Mr. Prof designer home

On Wednesday of last week, we closed on our new house (yay!) and so we're in the thick of packing, arranging appointments with painters, locksmiths, etc., and expecting our crate from Istanbul to (hopefully) be delivered sometime this week (another yay!).  In lieu of my normal sharing of random thoughts or recent Bible studies, I thought I'd link up to all the Making Home posts that have been making their way around Pinterest.  (Here are my Pinterest boards, if you're interested.)

I hope you enjoy looking through these old links; I'm going to be enjoying literally "Making Home" for the first time in a while.  :)

• Sustaining Contentment-- Fighting for joy in hard/difficult/humdrum times
• Biblical Descriptions of Mothers-- I compiled significant/insightful descriptions of mothers found in the Bible
• Get Yourself Dressed!-- Growing more mature as a believer
• Being Sexy For Your Husband-- A 5-part series to encourage you in your marital intimacy
• "Me Time"?-- Examining selfishness, avoiding burnout, and considering Jesus' example
• Let The Words Tumble Out-- Sometimes you just have to start praying and the words will come.
• Seek Wise Counsel-- proactively pursue the advice of more experienced believers!
• Contentment vs. Discontentedness-- Psalm 16 & the opposite of Psalm 16 give a clarifying, convicting picture of what contentment looks like
• Feeding Your Baby the First Week-- My experiences with baby #5
• Make Your Own Baby Wipes-- an easy and economical option
• Tips for Dealing With Mastitis-- a somewhat common malady for breastfeeding moms
• Coaching Your Kids Through Doctor's Visits-- tips to help them cope well
• Is "Mommy Guilt" Normal?-- discerning God's conviction vs. unhelpful guilt
• How Expected Birth Control Use Affects Our Culture-- surprisingly, one of my most popular posts
• My Real-Life Proverbs 31 Friend-- this post about being "busy at home" was a recent one but has already been "pinned" for encouragement on Pinterest.  

1. Used up & spent 
2. Weary but still moving 
3. Mediocre. 
4. Doing pretty good, feeling pretty good 
5. Fantastic!

It's been long enough. I'm a gal who best analyzes and learns and drives home (to my own brain) what I've learned by writing out my thoughts. This break from regularly writing here at Making Home has been necessary-- while I took time off to go intense with Turkish, and then to have Moses... but I need to be back in the habit of writing regularly. My mind gets all random and unfocused when I'm not regularly writing, and for the last couple years, I've been journaling in written form more...

OK, now for this week's 7 Quick Takes... and it's gonna be quick.

Last week, I was privileged to host a giveaway for Mary Ostyn's book (published last year) called, "A Sane Woman's Guide to Raising a Large Family". (Which I HIGHLY recommend. It's full of practical wisdom, helpful tips, and written with a humble but insightful perspective from a mom of ten.)

2009 was a good year for our family; I hope it was for yours. That's not to say it was without difficulty, but we really had some neat experiences:

---> We moved to a new (cheaper, more diverse, more relational) neighborhood
---> I focused in and worked hard on learning Turkish
---> A family trip to Egypt, full of history and beauty, fulfilling a dream I've had since childhood
---> We memorized the first chapter of James together as a family
---> I took a nice, long blogging break (and have found that, in the season I'm in, I really don't miss it that much)
---> Found out we're expecting #5 (who the doc thinks is a little girl, but I'm only 14 weeks so it's a bit early to be certain)
---> My mom came for a visit
---> Doug gave me a sewing machine for Christmas and so I've been loving learning this new skill
---> We had yet another virtually commercialization-free Christmas overseas (this is one huge joy for me in living abroad)

BELOVED BOOKS
As for books, some of you may remember that I laid out a 40-book list goal for myself at the beginning of 2009. I did *almost* read 40 books in 2009, but only about half of them were from the list I put up at the beginning of the year. I am about halfway through 10 others of the list, and 10 others I haven't even started. (Here are all my book reviews for what I *did* read in 2009.) It was an ambitious goal, and perhaps, too, I am a bit too "P" (if you don't know the Myers-Briggs personality types, that means a bit too random/spontaneous) to read solely according to plan. One thing I learned is that I like reading fiction more than I thought I did, and I ended up weaving in more of it than I had planned.

Here are my top reading highlights from 2009:

1. Sacred Marriage-- (Gary Thomas) - This is the least typical, the most challenging, and the most helpful marriage book I've ever read. I highly recommend it. For any Christian, male or female, I believe it will help put marriage in its proper perspective... not as a relationship of getting, or even of "each giving 100%", but as a state of growing more like Christ.
2. What Our Mothers Didn't Tell Us: Why Happiness Eludes the Modern Woman-- (Danielle Crittenden) - I said this on my review page, but I'll say it again... I think this book should be handed to every single woman in America under 40. Those of us who have grown up with feminist principles interwoven into every history lesson, every self-esteem talk, every career day, have more to think about than what's been presented to us. Crittenden offers a balanced, thoughtful, much-needed perspective on approaching life as a woman in this modern world.
3. The Unlikely Disciple-- (Kevin Roose) - Interesting book, this. For anyone who has spent significant time in evangelical Christian circles, this is just the sort of book that can help us reexamine the "furniture" of our lives... the things we take for granted in life that others look at and notice about us. Roose, as a secular journalist major, entered a very conservative Christian university for a semester to examine young evangelical life "from the inside". He offers a surprisingly balanced (for the most part) perspective that I (as a girl who grew up in church and went to a Christian college) found refreshing and insightful.
4. No Graven Image-- (Elisabeth Elliot) - I heard about this book from a friend and was surprised as I read. It's Elliot's only novel, and she doesn't shy away from tackling hard questions about life, God's sovereignty, and many of the gray questions I have wondered about throughout the years. Certainly, it's not an "easy" read as I felt the need to debrief and talk through some of the overarching questions raised in the book... but it is insightful and valuable and a beautiful novel in its own right. I highly enjoyed it... but perhaps more importantly, I walked away thinking, which I imagine was Elliot's aim. It's not still in print, so if you can get your hands on it, it's worth it.
   

I used to love the show, Alias. Still do, really, but it went downhill in later seasons. But those first couple of seasons-- wow!-- they were incredible. Aside from the occasional racy outfit, the predicaments and feats of Sydney Bristow were cliff-hangingly delightful.

There must be something about this time of year. This week it hit me that I need to spend time away from this screen for a while. I try other methods (giving myself certain amount of time online, or try to only visit certain sites), but end up frustrated or it just doesn't "stick"... just shutting it off for awhile works better (for me). I've learned that if I do this every so often, I neither overestimate the importance of online activities, nor underestimate the resources, wisdom, and comraderie available here. And if I do this every so often, I don't end up shutting down my blog, only to realize that communicating by writing is a part of how God built me and that I need to get back to it.

Time away helps me to rightly value what's here, and rightly value what's NOT here.

So I'm taking some time away, not sure how long. About six weeks from now, our family is going to Cairo for our family vacation (we found a good deal and quickly snatched it up--YAY, I can't wait to see the Pyramids!!!), so it may be even after that, something like 2 months. We'll just see. And I reserve the right to hop back on, without shame, if there's something that I feel prodded to write about. :) But regardless, I hope you have a delightful summer- full of knowing Christ more, and joyfully loving family and the people around you.


As a parting gift, here are the links I've been storing up since the last Show & Tell (and I'll decorate them with recent pics of my kids):

FEATURED ARTICLE:

• KNOW YOUR BIBLE! Randy Alcorn warns that not knowing the Word of God is a monumental problem in the modern church... and I agree.

• Challies explores technology, faith, relationships, distraction, and really knowing God and others: Don't Take Your iPod to Church!
• NEED A GOOD READ THIS SUMMER? Check out my 2009 book reviews for ideas (I'll continue updating through the summer).
• GOSSIP
  
• Mary Kassian writes about the soft strength of womanhood
• I've been listening to this incredible song about God on repeat for the last few days... Josh Harris noticed it too and written about it: Regina Spektor's "Laughing With"
  
• A young mom shares about her journey to becoming a better cook.
  
• Are you crafty? Need ideas? Check out this list.
• Cut out the busyness and spend time with people, says John Piper.
  
• A good word: Feelings are not good (or biblical!) indicators for if something is true or false!
• Books on a budget
• The abortion discussion is changing, says one formerly-pro-choice atheist
  
• Tips for hospitality
• You wouldn't pay 1,000 bucks a week to send your kid to x-box camp for kicks... College as merely "enjoyable" entertainment for young adults
  

• Why the "sexy" part of being a bride should be saved for AFTER the wedding.
• Steps/Counsel for responding to a husband's porn addiction.
• Jenny Sanford strikes me as a woman leaning on the grace of God in the middle of a really yucky situation. As I've watched her responses through her husband's adultery-- something that none of us would like to face-- I've been praying that many people will ask "what is the reason for her hope (grace, kindness, willingness to forgive)?" That kind of character in the face of shame and pain lets God shine through in a big way.
• John Piper recently published this gem: Sexual Intimacy & the Rights Over a Spouse's Body in Marriage
  

• Jen (a mom who has had 4 kids in 5 years) shares tips for thriving through the newborn/little kids stages
• Ethical issues continue with prenatal tests -- we keep growing in knowledge and "advancements" in science, and yet our society seems more lost than ever.
• Swedish parents conceal child's gender --Yikes, poor kid!
  
• Enjoy your little ones, from a mom of five.
  
• Apparently, through this program, you can host African orphans in your home for a summer. Maybe something to pray about?
• 100 Things to do WITH KIDS in Washington, DC (What a great list! We used to live in DC and I wish we'd have done more while there.)
• "I am not the mother I want to be"-- a friend writes about the beautiful difficulties that come with being a mom of many
  

• New statistics on the growth & "success" of homeschooling
• Homeschooling your preschooler-- great advice here!
  

• The "Upside" of Violent Video Games :)
• A couple of Lego Laughs: The Busstop, and The Decision
  
• The mp3 Experiment! Good, creative fun!
  

So many things, I don't know where to start. But I'll start nonetheless.

First (and very happily), we're moving. Not a huge move... nothing like what we've done in the last few years (cross-world, multiple times), but still, a move. A new apartment to set up (the living room of which is pictured at right). New norms to become accustomed to. New friends to be made. New cabinets to organize. New neighbors to meet. New daily routines to figure out. New specifics in our house rules. New stores to find. New roads to get to know. New, new, new. All beginning this Friday! :)

Second (also very happily), I have begun a more intensive regimen for language study. You see, since we moved here, I have only gotten bits and pieces. Got a late start so that Doug could go great guns with it, then got a couple months' worth, then had our 4th child, and then time has been difficult to find ever since. Sometime this year, I'd also like to add in language study to our homeschool times as well, so that the kids can be more intentional in their language learning.

Anyway. This last week, I began lessons once again. And it feels good. But I can already tell that it may put a dent in how much time/energy/mental thought I can spend here. Until & unless you've tried to learn a foreign language in that setting, it is difficult to comprehend just how much of your brain power it consumes, and just how exhausting it can be. I know that spending my "free" moments here and there studying will all but eliminate my scouring of articles online, which means that Show & Tells will be scarce for a while (sorry to those of you who have said that's your favorite feature around here!). I hope to still have time to read-- for pleasure, spiritual growth, and being challenged-- but I'm not sure that I'll have time to do reviews of the books, unless I feel particularly impressed to do so.


ALL THIS TO SAY...
I don't know in what form Making Home will continue for this season. Writing is so much a part of who I am, how I de-stress, how I work through issues/concerns of life, and how I examine Scripture & spirituality... that I'm not of the opinion that I can ever just stop writing.

But where does any of this that I've listed above leave any time to write? I have no idea. I think this is going to be a season in which I'll grab time when I can. I still hope to write, realistically maybe once a week. But we'll just see. Real life comes first. And while Making Home is a part of "real life" for me-- a way for me to engage with others, grow & learn, and authentically share what I'm learning/doing-- right now, it will take a back seat to other more pressing real life demands.

I hope to still hear from you all. It's been 2 & 1/2 years since I started Making Home, as a way to just get out random thoughts, and what I've received back-- in terms of personal growth, friendship with so many women around the world, being challenged to think & write carefully, and encouragement from so many of you-- has been a treasure.

This post is not a goodbye, or even a "pause"... but it IS intended to be a note that says something like, "I don't know exactly what's coming, but looking at the future realistically, I don't think we'll be able to talk as often as we have... but I sincerely hope we can still be friends-- friends that can pick right back up where they left off, and enjoy intermittent, random moments strung together to make for meaningful interactions." :)

Blessings to you all! And I'll see ya when I see ya.

FEATURE ARTICLE: CONSIDER YOUR LEGACY

Two women in the same newspaper... which has the greater legacy, and which should we be striving for?
"One is a public figure who grasps at power and prestige like a drowning man to a life preserver, who is admired because she can shoulder her way in a world once deemed to belong only to men. She seeks dominance, perhaps for its own sake. And then there is a modest country woman whose success can be measured in the productive lives of her many descendents and the remembrance by hundreds of her steady and consistent virtue passed on to generations. They were both in the same newspaper. Which one has the real power?" Read the whole article here.

• Do you take advantage of the FREE DOWNLOADS from ChristianAudio.com? If not, you're missing out!
• HOW TO MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE-- Don't miss this one! Excellent interview with a man who has books of the Bible put to memory.
  
• "As an athiest, I truly believe Africa needs God."
  
• Here's a list of great benedictions to pray from Scripture.

• PRAY! God will answer.
• 10 reasons to PRAY THE SCRIPTURES!
  
• Pray thoughtful prayers. Don't be afraid to use someone else's thoughts (like these great prayers) to motivate and inspire your own prayers to God.
  
• FAST! Jesus said "when", not "if".

• Are you a controlling woman?
• My friend Monica just was diagnosed with breast cancer, and has decided to blog about her journey while she walks through it: From Mourning to Dancing

• MOTHERHOOD IS MINISTRY.
  
• Here's a great list of Good Podcasts for Kids
• A fun video about colors and the feelings they evoke to watch with your kids
  
• More & Merrier: a great firsthand rememberance of life in a large family. (see our new "large family" photo at right)
  
• "What do you tell your kids about Santa?" - I get asked this question every year... and now that (hopefully) the controversy and emotion of the holiday has passed, here's an article that pretty wonderfully outlines my answer.
• Something that doesn't get discussed very often: Anger in Parenting
• A great commentary about how you can teach almost anything through the incredible home school resources available these days.
• Did you hear about the Immersion Project? It's an interesting (and disturbing) study of how kids react while playing video games.

• Abortionist responsible for nearly 50,000 deaths becomes pro-life activist
• Planned Parenthood brushes over statutory rape and teaches a 13-year old how to cross state lines to obtain an abortion without her parents' approval
  

• Though I might like to, I can't respond to every single question, challenge, or thrown-down gauntlet. I am a busy woman, after all. Holly expresses many things I've been thinking about lately.
• Increasingly rude, hostile, and verbose attacking comments that all tell me just how wrong I am about something do not win me over.
  
• It is biblical and right to be fully convinced about personal convictions. Strong opinions and convictions are well within the bounds of faithful and biblical Christianity.
  

• Take the picture while you can.
• You can make your own baby food-- it's better, cheaper, and extremely easy!
• Interesting thoughts about praising your kids.
• Breastfeeding moms: GET PLENTY OF IRON! (I didn't, and began having slight fainting spells a couple weeks ago. Once I began taking my iron supplements again, they went away.)
• Married women: Just Say "Yes"! My good friend Kelly just started this blog for encouraging married women... let me tell you, she is one inspiring lady in this area of blessing your husband with a fulfilling intimate life. So check out her blog, and consider adding it to your bloglines account!
• Sheila shares an interesting thought about why many women don't enjoy sex... and a way to rightly "awaken love". Perhaps this could help you?
  

• "Embarrassingly EASY" meals that get rave reviews-- I compiled this list from friends... check it out and get some ideas for easy meals to add to your family favorites!
  
• Need ideas for homemade cake making? This site inspires and educates!
  
• Check out my friend's website... she makes BEAUTIFUL homemade cakes!
• GREAT kids' Birthday cake ideas
• A primer for the new bread-baker. I'm not there yet, but I'm thinking about it. Baby steps.
  
• Need motivation for weight loss? Read about the obesity epidemic & check your healthy weight range.
  
• Here's the delicious turkey recipe I made for both Thanksgiving (with local friends) and Christmas (with my parents) -- Brine Cured Roast Turkey with Maple Ginger Glaze
• Make your own Honey Granola-- it sound delicious! (And very easy!)
  
• Kelly's got a great list of savory winter-time soups

• "Why I Broke Up With Facebook"-- one mom's understandable explanation
• BUT YOU DON'T LOOK SICK! -- The spoon theory is a helpful analogy for people who suffer from chronic pain sorts of illnesses... to help others understand.
• Great story, and I'm glad it's being highlighted as a wonderful example, but it's sad that it's seen as news: Newly-married couple has sex for the first time.
  
• Free Classic AudioBooks -- for personal growth or homeschooling or just enjoyment of good literature, this is a great resource!
• Looking for good board games? (The good stuff is in the comments, as Challies' readers share about their favorite games!)
  

• Johnathan asks "What's the Best Way to Open a Candy Wrapper in Church?" (a dilemna that anyone who's grown up in church can identify with!)
• Can't remember where I got this but it's hilarious: This is perhaps THE LEAST-EFFECTIVE MARKETING CAMPAIGN EVER.

For the last post of the year, I'd like to feature two posts from each month of 2008... one chosen by the readers (indicated by how many comments it received), and one chosen by me as my favorite from the month. Hopefully you'll enjoy this and find some things to read... and I'll enjoy getting to see 2008 in review. So let's do it... feel free to jump in and add your comments and thoughts to any of these.

• We started out the year with you all lending your advice to a Christian women dealing with a husband's porn addiction. (43 comments)
  
• Something to ask ourselves... who am I going to be today?

• "Being Sexy For Your Husband (part 3 in a 5-part series)"--this one was controversial, as some Christians want to put extra restrictions (beyond what the Bible lays out) on what married couples can do within their marriage bed. (56 comments)
• Specifics on how family devotions go at our house.

• Silas was born! I was so blessed to have you all celebrate his arrival with us! (87 comments)
  
• Time management with little ones has lots of good advice and ideas for moms in the comments!
  

• You all had fun picking which useful skill you'd choose if you could "instantly acquire" that ability... (56 comments)
• The most helpful thing I can share with new mothers has been such a complete blessing to our family, that I can't help but share about it. Maybe it will help some of you. It's our thoughts on battling bedtime and training our children in good sleep habits.
  

• Many of you shared your thoughts about the poor husband who was served up "rice" for every "meal" (wink, wink). (64 comments)
• This is a lesson I am still learning-- what the Word of God says about differences between preferences & convictions in the choices we make as mothers.

• The readers enjoyed this humorous quote about homeschoolers and socialization. (55 comments)
• I know I struggle with making the best use of my time... maybe you do too?
  

• Many readers weighed in about when the person who wears the pants in your family is a size 2T. (51 comments)
  
• Favorite from July: Don't compare your spouse with anyone else!!!
  
• Favorite from August: It's not our culture that has sexualized the breasts. Just had to get this little rant off my, ahem, chest. :)
  

• This one really brought readers out... Some Subtle Effects of the Birth Control Culture (117 comments)
• SEX: What if you just don't want to? Perhaps this will help or motivate the wife who is willing but not wanting to regularly be with her husband.

• A post about Psychobabble Parenting really lit up with comments... so fast and furious that they ended up being shut down. (55 comments in less than 72 hours)
• Lessons about what Love really looks like-- these are things I'm still learning.

• Apparently, my "true confessions" post struck a chord with many other mamas out there... "My Seven Month Old Ate Dirt" was the high-comment post for last month. (49 comments)
• I love to celebrate adoption! Many of our friends had "gotcha days" this year, and it is such a blessing to see God knit families together!

• This month, the definite "hit" was for other young Christian moms-- "Combating the 'You Should Get Out of the House More' Mentality". (112 comments so far)
• One thing we can easily forget in the busy season of Christmas is that everyone leaves some things undone.
  

Two years ago, I began blogging to get my thoughts out on virtual "paper". I often come up with book ideas, but never have had enough perseverance or time to get it all out, so I figured, one post at a time, I'd write something like a book.

I privately asked a few close friends to review my writing and give me feedback. I didn't dream that the readership would grow, and that I would be blessed with new friends and encouragement, being both challenged and refined by those who come to Making Home.

Now, I'm no expert blogger, but I've steadily gained readership and tags/links over the two years I've been blogging. So, it may not be much, but I thought I'd share some of my own tips for making a good, readable, worth-someone-else's-time blog:

1. PURPOSE. Know what you're "shooting" for. If your purpose is to keep grandma and grandpa updated about your kids and their changing lives, don't try to shift purposes mid-stream and suddenly have a wide readership tackling hard issues of life. If your desire is to bring up controversial subjects, don't be surprised when people get their hackles up from time to time. People won't come to your blog if there's not a reason, so figure out what it is you're wanting to do or say, and blog accordingly.
   
   
2. HONESTY. Show people the real deal. It's not worth your time and it's not worth anyone else's time to share only the perfectly decorated, fully disciplined, amazing parts of your life. Share the hard things too. Be willing to share about the good and not-so-good days of life-- particularly about those things that your blog is focused on. Not only does it help cultivate an attitude of humility, but it also gives other people realistic expectations as they begin ________ (homeschooling, breastfeeding, working from home, parenting six children, etc.) --whatever it is that you write about.
   
   
3. LONGEVITY. Once you decide to blog, stick it out. Don't stop and start. Don't expect to build readers in a couple months' time, and don't expect to retain readers if you're wishy-washy in your frequency of posts, subject matter, or attitude.
   
   Don't get frustrated because you have one bad day, week, or month and write some philosophical post about how you need to quit... only to start blogging again a couple weeks/months later. (Don't get me wrong; I take breaks when my family needs it-- I even took a 6-week hiatus this summer... and now, I have enough posts pre-scheduled so that I take breaks and no one even knows it!) You don't have to blog everyday (I don't...), but post somewhat regularly, and don't. give. up.
   
   
4. One more thought about PURPOSE... you don't have to have a laser-beam focus on one issue or theme, but if you're too random, people will stop coming around. They only have so much time that they're willing to spend online, and if you're asking a stay-home mom to also regularly listen to your thoughts on working in an office, or expecting unmarried theology students to check out your posts on specific issues in parenting, they probably won't.
   
   Also-- FOR AN "ISSUES" BLOG-- I have been blasted for saying this before, but it's just the truth. Unless someone is already your friend or has a specific reason to read about your personal life details, they generally don't have time or just won't want to. So, if you need to start a separate blog to post skads of life stories and kids' pics, do it. (We have one, totally unconnected to Making Home, for that very purpose... to update family and friends about our family & our experiences living overseas.)
   
   Occasional things shared are great-- and keep it real. Sometimes I still share cute anecdotes here or illustrative pictures or stories... but my purpose here at Making Home is to encourage, exhort, and be sharpened by other Christian women. So that's what I generally try to hone in on.
   

• There are THREE Types of Bloggers.
• Links to 30 great articles all in one place: Building a Better Blog- a really helpful series!
• ENGAGE THE CULTURE as a blogger.- By Albert Mohler
• BLOGGING FOR CHRIST: Al Mohler's Nov. 8, '08 radio show about Christians who blog- it's worth a listen!
• BETTER BLOG READING by desiringgod.com
• DEVELOPING A CRISP BLOG: tips from a good boundless.com writer, Motte Brown