This past month or so I have realized I need to focus more on my family and home. Even as we face new adventures with the older ones leaving the nest for college or getting married it’s time to reassess and refocus. There will be a lot of organizing this year as a result of the addition to our home being completed. There is clutter and just plain too much stuff that we need to get rid of or donate.
I need to be more diligent in staying on task, on making our home a haven, and a place where others will feel welcome.
Recently in my studying I came upon this quote by Bruce C. Hafen, “Our two most sacred buildings are the temple and the home. A family dinner table, surrounded by parents and children who share their laughter and their lives, is a sacred setting—not just a place setting. Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven, and that kingdom is, first of all, in your home. “Home-work” is the Lord’s work.” I love that imagery! How often have I stopped to look at my family seated around the dinner table and just soaked up the laughter and love? I tell you not often enough.
My goals having to do with HOME this year are:
- decluttering so it feels less stressful – too much stuff can bring stress!
- simplifying routines but sticking to them – so our days run more smoothly and efficiently
- choosing a stucco color for the final coat of stucco in the spring – to beautify the outside of our home
- reading more books out loud as a family – to relax easier in the evening
- sharing more family history stories – to create a deeper sense of belonging
- memorizing scriptures and quotes from church leaders – so the gift of redeeming words becomes embedded in our hearts and minds
Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;
That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord; that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord; that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High. (D&C 88:119-120)
To help me in this process I’ll be bringing back the Establish a House series. I have missed it! I have missed the contributions and wonderful ideas of others and how they are making their homes a special place for their families.
More about that tomorrow….
P.S. Don’t you just love the drawing of our family that Brownie made for me? She was scrolling though my instagram and saw the lovely ones posted by @hellolovelypeople_. It pays to have an artist in residence!
Other articles I’ve written about home making:
Why Homemaking?
The ART of Making a Home
Past One Words:
2014 – Dwell
2013 – Avodah (still one of my favorites!)
2012 – Eucharisteo
2011 – Trust
2010 – Ameliorate
2009 – Create
Yay! I’m glad the Establish a House feature is coming back. I love reading when you have a moment to post. It is neat to see a large family that is further down the road than we are. Large homeschooling families don’t exist in my ward (honestly, large families are pretty rare where I’m at).
Love that quote about the sacred setting! Good luck with all your goals…mine are similar!
Reevaluation and refocusing of your space and keeping it welcoming seems to be a theme for many families this year. I am inspired by your tenacity with such a large family. It makes me want to strive for those same qualities you have listed and my family is 1/3 the size of yours.
That’s a great quote from Bruce Hafen! And I love the hand-drawn family picture at the top. So cute!
It is really fun when I read two blogs right after another and they discuss the same things. I was reading one about creating a refuge in your home and jotted that idea and site down on my list of FHE topics. Your post reminded me of a few things my kids have been asking for, more reading aloud. Time to get on it!
Lovely picture!
Your goals are very similar to mine… It is amazing how off track life can get us (well, me anyway!). I can’t wait for the Establish a House feature! So what I need right now! Good luck with your goals! 🙂
Oh, this is my focus this year, too! I look forward to reading your Establish a House posts.
Thank you for the great reminders! Now that I’m working I’m finding it more difficult to find enough time to spend proper time with each of my family members. So many things have changed significantly for us. It’s a very good thing to have a reminder to concentrate more on things that are home-centered. I’m happy to know you, Montse. Congrats on all the fun things that are happening in your lives these days! 🙂
Love this. I have been thinking very carefully about this year’s goals as I won’t be pregnant and will have the emotional capacity to really accomplish some things. I mostly want to build relationships with my kids (something I neglected during the last pregnancy) and make my home a calmer, more refuge-like place to be. I guess many of us are thinking along the same lines. 🙂