Someone cleaning my bathroom as a new mom was one of the best gifts I was ever given.
I Believe in Peoria
As the area received news this week that Caterpillar is moving their corporate headquarters out of Peoria, the anger and frustration was palpable. I'll admit, even I groaned at the thought of Peoria losing 300 of it's most highly paid workers. Then I remembered... so what?
CAT isn't my provider. It isn't yours either (and never was).
God doesn't need CAT to prosper us... just because that's one of the resources He's used so far, that doesn't mean we can't live without it. Peoria doesn't have to be the next Detroit.
This morning I represented Hire A Housewife in a room filled with 30 successful small business owners as part of I've Decided (IveDecided.org). We sat in a huge circle and talked about who we are and what we do before discussing what we are doing to be community difference makers. And that's when I realized what people in Peoria and surrounding areas need to see. Part of the reason Peoria will succeed is sitting right here in this room with me! We are Peoria.
Individually, we are the small business owners who pour our blood, sweat, and tears into our ventures, often putting our core values ahead of our bottom line because we want to make a difference. We have vision, passion, and are constantly striving for excellence in what we do... not just to be the best small business, but in order to be here for our clients and our community for a very long time.
Together, we are the small business community, a tightly woven network of dedicated entrepreneurs and business owners who work together, building each other up and holding each other accountable, as well as teaching and learning from one another, creating an unbreakable foundation of support for this area.The astounding thing is that these 30 people from I've Decided are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the amazing framework of business and leadership we have in Peoria. There are so many other great individuals, businesses, and networks intent on improving and sustaining Peoria for the future.
Remember, I said they are part of the reason that Peoria will thrive. Peoria is more than just them. And, while it is true that we also have our government, our leaders, and our other corporate entities, they are not all that make up Peoria either. I'm talking about you.
You are Peoria.
It doesn't matter where you live in the Greater Peoria Area. It doesn't matter what you do for a living. It doesn't matter what your political or religious beliefs are.
You are Peoria.
I know what you are thinking...
"But I'm just one person. How can I help keep Peoria alive?"
First, when someone says something about the death of Peoria to you... you can speak life! Know that it doesn't have to be that way. Know that there is a foundation of entrepreneurship and small business in Peoria that is still strong. Remind them of that. We have the power of life and death in our tongues! Choose your words wisely.
Second, support Peoria purposefully. If you believe in Peoria and the surrounding communities, spend your money here! Amazon may be quick and easy, but it doesn't employ your next door neighbor. Netflix doesn't send volunteers to your child's school. VistaPrint didn't donate to your friend's fundraiser last year.
Third, refuse to be a victim. Stop focusing on what has been done to you and what might happen in the future. Focus on what you can do today to make life better... for you and for the rest of Peoria. When you accept that you have the ability to create change, you open up a whole new world to yourself.
We have the ability to dust ourselves off and keep moving forward, despite the naysayers.
So, what am I saying when I say that I believe in Peoria?
I'm saying you are Peoria.
I'm saying I believe in YOU.
I know what you are thinking...
"But I'm just one person. How can I help keep Peoria alive?"
First, when someone says something about the death of Peoria to you... you can speak life! Know that it doesn't have to be that way. Know that there is a foundation of entrepreneurship and small business in Peoria that is still strong. Remind them of that. We have the power of life and death in our tongues! Choose your words wisely.
Second, support Peoria purposefully. If you believe in Peoria and the surrounding communities, spend your money here! Amazon may be quick and easy, but it doesn't employ your next door neighbor. Netflix doesn't send volunteers to your child's school. VistaPrint didn't donate to your friend's fundraiser last year.
Third, refuse to be a victim. Stop focusing on what has been done to you and what might happen in the future. Focus on what you can do today to make life better... for you and for the rest of Peoria. When you accept that you have the ability to create change, you open up a whole new world to yourself.
We have the ability to dust ourselves off and keep moving forward, despite the naysayers.
So, what am I saying when I say that I believe in Peoria?
I'm saying you are Peoria.
I'm saying I believe in YOU.
Peoria, you can do this.
#IBelieveInPeoria
Death and life are in the power of the tongue.
Proverbs 18:21
Proverbs 18:21
Three steps to more housework help and less stress
I'm going to share a secret with you today.
I don't know why it is a secret... but it seems to be.
Are you tired of never having anyone want to help you with the housework?
Are you frustrated with the lack of attention to detail your family members have when they do help?
I know all too well that feeling I get in the pit of my stomach when I see a child of mine folding towels. It seems very similar to the feeling a friend of mine gets when she sees her husband loading the dishwasher.
We've told them how time and again, and yet they still won't do it right! WHY!?!
There is a solution to this. It's a simple one, although it is more difficult than it sounds.
Are you ready? Here it is...
Step ONE... Stop it.
No, really. That's all. Stop it.
Stop caring how your kids fold the towels. Stop caring how the dishes get loaded into the dishwasher.
Stop griping and mumbling and complaining about how you are the only one who ever does anything the right way at this house.
You have a life, and a busy one at that. There will be time for perfectly folded towels and hand washed dishes when you don't have kids around anymore. Whatever gets done now, however wrong you think it is... is still a blessing to your family!
I Corinthians 13:1 says "If you have all these things, but you have not love, you are only a clanging cymbal." When you complain, nobody says, "I need to learn how to do this better." They say, "She is so picky. There is no pleasing her, so I'm going to try half as hard next time."
Learning not to care is easier said than done, but it does work. Nobody at my house complains about folding towels anymore... and as they've done it more, they've gotten better at it!
Step TWO... Be appreciative.
Yes, I know it is their house too and they are contributing as part of the team... but appreciation is one of the best forms of encouragement. Whether it be your husband, your child, or a helpful extended family member or friend, say "Thank you!" and mean it!
There are lots of ways to be appreciative. Have you told your husband lately how sexy he looks running the vacuum cleaner? Have you finished a round of chores as a family, looked at the kids and said, "You know what? I think we all deserve some ice cream!" even though they fought you all the way through? Stick to the positive reinforcement. It makes a difference!
Step THREE... Call us.
Oh, come on... you had to know that one was coming, right? If the first two don't work for you, the last one will absolutely do the trick. Hire A Housewife is here to do all the things you want done and want done correctly. That might mean dusting and vacuuming or it might mean laundry or dishes. Maybe you'll want someone to sweep out the garage or get dinner started one night a week. Or, maybe, you crave streak-free windows... Whatever it is, we'll handle it.
If we don't hear from you, we'll assume the first two worked. :-)
I don't know why it is a secret... but it seems to be.
Are you tired of never having anyone want to help you with the housework?
Are you frustrated with the lack of attention to detail your family members have when they do help?
I know all too well that feeling I get in the pit of my stomach when I see a child of mine folding towels. It seems very similar to the feeling a friend of mine gets when she sees her husband loading the dishwasher.
We've told them how time and again, and yet they still won't do it right! WHY!?!
There is a solution to this. It's a simple one, although it is more difficult than it sounds.
Are you ready? Here it is...
Step ONE... Stop it.
No, really. That's all. Stop it.
Stop griping and mumbling and complaining about how you are the only one who ever does anything the right way at this house.
You have a life, and a busy one at that. There will be time for perfectly folded towels and hand washed dishes when you don't have kids around anymore. Whatever gets done now, however wrong you think it is... is still a blessing to your family!
I Corinthians 13:1 says "If you have all these things, but you have not love, you are only a clanging cymbal." When you complain, nobody says, "I need to learn how to do this better." They say, "She is so picky. There is no pleasing her, so I'm going to try half as hard next time."
Learning not to care is easier said than done, but it does work. Nobody at my house complains about folding towels anymore... and as they've done it more, they've gotten better at it!
Step TWO... Be appreciative.
Yes, I know it is their house too and they are contributing as part of the team... but appreciation is one of the best forms of encouragement. Whether it be your husband, your child, or a helpful extended family member or friend, say "Thank you!" and mean it!
There are lots of ways to be appreciative. Have you told your husband lately how sexy he looks running the vacuum cleaner? Have you finished a round of chores as a family, looked at the kids and said, "You know what? I think we all deserve some ice cream!" even though they fought you all the way through? Stick to the positive reinforcement. It makes a difference!
Step THREE... Call us.
Oh, come on... you had to know that one was coming, right? If the first two don't work for you, the last one will absolutely do the trick. Hire A Housewife is here to do all the things you want done and want done correctly. That might mean dusting and vacuuming or it might mean laundry or dishes. Maybe you'll want someone to sweep out the garage or get dinner started one night a week. Or, maybe, you crave streak-free windows... Whatever it is, we'll handle it.
If we don't hear from you, we'll assume the first two worked. :-)
Promise after promise
Many of you know the story of how God started this business.
Have a blessed day!
While Hire A Housewife has done much better than expected considering I have never run a business before, overcoming my personal past has been quite a struggle. Hopefully, it is a struggle that others can find encouragement in.
In that hope, I've decided to share my personal blog with my Hire A Housewife fans as well. I've had good days and bad, and if you've not read it before you might be surprised by some of the things I say.
I started this blog as a way to hold myself accountable for my choices and promises to others and to God. I am real. I am honest. Sometimes I am confused beyond belief, but that's human... and I am definitely that.
I started this blog as a way to hold myself accountable for my choices and promises to others and to God. I am real. I am honest. Sometimes I am confused beyond belief, but that's human... and I am definitely that.
I did not become homeless just under three years ago by living right or making Godly choices. Some of those choices I made were based on wrong beliefs I had about others and myself.
With some of those choices I caused myself deep wounds, some that are still healing.
God is still working on me, but I am excited by all He is doing. So, if you feel inclined to share in my personal journey as well, I'd like to invite you to check out and subscribe to my blog here:
God is still working on me, but I am excited by all He is doing. So, if you feel inclined to share in my personal journey as well, I'd like to invite you to check out and subscribe to my blog here:
Like I said, I am excited by all that God is doing and I want to be able to share with all of you in the coming weeks.
Have a blessed day!
Tackling the girls' room (Days 1 & 2)
When the girls came home from their dad's house, I put them to work cleaning the floor and warned them not to touch anything else... They complied. Everything was sorted into bags and boxes like I asked.
The next step was cleaning out their dressers and shelves. They got part way through on the first night, but I soon discovered the drawers on the short dresser were full of junk. Ella's answer, "I don't want to keep clothes in my dresser." (Nice try.)
By late afternoon on Day 2 (after school Tuesday) they had almost finished cleaning out the dressers and shelves.
However, I had a meeting from 6:30-8:30 on Tuesday evening and I came home to find they had jumped ahead a few steps in the process. They were going through all of the boxes that I told them not to touch without my permission.
They put most of it back, but the stacks themselves are much less organized now.
I also found a Build-A-Bear rescue had been initiated, their newest stuffed animals pulled from the garbage bags, now laying on the bed.
So what is the next step?
One bag/box/tote at a time everything from their floor is being washed, dried and put in the living room on the couch. I don't want any mass decisions made about anything. We will touch each piece of clothing and decide if it is a keep, donate, or trash item... as well as who it belongs to. You wouldn't believe how many times I said to myself when I was picking up the clothes originally, "Hey! I wondered were that shirt went..."
We probably have 4 or 5 loads to go today... and there is household laundry mixed up in this... but before I let them touch anything else on the broken bunk bed, we will decide where every piece of clothing goes. I have a feeling that will be a battle in itself. I have yard waste bags waiting to be filled to be dropped off at Mission Mart.
Even for 5 people, we have a lot of clothes to go through.
By late afternoon on Day 2 (after school Tuesday) they had almost finished cleaning out the dressers and shelves.
However, I had a meeting from 6:30-8:30 on Tuesday evening and I came home to find they had jumped ahead a few steps in the process. They were going through all of the boxes that I told them not to touch without my permission.
They put most of it back, but the stacks themselves are much less organized now.
So what is the next step?
One bag/box/tote at a time everything from their floor is being washed, dried and put in the living room on the couch. I don't want any mass decisions made about anything. We will touch each piece of clothing and decide if it is a keep, donate, or trash item... as well as who it belongs to. You wouldn't believe how many times I said to myself when I was picking up the clothes originally, "Hey! I wondered were that shirt went..."
We probably have 4 or 5 loads to go today... and there is household laundry mixed up in this... but before I let them touch anything else on the broken bunk bed, we will decide where every piece of clothing goes. I have a feeling that will be a battle in itself. I have yard waste bags waiting to be filled to be dropped off at Mission Mart.Even for 5 people, we have a lot of clothes to go through.
This might take awhile...
Tackling the girls' room
Anyone who has heard my testimony knows that I am not usually afraid to tell it like it is. It's important that people know me, my household, and my family are far from perfect. When I come into yours, and give you ideas or help you clean something up, I am not judging you... I have no right to! I say that whatever mess you have, we have already seen it and cleaned it up before, and it was probably in our own house.
Well, if you don't believe me after this post, I don't think I'll ever be able to convince you.
My three girls, ages 17, 11, and 9, share a bedroom. I am constantly telling them to clean it up, pick it up, put laundry in the bathroom, throw away the water bottles, etc. When the bottom bunk of the bunk bed broke a couple of weeks ago, I realized that even if I found a replacement, I couldn't get into their room to change anything out.
If you read regularly, you have no doubt seen my posts about how you can de-clutter anything in 15 minutes a day. I have to say, that doesn't include a child's bedroom if they are still living in it and not picking up after themselves. Today I decided I was fed up the less than enthusiastic efforts of my children, and took it on myself to get them started.
Here are the steps I have taken so far to move us forward in this process...
1. I took pictures of everything.
2. I started bagging things up while they were gone today.
*All stuffed animals and pillows in garbage bags.
EVEN FAVORITES (Motivation for later.)
*Anything else washable from the floor into totes and garbage bags.
ESPECIALLY FAVORITES (Motivation for later.)
*Books, movies, etc. went into boxes.
*Shoes went into a box
3. I didn't pick up any trash.
4. As I worked, I swept everything to the center of the room. EVERYTHING. And I stacked the stuff that had been bagged and boxed (all will be gone through one at a time.)
5. I worked until I was tired and had other things to do.
Then I wrote this note for when they came home.
I also added that they were not allowed to put anything "away" ... because all of the "aways" still needed to be cleaned out as well.
Next step: To have them clean off their dressers and bookshelves so there is a place to put whatever they decide to keep.
This is honestly a risky blog post to put out on my business blog... I mean, what if we don't get it done? What if it turns out that I'm too busy or too exhausted to stay on them and three months from now my 17yr old is still sleeping on her mattress on the floor because I didn't stick to this or make them stick to it either!?!
Well, that will be just another reminder that I am human as well. Hopefully, though, instead of that, over the next week I will be able to show you that even though sometimes things get out of control at my house too, it is possible to take back control.
When I said I "other things to do" and stopped cleaning and wrote that note... I didn't just mean writing this blog post...
Today I'm going to take down the Christmas tree.
Well, if you don't believe me after this post, I don't think I'll ever be able to convince you.
My three girls, ages 17, 11, and 9, share a bedroom. I am constantly telling them to clean it up, pick it up, put laundry in the bathroom, throw away the water bottles, etc. When the bottom bunk of the bunk bed broke a couple of weeks ago, I realized that even if I found a replacement, I couldn't get into their room to change anything out.
If you read regularly, you have no doubt seen my posts about how you can de-clutter anything in 15 minutes a day. I have to say, that doesn't include a child's bedroom if they are still living in it and not picking up after themselves. Today I decided I was fed up the less than enthusiastic efforts of my children, and took it on myself to get them started.
Here are the steps I have taken so far to move us forward in this process...
1. I took pictures of everything.
2. I started bagging things up while they were gone today.
*All stuffed animals and pillows in garbage bags.
EVEN FAVORITES (Motivation for later.)
*Anything else washable from the floor into totes and garbage bags.
ESPECIALLY FAVORITES (Motivation for later.)
*Books, movies, etc. went into boxes.
*Shoes went into a box
3. I didn't pick up any trash.
4. As I worked, I swept everything to the center of the room. EVERYTHING. And I stacked the stuff that had been bagged and boxed (all will be gone through one at a time.)
5. I worked until I was tired and had other things to do.
Then I wrote this note for when they came home.
I also added that they were not allowed to put anything "away" ... because all of the "aways" still needed to be cleaned out as well.
Next step: To have them clean off their dressers and bookshelves so there is a place to put whatever they decide to keep.
This is honestly a risky blog post to put out on my business blog... I mean, what if we don't get it done? What if it turns out that I'm too busy or too exhausted to stay on them and three months from now my 17yr old is still sleeping on her mattress on the floor because I didn't stick to this or make them stick to it either!?!
Well, that will be just another reminder that I am human as well. Hopefully, though, instead of that, over the next week I will be able to show you that even though sometimes things get out of control at my house too, it is possible to take back control.
When I said I "other things to do" and stopped cleaning and wrote that note... I didn't just mean writing this blog post...
Today I'm going to take down the Christmas tree.
Learning Experience
People often ask, "How long have you been in business?"
My standard answer is May, 2012. I'm also quick to point out that I didn't know I was starting a business at that point. I was almost an entire year in before I realized what God had created. In these last 26 months, I have learned more than I ever imagined and I am so thankful for all that God has done. As with any learning experience, knowledge brings some changes. While there are many in the future, here are a few that are happening right now.
HaH Rates
I'm going to be honest here (as I always am!) and share that I have now learned how expensive it is to have employees! Besides the cost of their salaries and the employer taxes associated with them, my employees are covered with General Liability insurance, Bonding insurance, Unemployment insurance, and Workers' Comp insurance.
My standard answer is May, 2012. I'm also quick to point out that I didn't know I was starting a business at that point. I was almost an entire year in before I realized what God had created. In these last 26 months, I have learned more than I ever imagined and I am so thankful for all that God has done. As with any learning experience, knowledge brings some changes. While there are many in the future, here are a few that are happening right now.
HaH Rates
I'm going to be honest here (as I always am!) and share that I have now learned how expensive it is to have employees! Besides the cost of their salaries and the employer taxes associated with them, my employees are covered with General Liability insurance, Bonding insurance, Unemployment insurance, and Workers' Comp insurance.
Because of these things, new customers will be charged $18per hour beginning August 1st, 2014. If you are already a regular customer at that point, we will continue to serve you at our current rate for now, and that won't change in the future without 30 days' written notice.
Employees and Training
Another thing I've learned about having employees is that I can't make all of them care about the business as much as I do. I tell them all at interviews that if they are only in this for the paycheck, they will probably not last very long at this job. You have to love serving others.
I have made several personnel changes and am in the midst of revamping our training processes yet again. It is important to me that all of our customers are more than satisfied with the service they receive from Hire A Housewife.
Answering Your Questions
What else have I learned? Personally, I have learned how much I love connecting with people. I love being able to help others on many levels. One way I'd like to be able to do more of that is through the Hire A Housewife blog posts.
Employees and Training
Another thing I've learned about having employees is that I can't make all of them care about the business as much as I do. I tell them all at interviews that if they are only in this for the paycheck, they will probably not last very long at this job. You have to love serving others.
I have made several personnel changes and am in the midst of revamping our training processes yet again. It is important to me that all of our customers are more than satisfied with the service they receive from Hire A Housewife.
Answering Your Questions
What else have I learned? Personally, I have learned how much I love connecting with people. I love being able to help others on many levels. One way I'd like to be able to do more of that is through the Hire A Housewife blog posts.
As I've said before, like any good housewife I have an opinion on just about everything.... I'd like to share it with you if you are interested in hearing it.
So, I want to know what you want to know! Give me something to post about! Have a question about gardening, cleaning, or organizing? Just ask! Maybe you want a recommendation for a good Bible study or have a question about raising children, or even owning a business... Send your question through the "CONTACT US" form on our website or through Facebook.
So, I want to know what you want to know! Give me something to post about! Have a question about gardening, cleaning, or organizing? Just ask! Maybe you want a recommendation for a good Bible study or have a question about raising children, or even owning a business... Send your question through the "CONTACT US" form on our website or through Facebook.
If you are wondering something, then there is a pretty good chance that someone else is wondering too!
Have a blessed day and I look forward to hearing from you!
Praying About Housework?
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God...
1 Thessalonians 5:16
I was having a conversation with a friend who was encouraging me about prayer. He reminded me that there is nothing too small to talk to God about. Should I make this appointment for this day? Should I wear this outfit? Should I reply to this email?
I thought about that for awhile because I really do have conversations with God all day. (I'm even learning to listen every once in awhile! Ha!) But there are some things that I hadn't really thought to pray about... the friend's examples were all "Should I" questions... but I started thinking about "Please help me" prayers. How often had I asked for help on big things. If God can do that, He can probably help with other stuff too, right?
As a single mom of four busy kiddos who runs a business, as well as a million other things... you can imagine that I can get pretty exhausted.
So this week I asked God to help me get my house in order. Help me cook a good dinner for the kids. Help me get up when the alarm goes off at 5:01am instead of "snoozing" every 5 minutes until 6:15... and as other little things have come up, I have asked God for help with those as well.
Monday evening, as I was preparing for the kids to come from their Labor Day activities, I looked at the unused "Chore Chart" on the wall and went over and erased the old chores and wrote in new. Only this time, instead of writing particular chores, I divided the apartment into sections and gave them each one. I showed them how, if their section happened to already be clean on a particular day, they could organize a shelf or straighten a cabinet.
The kids came home AND WERE EXCITED about having their own sections. They liked not having to ask every day what their chore was. Really? That was way easier than I thought it would be... then I remembered... I prayed about this.
Tonight, for the second night in a row, I had dinner ready at dinner time... without exhaustion, without wondering how much they will whine if I declare it "cereal night", and without running through a drive-thru. Is it particularly because I prayed for help with dinner? That would be a hard question to answer. But I do know that as I have started this week praying about everything... so many things have fallen into place. Including dinner.
Now, did that keep my two youngest from missing the bus this morning after I was already gone to work? Nope. This is still life and life isn't perfect or fair or easy... but when I pray about something as simple as housework and realize that the new plan I came up with is an answer to my prayers, it makes it pretty impossible to argue with praying through everything.
There is ALWAYS someone will to pray for you if you are in need of anything. You can email me here at [email protected] if you would like me and/or the other housewives to keep and your situation in our prayers. You can also visit a place that I love to go when I want to pray for others or when I have a prayer request myself... WCIC PRAYER CENTER
Sharing at Trinity Church in Morton on Sunday
For those of you who haven't made the connection yet, I am the woman that Station Manager Dave Brooks is talking about in the latest WCIC "Things are not business as usual" radio spot. I have told God that if he is going to give me a story, that I will share it... and He is making sure I keep that promise! :-)
I attend Rock Church in East Peoria, but I also volunteer at the Community Harvest Food Pantry in Morton. Community Harvest and Trinity Church have asked me to speak for about 5 minutes this Sunday about Community Harvest and my testimony.
Since most of you will not be there to hear it, I thought I would share with you what I am going to tell them...
I attend Rock Church in East Peoria, but I also volunteer at the Community Harvest Food Pantry in Morton. Community Harvest and Trinity Church have asked me to speak for about 5 minutes this Sunday about Community Harvest and my testimony.
Since most of you will not be there to hear it, I thought I would share with you what I am going to tell them...
My name is Kindall. I am a single mom of four. I could talk
to you for hours about how amazing God is… but I only have 5 minutes… so here’s
what I want to tell you today!
My children and I used to live in Galesburg, but I began to
feel that God's place for us was the Peoria area. I knew that I was supposed to
move us here... but instead of waiting for God’s direction; I took the first
avenue I saw open. Seven months and one unhealthy relationship later, my four
children and I were homeless... living in an RV at a local campground. We were
stuck there for nearly six months. My son was 10, and my daughters were 6, 8
and 14.
Shortly after that I started coming to the Community Harvest
Food Pantry regularly. I had been once or twice before, but it never meant so
much to me as it did after we became homeless. Everyone was so welcoming and
friendly. I remember tearing up the first time someone loaded food into my van
and telling them that they had no idea what a blessing they were. I also prayed
several times with volunteers. When I didn’t, I still wrote my request down so
that someone would pray for me during the week.
Trying to find work was difficult. I have my degree in
Elementary education, but I had let my license lapse and couldn’t go back to
teaching unless I went back to school. Besides that, what school was going to
hire a homeless teacher? Instead I
decided that a good start would be to get a part time job doing some
housekeeping, and put an ad on Craigslist. In an effort to make my ad different
than all of the others, I titled it “Hire A Housewife” and listed off all of
the things I could do that your average cleaning lady would not. Cooking,
organizing, pet care, event planning… whatever was needed.
The first person to hire me truly took my ad literally. He
and his boys didn’t just need the house cleaned. They needed food cooked,
decorating taken care of, errands run… everything. I started working at their
house five days a week. Over time I built a relationship with this family…
Thanks to some help from some friends and some people who
believed in me, we were able to get into an apartment in September of last
year. Shortly after that, I started
volunteering at Community Harvest. As much as it touched me to be served
through the program, being on the other side of the registration table has
touched me more.
I try very hard to make sure that people who come in do not
feel like a number. I work on remembering their names. If I see a new haircut
or something else that has changed, I comment on it too… because I know what a
difference it makes to know that someone sees you as a person. I have watched miracles take place over and
over at Community Harvest. Food nobody expected, a vehicle that was badly
needed, most importantly people who come in in pain… physical, emotional,
spiritual… and leave with hope and healing.
I love everyone that comes through the doors at Community Harvest… but different circumstances that people have, will always affect volunteers differently.
My heart goes out to the ones who come in and, eyes looking at
the ground, tell me they’ve never been here and then start explaining what
happened… more than once I have had someone tear up at the registration table
and say the words, “I’m sorry… it’s just embarrassing to have to be here.”
That’s when I have the opportunity to say, “I understand, but you need to know
that this is what we are here for… and if you look at the people who are
working here… there are very few of us who haven’t stood in your shoes. Things
will get better. In the mean time, we are here for you.” I get to give that
peace and encouragement now because Community Harvest gave that to me.
Between my Saturdays at Community Harvest, I worked a couple of other part time jobs
here and there, but when I was working as a “housewife” I was doing something I
loved.
When I decided to take on a few more clients, I started a
Facebook page… and then a web page, and a blog. As interest picked up, I had a
logo designed, filed with the county as a business, and even took a couple of
classes through the Small Business Association.
In the last four months, my business “Hire A Housewife” has gone
from working with just two families to needing to hire three women part-time to
help me with the workload. .. and while it is work, we are building
relationships and bringing JOY into people’s homes every day… and who could ask
for a better job than that?
I am here today because I wanted to share with you what God has done for me over the last year
and a half and I wanted to tell you how Community Harvest was part of that. Community
Harvest is not just about giving hungry people food, just like Hire A Housewife
isn’t just about cleaning. In both cases we are building lasting relationships
with people who Jesus loves... Whether they already know Him or God is putting
us in their paths so that we can show them who He really is… the reach is so
much bigger than we can even imagine… and it is all for His glory.
Waiting on God...
Earlier this year I went to a women's conference. Speaker Maureen Gray had a message about giving up control... and I thought, "I know who this message would be good for..."
Let me tell you... ANY TIME you think that about a sermon... you need to be listening more closely. Once I started listening, I heard the speaker talk as though she had been given that message for me.
She talked about how people in the Bible received promises from God and then, in an effort to "help" Him along... they took matters into their own hands. It never ended well...
Take Sarah and Abraham for example...
God promised Abraham that he would be a father. But he was old. He knew Sarah was old too. Sarah took matters into her own hands and gave him a servant to have a child with. Sarah eventually gave birth to Abraham's child as well. We all know how the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael have fought over which one is the rightful heir to Abraham ever since...
What about Judas?
Judas didn't hate Jesus. He didn't sell Jesus out because he wanted to get rid of Jesus... Judas KNEW that Jesus was the Messiah and he wanted everyone else to believe too! He thought Jesus would avoid the arrest to prove to everyone who He was... bring His kingdom to Earth. You can imagine why his life ended the way it did... believing that he had betrayed Jesus instead of proving who He is.
There are so many other examples in the Bible where people received the promises of God and tried to "help" that promise come to life. Have you ever done this? I know I have... and it never turned out right.
I used to live in Galesburg, but I didn't want to stay there forever. I knew that God's place for me was the Peoria area. I knew that I was supposed to pick up my family and move here... but instead of waiting for direction, I took the first avenue I saw open. Seven months after that, my four children and I were homeless... living in an RV at a local campground. We were stuck there for nearly six months. Why? Because I didn't do what I was supposed to do the way I was supposed to do it...
I saw this yesterday...
Ouch. Okay, maybe not "stupid"... but impatient...
The speaker at the conference said something that was a "light bulb moment" for me... She said, "You have to stop putting your faith in the PROMISE and put your faith in the PROMISE MAKER."
What a statement... it is something I've been trying to live by ever since. Knowing God's direction is a priority for me now. I constantly pray that if God doesn't want me to take a path, He closes the door... and that if He opens wide the doors to the paths that HE does want me to take.
I have been praying for a new place to live for quite awhile. Our current apartment is in disrepair and unsafe on so many levels. I knew God had a better place for us than this. I kept my eyes and ears open for all possibilities... and I would read about places that were available, but I never went beyond that. Then last week I felt a nudge to go look at a house. So I did.
It is perfect for us. As I walked through it and was surprised time and time again by something else I saw, God said, "See? I know what you need..." The price is amazing. The location is wonderful. There is so much room!
I have a feeling that the realtor is even annoyed that he took the time to show me the house since there is no way I would qualify for a loan on it at this point. He probably thinks I'm crazy. When he asked about price range and number of bedrooms I am looking for, I told him, "No, you don't understand. THIS is my house. I don't want to look at any others." I even told him that I have been praying about this house. I didn't really get a response to that other than a blank look.
On one hand I have told myself that I should be quiet about this. I should try to find ways to figure out how to buy the house without making a big deal about it... you know... just in case I'm wrong and it doesn't work out to be mine.
On the other hand, I really feel like I need to share it with people. I want others to have no doubt WHO is responsible when it works out.
In the mean time... do I hit every bank and call every relative in the mid-west to see if they can help? I already emailed a man who deals with investments in real estate and offered to pay a ridiculous APR on the house (knowing I'll be considered credit-worthy within a year) if anyone is willing to invest... but I knew after I sent it that it was not likely the way God was planning on taking care of this for us.
God is asking me to wait. God is telling me not to worry that someone else will swoop in and buy it out from under me. God is saying, "Did I promise this to you? Do I EVER break my promises?"
This is the thing I am waiting on right now.
What is that GOD is asking you to wait for? What promises has HE made you that you can't see right now? Feel free to ask for prayers about it in the comments below.
I'm letting you know that I am standing here in faith with you. Whatever it is. Don't try to help HIM. Don't put your faith in the promise. Put your faith in the PROMISE MAKER and stand back and watch...
SOMETHING AMAZING IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN.
The Joy of Giving with a Servant's Heart
I was taking care of our newborn, our two-year-old, and our six-year-old and my husband, who had left a few months before, was remaining steadfast in his resolve for a divorce. I was falling to pieces in more ways than anyone even knew.
My friend came to my house and spent over an hour cleaning my bathroom. It was a huge bathroom... and she covered every square inch. She scrubbed the toilet, the tub, the tile and even the carpet where the cat had gotten sick (probably weeks before) and I had halfheartedly cleaned it up.
The love I felt from her when she gave with a servant's heart was so uplifting. I still remember that as the best gift I've ever received and will tell people so when a related topic comes up from time to time.
Giving a gift to someone who has had a new baby or is recovering from surgery is an automatic thing for some people... "Let's send flowers." It doesn't mean they care any less, and the gift receiver loves it as well... but caving to the automatic response can take the joy away from the gift giver.
I want to challenge you to put the JOY back into your giving.
Know that when you are giving a gift, it is something that is truly given with the receiver in mind. If you can't afford a gift that needs to be bought, consider what you can do for that person.
Offer to rock the new baby while the new mom takes a nap.
Offer to take the older sibling(s) to the park for the afternoon.
Make dinner for a family who is experiencing an illness.
Clean their kitchen.
Fold the laundry.
Or, don't even go in their house... just mow the yard.
Obviously, as a small business owner, I would encourage everyone to give a gift certificate for cleaning, cooking and errands from Hire A Housewife ;-) But really, everyone has the ability to do something meaningful for their friends... bless someone by having the heart of a servant.
You could even clean their deep freeze.
What is the best gift you've ever received? Leave a comment and let us know!
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galations 5:13
Lifting Each Other Up...
One thing that is important to me as a Christian is helping to promote other Christian businesses and causes. That is why I am proud to share that Hire A Housewife, Peoria is a supporter of family friendly radio station WCIC 91.5FM
Even if you aren't near a radio, you can download their App or listen on their website www.wcicfm.org
Or... try clicking on this logo!
If you listen on Sunday mornings, you might even hear them tell Hire A Housewife thank you for being a supporter!
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 4:8
It's Okay...
It's Okay...
It's okay to mop the walls sometimes
It's alright to the vacuum the bed
But don't use anything for the toilet
That has other uses instead
It's okay to Windex the kitchen sink
It's alright to skip swiffering the floor
But it's always worth your time
To clean the glass front door
It's okay do what works sometimes
It's alright to get it done fast
Your babies need you with them today
And days like this won't last
It's alright to the vacuum the bed
But don't use anything for the toilet
That has other uses instead
It's okay to Windex the kitchen sink
It's alright to skip swiffering the floor
But it's always worth your time
To clean the glass front door
It's okay do what works sometimes
It's alright to get it done fast
Your babies need you with them today
And days like this won't last
Copyright 2013 Kindall Nelson
<vent>You know which wall I'm talking about... that wall behind the garbage can in your kitchen? I know you don't want to scrub yours any more than I want to scrub mine... WHY can't the kids get the trash IN THE CAN!?! </vent>
And this is what would necessitate vacuuming the bed....
I'm sure there is a post coming soon about the front door... a clean glass door is welcoming to friends and family and lets in sunlight. I'm stopping there or I'll write it now!
My point is this... do what you need to do to live comfortably and then spend the rest of your time loving your family. Helping others. Taking the kids (or grand kids) to the park. Praying. Doing things you love to do.
And when you realize that all of those things are more important to you than spending your time cleaning and organizing... call us! Let us do the not-so-fun stuff so that you can have fun!
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25