Maximizing My Mornings: Hello Mornings Challenge

I've been following this blog, Keeper of the Home, for a long while now.  Stephanie blogs about natural living for the Christian mom.  I love her site for recipes and encouragement.  A couple years ago, while reading her blog, I came across this Maximize Your Mornings Challenge.  Her question then was this: 

"So, Mornings... 

How Are They Going For You?"

At that time, we were at the beginning of our paperchase for our adoption, and my morning devotional time was regular and fruitful.  When I read her post though, I felt that my entire day could be better by changing my focus a bit - well, really, adding to my devotional time, and getting up earlier.

Basically, Kat (writer of Maximize Your Mornings ebook, and blogger at Inspired to Action) challenges you to Maximize Your Mornings by encouraging "...Christian women toward the life-giving habit of waking up early."  So we say, "HelloMornings!"

There are 4 main focuses for the morning:

1. Get up.  Early.  Get up before the rest of your household.                                                              Give yourself time for your HelloMornings.
2. God.  There's a Bible study that accompanies these challenges, or you can do your own.
3. Plan.  Plan out your day.  Intentionally.
4. Move.  Daily exercise.  It really helps with having energy throughout the day and keeping it.

The beauty of all this, is that you are not alone in this challenge.  The whole thing is done in groups for accountability and encouragement.  

Now, do I accomplish all 4 steps consistently?  Well I have been doing these challenges for almost 2 years now, but the answer is NO.

His mercies are new every morning
(Lamentations 3:22-23)

Thankfully, there is grace and encouragement to begin again every day of the challenge.  It really is a beautiful community.  I have met some pretty amazing women through HelloMornings over the last couple years.

So, why HelloMornings for me?

I want a peaceful day.  For homeschooling.

For my husband.  For my family.  For me.

I want to be intentional in my Bible reading and prayer time.

Ultimately, my reason for HelloMornings is to draw nearer my Father in Heaven, Almighty God.

Interested in HelloMornings for yourself?

Click the HelloMornings button on the side bar to get started.  -------------->

The next challenge is May 6 - August 2.

"Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You.  Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8

My Very First 5-Minute Friday: Home

Every Friday, Lisa-Jo Baker (Formerly the Gypsy Mama), gives a word prompt and encourages her readers to write with abandon--but only for 5 minutes.  

**For this first post, I wrote it on my iPhone, from my cozy bed.  Yes it took me all 5 minutes ;-)**

This week's prompt is "Home"

Go.

HOME

Most days I'm content where I am. Our little suburb is just far enough away from the city for conveniences, and just a 10-minute drive to the country so I can enjoy weekly horseback riding lessons.

Then there's the days I say, "I hate Ohio. I've been trying to get out of here my entire adult life." The weather is unpredictable, I'm over the random snow-in-the-morning-melts-by-the-evening days with their grey skies.  I'd rather be anywhere than here.

I've mentioned more than once the desire to move south... Ft. Worth, Phoenix, Atlanta...

While talking to my hubby, we decided that I wouldn't be happy anywhere we could move to.  Really, 
I'm just longing for the day of Christ's return.  Heaven is my home.


Stop.

Prayer Meeting With the Kids

Today I'm linking up over at Satisfaction Through Christ for Tuesday's Prayers.  Check out the other bloggers prayer posts from there too!

http://satisfactionthroughchrist.blogspot.com
http://ramsaygrace.blogspot.com

Prayer Meeting With the Kids

First, my friend, Amy over at Feet 2 Our Faith, suggested setting Prayer Alarms for everyone in the family.  I LOVED this idea, but I didn't really want to use the calendar app on my phone for this since it's synched up with my husband's phone and may interrupt his work day.

Then, Ann Voskamp over at A Holy Experience wrote about a prayer app where you could schedule prayers.  Perfect!

So...  I got the Prayer Notebook app for my iPhone and scheduled the 11:00 a.m. hour for prayer for my husband, the 3 children & Little Rogi#4.

The first day, when my phone chimed, I just started praying for my husband.  Twice the kids came in and interrupted the prayer time.  I was mildly annoyed but explained that I was praying, asked what they wanted prayer for and they went on their way, happily knowing that I would be praying for them right then.

Today though, we were all reading our books on the couch when the first reminder chimed.  I told the kids that I would be praying for daddy, then all three of them and our little guy in Ethiopia, and asked if they wanted to join me.  They ALL decided to join me.  We all prayed out loud for each person, and whoever was the one receiving prayer at the moment, closed the prayer time by giving thanks for the prayers lifted up for them.  Before we were finished, the kids were adding other prayer concerns for extended family members too.

What a beautiful prayer time!  When we were done praying, we talked about continuing this habit and watching the LORD answer our prayers over time.  I will be cherishing this time with them every day.

I'm a blessed Momma <3