Heart of Motherhood- Shelli Majesky

Introduction
I'm Shelli, wife, mother of four, and needy woman of Jesus. Why am I here- all started on a sledding hill years ago. Met Sarah, we prayed for one another on the hill, and there began a sweet friendship that has been a breath of fresh air.
Not here because I am a model mother or wife, but because I am on a journey with the Lord, and He has breathed new life into me through a sweet conference I went to, I shared it with Sarah, and there we go!

Luke 7 – Simon the Pharisee and the Sinful Woman
Read the passage
Love this story, it's a beautiful contrast between two characters:
Sinning woman: She knew of Jesus great grace, and her great need. Because of this knowledge it
gave her courage to seek out Jesus, despite damaging her own reputation and more humiliation. After
finding Jesus, moved her to show great emotion and affection through washing His feet with her tears,
kissing them, and happily expending all of her resources with a life savings worth of pure perfume,
poured out on His feet!
Simon the Pharisee: He was a Pharisee, who had a traveling preacher, Jesus, into his home for dinner. This was not unusual, but rather expected, a respectable thing for him to do. He was rather dutiful in having Jesus into his home. He did not go above and beyond. He did not offer to wash Jesus feet or even order someone else to do it. Rather, he was somewhat put off and judgmental of the “sinning woman” when she did. These characters in this story, highlight two different ways of living: One is entitled, duty- on display in Simon’s life, one is happy, wasteful living- on display in the sinning woman’s life.

Two ways of living- lived out!
Entitled, duty:
We know that God calls us to faithful parenting
Parenting verse (Prov. 22:6, Train up a child n the way he should go; even when he is old he will not
depart from it.)
But what motivates that obedience?
Curious verse in Rom. 12:2, says, Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
We are not to be conformed to the "Pattern of the world"
 1. One pattern?- work hard and receive what you are owed
 2. Find the right techniques and work them (vending machine idea!)
 3. This develops entitlement around the results, doing just enough to get the results, like Simon.
 4. Leads to "gritted teeth" in the way I parent (example: Getting kids ready to go worship the Lord with             the church, my daughter says,” Why are you always so angry when we get ready for church?”)
 5. We are NOT to be conformed to this pattern!
 6. Mothering is not a list of formulas, techniques, or programs.
 7. Mothering is not a competition or stage where we seek our validation, or a circus where we try and               create our circus bears.
 8. The Lord has entrusted us with human beings to care for and raise up - this is a supernatural thing,                 that involves supernatural involvement! Ladies, formulas are for math, systems are for science, and                 techniques are for handwriting.
There is a different way -the way of happy, wasteful living.
The way of a renewed mind - thinking in a different way, Holy Spirit-led, gospelpaved way, not                     seeking a result, but rather a relationship.
Begins with believing in, and being satisfied with all that has been accomplished for me already in                   Jesus as Savior and Lord
My sin doesn't need to drive me to more hard work but to rushing to the feet of Jesus. ( idea of                     seeking a covering by sitting with a mom that I think has it all figured out!)
Is my first default going to Jesus! Do I believe: John 6:67-69, or James 1:5-6?
If our default becomes Jesus first, what an opportunity to take what Satan intends for harm, and                     pull the rug right out from under Satan’s schemes.
In this response, I reestablish my hope, regain my strength and courage to move forward.
Out of love, not entitlement, and feeling I am owed!
The way also allows me to see the heart of my child!
Which means I look for more than behavior in them (and support more than behavior in them)
Mac and dinner table- see your children's heart behind their words and they will be blessed.
"And that's not my child" - what did the child hear?  That they are only my child when they act rightly.

What does this look like, practically, in manner, not technique?
This means that mothering is not about the how's but rather about the why’s
How parenting is duty driven and result oriented, versus why parenting which is obedience oriented             and love driven, overflowing out of an appreciation for grace.

How parenting 
fear driven
trusts in the method
Responds quickly and usually in anger
is anxious and wrought up
sees the many adjustments in a child and corrects 1st
environment in this home lacks humility, and
therefore lacks freedom and grace

Why parenting
faith driven
trusts in the Lord
responds slowly and with clarity
is peaceful and joy filled
sees strengths, encourages them,and comes alongside of the weaknesses
environment generally swims in humility and there is safety and health

Where do you feel like you spend more time? If in how parenting, do not be discouraged. Seek Jesus,
ask Him for grace, and for His kindness to lead you to repentance. This is the who point of the story in
Luke 7. If why parenting, celebrate, but stay on your face at the feet of Jesus.

Conclusion
Jeremiah 1:11a The Lord said, “Have I not set you free for their good? Have I not pleaded for you before the enemy in the time of trouble, and in the time of distress?” This set free means: We have had all of our questions and needs met and answered in Jesus!
Acceptance - MET, He died while I was still a sinner. (Rom. 5:8)
Affirmation - MET, He laid down His life for me insecurity - MET, secured my place in His family,                through death. (1 Peter 1:1-5)
Alone - MET, I will never leave you or forsake you. (Heb. 13:5b)
Loved - MET, loved me, and gave up his life for me, took on what I deserved. (Gal. 2:20b)
Afraid - NO NEED, The Lord is my helper, I will not fear! (Heb. 13:6)

Oh ladies, we have been set free! May we position ourselves at the feet of our Savior and experience
true delight in Him, and therefore love well!

Phil. 1:6- "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Hebrews 10:39- "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls."

Little Moments for Smiling- Jeanette McBee

Little Moments for Smiling

A heart full of thankfulness for those moments that are small, sometimes fleeting, refreshes our soul, relaxes our muscles. Who allows these glimpses of joy? Who loves you so much and knows what makes you laugh? He created your smile and chuckles. There are times when I believe the lie that I'm not any fun and I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud. Who wants to be around me? Have you every felt that way?

The Lord God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, says you are precious and He loves you (Isaiah 43:4). 

Let's make smiling a little easier. What are some things that make you smile or laugh? This may sound funny (pun intended), but I have a "Smile File". Jokes, quips, articles I've read along the way that make me laugh out loud are here. It's a great pick-me-up. For practice, write 3 things that you enjoy doing (This is not the time to muffle a cry of "when will I ever have time just for me!!" Trust God for time to experience joy He made for you.) Here are some ideas to get you started: Listen to music that soothes or energizes; A cup of your favorite warm drink in a pretty mug; Sitting with a book for 15 minutes uninterrupted and quiet; Playing a game with your kids that you like, too; A bouquet of flowers in a prominent place; A candle, which shape, color or scent is attractive to you; A breakfast that you take care in preparing for yourself and/or your family (use the "nice" dishes and flatware, eat the food you like most, etc.).

Now maybe it goes without saying, so if you already understand this please be patient with me as I'm going to say it anyway: Making an idol of these little joys, meaning having an expectation that your "moment" has to be perfect to be enjoyed, will backfire.

Be alert, notice, recognize when God, seemingly spontaneously, creates little joys just for you.

Rustic Potato Soup- Darcy MackMiller

Rustic Potato Soup

6 c chicken broth
2 lb red potatoes, peeled & cubed
1 bay leaf
2 Tbsp butter
1 lb Kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2 in pieces
2 large leeks, white/light green parts only, cut in 1/2 lengthwise, then sliced thin crosswise
1/2 bunch kale, stems removed & leaves cut crosswise into 1/4 inch strips (about 4 cups)
Ground black pepper

Bring broth, potatoes & bay leaf to boil in large pan over med-high heat. Reduce to med-low & simmer til potatoes are tender, 10 min or so. Discard leaf. Using masher, coarsely break up potatoes, leaving some chunks.
Melt butter in Dutch oven over med heat. Add kielbasa, stirring frequently til browned in spots, around 4 min. Add leaks, cook 4 more min til soft. Add potato mixture & kale to Dutch oven & simmer 5 min until kale's tender. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Serve & enjoy! ;)

No Work Bread- Adrienne Wier

Jim Lahey’s No-Work Bread

Makes: 1 large loaf

Time: Nearly 24 hours, almost completely unattended

This innovation—the word recipe does not do the technique justice—came from Jim Lahey, owner of Sullivan Street Bakery in New York City. Jim has created a way for home cooks (and not even ones who are serious bakers) to nearly duplicate an artisan bakery loaf, with a crackling crust, open-holed crumb, light texture, and fantastic flavor. All without kneading, fancy ingredients, or special equipment. A wet dough and slow fermentation are the keys to success, as is the baking method—a heated covered pot, which creates essentially an oven within an oven to trap steam as the bread bakes. This is the original, simplest version, though many people have tinkered with the formula since it was first published in 2006. I’m not kidding when I say the results will blow your mind. The only thing required is forethought. Ideally, you will start the dough about 24 hours before you plan to eat it; you can cut that to 12 and even 9 (see the variation), but you’ll be sacrificing some of the yeasty flavor and open crumb.

4 cups all-purpose or bread flour, plus flour for dusting

Scant 1/2teaspoon instant yeast

2 teaspoons salt

2 cups water at about 70°F

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (optional)

Cornmeal, semolina, or wheat bran as needed

1. Combine the flour, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Add the water and stir until blended; you’ll have a shaggy, sticky dough (add a little more water if it seems

dry). Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or put the olive oil in a second large bowl, transfer the dough to that, turn to coat with oil, and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rest for about 18 hours at about 70°F. The dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Rising time will be shorter at warmer temperatures, a bit longer if your kitchen is 60–65°F.

2. Lightly flour a work surface, remove the dough, and fold once or twice; it will be soft but, once sprinkled with flour, not terribly sticky. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest for about 15 minutes.

3. Using just enough flour to keep the dough from sticking, gently and quickly shape the dough into a ball. Generously coat a cotton (not terry cloth) towel with

cornmeal or wheat bran (or use a silicone baking mat); put the dough seam side down on the towel and dust with more flour or cornmeal. Cover with another cotton towel (or plastic wrap) and let rise for about 2 hours. When it’s ready, the dough will be more than doubled in size and won’t spring back readily when poked with your finger.

4. At least a half hour before the dough is ready, heat the oven to 450°F. Put a 3- to 4-quart covered pot (with the cover)—it may be cast-iron, enamel, Pyrex, or ceramic—in the oven as it heats. When the dough is ready, carefully remove the pot from the oven and turn the dough over into the pot, seam side up. (Slide your hand under the towel and just turn the dough over into the pot; it’s messy, and it probably won’t fall in artfully, but it will straighten out as it bakes.) Cover with the lid and bake for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for another 20 to 30 minutes, until the loaf is beautifully browned. (If at any point the dough starts to smell scorched, lower the heat a bit.) Remove the bread with a spatula or tongs and cool on a rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

No-Work Bread, Sped Up. Reduce the initial rise to 8 hours; skip the 15-minute resting period and just shape the dough as in Step 3. Proceed immediately to Step 4.

Homemade Carmel Corn- Jill Curry

Pop your popcorn

Carmel Corn

In a sauce pan melt 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup karo, 1cup brown sugar. Bring to a boil. Boil for 4 min stirring continually. Remove from heat. Add 1/2 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp vanilla. Stir and pour over popcorn. 

Jill curry

Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup- Joani Parrish

Ingredients:
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 carrots chopped
2 celery chopped
1 onion
1 1/2 cup frozen green beans
1 cup frozen corn
2 cloves of garlic
2 cups of cooked wild rice or 1 cup uncooked
4 cups chicken broth
3 cups milk
Salt, pepper, and parsley to taste

Directions:
   1. Sauté celery, carrots, onions, green beans, corn, garlic, and seasonings, in evoo until softened.
   2. Cover with chicken broth and boil chicken and veggies.
   3. When chicken is cooked through remove and cube or shred.
   4. Add rice, milk and cook on low til rice is done and sauce has thickened. Do not let milk boil. You can also add a little flour to help it thicken.

~I like to serve with warm homemade biscuits or in bread bowls. I hope you enjoy!

Fun Fall Giveaway!

*GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED! DRAWING TOMORROW!

Who doesn't love a giveaway?!  In celebration of this beautiful fall season that's upon us and the start of our new year at Real Moms, I have something special to give away!  Is this ceramic owl candle holder not adorable?  And how bout some Harvest spice tea lights to go inside him?  And what's fall without your favorite hot drink on a crisp morning?  This mug is large, just the way I like it:).

How to enter:

1.  Leave a comment on this post telling us what you love about fall and where you plan to put this owl should you win.  This will get you one entry.

2. For three extra entries, simply submit something for the blog. (Recipe, craft idea, a verse or verses that have spoken to you lately, what God is teaching you.) Email them to me at: sarah.longoria4@gmail.com

*The giveaway will close on 9/16/13  night at 8pm (The night before our next Real Moms meeting).  The giveaway drawing will happen at our next meeting on Sept. 17th.

Happy fall! May you find, in this season of coziness, a renewed desire to draw near to your Savior and His Word.