tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post2269309501282564965..comments2023-11-28T04:49:21.046-06:00Comments on We Are THAT Family: My Cluttered HeartKristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02608199440254905212noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-40579907926373198632010-05-22T12:45:54.604-05:002010-05-22T12:45:54.604-05:00we just got back from Burundi Africa last Friday. ...we just got back from Burundi Africa last Friday. It has been a week of processing, blogging, praying, writing some more... sigh.<br /><br />I've been to Africa twice before, but this trip has been different... it will not let me go. <br /><br />Jenny<br />www.jennyrain.comJennyRainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09110480998226889685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-52759774600348249642010-05-02T20:42:21.816-05:002010-05-02T20:42:21.816-05:00Beautiful post.Beautiful post.Young Wifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11095895299899127666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-15352775789471356392010-05-02T13:00:47.814-05:002010-05-02T13:00:47.814-05:00Amen Kristen -- 8 months into my time in Africa, I...Amen Kristen -- 8 months into my time in Africa, I am also walking through this same thing. I am amazed at the fact that I haven't bought a new article of clothing in 6 months, and somehow at the same time ashamed to be proud of that -- like really? Is that an achievement? After walking through townships and seeing kids who only have what's on their backs, I know if I do go back to America, I don't ever want to go back to the materialistic way I used to live. I trust the Lord will keep peeling back the layers for you and for me! xCCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-44695964007366931882010-05-02T08:49:56.312-05:002010-05-02T08:49:56.312-05:00Hi There,
I recently added a Link Party Directory ...Hi There,<br />I recently added a Link Party Directory to my blog site, Tools Are For Women Too!, listing just over 100 link parties. I made sure that your party was included. Here is the link http://toolsareforwomentoo.blogspot.com/p/link-parties.html Please take a look at it when you have time and link back to me somehow ,if possible. I also do a link party called Modern Craftswoman Monday. Thank you. RoryRory from Tools Are For Women Too!https://www.blogger.com/profile/15443167879269427172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-41742760541002542592010-05-01T22:03:53.445-05:002010-05-01T22:03:53.445-05:00Thank you so much for this post. It really spoke t...Thank you so much for this post. It really spoke to my heart. I haven't been to Africa, or anywhere else that could be considered a mission trip, but the Lord began to speak to my poverty-stricken heart back in October when we were a host home to two little orphan girls in the Children of the World International Children's Choir. Everything they own fits into one big suitcase. Talk about conviction...ouch! We've made a little progress in the area of letting go of the "stuff", but we have a LONG way to go! But I am confident that the One who began a good work in me will complete it!<br /><br />Thanks for sharing! I really enjoy reading your blog!Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-70593986009576674422010-05-01T13:15:54.819-05:002010-05-01T13:15:54.819-05:00Jumped over from "The Finer Things Blog"...Jumped over from "The Finer Things Blog" and am so glad I did. WOW!! how convicting and how true. Thanks for sharing your hearts convictions, it has pricked my heart as well. Abundant blessings to you!Lea @ CiCis Cornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09252011706208068724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-24998199365628238652010-05-01T12:29:47.224-05:002010-05-01T12:29:47.224-05:00Amen!!!Amen!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-60881672121810242192010-05-01T12:21:18.572-05:002010-05-01T12:21:18.572-05:00I've been decluttering like a madwoman for mon...I've been decluttering like a madwoman for months now, and still have more to go. But I totally agree with you that your stuff and your "heart clutter" are completely related. The more stuff I get rid of, the more I feel able to breathe, relax and enjoy the true gifts that God has given me.Nony the Slobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06063690018406719639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-50770852105746209662010-05-01T10:50:33.443-05:002010-05-01T10:50:33.443-05:00Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Whil...Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. While I didn't go to Africa, I feel like the clutter has taken over my life. <br /><br />The more I give away, the more I realize what we can live without. I have given away 1031 items from my home so far this year and I feel like there are thousands more I want to give away. I think many people wouldn't see my home as cluttered, but if they looked in our storage rooms and closets they would see where it is hiding. Multiplying, waiting for the day when I will use it. That day never seems to come for most of it. I am tired of spending time cleaning up the clutter when I could be making more memories with my children. <br /><br />Again, thanks for sharing and keeping me focused on my goal.Jackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08110401934101026983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-34806711573417120672010-05-01T10:36:10.391-05:002010-05-01T10:36:10.391-05:00I know what you mean that you'll never be the ...I know what you mean that you'll never be the same. We've been working with a drug and alcohol recovery ministry the past couple of years. My eyes have been opened! I try to remember that I never know what someone's been through until I've walked in their shoes.<br />I've also been working with two local church food pantries the past ten years. What some people have been through brings tears to my eyes!Charla @ Healthy Home Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16573317345151469479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-89232779687112586542010-04-30T23:36:12.817-05:002010-04-30T23:36:12.817-05:00Amen! Thanks for this post! Reminds me of my own c...Amen! Thanks for this post! Reminds me of my own cluttered heart and life.Eleanor Godfreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17209322937391353756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-64554191271736523102010-04-30T23:00:36.932-05:002010-04-30T23:00:36.932-05:00I am 5 years down the road from my Africa trip. I ...I am 5 years down the road from my Africa trip. I so completely understand where you are.ksmedgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17153454889347735097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-46186076929582241302010-04-30T22:54:16.039-05:002010-04-30T22:54:16.039-05:00The sentiment of your blog reminds me of Anne Grah...The sentiment of your blog reminds me of Anne Graham Lotz's book "Just Give Me Jesus". He truly is what our hearts hunger for the most...yet we seek to fill up on other things, and we soon forget what it was we were hungry for in the first place. Praise God, he renews our hearts with a desire for Himself, then He helps us de-clutter.<br />JUST GIVE ME JESUS, AND WHAT HE DESIRES FOR ME, THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL I BE SATISFIED.<br /><br />Debbi AkersHGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13646052568155743113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-40352116365952993432010-04-30T22:07:40.653-05:002010-04-30T22:07:40.653-05:00Lovely post! My husband and I are also working on ...Lovely post! My husband and I are also working on clearing out all the clutter. It really is freeing. <br /><br />Blessings!Torihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09693021437246467180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-50039350101398962912010-04-30T21:12:39.785-05:002010-04-30T21:12:39.785-05:00I know this is a serious post, but I had to laugh ...I know this is a serious post, but I had to laugh at the Simplify sign. It totally stands out in all that "clutter", LOLGinnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09928304350897366869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-67971410502906884382010-04-30T16:57:03.454-05:002010-04-30T16:57:03.454-05:00I'm on a similar path. The truth of what you w...I'm on a similar path. The truth of what you write here resonates in my soul.<br /><br />Thank you for continuing to share you story, Kristen. I believe God is blessing your authenticity.Kelly @ Love Wellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18037513409301217473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-39275425265137311332010-04-30T14:17:06.376-05:002010-04-30T14:17:06.376-05:00You know I haven't even been to Africa yet (wi...You know I haven't even been to Africa yet (will go twice this year to adopt and bring home our daughter from Ehtiopia), but I understand a bit of what you're saying. Somehow during the process of God leading us to the faces of true need and then to adoption, I have become so disgusted with all the stuff we have. I've always had packrat tendencies so I know my new resolve to get rid of the stuff comes only from God. I drove by a homeless person shivering in the cold this past January and went home so ashamed of myself for keeping 3 winter coats in my closet! Why do I need 3 when some people don't even have 1? We've done 2 huge clean-outs and I keep telling my husband there's still a lot more that needs to go!It Feels Like Chaoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10671848129910298975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-1457128664420947972010-04-30T13:31:28.456-05:002010-04-30T13:31:28.456-05:00Beautiful, beautiful post.Beautiful, beautiful post.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10740741316617340597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-87462597109932114802010-04-30T13:20:56.607-05:002010-04-30T13:20:56.607-05:00You are meeting His challenge with grace...wonderf...You are meeting His challenge with grace...wonderful job. Your "layers" remind me of the book "Quaker Summer" by my favorite, Lisa Samson. Her protagonist recognized our cultural poverty. Thank you for words today. Many blessings!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07923229940662540802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-86521613606638701352010-04-30T13:14:26.759-05:002010-04-30T13:14:26.759-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07923229940662540802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-25793030441686712092010-04-30T12:29:12.665-05:002010-04-30T12:29:12.665-05:00What a great post! And I, too, loved the "Si...What a great post! And I, too, loved the "Simplify" sign in your pile. :-)Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18220239368725678342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-21714822304525234642010-04-30T12:16:34.754-05:002010-04-30T12:16:34.754-05:00Amen. We felt the same after returning from India ...Amen. We felt the same after returning from India & Africa. The struggle for me has been KEEPING that perspective. :( One of my favorite quotes is by the founder of Gospel for Asia who wakes every morning and first things prays "Lord, today please break my heart with what breaks Yours."<br /><br />I need that breaking of my heart anew every day.Chantellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10674278855865751383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-19431767245069481672010-04-30T11:01:17.456-05:002010-04-30T11:01:17.456-05:00Your post is beautiful and I too am trying to simp...Your post is beautiful and I too am trying to simplify my life as well. It has been a slow process for me. This will help nudge me even more.<br /><br />My family was hit really hard at the end of 2008 ~ both my husband and I losing our jobs, and then having to short sale our home that our 2 sons have ever known. We moved to a new state, and while our "things" sat in storage in California my husband and I realized that we really could get by with very little and that "The most important things in life are not things". It's has been very freeing to come to that realization. And though I wish once we have our yard sale we could donate it will be going back into our savings.Kristiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05475868527089895955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-19744367837012363212010-04-30T10:59:07.296-05:002010-04-30T10:59:07.296-05:00Everyone else has said it, so now I feel dumb. Bu...Everyone else has said it, so now I feel dumb. But I'll still say it, anyway; I love that you're getting ride of your "Simplify" coat rack thingy whilst you simplify your home. :)Ericahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08069060626409051281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095068418828488278.post-79775108611807258532010-04-30T10:29:57.919-05:002010-04-30T10:29:57.919-05:00We're in the process of simplifying our home t...We're in the process of simplifying our home too - going through and purging stuff. Money Saving Mom and The Lazy Organizer have really been encouraging me in my efforts. So now I can add you to that list! Apparently I need lots of pushing :)<br /><br />I found it really funny that in your photo of layer 1 is a home decor item emphasizing this goal - "Simplify".Edenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03929166891815132616noreply@blogger.com