From Cindy Rushton's Desk(TOP!)!

What To Do When MOM Feels Bad...

Join us for our NEW SHOW with Wendy Shaw from MyMorningSickness.com.

You will LOVE this show! Wendy and Cindy discuss a topic that is for EVERYONE--even if you are now mothering grown children. Yep! They discuss what to do when mom is not feeling well!

Do you struggle like we do when you are feeling bad and your family still needs you? Do you wish you had some help? Well, pour a big cup of tea and check out this show! It will help you to prepare for those days that you are going to feel bad--and they inevitably do come. You will also find super ideas for taking care of your children, from your bed while you are sick.  The ideas are super!  Just download today at this link:

Download by Mp3

Show Notes:

See Wendy Online:
http://MyMorningSickness.com/ 

Subscribe to Wendy's Free E-Course:
http://www.relievemorningsickness.com/ 

Order Wendy's NEW Book with All of It's Bonus Gifts:
http://MyMorningSickness.com/ 

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See Cindy Online!
http://www.CindyRushton.com
http://www.Talk-a-Latte.com
http://www.CindysDesktop.com
http://www.MomtoMomRadioShow.com
http://www.Playmasters.info
http://www.Writers-Nook.com

http://www.UltimateHomeschoolExpo.com

http://www.RomanceToolbox.com

50+ Secrets for Surviving Your Struggles! by Cindy Rushton

50+ Secrets for Surviving Your Struggles!
By Cindy Rushton

Struggling? Going through a tough time? Storm raging all around you? Beloved friend, my heart goes out to you! Tough times are pure exhausting! But! Here are some secrets that I pray will help you to survive—well, MORE than survive—stand STRONG and very COURAGEOUS in your struggles! I hope that here you will find a way to fill your cup and minister to your heart! Here goes:

Laugh! Just sit there right now...laugh! Start small...just a little giggle! Then...laugh about laughing! Roll on the floor laughing! Feel better?

Begin a new Bible Study! Either find a Bible Study guide...or dig out Words to study on your own! For Word Studies, I LOVE my Strong’s Concordance. It helps to find all of the references of a certain word of interest. I also love my Vine’s Dictionary. I use it to look up the meanings of the words AND it also has other references for uses in Scripture. Another great help for Word Studies is my good old faithful Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. I LOVE it as a reference to deepen the studies. Usually it helps me to also find OTHER great studies to dig into also! Dig into the Word! It will feed your heart and soul during this tough time!

Go for a drive around the city—look at the lights!

Look at photo albums! Remember the silly stories!

Watch the sunrise! Or, not an early bird? Watch the sunset!

Collect jokes and funnies! Barb Johnson...Chonda Pierce...Becky Freeman are just a few of my PERSONAL favorites!

Chocolate! Chocolate Candy...Chocolate Bars...Chocolate Shakes...Chocolate Latte’s...CHOCOLATE! REALLY! Chocolate helps to release endorphins in the brain—plus! It tastes great to boot!

Watch an old movie! Curl up under a great big quilt—even if you have to turn the air down COLD! Don’t forget to turn down the lights and turn off the phone!

Look at your old school albums! Your HAIR! Ha!

Got a grassy hill nearby? Go to the top and just roll down it! Like a child! (Snowy? Get a sled! And SLIDE!)

Take the kids to the park—just WATCH them! They are adorable!

Begin a “Quote Book!” Collect quotes that encourage you to keep on, keeping on! Keep them in a special journal dedicated only to keeping the quotes!

Memorize your favorite Psalm! Try out Psalm 91...or Psalm 61...or Psalm 35...or Psalm 37...Oh! Enjoy!

Begin a Tea Ministry! Doing for others ALWAYS lifts even the heaviest spirit! Get a tea basket to keep your goodies in...visit a shut-in...bless them! Then! Watch the blessing boomerang! You won’t be able to leave without a blessing!

Take the kids to a candy store—sample the Jelly Bellies...or Sweet Tarts...or Sour Gummy Worms!

Fly a kite!

Take a ride in the country! Turn up your praise music...roll the windows down...sing to the top of your lungs!

Watch a funny video! Chonda Pierce is one of my picks! My children LOVE old comedy shows like I Love Lucy or The Three Stooges. Oh, you may want to watch anything! Just find something that will make you laugh hard!

Scrapbook! Pick photos that you MUST tell the story behind! Kick up your favorite music...spread out your goodies...and Scrap till you drop!

Read a biography of a GIANT in the faith! My favorites are Corrie ten Boom...Hudson Taylor...George Mueller...Amy Carmichael...Jim and Elisabeth Elliott...etc!

Get today’s newspaper and read the comics!

Get a yo-yo! PLAY!

Make Chocolate Chip Cookies with the kids! On a diet? Take them to someone who blesses you! Include a note of thanks and encouragement for all they do to bless you!

Go out and sit on your boat—watch the stars! (Oh, watch the sunset or sunrise, if you can too!)

 Dig into the Bible and study what God says about  trials... suffering... faith... death... depression... defeat... oppression... warfare... battle…

Read a new book! Normally ready non-fiction/how-to’s? Get a fiction book for a change! Normally read fiction? Get a humorous book! Renew your weary heart and mind!

Take a break and go for a long ride on a motorcycle! Don’t forget your headset and praise music!

Take a hike! Really! Find a nice nature trail OR go for the tough stuff!!

Go to the mall with your teenager! ENJOY!

Buy a walkman and some great praise music—turn it up! My favorites are Michael W. Smith’s Worship CD’s AND Hillsong’s Praise and Worship! The moment you enter into worship, you will enter into the very presence of God—so, turn it up and devour the presence of our precious Lord!

Pull out that old sewing machine and make some of those goodies that you have been wanting— new purse/tote...outfit...home decorations...doll clothes...etc!

Buy a “whoopee” Cushion...or “Bubba” teeth... At least your family will laugh!

Write out the funny family stories! Reminsce! Enjoy!

Go skating!

Try an afternoon of “Laser-Tag” with your teens! Get um!

Make Homemade Bread—KNEAD yourself!

Get a pet! My bird, Harley, has ministered to my heart MORE than I could remember! He is just SO funny! HE had the idea to “boogie” for Jesus! I had not danced for years! AND it is decent! Elisabeth’s new puppy, Tooty, is a TOTAL delight! I say all the time that she is JOY in fur! Struggling? Get a pet just for YOU...see that puppy in the window??

Take the day to go for a flight! Look at the whole world from a different perspective!

Dance! Turn up your favorite music and dance! Dance your heaviness away! Dance till you laugh! Dance in worship to the Lord! Jump! Lift your hands in praise and worship!

Clean out your house (only if this is NOT your struggle! Ha!). Attack those closets...cabinets...dusty bookshelves...paper piles!

Go out for a cup of coffee...tea...or a good old Coca-Cola! Meet your sweetheart! Or...take your Bible and make it a special time with the Lord!

Find some silly-putty or slime—PLAY!

Get up earlier (or take regular breaks throughout the day!) for your quiet time! You may feel SO weak that you can barely concentrate—if so, just turn on praise music and lift up your arms in praise and adoration. Watch what happens! Make a list of your heartaches—lift them to the Father (then, hide them in your Prayer Journal—later they will be a praise record!). Dig into the Word for comfort...perspective...and hope for tomorrow! Really tough days? Well, when the Israelites had very HOT days, they had to gather MORE manna—in the heat of your battles and toughest trials gather a surplus! It will help you survive your struggle!

Make a quilt! You can EVEN cheat by making it on the sewing machine! ENJOY!

Take an afternoon to go to the movies! Get a big bucket of popcorn...a super-HUGE Coke...sour Gummy Worms (unless you are due a BIG DOSE OF CHOCOLATE!). Take your sweetheart...or a friend if you want to share! Pick a movie that will make you laugh like crazy...OR CRY your eyes out! ENJOY!

 Ride three-wheelers! Get MUDDY!

Treat yourself to a leisurely afternoon (or a bunch of afternoons!) at the pool...park...or creek!

Try your hand at BOWLING! Take some friends!

Take time for tea—each day!

Exercise! Swim...walk...jog...hike...go skating...aerobics! Relieves stress AND boosts your health to boot!

Learn a new hobby! What have you been putting off that you have ALWAYS wanted to know? Pottery? Quilting? Flight Training? Smocking? Scrapbooking? Jewelry Making? Sewing? Crochet? Horse-back riding? Go for it! Now is the PERFECT time!

Treat yourself to a nice looooonnnnnngggg Bubble Bath! Don’t forget to set up your favorite music to play during your Bubble Bath! Also...be sure to fix a nice cup of tea (or a Latte!) or a nice big Coke that will last till the water gets cold! ENJOY!

Go to the park and just swing—HIGH!

Go get an ice-cream cone—with a double dip!

Do a “Promise” hunt in Scripture! Keep in a “Promise Notebook” of your very own! KNOW they are yours!

Snuggle up for the afternoon to read a great book!

Don’t let this limit you! Let your brain GO!

 

 

...Ohhh....just share them HERE.... Post YOUR IDEAS!

 

Ministering To The Hurting... by Cindy Rushton

Ministering To The Hurting...
By Cindy Rushton
cindy@cindyrushton.com

Have a beloved friend in great pain? Have no idea how to help—really help? Great! This is for YOU! Grief is never easy. Even going through the same kind of grief over and over cannot prepare one for the fresh pain of more grief! But, God CAN use us to minister to the hurting. Here are some things that have blessed (and even HURT) us through the years of our tough times that may help you to minister to those that hurt in your sphere of influence...

• Jot a note of encouragement. Have no idea what to say? Don’t sermonize! Don’t simplify the painful situation! Surely, don’t give your “wisdom” or theological beliefs. Instead, send a sweet card. Include a Bible Verse that has ministered to you in tough times...a neat quote that has been special to you in your darkest moments...a poem or hymn that has blessed you in your struggles.
• Let THEM talk! So much swarms inside during grief! It is so precious when friends or family sit down and just LISTEN! No lectures! No judgment! Just listen! Listen to those memories of the person...what happened...how they are feeling... Just let them talk!
• Weep! Jeremiah 9: 20 tells us to teach our daughters how to weep and mourn. There is a great ministry need for us to join in weeping with those who weep and mourning with those that mourn! Just taking the time to really care ministers to the heart in a mighty way. In a society that is busier than ever, this sets the godly apart! Get into the lives of others. Seek to understand and truly empathize! Carry the burden with those that are hurting. Show God! Be a vessel used by God to reflect a glimpse of the heart of God! Show to others a God Who is our “with us” God!
• Let them cry! I KNOW how hard it is to let someone you love cry! It is just so tough! BUT! Crying is a release that leads to healing! Crying lets the grieving one let go of their “air” of strength and release their pain and grief. There is nothing like the release of a good cry! I remember one time that my daughter looked up to me and said, “Mommy, you need to cry...you can lay down in MY lap and just cry!” Talk about bringing on the tears. I laid down in her sweet little lap. She caressed my face and rubbed my face while I just cried and cried and cried myself to sleep. I could just be ME! I could just pour out my heart! I woke up and this sweet little girl was still sitting there rubbing my head and looking down at me with complete love! I need not tell you how precious that memory is to me! Make a memory by ministering to the heart of those that you love!
• Take a special meal for the family. If you are part of their church or support group, also help to organize meals for a period of time. Keep in mind that meals that can also be frozen and served later are great for the days when others forget. Carry dishes that are disposable! Plan meals that can go far! I love to carry soups/salads/homemade bread or a meal like lasagna/salad/homemade bread. Of course, brownies or chocolate is always a hit! Meals take a BIG load off of those that need to rest and be nurtured a bit! PLUS, it helps SO much to know your family’s fed well!
• Be there! We just got home from Papaw Glenn’s funeral. I mentioned to Mrs. Rushton and Harold that it was simply phenomenal to watch the ministry of those that stepped up to the call of ministering to our family during this tough time! The funeral home was packed every single minute. Even meals prepared for the family by two separate churches were so special with those that took the TIME to go above and beyond just making a meal—they were THERE to minister to each and every one of us. No cliche’ answers or great “grief war stories” to “touch” our hearts. It was the simplicity of BEING THERE. Sweet hugs. Sweet smiles. REAL concern! AND keep coming! Especially after others begin to forget!
• Laugh! Yes! Now, this is not counsel to be crude, rude, or inconsiderate! However, laughter brings healing! For the longest time during our losses, I just wanted to be able to grieve, yet still laugh. It seemed as though everyone around me was so tense that I just wanted for everyone to lighten up and laugh with me a bit! One of my favorite gifts was a DVD featuring Chonda Pierce. From the first seconds, I laughed harder than I had laughed in years. All of the sudden life fell into perspective...my joy was spurred on...life became more doable again. So, find a way to laugh in the midst of tears. You will minister to the heart of those who are hurting!
• Pray! Oh! The power in prayer! This really should be first on the list! There are times that ALL you can do is pray. But, even when the situation allows for other means of ministry, prayer is the mightiest gift you can give to a friend! A friend of mine shared with me this past week about how the Lord was convicting her of the importance of intercessory prayer and the void left when we fail to step up to the call to pray. Just think of the difference that intercession made as Moses stepped up to the mountain in prayer while the Israelites battled the Amalekites (symbolizing the flesh in Scripture). Even Moses had helpers while he interceeded. What a difference it made with the whole crew loose during the battle. First, the battle would have been impossible without those valiant warriors on the battlefield. Then, we see that God used Moses to intercede and point those warriors to the Lord during their battle. But, with those valiant warriors AND Moses loose, still the battle was going back and forth swaying between victory and defeat—well, until Aaron and Hur stepped up to the call to hold up Moses’ weary arms. Then! Victory! Your loved ones may be battling for their very lives, but you have a weapon with great power! When you want to wage ware on their behalf, fall down on your knees and pray till heaven moves! You will be sure to minister to the hurting in a mighty way!
• Don’t use grief as an opportunity to “practice” your doctrines on others! I think that after 7 years of infertility intermingled with loss, I can say confidently that there is NOTHING that I have not heard yet...but, I am ever amazed at the insane things that “Christians” will say in an effort to minister to others...hummmmm! I don’t want to sound crude, but DON’T! Trust me, it is better that I share this suggestion than YOU hurt someone deeply in the midst of a precious opportunity to minister to them! When a loved one is in the midst of a trial, they MOST need our presence and concern...not our explanations, judgment, or assumptions of what God is up to or what WE think God is all about! So, hug...smile...touch...but GUARD that tongue! Don’t be guilty of being like Job’s friends...or wife...hummm!
• After the whirlwind of activities, plan a special time out together! Treat them to a special time out! Tea? Coffee? Antique shopping? Scrapbooking? Find something just FUN and bless them! Don’t forget to let them talk if they want...AND watch YOUR talking!
• Minister during those tough times. Remember that certain days will be tough... Christmas without that precious baby there! Thanksgiving without Grandma! Mother’s Day after a loss of the baby—or every Mother’s Day for the barren one! Oh! Mother’s Day is such a tender time for those whose mothers are gone on to be with the Lord! Father’s Day! Even other special family times are so hard and lonely! The hardest times are where traditions are no longer possible...or where expectations and dreams are shattered. Get to know your loved one and their heart so you can minister during those tough times!
• Don’t forget! Anniversaries! Talk about a precious way to minister to the hurting. Jot down the date of the loss in your Daytimer. On anniversaries, jot them a note or plan a special time out to minister to them! Anniversaries are SO tough! It may not be SEEN on the calendar of your hurting friend, but you can guarantee that it is written on their heart! Encourage them to take it easy on those anniversaries. Let them cry. Let them tell those sweet stories and memories. Talk about a blessing!
• Let them get REAL with you! If there is a need in our culture, this is IT! What is it that we have allowed the devil to do among the church? I am ever amazed at the “secret sorrows” that so many Christians bear on their own. Let’s bear one another’s burdens...oh, is that in the Scripture? Great idea!

Oh, so much can be done to minister to others. You probably have many, many ideas too. Go for it! Just be a friend. A real friend! Stick close when those you love are hurting even though those are the toughest times to be there. It is SO hard to watch someone you love go through a time of pain and suffering, but keep in mind all throughout that nothing hurts more than going through those tough times ALONE! The little things REALLY make a big difference! Take the time to be a real friend. Let God minister through you!

50+ Secrets for Surviving Your Struggles! by Cindy Rushton

 

• Laugh! Just sit there right now...laugh! Start small...just a little giggle! Then...laugh about laughing! Roll on the floor laughing! Feel better?
• Begin a new Bible Study! Either find a Bible Study guide...or dig out Words to study on your own! For Word Studies, I LOVE my Strong’s Concordance. It helps to find all of the references of a certain word of interest. I also love my Vine’s Dictionary. I use it to look up the meanings of the words AND it also has other references for uses in Scripture. Another great help for Word Studies is my good old faithful Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. I LOVE it as a reference to deepen the studies. Usually it helps me to also find OTHER great studies to dig into also! Dig into the Word! It will feed your heart and soul during this tough time!
• Go for a drive around the city—look at the lights!
• Look at photo albums! Remember the silly stories!
• Watch the sunrise! Or, not an early bird? Watch the sunset
• Collect jokes and funnies! Barb Johnson...Chonda Pierce...Becky Freeman are just a few of my PERSONAL favorites!
• Chocolate! Chocolate Candy...Chocolate Bars...Chocolate Shakes...Chocolate Latte’s...CHOCOLATE! REALLY! Chocolate helps to release endorphins in the brain—plus! It tastes great to boot!
• Watch an old movie! Curl up under a great big quilt—even if you have to turn the air down COLD! Don’t forget to turn down the lights and turn off the phone!
• Look at your old school albums! Your HAIR! Ha!
• Got a grassy hill nearby? Go to the top and just roll down it! Like a child! (Snowy? Get a sled! And SLIDE!)
• Take the kids to the park—just WATCH them! They are adorable!
• Begin a “Quote Book!” Collect quotes that encourage you to keep on, keeping on! Keep them in a special journal dedicated only to keeping the quotes!
• Memorize your favorite Psalm! Try out Psalm 91...or Psalm 61...or Psalm 35...or Psalm 37...Oh! Enjoy!
• Begin a Tea Ministry! Doing for others ALWAYS lifts even the heaviest spirit! Get a tea basket to keep your goodies in...visit a shut-in...bless them! Then! Watch the blessing boomerang! You won’t be able to leave without a blessing!
• Take the kids to a candy store—sample the Jelly Bellies...or Sweet Tarts...or Sour Gummy Worms!
• Fly a kite!
• Take a ride in the country! Turn up your praise music...roll the windows down...sing to the top of your lungs!
• Watch a funny video! Chonda Pierce is one of my picks! My children LOVE old comedy shows like I Love Lucy or The Three Stooges. Oh, you may want to watch anything! Just find something that will make you laugh hard!
• Scrapbook! Pick photos that you MUST tell the story behind! Kick up your favorite music...spread out your goodies...and Scrap till you drop!
• Read a biography of a GIANT in the faith! My favorites are Corrie ten Boom...Hudson Taylor...George Mueller...Amy Carmichael...Jim and Elisabeth Elliott...etc!
• Get today’s newspaper and read the comics!
• Get a yo-yo! PLAY!
• Make Chocolate Chip Cookies with the kids! On a diet? Take them to someone who blesses you! Include a note of thanks and encouragement for all they do to bless you!
• Go out and sit on your boat—watch the stars! (Oh, watch the sunset or sunrise, if you can too!)
• Dig into the Bible and study what God says about trials...suffering...faith...death...depression...oppression...warfare...battle
• Read a new book! Normally ready non-fiction/how-to’s? Get a fiction book for a change! Normally read fiction? Get a humorous book! Renew your weary heart and mind!
• Take a break and go for a long ride on a motorcycle! Don’t forget your headset and praise music!
• Take a hike! Really! Find a nice nature trail OR go for the tough stuff!!
• Go to the mall with your teenager! ENJOY!
• Buy a walkman and some great praise music—turn it up! My favorites are Michael W. Smith’s Worship CD’s AND Hillsong’s Praise and Worship! The moment you enter into worship, you will enter into the very presence of God—so, turn it up and devour the presence of our precious Lord!
• Pull out that old sewing machine and make some of those goodies that you have been wanting—new purse/tote...outfit...home decorations...doll clothes...etc!
• Buy a “whoopee” Cushion...or “Bubba” teeth... At least your family will laugh!
• Write out the funny family stories! Reminsce! Enjoy!
• Go skating!
• Try an afternoon of “Laser-Tag” with your teens! Get um!
• Make Homemade Bread—KNEAD yourself!
• Get a pet! My bird, Harley, has ministered to my heart MORE than I could remember! He is just SO funny! HE had the idea to “boogie” for Jesus! I had not danced for years! AND it is decent! Elisabeth’s new puppy, Tooty, is a TOTAL delight! I say all the time that she is JOY in fur! Struggling? Get a pet just for YOU...see that puppy in the window??
• Take the day to go for a flight! Look at the whole world from a different perspective!
• Dance! Turn up your favorite music and dance! Dance your heaviness away! Dance till you laugh! Dance in worship to the Lord! Jump! Lift your hands in praise and worship!
• Clean out your house (only if this is NOT your struggle! Ha!). Attack those closets...cabinets...dusty bookshelves...paper piles!
• Go out for a cup of coffee...tea...or a good old Coca-Cola! Meet your sweetheart! Or...take your Bible and make it a special time with the Lord!
• Find some silly-putty or slime—PLAY!
• Get up earlier (or take regular breaks throughout the day!) for your quiet time! You may feel SO weak that you can barely concentrate—if so, just turn on praise music and lift up your arms in praise and adoration. Watch what happens! Make a list of your heartaches—lift them to the Father (then, hide them in your Prayer Journal—later they will be a praise record!). Dig into the Word for comfort...perspective...and hope for tomorrow! Really tough days? Well, when the Israelites had very HOT days, they had to gather MORE manna—in the heat of your battles and toughest trials gather a surplus! It will help you survive your struggle!
• Make a quilt! You can EVEN cheat by making it on the sewing machine! ENJOY!
• Take an afternoon to go to the movies! Get a big bucket of popcorn...a super-HUGE Coke...sour Gummy Worms (unless you are due a BIG DOSE OF CHOCOLATE!). Take your sweetheart...or a friend if you want to share! Pick a movie that will make you laugh like crazy...OR CRY your eyes out! ENJOY!
• Ride three-wheelers! Get MUDDY!
• Treat yourself to a leisurely afternoon (or a bunch of afternoons!) at the pool...park...or creek!
• Try your hand at BOWLING! Take some friends!
• Take time for tea—each day!
• Exercise! Swim...walk...jog...hike...go skating...aerobics! Relieves stress AND boosts your health to boot!
• Learn a new hobby! What have you been putting off that you have ALWAYS wanted to know? Pottery? Quilting? Flight Training? Smocking? Scrapbooking? Jewelry Making? Sewing? Crochet? Horse-back riding? Go for it! Now is the PERFECT time!
• Treat yourself to a nice looooonnnnnngggg Bubble Bath! Don’t forget to set up your favorite music to play during your Bubble Bath! Also...be sure to fix a nice cup of tea (or a Latte!) or a nice big Coke that will last till the water gets cold! ENJOY!
• Go to the park and just swing—HIGH!
• Go get an ice-cream cone—with a double dip!
• Do a “Promise” hunt in Scripture! Keep in a “Promise Notebook” of your very own! KNOW they are yours!
• Snuggle up for the afternoon to read a great book!
• Don’t let this limit you! Let your brain GO!

Why Barren Places??? by Amy Carmichael

Why Barren Places???

By Amy Carmichael

The son found himself in a barren place.

His Father said, “In this place I will give you the peace you are longing for. Here I will give you spiritual food that will nourish you. You are always with Me—no matter what the circumstances—and all that I have is yours.”

Then the Father, with great gentleness, drew the son to himself. Quietly, He said, “I am the One Who allowed you to come into these humbling circumstances, and allowed you to hunger. I did this so that I might feed you with manna—My bread from heaven! Only in this way could I help you to know that you cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from My mouth.”

The son said, “Give me this bread always!”

And when he grew thirsty, he learned to cry, “The light of Your face is my life!”

Later still, the son wondered why one like himself, who is so richly fed and cared for at times, should at other times feel so poor and needy and thirsty.

His Father replied, “Can someone who has never discovered rivers of these living waters flowing on barren heights—can he ever lead his thirsty friend to those rivers? Can someone who has never seen burning sands in the wilderness turn into a refreshing pool—can he speak in praise of My marvels, or My power?”

FEELING OVERWHELMED? by Lori Seaborg

FEELING OVERWHELMED? 

by Lori Seaborg

Over a year and a half ago, I was teaching children's choir, teaching adult education classes two nights a week, singing in the adult choir at church, homeschooling two children with two babies underfoot, taking the children two full days a week to extra classes, preparing to move to a new location for dh's job, and running my website as a business. I was overwhelmed!

Knowing that I was reaching my sanity's limit, I prayed for God to help me, please!

One night, I walked into our six-year-old daughter's room and saw a basket hanging from her bunkbed with a stuffed animal and a note in it. I remembered that she had told me that she had a surprise for me, and to please come and look at it, but I was too busy filling an order for my business. Later, after I had sent her to bed, she called me from her bedroom to see her surprise, but again I was too busy and said I'd come later.

Much later in the evening, I remembered that I hadn't ever gone back to see Britty's surprise. Feeling a little saddened that I was seeing it after she was asleep, I opened the note.

On it was written: "I want to do 100 things for you."

For Brittany, a brand-new 6 year old who had four ear surgeries by then, writing that note would have been very difficult. It touched me to the core. In tears, I said aloud, "I want to do 100 things for you, too."

It was as if a light turned on in that moment as I saw how busy I had made my life. Each activity was noble, of course, and worthy of someone's time, but it was not to be my time that was used.

That night, in my little girl's room, I felt God's whisper. I heard Him whisper that I am to be first a wife, then a mother for this moment. He reminded me how quickly children grow up. It is only for a blink of time that they live with us.

With my focus cleared, I immediately closed my website. I had always given it to God, so I didn't question that he could provide for us financially without my side business. Since we were moving for dh's new job, I was able to gracefully bow out of my choir, children's choir, the extra classes, and teaching committments.

It has been a year and a half since that night. My focus is still on my husband and my children. Recently I have felt that God wants me to start writing again, but I know that writing, even though I do it as a "ministry," as a way to help other mothers, is never to be more important than my jobs as a wife and mother.

We don't venture out very often, for I have discovered that it is very hard to manage a home when you are not in it! Before agreeing to do anything, I weigh each activity and make sure it does not take away from family and home. We choose only the best of activities to do, knowing that our time at that activity is worth leaving home. Our children are young (10, 7, 5, 2), so they thrive on the security that staying home brings.

If we young mothers talked to older mothers more often, they'd tell us that children grow up quickly. We already know that, but do we realize it? We fill our days to overflowing with activities; we run after ways that we can work in the church; we seek to minister to others. Meanwhile, our family, the very ones that God specifically gave us to minister to, are set aside.

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Ask God to help you, please. He just might whisper in your ear, too.

Destressing the Stressed Out Mom… by Cindy Rushton

Destressing the Stressed Out Mom…
by Cindy Rushton

Stressed? Been stressed a little too long? Too often? Need some help? Well, try the following and see if they don’t help a bit!

Go on a Prayer Walk—regularly! Praise and worship the Lord. Pour out your heart. Talk to Jesus the whole way! Listen to His sweet “conversation” with you! Be refreshed!

 

Use a Daily “To-Do” List to operate from. List your TOP FIVE things. Keep in your own “Brain-in-a-Binder” so you can rest your mind…find your list as you need it…and keep everything else in a spot!

 

Turn on Praise Music—LOUD!

 

Begin a new hobby! Learn something new each and every day!

 

Organize ONE thing each day! Make a list of all you want to see done. Keep the list so that you can add to it as you find other needs. As you work through it, mark off what IS being done. This will show you how much you ARE doing. Continue to work on one thing per day. The difference will not take long!

 

Do ONE thing each day JUST FOR YOU! Yep! You read right! How long has it been since you have done ANYTHING for you? There is one common denominator in the lives of many who are totally stressed out—they RARELY do anything for themselves. For real! You are created with a need for a daily quiet time…with a need to be nurtured, encouraged, inspired…with a need for something to look forward to. YOU need something special just for you each day! What are you doing? What fills your cup? Are you operating from a very dry, parched vessel? Do just ONE thing today just for you. Then, do just ONE thing tomorrow just for you. Just a little thing. Maybe spending 5 minutes reading from your Bible. Maybe adding bubbles to your bath water. Maybe going for a quick 15 minute walk. Maybe taking your children’s lessons outside to just bask in the sun for a few minutes while they work through their math lessons. Maybe join Curves or a local fitness gym. Maybe get a bottle of bubbles and go outside to play! Do SOMETHING each day for you! See the stress levels lesson!

 

Purpose to laugh more and more each day! I read a quote a few years ago in a devotional by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. It has become one of my personal life goals. In fact, it is ONE thing that we can do to de-stress every day! Here it is:

 

“Laughter is the medicine intended to cure the disease of self-importance. It’s hard to puff yourself up to weather balloon size if you can deflate yourself with a good prick of self-directed humor. How many laughs are you having--some at your own expense? Have you, as a couple, claimed the promise, “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.” (Job 8:21) Before the wedding ceremony, many couples need to have a bold objective for their first year of marriage: Over the next year, we will be found guilty of having too much fun rather than too little fun. That is not a bad objective for any year of marriage.”

 

So, what about you? Will you laugh more today than yesterday? Tomorrow than today? Purpose to laugh more and more…the stress will run away!

 

Declutter! Don Aslett, famous organizing expert, says that 80% of what we own, we don’t even use. It is only clutter. I completely agree! In fact, I step out on a limb and make a completely un-researched assumption, but I would also imagine that 80% of what is on our schedule is clutter as well. We are sooo bogged down in clutter! Clutter can never be organized. Clutter can never be managed. It simply must be exterminated from our lives. So, why not de-stress a bit by getting rid of the “stuff” in your life. Stuff has a tendency to bring on unneeded stress! Go ahead—get rid of it! Simplify! Simplify the clutter in your schedule! Throw away that stuff in the house! Copy quotes from those magazines and get rid of that bulky mess—journals are more precious than that clutter anyway! Jot down ideas in your journal. Get rid of those old clothes—you know that if you lose weight you will want NEW clothes then anyway! (HOOT!) Over-run by cookbooks? Begin a “girl-time” to copy those that you love or those that you want to try into a special cookbook of your own. Sell or donate the rest! You very own cookbooks will be more helpful and way more special anyway! So, get busy getting rid of that clutter! Talk about instant de-stressing!

 

Get On PJ’s…Cuddle Up…Watch Old Movies or a Comedian! Pull out the chocolate…popcorn…old fluffy quilts! Make a sweet memory just “jelling” out with your precious family!

 

Read a book! It is amazing the power in a great book! Pull out a book with your little ones—something neat like Winnie the Pooh, Make Way for Ducklings, Dr. Seuss. Or…dig into a classic like The Hiding Place, The Little Preacher, Clean Your Boots, Sir, etc. Or read an old biography on someone neat! See if a family read aloud doesn’t breathe life into your home. BUT! That is not ALL! How long has it been since YOU have read a book JUST FOR YOU??? Grab something inspirational…something helpful…or something fun. OR ALL THREE! Just 10 minutes in a book will relieve some of that stress that can wipe you out!

 

Simplify! Simplify everything! Simplify stuff (yep, I said that again!)…commitments…curriculum…housework…meals! Completely simplify! No one will remember later all of those hours you spent on the stuff. They will remember your spirit.

Ready for BACK TO SCHOOL???

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Check out our E-BOOK! We now have our MAKE YOUR OWN BRAIN-IN-A-BINDER available as an E-Book! AND...it is JUST perfect for those of you
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PLUS! We are offering it for this week with our LET'S GET ORGANIZED E-BOOK for FREE!!!! Both for just $25.00! OR you can buy with a friend for both of you to get BOTH books for $40.00! Isn't that great??? Ok, without much more a-do, just go for it! You will love it! See more about it here: http://www.cindyrushton.com/MYOBIBEBOOK.html

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Your teen will LOVE this fun list!

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MATTHEW'S NEW PURITY WORKSHOP--ONLINE! FOR FREE!

Yep! This is a workshop that EVERY child/teen/parent should hear! As
I listened to his workshop, I sat there AMAZED that God had
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Matthew is, but I am talking about his role as a man of God! I am in
awe! Soooo, while you are online today, why not tune in! You will find a
teaching that is very, very needed in our culture today! Well, just
check it out and see! Here is the link:

http://www.cindyrushton.com/MERSCHEDULE.html

Stay tuned! We plan future interviews, workshops, and broadcasts
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MATTHEW'S NEW BLOG!!!

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¸...¸ __/ /____ ____
,·´º o`·,/__/ _/_ //____/
```)¨(´´´ | | | | | | | || |l±±±± |
¸,.-·²°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸ `°²·-. :º°

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

See ya next week!
Cindy

Burnout? Here are some ideas that may help!!!

I recently received this question on my Mom-2-Mom Discussion Board:

Okay ladies...I'm suffering from burnout. Not the I need a day or two but the I'm not sure I can get my homeschooling joy BACK!! I really love hsing but for some reason this year I've been dwindling to a slow stop. What's wrong!? I have an 8th grader, 3rd grader and K-gardner. My 8th is no problem...she attends a once a week tutorial for most of her classes and is self-taught for the rest. My K is not where I would like her to be but she's doing fine. My 3rd and I are really struggling. I had her tested last week and I'm really dreading for the grades to come back. I know it's probably more of a reflection on me than on her. I need some REAL encouragement ladies. I think I've strayed so far from Charlotte Mason that I need someone to tell me what to do with her and that it will be okay...soon!

Thanks for letting me vent!!
God bless!!

Hey!

I am SO sorry that it took soooo long to get back to this question! I have been sooo swamped and yet you have been on my heart for weeks. I have prayed for you and for some things to share with you. Some things have just jumped out to me. That is what I want to share with you.

First, GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK. If there is one thing that homeschooling moms have a tendency to do, it is to try to be all things to all people all of the time! I am soooo glad that I bottomed out early in the journey. Did you re-read that? Yes, I am thankful that I crashed quick! I didn't like it at the beginning. It was an awful feeling. Yet, in crashing, I learned that I could not do it all, be everything to everyone, or have everything that my mother or mother-in-law had (like a spotlessly clean house!). Yet, by falling at the feet of Jesus and embracing HIS CALL for my life, I could have EVERYTHING that I never dared to dream to have! What am I talking about is letting go of the STUFF that really does not matter and embracing the things that DO! As we do, we find true contentment...true satisfaction...and an exhilaration that will breath life in your current situation. Go for it! Give YOURSELF a break!

Secondly, KNOW THAT YOU WILL NOT *ALWAYS* BE WHERE YOU ARE! In fact, your children will not always be where they are right now. Really soak that in! It will refresh you! These days are very, very tough. They do pass! This week we are celebrating the final countdown to Matthew's graduation (see my blog here:
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/CindyRushton/ to read some of my thoughts on this week!). I am seeing the last 13 years just fly through my mind this week. My only regrets are those times that I was sooo frustrated and did not realize that THEY *WOULD* GET IT! And...they did! At the point that I was my most tired and weary, it was only moments away from the breakthrough in their learning. I remember whining...then, all of the sudden it all came together. I was almost at the point of quitting, yet we were at the top of the mountain! What would be different if you KNEW that they would get it? Would it infuse a second wind if you KNEW that this was about to pass? It is! Press on! You have a treasure right ahead!

Next, DO SOMETHING FRESH AND DIFFERENT! What would you REALLY like to do? What would YOU like to study? Would you like to try something new, but all year it has not fit in? There is something that digs DEEP when we put off what is on our heart to teach our children or do with our children over and over and over again. I guess a good picture is looking at our housework. It is easy to JUST clean that kitchen ALL DAY long every day--anybody relate? I could spend weeks in my kitchen ONLY cleaning and re-organizing. And... about 2 days into that...I begin to burnout. I feel frustrated that I do not get to other things that need TO BE DONE. I get mad at my family if they DREAM of coming into my kitchen! hehe! Know what I mean? Homeschooling is the same way. It is sooo hard to keep it all in balance. There is a tendency to just get the most "important" things done each day. Well, maybe those are the most important. Usually those things that are done are the more "chores" of education. The very things that are on our heart are easily swiped to the side for "ANOTHER DAY" that never, ever comes. Soooo, all of that to recommend doing something that is FRESH...NEW...EXCITING...DIFFERENT. Maybe it is time to try something that you have been putting off? Maybe it is time for something fresh and fun? What would fire YOU up? What would intrigue YOU? Go for it!

Next, CAN YOU TEACH ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY? What about teaching phonics and math with games? What about trying out Notebooking? What about making a cute little Lapbook? Put down that boring teaching technique that is wearing you out and try something fresh...easy...fun!

Oh! Don't forget! TRY A NEW BOOK! Through the years there has just been SOMETHING about a new book to breathe life and renew MY spirit as well as those of my children. Was it cuddling up with TIME together? Noble ideas to think upon? Fresh ideas for our hungry minds? Or all of it? Oh! Books! Maybe Winnie the Pooh! ? Maybe Make Way for Ducklings ? Maybe a neat new biography? Maybe ALL of those books on snakes that your little one has wanted to check out for weeks? OH! Go for a great book!

Well, and not just WITH the children ALSO FOR YOU! What are YOU reading? Find something JUST FOR YOU! Maybe a new homeschool book. Maybe those magazines that have piled up. Maybe a fiction book--I am reading SISTER CHICKS right now. It is a HOOT! Sooo refreshing! Find something to grow you...refresh you...and fill you back up!

Finally, CRAWL UP IN YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER'S LAP! Yep! Crawl up in your Daddy's lap and stay! Snuggle up! Let Him refresh you. Let Him renew your spirit! Then, you can fly!

Love,
Cindy...your fellow sister chick!

Seen our website lately? Grab a cup of tea and check out our home on the web at: http://www.CindyRushton.com

It is NOT TOO LATE to join us for our TIME OF REFRESHMENT AND RENEWAL in Florence, AL on June 10-11, 2005! We have extended the pre-registration! Click here for more info or to sign up today! OVER $77.00 in FREE BONUSES! http://www.CindyRushton.com/TRR.html

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¸...¸ __/ /____ ____
,·´º o`·,/__/ _/_ //____/
```)¨(´´´ | | | | | | | || |l±±±± |
¸,.-·²°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸ `°²·-. :º°

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!