I have so many posts backed up ready to share, however, I wanted to take some time to share with you a little bit of what’s been going on in my life.
I love this picture! Yummy fresh sardines! So nourishing, so tasty! Well, that post will be for another day.
I’m currently at DMACC. My class ended early and I need to stay until 9pm to lock down the building. What a perfect time to share with you my heart and where I’m currently at in my spiritual health.
I attended a wonderful women’s retreat this past weekend where I had the opportunity to spend some time with woman who are living for God. Now, they’re not all perfect. In fact, none of us are. We had a great opportunity to share what God is currently doing in our lives, our struggles and our victories.
For me, the biggest struggle in my life (which seems to never end) is my time and how I spend it. I’m a wife, mother, organic gardener, urban homesteader, web/graphic designer, web instructor, sister and friend. As you can tell, I’m a busy person and often that means neglecting God and his priorities that he has set before me. Being a wife and mother!
Is anyone else in the same boat??
Right before attending this retreat, I was considering a class to teach people how to source and cook Real Food. I was super excited and quite honestly knew it wasn’t what God wanted me to do. However, I wanted to do it anyways. How fun, right? Meeting new people, interacting, teaching, why not?!
Well, I just don’t have the time! That’s why, lol!!
God totally burned me. I enjoy social media and meeting new people online, however, I know I need to slow down!! I can’t compromise my time with my husband and children. Now that Nehemiah is getting older, I’ve been working on preschool lessons with him. He’s taking off and I know God wants me to put 100% into my kids. I’m currently praying about homeschooling and all which that entails.
Do any of you homeschool? Any resources to recommend? Directions?? Any help is way appreciated!
At the retreat I also had the opportunity to speak to woman about food. One thing I realized and was a little saddened by, is that when people see me or speak to me, the first thought that comes to their mind is food. As much as I love to teach people what I’ve learned over the years, I want to take this time to let people know that my life is NOT all about food and eating local, organic, and the such.
I want to apologize to all of my readers also, if by reading my blog that you have felt inadequate. If I have made you to feel that you are not doing all that you can to nourish your family by buying organic, and local and making everything from scratch, I deeply apologize!
First and foremost, our relationship with Jesus Christ is what is truly important. Eating local, organic and cooking everything from scratch does NOT secure us a seat next to our Father. Also, only our God knows the number of our days!! Please remember this. Their is NOTHING you can do that will keep you alive on this planet one extra day than what God has already planned!
With that said, I am NOT perfect. Who is?! Let me tell you, I’m a working mama. When I pull 12 hour days working on Monday’s and Wednesday’s, the last place I want to be is in my kitchen. Praise the Lord for freezer meal groups, however, when I don’t have a freezer meal, you had better believe I feel guilt free on ordering a Pizza Hut pizza! Yeah, I can make a darn good pizza from scratch but when I’m exhausted, the last thing my family needs is a grumpy mom and wife!
If I were to feel like I NEEDED to make a pizza for the sake of my families health, I would then be carrying a burden. A burden I was NEVER meant to carry! I would be chained to making something. What freedom is in that? It’s when I give these pressures to the Lord and ask him to bless my family and food that I then experience peace and live in Christ, not in my own actions.
Now, I’m not saying to order away and live your life in processed food, but to not LIVE for REAL FOOD. It can become an idol and something we think about so often that it replaces our one and only true and Living God!
I have an entire post coming up on Nourishing Traditions and The Makers Diet. One thing to think about… Is this a new diet fad? I enjoy NT and how it’s teaching so many americans how to stop eating processed foods and how to make a lifestyle change in making real food traditionally. Lord knows, many americans need this information. However, there are many inaccuracies in both books and although great resources they should never be held as complete truth and one should never live their lives for any book written by man.
I’m really excited as local Iowa moms and myself are going to be creating a new website focusing on community. Focusing on how we can love our neighbor as God has commanded us to help each other. A key component that is not stressed enough and has been lost over the years. Not just in food, but in life. Each one of us will be able to contribute and keep each other grounded in Christ. Living it local, living it in community, living it in Christ! Really, it’s going to be exciting as we teach other!! If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, drop me a note at [email protected].
A few of my lovely ladies can be found at…
Abby – http://lovemadetheradishgrow.blogspot.com/
Danelle – http://mytotalpv.blogspot.com/
Shanen – http://greenranchingmom.blogspot.com/
Until then, relax… surrender… take comfort in HIM!
Chow and Chatter says
do what God tells you to do girlie love ya
Fresh Local and Best says
I think you're doing great Diana. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing. Those sardines look fab!
rosemary says
I almost identify with you, almost. I say almost because at least you have already made your mark sister!I am trying to find my way. Learning how cook a variety of dishes from around the world. Trying to actually start healthy menu planning and keeping it up. Studying CCNA part time and working as network technician during the day. I sleep very late since I am trying lunch box items varieties. I get so excited about so many ideas coming from so many blogs sometimes I try four different food items per night! I wake up early to do a little bit of gardening for the love of it and exercise.
I have decided to experiment on one food item per day and make time to interact with the kids and really pray. I mean, taking my time to communicate with my Father than the hurried prayers which I sometimes do when going to bed, exhausted and dosing. Something I am struggling to keep up since there are so many new ideas coming in from so many food blogs. Sigh!
As for you, do the best you can according to how much God enables you and leave the rest to Him. He wont let you down. I am grateful from what I have learned from you. Thanx for sharing.
Claudia Medeiros says
Keep doing your great work, dear friend ! God bless your actions and thoughts and every single second of your life 🙂
Have a so blessed week !
xoxoxoxo
Abby says
We all struggle with the balance between our homemaking and our love for Christ-which is ironic in that we know He has called us to be mothers and wives, and yet doing just that often takes away from our time with Him. I took out exercise to place in alone with my Jesus time. My thought was that I can make up for it with time outside (someday…) working my land.
It is also difficult to balance our love for nourishing our families and cooking and homesteading ('cause it's fun!) and making sure we are connecting with others on a spiritual level as well, as talking about food is easy. There controversy in it, but not nearly as much as being as open as possible about your relationship and battles with being a Christian. That takes more thought, and more tact. It takes more courage. It is a far more vulnerable place than sharing how we live.
As far as making people feel inadequate, I think the most important move is qualification-just like you did today. "Yes, we eat homemade pizza regularly (yay 5mad dough!), but I call hubby for carry out from the local bar when I just can't get it all done."
This is also where our push to build community comes in. My community and group of loving mamas help me to keep grounded, as well as serve as a center for my relationship with Christ. They are especially important to me as I do not have a set church home, and thus I make a point to surround myself with women who can help me when I struggle with who I am in Christ. We can talk about any of it, and have what we need, not feel persecuted.
Honestly, in our family food, and love, and the old-fashioned church I grew up in, God are all linked. They are circular. One feeds the other, and reminds me of the other, so I am constantly pursuing God, and recognizing His call for me to be the best mother and wife I can be, which links back to my time spent in homemaking and homesteading activities. My thought is by living this life, I can open doors to share with others who have those other passions, why I do what I do, and that always comes back to Christ.
You are doing awesome, Diana, and I am looking forward to more of the crazy antics we come up with when we mamas get together!
AB
Tien says
Hi, Diana,
I do not home school but I found a great math site that we use for the kids at home. It's http://www.ixl.com/. You can set up different profiles for each child and the company will send you emails with individual progress. It's 11.95/month. If you have other questions, you can always email me. -Tien 🙂
Diana Bauman says
You ladies rock!
Rebecca and Christine, I am so blessed to have become friend with you! Really, my home is open to you any time you decide to visit Iowa 😉
Rosemary, I completely understand about those hurried prayers. I myself have been convicted of this. I spent such an awesome time with my Lord yesterday and man, the difference in my attitude and enlightenment to what is truly important is overwhelming. Keep it going sister!!
Sweet Claudia, you bring a smile to my face every time I see you comment! I would love to meet you one day! God Bless You to my friend!!
Abby – So glad to know you in real life and call you my friend!! Thanks for bringing me back to Earth on so many occasions!!
Tien – I will definitely look that resource up and call you! So glad you are my friend as well!!
Big hugs ladies!
Divina Pe says
This is a timely post, Diana. For the past few days, I've been thinking about my own life, about what does God want me to do in my life. And your post is exactly what's in my heart. I am on the same boat with you. Sometimes it's just hard to surrender and I want to surrender everything to Him but why am I always holding it back. On my last of the Real Food Challenge, I wrote that sometimes I have to compromise it cannot be perfect at all. How I wish I'm having this conversation with you right now over a cup of tea.
bridget {bake at 350} says
Hi Diana!
It IS hard to balance it all! It's amazing to me how much time blogging (and all the things that go with it) takes…making the food, photographing it, editing the photos, writing the post…then add twitter and email and you've got yourself a full day.
We homeschool…this is our 3rd year. (We started when he was in 3rd grade.) It took a lot of time to decide what curriculum/s to use and what to focus on. Once that was decided, though, it was easy. Well, not easy…there are days when I think about dropping him off at our parish school and coming back in a few days! 😉
It does add to the struggle, I think, of time management. Because my son is always there, I feel guilty WHENEVER I get on the computer. And if I save it all for after bedtime, then it's taking away time from my husband. I try to sneak in minutes when he's working on things that don't need my direct help.
Gosh…did that help AT ALL? 😉 Feel free to email me any time!
Sarah says
balance, balance, balance. I find it an interesting commentary that so many of the blogs I read, as well as my own, are talking about balance these days. It is a struggle for everyone, it seems.
Homeschooling is not as scary as it originally feels. I personally feel the need to do something at least vaguely structured, but even so, Kindergarten is 1 hour 3 days a week and Wally's already about halfway thru what he'd learn in 1st grade.
GreenRanchingMom says
Diana, you are so wonderfully caring. You just keep going the direction HE points you.
I felt that we were directed to homeschool our girls. I felt this about 2 months into the year. I should have pulled them out of school, but I didn't. This is one of the only regrets I have. That I didn't listen to Him. If you are led to teach your boys, He will give you the way. We are very relaxed, but our girls are amazing! They are learning tons, even when we aren't "in-school".
The balance is tricky! But, when we listen to Him, it is easy. So hard to follow His directions sometimes, but much easier than resisting Him.
We don't have the luxury of delivery, but we do go to town (too much) in the summer for supper @ the ice cream shop.
Keep talking & listening to Him & the way will appear.
Sweet and Savory says
Great post Diana…it is all full circle isn't it? We all have to do what is best for US…and if that means ordering a pizza now and then, then just go ahead and don't feel guilty about it!
Hope says
Yes, our bodies are the temple of the living God. We should care for it but not be consumed by caring for it. It is all about balance.
I am blessed by you in not only your sharing knowledge about food, but by your honesty in dealing with spiritual convictions. That is what we are to do as women in Christ. Spur one another on to godliness. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Foy Update - Garden Cook Write Repeat says
I've been struggling with the balance of time and resources a lot lately. As I take on a new job and move, I realize everything will shift.
I have met many wonderful people who have very complete lives simply working an hourly job and taking care of their kids. This is the life my husband wants.
I have also met many extraordinary women who are mothers and wives, and writers and teachers and artists and activists. They lead incredibly busy lives. I look at them and think they prove it is possible. They light the path with their efforts and successes. I want to be like them. This is the life I want.
Sometimes I struggle to be content with what I have and what I am doing. I struggle because I know I have it in me to do more. I know I could lead change by living as a good example. That's what I am working towards.
Ruth says
So insightful, spiritual and true. Its so very true that we should be well aware of our passion turning into a form of adoration that may neglect the true essence of our lives, love and God. I like the fact that you admit to getting pizza in lol. I so agree that my love for my son and the time I spend to him is the priority in life whether I do through cooking for him or with him or by taking time to make him feel Im there for him, even if that means he's not eating'properly'. Wonderful post that just reinforces what a truly deep soul you are! Look forward to many more!!!
Kelli says
I don't think I have posted before, I appreciate your gardening tips, the way you eat, that you are a Christian, and we may be moving to Iowa in the next couple of years form Oregon (my husband is thinking about Bible College in Akene, I don't know if I spelled that right), so I feel like I get a little feel for what it is like to live in Iowa from your blog.
I homeschool. God told me to homeschool, I didn't want to, I sent my daughter to 1st grade at public school and my second daughter was going to a private preschool, and that whole year was God telling us to homeschool. I am sooo glad that He knows best! It has been the best thing ever for our family. I made a list of pros and cons, and on the pros were all kinds of wonderful things, and on the cons were only selfish things. Like, I want a clean house, I want to be able to go to lunch with my friends, I want to be able to exercise. Well, the pro list has grown in so many beautiful ways, I KNOW my kids. My kids are friends! We can talk about God whenever we want. We can drop everything and go to the park if we feel like it. They can move as fast or as slow as they are able in their schooling. This list can go on and on. The magazine The Old Schoolhouse is very motivating. You could subscribe to that. You taught your kids how to walk, talk, be polite, pray, sing their ABCs, why does that have to stop? It is sooo gratifying teaching them how to read, being there to hear it yourself, tailoring what you teach them to their God given interests. Is any of this helpful? You could email me if you have any specific questions. And don't let not having enough time in the day stop you from homeschooling. Just like everything else, some things will have to give. You just have to chose what the most important things are (like your children) and let other things go until you are in diffent stage in your life. Then you can post a blog about all of your tips about quick cooking! They grow up so fast. Do you really want them in school more than they are home? Pray about it. If you have your husband's full support, jump in! Let him be the principle. When I let my husband help pick out curriculum, we found the one that really works for our family. Pick a curriculum that works for YOUR family. We love ACE (Accelerated Christian Education) because I have limited energy, and the kids like the workbooks. When I first started homeschooling, I thought I needed to be really creative and do nature journals and stuff, which would be great, but like I said I have low energy. If you try one curriculum and you hate it, sell it at the next homeschool conference, and get a new one. That's another tip, go to your state's Christian homeschool conference. It is very motivating. Kindergarten is all about reading aloud to them, teaching phonics IF they are ready, numbers, cutting pasteing, coloring, playing, singing, and more playing. Good luck, and keep us posted!
Sandalola says
I'm only a grad student, with no family of my own (yet!), but I find your post to be honest and encouraging (I read your blog from time to time!). I didn't know you were a fellow believer! I pray that you will be able to find a balance in your life as things change. It's good that you recognize the things in your life that are out of sync. It's dangerous when we become complacent and let patterns fall into place without questioning and actively remembering what our true purpose is. I have to remind myself daily to not rely on my own strength. 🙂
5 Star Foodie says
It sure is not easy to find that perfect balance and be able to manage everything in your life! Do you know Chef E from http://cookappeal.blogspot.com/ She did homeschooling and I'm sure has many tips on how to do that.
My Little Space says
Don't worry, Diana! Yeah, no one is perfect and we just do our very best. That's all we needed to do! In our lives nothing is enough… not enough time, not enough money, not enough space….. SO WHAT! Life goes on as it does! Most importantly our family need us. We need to make lots of wise choices along our journey but be sure you made the right one! May god bless you, sweetie.
Best regards,
Kristy
My Little Space says
I've left something for you. Please feel free to drop by my blog to collect it. Have a nice day!
Mama Podkayne says
Thinking about you as I write my next blog post!
Diana Bauman says
Thank you everyone for the comments and encouragement! What a blessing, let me tell you, I've been blown away! Man.. God is so good, huh?! It's sometimes scary to put myself out there, but wow does it return so fruitful. It's been amazing to have received emails and the kind comments on so many of you mama's out there home schooling. I really feel led that this is going to be the direction in which I go with my kids. Of course, some things in my life will have to give. But that's okay. Like Kelli said above, it's only for a certain time and stage in my life. I want to spend the time that I have now with them! For sure 😀
Kelli – I didn't have an email for you. I want to thank you for your words of encouragement and honesty! I can relate that I was sort of excited to have more time for myself but know that I can offer my kids so much more if I spend that time with them. I'm going to look into ACE. If you can, please send me your email. I'd love to chat with you, especially when you move to Iowa! Would love to get to know you and get together!! Thanks for reaching out. It was truly a blessing!
Sandalola – Thanks for the encouragement!
Natasha – I'll have to stop by Chef E's place! Thanks for that!
Kristy – Thanks for the kind words my friend!! I'm heading over to your place 😀
Iowa mama's – Thank you for your friendship and encouragement ;D
Fuji Mama says
There is NO need for you to be apologizing! I find great motivation to work harder and learn more about what is going into the mouths of my family members. Thank you for striving to educate us and inspire us. I would hope that most of us realize that what goes up on your blog only represents a small percentage of what is eaten in your home. I love hearing that you see the value in occasionally ordering a pizza. That kind of weighing of priorities means you are human and are making good choices. Thank you for always being a light in the blogging world. LOVE YOU TONS.
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says
I totally admire your commitment to feeding your family good food and managing your priorities! I think you are definitely on the right track!
Noelle says
Diana, Thank you for being so open! The Lord will you in any and everyway, especially when you are transparent with yourself and others. I am glad to hear your perspective on balance especially with kids because it alerts me on how my life can be later in life. If my time and balance now as a newlywed is challenging, I can;t imagine how it would be. But I can! Through you! There are challenges and sometimes I question just like you do what my purpose in blogging or posting everything I do. My purpose is to share my faith and tell others about Christ. Not how many people follow me or are fans, etc. Thanks for honing this down and being an encouragement!
Lisa says
Hi Diana! Been thinking about what you said the re: people pinning a certain topic to you as your expertise … while I understand that you don't want food to be your passion but rather you want it to be Jesus, please also know that it's totally NORMAL! If you were a dentist, you'd have people telling you when they went to the dentist last … or avoiding you if they hadn't :). I once heard an interview with a former pastor who, early in his career, had mentioned that he had a passion for gay people. From that point on, he was the "gay expert." Any person having any ? related to homosexuality was directed to him. We pigeon-hole each other so easily! I'm sure the people who know you well know that you have multiple interests. Carry on!
Artistta says
I have recently been talking to a friend about home schooling my son. He's only 2 1/2, but it's on my mind all the same. I'm in the same boat as you in that there is always so much to do and it can be easy to let our kids/family be second after our "to do" list.
I wish I felt more confident about the school systems, Christian and public alike. I would love to see my son in school, but I'm feeling pretty strongly that home schooling is going to be the right path for us.
Seek our Father in Heaven and He'll show you the answers. I truly believe God is always present and speaking to us, it's just our responsibility to open our "ears" to hear Him. To often we put our desires, the worlds desires first and ignore what we know He is telling us to do. Good luck Dianna!
RhodeyGirl says
This post is seriously incredible. You are my inspiration!
I will admit that I sometimes feel overwhelmed by women (or men) like you. I try hard to do what I can, but I know I could do so much more! Would you ever considering sharing your history? How you got started in this whole world? I am hoping I am just a couple of years behind you…. but I'd love to just be sure. 😀
Also, although we do not go to church every single week, we are a religious and spiritual family and strive to always remember that. I feel like I need to work even harder at being a good wife, daughter, etc, as it is so easy to get distracted abour who and what is important now and again! Thanks for the reminder!