Thinking Outside the "Church" Box

I had dinner with a friend last night which led to some pretty interesting after dinner conversation that really got me thinking. My husband and I have not seen eye-to-eye about pretty much everything related to church since...well, forever. We have fairly frequent "discussions" regarding this subject that never seem to get resolved; however, after talking with my friend, my eyes have been opened to see a bigger picture. I think my husband would relate very well to my friend's ideas. This friend had some unique ideas. And when I say "unique" I mean that in a good way. She might say she's just crazy, but I would disagree and say that she's done her research, probably a whole heck of a lot of soul-searching and has personally lived many experiences, good and bad, that have brought her to the convictions that she currently has. I won't share her convictions here since they are personal to her and she may not want them exposed on my blog, but this is what she got me thinking about: Why do I feel guilty for missing a church service here and there when I have a personal relationship with a God that wouldn't send me to hell because I stayed home instead of going to church? Isn't there something missing when I can't tell you what the sermon was about 5 minutes after it's over (even when I put forth extra effort to pay attention)? I'm not in true fellowship with other believers when I go to a church service (where I'm supposedly going to fellowship with other believers), I don't talk to anyone and I leave as fast as my legs can get me out the door. Church doesn't benefit me or God or anyone around me when I go out of obligation, to ease a guilty conscience or when I leave unchanged, so what are my motives when I go?

My friend loaned me a book that will probably take me outside my comfort zone, outside of my "going-to-church-every-single-blessed-time-the-doors-are-open-because-that's-what-'good'-Christians-do-ness" and show me why churches in America do the things they do and whether those things are really right, whether they are even Biblical. I want to be changed. I want to stay changed and not go back to my old shallow ways. I want to desire to help the widows and orphans, to not be afraid to reach out to the outcasts, the hurting, the totally messed up in sin people that have the same fate that I had before accepting Christ. I don't want to judge people who are different, who really do have messed up lives, who other Christians avoid. That is going to take a whole heck of a lot of courage and I'm honestly not sure that I'm ready for that, but I know I need to grow and change and actually LIVE the way Jesus lived. That's so cliche, we hear it all the time, but that really is how we are supposed to live. I heard something like this on the radio last weekend: Jesus attracted people who were social outcasts or religious leaders that disagreed with him and hated him, people with no morals, poor character, messed up lives, and they listened to His teachings and followed Him. The church today claims to preach that same message as Jesus, but churches attract people with conservative values, who shun those very people that Jesus drew in by the thousands. So, if we're not attracting the same people as Jesus, then we must not be preaching the same message as Him. Ouch. But how true is that? Even in my own life. Even in the thoughts I have about my own family. I must love everyone. I must see them as Christ sees them and lead them to Him by my example, not with condemnation. I have some serious growing to do.

"G" Monogram

I saw this idea on a vinyl wall decor website a few months ago and knew that I had to make one myself. Big Lots had 12x12x1 inch canvases for $5, so I snatched one up and created this:


I had some paint left over from the living room and painted the canvas. Then I used Sure Cuts a Lot to cut the image out in vinyl on my Cricut and then mod podged over it so it wouldn't come off the canvas. Total project cost: $6. I'm totally diggin' this thrifty decor stuff! I can't stop searching for ways to save money by doing projects myself instead of spending top dollar at a store to get the same thing. This type of monogram cost $40 on one website. Now I'm making one for my in-laws to hang on their garage. I'll post pictures when it's done.

A Minute on My Soapbox

Lately I've been thinking a lot more about how I want to educate my kids someday (like, when I actually have kids ;) Today confirmed, yet again, that I want to homeschool. Sky came home from his first week of kindergarten with homework. He has work every single night of the week and on weekends. And he's four years old. Did I mention that he's only in KINDERGARTEN? Why can't a kid just be a kid? And why can't a boy just come home after a long day of sitting still and paying attention and just be a boy?! Why can't he get off the school bus and run around the house playing with his dog, play outside in the dirt, eat a snack to refuel and then play some more? Why does society want kids to grow up so fast? I read an article last week about girls hitting puberty earlier than ever. That was a really scary time for me. I was extremely self conscious. I can't imagine being any younger than I was and going through that change. I was already one of the last girls in my class to go through it. I know that I can't barricade my children in the house and never let them interact with anyone else for fear they might learn something inappropriate. My fear is to have "socially awkward" kids. I just want them to have a Biblical worldview, a strong sense of self worth, strong academic skills, a well-rounded education, and the opportunity to BE A KID! Is that too much to ask for?

I feel bad for the families whose evenings are hurried trying to shove supper down their throats, cram in a few pages of busy work, and get to bed at a decent hour after working all day at the office. There is scarcely a free moment for quality time together as a family. My mother in law has been overwhelmed each evening ever since Sky started school. And he's only been going for four days! She barely has enough time to help Sky with homework, feed him supper, bathe him and then it's time for bed (the family goes to bed very early since they must get up around 3 a.m. for work). This type of schedule would wear me out as an adult, so I can't imagine what it feels like for a child.

I'm sure I'll get some grief along the way for choosing the homeschool path for my family in the future, but after seeing what the traditional school schedule does to other families, I want something better for my family. I want to spend lots of quality time together and give my kids time to just be kids. We seem to have lost that somehow as a culture, but I digress.

First Day of School

Sky started Kindergarten last week. He spent the night last Sunday and then my mother in law dropped him off at our house in the wee hours of the morning Tues-Thurs so he could sleep while she worked and he could get used to waking up in time to get ready for school. Sky was awake when I got up every day and kept asking when school was going to start. He even told me he was "gonna bust some butt" at school on his first day. I advised him that he would probably get into trouble saying that and that he wouldn't make friends that way. That kid says some funny stuff!



It made me sad to think about his mom missing out on this milestone in her son's life. I hope to give her pictures of his first day sometime in the future so that she can connect to the moment with Sky, but I don't want to hurt her feelings that I got to be there with him and she didn't.

I've really enjoyed getting to be a part of Sky's life these past few months. He has grown so much. He never used to give hugs or show affection, but now he hugs me goodbye and even told me that he "loves me with his whole heart". What girl's heart wouldn't melt to hear those words? I just want to give him lots of good memories to keep in his heart for the rest of his life. I want to be Jesus to him and live a godly example before him. He might not always live so close by and he certainly won't stay so young for long, so I just want to take full advantage of the time I have with him to impact his life. It seems like just yesterday that I was holding him and meeting my sister-in-law for the first time. He was a gorgeous baby. Dark skin, dark eyes, dark hair, and pudgy little cheeks! Now he's a little boy with so much potential! I can't wait too see what the future holds for him.

Recent Projects and Bargains Galore!

I'm back! Finally! I started to write this post a week ago and have had to edit it since then. I just now got the desire to upload pictures to go with a few posts, so I'm finally finishing what a started last weekend. I went to some yard sales and found not one, but TWO amazing bargains. I got a white bookcase for the "library" or someday a kid's room, or maybe in Alex's office, who knows.

And, the piece de resistance, drum roll please......a Brother sewing machine for TEN dollars!!!!


I've been saving up for about 2 months and had barely accumulated half of what I intended to spend (because I kept spending my savings at other fantastic yard sales, Mighty Dollar and *sigh* Kroger). Yes, I had to spend a few bucks at the grocery store once or twice, but only out of dire necessity. Anyway, the machine needed a foot and shank, which I was able to get from the local sewing machine store for $8. Total investment in sewing machine: $18. Does it get any better than that?! I feel so blessed! I came home after this amazing bargain hunt and proceeded to repaint the bookcase and clean up the dusty sewing machine. My mom had also given me what she thought was the most hideous frame she'd ever seen, so I painted that while I was at it. The frame will be taking up residence in the dining room, but I can't figure out what to hang inside it. I'm thinking of hanging some small pictures on ribbons from the top of the frame or something. Who knows. I didn't manage to get a picture of the frame after it was finished.

I am really beginning to see how home projects never end. Things that I thought would be done by now (replacing all 80's light fixtures) have never even begun and new projects that I never imagined doing are now in full swing (built in bookcase in the family room). My father-in-law has begun work on the latter project and I'm so excited about how it's coming along!


Drywall is up! He should be finished in two days and I'll be ready to paint the wall and the bookcase on the other side. Woohoo! Has anyone else been doing home improvement projects lately?

Money Spending Blues

As this post's title suggests, I have had a case of the money-spending blues. You know, the affliction where you go shopping, find all kinds of cute goodies and walk away with nothing because you're not in the mood to spend any money? I checked out a new local bargain store that sells discounted scrapbook paper packs and home decor. I think Mighty Dollar has spoiled me! Give me Amy Butler embellishments for a dollar, but I won't pay $15 for her scrapbook tote bag or basket. I couldn't even bring myself to buy some new paper (which I've been needing/wanting) because I figured I could get it cheaper on sale at Hobby Lobby. My next stop was to a quaint little country decor store where I hoped to find some Billy Jacobs paintings for my dining room, even though in the back of my mind I knew that even if I found the perfect painting, I wasn't going to spend the money to buy it. I saw dozens of cute little side tables for sale and I just wanted to go "junk" shopping and get one for next to nothing so I could fix it up myself for a few bucks instead of paying $20 or more at this country store. These blogs about thrifty decorating are getting to me! Not that I wasn't a thrifty decorator before (I LOVE finding goodies at yard sales!) but now it's taking over and not letting me spend more than a few dollars on anything! I went home having spent $4 on a Martha Stewart border punch from Tuesday Morning since that really was quite a bargain. I guess I should be happy that my bank account is in tact after such a sad shopping trip...

New Favorite Blogs

Over the past few weeks I've really been enjoying reading crafting/sewing blogs. I'm liking this more than coming up with my own blogging material (because my life and hobbies apparently are not that interesting, surprise, surprise!). I thought I'd share of few of the sites with you:

MADE - www.dana-made-it.com Blogger Dana creates funky clothes, has great tutorials and inspires me to learn to sew! I can't wait to buy a sewing machine! I'm practically counting down the days till I'll have enough moola saved...

All Things Thrifty - www.allthingsthrifty.com Brooke has great tutorials on refinishing furniture and reupholstering chairs (another project that I'm dying to do! Not exactly a project for a beginner seamstress, but a girl's gotta dream, right?)

I Create It - www.i-create-it.blogspot.com Danielle also refinishes furniture and has beautiful do-it-yourself decorating ideas. She has a few tutorials, including one for making pin-tucked pillows that I think I could tackle. Add that to my to-do list of sewing projects!

Noodleheads - www.noodleheads.blogspot.com Anna creates clothes and other goodies for her kids. I totally want to be the mom that creates fun stuff for her kids to wear and play with. She also designed this clutch that I can't wait to make!