Feathers in Our Nest

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Ministry Then and Now

March 27, 2019 by Aliesha

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how different my ministry looks now than it did a decade ago.

During my last three years of college, I was meeting with five to six people on a regular basis. We met for discipleship and accountability, and we read Scripture and good books together. We shared the hard stuff in our lives and we prayed together. Sometimes we sat in the hall of our dorm eating cereal while it was still dark and roommates were sleeping. Sometimes we grabbed lunch in between classes and finished sharing prayer requests as we sped-walked to our next class. Sometimes we shared notes from our journals and discussed what the original Greek words meant.

As a member of campus leadership, I memorized this definition of discipleship: Discipling others is a process by which a Christian with a life worth emulating commits himself or herself for an extended period of time to a few individuals who have been won to Christ, the purpose being to aid and guide their growth and maturity, and equip them to reproduce themselves in a third spiritual generation.

Discipleship looks different now, ten years later. I’m currently discipling five little people every day, and it’s no less valuable than the focused times of Scripture reading and prayer with college girls in 2005-2009.

My kids ask tough theological questions. They want to know more about who God is and why they can’t see Him. We read the Bible, yes, but we also read the Jesus Storybook Bible a lot. We talk about the resurrection and what it means that the curtain tore in two. They memorize the answers to catechism questions, and we talk together about the sermon from Sunday.

More than that, though, they see Tad and me living as flawed believers day in and day out. They see me reading the Bible in the morning when they come into my bedroom. They see me cry about things that break my heart. They see me sin, and they see me ask for forgiveness.

Maybe you’re in a season that looks a lot more like my life today than my life ten years ago. Maybe instead of early morning Bible studies, you’re doing early morning cuddles and mid-day boo-boo kissing and sweet bedtime prayers that turn into please-make-them-sleep prayers.

This discipleship you’re doing matters to Jesus.

Then people brought little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.

Matthew 19:13-15

The disciples in this passage minimized the importance of ministry to children. We don’t know exactly what they were thinking, but their response indicates hearts that thought Jesus was wasting His time by praying for little children. Perhaps they thought He should be spending His time pouring into adults who truly mattered.

But Jesus’ response showed His heart for children: “Do not hinder them. For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Let this be our heart as well as we continue the important ministry of discipling our own children. This is kingdom work.

Filed Under: ministry, parenting

Fall 10×10 Capsule Wardrobe {Planning}

October 17, 2018 by Aliesha

Fall 10x10 Capsule Wardrobe 2018 | Feathers in Our Nest
I am trying something new this fall… a capsule wardrobe! And a 10×10 capsule wardrobe at that! Simply put, a capsule wardrobe is a smaller number of pieces (tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes) that you can mix and match to create many outfits that fit your style and you feel amazing in!

A capsule wardrobe doesn’t need to be expensive or difficult to plan. In fact, with intentionality and thoughtful planning, you will have MORE outfit combinations because you can mix and match all your items in new and creative ways! Go through your closet and pick out ten favorite items to wear for ten days!

I’m going to be sharing my Fall 10×10 Capsule Wardrobe over on Instagram each day starting on October 22! I’m joining my friends @thequickjourney and @lizzyloveshealth to share outfits that are perfect for mom life! I’ll be sharing in my stories what I wear each day and how I combine these core pieces together to create at least ten different outfits.

As a sneak peek, I wanted to share the items I have chosen! Some of these items are old, and a few are new. I linked the ones I could in order to help you find the same or a similar piece for your own closet.

Here are the items in my Fall 10×10 Capsule Wardrobe 2018!

Fall 10x10 Capsule Wardrobe 2018 | Feathers in Our Nest

Dark Skinny Jeans – Rinse

Fall 10x10 Capsule Wardrobe 2018 | Feathers in Our Nest

Light Wash Skinny Ankle Jeans – Light Pachuca

Fall 10x10 Capsule Wardrobe 2018 | Feathers in Our Nest

Paper Bag Waist Pants – Olive

Fall 10x10 Capsule Wardrobe 2018 | Feathers in Our NestFloral Flutter Sleeve Top – found at Ross (SIMILAR | SIMILAR)

Fall 10x10 Capsule Wardrobe 2018 | Feathers in Our Nest

Ruffle Sleeve Knit Top – Winter Wine

Fall 10x10 Capsule Wardrobe 2018 | Feathers in Our Nest

Long Knit Tunic – Blush

Fall 10x10 Capsule Wardrobe 2018 | Feathers in Our Nest

T-Shirt Swing Dress – Wine Red

Fall 10x10 Capsule Wardrobe 2018 | Feathers in Our Nest

Pointed Toe Ballet Flats – Nude

Fall 10x10 Capsule Wardrobe 2018 | Feathers in Our Nest

Suede Booties – found at TJ Maxx a couple years ago (SIMILAR | SIMILAR)

Leather Feather Earrings – gold (from this shop)

I still have one more “slot” open in my fall capsule wardrobe, since I only have nine items picked out! I’m waiting to see what the weather holds to decide on my final core item! Deciding between a cream wool cardigan or another lightweight top!

Want to join us for the Fall 10×10? Follow me on Instagram and let me know you’re jumping in on the challenge!

ALIESHA CALDWELL IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR SITES TO EARN ADVERTISING FEES BY ADVERTISING AND LINKING TO AMAZON.COM.

Filed Under: fall, fashion

Resources for Homeschooling Spelling Practice

August 6, 2018 by Aliesha

Resources for Homeschooling Spelling Practice | Feathers in Our Nest

We are gearing up to start a new homeschooling year, and I’ve been collecting SO many amazing resources, books, and curriculum to use all year long! Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing more about what we’ll be using this coming year for all our children.

To start things off, I am sharing our Spelling Box! This is a box that multiple children can use to review their spelling words (or even practice handwriting). Two students will have official spelling lists from their language arts curriculum (Vera and Cordelia), and one student will be practicing some sight words during the year (Jude).

Resources for Homeschooling Spelling Practice | Feathers in Our Nest

I bought some of THESE amazing boxes at Michael’s (linking to Amazon so you can see the exact product, but they are much cheaper at Michael’s) so we can use a box system for school this year! We will have a spelling box and a math box, and then Vera, Cordelia, Jude, and Theodore will all have their own individual boxes with their books and assignments (or, activities, for Theodore).  The idea with the spelling box is that when it’s the time of the day for one of the children to review their spelling words, they can grab the spelling box and pick one of the ways for reviewing their spelling words. They have at least ten different options for spelling practice!

Resources for Homeschooling Spelling Practice | Feathers in Our Nest

I ordered some of these mini chalkboards, and they came with a chalk marker. The kids will love writing on this and using the marker! I might also order some of this chalk… looks really nice! Has anyone used it? Worth it?

Resources for Homeschooling Spelling Practice | Feathers in Our Nest

I picked up a roll of “chalkboard” washi tape at the dollar spot at Target, and I thought it would be fun for the kids to tear off strips of it and write their words on it. Anything to make practicing spelling fun, right?

Resources for Homeschooling Spelling Practice | Feathers in Our Nest

I tucked in some dry erase boards and dry erase markers. The one above is from the Dollar Tree (but not recently). The cute little cactus dry erase board eraser is also from the Dollar Tree!

Resources for Homeschooling Spelling Practice | Feathers in Our Nest

These smaller dry erase boards are from the dollar spot at Target! The one on the right is for handwriting practice, but the one on the left can be used for writing spelling words.

Resources for Homeschooling Spelling Practice | Feathers in Our Nest

I picked up some bigger pencils (these) to help with correct pencil grip, since they have a triangular shape that makes it easy to hold them the proper way. I also bought some word list pads at the homeschool convention.

Resources for Homeschooling Spelling Practice | Feathers in Our Nest

I ordered a bunch of fun pencil grips, since a couple of my children are still learning the correct way to hold their pencils!

Resources for Homeschooling Spelling Practice | Feathers in Our Nest

Even though school hasn’t officially started, THIS cool little “tablet” has already been a hit! I don’t know how it works, but they use a stylus to write on it, and then you tap the button at the top to clear the screen. NO FRILLS but it’s a fun way of writing word lists, taking notes, etc.!

Resources for Homeschooling Spelling Practice | Feathers in Our Nest

Jude will be using this new Wipe-Clean book for reviewing phonics and spelling at the beginning of the year, then I’ll move it to Theodore’s box! Vera used this one last year, so Cordelia can probably use it this year! We LOVE our Wipe-Clean books!

Resources for Homeschooling Spelling Practice | Feathers in Our Nest

I tossed this vintage Tupperware stencil in the spelling box as well!

Resources for Homeschooling Spelling Practice | Feathers in Our NestOf course this game is fun to play, and we will also use it to spell out words! Vintage Scrabble tiles work great too!

Resources for Homeschooling Spelling Practice | Feathers in Our Nest

Probably one of the more fun spelling practice ideas is this sand tray and kinetic sand! They can use their fingers or the wooden tool to write their words in the sand! This is also something Theodore can play with when the others are doing their work!

Resources for Homeschool Spelling Practice | Feathers in Our NestI also bought this book to read throughout the year! It has mnemonic devices, poems, and funny illustrations to help remember spelling and grammar rules!

A few additional spelling practice ideas I may implement this year:

-index cards + markers
-letter cards
-watercolors (paints + brush, OR waterbrush pens)
-watercolor pencils (and then trace over with a brush dipped in water)
-refrigerator magnets (have some, just need to bring them out again)
-dry erase writing on the windows (this is ALWAYS a hit)
-toss a ball back and forth and say one letter of the word with each toss

What creative ideas do YOU have to share? What ways do you make spelling practice fun at your house or in your classroom?

THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS AND/OR LINKS TO MY ONLINE BOOKSTORE WITH USBORNE BOOKS & MORE.
ALIESHA CALDWELL IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR SITES TO EARN ADVERTISING FEES BY ADVERTISING AND LINKING TO AMAZON.COM.

Filed Under: books, homeschooling

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This blog shares our family's story and our journey from newlyweds to a family of seven. We share milestones, we share struggles, we share sweet memories, and we share about our Savior. Keep reading...

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At Feathers in Our Nest, you can expect to find delicious recipes, homemaking tips, practical advice for frugal living, resources for those who are in ministry, inspiring links, and cute photos and stories about our children. You can browse older posts by checking out the Tips & Tutorials Page or the Recipes Page. Thanks for visiting! Read More…

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