Inspired To Action » Create A Morning Routine

Why Moms Need A Mom Cave and How To Make One

Kat — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:47:03 +0000

Have you registered for the Summer HelloMornings Challenge yet? Today is the last day to register! Check it out here.

Introverts Unite!

With three kids and a work from home husband, there aren’t many places in my house where I can be alone. The problem is that my personality craves alone time. You might think I’m the craziest person in the world, but there have been times when I’ve sat or laid on the couch with a blanket over my head just to give me some sense of solitude…

There is just something about being alone that allows me to relax, breathe deep and recharge.

Whether I need solitude because I’m having a difficult Mom day or simply because I’m exhausted, I decided that napping under a blanket or hiding out in the bathroom just won’t cut it.

My Mom Cave

So I created my own “mom cave.” Check it out:

The beauty of it all is how simple it was to create. I didn’t need to add on to my house, it didn’t cost a penny and only took about an hour to set up. It’s my own little slice of introvert heaven.

How did I do it? Well, it’s also my closet:

I got rid of clothes I wasn’t wearing anyway and simplified things to one side. Then I kept the shelves that were there, moved an old office chair and pulled some unused decorations out to adorn the walls.

Voila! A comfy, cozy little nook for my morning Bible Study time, my Saturday writing time or my mid day “Mama needs a time out” time.

How To Make Your Own Cozy Mom Cave

What if you don’t have your own closet? What if it’s too small?

I’ve had several variations of my mom cave. In our first home, I had a couch and decor in a corner of my garage. It was a kids play area, but I also made it my little morning nook.

I’ve also made a space as simple as a bean bag and a flashlight in a regular small closet.

You could use a hall closet, or a linen closet.
You could use a home office or a guest bedroom.
Maybe an attic or basement would be perfect for you too?
Or perhaps a back patio or porch.

Make it Cozy

Whatever the set up, I try to make it a space I look forward to being in. It makes it SO much easier to get up in the morning when I know I have my cozy spot to look forward to.

Here are a few tips:

Tea and breakfast. I have a hot water carafe, tea bags and oatmeal packets that I fill each night so I can make tea or oatmeal in the morning.
Prepare. I set everything out the night before: My Bible, journal, iPad, tea, bowl etc.
Comfy Chair. The seating is comfy but not too comfy. It’s a mom cave, not a napping room.
Prepare for visitors. I keep a small blanket, pillow and a few books in there. Not for sleeping but for any early risers who come to visit me.
Varied lighting. In the morning, I use the blaring overhead light. It helps me wake up and stay awake. But I also have a little battery powered light for when I’m just trying to relax after a long day. The dim lighting is so much more peaceful.

The Payoff

The best part about my mom cave has been introducing it to my kids. One of my children wakes up at 6:30 every morning to join me and read.

When one of my daughters has a rough day, she’ll go sit in there too. The day I introduced her to the power of just sitting alone, praying and recharging, she left this picture on the marker board I keep in there:

In case you can’t read it, it says:

“Tears! Oh no! >> Resting Place >> Calming Down >> Happy Again.”

So precious.

Do You Need A Mom Cave?

Are you the sort of person that needs alone time? Don’t be afraid of your need for solitude, it might even be something your children need to learn as well.

Do you need a cozy place for your HelloMornings? If you find yourself needing quiet time every now and then, maybe creating a “mom cave” is a project to add to your summer list.

Does anyone else have the need occasional solitude? What space in your home can you repurpose for a “mom cave?” How do you find alone time? Click here to join the discussion!

--------- Free Resources Just For You!
Maximize Your Mornings eBook: Stop waking up TO your children and start waking up FOR your children.
Mission Statements for Moms eBook : Learn why moms need mission statements and how to make one of your own!
A Mother’s Prayer Calendar: A simple monthly calendar that will guide you through praying for your children.
Praying Daily for Your Husband Calendar: A simple monthly calendar that will guide you through praying for your husband.
Join our community on Facebook and Twitter!
Or browse all the resources at Inspired To Action here.

Announcing the HelloMornings Study: Love Like Him

Katie — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:15:55 +0000

Update: You can download the Love Like Him Study by clicking here and the Focused15 study by clicking here. They will be available for free through Monday the 14th.

Note: We are having an issue with our download provider. We are looking into it and will update when the PDF’s are available again. Thanks for your patience!

We are thrilled to announce the summer HelloMornings Bible study!

Love Like Him: Learn to Love Like Jesus

If I write pretty things or say “amen” to a sermon but miss the love part played out in the messiest of relationships, then I miss everything…

…Jesus-like love births out of the difficult. It dies for those hurling insults. It prays for those who accuse us. It crucifies the self-life and esteems others higher…

…when His love begins to blossom in what should be desolate ground—desolate relationships—we see Jesus. We catch a glimpse of His pure and perfect love. -Love Like Him

Love Like Him is an 8-week Bible study on love which points us to Christ and what it looks like to live out His love in our own lives. Based on the method taught in the book Savoring Living Water: How to Have an Effective Quiet Time, we will walk through several places in Scripture together. This study is designed to teach you about the love of Christ, but it will also train you how to study the Bible on your own, along the way!

We hope you’ll join us this summer on this journey toward loving like Jesus.

The summer session starts on Monday, May 14th, and we already have over 760 (and counting!) joining in the early-morning fun! You can find more details about the challenge and register here to join us.

Other Options for the Summer Bible Study:

If you are already in the middle of a study or feel led to something different, you are welcome to continue in that. You don’t have to do the Love Like Him study to be a part of the HelloMornings challenge!
Many of you have been involved with HelloMornings for a while now, and have gone through many of the studies offered for the challenge. If so, you may be ready and waiting for a way to dig even deeper into the Bible. We’ve designed this summer challenge for you to use the Love Like Him study alongside of the Focused15: 1 Corinthians 13 study.

How do I know which study to choose?

If you are new to studying your Bible, trying to get into the routine of regular time in the Word, or are limited to only 10 minutes a day you’ll want to stick with the Love Like Him Bible study.
If you have a bit more experience with Bible study, are ready to learn how to dig deeper in to the study, and have more time than 10 minutes a day, then the Focused15 study on 1 Corinthians 13 will be a good fit for you. Focused15 will take you through the first 4 weeks of the summer challenge; then you can finish up with the rest of the group with weeks 5-8 of the Love Like Him study. (Side note: the Focused15 study is designed to be done in 15 minutes a day, with room to grow for those who have more time than that.)

Put even simpler:

Love Like Him is more of a “beginners” study.
Focused15 is more of an “intermediate” approach to studying your Bible.
Each of the studies “match” in that everyone will study the same passages each week, just at a different levels.

Cool, huh?!

FREE Bible Studies!!

For the next week (through May 14th), the PDF versions of both of these studies will be FREE, just for you!

Go here to download the Love Like Him study as a PDF.

Go here to download the Focused15: 1 Corinthians 13 study as a PDF.

Both of these studies are also available on Kindle, and will be on sale for 99 cents through next Tuesday.

Get Love Like Him for Kindle. Get Focused 15 for Kindle.

We can’t wait to dig into the Word with you this summer! What has been one of your favorite Bible studies you’ve done in the past? What are your study plans for the summer?

________________________________________________

Jesus-lover. Pastor’s wife. Mommy of three. Grace-clinger. Truth-speaker. Auburn fan. Longing to equip others to walk with the Lord for a lifetime. Co-author of Savoring Living Water: How to have an effective quiet time, author of Focused15 Bible studies, and director of the HelloMornings challenge. Creator of Do Not Depart where you can receive encouragement and tools to abide in God’s Word.

Meet the New HelloMornings Team AND Join Us for a Live Chat with GIVEAWAYS!

Katie — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

We’re gearing up for an awesome time for our HelloMornings party!

Who: Everyone is invited!

Whether you have been a part of the challenge before, plan to join us this summer, or are wondering what HelloMornings is all about, we would love for you to join in the fun.

What: HelloMornings Live Chat

We will be introducing our awesome HelloMornings Team, chatting a bit about the summer and fall HelloMorning challenges, and will be giving away LOADS of prizes!

Where: Right here at InspiredToAction.com

The party will be held here on the blog. So, hop on over to the Live Chat page, bookmark the site, and RSVP while you’re there! (There may be a giveaway selected from those who RSVP by FRIDAY!)

When: May 1, 9PM EST

We will be hanging out for about an hour, and we’ll have giveaways throughout the night. You will not want to miss it.

Hope to see you there!

Your 15 Minute Transformation

Kat — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:57:43 +0000

What if you spent 15 minutes with Ann Voskamp every day for one whole month? Just a quick coffee and chat about your favorite things?

What if you followed that with a 15 minute chat with Jillian Michaels? Every day for one month.

How do you think those simple conversations would affect you?

I guarantee you’d have a keener eye for the gifts in your life and you’d put up a stronger fight against that last piece of cheesecake.

Why? Because passion and focus are contagious. Ann is passionate about gratitude. Jillian is passionate about fitness. And when you spend one on one time with someone, when you listen to them and share with them you can’t help but be transformed.

The Lowest Point In My Life

My very first real job crushed me. It required me to work one on one with my boss and I knew from the first week that I did not measure up to expectations. I was constantly corrected. Every meeting involved a little notebook where every wrong thing I did or said was written down. I didn’t have any other peers at that job, so the only input I had was that of my boss.

By the end of that job, my self esteem was lower than it had ever been in my entire life. I was convinced I couldn’t do anything right. The daily negative input from one person crushed me.

How My Dream Job Changed Me

Not long after that, I started working at KSBJ Radio in Houston, Texas. (The best job I could have ever even dreamed of…I love that place!) I was given more and more responsibility until my boss, Tim McDermott, decided that I should start a new offspring company for the station. I had no experience starting a new business, but he gave me the keys and let me drive.

After spending a few years at KSBJ, surrounded by people who believed in me, my perception of my working abilities was absolutely transformed.

What’s Your Soundtrack?

Friends, who do you listen to? Who do you spend time with? What is the soundtrack that plays in your life? There may be seasons in your life when you’re surrounded by wonderful people who lift you up or there may be seasons when you are surrounded by hurting people who bring you down.

I’m A Matchmaker

I spend hours and hours of time on this blog. I don’t to it to make money. I don’t do it to build a “brand.”

I do it because I’m a matchmaker. I know Someone who is perfect for you. He adores you. He knows all about you and is the fulfillment of every need of your heart.

And He wants to spend some time with you.

Can I encourage you…no…can I BEG you to know and be known by the One who wants you to succeed more than anyone else? The One who has plans for you and a hope and a future for you? The One who wants to tell you the EXACT things you need to hear?

If a 15 minute daily conversation with Ann would leave you more grateful, if 15 minutes a day with Jillian would leave you more fit, how truly and deeply will you be transformed by 15 minutes with the God who pieced you together perfectly with a specific plan and purpose for this very day in your life?

Put it on the calendar. A 15 minute coffee date with God.

Listen to what He has to say and let the transformation begin.

Share your story

When have you been encouraged by the words of others? Click here to share your story!

A Simple Summer Challenge and a Live Chat

Katie — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Note from Kat: This post is from our new Hello Mornings Challenge “Director” – Katie Orr. While I’ll still be writing and cheering you on, she’ll be the one to make sure everything is planned well and runs smoothly. We have some great plans in store for the upcoming sessions. Read on…)

We’re throwing a party…

…and, you’re invited! That’s right, you there, we want to hang out with Y.O.U.! We’ve created a SpreeCast to do just that. (A SpreeCast is a live video/text chat.)

On May 1st at 9PM EST we’ll be hanging out. Fun, excitement, and prizes will abound so be sure GO HERE TO RSVP for the party. It’s easy to join in the fun, we promise.

A Simple HelloMornings Challenge

We have much up our sleeves for the coming Fall HelloMornings Challenge, and to help us keep our energies on all the improvements we have planned, we are keeping this summer challenge short and simple.

Here are the details:

The summer challenge will be from May 14th to July 8th.
We will NOT be forming groups this challenge. You are welcome to stay in the group you are currently in, or form your own groups. We would love for you to find friends in your area, and/or your stage of life to create a group.
Registration will open May 1st, after the SpreeCast. (We will be having the weekly challenge emails, so be sure to sign up!)
We will be studying 1 Corinthians 13, using the Focused15 study method. (You are welcome to join the challenge and study whatever you like. This is just for anyone looking for something to study!)

There will be more details soon about the SpreeCast and the summer HelloMornings Challenge, so stay tuned so you don’t miss a thing!

We want to know: what was the most fun party you’ve attended? Share it with us in the comments!

Photo Credit

_______________________________________________

Jesus-lover. Pastor’s wife. Mommy of three. Grace-clinger. Truth-speaker. Auburn fan. Longing to equip others to walk with the Lord for a lifetime. Co-author of Savoring Living Water: How to have an effective quiet time and author of Focused15 Bible studies. Creator of Do Not Depart where you can receive encouragement and tools to abide in God’s Word.

For When You Feel Discouraged…

Kat — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:43:56 +0000

Maybe you made big plans to get up early and read your Bible, pray, exercise and plan. Maybe you hit the snooze button this morning. Maybe you’ve hit it every morning for the past month.

Maybe you’re feeling discouraged right now. Or maybe you’ve been discouraged for awhile.

Maybe your past echoes of brokenness, fatigue and failed dreams.

Have I got a story for you.

This isn’t a story of triumph. It’s a story of pain, falling short and unfulfilled dreams. But it’s also a story of furious love. And a reminder that faithfulness in the face of our failures can bring the greatest reward of all.

Last Place Never Looked So Good

Barcelona. 1992. Derek Redmon was Britain’s greatest quarter miler.

BANG!! Off to a good start, his prospects for the race looked good. Until…

Until his hamstring snapped. Yes, snapped. He stumbled and fell to the ground. With cameramen snapping pictures and the world watching, he was consumed with the pain of his broken body and broken dream.

And then? He made a decision. To finish. He knew he wouldn’t come in 1st, 2nd or 3rd. He knew he wouldn’t cross the finish line in victory. But he decided he would cross that line. So, up he struggled and he hobbled down the track, grimacing in pain.

Then, in the background, something happened in the stands. A man, older, gray-er than Derek pushed past people, waved off guards and ran down the track. His face was filled with the furious love of a father.

He pushed away officials. He pushed away security personnel. He pushed away anyone who dared interfere. He wrapped his arms around his weeping son and together they finished the race.

Few could name the winner of the 400 meter gold that year. But millions of people remember Derek’s faithfulness and his father’s furious love.

You Do Not Struggle Alone

If you are struggling, whether it’s with getting up in the morning or life in general, never believe that your Father’s love is any less furious.

He DOES NOT stand at the finish line awaiting your triumphant victory. He runs alongside you, cheering you as you go. And when you struggle, when you fall, He wraps His all powerful, healing hands around you and and holds you as you press on. Together.

He will let nothing get in His way.

Enough of my insufficient words. Read what David said in the Psalms and then watch the video below.

Psalm 18

4 The cords of death entangled me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.

5 The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.

6 In my distress I called to the Lord;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears.

7 The earth trembled and quaked,
and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.

8 Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.

9 He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.

10 He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.

11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him
the dark rain clouds of the sky.

12 Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning.

13 The Lord thundered from heaven;
the voice of the Most High resounded.

14 He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies ,
great bolts of lightning and routed them.

15 The valleys of the sea were exposed
and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke, O Lord,
at the blast of breath from your nostrils.

16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.

17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.

18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.

19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.

Grab Your Tissues Now…

(RSS and email readers, please click here to watch the video.)

Press on, my friends. For perfection is not our reward. He is.

(Originally posted on 2.14.10. I’m working on a group solution for everyone who had Hello Mornings Challenge registration issues. I’ll post it tomorrow or later today. Thanks for your patience.)

Hello Mornings Registration Problems? Get In A Group Here

Kat — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:14:19 +0000

Photo courtesy of Michelle

Did you register for the Hello Mornings Challenge, but never receive a group assignment?

It seems as though, when our registration server went down in early January, quite a few registrations went with it.

So if you are among those who wanted to participate in the Hello Mornings Challenge, and you registered and even received a confirmation email, but then didn’t receive anything after that, we want to make sure you don’t miss out.

Find or Fill a Hello Mornings Group

I’ve opened a new section of the Hello Mornings Challenge Forums where you can find or fill a group. Here’s what you’ll do:

1. Click here to register for the forum.
2. Once you’re registered, find the Section titled “Find or Fill a Group” at the bottom of the list.
3. Start a new topic and title your topic with:
A. Your name,
B. your Time Zone (PST, MST, CST, EST, Europe/Africa or Asia/Australia
C. Your preferred format (i.e. Facebook, Forum, Twitter, Any)

For Example

It would look something like this:
Kat – CST – Facebook or Forums

Or if you’re willing to use any format
Kat – CST – Any

Then you can join together with others to form a new group or you can also look in the Fill a Group section to see if there are any group openings that matches your criteria.

Don’t Delay

I’ll be closing this section of the forums sometime next week, so be sure to visit as soon as possible to find or fill a group.

Please note: I will not be assigning you to groups. This forum is to simply help you connect with others to join a group or create your own.

A Little Song for Everyone Else

Rss and email subscribers, click here to view the video.

And for those of you to whom this post doesn’t apply, here’s a little something for you. A brilliant song from the Robbie Seay Band (Baylor alumni represent!).

The song is called Rise. I remember the first time I heard RSB it was love song he wrote for his wife (so I didn’t know it was a Christian band) and I thought, “Why can’t all Christian music sound this excellent?” Then I went home, looked up RSB and found one of my favorite bands. Excellent lyrics, excellent music. Enjoy.

The Hello Mornings Challenge Free Theme Song: Rise Up

Kat — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:09:41 +0000

The Hello Mornings Challenge Theme Song

I’d mentioned on Twitter that we have a Hello Mornings Challenge theme song and I’m excited to share that with you today!

Note: Please be sure to read this whole post and *then* download the song.

I’d wanted a theme song for a long time, but I didn’t have a spare $2,000 iTunes gift card lying around so I didn’t know how to get it to everyone for free.

But then, I remembered that the perfect song is already free.

Last year, Baylor University (my alma mater) started a campaign to encourage fans to get excited about cheering on our teams. It’s called Rise Up and the theme song, played at every Baylor football game as the team exits the tunnel onto the field is a song by the David Crowder Band called Rise Up.

The lyrics are perfect. The song is perfect. The verse it’s based on is perfect:

“Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.” Ezra 10:4

And it’s available here. For free.

I don’t have a fog machine or 40,000 cheering fans to accompany your morning rising, but I do have this song. (And I love to imagine heaven cheering for you.)

Download it. Put it on your phone, cd or mp3 player. Keep your headphones by your bed. And when your alarm goes off, press play. If you can stay in bed while listening to this song? Wellâ€¦

Here is a video of the song:

Because Moms are Like 300 Pound Offensive Lineman

As I was looking for this song on You Tube, I came across this video for former Baylor offensive lineman Danny Watkins (now in the NFL) and, stay with me here… it really inspired me as a mom. Watch it and you’ll know what I mean.

Rise up.

Monday. January 16, 2012.

“Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.” Ezra 10:4

This is where weâ€¦make history.

What we are about to embark on with the Hello Mornings Challenge is no small thing. It’s not a cute “bloggy” challenge for adorable little stay at home moms, precious young wives or nice sweet Christian ladies.

It’s not about getting through a Bible Study or checking something off a list. It’s not even about the challenge.

THIS is about meeting with the living God who loves you beyond your wildest comprehension.

THIS is about consistently putting yourself at the feet of the One who can heal you completely, equip you thoroughly, and use you powerfully.

“Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.” Ezra 10:4

THIS is where we make history.

THIS is is the start of a turning point in your life.

THIS is a new fork in the story of your family tree. Your children and their children’s children will have hope to know God like never before because of the foundation you build each time your knees hit the floor.

THIS is what it can be. Not because the Challenge is awesome but because God is awesome. Everything you are not, He is. Everything you need, He has. His pursuit of you didn’t stop at the Cross. He is faithful to meet you.

“Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.” Ezra 10:4

You are standing in front of the wardrobe, my friends. Step in. Push through. Let the crisp air nip your nose. God is on the move.

Free Hello Mornings Bible Study and Bonus Printables!

Kat — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 14:50:21 +0000

We have some fun goodies for you today!

The Hello Mornings Bible Study

I’m happy to announce the Hello Mornings Challenge Winter 2012 Bible Study. Katie Orr and Lara Williams have been working hard on it and I must stay it’s excellent. Simple yet in-depth.

We’ll be studying Psalms and the theme of our study is Run To Him.

They’ve done a LOT of work, including alternate days for those who want extra reading, optional memory verses from the text and a great overview of how you can get the most from each days’ passage.

We’ll be doing this Bible Study in partnership with Katie’s blog Do Not Depart. So each Friday she’ll have in depth insight into that week’s passage and a fun opportunity to discuss what we’ve learned. If you’re signed up for the Challenge I’ll include the link to her weekly commentary in each email so you won’t miss it.

Please note that you don’t have to be part of the Hello Mornings Challenge to participate in the study. Anyone can download it and participate in the weekly discussions.

Download the Run to Him Bible Study here.

The Hello Mornings Printables

My blog friend Amanda from Grace in Our Moments wrote about putting together her own Hello Mornings Notebook and that prompted me to make available a few printables I use often in my morning time in case you all want to put together your own notebook.

Included are a revamped Weekly Overview (similar to the one in the eBook, but updated a bit), Prayer Journal, Daily Journal, Daily Overview and a Weekly Project Planning form.

Download the Hello Mornings Printables here.

I hope you enjoy all these resources!

For future Hello Mornings Sessions, what resources would you find helpful?

Last Day to Register for the Hello Mornings Challenge

Kat — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:31:04 +0000

Today is the last day to register for the Hello Mornings Challenge. If you or your friends want to sign up, please do so as soon as possible. I will close the registration form promptly at 5:30am CST tomorrow morning.

Click this link or the button below to register or learn more about the Hello Mornings Challenge here.

The registration form servers for the Hello Mornings Challenge were down all day yesterday and are still down today. (pray?) I’ll leave registration open today and possibly longer depending on when the form is back up and running. In the meantime, you can enter your email address here (please double check it carefully when you enter it) – and I will notify you as soon as registration is working again.

Thank you for your patience!

-Kat