As part of Christina's Home School Graduation, we were asked to drill down everything we would love to tell everyone about our daughter to 150 Words.  That does not even come close to expressing our joy and delight with our daughter.  But,. some of you may be wondering if graduation will ever come.  It will.  The time when it seems light years away, just know that glancing back, it will be like a "flower quickly fading.  Here today and gone tomorrow."

Here are our 150 words:

Christina Rose Russell

Daughter of Duncan and Malia Russell

Loving and devoted sister to:  Sarah, Anne Mary and David

Christina is graduating with a 3.91 G.P.A. and has logged over 1000 service hours during her high school years.  Her achievements include:

·        Mission trips to Appalachia, Romania, Boston, and a Navajo Ranch in Arizona.

·        Community service:  Dare to Care, the Louisville Library, Local Soup Kitchens, The Southeast Easter Pageant, Touched Twice Clinics, Journey to Bethlehem, The Children’s Ministry, and  Café 920. 

·        Christina worked for Lisa Sams, State Farm Agent from age 14-17, was the script supervisor for two full feature Christian films, and a television series. 

·        Her hobbies include: photography, reading, crochet, movie production, listening to music and playing games.

·        The Tomorrow’s Woman Award from Today’s Woman Magazine

Christina will be attending University of Louisville in the fall on a partial scholarship for academic achievement.

Here is the life verse she chose:

Daniel 3:16-18

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

150 words just does not do her justice.  If you would like to see the expanded version, you can see it here.

Happy Homemaking and Home Schooling!

Malia M. Russell, Director

www.homemaking911.com

My oldest daughter had her Senior Prom last Friday.  Here are some pictures.

The theme was "An Evening in the Orient."  Prom was held at the Wildwood Country Club. 

Homemaker.  That is my title.  It seems like such a humble word when I fill it out on a medical form or legal paperwork.  Or what about this one:  Domestic Engineer.  With a job title like that, I could presumably demand a salary making $30,000-$500,000 per year depending upon whose calculations you believe.  But when it comes to the end of the day, no one is paying me a salary, and my financial net worth has suffered as a result of my decision to stay home and raise my children.  Fortunately, we do not have to make of judgment of ourselves based on the standards of net worth.  Our value is determined by God.   

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. – Genesis 1:27

We have been taught that to have real worth we must be productive, efficient, better, quicker, faster, and perfect.  But what we really crave is order, peace and beauty.  This yearning is often comingled with feelings of guilt, inadequacy, and frustration.  We do not know how to meet the world’s standards and satisfy our inner cravings as well. Precious homemaker, when you desire order, peace and beauty, you are experiencing the manifestation of God’s image upon your heart.

The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Out of the ground the LORD God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Now a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it divided and became four rivers. The … first is Pishon; it flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. The gold of that land is good; the bdellium and the onyx stone are there. The …second river is Gihon; it flows around the whole land of Cush. The …third river is Tigris; it flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. -Genesis 2:8-14

A Bible teacher at my local church, Kristen Sauder, helped me see this verse in a whole new light!  Do you see what God has done?  God is the original homemaker.  When you are working in your home and using logic and care to make sure the needs of your family are met, you are emulating God, the creator! 

The Garden of Eden was also a place of beauty.  He sculpted trees that were beautiful and practical.  It is no wonder we love to decorate – that was the first thing God did!   Can you imagine God walking along the garden and determining the perfect placement for each tree, each flower, and its water source?

Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.- Genesis 2:15

Once God planned the ultimate garden, he did not send everyone away to gaze upon it from afar.  He placed his family right in the middle of it and gave them responsibility for its care.  If you homeschool your children, they are right in the middle of your home all day long!  When you are delegating and teaching your children how to care for themselves and their property, you are walking in the footsteps of Our Father.

 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper suitable for him."

 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. -Genesis 2:18, 21-22

What a creative God!  He saw a problem.  He took the resources available and made something pretty spectacular out of it.  He took a rib and made a woman!  My husband jokes that he can look through the freezer and pantry and think, “There is nothing for dinner.” I can go into the same kitchen and use the same ingredients make a big, tasty meal to feed a hungry family.  That is God’s image stamped upon my heart.  I can take what I have and make something better out of it.  You can, too.

These skills you are honing and growing as a homemaker all serve to help you develop yourself more fully into the woman that God has made you to be.  It really does not matter what title we give our humble job of homemaking.  It won’t matter if you call yourself a Domestic Engineer and estimate a six-digit salary.  What matters is that you were created deliberately and carefully by the God of the universe and he loves you.  He loves the family resemblance.  Praise Him for it, and seek ways to continue growing in His likeness!

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:9

Happy homemaking, or engineering.

Malia Russell

www.homemaking911.com

Today I was shocked when I drove past a gas station and saw people lined up along the road for gas at $3.49 a gallon!  Stupefied, I continued driving and noting the gas prices all along the way.  Gas in Louisville, KY has jumped to $3.70 a gallon in an afternoon!

I know all the obvious basics about saving gas: 
Combine trips, carpool, avoid rush hour traffic....

...but there had to be MORE I could do.  I spent the entire evening researching ways that I could save gas.  After reading dozens or articles, tips and reviews, I KNEW I had to share this information in a concise way for all my readers. 

Then, I came up with a brilliant idea.  Gas costs $3.70 a gallon, and I NEED gas money, so I compiled all the useful, practical tips into a quick e-book for my readers.  You can buy it for the price of a gallon of the lowest octane gas:  $3.70 a gallon!

These are 30 tips you can use immediately.  Were you once told that it was smarter to leave your car in idle than to restart your car?  Is that true?  Do you know?  Is it better to run your A/C or roll down your windows?  The answer will probably surprise you.  Where can you find out the lowest prices in your town without driving around?
 
So, will you help me fill my tank while saving tons of money in yours?  Stop over at the website and snatch your copy today for only $3.70!

Malia Russell
www.homemaking911.com

Last Saturday was the night that the Jewish celebrate the Passover.  As Christians, we can examine the passover celebration and understand what it really means.  There are so many points of the passover meal that point directly to our Christ, the ultimate Lamb of Salvation. Our home church fellowship rotates homes, and though we generally meet on Sundays, the host this week switched it to Saturday and we celebrated a Sedar meal together.  I think there were about 40 of us present.  John (the host) performed the traditional role of the Father of the house, leading the prayers, but had each father serve his own family just as the tradition held he should. 

We prayed the traditional prayers, and John used a commentary to help us understand each part and what it meant historically, and what it means in light of Christ fulfilling the prophesies for the Messiah. Take the time to study this Holy Feast and then go and re-read the story of the Last Supper, Jesus' final Passover before his Death on the cross.  You will be amazed at how Jesus so eloquently wove together the Old Testament and the New Covenant he was fulfilling that very week. 

Happy Homemaking!
Malia Russell
www.homemaking911.com 

We received this from a friend of ours from church...

Dear Friends,

We are excited because our son, Phillip, has entered a film competition for
a full scholarship at a film school in Virginia.  He has made a short,
5-minute film called, "The Beauty of Grace."  The first stage of the contest
is to see who can get the most people to view his/her film.  It is about
publicity....not necessarily which film you like best. If you have 5
minutes, would you please go to the website and watch his video? Please do
not watch any of the other films in the contest, because they will also get
a vote when you view their film. If you can, it would be great to send this
to your other friends and family and ask them to view the film. Watch the
video as many times as you like, and he will get points for it. You can find
his film by copying the following address into search bar:

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=f3a1ff9a7c6f6c6af0ff&page=2&vi
ewtype=&category=

This week I will be speaking on a Podcast with Jo Jo Taberas with her program, Grace Talk Soup.  Our topic this week is:  Overcoming Bitterness and Judgmental Thoughts.

http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/19736

This talk will take place on Thursday, April 24 at 11:00 am EDT.  You can use the link above or call into the show:  1-724-444-7444 Call ID:  19736

I read this quote tonight while I was up late, working, again.

"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.  My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day.: - Abraham Lincoln.

Thank you for the reminder, Lord.  I really an insufficient.  There is so much I want to do, and that I want to do better.  I want to be a better mother, wife, daughter, Christ follower.  I want to love my husband better, keep house better, educate my children better, run my business better.  I want to follow Christ with a fervor that would make the angels stand up and applaud.  I want to do all these things, I really do.  Lord, if You can just show me how. 

Thank You for the reminder that I cannot and will not have the wisdom and ability to do all these things without Your grace and blessings.  Thank You, Lord, that You love me even when I make mistakes.  You love me when I forget my priorities.  You love me when I forget to mail the check on time, or forget the phone call.  You love me when I let the kids get away with too much, or when I am too harsh.  You love me when I am lazy and when I am dilligent.  I know it is best when I strive to do well, but thank You for loving me even when I am selfish and follow my own agenda.  Thank You, Lord. 

Right now, Lord, tonight I am coming to say I admit I have noplace else to go.  I am at the end of my capabilities and need to lean upon You.  You have all the wisdom I could possibly need and can lead me.  Help me to be like a sheep, always following You, always trusting You, always walking in simple humility with perfect faith in You.

Don’t be an April Fool!

We love April Fools!  Here are some of our pranks from years past that are still laughed about and remembered.

Before my two younger girls were old enough to tell time, I made pizza for breakfast and woke them up to tell them they had slept all the way through lunch time.  They sat astounded at the table, munching pizza.  We had a field trip planned to a farm, so we packed our picnic “dinner”.  Then, we arrived home and I told them it was pretty late, so they needed to get to bed.  After they were all tucked away I told them we would have some of the farm fresh eggs for breakfast the next day.  Ten minutes after we tucked them in bed, we changed clothes and came in and told them good morning, then had breakfast for dinner.  The girls were so confused.  We had a lot of fun.  We still talk about that one.

Another silly prank is to use a piece of tape over the nozzle button on your sink sprayer.  When someone turns on the water, instead of pouring down as usual, the sprayer sprays water straight out.  I am actually going to repeat this one this year, so shhhh do not tell my family. 

For the computer addict in your home, a small piece of tape across the bottom of the mouse will make it quite worthless and quite funny.  If you are computer savvy you can change the mouse buttons from left to right. 

For fun with younger kids, make some jello and pour it in their drink cups.  Insert some straws.  It will look like juice, but will not suck up the straw.  They can eat the jello as a treat.  We have also used the clear Kool-Aid and served it like we were having water for dinner.  Imagine everyone’s surprise. 

Tonight when my oldest daughter gets home, we are going to fill her truck up with balloons.  I shudder to think of what the girls have planned for me.   

Have a little fun!

Children's Chores Can Be a Delight
By Malia Russell
Excerpt from the article: Delightful Delegation
You can subscribe to the Homemaking 911 newsletter at her website:  www.homemaking911.com
 
Frequently I am asked how my children do so many chores around the house without the usual arguing and complaining seen in other children. 
 
Part of the reason our household routines work so well, is that the older children (and mom!) do their work cheerfully.  We make games and incentives out of the seemingly difficult tasks.  You can see an example of this in a recent decluttering challenge we took at our house.  We also have our work organized.  Everyone knows which tasks are expected, depending on the day.  This means I have thoughtfully considered our work for the day and have assigned portions to each child.   For example, on  paperwork day I examine the tasks before me and assigned some to each girl.  The same is true for our errand day, kitchen day, gardening day and cleaning days.
 
Another thing we have done to make learning new and difficult chores a delight is to call it "Home Economics" and assigned a "teaching time" and a "final".  For example, when Anne Mary was learning to use the pressure cooker at age 7, we had the first session just an observation session. The next time she was able to do parts by herself with very close supervision.  The third time she did all the steps with minimal supervision.  We took pictures and celebrated her passing her final. Now when I need her to prepare dinner using the pressure cooker, she will be delighted and do it with joy, with minimal supervision.
 
One day, I had a flashback to my childhood of the delight I found in being the Office Assistant in school.  This child took the class roster to the office, used the ditto machine, and carried notes to the office.  I sighed, thinking, "I need an office assistant."  Then, I realized that with a little training, I could have office assistants, too.  So we made a couple of new titles in our home:  Office Assistant and Kitchen Manager.  The Office Assistant checks the mail, answers the phone, takes messages, makes photocopies, staples, collates files, etc.  The Kitchen Manager changes the numbers on the perpetual calendar, replenishes the wash clothes, sweeps after meals, and helps with dinner preparation.  We mix fun jobs along with the work to make sure it is fun and rewarding.  It took a little training, but very quickly they became valued and helpful assistants.
 
Another thing we do is use routines.  Once a chore becomes a routine part of the day, it is seemingly done without effort or thought.  Christina's (17) is fairly flexible.  She is making her own schedule and helps when available. I have a routine that I keep to make sure I have the proper amount of time allotted for my duties.  Sarah, Anne Mary and David each have their own routines and we adjust them as needed.  Because there is some redundancy in the routines, some things really only need to be done once a day, but just in case something gets missed or is rushed, it will be caught the second time around. 
 
Finally, we work very hard to apply Biblical principles throughout the day in the way we treat one another.  This makes the task of delegating and sharing housework a delight, rather than a burden. 
 
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. Philippians 2:14-15
 
Malia Russell is the blessed wife to Duncan, thankful mother to four children, ages 3-17 and an author, conference speaker and director of www.homemaking911.com. Visit her site for inspiration, encouragement and practical help in your roles as a godly wife, mother, homemaker or home educator. For more help with home management, see her book and audio CD:  From Chaos to Order: Bringing Organization to Your Home.

For science this year we are primarilly using Jeannie Fulbright's Zoology (Flying Creatures of the 5th Day), but occasionally we take a break and do soem experiments.  This one came from our McWhiz Kids kit.  We basically had some insulated wire, a small lightbulb and a battery.  The girls got to discover all the ways to make the bulb light up. 

Sarah tries first...

Anne Mary dilligently takes notes.

David joins in the fun!

When no one can light the bulb, big sister, Christina joins in to show us how it should be done.

We have light!

For the past year I have really suffered from having low energy.  In January, I started taking a class from Erica Johns called:  Simple Steps to Healthier Eating.  I shared with her my concern with low energy and she told me she used to have this same problem, then discovered a product that has really helped!

Even though I was skeptical, I decided to try a whole food supplement called:  Bee Strong.  Also, I knew I had a compromised immune system.  I was catching everything my children brought home and more.  She suggested another supplement called:  Berry Well. To read my complete review, see Low Energy?.