jana's three dresses

Link to Bloom here for her candid interview.

I enter this journey of fighting the excess in my life with some trepidation. I am sure I am not the only one who wonders if I can do this, if I want to do this.

If you haven’t begun reading the book yet, I encourage you to do so. The book club discussion will begin next week here at jana’s three dresses, on my Facebook page, and at the Bloom site should you choose to participate.

I am beginning to ponder the first area of excess.

Food

I have additional ideas to Jen’s which I will share with you next week when we focus on that first chapter.

Let me just go ahead and say this, just because Jen Hatmaker conquered her excess in a specific way, doesn’t mean that you or I have to do it exactly the same way. You will see, as she introduces her Council of women, they each modified the project in some way, to fit their lives and their own journey.

Don’t feel limited. Be creative.

Maybe your seven areas are different than hers.

The fact is we picked up this book. We are aware there is excess in our lives and we want to change, to restore balance. You will all have great ideas that others can benefit from. Please share.

I look forward to hearing from you.

newly purposed,

jana

I had one of those moments yesterday morning.

You know the one.

Mama Bear protecting her Bear Cub.

It took everything I had not to rant in front of my two boys about how poorly planned their school open house was.

See the classroom. √

Walk the halls. √

Find the restroom. √

Tour the gym, library, and cafeteria. √

Review the routine for the first day of school. √

Meet the teacher. √

That is kind of important, don’t you think?

Only some of the teachers were there. By Choice. It was not required they be there.

My two boys: New Students. New School. Don’t Know Anyone. Hoping to Greet their New Teachers one time before the first day of school.

I don’t think that is too much to ask.

Daddy and I get to meet them tonight at Parent Open House. But the kids are not invited.

Umm…We are talking a first and third grader here.

I could see the disappointment on their faces. Heads that were first held high eager for that first meeting, were now cast down off sagging shoulders.

That is when I felt it.

Haunches rising.

Claws extending.

Tongue sharpening.

I was ready to let the sweet, kind, soft-spoken Guidance Counselor have it. Maybe that is why they sent her.

My two boys were standing right there. It hasn’t been too long ago that I was in their shoes and holding my breath that my mom wouldn’t say anything that would embarrass me.

I backed off.

Letting go. It is so hard. Trusting other adults to care for my children, to protect them, to make them feel welcome.

I bow my head in prayer.

LORD, I lift up these two blessings to you. Here you go. They are yours. You have gifted me with the joy of raising them, but I need your help. I can’t do this parenting thing without you. I mess up everyday. And, for that I am deeply sorry. Please forgive me.

I pray for their teachers today as they are preparing a place for them in their classrooms and in their hearts. May their time at school be filled with joy in learning and security in knowing it is a safe place for making new and lasting friends.

As I prepare my heart for letting them go this new school year, may you give me comfort and peace. Amen.

newly purposed, 

jana

I received 2 dozen responses for the Giveaway of “7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess” by Jen Hatmaker. Thank you for all for your enthusiastic support and participation!

Drumroll please!

All of your names were placed in a basket and my husband, with his eyes closed, drew out two names the good-old-fashioned way.

The winners of the giveaway

are…

Elisa @ kettersinkorea and

Crazy Blessed @

awaken2life.

Congratulations!

Please email me at janas3dresses@gmail.com with your mailing address so that I can get the book to you right away. Thanks!

So, for everyone else, I am sorry I don’t have enough copies for each of you. By the large number of entries, I can see that this topic of Excess is one many of us are concerned about.

Please get yourself a copy of this book. She is witty, transparent, and relatable in her discussion of her own struggle with excess. And, her message is timely, convicting, and practical.

Please join me here at the jana’s three dresses or at my Facebook page for a discussion of “7″. I will be following the schedule provided by the Bloom book club. Link to their site here.

Here is how I think it will work. {Please bare with me as I do a book club discussion via blog. This is my first time. I will need your patience as I work out the kinks.}

1. I will participate in the online discussion of the book at the Bloom site. A new chapter will be covered each week.

2. I will share my own thoughts, comments, and questions on jana’s three dresses.

3. You then have the opportunity to share here at my blog or at Jana’s Three Dresses on Facebook. Maybe you will even begin to apply some of the principles in your own lives and want to share those with us as well.

4. If you prefer to keep your comments to yourself, that’s fine.

5. You may also consider participating at the Bloom Book Club website. The first week, Jen Hatmaker will be interviewed by the Bloom book club leaders.

At some point along the way, I know am going to begin asking myself {I already am}, “OK, Jana, you are enjoying the book, but how are you going to make change in your life? How are you going to get rid of the excess?” I will probably ask you the same question. {That is why I am bringing you along for the ride. I want some company on this journey!}

This is where the book club gets interesting. Because you see, the ideas presented in this book are only good ideas if they cause change in us and in our families.

You will soon see like I did, that if Jen Hatmaker can do it, I can too! She makes it sound fun and rewarding. She gives us hilarious, real-life examples from her own “experimental mutiny against excess”.

As we go through the book, my hope and prayer is that you begin to encourage and support each other as we all try to get rid of excess.

I am not suggesting that this is going to be easy for me or you. It will be a challenge. I will be the first to admit that I can justify just about every purchase I make. But, I do believe it will be worth the effort.

This practice has eternal implications.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

Thanks again for your enthusiasm and support. I look forward to reading your comments and sharing with you in the discussion.

newly purposed,

jana

Link here: Molly at All the Grace Between wrote a post recently that resonated with me and reinforces what this journey is going to be all about. About Round Bushes, Psalm 823, and The Hunger Games

Okay.

I have a confession to make.

I received my copy of “7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess” by Jen Hatmaker  in the mail yesterday. (Check out the book trailer here.)

On my way out the door to the boys’ Tae Kwon Do lessons, I grabbed it “just to browse” and to see what all of the fuss was about.

Well, I am only a couple of pages in when I find myself laughing out loud {I received a few looks!} with tears coming to my eyes. Her candor and humor are intoxicating.

You are going to love this book!

I can’t put it down.

I tried to read parts to my husband last night. But, found myself struggling to get the words out because it was so darn funny I was cracking up out of control. I finally just had to pass the book to him so that he could read it for himself.

He was laughing, too. Good sign.

I did read through the intro and the first chapter on Food.

Here is a teaser:

“I am going with organic produce and free-range, cage-free chickens and eggs. I realize “free-range” can be as misleading as labeling Lucky Charms “heart-healthy”, but it’s a baby step toward healthier food and more humane farming practices. I’m deviating from my giant grocery store for the first time, so let me imagine my birds roamed the countryside in chicken bliss eating grass and frolicking with their fowl pals while the farmer pet their wee  chicken heads and gave them all names. ” (pp. 12, An excerpt taken from “7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess” by Jen Hatmaker)

Okay, so now that I have that confession off of my chest

Here’s my second confession.

I went shopping today. Little did I know that this book, “7″, would follow me there.

I was in one of my favorite discount clothing/household decor stores {which shall remain nameless}, when I heard a little voice in my head say, “Excess” as I placed an item in the cart.

I listened.

Debated in my mind for a couple of seconds.

And finally, relented, and put it back.

And there it stayed.

Quiet.

Okay. Next aisle.

A second time I heard the little voice say, “Excess”.

Now here I was standing in front of the aisle with wonderfully cute and, of course, functional travel coffee mugs.

{I think I remembered my husband saying something about his travel mug leaking.}

And, this one says it is “no-spill”. Well, I know and trust the brand. So why not give it a try?

Oh, and I need one too!

But, I didn’t stop there.

I decided that we should each have two of the same mugs in case one breaks, or we misplace one, or more likely, I get them home and the first ones really do leak. I need two backups!

So, here I go.

I put four of the same identical coffee travel mugs in my cart.

Can you say excess?!

This time I heard the voice.

But, I ignored it.

I really thought it was a good idea to have four “good and reliable” travel coffee mugs.

I continued shopping.

Finally, I am ready to check out, when I hear the voice again, and I know it’s reminding me about the coffee mugs.

So, very astutely, I kindly told the woman at the check-out that I didn’t need all four mugs and would she please take the two from me before I changed my mind.

Really?

I cannot believe I had this conversation and debate with myself. So silly in the whole scheme of things. But, I am glad I didn’t buy four of those mugs.

My second lesson on Excess involves….YOGURT.

Yep, that’s right – yogurt.

I am embarressed to say that we have four different types {not flavors} types in our refrigerator at this moment.

All of us like something different.

Drinkable. Greek. Regular. With granola.

Now that is downright silly!

To make matters worse, one of the boys is claiming the yogurt with granola is his and no one else can have it {and, no, I didn’t make him use his allowance money to buy it}, while the other son pleads to have one.

And, yet we have three other yogurt options in the fridge!

So, daddy and I decide, “No more yogurt wars!”.

From now on, we will only have one large tub of yogurt in the fridge, and a box of granola to add-in for those who prefer this option. Problem solved!

Excess.

Excess.

Excess.

This is getting ridiculous. Time to take back control.

“7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess” by Jen Hatmaker is a laugh out loud, be careful not to pee your pants, funny journey with the author as she battles the reality of excess in seven areas of her life. She will inspire you to take on the challenge of getting rid of life’s excesses in order to make room for Christ.

You don’t want to miss the opportunity to read and discuss this incredible book. {I am receiving no compensation for endorsing this book. It is simply an area I feel passionate about, and think Jen Hatmaker has a very fun way of approaching it. She makes me laugh!}

It is not too late to enter the drawing for a free copy here at jana’s three dresses. It will take place on Monday, Aug. 20th. I have two to give away. Click here for more details on the drawing for the book.

Let’s fight the excess in our lives together!

newly purposed,

jana

When darkness comes and gloom swirls overhead, I remember your faithfulness.

When words are locked inside and certainty is replaced with doubt, I remember your truth.

When life-energy is dried up by those who don’t understand and compassion is lost, I remember your mercy and grace.

When loneliness in this busy life of mine settles in when I least expect it, I remember your love and steadfastness.

When my heart aches for what I cannot have,

When sorrow replaces joy,

When my deepest longing is to be understood,

I remember…

You know me.

You count me a blessing.

You give me life.

“I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the LORD: O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul! Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful. The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.” Psalm 116:1-7

O Blessed Assurance, may my soul return to Your rest. Amen.

newly purposed,

jana