Loved and Lost – A Blessing for Mother’s Day

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Kristen L. Nelson

Loved and Lost A Mother's Day Blessing Mother’s Day is most often a day filled with joy and celebration… but for those who have lost a mother, Mother’s Day can be a day of heartache and mourning.

My prayer for each and every person today is that you allow God to flood your heart with His joy and His peace as you honor your mother. I pray that a smile would cross your face as you reflect on the memories you share. Regardless of the relationship, regardless if your mother is here or if she has passed, I pray that this Mother’s Day would be filled with celebration for the life that she gave you and the sacrifices she made throughout the years.

Yes, today is a day we set aside each year to honor our mothers. Those rare gems that have the ability to seamlessly set aside their own desires to ensure the needs of their children are met. Mothers can make a boo-boo “all better” with just one kiss. Mothers can take away heartbreak in one embrace. Mothers can hear us in a way that no one else can because they hear us through their heart. They take each word we say and play it through the symphony of their heart’s strings making our worst situations feel like beautiful melodies of life’s many lessons we can learn.

Mothers are strong, beautiful, courageous and love us like no other.

Today, honor your mother in whatever way you can… whether it be a gift, a card, a hug, a phone call, or a special memory – be sure to tell her that you love her. Even if she has passed on, close your eyes and allow yourself to draw from the deepest part of your heart as you simply say “I love you, Mom.” I know that she will hear you… mothers always do.

“I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

Dear Jesus, I pray that today you would meet each of us where we are at. Flood our hearts with your joy and our minds with your peace… We join together now to lift up those who have lost a mother and struggle with this day… Wrap your loving arms around them and whisper sweet words of strength, love and peace into their ears. Fill all the gaps in their hearts with your presence Honor them as they honor their mothers. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

Blessings,

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Time for Balance {Part 2} – Put Change in Motion

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Kristen L. Nelson

Restoring Balance Part 2 Putting Change in MotionNAM pic 2 It’s one thing to realize change is necessary in order to move forward and establish balance; it’s quite another to put change in motion…

But that is the journey I, like so many, am currently on in my life.

As I mentioned in {Part 1} of this series, “Adjusting Priorities”, it took my life getting to a place of total chaos for me to finally realize my priorities were out of whack. But once I did… once I identified what the problem was (it was me!), I was able to release my burdens to God and allow Him to speak into my life the changes that needed to be made; while I simply listened…

Now I am in a season of putting that change in motion. It’s never enough to simply say, “Yeah, my priorities got all out of balance, I need to fix them…” and never actually take any real steps toward executing the change that is required.

As I welcome you into my journey I aim to provide tips along the way that are working for me at the moment… this is a first-hand, real-time look into my journey… one of Restoring Balance.

Below are the two major steps I have taken to Restore Balance in my life:

Adjusting Priorities: I made a list of my priorities in their current state along with a list of what they should look like. Doing this provided me with indisputable evidence of just how far out of balance my life had become! A clear indicator that adjusting my priorities was critical in order for balance to be restored. Here is what my lists look like:
Put Change In Motion: I took my new list and began putting change in motion. I began to seek God for the strength I needed to make an immediate adjustment in my life. I didn’t want to sit on this revelation allowing time to pass without taking any real steps to implementing these new priorities – my life was out of balance NOW so I was going to make changes NOW. I brought my list(s) to God and fell on my face in humility before Him recognizing it was through HIS strength and His wisdom that I would be able to put change in motion, immediately!

So this is where I am at right now… it’s been a challenge but I’m doing it. Essentially I had created some bad habits and we all know how difficult it is to break bad habits and implement good ones. Work was at the very top of my list when for me, as a stay-at-home-mom, it should have been at the very bottom. I had neglected my family, my home and even myself… my kitchen was a mess, my floors were dirty, the laundry had piled up to the point where it was impossible to tell which was the “clean pile” and which was the “dirty pile”.

My piles had merged to form hybrid piles of their own… the “clean-ish pile” and the “dirty-ish pile”!

My husband was doing all he could do to help out but at the end of the day the condition of our home was on my shoulders. I am so thankful for the man I married! He waited in prayerful patience, quietly praying that I would hear God’s voice and be able to see for myself how out of balance things had really gotten. He respected my fragile condition and trusted it was only a matter of time before I heard God speak.

Before, my days were an impulsive juggling act of work, taking care of my kids, work, spending time as a family, work, remembering to eat and breathe, work, spending time with God, more work and then it was time for bed.

Now I approach my days with intention! I wake up ready to spend time with God, in His word and in my devotions, I enjoy my time with my family, while taking care of my home and myself. When my children are in bed I crack open the laptop to sit down and write and focus on work.

The beautiful thing is – these last couple weeks of focusing less on work I haven’t missed a single deadline, I haven’t felt strapped for creative time, in fact – I feel freer and more creative than ever before! I feel alive again! Once I adjusted my priorities and began to put change in motion, I reconnected with my children and my husband and my home is finally starting to feel back in order… the scales of balance are beginning to level out.

There are still some things I would like to merge in to my daily routine like exercise and fun outings with my family… but incorporating new things will come in time… the first and most important thing is being consistent while adjusting to my new set of priorities and putting change in motion!

Dear Jesus, thank you for your guidance as I walk through this process of restoring balance in my life and in my home. I ask that you give me the strength I need to continue moving forward. Help me to remain consistent in this journey. Help me to always be sensitive to the delicate scales of balance in my life… as quickly as they level out they can just as quickly topple over… Guide me in each step of this journey so that I may apply Godly wisdom in each new phase. In Jesus Mighty Name, amen.

Blessings,

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Have you read Restoring Balance {Part 1}: Adjusting Priorities?? Click here to read it…

Time for Balance {Part 1}: Adjusting Priorities

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Kristen L. Nelson

Something I have learned after having two children and feeling the scales of balance shifting over and over again is this: if life feels like it is out of balance – it probably is! As mothers we are often heard making statements like, “My life is so crazy right now!” Or “I feel like life is totally out of control!” A mother’s senses are usually right on. We are very in tuned to the needs of our families so if we are beginning to feel like the world is spinning out of control around us then it more than likely IS!

Restoring Balance part 1 Adjusting Priorities NAM Pic The problem isn’t identifying that our lives are in need of a stabilization overhaul the problem is pin pointing the areas in our lives that we need to let go of and/or adjust in order to balance out the scales.

So HOW do we do this?

Well, we waive the white flag and surrender to the only One who sees the bigger picture and can help us readjust our lives – we turn to Jesus and surrender it all to Him!

Over the last several weeks I began feeling the world literally closing in on me… it was enough to make me claustrophobic! I felt stuck. I felt like I was heading down the road to a nervous breakdown and there was no exit ramp in site and nowhere for me to stop and make a quick U-turn. Looking in the rear-view mirror – the road behind me had become one big blur. The more I tried to figure how I had ended up in this place the more stressed out and hopeless I felt.

I could sense my tolerance level was rapidly declining. As much as I love and adore my children, they were getting on my last nerve! My patience seemed to have run its course so their normal toddler curiosity and stubbornness was beginning to make my blood boil – not good!

Knowing I was at my whit’s end I sent out an S.O.S. to anyone who would listen. I cried out to God, to my husband, to my family, to friends and pastors at our church… I felt like all I was doing was crying… but you know what – IT WORKED! God heard my cries for help and began to speak into my life.

The interesting thing is – looking back, I realize that all of the prayers were not to get God to hear me… no, the prayers were needed to get me to hear God!!

God heard me the very second I cried out to Him for help. He was simply waiting on me to arrive at a place in my own heart that I could listen to His response. It’s amazing how we get in God’s way sometimes…

Anyway, God heard me and I was finally ready to hear Him.

It didn’t come as some earth shattering revelation where the roof of my house was blown off and God rushed in like a mighty wind telling me in a low authoritative thunder, “This is what you need to do…” No, He simply began whispering into my spirit about my life and my priorities. As I moved about my house that morning, picking up toys and making coffee, God began showing me what my life had become and I was finally able to see how out of balance my priorities had gotten.

Though I work from home, I was putting my business at the top of my “to do” list each day. I was neglecting my family, my home, myself all for the sake of trying to contribute financially to our family. A noble cause, sure, but I had pushed everything else in my life aside and made this my one and only focus. It was not my intention for this to happen… it just happened. When all along my heart has been to be at home with my children, and God has blessed me with the opportunity to be able to do just that. After finally listening to God’s response to my S.O.S. I was able to let go of the pressures I had been feeling and release it all to Him.

Letting go has given me the freedom I needed to allow myself to be the mommy and wife I so longed to be.

No matter where you are at in life – a stay at home mom, a working mom, a work at home mom – there will always be challenges. There will always be a need to readjust the scales of balance and reassess priorities… the key in all of this is listening and adjusting. Listen to your instincts that are telling you something is off and then seek the Lord for guidance as you aim to readjust priorities. He is always there ready to offer you guidance the very second you cry out to Him for help… just make sure you are listening.

Dear Jesus, thank you for your sweet guidance and gentle nudges! Though sometimes I wish you would just bop me over the head and tell me I am off course I am thankful that you are sensitive to my needs and that you approach me with such care. Bless this new series on Restoring Balance and bless each person reading it… Continue to guide me as I aim to restore the balance in my own life, my home, and my work. You are the Almighty God… in You I put all my trust. In Jesus Mighty Name, amen.

Blessings,

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Time for Balance – New Series

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Kristen L. Nelson

The problem isn’t identifying that our lives are in need of a stabilization overhaul the problem is pin pointing the areas in our lives that we need to let go of and/or adjust in order to balance out the scales.

So HOW do we do this?

Well, we waive the white flag and surrender to the only One who sees the bigger picture and can help us readjust our lives – we turn to Jesus and surrender it all to Him!

The interesting thing is – looking back, I realize that all of the prayers were not to get God to hear me… no, the prayers were needed to get me to hear God!!

Anyway, God heard me and I was finally ready to hear Him.

Though I work from home, I was putting my business at the top of my “to do” list each day. I was neglecting my family, my home, myself all for the sake of trying to contribute financially to our family. A noble cause, sure, but I had pushed everything else in my life aside and made this my one and only focus. It was not my intention for this to happen… it just happened. When all along my heart has been to be at home with my children, and God has blessed me with the opportunity to be able to do just that. After finally listening to the God’s response to my S.O.S. I was able to let go of the pressures I had been feeling and release it all to Him. Letting go has given me the freedom I needed to allow myself to be the mommy and wife I so longed to be.

Blessings,

To read MORE from Not aLone Mom click HERE.

All About Balance

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Kristen L. Nelson

Balance… oh, sweet balance. Where oh where have you gone? After we have kids the delicate scales of balance we worked a lifetime to adjust seem to go toppling over completely! However tiny our sweet bundles of joy are they seem to have an enormous impact on our balanced lives. Once the dust settles we begin to see that our new baby now occupies one whole side of the scale and it is up to us to determine what facets of our lives we can incorporate on the other side with out tipping the scales.

This is usually done through trial and error… we incorporate something and see how it impacts our families. If it doesn’t work we let it go. If it incorporates smoothly we may be able to hang on to it. Trial and error… over and over… until we finally establish a whole new normal.

I have learned as my children have gotten older that this process repeats itself time and again… with each new age and stage comes a whole new set of needs and priorities. It seems just as I am getting used to my new “new normal” the need to reestablish balance and priorities presents itself yet again.

Because the need for balance is such a common pain point for most mothers I have dedicated the entire month of March to “Restoring Balance” in our lives. All of our posts will be centered around this simple, yet complex concept. We will be giving you tips and tricks to help you in your journey. I am on a personal mission to restore balance in my own life which has gotten so completely out of control lately. As I have sought God on how to restore balance He has begun to show me how my priorities have shifted from His perfect design. Through prayer and fasting I am dedicating this month to seeking God’s wisdom to help me shift my priorities and restore balance in my life and my family.

I invite you along for the journey to read how God paves the way for me and I pray through my transparency you will find yourself encouraged and maybe even a little inspired too. Be sure to subscribe to our blog to ensure you don’t miss a thing! {Plus, all new subscribers this month will be entered to win Max Lucado’s special edition Grace for the Moment.}

As always – I welcome any questions, comments, testimonies about your own journey, and prayer requests you may have!

Blessings,

To read MORE from Not aLone Mom click HERE.

6 Laundry Styles – Which Are You?

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Kristen L. Nelson

Written by: Laura Rouse-DeVore

I have come to the realization, and accepted, that my husband and I are two very different creatures when it comes to the way we do some of our household chores. We have known for quite some time in our fourteen years of marriage that we are very different when it comes to “domestication”.

My husband does very good domestically and I, well… I struggle through the best I can.

When it comes to laundry we have very different “laundry styles” and the expansion of our family has only caused an exponential growth in the “laundry gap” as it relates to our “domestic differences”. Therefore, I think it is of utmost importance for you to all discover your “laundry style”, so that you can have a greater level of understanding of the potential for “domestic differences” in your own homes.

I have outlined six different “laundry styles” below. I encourage you to read over them all and see if there is any self-discovery!

1.) The Laundry Master: The Laundry Master always has all dirty laundry washed. There is never, nor would there ever be a pile up. Hampers are not necessary in their homes. They have done loads with only one or two articles in them, just because they couldn’t stand the thought of letting dirty laundry just “sit there”. They do laundry every day. They may even be heard saying that they enjoy it! They look up recipes on Pinterest about how to make their own exotic-scented laundry detergent from scratch. They fold the laundry and put it away as soon as the dryer buzzes. They never have problems with unmatched socks or dry clean only garments accidentally getting washed. They have mastered and take pride in their laundry skills and abilities.

2.) The Washer, not the Folder: This person has piles in the back end of the laundry process. They don’t mind washing the clothes, but hate the process of folding and putting the laundry away. They can usually be found digging through clean laundry piles on weekday mornings looking for their favorite work shirt. A good sign of a person with this laundry style is clean clothes on hangers dangling from the treadmill.

3.) The Folder, not the Washer: This person has piles in the front end of the laundry process. They may let the dirty laundry pile up, but when they get around to washing the loads, they get a great sense of satisfaction from sitting matching the socks; and from a highly organized closet. They may even have dresser drawer organizers.

4.) The Laundry Churner: This person tends to do the same loads of laundry and has the same garments in each load. They typically wash what they wear and wear what they wash. This cycle repeats itself over and over each week. This laundry style may be combined with others to create some sort of unique hybrid laundry style. Laundry Churners are usually recognized by their repetitive outfit wearing.

5.) The Laundry “Composter”: The Laundry Composter is very similar to The Laundry Churner, except Laundry Composting involves piles of dirty laundry and piles of clean laundry. You will find a Laundry Composter digging through a dirty pile of laundry to pick out what they need. They will wash that, dry it, and then it goes into the clean pile. They may also be found digging through the clean pile looking for a specific garment. Typically, despite the large piles of dirty and clean laundry, a Laundry Composter will wash and dry the same loads every week. This is where the “composting” comes in. If their needs change one week or if they tire of the “typical” wardrobe, they will sift through the piles to find a completely different load of laundry. Laundry Composters are usually recognized by their need to give clothing articles to charities and/or by their seemingly sudden wardrobe revamps.

6.) The Laundry Hoarder: Laundry Hoarders are the people who don’t wash or dry on any sort of regular basis. They may collect dirty clothes for extended periods of time and then make one huge trip to the laundromat. They tend to purchase new clothes and underwear rather than laundering the dirty ones. They may use environmental concerns as an excuse to not launder regularly. You will recognize a Laundry Hoarder because they are the ones who seem like “Laundromat Professionals”. They have exact change, know how many loads they are going to do, have their favorite machines all saved, know when the best time is to go, and have their reading materials and lunch packed and in tow. They can also be recognized because they shop in lieu of doing laundry.

So, how did I do? Were you able to identify your “laundry style”? In full disclosure, I am a “Laundry Hoarder” and my husband is a “Laundry Churner”…we meet in the middle at “Laundry Composting” in our house!! But, isn’t it okay to be a little different? Isn’t it okay to be challenged by The “Laundry Masters” in our lives?

As busy moms, isn’t it okay to let the laundry pile up if it means we are significantly pouring into the lives and hearts of our children??

Everyone has different priorities and we are all fearfully and wonderfully made. If Laundry is something you haven’t made a priority in your life, it likely means you have chosen to make something else a priority. In my own life – “Laundry Hoarder” and all – I have answered “Yes” to the above questions. Priorities are a part of life, chores are a part of life, and laundry is a part of life; but how we respond and prioritize is what makes us unique and different. So, understand your “domestic difficulties and differences” and embrace your “Laundry Style”! Because no matter what your laundry situation is, YOU WERE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

In a comment below, please share what your “laundry style” is!

To read MORE from Not aLone Mom click HERE.

God’s Amazing Love

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Kristen L. Nelson

Written by: Krissy Nelson

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have the power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:17-18

There are no words to describe the depths of God’s love for us. His love is more powerful than any of us could every fully know. His love is strong, yet tender. He is the mighty creator of the universe, yet he knows each one of us by name. He wants to walk hand in hand with us through this journey called life. The best way I know to describe His Love is to share how it has impacted my own life.

First, His love saved me.

His love rescued me from a life of loneliness and despair; of heartache and pain. He filled every need and every void with His love.

And then, through His love, He sent me an angel; someone to spend my life with. Someone to walk with me down the ever winding road of life. Yes, just when I was at the peak of despair He sent me the love of my life… my husband.

His love pulled me from a sad place and replaced my mourning with joy.

When the world around me felt utterly hopeless His love gave me peace. His love was the crutch that held me tall when I was broken. His love was the wind I could soar through when I was strong.

As a child His love was a constant reminder of my purpose… the purpose He had in store for me. Growing up He whispered sweet promises into my ear about the many wonderful things He had planned for my life. And as an adult, His love has begun to transform that purpose into reality, empowering me to step forward with boldness as I pursue my dreams.

It’s because of His love that I can call myself a mother and a wife. It’s because of his unfailing love that I can rest knowing regardless of life’s ups and downs and twists and turns I have nothing to fear because He is always with me… He will never leave me nor forsake me… because He loves me.

Want to know the most beautiful part of all?

Even with all this love He gives to me… He is never, ever filled to the max… His love extends to each and every one of us more than we can even fathom.

God loves you.

God created you.

God has a very special and unique plan for your life…

There is nothing any one of us can do or say that would cause Him to love us any more or any less. No matter the mistakes we make in life, God’s love and mercies are new every morning… He is quick to forgive us… all we need to do is ask.

Run to Him in times of trouble. There is no need to fear…

Allow Him to overwhelm you with His love and saturate you with His peace. Release your cares to Him so that you can be free of the burdens and weight of life’s many pressures.

God’s love is real! His love is alive! Let go of your pain and relinquish control of your heart to Him. His love is amazing… His love is more than enough.

His love will fill every crack and every crevice in your life. Open your heart to Him and allow His love to overflow into your every vein! Release the pain, release the worry, release the fears, release the condemnation! Listen as He calls out to you with arms open wide…run into his mighty embrace. He is your father. You are his precious child. Run to Him now and allow Him to “make it all better” which is what I say to my children when they come to me with a boo-boo, “It’s OK… mommy’s here… it’s all better now”. Allow God to speak those sweet words from His heart, the heart of a Father, right into your spirit, “It’s OK, Daddy’s here… everything is going to be OK… I love you.”

Father, we come to you today with outstretched arms as we surrender our lives to you. We thank you for your love. Your unfailing love that covers a multitude of sins. We ask now that you wash us through the blood of Jesus and cleanse us from the filth of this world. Come into our hearts and forgive us our sins. Wrap your loving arms around us as we receive your love today. We claim now that “Jesus is Lord” of our life… we thank you for your mercies and blessings, in Jesus Mighty Name, amen!

Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28 niv)… ah, rest… what a beautiful gift from God… because He loves us.

Have you experienced God’s Love? Maybe you did just now for the first time or the first time in a long time. Please share your experience… I would LOVE to hear from YOU!

Blessings,

To read MORE from Not aLone Mom click HERE.

8 Tips for Working Moms

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Kristen L. Nelson

Written by: Brenda L. Yoder M.A.

Ten years ago, I went from being a full-time, stay-at-home-mom for eleven years to a full-time teacher of high school students. It was a rude awakening. Over the last few years, people have asked, “How do you do it?” Here are some words of wisdom for working moms, especially those who have had time at home with their kids.

1. Life will never be the same, so don’t expect it to be. If you can realistically see your life in seasons, it will help. This is the working season, so don’t try to expect to do everything you did as a SAHM. It’s not possible. But this season can be good, too. Realize you are in transition, and give yourself grace as you figure out how life looks in this season.

2. Talk with your husband about the new “normal.”For a year or so I tried to do everything I did as wife and mother before I worked. It wasn’t possible. Ron and I had a discussion and I shared the things that were most stressful for me. For me, that was paying the bills and cleaning the house. For a few years we had a cleaning lady, but after she quit, he looked at me and said, “We can do this together.” So he sweeps each weekend, and I have time to get the other household chores done. He’s also learned to make meals if needed and he helps clean up the dishes after we eat. It’s become a partnership. And don’t let anyone tell you, “My husband wouldn’t do that.” I married the #1 farmer-husband-who-did-not-do-a-thing-in-the-house growing up. If your husband is supporting you, it’s okay to say, “I can’t do it all.”3. Working or Not Working Does Not Define You as a Christian Woman. This one was a hard one for me, but as I pursued God and asked Him, “Lord, show me how to be the Christian woman YOU desire me to be,” He answered loud and clear (that’s another story). Your identity is not in staying-at-home or working. I’ve been in both roles, and I know the struggle. Your identity as a woman is in Christ and in your partnership with your husband. If your husband supports you in working, then rest in the Lord’s word to you and the headship of your husband.

4. Have more fun time with your kids. I realized being a teacher could consume my not-at-school-time if I let it, so I intentionally made time to connect with the kids. I started to “date” my kids individually during this season and I often took all of them to breakfast before school for something special. Being a working-outside-the-home-mom may financially allow you to do things you could not have had done before. I wanted to be fully present as much as I could with my kids. I may not have had cookies for them when they came home from school, but we often stopped for a hot pretzel on the way home!

5. Give your kids responsibilities and have some sort of organizational system that meets your family’s needs. For us it was an erasable calendar and shoe bins. Each child had their own drawer in a plastic tub for shoes and whatever shoes they needed for sports went in there, along with anything else that was theirs. With kids at different ages and stages, having spots where everyone knows where things are can be essential. Give kids ownership, too, because it just helps them and you.

6. Have a cooking day and put meals in the freezer. This, for me, was the best investment of time. In 3-4 hours on a Saturday, I would have up to 25 meals (a lot of casseroles) in the freezer. I would also multiply things if I was in the kitchen cooking a regular meal. If I had to cook one pound of hamburger, I’d cook 3-4 pounds instead and put extra in freezer bags for quick meals (the same is true for rice, pasta, etc.). I would program my oven to turn on at noon and come home to a meal ready to go, or have it thaw during the day and stick it in the oven once I got home. A life saver!

7. Do laundry during the week. I was overwhelmed some Saturdays trying to do laundry, go to sporting events, and get the house somewhat clean. I bought a divided clothes hamper and would start laundry on Tuesday and would do a couple of loads a night. By Friday, all laundry was done, in the kids’ baskets, and was sent with the kids to their rooms to be put away. Since we had our 4th child, I have had a laundry basket for each child’s clothes. As I get them out of the dryer, I just put them in the perspective basket and it’s their job (since they were 5) to put them away. For us, this works.

8. Groceries – good luck. Most of the times I bought in bulk so I didn’t have to “shop” for 3 or 4 weeks other than the quick trips for perishables and the “Mom, I need this for school tomorrow” things.

Above all else, find what works for you (none of this may, but it’s what’s worked for us), and implement self-care. I started running at 34 because it was the only 30 minutes I had to myself. I never was at my house alone anymore. So, this became my solace. It might be a morning cup of coffee in a room by yourself on the weekend, or early bedtime for the kids so you can have some quiet time. You’ll need time for yourself. Don’t feel guilty for taking it.

“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 30:31

These are just things that have worked for us. Working moms, what has also worked for you?

Blessings to all of God’s beautiful women!

To read MORE from Not aLone Mom click HERE.

February GIVE AWAY: JESUS CALLING by Sarah Young

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Kristen L. Nelson

Give Away Info: For the month of February I have the privilege of giving away five Special Edition Jesus Calling devotion books courtesy of Thomas Nelson publishing. Simply Subscribe to our blog to have our emails delivered right to your inbox and you will be entered to win! It really is that simple!

Book info:

Uniquely inspired treasures from heaven for every day of the year by missionary Sarah Young.

Jesus Calling is a devotional filled with uniquely inspired treasures from heaven for every day of the year. After many years of writing in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to listen to God with pen in hand, writing down whatever she believed He was saying to her. It was awkward at first, but gradually her journaling changed from monologue to dialogue. She knew her writings were not inspired as Scripture is, but journaling helped her grow closer to God. Others were blessed as she shared her writings, until people all over the world were using her messages. They are written from Jesus’ point of view, thus the title Jesus Calling. It is Sarah’s fervent prayer that our Savior may bless readers with His presence and His peace in ever deeper measure.

Author info:

Sarah Young is quietly leading millions of men and women worldwide on a journey of intimacy with Christ. Her devotional books include the #1 bestseller Jesus Calling and the top sellers Jesus Calling for Kids, Dear Jesus, and Jesus Lives. Sarah and her husband have traveled extensively around the world planting churches and counseling. They are currently ministering to Japanese people and helping establish an international church in Australia.

5 Simple “Nap Time” Exercises

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Kristen L. Nelson

Written by: Kimberly Ough

You may think that in order to get into shape, you have to go to the gym. Not true! There are plenty of “body-weight” exercises you can do right at home that will help get you stronger and burn fat by using your own body weight as resistance.

Here is a little at-home circuit you can follow when the little ones are eating breakfast, napping or even if they are watching you! It is even fun to have them join in sometimes!

Squats:

Squats will help to develop your glutes, legs and core. Keep your knees behind your toes at a 90 degree angle stick your butt back like you are sitting in a chair. Squat down and push back up making sure all your weight is in your heels. Not only does this help to keep your knees behind your toes but it helps engage your glutes and hamstrings.

Lunges:

Lunges help develop the quadriceps, hamstrings and the glute muscles. Stand upright; step forward with one foot, the toes of both feet should be facing straight ahead. Be sure your legs are aligned – your front knee should be behind your toes; lower your back knee towards the floor. Push back up to the starting position. Concentrate on squeezing your buttocks to push yourself up with all of your weight in your front heel and keep the abdominal muscles tight and the lower back in a neutral position. Throughout the exercise, maintain an upright position and avoid leaning forward. You can either alternate legs and turn this into walking lunges or stay one one leg and repeat the same thing on the other leg.

Push-Ups:

Push-ups are great exercise for your upper body (great for the arms!). They are a great exercise for the core (abdominals and back) as well as a cardiovascular exercise because they get your heart rate up. A pushup is performed in the prone position on the floor (you can go to your knees if you need to). Place your hands flat on the floor a little wider than shoulder width. Extend your legs back and elevate your body so your legs and chest don’t touch the floor. Press down with your arms while keeping the back straight and raise your body until your arms are straight. Slowly lower your body back to the starting position and repeat. Be sure to keep your abs and glutes tight throughout the exercise.

Basic Abdominal Crunch:

This will really focus on the rectus abdominis muscle which, once developed, will create that “six pack”. Lie down on the floor or mat on your back and bend your knees, placing your hands behind your head or across your chest. Draw your belly button towards your spine, and make sure your lower back is flat against the floor. Slowly contract your abdominals bringing your ribs toward your hips elevating your shoulder blades 1 or 2 inches off the floor while keeping your chin about a fist width from your chest. Hold the exercise at the top of the movement for a few seconds and slowly lower back down. Be sure to keep your elbows out on either side and do not pull on your neck.

Chair Dips:

This exercise will focus on the triceps (back of the arm). Sit on the edge of a chair with your feet together. Place your hands on the seat of the chair on either side of your thigh and keep your feet flat on the floor at a 90 degree angle. Bend your arms to 90 degrees lowering yourself to the floor. Straighten your arms bringing yourself back to the starting position. To make this exercise more difficult, lengthen your legs in front of you and repeat the exercise.

Plan:

Do 15 repetitions of each exercise one time through…add in one minute of jumping jacks and do another 15 repetitions of each exercise, add in 1 more min of jumping jacks and do another 15 repetitions of each exercise with 1 more min of jumping jacks. This will total 3 “sets” of each exercise while getting some cardiovascular exercise as well. These can be done anywhere, anytime…no equipment required. As they become easier, you can add resistance to make them more challenging.

“Do just a little bit more every day. Think positive and know you can do this! What you tell yourself is what you will be!”

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