A Quiet Simple Life | Sallie Borrink

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

A Quiet Simple Life

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Sallie Borrink

Finish the Job Week


I mentioned in Curate Your Home (Cozy Life Reset – Day 12) that I was working toward removing 25% of the contents of my home. I wrote that post almost a month ago and I have been steadily working toward that. Obviously Christmas necessitated slowing down a bit, but I have been very diligent the past week.

Late last week I decided we were extending our homeschooling break one more week (this week) so I can finish the job. I have struggled to complete the last 25-35% of every purge and organization endeavor I’ve attempted for years. I get about 65-75% done and then I have to stop. I either run out of time or energy (physical and/or mental) or other obligations require me to set it aside until a another day/month/year. I simply never finish the job and then I have to start all over again at some point. I still have the unfinished things to deal with in addition to any other things that have developed in the meantime. 

I decided for my own good, I was taking this week to finish the job. (Caroline is also benefiting from another week off which would be a different homeschool post.) I want to put this part of my life behind me so I can move forward without it in the back of my mind and/or sitting in front of me as a never-ending task. 

David and I did a lot last week and weekend. I continued to work steadily over the weekend. I would say we’re now at about the 85% mark and I am determined to finish the job. We have organized things in our basement in a way that makes more sense. We purchased some new storage racks to replace older ones. (It’s far cheaper to buy some nice racks than move, right?)

There isn’t must junk to get rid of because we do a very good job of removing things not worth keeping. We have steadily removed things over the past years. But we are now at the point of needing to remove primarily keepsakes, sentimental items, childhood things, books, etc. Perhaps I can write about that after the fact. We’re certainly not hoarders or anything even close. Our block is keeping things that have been meaningful and not releasing them.

However, there was something about Caroline turning 18 in September that flipped a switch for me. I can see the end of homeschooling approaching. Mentally it has freed me up to start pivoting in a different direction as a mom, wife, and curator of my home. It has made it possible for me to see another phase of life that doesn’t need to keep many of these items any longer. 

So posts might be hit and miss this week on here. I am determined to finish the job by Saturday evening. 

Does anyone else want to join me this week? Leave a comment if you have something to focus on so you can finish the job this week!

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Psalm 119:65-72


Psalm 119:65-72

You are good to Your servant, O LORD,
according to Your word.

Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in Your commandments.

Before I was afflicted, I went astray;
but now I keep Your word.

You are good, and You do what is good;
teach me Your statutes.

Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep Your precepts with all my heart.

Their hearts are hard and callous,
but I delight in Your law.

It was good for me to be afflicted,
that I might learn Your statutes.

The law from Your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

Berean Standard Bible
Photo credit

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Does Israel Run America?


Why does the governor of Montana have a flag of Israel outside his office? In what scenario is this acceptable to American citizens?

Here are some reactions.

How about this one? It looks as though his own state flag (whose people he is supposed to represent) is shoved into a corner so he can display the flag he apparently considers more important.

Here’s a rep who is supposed to be representing his constituency. Instead he is more concerned with a foreign country.

One more that’s related. I could not believe someone created this and shared it on Twitter/X, but nothing should surprise us at this point.

I’ve read the Bible and I see nothing in it that indicates Jesus would wear and raise the flag of that country. This is some next-level propaganda.

If you missed this recent post, I highly recommend it: Trump Is Telling Us.

I don’t know how this will play out, but the U.S.A. cannot remain divided on this issue. A large portion of the country thinks Israel can do no wrong and must be supported no matter what they do because God commands it. It is the “job” of Christians to support this country to the bitter end and let everything go to hell in a handbasket around the world in the meantime because this is God’s will.

Another large portion of the country is thoroughly convinced through lots of research (and also studying the Scriptures) that the nation state of Israel has nothing to do with the Israel in the Bible and instead is an evil nation that has basically taken over the functioning of America at every level. (Original tweet that was a reply to Elon Musk.)

The complete truth has to come out at some point. This is not sustainable for national cohesion.

A closing example:

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Inauguration Day Unit Study


Inauguration Day will take place on January 20, 2025. This is a little unit study you can do with your children to mark the day. There is plenty here to do an activity or two each day for the week prior. 

If you are new to learning with unit studies, you will find this post of mine helpful: Create a Homeschool Unit Study.

Inauguration Day Learning Activities

These activities are primarily based on Inauguration Day themed printables and activities in my shop. 

Inauguration Day 2025 Themed Pack – To make it very simple, download the Inauguration Day 2025 Themed Pack. It contains 12 activities you can do with your child or he can do independently. 

KWL – Before starting your mini-unit study, complete the Inauguration Day KWL. Find out what your child knows, what he wants to know, and what he learns in the end. It’s often surprising to discover things children don’t know or misunderstand!

Writing – Use the I Love America! Writing Pages for age-appropriate writing activities. They can be used for copywork, narration, writing a report, or telling a creative story. 

Venn Diagram – Use the President and King Venn Diagram to compare how a president and a king are the same and different.

Geography – Locate and color Washington, D.C. on the United States map. Then use the Washington, D.C. map to mark out the important locations connected to the inauguration.

Math – Determine the distance from your home to Washington, D.C. After calculating the miles, calculate how many hours it would take to travel by car. 

History – Read about the unusual swearing in of President Coolidge in this post: Learning About President Calvin Coolidge.

Art – Design a postage stamp to commemorate the inauguration of the 47th president. 

History – Look up other postage stamps online to see how presidents have been commemorated. 

Biography – Write a short biography about Donald Trump or J.D. Vance using the appropriate page (early elementary or upper grades).

Happy Inauguration Day!

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