I’m thrilled to share with you the Titus2 project we’ve been hard at work since spring.
Managers of Their Homes
Completely revised! What resource could be better than Managers of Their Homes to bring families peace and order? The answer is the newly revised Managers of Their Homes!
Managers of Their Homes has been thousands of moms’ go-to resource for the past 17 years. But with time, comes even more experience besides our own and the pilot families who tested it out. We’ve gained new insights that we realized were vital to include in this treasured book.
Each chapter has been extensively revised and more helpful tips added. You’ll also find a special chapter on how to schedule when a mom faces health challenges or is on bedrest. Plus, what good is a schedule if you can’t make it run smoothly? Schedules ARE stress-busters, but you need the proper tools to make it that way. So with that in mind, we’ve given practical help on implementing despite the challenges you face. In addition, the chapter on putting your schedule together with the included Scheduling Kit gives an optional route if you choose to subscribe to the online scheduling software (ScheduleBreeze).
The book’s new design and format makes for a super easy and comfortable read. Grab your revised copy of Managers of Their Homes now!
Special pre-order bonus now through December 2nd: receive both volumes of Just Around the Corner for FREE when you order Managers of Their Homes. Just add the products to the cart, and the discount will show up.
“I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” 1 Timothy 5:14
It was so exciting to see how the Lord provided for 100 shoeboxes. Anna and Mary asked the Lord in faith for that many, and then they were diligent to put the time and effort into their Independence Day/Christmas Breakfast fundraiser. They’re very grateful for the donors who gave the money they needed.
Anna and Mary worked throughout the year on carefully buying items on sale in preparation for the boxes.
For example, after Resurrection Sunday (Easter), they bought tons of candy (non-chocolate). At back-to-school time, they purchased many school supplies such as notebooks, pencils, etc, for good prices. Since quite a few of the boxes were for little girls ages 2-4, they decided to make headbands (see links below). They purchased tons of stuffed cats and sets of play trucks from IKEA (side note: the girls need to start carrying shoebox brochures with them on their shopping days because the comments one gets when one is purchasing so many cats or so many washcloths?!!!). The trucks were high quality and came in sets of three, so even though a box was maybe $12, it ended up to be $4 per truck.
Here are some of the items we purchased from Amazon in bulk. That may help you out for next year’s shoeboxes if you’re interested. The links are Titus2’s affiliate, so see our disclosure here.
It would be a good time to remind ourselves that the goal of this series is to encourage those parents who are committed to raising children who will want to live debt-free. As we learned, it is far better to be content in Christ than to just be debt-free. Will your child trust Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords and King of Kings, to provide for all his needs. Can you imagine what a blessed start in life that would be? Don’t you wish you had had that?
Let’s get real about something. There is no quick-fix, silver-bullet. First there is the heart-work that must be done in a life, which involves a real relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and experience in trusting in His provision. Then we build on that through teaching moments.
This week Teri and I drove to a meeting 5 hours away. Teri’s mom loaned us her car. As I drove that car, I found myself thinking how nice it would be to have a car like that. It was such a pleasure to drive. Teri and I had to remind ourselves that our 2004 Honda Civic is a very reasonable car that gets us around economically. God has provided for all of our needs. He is faithful. Will I rest in His provision or covet in accordance with my wants?
I’m confident you will have daily opportunities to teach your children what it means to be content in Christ. Teach by example that the Lord provides for our needs, not our wants, but there are times that He even blesses us with our wants. That is even more exciting! Praise Him for all those provisions.
Be faithful to continue your weekly meetings and look for weeds in your children’s lives. What are you seeing and what is your remedial plan?
Steve
“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints” (Ephesians 5:3).
It’s been awhile since I’ve given an update on Ellie. She’s as cute as ever and totally growing up. She’ll be a year soon. I have a hard time believing she’s been mine since the end of January. I’m grateful for such a sweet buddy!
Ellie loves people in general, and she enjoys little kids. Calia toddles around jabbering and patting Ellie, who watches her with interest. They’re really cute together. Abby and Betsy can handle Ellie well and enjoy running with her to get some of her energy expended (she still has a lot!). Ruthie loves to feed Ellie treats.
I am still getting over the dog attack and have to take my thoughts captive because loose dogs invariably cause my heart to quicken. It’s a good challenge as I learn to reject the fears and choose to trust the Lord.
Love, Sarah
Calia and Ellie Ruthie and Ellie Mary, Ruthie, and Ellie Ellie and me today after church
“In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.” Psalm 31:1
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Colossians 3:15
Paul finished an insightful list of things that we as Christians should exemplify in our lives such as showing meekness, longsuffering, and forbearance. After that list is the perfect “andbe ye thankful.”
Ungratefulness is ugly, but thankfulness is beautiful. I wanted to share with you certain things I’m thankful for about my family. It’s hard not to duplicate items, as many of the same qualities can be said about each person, but I’ll try to keep them unique.
What I’m Grateful for about the Maxwell Family
Steve and Teri Maxwell
Steve and Teri, known to me as Dad and Mom
Their Godly Wisdom
Their Sacrificial Love
Their Wise Counsel
As an encouragement to all the young parents out there, don’t give up. Keep praying, loving, exhorting, and setting the example for your children. My parents’ investment in our lives can’t be put into monetary value; it’s that precious. When they were in the trenches, it might have seemed like an eternity until we were all adults, but here we are, 20 to almost 40, and serving Jesus faithfully. Don’t give up or let the world tear you down. It’s plain work!
Nathan Maxwell Family
Nathan, my oldest brother, his wife, Melanie, and their children, Abby, Betsy, Tina, Drew, and Baby
Their Courage
Their Giving Hearts
Their Creativity
Nathan and Melanie are a strong example of courage and trusting the Lord. They’ve been through hard times: losing their first-born daughter and challenging pregnancies and dramatic births laced with many unknowns. Instead of focusing on loss or fear, they have chosen to trust and rest.
Christopher Maxwell Family
Christopher, my second oldest brother, his wife, Anna Marie, and their children, Joshua, Ruthie, Liddy, and Danny
Their Love of Children
Their Faithfulness in God’s Word
Their Family Projects
It’s no secret that Christopher was a handful of a little guy when he was young, so I love seeing him as a dad raising his children. Christopher is an awesome example of involving his children on Saturday work projects. Anna Marie loves children and babies and doesn’t complain about her varicose veins.
Joseph and Elissa Maxwell
Joseph, my brother in line right under me, his wife Elissa, and Calia
Their Love for Ministry
Their Delight in Blessing Others
Their Joy in Raising Their Daughter
It’s so special to see the great love and enthusiasm Joseph and Elissa have for their little girl. She is clearly the apple of their eye. This dynamic family loves to minister.
John Maxwell
John
His Protection With His Truck Accident
His “We-Can-Get-This-Done” Attitude
His Applying Himself to Hard Projects
John actually topped Christopher as to how challenging of a youngster he was (As a little boy, he really did say that HE was going to let his kids climb the bathroom shelves and eat toothpaste!), so I am thankful for the maturity he has gained with age. Moms, that means there is hope for your mischievous child. John has a tender heart for his nieces and nephews and delights in spending time with them.
Anna Maxwell
Anna
Her Servant’s Heart
Her Amazing Cooking
Her Love for God’s Word
Anna is a beautiful Proverbs 31 woman. She honestly jumps on any opportunity to serve her sister-in-laws, regardless of her own priorities. I love to see her faithfully getting up early on Sunday mornings to spend extra time in God’s Word.
Jesse Maxwell
Jesse
His Extraordinary Heart for the Unborn
His Thoughtful Advice
His Work Ethic
Jesse is a powerhouse of godly wisdom. If you ask his opinion, you can expect his answer will be well-thought out and based not on what might tickle your ears but what he believes God’s Word teaches. He’s also extremely hard-working with his job.
Mary Maxwell
Mary
Her Tender Heart
Her Out-of-the-Box Creativity
Her Love for Children
Mary is another beautiful Proverbs 31 young lady. Her heart’s cry is to serve the Lord Jesus in whatever ways she can, and she certainly lives it out. I don’t think one can judicially pick which aunt is the most fun: Mary or Anna. They both are such a blast.
Ellie
Ellie
Yes, I can’t forget my sweet puppy. She’s brought such fun moments into life and taught me many lessons as well.
Sarah Maxwell
Sarah (yep, that’s me!)
I am grateful for our blog readership and a platform to share our joys and sorrows in life as we encourage each other in Jesus. Thank YOU!
Most of all, I’m grateful for Jesus dying on the cross for my sins and the sins of those who will accept His free gift. This life is so temporal, and we don’t know how many years we’ll have.
Romans 5:8 – “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
In closing, I echo what Romans 8:38-39 says with a very grateful heart: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Recently the girls and I were able to give Melanie a day away. That day came with some special perks since we did school with the children, normal chores, meals, clean up, and naps—the usual daily routine so that Mommy didn’t have to come home to a messy house, a day of school to catch up on, and cranky children.
I took the first shift from 9:00 to 11:30 (at 11:30 I have playtime with another set of grandchildren), and Anna came to make lunch and have the afternoon shift. The other time we did this, Mary took over mid-afternoon.
This time Mary was Melanie’s shopping assistant. Melanie wanted to do clothes shopping for the children with her time away, and Mary has a great eye for color and style. Mary and Melanie shopped, ate lunch out, and were back mid-afternoon.
Mary took this picture of some of their purchases.
Then Melanie went to my mom’s house for a nap and some “office-type” activities for the rest of her afternoon off.
These mommies with young families work so hard all day, every day. It is a joy to be able to let them have a little break.
Trusting in Jesus, Teri
There’s more than one way to concentrate in a busy house! Drew playing Tina
“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them” (Psalm 103:17-18).
The Maxwell family and ministry blog of Titus2.com.
