By Ashley Wells, on March 31st, 2009  Well I just finished the 31 Days to Clean Challenge and I am moving on to something new!
For the month of April, I am going to be doing the 30 Day Encouragement Challenge for Wives (PDF) from Revive Our Hearts. This is also a part of my 101 in 1001 Project.
This is a challenge to speak positively to and about your husband each day. There is also a bible verse and challenge for each day.
I am very excited about this challenge! Will you join me?
*UPDATED
I forgot to tell you that you can sign up and get each day’s challenge sent to your email! This will help to keep you accountable to following through!
Click below for each post in the series:
Introduction (YOU ARE HERE)
1st Update
2nd Update
Final Thoughts
By Ashley Wells, on March 31st, 2009  Well I just finished the 31 Days to Clean Challenge. And I have a new and wonderful attitude about cleaning. I have really learned so much for this challenge! Here is a highlight of what I have done since day 20:
I cleaned out my very cluttered e-mail inbox and folders (Day 21).
I cleaned my pantry shelf, which also needed attention (Day 22)! Here’s the proof:
BEFORE
AFTER
I did my most dreaded task (Day 23), the microwave! I am really embarrased, but here are pictures:
BEFORE
AFTER
I learned about lifegiving ( Day 29) and I am going to start giving my home life! Sarah Mae says, “All women have the capacity to be lifegivers if they accept this beautiful calling. Lifegiving, in its most basic sense, is raising life above the level of mere existence… At its core, lifegiving is all about love.” And now I am reflecting (Day 31). I have loved this challenge! It has really helped me to think about cleaning in a different way and have a different attitude! I feel like I have learned so much and I am so thankful for doing this!!!
How did your cleaning go? Did you finish?
Click below for each post in the series:
Introduction
1st Update
2nd Update
Closing Thoughts (YOU ARE HERE)
By Ashley Wells, on March 30th, 2009
This week we are talking about Chapter 7 of the book Practicing Hospitality as part of a book study with Passionate Homemaking. You can read Lindsay’s post about this chapter here.
This chapter focused on hospitality and culture. It was very practical by giving tips to remember when hosting or visiting with people from other cultures. There were several things that the authors mentioned that I had really never thought about before.
The authors thoroughly talked about four specific areas to consider when hosting cross-culturally:
1. Time Orientation
In this area, the authors discussed how most other countries do not think of time as we do. We wear watches and have clocks everywhere. Here, it is important to be on time and not overstay your welcome. However, other countries look at time very differently and we need to be flexible and understand the differences.
2. Task/Goal Focus
In America, we sometimes place an importance on the process instead of on the people. We need to focus more on the people than on the things that need done, like cleaning the kitchen after a meal. The authors say that a good way to focus more the people is to never leave a guest alone so that you can complete a task. Another tip that the authors give is to worry more about the conversations than the food.
3. Etiquette
There are three major differences in etiquette when entertaining from other countries or cultures: gift-giving, table etiquette, and conversation. Gift-giving is very important is most cultures. However, we need to be sure to think about the size of gifts, the color of gifts, and the timing for opening the gifts. Strict table etiquette can make a cross-cultural guest feel uncomfortable and maybe even embarrassed. Make sure to keep the table arrangement simple, “building a relationship is the first priority, not teaching etiquette” (Pg. 206). You should lead the conversations, however remember to speak carefully and be patient, especially if your guest is somewhat new to the English language.
4. Food
There is almost always going to be a difference in food when practicing hospitality cross-culturally. Prepackaged and frozen foods are normal here, and they are not found very frequently in other cultures. Keep the menu simple and try to use fresh foods as much as possible. Keep in mind where your guest is from and if their culture has dietary restrictions, if you don’t know, don’t be afraid to ask.
I haven’t hosted very much, or really at all, cross-culturally. Mostly, because I haven’t really had the chance to. However, this chapter has made me realize that this is something that everyone can do with a little extra work. I am going to try to keep my eyes open for opportunities to be hospitable to people from all cultures.
One ministry that the book talks about is International Students Incorporated. I looked into this and they have a need for volunteers to be friends with the international students that are here studying in America. I am going to look into this ministry more because we have several large campuses nearby and the idea is that the students are coming from countries where it is not easy to share the gospel. But, now they are here and we need to be telling them about Jesus!
Here are some discussion questions that Lindsay gives us:
1. What ideas can you share for being sensitive in communicating with people from different cultures?
2. How can you be more purposeful in including strangers/foreigners in your hospitality practices?
Like I said above, I really haven’t thought about this too much and done it at all. But, after reading this chapter I feel the urge to do more! I am currently looking for a short term missions trip to do this summer, while searching several missions sites I found one that I loved! It was teaching English as a second language in China. However, I didn’t qualify because I don’t have a bachelor’s degree. But, today I realized that I don’t have to go to China to teach people English and share the gospel! Through International Students Incorporated I can do that here!
At the end of this 8 week book study I will be giving away a copy of this book, courtesy of Crossway Books! Each time you comment on a post about this book you will be entered to win! The winner will be announced on April 9th (This date has been updated).
By Ashley Wells, on March 30th, 2009
Today’s topic is Praise for the Most High God. Before you continue in my post you need to go and read Jenifer’s post, if you haven’t already, because it was so powerful! It was powerful and challenging, in the best way!
The discussion questions posed by Jenifer are: Who or what is “most high” in your mind and heart today?
Is it the Most High, or someone or something else?
This was a truly challenging post! Challenging because it makes you question the reality of your priorities and your relationship with God and how those two flesh out in your everyday life. Anyone can say that God is their Most High, but do you live like God is your Most High? Or is the computer your most high? Or is the tv your most high? Or are your children your most high? Or is the housework your most high?
Jenifer truly makes us (ME) question what we (I) are living for! And I have to be honest, I am not happy with my answer! Am I always living with God as my Most High? I am always living out my life aiming to glorify Christ? No, I fall short (Romans 3:23), we all do!
This is a battle that we will always fight, just like Paul, who says in Romans 7:19, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” This is an earthly battle. We will constantly be waging war against our sinful nature, trying to please God instead of indulging in our flesh.
The important part here is that we are trying. We cannot just give up! We need to daily check our priorities and lay them at God’s feet and aim to pursue a schedule that is God honoring and that is putting God where He belongs in our lives, which is MOST HIGH!!!
Let’s end by looking at Psalm 97:9:
For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
I pray that this can be our daily prayer and desire for our life!
By Ashley Wells, on March 28th, 2009
WOW! I have been so busying partying!!! I had tons of fun the past week or so visiting many, many blog parties, even still today! This was my first ever Ultimate Blog Party (Hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom), and it was awesome! I was told that it was customary after the party to share some of the new blogs you found.
 So, I thought I would do this in combination with my Spotlight Saturday post. So, for the regulars, this will be a little different: instead of spotlighting one blog and one post from that blog, I will be spotlighting all the cool blogs I found this past week.
This blog’s tagline is, “Bringing Glory to God as Homemakers, Wives, and Mothers!”
This blog is based on Philippians 4:8.
Journey to a Gracious Woman
This blog is about the journey to become a better help meet for our husbands.
This blog is written by a woman who has received triplets and another through adoption and her story of motherhood.
This blog’s author says, “I want to be beautiful to God, not simply outward beauty but mostly inward.”
This blogger’s author is a wife and wanna-be mother, a Christian, and creativity junkie. Her “niche” is general randomness.
This blog is about building up our homes, one brick at a time.
This blog is lists of lists for list-lovin’ mamas.
To find out more about Spotlight Saturday and how YOU and YOUR BLOG could be in the spotlight, click here! I would love to put you in the spotlight!
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Well I just finished the 31 Days to Clean Challenge and I am moving on to something new!
