Overcoming The Mess
We home school our kids. On my occasional day off, I’ve noticed something. Every day when the postman comes by there is a race by the children to the mailbox. They are very interested in the stacks of bills and magazines and newsletters…because there might, just might, be something in there for them. After they investigate every envelope, the pile goes…somewhere. Rarely does it end up in the same place twice, though.
So when I come home from work, where can I find the day’s mail? On the desk? By the phone? In between the sofa cushions (really)?
How can a busy parent stay on top of the clutter that so easily develops from day to day, including the mail? Here’s one expert’s suggestion, specifically addressing the mail issue:
- Distribute the mail as soon as it comes in. Ask the following questions:
a) Is it junk? Toss it in the trash.
b) To whom does it belong? Put it in its rightful place.
c) Does it need follow up? Try to respond within 48 hours if possible.
d) Does it require reading? Place it in your reading file and take it with you so you can read while waiting at the doctor’s office, the dentist, to pick up a child from school.
Emilie Barnes is a nationally recognized home-and-office organization expert. Here’s another tip from Mrs. Barnes, especially to improve the clutter in a child’s room.
Children’s rooms need proper tools to keep them tidy and neat. Consider these suggestions:
a) Keep a small vacuum handy to quickly clean up messes.
b) Put up a pegboard or bulletin board to hang things on to keep things off the floor.
c) Use extra large wastebaskets with plastic garbage can liners.
d) Organize toys in plastic boxes or buckets.
e) Install closet rods (appropriate to the height of the child) so he or she can hang up their own clothes.
f) Limit snacking in bedrooms.
If You Are Single
If you single, here is a video of a candid conversation about the expectations many women have about marriage. Pretty informative!
Webcast With Dave Ramsey Friday April 4
Tomorrow from 5 - 7 p.m. Mountain time I’ll be hosting a special webcast with financial guru Dave Ramsey. You’ll be able to interact with Dave online or by phone. Plan to join us - this should be a fun two hours!
Dorie’s Story
Here’s a story of a girl in need of love. The love of God turned a little girl nobody loved into a woman God used. Inspiring!
Web Radio - NEW!
We’re testing an online radio service, “Focus Web Radio,” and I’d like to invite you to be among the first to listen in here.
Your feedback is valued - why not let us know what you think?
New Podcast Launched
Focus on the Family’s “Boundless” team has a new podcast! Here’s more on the content and approach.
Tonight Only: Talk To The Experts
Tonight only, our friends Bill and Pam Farrel are participating in a special edition of the Focus on the Family marriage forum. This is your opportunity to interact with these folks about anything on your mind.
Differences In Love?
During the honeymoon, the two lovebirds had a picture-book time. They basked in the joy of their new life together, with unhurried conversations, quiet moments of closeness and sightseeing in the mountains.
Penetrating the bliss, however, was a spat that would bring about hurt feelings and some confusion. She wanted a special momento of the time, a piece of pottery from a little shop. He was too practical to “waste” money on such a trivial expense, espcially one that “would probably only break before we get it home.” It took quite a while for those hurts to heal.
My wife and I have known each other since 1983, and during the years we’ve been together we’ve enjoyed - even delighted - in the differences between us. Early on, however, we had more than a few instances of learning about those differences, and some of those events were pretty difficult to work through. That honeymoon illustration reflects what we had to deal with during our first week together.
Married couples know all too well that there are inevitably significant differences between them. Bill and Pam Farrell speak knowledgably about those differences, offering excellent insight and some wonderful humor along the way. Every married couple should hear this two-day series. Why not copy the link and send it onto someone who might benefit from their thoughts?
Reasons To Pray
As we head into 2008, there are so many reasons to pray earnestly and with conviction.
Listen to this program for insights about how you can direct your prayer life to become more focused and effective in the coming year. The guests are “prayer warriors” who spend a great deal of time on their knees.
Joyful Laughter
There are usually moments of joyful laughter our monthly chapel events. Listen in as Dr. Dobson dishes out some humor - and is the subject of some pointed barbs that caused the audience to roar with laughter.
