What would YOU bring?

We've been on a mission to downsize the number of belongings we own.  We are very aware that in this world, our possesions own us.  They distract us.  They require much of us -- our time, our money, and our devotion.  We talk often about how there are many people in the world who have only the bare necessities, and they do just fine and feel blessed!  And there are also those who have very little -- maybe not even a roof over their heads. 

Do we really need all this stuff?

We try to find creative ways to help this ongoing discussion feel relevant for our children.  Today, we discussed what we would take with us if we suddenly had to move away, and had only a few minutes to pack.  We could only take a few items each, and it was better if they were items that were very important to us, and not easily replaced.  While eating lunch and discussing our options, we each declared our top picks: 

Keandre, age 3
elephant & doggie (stuffed animals)
paci (his pacifier -- yes he is still addicted!)
gum

Destany, age 5 3/4
pillow & favorite blankies
'pics of me with Mommy & Nichole' (her birthmother)

Lucas, age 7 1/2
pillow, blankie, and ducky (a fav stuffed animal)
bunny rabbit (the family pet)

Kiara
computer (full of irreplaceable pictures!)
scrapbooks I've made for the kids
my wallet
(Lucas suggested I might want my cell phone.  Destany thought I might want some chocolate for the trip. :)

Andy
old pictures of family & friends (the non-digital ones)
computer hard drive (Good thought, honey.  Thanks!)

Before naming our items, we decided that we would each be able to purchase a few items when we arrived at our new home.  Here is what each person prioritized:

Keandre
a puppy dog  (A new pet?  Hmmm....I'm not sure about that one!) 

Destany
cd player/radio
board games & puzzles
a puppy dog (she agrees with Keandre)

Lucas
cd player/radio with a clock on it
a bunkbed from IKEA
a new fish and fishtank

Kiara
ipod
camera
Bible

Andy
Bible
a new bike (he's happy to leave his old one behind!)
a dishwasher (you think maybe he's afraid of living w/o one?!)

This conversation has been a great motivation to keep getting rid of stuff!  Today alone, we have compiled 10 paper grocery bags full of items to donate, plus a few bags to drop off at the consignment store.  And we have just begun!

Then, during rest time, Destany decided she has too many clothes and shoes.  She made a huge pile in the middle of her floor, and said she is giving them to our friend, Abby Tracy, who lives with and ministers to street children in Uganda.  Oh my.....what a blessing to see your child apply Biblical truths and hold loosely to her belongings!  (Anyone who knows her well knows she LOVES her clothes and shoes.  She is a little fashionista!)

Too Much Stuff!

We have too much stuff.  And we've always known this.  But last Christmas (as in 1+ years ago) I was walking up in the hills behind my in-laws' house when I felt thoroughly convicted by the amount of 'stuff' we have, and how it is hindering us in serving God, serving others, and even in the messages we are trying to teach our children.  I returned home motivated to literally get rid of half of what we own.  Andy was in whole-hearted agreement, too!

But life got in the way.  We had five children at the time...then seven...then five again.  We were in survival mode.  I decluttered a little from time to time, but it was never the big push I really dreamed of. 

More than a year later, I am still very aware that our things own us.  We spend so much time caring for stuff, organizing it, moving it around.  What a waste of the time God has given us!  Lately, a Flylady quote has been turning around in my head.  "You can't organize clutter."  By this, she means you just have to let it go! 

When we lived in our old house -- the fun little 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 860 sq. ft. home that we spent the first 7+ years of our marriage in (with 2 kids, no less) -- we had a saying.  "Need it, or love it."  That was how we identified each of our belongings.  If we found something laying around that we didn't either NEED or LOVE, out it went.  We had a small house, small closets, and this was what saved us from 'needing' a bigger house once we started our family. 

Bigger houses are a trap for things.  Suddenly you don't have to be so picky.  Many people live with WAY less than we have -- or with nothing but the very bare basics to survive -- yet with our bigger houses we easily collect stuff here and there, with no regard for whether it's necessary to own these things or whether we really use and enjoy them. 

The last couple days, I've been working in the bedrooms with the kids.  Their bedrooms are clutter havens.  Their drawers, closet floors, under their beds, and everywhere else you can stuff things, is full of their 'treasures'.  Party favors, broken toys, bouncy balls, rock collections, shell collections, ripped papers that came home from preschool or Sunday School...the list goes on and on.  It has been wonderful to have time to just sit with them and look at what they own, listen to their thoughts on what is worth keeping, and watch them take in the message of stewardship and gratefulness and get rid of LOTS of stuff that was taking over their rooms.  I am so proud of them! 

Destany's room was a work in progress already, but here is a bit of a visual for what we just tackled today. She is loving the new look, and we're looking forward to decorating and getting ready for baby sister now that there's room to walk in there. :)

Tackle It Tuesday

Something that God has consistently laid upon my heart over the last few months has been stewardship.  I am often prompted to consider, 'Am I being a good steward of my time, money, home, etc.?' 

I love that we are preparing to welcome a new little one into our home, and He is busy prompting me to make changes that will benefit my whole family.  I am home a lot these days.  Between homeschooling, a not-so-easy pregnancy, and limited finances, I have fewer commitments than in the past.  Tackle It Tuesday is a way I hope to document my strides to bring glory to God through the little things -- like being grateful for my home, and keeping it well. 

As a quick explanation of Tackle it Tuesday, I used to read a couple of blogs that did weekly 'Tackle-It Tuesday' posts, and I was very motivated by these moms and what they accomplished.  So if you're looking for a little motivation of your own, here it is!  I'd love to know what projects you are inspired to begin!

This is the buffet in our kitchen.  It is also a great catch-all spot for....well, just about anything, as you can see.  I have been dreading this task but decided today was the day.  45 minutes later.....

Success!  Afterward, I rewarded myself with a 'fun' project -- putting all our Christmas pictures on display so we can enjoy them.  A relative gave us the idea of choosing a picture each night, talking to the kiddos about who the family is and why they are special to us, and praying for them together.  Now I can't wait to start!
 

(ps - No, I didn't also paint the wall in that 45 minutes.  The change in paint color is the difference in daylight and nighttime lighting.  No flash used.  Crazy, huh?)