A Quiet Simple Life with Sallie Borrink

Cozy and Simple Living, Homeschooling, Faith, Homemaking, & Books

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Quiet Times with God – Streams in the Desert

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"And Isaac went out to meditate in the fields at eventide" (Gen. 24:63).We should be better Christians if we were more alone; we should do more if we attempted less, and spent more time in retirement, and quiet waiting upon God. The world is too much with us; we are afflicted with the idea that we are doing nothing unless we are fussily running to and fro; we do not believe in "the calm retreat, the silent shade." As a people, we are of a very practical turn of mind; "we believe," as someone has said, "in having all our irons in the fire, … [Read more...] about Quiet Times with God – Streams in the Desert

Cozy Homemaking Weekly Goals No. 5 – Friday Follow-up

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Happy Friday! How was your week? Mine flew by.This post is a little late because I made an impromptu trip to the grocery store this morning. I wasn't planning on it, but Meijer had some exceptional prices in their three day sale so I went to take advantage of them.So, the goals. I accomplished two of the threeGoal One - I was supposed to clean out the bathroom drawers. Done!Goal Two - Spend fifteen minutes in my ongoing project of sorting and cleaning out recipes. Haven't gotten to this one yet.Goal Three - Remove twenty … [Read more...] about Cozy Homemaking Weekly Goals No. 5 – Friday Follow-up

Pray – 5 Days of Christmas Peace

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I admit that I struggle to maintain regular prayer times. I send up many quick prayers for help throughout the day on a regular basis so my thoughts are never far from God and my need for His presence and help. We pray before each meal and with Caroline at bedtime. And we pray as things come up that we know we need prayer for in the moment.But I have struggled to maintain a regular prayer time of lengthy prayer since I became a mother.It's unfortunate because I know the power of regular prayer time. I know the peace that comes from … [Read more...] about Pray – 5 Days of Christmas Peace

All the Random Things Right Now

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It is actually quiet in my home at this moment. I know it would seem that with only three of us living here that it must be quiet all the time, but this morning and early afternoon was just loud. I think it is because Caroline has been sick with a nose and throat thing since Friday evening. She's hardly been able to talk and today she can. So she's got about four days worth of words to get out. LOL!At the moment, however, David and Caroline are gone so I can think. Here are all the random things I've been thinking about the last several … [Read more...] about All the Random Things Right Now

Listen – 5 Days of Christmas Peace

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Listening is a skill that we must develop. Unless we are deaf for some reason, we all hear. But very few people become skilled listeners.I remember teaching the twelve students in my first classroom how to listen. I created activities to do with them that required them to listen and process information carefully. This group of third, fourth, and fifth graders became excellent listeners. They learned how to block out distractions, focus, and carefully follow someone else's words.Likewise, listening to God is a skill that we must develop. … [Read more...] about Listen – 5 Days of Christmas Peace

Read – 5 Days of Christmas Peace

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Christmas is the time we celebrate the greatest story ever told - the story of a baby sent to earth who would become the Savior. There is no story we could ever read that could replace the account of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus.During the next few weeks, I invite you to join me in reading and re-reading the different accounts of Christ's birth.Unfortunately, it is easy to quickly skim over them because we've read them so many times. Here's my suggestion to make it fresh this year.Each week, read one chapter of the … [Read more...] about Read – 5 Days of Christmas Peace

Cozy Homemaking Weekly Goals No. 5

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Happy December! This month will be full of all kinds of special homemaking activities whether it's related to the changing season, the Christmas holiday, or other events unique to your home.Last week we did some rearranging of things in our family room and library when we put up the Christmas decorations. They were really good changes and I may try to write about them with some photos. It's amazing how making a few little changes in where things are located in a room can make a big difference. We definitely took another step forward in … [Read more...] about Cozy Homemaking Weekly Goals No. 5

Quiet – 5 Days of Christmas Peace

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We have a large wooden sign that hangs in our family room. It says:"Let us be silent, so that we may hear the whisper of God." Ralph Waldo EmersonI value quiet time with my thoughts. Not only do I value it, I need it.I need it to process and hear myself think.I need quiet so I can hear God speak.Although God can speak above the roar of any crowd because He is omnipotent, I have found that it is most easy to hear Him when I am quiet.Having a silent home for parts of the day has become exponentially easier as Caroline has … [Read more...] about Quiet – 5 Days of Christmas Peace

Simplify – 5 Days of Christmas Peace

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Whenever I approach a challenge, my natural inclination is to simplify. I immediately ask myself how I can adjust the situation or my attitude to make it seem less overwhelming.I think the Christmas season can qualify as a challenge for many of us.It's the most wonderful time of the year, especially because we celebrate the birth of Christ. At the same time, pressures from without and within make it so easy to lose that focus.And here is where I think many Christians, in particular, make their critical mistake as they try to manage … [Read more...] about Simplify – 5 Days of Christmas Peace

Christ Our Consolation – Streams in the Desert

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"His name shall be called Emmanuel . . . God with us." (Matt. 1:23) ."The Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6)."There's a song in the air! There's a star in the sky! There's a mother's deep prayer, And a baby's low cry! And the star rains its fire While the beautiful sing, For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King."A few years ago a striking Christmas card was published, with the title, "If Christ had not come." It was founded upon our Saviour's words, "If I had not come." The card represented a clergyman falling into a short sleep in … [Read more...] about Christ Our Consolation – Streams in the Desert

Cozy Homemaking Weekly Goals No. 4 – Friday Follow-up

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We're quietly at home this Black Friday morning, enjoying the long holiday weekend. I will probably venture to Meijer for a few things this weekend, but that will be about it. (I am updating a list of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals all weekend in the forum if you want to see what I've found.)I had one goal this week. I was supposed to continue weeding out my recipes which will be an ongoing job for a few weeks. I didn't make any progress on it leading up to Thanksgiving. I do plan on spending a little time on it this weekend. We're … [Read more...] about Cozy Homemaking Weekly Goals No. 4 – Friday Follow-up

Cozy Homemaking Weekly Goals No. 4

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This seems an appropriate piece of artwork for the week of Thanksgiving. I anticipate there will be lots of dishwashing going on in our homes over the next four or five days! LOL!Due to a variety of circumstances, we're going to be home this year with just the three of us for Thanksgiving. We've all agreed to scale back our expectations for the actual feast. To tell the truth, we're all kind of tired for various reasons. We decided that rather than spend days with the three of us devoting multiple hours each day preparing for one meal for … [Read more...] about Cozy Homemaking Weekly Goals No. 4

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