31 Days to Clean - End of the week

  With the 31 days to Clean challenge, I cannot say that I completed everything I was supposed to within the timeframe, but I did do most of the tasks. The outside of my kitchen cabinets have been scrubbed. The kitchen curtains are clean and pressed. The refrigerator and freezer are cleaned out. I even organized my spice cabinet (it said pantry, but I am not blessed with a pantry at this time).

Here is what it looks like now:

But for me, the most important tasks are the work that the Lord is doing on my heart. I already loved to clean. There is something about the smell of bleach that spells happiness to my soul.

Side note: Last night as I am getting our toddler washed up in the bath, my face got close to the shower curtain (we have the fabric kind that you wash) and I got a whiff of the bleachy, just-been-washed smell. I just closed my eyes for a half second to enjoy the moment. It smelled so good! I know, I'm weird. :)

Sorry, I got distracted...

So, the Martha tasks are pretty easy, once I find time to fit them in the day. Now the Mary tasks are where I need work. I need to be reminded why I am working in our home, what my priorities are and to take time to enjoy people.

One day, I had to put together a list of priorities. My list was God, my husband, my girls and one-anothers. To save time and space, I have just included my list for my number one Priority; with each, I have included the scripture references to remind myself that God also thinks these things are important.

Priority #1 God

ØSpend time with God
ØTalk with Him
ØLearn about Him
ØSeek Him in everything I do.

ØBe humble and thankful – Remember, the story is about God, not me.

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  Deuteronomy 6:5

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:4-8

I am also currently working on implementing the six list in my life. I am positive this will help me finish that "to do" list each day. The general idea is that before you go to bed (or first thing in the morning which is what works best for me since I am such a morning thinker), you write down a list of the top 6 things that you need to accomplish that day IN ORDER. So you can't move on to #2 before #1 is complete.

Awesome! I am such a list-person - this is right up my alley!

Mine today is:

1. Hang pumpkin lights
2. Determine what Erin should be working on for homeschool.
3. Clean out spice cabinet.
4. Go to Sam's Club
5. Make snacks for small group.
6. Go to the library.

So far so good. :)