JANUARY 2008
- 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.
JUNE 2008- 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.
OCTOBER 2008- 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.
May God richly bless you all in this final week of 2008! I pray that Christ will become more highly prized and more richly exalted in your home and mine as we celebrate His birth! Merry Christmas & have a delightfully Christ-centered remainder of the year! "See you" in 2009!!!
14 comments:
Hi Jess - I've been lurking around for a couple of months and LOVE your blog; thank you for your encouragement, words of TRUTH and challenging posts. Much blessing to you and your family; I pray that 2009 will be a fruitful and prosperous year.
Hi Jess,
I love January's "Who am I going to be today?" What a great change in perspective. I am looking forward to reading through these.
Merry Christmas!
Julie
You have so much wisdom for a young woman. I have truly been blessed and learned so much from your blog. Due to our son getting married this year and leaving, forced me on the internet (he did everything for us regarding the computer) You see, I am a 47yrs. homeschool mom of six who can still learn a thing or two from the young godly women out there!
Thanks for all your time you put into Making Home with all your littles. God's blessings to you and your family in 2009!
Darleen Creath
I actually come and read the "Subtle effects of birth control" VERY often. I also have recommended it on my blog several times. :)
I am commenting on the "Battling Bedtime" post with my new perspective (have the baby in my life now).
My little one is sleeping 8 hour stretches now at 6 weeks. Our problem is getting him to start that stretch at a decent hour and not midnight.
And I know Babywise is a hot button thing but I just want to say I can see how people *can* get too hardcore with it as if Babywise is the bible (I know you know it's not, I'm just sayin). In fact I needed to re-asses my mind frame after those first few weeks of being a brand new mom where I was a bit too eager to just have a "system".
That said, as someone who has done a bit of Babywising...the vast majority of the scheduling thing has translated to me waking him up to make sure he eats enough, not trying to make him wait to eat.
After all is said and done I hope to let God have the final say in every choice I make with the little babe. I do feel my perspective has shifted a bit in that regard; for the better.
Jess,
I forget how I was directed towards your blog, but I'm thankful the Lord allowed it. I have been so greatly encouraged in my role as a woman of God, wife and mother through your posts. I am 23 and have a 19 month old; I am seeking to 'Make Home' daily. The post that meant the most to me was the one about getting out of the house more. Thank you for posting it boldy. May the Lord bless you in the New Year!
Jessica
Merry Christmas, Jess! Our family loves yours :)
Merry Christmas, Jess! -NA
I too have been lurking for several months, and I have to say that your blog is one of my absolute favorites. As a mother of two littles, I always find things to encourage me. Thanks for being brave enough to say things that need to be said. Keep up the good work!
And thanks for this year-end summary. I went back and read them and was especially challenged by your "rice" post. Thanks!
Cindy
hi Jess
Thanks for a great blog.
I know this comment doesn't relate to your post but i was wondering about your views of feminine dress such as wearing a skirt or dress.
Although women can look very feminine in pants/trousers i believe a woman should be skirted. The skirt reinforces her femininity.
Thats just my male point of view.
kind regards
Ted
Hi :0)
I stumbled across your site through "Hinds Feet at High Places"
today and have really enjoyed reading your 2008 review posts!
"Lessons about what Love really Looks like" really hit home. Thankyou for your wonderful, friendly honest writing.
Blessings ~
Suzy
Ted,
Thanks for the question. For me personally at this point, and I have not done any intensive research (in the Greek or Hebrew, for example) about it beyond what is stated in English, context is the key. In biblical times, men too would have been basically skirted.
The point and direction of most biblical texts on the matter seems to be that Christian women need to clearly look respectable and clearly look like women. I have started wearing more skirts in the last couple years because we live in a more conservative Muslim setting and that is what is appropriate and respectful. The NT does direct women to dress respectably, so for me, what I have done is to look around the culture that I live in (which has changed multiple times in the last 5 years as we've moved around the world) and take note of what is clearly "respectable" dress... and then adjust my own wardrobe (particularly outside of the home) accordingly. Most of the time here, I wear skirts when we go out. But there are times when I'll wear pants depending on the events of the day or the weather.
"Skirts only" is fine for a personal conviction, but probably would tend toward legalism if it's something prescriptively applied towards others. But if you, Ted, and your wife have a personal conviction that she and your daughters should be skirted, I certainly see that as within biblical parameters.
That's my general view on this; thanks for your comment.
~Jess
Your choice for April and the readers choice for June are two articles that I talk about all of the time and send links to friends a lot. My personal favorite is the psychobabble parenting post.
I found your blog last March through LAF. I like your blog -- probably because I agree with so many of your opinions! I am a 38 year old homeschooling mom of 5. I have friends who are passionate about homeschooling, or others who are into politics, or those who enjoy a wide range of books. It's rare to find someone who is passionate about so many of the things that I am -- thanks for sharing your heart and for your transparency.
I especially enjoyed your post on the husband's "rice diet". So much of what we hear in the evangelical community is about men and what they must do -- we wives have a huge duty too, and well-written pieces like that one drive the point home rather well! My husband loved it and shared it with a friend.
May God bless you!
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