Friday, November 07, 2008

Making Your Home A Haven

Many of you who have been reading here a while know how much I loved Crystal's posts on Making Your Home A Haven!

Especially, last December when there was a full week devoted to this topic. That week was very special in our home. It was such a pure feeling to be home and focusing on home, on those I love and on keeping God's Word in my heart. I have been yearning for this again and my home needs the attention. Perhaps I need to set aside one week like this each month!

So, with Crystal's blessing - I am going to be hosting a week of Making Your Home A Haven here! I hope you will join me November 10-14!

I'm planning a day on each of these themes:
Tidy
Clean
Cared For
Fun
Inviting & Giving

What does it mean to make our homes into havens?

First, I looked up the meaning of the word haven: 1. harbor, port; 2. a place of safety, refuge; 3. a place offering favorable opportunities or conditions.

This definition fits perfectly with what we think of home as. A place we can count on, a place to go to ~ indeed, a refuge.

To me - it means being intentional about investing in my home. The actual dwelling, those who live there, time together, and of course, others who will enter. Being focused on God in light of our responsibilities at home creates a precious view of our homes and our families.

What does it mean to you? I hope you will come back next week and join in the fun! I'll have a Mr. Linky set up so we can visit each other's havens and encourage one another in this endeavor! If you don't have a blog, but want to participate - you can just leave a comment sharing what you are doing in your haven!
Psalm 107:29-32,
"He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders."

49 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm looking forward to this and hope I can participate this time. Love you!

Mary Ann said...

My home needs this too, Monica! I'm looking forward to what you have planned.:-)

*carrie* said...

I won't be blogging next week, but I'll be sure to read these posts. I love this idea of making our homes a haven as well!

First snow this morning--wishing you were here . . . talk to you soon!

Linda said...

Count me in! ;)

Greetings from the Netherlands!

Anonymous said...

I love this idea, too! I'm planning to participate next week.

Amy said...

What a great idea- I need help with this and just in time for the holidays :) Thanks, Monica!

homeschooldawn said...

I'm looking forward to this. Great idea.

Barbie @ Mamaology said...

I'm excited to see all that you have planned! You always encourage me so much in this area.;)

Tracy said...

Amazing the timing you had for this- I was just thinking how the end of fall calls us back home again, inviting us to cozy down and build out our nests ready to comfort our families. I can't wait to do this with you, our home is ready for the much-needed attention, too!

Anonymous said...

I want my home to be a Haven from the outside worlds influnces. Not only clean and tidy. But really a place of peace. Where the spirit of our God resides. Also want Love to be felt by all who comes in. I look forward to next week.

Jelly Sandwich said...

Just before I checked your blog I made a fall cleaning list and decided that next week my family and I would take some time to just be at home before the holiday rush starts!

the voice of melody said...

Oh, that's a great idea. We all want our homes to be a haven for our families and all who enter. I'll be checking back next week.

Many sweet blessings!

Monica said...

Perfect timing for me as we are getting ready for guests and Thanksgiving. I'll be out of town the last part of the week so I'll have to catch up when I get back.

Phase II said...

i would love to participate...my home is in dire need!

Unknown said...

I would love to do this too! What do I do? :D
Hmm...what does it mean to me? That my relationship with the Lord is strong and foremost and out of this He will give me the strength, creativity, and resolve to keep order in my home!
Something like that, anyway...:D

Pattie - Chicagoland, IL said...

Count me in. I need a little focus in my life right about now.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I loved this series too! Looking forward to next week!

Anonymous said...

I'm looking forward to this. I really enjoyed her series too.

Jennifer

farmerjulie said...

your blog is so cute! I love it.
Julie :)

gail said...

great idea! i'm looking forward to it.

Jenny said...

Sounds like fun! I love this idea of being intentional about what God has called us to do.

Unknown said...

YAY!!! I had been reading about this in your archives so I am so excited you are doing it again! I can't wait!

Megan said...

Monica, in all your spare time, I tagged you. If you want to. No worries if you don't. *grin*

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm... what a nice idea! Maybe we'll take the week "off" and work on preparing our home for the holiday season and winter. I'll definitely be reading, and hopefully participating! :)

Bridgett said...

I totally loved Crystal's making your home a haven. I'm excited to join you. :)

Rachael said...

Looking forward to this!

Mrs. Dan said...

I'm looking forward to participating! :)

Lura said...

I'm also looking forward to this. It is an area I have really been convicted about lately!

Unknown said...

I'm excited to learn new ways to make my home a haven! Thank you!

Meander said...

Oh I can't wait! This is the first time I've visited and will certainly be back for more as I'm adding you to my blog roll. Thanks to the Farm Chick's for passing the word on about your lovely site! Take good care and have a gorgeous weekend!!!

Suz said...

Hi! My teen dd sent this to me as she knows this is where my heart is at :) She must have found you on Crystal's bog... I am new here, but not for long! I would like to participate as well... Thanks for the little push and an opportunity to be inspired and encouraged as well as to be able to do the same I'm excited !
Suz

Anonymous said...

We have been reading for some time and emailed some but for the record, I wanted to comment and say we want to do this! Awesome Monica. Thanks for the invite!

Unknown said...

Count me in...I soooo need this before the holidays set in! Thanks for hosting this, can't wait!

Blessings!
Brandi

Jen said...

YAY!! I need things like this to keep me focussed. I will be doing my ENTIRE HOUSE. No joke. I'll have alloted rooms for each day.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the inspiration. I will be participating too!
Chrissie Grace

Grace, Hope and Joy said...

I'm looking forward to it!

Brooke said...

What an inspiring idea. Looks like it will be a fun week here on your blog!

Katie (getrealmom) said...

I'm looking forward to joining you.

Terri said...

I"m in! My plan today was to tidy up. I actually began yesterday, but got sidetracked

LeeAnn said...

I can't wait to join you!

Anonymous said...

Oh how wonderful! I've just found your blog this last week and already I am inspired! I've already begun this process at my own home over the last month and it gets a bit more involved than I hope most others have to deal with as we have a very run down, neglected farm I am dealing with solo while my hubbie works out of state.
I'd LOVE some accountability and companionship along this road so this is perfect for me as well.
I'm off to start the crock pot and repair fences now :). Thanks again!

Lisa @ The Plain-Spoken Pen said...

My projects can't be finished in a day or a week, but we're definitely working on making our home a haven right now! Hopefully this challenge will inspire me to work harder and get the tasks tackled faster. :)

Kara said...

This is just what I need this week. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Oh Monica....this is just what my home needs! The Lord's been calling to me lately, and I keep telling Him, "God...just one more minute. I have to get showered, and get my son dressed and do this and..."

I've had a total Martha spirit lately. Time for a bit more of a Mary spirit.

Unknown said...

i cant wait to do this we have justhad a baby and my crazy clean sis is coming for xams so i have to things done

Unknown said...

I'm in

Samantha said...

Thank you so much! I needed a kick in the behind to get going! I got things started today!

The Nilsen's Journey said...

I stumbled upon your blog & I must say, I loved seeing how you involve your girls in your to do projects! I have a little one & he's getting to the wanting to help stage - reading here inspired me how to include him. Thank you!

Jess said...

What a great idea! I posted about it and linked to you & Crystal in my blog. I hope that is ok! If not please let me know :)