Monthly Archives: January 2014

Celebrating 15 Years with Titus2!

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Managers of Their Homes
Managers of Their Homes

January 19th, 1999, we published Managers of Their Homes.

The reason for the book was simple. Ladies frequently asked Mom how she got everything done, and they especially wanted to know how she had time to sew matching outfits for the girls when she was a homeschooling mom of eight. She shared her schedule with them, but there was so much more to her schedule than just activities in a time block. Then she would write little sticky notes to explain this or that. One day, Mom told Dad that it would be easier to write a book than to write all those notes. Mom wasn’t serious, but Dad’s “I think you should,” was the beginning. Thus, Managers of Their Homes (MOTH) was born. Twenty-four busy moms tested the book, and since it worked for them, we prayed it would work for others.

Now, 15 years later, MOTH is a mainstay Titus2 product, and we have boxes of testimonies and countless e-mails from moms around the world that the book transformed their lives through time management. The unique, color-coded Scheduling Kit that accompanies the book is hands-on and has allowed moms to create their personal family’s schedule.

Memories of those early days included collating the first printing of Scheduling Kits by hand, going to the print shop to compile books and Scheduling Kits, shipping books out, and embarking on our first ministry trip in January 2000. We were excited, and we are still excited.

We praise our merciful Lord and Savior for entrusting Titus2 to our family. Thank you for rejoicing with us! We look forward to many more years.

Sarah for the family

family-4-2
Maxwell family — one of the many photos we took to get the perfect picture for the book back cover. Notice this wasn’t the one we used. A side note of trivia is the picture was taken in my grandparents’ living room.
momwithMOTH
We had a family party to celebrate after the book was published.
Mom showing Grandad the book.
Mom showing Grandad the book.
Mom gave a "Getting It All Done" workshop in the Columbia, Missouri area that first year.
Mom gave a “Getting It All Done” workshop in the Columbia, Missouri area that first year.
A lady made a "schedule cake" for refreshments after Mom's talk.
A lady made a “schedule cake” for refreshments after Mom’s talk.
books
Compiling books.
January 2000, we embarked on our first family ministry trip. It was an adventure!
January 2000, we embarked on our first family ministry trip. It was an adventure!
first-trip
Oh, do we have memories from those van-traveling days!
John, Jesse, Mary, Anna, Joseph
John, Jesse, Mary, Anna, Joseph
A conference in Florida on that trip.
A conference in Florida on that trip.
family-trip
Family times after a conference.
Joseph manning the book table at one of our first conventions.
Joseph manning the book table at one of our first conventions.
One important part of the book were those test moms. Afterward, they compiled a scrapbook full of sweet notes and pictures for Mom. I've pulled two to share with you.
One important part of the book were those test moms. Afterward, they compiled a scrapbook full of sweet notes and pictures for Mom. I’ve pulled two to share with you.
thankyou-2
You can click into the picture to see it full size.
Maxwell Family, 2000
Maxwell Family, 2000
Maxwell Family, 2013
Maxwell Family, 2013

“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever:
with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.”
Psalms 89:1

Working Out!

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Hello!

Sometimes we’re asked about what we do for exercise so I decided to give you an idea of what we did for a workout recently. This one was, however, a bit unusual. Normally the girls exercise together and the guys also are a team, but on this day we decided to join up for a special workout.

We had six stations and worked to complete as many repetitions as possible during the time period. The timer was set to loop through a 45 second interval and when it went off each of us rotated to the next station in clockwise order.

3 Rounds for reps:

  • Pushups
  • Virtual shovel
  • Medicine ball clean (can be subbed for weighted or regular squats)
  • Kettlebell swing
  • Box jumps (20″)
  • Overhead lunges

 

We enjoy our time together: whether it’s sharing at conferences, working on projects, or yes, gasping for breath as we exercise. Team Maxwell!

Serving Jesus,
Sarah

Sarah doing pushups.
Sarah doing pushups.
Mary doing the virtual shovel.
Mary: virtual shoveling.
Jesse doing the med ball clean.
Jesse performing a med-ball clean.
Joseph doing kettle bell swings.
Joseph doing kettlebell swings.
Anna doing box jumps.
Anna doing box jumps.
John doing overhead lunges.
John doing overhead lunges.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
for brethren to dwell together in unity.”
Psalms 133:1

 

7 Reasons Why I Plan to Homeschool My Children

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If the Lord brings a wife for me at some point and then gives us children, I would love for us to homeschool them. Here’s why:

  1. The Bible tells us to “teach [God’s commandments] diligently unto thy children”. Homeschooling allows us to carry out everything in this verse as best as we can. Deuteronomy 6:7, “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”
  2. We could provide quality academics. For one example, I would like my children not to be part of the significant percentage of high school graduates who don’t know how to read.

    Bullying Stops Here
    A sign that we noticed “guarding” an AZ school.
  3. We could use Christian-based, educational materials that do not teach evolution and other godless ideologies that usually permeate secular textbooks and instruction. I have a friend who attends public school (in another part of the country) and has told me some of the unbiblical and ungodly things that are being taught in his school.
  4. The home is a sheltered environment that affords protection from worldly influences such as coarse language and potentially undesirable behavior among classmates.
  5. I would have no concerns about my children being bullied as is prevalent on school campuses.
  6. They would be physically safe in our home from mentally deranged individuals preying on groups of defenseless children.
  7. We could guide their behavior. From my observation of child-training, immediate and consistent direction is far better than when it is delayed and inconsistent.
Jesse Maxwell standing in arch
Jesse Maxwell standing in an arch

“Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;”

Deuteronomy 4:9

Happy Birthday Sarah!

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Happy Birthday, Sarah. We are very blessed to have you as part of our family. Here are some things we know about you that others might not know.

  • You love life.
  • You are diligent.
  • You are generous.
  • You write great books.
  • You love blessing others.
  • You love the Lord Jesus and delight in serving Him.
  • You are determined and will accomplish what you set out to do.

 

We pray this will be a year of great blessing in your life.

We love you!

Your Family

Sarah Maxwell
Sarah Maxwell

 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Link to Poppy Seed Loaves Recipe

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Hello!

Several people asked about the recipe for Poppy Seed Loaves. We posted it in December 2010, and you can see it in that blog post. Also, if you’re interested in a recipe or just would like to search by keyword on the blog, you can use the search feature on the lower right. It’s at the very bottom under all the previous years and categories. Or, if you prefer, click on a category, such as recipes, to explore the posts in that category.

Serving Jesus,
Sarah

“How sweet are thy words unto my taste!
yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.”
Psalms 119:103

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Posted in: Misc., Recipes

Happy 23rd Birthday, John!

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Happy Birthday, John! We are grateful God gifted you to our family, and we delight in your life.

Facts about John:

  • Before John was born, we studied John the Baptist (see John 1:1-36 as an example). Dad and Mom decided John would be the baby’s name if he was a boy, and he was.
  • He loves the Lord Jesus.
  • He can drink a strong, black cup of coffee, with no sweetener whatsoever (gulp!).
  • He is a practical, very handy, fix-it guy. If John can’t fix it, you’re in trouble.
  • He is a hard worker.
  • He loves to help others.
  • He is a gifted troubleshooter.
  • John is a master at mudding, sanding, and caulking.
John Maxwell
John Maxwell

Happy Birthday!

With Love,
Your Family

“Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.”
Titus 2:6-7