form a smooth paste. Gradually add
the rest of the coconut cream, stirring well. Put aside.
2. Lightly saut� ling strips, but do not brown for approx
5-8 mins.
3. Add ginger, garlic and chilli paste with coconut cream.
Stir gently, as not to break up the fish strips. Turn on
low heat for five minutes.
4. Add canned peas, gently stirring mixture. Cook another
five minutes.
5. Serve on bed of rice.

My brother enjoyed this recipe so much that at the end of
the week, he phoned me and asked for the recipe!

My parents came with us to church this week. Our family car
was packed full of bodies and baskets and Bibles and
instruments. After church, my husband loves to go straight
home. However, my dad asked him if he would please take him
to a local store. By the time we were on our way back home,
everybody was extremely hungry and stretched ~ smile ~
Here's what we had for lunch:

FRY UP

Potatoes, cut into cubes
Bacon, cut into strips
Onions, sliced
Cabbage, sliced
Olive oil for frying
(as much of these ingredients as necessary for the amount of
people you are cooking for)

Method:

1. Boil potatoes and drain
2. Boil cabbage, bacon and onions and drain
3. Mix all ingredients and gently fry in heated pan
4. Serve with thick, crusty bread
(We had HP sauce as well as Tabasco sauce!)
NOTE: My mother would cook this often for us as children in
England. Usually, the dish was made with any leftovers she
had, with the addition of fresh bacon. Sometimes, she would
add carrots and green beans.

A wholesome, filling and so-very-English recipe. Just the
ideal meal for a cold drizzly day!

Hope you have a great week, sisters!

Love
Helen