Quote for the Week:
Know and remember that the matter of your salvation is always near to the heart of the Theotokos, the Mother of God, for it was for this that the Son of God, by the favor of the Father and the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, chose her out of all generations and was incarnate of her in order to save the human race from sin, the curse, and the eternal death, or everlasting torment. As the matter of our salvation is near to the Savior, so likewise it is near to her. Turn to her with full faith, trust and love. St. John of Kronstadt
Scripture of the Week: The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2
Question of the Week: I remember a quip delivered at a Christian conference by a speaker on the topic of salvation. He charged that if Christians truly were a joyful people, someone ought to notify our faces of the fact! How am I living out my salvation? Do I daily radiate the joy of one who has been called by God? Or, do I wear a face that emphasizes an attitude of “suffering for the Kingdom”?
Thought of the Week: - Back to Basics
School and fall schedules are just around the corner. This is a prime time to survey our homes and schedules and to take some time to ensure helpful systems are in place to support the flurry of activity that seems to hit after Labor Day Weekend.
- Help your children rid their closets and drawers of worn or outgrown clothing. Remember, if YOU like it but THEY don’t, it won’t be worn and is just taking up valuable space! Help them do this process 2-3 times yearly. It is easier to maintain drawers and closets that aren’t over packed with clothing and other stuff. (Hint: hand-me-downs are helpful ONLY if they are being worn. Keep or store only those clothes that your children SAY they would like to wear and bless others with the rest!)
- Put a handle on the daily paper deluge! A legal size filing cabinet can be very helpful. Make a file for each of your children with their name and grade on it. Throughout the year, store those papers that are special or important, and make sure their name and grade is on each one. Exceptional papers or artwork will be ready to pull out to make displays for grandparents and for other occasions. Make files for all your household needs, being sure to occasionally purge them. Also, have some ‘current’ files handy for on-going projects that need to be referred to often. This will keep your desk area clutter-free.
- Take advantage of auto-bill paying. It saves time and stamp money. A handy reminder for these is to write on the top of a 3×5 card the bill name, and below make 12 entries (6 on each side) with the month and payment amount. At the end of each month, enter the amount in your checkbook and highlight the month paid on the index card. Be sure to promptly balance your checkbook each month.
- Have you ever made a master grocery list for your home? Go through your home and list EVERYTHING you buy on a regular basis. Create a 3-4 column page using headings like dairy, frozen foods, and cosmetics, and list ALL of these items. Ideally fit it on one side of a page (example included). When it is time to grocery shop, plan your menus for the week (with flexibility), print the master grocery list, and go through each column, placing a circle next to those items that you need to buy. This takes time, but is well worth it. As you shop, fill in the circle next to the items you obtain. This process saves time spent going to the grocery store, saves money as you shop with a list in your hand, and saves the headache of running out of items at home that you forgot you needed. Your initial grocery bill will be very large, but as you begin to be more properly stocked with needed items at home, you will begin saving money and developing a clear idea of what items you really NEED to run your home smoothly.
- Be routine! Organize your life such that you accomplish what you need to do daily. Make sure you pray, that you know what is for dinner, that you throw a load of laundry on, and that you and your family perpetually pick up after them selves. Do not forge ahead if you have not accomplished these things. Daily maintenance is much easier than weekly or monthly overhauls.
- Enjoy your life and each member of your precious family!
