Pursuit of Titus 2 Womanhood — Daily Ramblings of a stay at home mom about Motherhood, Marriage and Life and embracing Proverbs 31 standards.

January 19, 2012 By MystiquaK 2 Comments

Moms these days are so very busy, but we’re more stressed than ever before and in need of lifestyle choices that help us be happier. Pursuing a hobby may be just the ticket.

Here are a few reasons why a hobby is a great idea, even for a busy Mom.

Having a hobby relieves stress and tension

Spending time with a hobby replaces negative thoughts and replaces them with positive thoughts and feelings. Having a hobby or creative outlet can lift your spirits and help with depression.

Unlike passive activities like television viewing, a hobby provides intellectual stimulation while simultaneously relaxing you. Repetitive actions like those used in knitting are especially calming.

Hobbies help you parent better

We are so good at signing our children up for lessons and classes and encouraging them to have hobbies, even paying for these classes and driving them to and fro! But we forget that we also need to learn new things and grow as people. Hobbies also connect you with other people who share your interests.

A hobby can help you maintain your separate identity as a real person and not just as Mom. This models healthy habits and boundaries for our kids.

Hobbies provide a refreshing change from your daily routine

If you’re a stay at home Mom, you may be frustrated because at the end of the day you can hardly point to anything you’ve “done”. This is because of the repetitive nature of housework and childcare.

In generations past, women pursued hobbies like quilting, sewing, knitting, crochet and embroidery not only because they were enjoyable but because they provided tangible value to the family, either providing clothing for their backs or much needed income.

Some hobbies like tennis, gardening or dancing lessons can even provide great exercise with all of its accompanying benefits. The best exercise activity is one that combines mind and body and is enjoyable to pursue.

Why not carve out some time to pursue your hobby Mom? Don’t let a shortage of time stop you. Rearrange your schedule and put YOU back in it, and start carving out time for your favorite pastime. Cause if we do not take care of ourselves…who is going to take care of our family?

Filed Under: Motherhood

January 18, 2012 By MystiquaK 1 Comment

Okay whew! I have changed my blog design I know three times this week…trying to find the right “feel” that represented me and what it is I wanted to get through when viewing. I finally made some adjustments and now: HERE I AM! I am so excited to be sharing this blog post today as it is dear to my heart.

On yesterday my husband and I celebrated the anniversary of the day he proposed to me. YAY! I know…we as women tend to celebrate all types of anniversaries but this one was very special. See if any of you have read my testimony then you will understand.

I remember it so vividly…we talked the entire week about going out to dinner at the Olive Garden that Friday and I was so excited. You see, I did not suspect anything because he always had something romantic planned for us. As we were driving he started talking about how he did not think he was ready for marriage because of everything he had been through in the past. Of course at the time I told him “I understood” but inside I was not only crushed but I was fuming! LOL

Once we got to the restaurant we were seated at a table and the waitress brought us our salad and bread sticks. Of course, I did not say much at this point (I was a little disappointed) and asked if he could bless the food before we began to eat. As we were praying he started to pray this extra long blessing and although I was trying to concentrate on blessing our food, I could not help think “why is he praying so long over this food?” My stomach was growling and I wanted to eat! LOL

When he said “Amen” and I repeated “Amen”…I opened my eyes to find him down on one knee (in front of the entire restaurant looking on) with this beautiful diamond ring open in front of me asking me to marry him! *Fans myself and faints* Grinning from ear to ear I said “YES YES YES!”:)

I could not believe what he did…he had me fooled big time as I was not expecting that! LOL I am happy to say that we will celebrate our 5th year wedding anniversary on March 31, 2012 and it has been the best 5 years I have ever experienced.

He is a man after God’s own heart and I LOVE him dearly!

In participation with Women Living Well Wednesdays link up. Visit here and find more blogs to read and be blessed by their stories.

Filed Under: Marriage

January 8, 2012 By MystiquaK 3 Comments

Have you ever had one of those days where you look back at your life (or past year) and realize that everything that you wanted to do you didn’t? Well I am having one of those mornings and I must say…2012 has got to be better.

Do you mind if I vent a little and let off some pressure?

My family is in a season of unemployment right now, my husband has been laid off for two years now. Yes he has done odd jobs here and there and has gone on multiple interviews but has been turned down for some of the smallest jobs due to “over qualification”. I had no idea there was such a term. Now, I look back and remember reading an article about the U.S. unemployment rate and thought about how this could have happened to our family?

I mean, just three and a half years ago, we were sitting on a nice nest egg, fully insured and in the process of closing on our first home…Then it happened. The week before closing there was a major lay off and my hubby was included. I thought my world had shattered. We could not by our first home…I was crushed.

We then became a product of the unemployment percentage and it has been and up and down hill battle for the past two years. But when I look at it in a positive light. God used this time and season of unemployment for HIS good because now, things that I use to look at being good did not matter to me any more. Although we had lost our rental home and had to move in with my parents for a while…we even went through a period of homelessness (two weeks to be exact) to sometimes not even having food to eat. But GOD provided for us. This scripture always come to mind when I think about it:

Matthew 6:26-34

26“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28“And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32“For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

In reading and reflecting on this scripture, it also helps me to understand that God in fact, WILL provide for us.

Although we are still going through this “season”, it has also allowed me to look at it in a new perspective and as a new opportunity. Maybe our Father is trying to tell us something…I do know one thing though…2012 holds a lot of great things for our family and I am excited about the things to come. Thank you for allowing my to share my heart with you on this day. ~God Bless~

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Filed Under: Bible Study

January 7, 2012 By MystiquaK 2 Comments

Meditation…When I first heard this word I immediately thought “Eastern Mysticism” or some guy wrapped in a toga with incense and a gong in his hand hitting it over and over. Honestly I thought that there is no way Believers in Christ should practice any forms of meditation. That is until I read the scriptures and understood what the Bible really teaches us about meditation on God’s Word.

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:2

Do you see what happened here? The Bible states to “Meditate therein day and night” I could not believe that my God wanted me to meditate!? But I thought meditation was a Hindu custom…until I realize in what sense I should meditate. Meditation upon God’s Word (the Holy Scriptures) is totally different from the Eastern form of meditation that is practiced in Hinduism. The Hindu form of meditation is emptying your mind to become one with the universe versus biblical meditation is filling your mind with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

How can Biblical meditation help you as a wife, mother and keeper of home you ask?

1. As a Wife – Meditating upon God’s Word can help you guide you in your role with being your husband’s helpmeet. When you focus on God’s Word and read scriptures pertaining to your role as a wife it can cause you to see all the needs that our husbands have and help us to Biblically meet those needs.

2. As a Mother – Have you ever had a “Mommy Moment” when you felt as if you had no idea what you were supposed to do and felt hopeless or overwhelmed in raising your children? I know I have…but meditating on the Word of God allowed me to see the seeds I was planting in my children to help them become men and women of God. Although it may get hard at times but meditating on our specific role as a mom can help us get through each day.

3. As a Keeper of Home – For me this has been a big one! Having a very large family sometimes trying to keep the home in an orderly fashion gets really overwhelming at times but when I steal away and begin to meditate on God’s Word and His promises, I am reminded of the blessing it is to be allowed the opportunity to even stay at home to keep it.

So, meditating on the Word of God not only helps us to understand our own significant role as a wife, mother and keeper of home, but mainly our role as a daughter and servant of the Most High God!

Thoughts for Action:

How has meditating on God’s Word helped you in your own personal life? Today take some time to meditate on the wonderful Word of God and really bask in His presence.

My Prayer:

Lord, I want to be a virtuous woman

Whose price is worth more than rubies.

I want my husband to trust me in his heart,

And find happiness in me.

I want to do good things for my husband,

And not tempt him to deny his faith.

I determine to dress appropriately at all times

In the best available clothes I have.

I will do whatever is necessary

To get the appropriate food for my family.

I will get up early to prepare food

So my family will have nourishing meals.

I will use the ability You gave me

To buy a field and plant food for my family.

Lord, give me strength to get everything done,

And moral strength to stand for the right.

I know my task in life is good;

Help me do the best job possible.

Lord, give me wisdom to do everything for my home,

And the self-discipline to get it done.

Give me a compassionate heart for the needy;

I will give money to help them.

I will prepare for all types of weather,

And make sure that all of my family are comfortably clothed.

Proverbs 31 Woman Prayer

Lord, I want to be a virtuous woman

Whose price is worth more than rubies.

I want my husband to trust me in his heart,

And find happiness in me.

I want to do good things for my husband,

And not tempt him to deny his faith.

I determine to dress appropriately at all times

In the best available clothes I have.

I will do whatever is necessary

To get the appropriate food for my family.

I will get up early to prepare food

So my family will have nourishing meals.

I will use the ability You gave me

To buy a field and plant food for my family.

Lord, give me strength to get everything done,

And moral strength to stand for the right.

I know my task in life is good;

Help me do the best job possible.

Lord, give me wisdom to do everything for my home,

And the self-discipline to get it done.

Give me a compassionate heart for the needy;

I will give money to help them.

I will prepare for all types of weather,

And make sure that all of my family are comfortably clothed.

(Taken from”Praying the Proverbs” by Elmer L. Towns)

Filed Under: Bible Study, Home Spa Series

January 7, 2012 By MystiquaK 2 Comments

I am honored to have received the Liebster Award from fellow blogger and sister in Christ: Taylor Cares

She is a great writer/blogger and beloved sister in Christ and I have thoroughly been blessed by her blog posts. Please visit her as I am sure you will be just as blessed as I have been.

The Liebster Award is given to up and coming bloggers (like me ) who have less than 200 followers, in the spirit of fostering new connections. Liebster is a German word that means ‘dearest’ or ‘beloved’, but can also mean ‘favorite’. The idea of the award is to bring attention to blogs with less than 200 followers. (see note) The Award comes with a few rules.

You’re supposed to:

1. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.

2. Reveal your top 5 picks for the award and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

3. Post the award on your blog.

4. Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the blogshere – other bloggers.

5. Hope your recipients pass the award to their 5 favorite blogs to keep the love flowing.

And with that I would like to award these 5 blogs the Liebster Award…*drum roll please*

Beauty and the Green

SAHMCity

LaTersa’s Diaper Cakes

Well Watered Woman

365 Psalms

These are a few of many blogs that I have had the pleasure of reading and felt I should pass this award to them.

Filed Under: Blog Awards

January 6, 2012 By MystiquaK 7 Comments

With the expectancy of my sixth baby, I thought I would talk about all the “advice” I have been getting since I have been pregnant this go round. Namely—OLD WIVES TALES…

It’s all great to hear advice during your pregnancy, especially unwelcome advice. I’m sure you’ve been told by one person or another how to live. Am I right? It only gets worse the further along in your pregnancy you are. Someone will want to tell you that you shouldn’t bend, raise your arms over your head, or walk a certain way, not to pick up a baby in case you hurt the one in your stomach or put yourself in labor. Oh yeah, and my favorite: “Don’t talk about anyone because your baby will come out looking just like that person!” LOL As the pregnancy gets closer to the due date you’ll be told many different home remedies of how to put yourself in labor (think castor oil…yuck!). Got a headache? Someone can tell you exactly what to drink to get rid of it without any medication, remember it is important to ask a doctor before trying to take something you’ve never tried before doing it. But the most fun I have during the course of the 9-10 months stretch is hearing all the wives tales, also known as myths.

I’m pretty sure you aren’t going to even care at this point what sex the baby is, all you want is for the morning sickness to stop and sometimes that doesn’t happen until the very end of delivery! (Go figure!). You may even be counting down the days until the first trimester is over. Chances are if you have morning sickness someone is bound to tell you what the sex of the baby is. One wives tale is if you are having severe morning sickness is a sign you are having a girl. Which in my case has been very true, my sons did not have me sick all day. I think it is the extra estrogen or “drama queen syndrome”.

Here’s a wives tale that is a lot of fun and you can test it on everyone in your household. Take a thin piece of string or your hair, slide your ring down it, hold it above your belly and let the ring dangle above it. If the rings spin in a circle it is a boy, but if it goes from one side to the other, it is a girl. Once you’ve tried it out on your tummy, get someone in your house and do it above their hand. Does the ring spin in a circle above your husband’s hand? Hmm, is it really and old wives tale or is there really something to it?

Many women claim to suffer from bouts of heartburn during the pregnancy, according to the old wives tell this would mean your baby will be born with a head full of hair.

Right before the end of your first trimester your doctor will listen to your baby’s heart rate, this is to make sure the baby is doing alright. The wives tale goes, if the heart rate is high it is a girl and a low one is a boy. Don’t you just love these?

Ever have someone tell you that you are carrying high or low and wonder what that really means? Basically if you are carrying your baby low it is closer to your abdomen, a high baby is closer to your chest. Look at yourself in the mirror. How is your baby sitting? The old tale says that if you are carrying high it is a girl, carrying low is a boy.

Wives tales can be a lot of fun but keep in mind these aren’t fact. Don’t go preparing your child’s room just because one of these told you, you were going to have a girl. What are some of the “Old Wives Tales” you have heard when you were expecting? Leave a comment below!

Filed Under: Motherhood

January 4, 2012 By MystiquaK 9 Comments

For 2012 I have decided to forget the things of old and focus on the NEW! Won’t you join me in honoring His Holy Word.

Isaiah 43:18-19

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁸ “Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
¹⁹ Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert

Filed Under: Word Filled Wednesday

January 4, 2012 By MystiquaK Leave a Comment

Please excuse the mess as I am getting an entire blog makeover to express & reflect who I am.

Blessings!

MystiquaK

Filed Under: Uncategorized

January 3, 2012 By MystiquaK 2 Comments

New at Titus 2 – Greetings, Follow Up & *NEW* Home SPA Series

Hello and Happy New Year to ALL of my subscribers! I know that it has been months since my last post and I am very sorry that I have not updated sooner. A lot has gone on in my life personally these last couple of months. I have gone through a miscarriage and have moved into a new place as well as am pregnant again with my sixth baby due in May 2012. My family has gone through financial burdens, personal burdens and health burdens. I am however happy to say that everything is back to normal and the storm has calmed tremendously over the past couple of weeks. Thanks to the Most High Father in Heaven! Hallelujah! I am so excited about this 2012 year…There are a lot of things in store for Pursuit of Titus 2 and I am glad to be on this journey.

Being on this sabbatical for the past couple of months gave me a chance to think about what my passion was and looking back at the year 2011, I realized that all the dreams and goals I have and had I let my circumstances (personal) get in the way of my achieving the goals I had in place. Not anymore…I realized I am a child of the Most High Father in Heaven and through Him and only Him can I achieve those goals of following my passion. Please join me in introducing…*fanfare*…HOME SPA SERIES!!!! *streamers*

Every week we will talk about a way to devote at least 15 minutes a day into our normal routines at home! Let’s learn together how to bring our very own spa experience into our homes by creating an oasis of nurturing beauty to help relax, renew, rejuvenate and refresh ourselves…*whew* sounds fantastic already!!! How many of you need some MOM-”Me” time?

Why I decided to add a new series?

Being a stay at home mom to five children with one on the way, there are certainly days I just want to curl up under a rock and forget all the pressures of the world.

Having to be a mother to two teenagers, one school-aged child and two toddlers who are exactly one year apart on the same day!? And on top of that, expecting a new arrival coming May 2012…Not to mention I am married to a wonderful hunk of a husband [Hi Honey! ]that is an evangelist/minister of the Gospel, who is also a self employed personal fitness trainer and wellness coach. My days are busy, busy, busy!

Oh yeah, not to mention the oldest son who is a “superstar” basketball player…the next to oldest son that absolutely “loves” animals…the middle son a “superstar” soccer player…my only daughter (until May 2012) is an aspiring “prima” ballerina (go figure…read my story) and the baby boy…well he is TWO!

So you see? In between supporting my husband, meal planning, cooking, cleaning, basketball games, soccer games and two toddlers who constantly want to watch the Wonder Pets and anything that has annoying music…*smile*

There is no wonder that there is any time left over for me to do anything for or even to myself.

This is how the Home “SPA” Series was born. Why a Home “SPA” Series you ask? Simple…Where do we as moms, especially stay/work at home moms spend most or our time? HOME of course! Sometimes we don’t have the time to go to a physical spa or anywhere outside the home for some much needed pampering. Also many of us that are on a budget just simply can not afford to spend the money. Therefore we have to create ways to bring that very same spa experience to the comfort of our home.

This is how the Home “SPA” Series was born.

You Will Discover:

- Natural ways to integrate “Mommy – Me” Time techniques in just 15 minutes a day for self care and beauty.

- How Christ-centered prayer has a positive effect over your life.

- Ways to de-stress by using aromatherapy and essential oils.

- How to make bath and body products to use from home.

- How your mind, body and spirit effect your overall health and beauty.

- Product reviews on some of my favorite mommy products.

- Mentions of research on natural health and beauty.

- Beauty and skin care tips and regimes.

- Parenting articles of different kinds.

- Mom’s Night In & Pamper “Mom-ME” Parties

And most importantly – how to relax, renew, rejuvenate and refresh by creating an oasis of nurturing beauty at home!

For years I had a love for everything SPA…I even loved the way the word sound as a I spoke it. It gave me a sense peace, relaxation and refreshing bliss. Now I am blessed to share this with you.

Filed Under: Home Spa Series

December 29, 2011 By MystiquaK 2 Comments

Many years ago, I suffered from a condition known as panic disorder in which I would have episodes of anxiety attacks and depression. There were days that I literally could not make myself get out of the bed or even eat anything. Any and everything that I tried to do and set my mind to would literally fall by the wayside of uncompleted tasks that were piling up. I would start things…stop things…start some more…stop some more…never finishing what I had started.

Naturally I am a small frame person, but I remember my anxiety and depression being so severe that my weight plummeted eight pounds in one week! No, I am not kidding…

At the time, I was an inactive independent representative with a bath, body and spa company and decided to incorporate the techniques that I had learned and taught at my in home spa parties. And to my surprise…these techniques began to really work and have a tremendous effect on my overall health and well being. Not to mention my skin was GLOWING! It gave an exuberant radiance that constantly got compliments and questions about what I was doing to get and keep my skin looking radiant. Even my husband noticed the glow!

Who knew? Just taking 15-20 minutes a day (30 if you can milk it) to actually pamper and nurture yourself could have an overall affect in your health, beauty and well being?

What am I saying? I am saying that creating a self care lifestyle is not selfish in any sense of the word but a way to renew yourself, refresh yourself and rejuvenate yourself to wholeness. We as moms need to be renewed wholly to take care of our families because we can not take care of families if we do not take care of ourselves.

Filed Under: Self Care Lifestyle