I am excited to announce a few upcoming events here at Passionate Homemaking at the commencement of the new year!
Titus 2 Talk: Workers at Home
I have invited several younger & older women (from late 20′s to 85 years of age) to share encouragement, testimonies, and advice for being joyful workers at home even when the world is calling us out and the economy is failing. Many ideas will be shared on creative means of earning a little income from your home if need be. I hope this will be a week-long focused talk starting the week of January 12. Lord willing, we desire to host regular Titus 2 Talks on various topics of Biblical womanhood and homemaking throughout this year, drawing insights from those who have many years of wisdom and maturity beyond my own. I have a vision for it to grow into a bit of a online podcast of sorts. We need your ideas! Please e-mail or comment below any contributions or questions you would like to see discussed in one of these future dialogues.
Nutritious Freezer Meal Carnival
At the request of some of my readers, we will be hosting a frugal & nutritious freezer meal carnival on Tuesday, January 20. With the use of Mr. Linky, come and link up to all your healthy family recipes that freeze well. Here is an opportunity to start off the new year with a great list of nutritious meals to stock your freezer! This will be especially helpful for me in preparation for our baby’s arrival! The only request is that the recipes should ideally use whole and natural ingredients, natural sweeteners and the like. Please also include freezing and defrosting instructions. Spread the word by using the banner above!
New Book Study
We would like to kick off a new book study for the year! I have prayerfully evaluated which book might be most beneficial this time around and the Lord keeps bringing me back to this book…
Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others – by Pat Ennis & Lisa Tatlock – this is a wonderful thorough resource with an abundance of ideas for making your home an embassy of the Kingdom of God. In fact, it was my favorite read from this last year and I would greatly love to read it together with others to share further ideas together. As we seek to be ministers of the gospel without abandoning our homes, this books provides a wealth of encouragement for welcoming others, including hospitality to our own families, into a warm, refreshing and relaxing home where Jesus radiates through every corner.
If you would like to join us, please pick up your copy and let’s get started! We will begin reading one chapter a week, starting January 26th.
Simple & Natural Living
As we enter a new year, I will be continuing to share resources and ideas this year as I journey down the path of natural, green and simple living for the glory of God, in addition to encouragement in the journey of pursuing Biblical womanhood and being a mission minded family. Our family vision for the year is to pursue our ordinary lives with gospel intentionality – meaning we desire to incorporate living out the gospel in word and deed in every aspect of our lives.
So I am all ears for questions and contributions for upcoming Titus 2 Talks. Also, what would you like to see addressed here in the realms of natural, green or simple living? Your ideas and questions are always welcome!
I so look forward to the freezer meal extravaganza. This will help out my time management hugely in the upcoming weeks. Thans so much for hosting this and I look forward to the recipes.
Hi Lindsay,
Sorry I haven’t been by recently. Your ideas for the coming weeks/months look great. I’ve got a couple recipes that I’m looking forward to sharing.
Hi Lindsay,
I would love to help you with this. I can testify to the harm that women do to their families when they work. I was a career women all my life. My children are now grown and I missed out on so much. We don’t have a close relationship because of me being gone so much.I went through a divorce due to me not wanting to let go of my carreer. Then about 10 years ago God brought a new Godly man into my life who showed me the way back to God. We have been married about 9 years now and 5 years ago I finally woke up and listen to God’s calling. I have loved every moment being home. My only regret is that it took me losing everything to come to this point in my life. God has been so good to me. On my blog I share the things He is teaching me about homemaking. I don’t miss working at all. I am now over 50. My message to women is it is never too late to turn things around and come home. Home is our calling. That is where God design us to be.Let me know how I can help you. I will be praying for you.
Hugs and blessings,
Elizabeth
I made your recipe for Baked Chicken and Dumplings the other day. It made so much that I made 2 dishes and froze one. I’m a little concerned about the potatoes since they don’t usually freeze well, but I’m hoping to add it to my collection of freezer recipes. It was delicious!! Phebe
Great ideas! I’m excited about reading more. I’m so glad you are going to talk about freezer meals. I did a great set last year through “Saving Dinner” but most of them were fresh meat based and most of my organic meat comes frozen and expensive! I definitely could use some ideas.
Heather (poster number 2), I haven’t tried this yet, but I’ve heard that you can assemble a meal in a casserole type dish lined with aluminum foil, then when the food is frozen solid, you can remove the dish and completely wrap the food and leave it in the freezer. When you want to cook it, you can put the food back in the original dish (after removing the foil) and cook as needed. I’m not sure how to do this without using ANY aluminum, but at least you don’t have to buy lots of the disposible pans or cook in aluminum.
I’m looking forward to reading all of your great ideas for this year. The Titus 2 and freezer foods peak my interests! We have been so blessed throughout our marriage to have the Lord bless us with all we need. I don’t worry for one second how we are going to keep up with the failing economy. He has been so faithful thus far, there is no reason He won’t continue to be. Our wonderful Lord keeps His promises. If anything, it brings us to our knees a little more often which in itself is a blessing. He has always provided us with ways to make a little extra money. My husband tutors, and coaches for extra money. I do part time daycare and make cakes on the side for extra money too. The great thing is all of these opportunities fell on our laps at just the right time. God is so good and so faithful! We love sharing with other people how gracious God is. Be anxious for nothing!
I just discovered your website a little over a month ago. Although I am not a mother just yet my husband and I would like to try and start a family this year. Your site has been so encouraging as I seek God’s will and prepare my heart to work from home if it is His will. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy visiting your site each day as I learn new things. Living green and simple is a passion of mine as well especially in the world we live in today. It has been a joy to glean so much information on topics which are important to myself and my husband. I am looking forward to picking up a copy of Practicing Hospitality and joining the book group. I also love your idea of freezer meals. Eight of my friends have recently had children and one is actually in labor as I write this. I am excited to get some ideas not only for my own home but also recipes I can make and take to my friends who have newborns. Again, thank you so much for all you do! You truly are a blessing to so many. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family in this coming year.
Wonderful ideas. I’m looking forward to everything you mentioned. I’m pursuing all of those things in our home and have enjoyed finding another kindred spirit online.
I’ve had a Titus 2 question I will e-mail you.
Joyful workers at home… thank you Lindsay for the up & coming opening of discussion on this particular topic. I was just thinking to email you about the issue some of us are and have been dealing with. The challenge of our husbands being unemployment and as a homemaker desiring to continue to be a worker at home.
My husband nor I prefer that I go to work outside our home but I’ve began to look for part time employment.
I’ll appreciate some creative ideas on doing what I can to continue my calling as a mom AND generate some “in-house” income to help. Otherwise… for a season I may (pending the Father’s provision via my husband) get the opportunity to learn to be joyful in helping to provide financially for our family “out-of-house” as well. The situation pretty much demands it regardless of what he or I prefer. My heart is at home and I do trust the Father to manifest His will for us in the midst of it all.
Hi Lindsay, I am a follower of your blog since just 1 month ago, but I definitely love it! It is such a blessing to find another young mom (we are same age and I have a girl too)with similar thoughts and life!
I am also excited with all the great ideas you had and looking forward to reading more! I have to find a copy of the hospitality and hopefully join you with the reading.
God bless you and your lovely family during this year 2009.
Elodie
http://momelo.wordpress.com
I think the book study sounds great. I love to provide hospitality when I’m in the mood, but I’d like to have a more open & welcoming home and I need some inspiration! I can’t wait to read this book.
Lindsey, I do appreciate your blog so much. What I would like to see is natural healers for illnesses, Esp. for children. Such as colds, flu, fevers etc.
I love your ideas esp. the podcast one. Having 3 littleones myself my time is limited. I like podcasts because I can play them while doing things.
Blessings,
Angie
Just so you know, I have written a few posts on natural healing. See below:
Natural Cold Remedies for Children
Natural Healing for the Family
Soup Remedy for Colds
Hope that helps!
I’m really excited about your Titus 2 Talks. This is something the Lord has really been speaking into my heart is well. My husband and I live in a section of Kansas that is known for being very materialistic and “prosperity driven.” Lately, I’ve found myself feeling sorry for myself when my some of my other friends (who don’t have children yet) talk about their successful careers and flourishing ministries (outside the home). During a prayer time recently, I remembered a time that I left two gallons of milk in the car over night. Unfortunately, I had to dump one out. I hate wasting any type of food, so I prayed that the Lord would keep the second gallon from turning sour. He did! As I was thinking on that answered prayer, the Lord spoke clearly to my heart that He cares very deeply about my everyday tasks and efforts to be a good steward and care taker of my home. This provided much needed refreshment to my weary homemaking heart. Though it seems a simple touch of God’s love, it was exactly what I needed to remind me that there is excitement to be found in the ordinary. I’m really looking forward to hearing the wisdom that you’ve collected from the other women.
I only have a moment to comment – baby’s calling for me. In regards to freezer meals, I have found “Don’t Panic, Dinner’s in the Freezer” to be a great resource. Especially how to package your food using your own dishes (no aluminum) without having all your dishes stuck in the freezer. The recipes I have tried (~10) have been good, and have been easy to substitute more whole foods into.
I hope that helps someone! Looking forward to the carnival!
I’m really excited about this upcoming study. I have benefeited greatly from your site in many regards! The Lord bless you for your faithfulness! Also- I grew up in Portland and am Auttumn’s friend.
Just figured out you were her sis-in-law from the Christmas pics you posted!
Hi there! I’d love to hear more about resources for buying natural products. Through your site I learned about Organics to You and Azure Standard. A list of helpful web places to find products would be great! Also, traditions is an interesting topic, not just Christmas, but birthdays, Easter, spring, summer, fall, etc. I think, for our families they are where the memories are made and part of what makes a family special. I am definitely going to pick up a copy of Hospitality. Thank you for doing what you do. In recently moving and not having a church home yet, I am enjoying being motivated by your posts and bible study with my husband. Thank you again!
Have you checked out the Natural Resources link above in the top panel? This might provide some further sources that you may be interested in.
Fabulous ideas, as usual, Lindsay!
I’m really going to be needing the freezer meal ideas, too. Thanks! Let me know if you need anything further from me for the Titus 2 week. I’m looking forward to it! 
Blessings,
Michele
Hi am happy to submit Titus 2 story about how I hung out a shingle as a publicist this year. I work from home so I can still be a homemaker yet, I help our family get through this bad real estate market, my husband is a real estate broker.
Wow, I’m really excited about the great things you have planned for your blog in the coming months! What wonderful ideas! I’m excited to join in and journey along with you. I just recently discovered your blog and have been so blessed to find another young woman, wife, and mom seeking to bring Glory to God in all that she does. It is so refreshing to know that there are others out there pursuing similar things and that we can be connected by the vastness of the internet and greatness of God that brings us together. I’ve really connected to your blog and your stories, thank you for sharing. I pray that God would continue to bless you and your family as you seek to bring him all glory and honor as you live out your lives on this earth. My husband and I just set a similar goal for 2009 as you did, to really live out the gospel in all that we do and are. It will be a great journey as we intentionally and unintentionally seek the heart of the Father in new and old ways as a family. Blessings!
This is more of a side note, but I went to the Masters College where Lisa Tatlock and Pat Ennis are professors! I didn’t actually take any of their classes (as my major was music and they taught Home Ec) but I’ve read books by them before and they are invaluable resources! Good choice
I’m so excited about the Freezer Meals Carnival! We just adopted a toddler from Russia and as first time parents our toddler is keeping us very busy. We wish the carnival started sooner! One of the things I’d like to learn from the carnival or your blog is tips on freezer meals and cheap safe containers to use for freezer meals. I would think the alumninum pans might add up after a while, cost-wise. I look forward to learning more from your blog in 2009!
heather
I am tickled to see this new Titus 2 table talk! Three very important topics for me that I’d love to see some frugal and practical tips for are:
(1) how to frugally and inexpensively (as possible) live naturally with not only eating, but cleaning and so forth. I have loved looking through your site and getting ideas. I am trying to find a dish liquid and laundry detergent recipe that uses no borax or washing soda. I did find one recipe for a laundry detergent mix that uses water, 1 bar of soap, and baking soda. I don’t mind using bars of soap if need be. I’m headed to Whole Foods Market today to see about getting some liquid castile soap and coconut oil.
I also found a tip that sounded like they were saying you could use lemon juice and baking soda for washing your dishes. I’d like to find out more about that. I did try that combination on a stained dish last night and it got almost all of it off!
(2) Practical ways for me to help bring in some money as a homemaker. I homeschool two children, have an 11 month old, and of course tend to the homemaking and cooking, etc. I put out a ministry newsletter for women (includes Bible study lessons and worksheets). I don’t have much extra time on my hands. So I need something pretty simple and realistic if possible. My husband had suggested possibly making the newsletter I do a subscription. However, I do want any woman to be able to have the newsletter whether they can afford a subscription or not. My hubby definitely understood that. It’s in my hands as to what I choose to do about that.
(3) I’d love to find more recipes for cooking with whole foods. That’s the diet we have begun – minimal processed stuff, no white sugar and white flour, etc. I try to use fresh ingredients even down to fresh tomatoes for homemade spaghetti sauce. So I’m always looking for recipes of that sort.
I really look forward to this series you will be beginning.
Take care,
Karen
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/salt