Jan. 12, 2008 - Wonderfully Blessed Day
The Lord truly blessed me today with being able to attend the Illinois Christian Home Educators(I.C.H.E) Mid-Winter Renewal Retreat. The other day I was feeling "blah" but I can say God has given me the "renewal" I needed to get motivated in the right direction.
The speaker for this event was Karen Ehman who is an author and a Proverbs 31 Speaker. The topic for the day was how to handle the busyness of life, getting and staying organized and also Hospitality. The theme was a flashback to the 50's and the reason for that was it went along with the day of trying to simply things and back in the 50's families weren't so busy as they are today. The decorations were 50's, the ICHE staff were dressed in poodle skirts and such, lunch was a menu of Meatloaf, Mashed potatoes, Corn, salad, Crush Orange in a bottle, and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. I so wish we could go back to that decade because that is the main thing that I admire about that decade, more family time and less busy activities.
The topic of getting and staying organized really hit home for me as I have gotten bad at time management. I tend to get distracted from my real priorities and have chosen to focus on other things that shouldn't be at the top of my priorities. I am so glad that she gave us a "homework assignment" for managing our priorities. She told us to take a blank sheet of paper and list your top 10 priorities by order of importance. Watch all your activities for a week to see if your priorities match with the way they were laid out on paper. You can even do a pie chart of your actual time spent on activities. Wow that would so be an eye opener I believe.
Some other key points from the topic of getting and staying organized:
Keep a binder or "brain book" as she referred to. If you would like to learn more about the "Brain Book" or "Home Management Binder" check this info:
Home Management Binder 1 Home Management Binder 2 Binder 3 Binder 4 Binder 5
She did say "Don't let lists be your master, let it be your servant" I have a Home Management Binder that I am now inspired to redo a bit, as some of the info is outdated and over a year old. Karen also suggested using a Clipboard Storage Case. I have seen these at Wal-Mart for around $6. This would be for your daily checklist and "Hot Files", things that need to be taken care of immediately.
A few more things on Organization that Karen mentioned:
"Beware of the baroness of a busy life" "If Satan can't make you bad, he will make you busy", "Don't take on more then you can pray for"
You can read more about what Karen has to say on this topic on her BRAND new book: The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized
Between a challenge I am participating on a message board and Karen's speech today, I am truly motivated to be a better manager of my time and my real priorities.
The topic of Hospitality was also very intriguing to me. Our family is just now beginning to practice Hospitality by inviting families over to our place on a more frequent basis.
Karen said that the difference between entertaining and hospitality is this:
Entertaining puts the emphasis on you, Hospitality puts the emphasis on the guests.
There are many who don't practice hospitality due to "excuses". Karen listed a few of these excuses:
Excuse: House is never clean enough
Karen then spoke about Speed Cleaning by Jeff Campbell. She went over some of the Speed Cleaning Rules.
Excuse: I don't know how to fix fancy meals.
Karen says switch from "Gourmet" to "Simple and Plenty". We are not out to impress our guests, but refresh them. We shouldn't live a double life of only cooking certain foods when we have visitors, instead fix simple foods and make plenty of it. She recommends freezer cooking and her favorite book on this topic is 30 Day Gourmet. I took a peak at the book today and I have now placed a request for it from my local library system.
Excuse: It's hard to start conversations with others.
Plan a theme for the night as this will be a topic starter. Have a dinner that needs to be assemble. As you are assembling dinner, conversation will start flowing.
Excuse: Don't have enough money to decorate nicely
What you can't change, think outside the box and bring it all together. Shop thrift stores and resale shops to find low cost decorating items.
Excuse: My house is too small
Make use of the space you do have. Your guests won't "notice or complain" about the space, they are just glad to be of company. You don't have to host someone in your home to show hospitality. Utilize Parks, Coffee shops, etc.
The most important statement about hospitality that Karen mentioned was:
"Hospitality is simply pulling up a chair and asking others to join you in lifes journeys."
One other quote that I took away from the day was:
"Contentment is wanting more then you have, it is wanting what you already you have"
I had such a blessed day. I meet old friends and I met new friends. Hi to Gail!!!
I am really excited about the yearly Convention which isn't until June 5-7, but I am super motivated and looking forward to the event.
Praising God for sending such a great retreat day my way!!! It was very inspiring!!
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