Setting the tone of your home.

I've been thinking a lot lately about how it is my job as the wife to set the tone of our home.

When we first got married I literally had no idea how to even do laundry correctly, let alone keep a whole house in order. For the first year or more our house wasn't disgusting, but it was definitely far from spic and span.

While pregnant with Gage I was on a mission to have a spotless home. You could call it a bad case of nesting, I guess. And since then, keeping our home clean has been a priority of mine. No, it's hardly ever deep cleaned- and there are probably a few cob webs and dust bunnies hanging around here and there, but it's important to me to be able to feel at rest and cozy in our home. I can't feel peaceful if there is laundry piled on the couch or toys covering the living room floor. Yes, at points throughout the day it looks like this... but when it's time for Ryan to come home I like to have it all picked up so that when he comes in he can feel at rest too.

Putting on my big girl pants and learning how to keep a house tidy is just one of many things I've discovered helps set the tone of my home.

Our house isn't big. We don't have the nicest of everything- in fact there are many changes I would make if money allowed. But instead of wanting more and not being content in my home- I want to make what we do have into something that we love and feel at home in.

One thing I'm big on is candles. I love in the evenings as it gets darker outside to light a candle and have my scentsy pot burning. I love yummy scents like cinnamon roll, pumpkin pie, and hazelnut latte for fall.

Another thing I'm big on lately is turning the TV off. Very rarely throughout the day do I even turn on the TV since having Gage. I've gotten used to peace and quiet and now the background noise of a TV when we aren't watching it drives me crazy! I feel like we can spend more quality time with one another without feeling like we constantly have to have the TV blaring in the background.

When I think of how I want my home to feel these words come to mind:
cozy, comfortable, warm, inviting.

That's one of the many jobs we as the wives/women of the home have. I have by no means mastered this, but these are just a few of things that I've been working on regarding our home.

I want my husband to look forward to coming home, and I want my children to grow up in an environment that they will look back at with fond memories. A home that they will always want to come back to when they're older. A place of peace and rest.

What ways do you set the tone in your home? I'd love any tips you have!!!

You have called me higher.

It's been so long since I have put my fingers to a keyboard. Not having WIFI at home for awhile was a good break though. It's easy with all the technology and social media at our fingertips to have our face in a screen instead of being with the people around us. So all-in-all the break was nice. At night, Ryan and I had less things to suck us in (blogging, youtube videos, etc.) and we have got in the habit of spending more time together. Just laying on the couch and having some great conversations.

I like that.

But I also like that I'm back to the blogging world. You wouldn't believe all the times over the last few months that I had something on my heart and my fingers were just itching to type it out.

For me, it's a release. To put my feelings into words and to share it with others. Sure, sometimes I have to be vulnerable. But the amazing thing is that when another person can relate or say "I've totally been there and it's going to be okay" or to know that it encourages someone else to keep on keepin' on-- it's a great feeling! And I've missed that. The community. The accountability.

So... where do I start?

I feel like so much has happened in my heart and life since I last posted!

I will say this- last year I saw where a few people had made a theme or even chosen a word for the new year. 2014 is approaching and I'm wondering what I want to strive for and focus on as we have a fresh start. Ryan and I sat down a few nights ago and pondered this.

It didn't take long for me to know what my goal is.

It's something over the last few months, maybe even half year, that the Lord has been whispering to me. It's strange- I will just be going along about my day and these words will pop into my head:

"Be Intentional."

Maybe I've mentioned it before on here. It's been on my heart for awhile.

Has that ever happened to you? You feel God telling you something, gently nudging you to change, sweetly reminding you throughout your day? And yet it's hard to take the step out in faith?

I'm definitely there.

I was cooking dinner a few nights ago and listening to Pandora, when this song came on. I had heard it before, as a friend (Mikayla!!) had sang it in the past and I loved it. But this time the words stopped me in my tracks.

 

"I could hold on. I could hold on to who I am and never let You change me from the inside."

"BUT You have called me HIGHER. You have called me DEEPER."

 

Friends, I'm tired of hearing God speak to me and holding onto to who I am because I'm comfortable. I feel like a new chapter is about to begin in my life as I allow Him to make me into the person he has CALLED me to be. As Christians, He has called us ALL higher and deeper. To be more than this world, to say no to flesh, to say yes to the Holy Spirit and allow him to work through us.

 

"And I'll go where you will lead me, Lord."

 

 

Where is He leading you? What has He been whispering ever so gently to you, nudging you to let go of who you are and let Him change you from the inside?