Let the party begin. Here’s our first stop!
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Hidden Art?
As I juggled a baby on one hip and wrangled a toddler with my free hand, my mom came into the room with a book for me. I think she saw my nose crinkle a bit when I saw the title – Hidden Art of Homemaking. At the mention of ‘homemaking,’ my mind immediately goes to cleaning or Martha Stewart type decorating – neither of which I’m all that good at. My mom drew my eyes to the subtitle which read: Creative Ideas for Enriching Everyday Life. She began to tell me of her experience with Edith Schaeffer and this book that revolutionized her view of the home.
Today, she wants to share a bit of that with you. She writes:
“Without a vision, people perish.”
Women today are told they can and should do something amazing with their lives…. and they should! So many doors are open to us….. What shall we do?
I, too, faced this decision many years ago. As a young married woman I wanted to complete my education and was considering a career that would not include having children. One book changed my life direction. Hidden Art by Edith Schaffer was momentous in giving me a vision of my life’s true work. It changed not only my mind, but my heart and my vision.
While many of my friends thought they wanted to be primarily stay-at-home wives and mothers, most of them lost the vision, or perhaps never had it. The vision of the opportunity to live an important, rich and personally fulfilling life as a fulltime homemaker and mother. Most of my friends found homemaking and mothering boring and unrewarding. And if homemaking is only the drudgery of cleaning and laundry, I see why so many women flee.
But homemaking can be more. We clean as one small part of creating a home where we learn, where we love, where we live the abundant life. Hidden Art will give you inspiration to be an artist in your home. Not a “professional” artist, but a cultivator of beauty, learning,
joy, and living in a home where your family will rejoice to be with you.
PS. Three months after reading this book, Heather was conceived. And three months after her birth I met Mrs. Schaffer. She held Heather and prayed for her, imparting a blessing on Heather who now experiences the hidden art of homemaking and is encouraging a new generation of young mothers. ~ Colene
Inspired, I went home and started reading. Edith Schaeffer beautifully reminds us that we are created in the image of a Creator God and that we can both worship Him and reflect Him in all kinds of everyday creative endeavors. Hidden home life as an act of worship? Could this hidden art be a means of living out the reality of my faith? YES!
Edith writes:
“I would define hidden art as the art found in the ordinary areas of everyday life. Each person has, I believe, some talent which is unfulfilled in some hidden area of his being – a talent which could be expressed and developed.”
I liked that she didn’t pigeonhole creative expression into a tiny box. I felt both free and inspired to embrace who I was in my creative expressions. I found that I appreciated my friend’s talents more without being envious. And I had a new-found appreciation for how my mom had raised us and the unique way she expressed her ‘hidden art’.
I think that every woman, no matter what her stage in life, would benefit from this book because of the vision it imparts in how the ordinary can be transformed into the exquisite, when fused with joy and creativity.
Foundations: For the Children’s Sake
[Your Child] is a separate human being whose strength lies in who he is, not in who he will become – an individual who thinks, acts and feels…
Fast forward another year or two. I am furiously and joyfully researching educational philosophy. This is a particular fascination of mine, fueled both by my love to teach and my love for biology, especially neurophysiology and the science of how we learn.
I had been reading many educational philosophers and loving much of what I was reading. I wanted a developmentally appropriate approach to education that respected each child’s pace and one that sparked their natural inborn curiosity. During all of this research, I remember thinking about what this kind of education, what this kind of life would look like lived out from a Christian perspective… As I continued my research, I found myself once again blessed by the Schaeffer legacy when I read For the Children’s Sake… Susan Schaeffer Macaulay, in the same vein as her mother, talks about living out a Christian worldview in the home – specifically in the area of raising and educating our children. She is credited with ‘rediscovering’ the ideas of the 19th century educator, Charlotte Mason. This is not a homeschool book, but rather a book that addresses the need of all parents to take ownership over their role as primary influencer. No matter what educational route you take, her book gives parents much to think about in how we approach our children and paints a beautiful, but counter-cultural view of education.
She speaks of education as being an atmosphere. It isn’t merely doing ‘school work’. She explains that children flourish in the invigorating atmosphere of sharing truly worthwhile interests with those around them. Having education as an atmosphere, as a discipline, as a life means that we as a family embrace learning at every turn. We value our children as individuals and seek to feed that natural inborn curiosity that each of them have. We delve into beautiful books that ignite the imagination. I wrote more about this book when I discussed some of my favorite education related books.
These two books and the effect they had on my own upbringing have influenced how I cultivate the culture of my home and cultivate learning. These books put into words and validated what I was intuitively trying to live out.
Giveaway:
My mom, who gladly talks ‘education’, ‘discipleship’ and ‘life’ topics with me and modeled this kind of life, wants to bless one of you dear friends with a copy of both of these books. We pray that they affect your life as they have influenced ours as you live out the reality of your faith in the everyday and cultivate a home where you learn.
You can enter to win using Rafflecopter below. Leave a blog comment and press the +1 button to unlock other options for more entries. Giveaway ends at midnight (AZ time) on Friday 03/15/13. The winner will be emailed and announced on the giveaway widget below. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to the email or a new winner will be selected. All entries must be documented within the Rafflecopter widget below. Giveaway is open to US residents only.
Subscribers just click here to come over and enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
linked to: Hip Homeschool Mom’s Giveaway day
Such an encouraging post! I am considering homeschooling my 3 oldest next year to awaken in them a love for learning again which seems to have been lost in public school. I really resonate with “She speaks of education as being an atmosphere. It isn’t merely doing ‘school work’.” Glad to have discovered your site and this helpful series!
I want to leave a legacy of making better decisions than I ever did!
The legacy that I would love to leave my children is that I tried my very best at everything I do. I want them to think, ” my mom never gave up, so I cannot either!” If I can strive to keep my patience, I may just make it through the teenage years! Thanks for your wonderful blog. It helped and touched my heart. Thank you again! =)
I just found your sight a week or so, ago…wow! I have enjoyed it so much! Thank you.
I would love to read these two books. If I don’t win…I might just have to break down and buy them 🙂
I also wanted to add…I don’t know your mother personally, but from what I have read you are so blessed to have a mother that is able to provide such wonderful resources, and help! In today’s culture so many in our generation are stumbling in the dark trying to figure it out, as was our own mothers. Cherish your relationship…but, I think you already due 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway! God bless you and congrats on your new blog!
Would love to get these books! You’ve told me about them and I read about them in one of Sally Clarkson’s books too. I’m stepping into this homeschooling journey in faith, and excitement, knowing that to accomplish anything, I must abide and be connected to the branch! I know it will be and is now a struggle in letting go of myself and seeking God’s strength and power.
I’ve read For the Children’s Sake and loved it, so it would be great to add to my bookshelf. After reading your description I’m anxious to read the Hidden Art book as well. Thanks for the reviews and opportunity to win copies!
Both of these books are real gems! Thank you for hosting such a great giveaway!
I would love to read these books! I struggle with certain aspects of homemaking and parenting (I’m sure everyone does!) and would love the encouragement of these books.
Ooooh, I would love to read The Hidden Art of Homemaking! With our culture seeming so captivated by convenience and consumerism these days, it sounds refreshing. I am experiencing how quickly children grow, and I hope to make the most of everyday with them. Thanks for sharing this!
I want to leave a legacy of faith, hope, and love. Love the post, those books look great!
Would absolutely love to read The Hidden Art… AND WOW! You were linked by the Hip Homeschool Moms!!!! FABULOUS!
Those books both look interesting. I enjoy being a mom of two little ones, but it gets a bit overwhelming at times. Advice from someone who’s gone through it already is nice. 🙂
I actually have For the Children’s Sake, it’s a wonderful resource for homeschoolers. I’ve always wanted The Hidden Art of Homemaking but have never been able to get my hands on a copy. It looks wonderful!
I love the new site, Heather. And what a neat way to kick things off here. I have so much respect for you and for your mother and the legacy you pass along. I love when you share the books and resources that have impacted you, because I want so badly to pass along a Godly legacy to my daughter (and any other kiddos that come along) and it wasn’t something that was modeled for me growing up.
I just heard “For the Children’s Sake” recommended by another mom last week and would love to read both of these books!
These sound like just the books I need to be reading.. I’m needing some encouragement in the homemaking department. I hope my legacy is someone who strives to know God better each day.
I have read and own both these books. I refuse to give away either of them!!! But I have a very special mommy I would love to give copies too. This would allow me to bless her.
I would like to leave a legacy of freedom in Christ for my children. In a world with so many options I would like for them to learn to exercise their God given freedom and self control to pick choices that honor and protect their relationship with Jesus.
I love these books! I read them many years ago and would love to have new copies on hand to share with our daughters, who are new mommies. These books inspired me in so many ways, and I hope they’ll inspire them as well. ♥
Debbie – Thank you! I hope that many from our generation share these books with our daughters. The books and truths are timeless!
I love the new site Heather! I want my kids to grow up to not only fear the Lord, but also passionately pursue Him. To be obedient listeners of His voice.
I want to teach my boys to love and serve God!
The legacy I want to leave for my children is one of love, laughter, Christ loving relationship , traditions and memories…and chocolate cures most ailments.
Amen. Laughter and love are truly contagious and you excel in modeling both of these!
I’ve read both of these books, but don’t own either. I really, really like Edith Shaeffer’s books. Thanks for the opportunity!
Opps, didn’t see what kind of comment I was supposed to leave. I want to leave a legacy of compassion and a love for Christ.
I love reading your blog, it provides so much inspiration!
I love hearing from your mom and the beautiful impact she’s had on your life! I haven’t heard of either of these books, and they both sound wonderful!
~Jessica
Oh, and I’d love to leave a legacy of Christ!!!
Oh Jessica, You will love both these books. They are right in line with much of what you write about!
A godly, rich, flavorful, memorable legacy.
Those two books were a major part of the foundation of our home and home school journey as well! In addition, the works of the Institution for Creation Research played a pivotal role in establishing our foundation upon God’s word. Answers in Genesis continues this crucial work; see their site for books, videos, and their marvelous Creation Museum!
I’ll have to check out Creation Research! My mom found an Answers in Genesis book from the thrift store and we are LOVING it right now.
What a lovely book bundle. I would love to read Schaeffer’s book and have grandchildren whose mama would likely enjoy Susan’s book. Thank you Heather! The new site is terrific!
Above all, I hope my girls see that we love the Lord with all our hearts and trust in Him.
These sound like awesome books to help any homemaker. Being new to being a mostly stay at home mom, I’ve struggled with ‘boredom’. Thankyou for this opportunity to win some great books.
You will love it, AJ. It definitely changes ones perspective by giving a sense of purpose. I also appreciate how Edith Schaeffer broadens the scope of creativity in the home. Any woman can reflect creativity in her domain, no matter what her given interests and talents!
I want my kids to have a Christ-centered legacy. I hope they have a turbulent, wild, fun mission for the Lord.
Love this. It’s a bit crazy-scary and yet so cool to pray for turbulent, wild fun work for the Lord!
What a beautiful post, Heather. It sounds like you have a wonderful mom. (It’s nice to meet you here, Colene!) The new site looks great as well.
these books sound amazing… esp as I struggle to feel like I’m doing ‘mom’ well.
I hear you on the struggle. Been there… I think you’ll love these books as they turn how we view ‘motherhood’ on its head. It’s who we are, not what we do.