SCRIPTURE FOCUS:

It’s so enjoyable to come before You with uncontainable praise

spilling from our hearts!

How we love to sing our praises over and over to You, to the matchless God,

high and exalted over all! At each and every sunrise we will be

thanking You for Your kindness and Your love.

As the sun sets and all through the night, we will keep proclaiming,

“You are so faithful!”

Psalm 92:1-2 TPT

An Empty Nest

September is upon us, and I don’t want to let this month go by without recognizing those who are facing this season with conflicted hearts. It’s the time of year countless lives change. Our children grow up. We all face the day when our family life changes. Once my home was filled with joyful chaos–––7 children. 5 out of 7 homeschooled. Now it’s just Bobby, Elsie––my faithful pup, and me. My nest is empty.

I remember watching my last child drive out the driveway and marveling at how quickly our life all together flew by. For us, though, one by one, the children came back with their families in between moving in and out of homes, but then we’d watch them drive away again. And they should. It’s a good thing and the way the Lord designed it. Leave and cleave.

But how do we handle this time? It can be bittersweet––until we remember Whose we are. Jesus gently reminds us of this new chapter upon us, filled with His plans and purposes for the days and years ahead. He still has work for us to do this side of Heaven. This understanding brings fresh hope.

If we allow it, joy and expectation will fill our hearts instead of sadness. And when we reflect on our years behind us, and we will, we can thank Him for His faithfulness in the wonderful times we shared as a family and the hard times, as well. It’s okay to wipe away the tears that seem to fall so easily.

I know how hard it can be, making a switch to an empty nest. If you want to talk, please feel free to call or email me. I’ve got lots of experience waving goodbye with a brave smile as they drive out the driveway. Email me deb@debbiedufek.com. We can chat.

Streamlining Our Morning Departure:

Commit to Omit the Frantic Search

How well I remember the days when someone was missing a shoe. The bus would blow their

horn after waiting patiently for a minute. Not patiently enough because inevitably I’d watch the

school bus drive away without my child and I’d end up driving that child to school. Maybe it’s a

library book or a forgotten lunch. Or possibly gym clothes and sneakers have been left behind

and you get a call from the office to please run them to your child.

Today, I received a call from Jaime, our daughter who moved to Texas with her tribe. She got a call from her daughter, Sasha. She had forgotten her contacts. Sasha’s a girl who can’t see well at all without them, so I can’t help but wonder how she walked out without them. Jaime had to deliver them quickly so Sasha could continue her day. What if she had to punch a clock for work?

The Remedy: After struggling through too many harried mornings, I saw the need to develope a routine with my family that worked well. Before we’d say goodnight to our school- aged kids including those we schooled at home and even those heading out to work–––I’d ask them to lay out everything they needed so the morning wouldn’t be spent in chaos, searching for necessary items they couldn’t go through their day without. I avoided being overbearing, but I’d check the calendar to make sure they remembered what they needed for that given day. I did the same for myself.

The changes we made created a calm atmosphere in our home, and we sent our family out with a prayer and a smile. I commit to omit the frantic search! Memorize that line.

Home Schooling: The Joy of Planning Well

One of the tips I love to share is the importance of organized planning. If you haven’t fleshed out your year already, it’s wise to take time to do so asap. Divide your book contents into four. Once you know what must be accomplished each quarter, breaking your curriculum down into months, weeks, and days becomes an enjoyable task and brings a sense of relief. With the year laid out before you, you’ll see ahead of time what you need to make each week flow seamlessly.

One option is to plan at night, when the house is quiet. This didn’t work for me because I fold at night. Evenings are fine if you’re planning your week but planning the year needs hours of uninterrupted quiet. Once you take this time to plan, you’ll never go back to the scramble of an unplanned year. The best time to tackle this is the summer months after you’ve chosen and received your curriculum for the year ahead.

Oh, how I loved my homeschooling years. I was blessed to be able to teach my kids over the span of 24 years. It remains a passion of mine and I still have many opportunities to encourage home schooling families, especially mamas. If any of my readers need encouragement, please feel free to tap me on the shoulder. It would be my joy. I love chatting about all aspects of home schooling.

Family Hospitality: September is Better Breakfast Month

School, college, youth group, tired kids, new routines, and sheer exhaustion. Welcome to September and getting back into the swing of a new season. When it comes to opening our homes, Monday through Friday nights may not work to invite people over. So, when I found out September is Better Breakfast Month, I thought it would be fun to share a great hospitality idea. Whether you are empty nesters, widowed, single, or have a houseful, making a wonderful Saturday breakfast will bring joy to whoever you invite to join you. It’s a great idea to pray and see who the Lord puts on your heart to invite. You might be surprised at His answer.

Most people love breakfast. It’s easy, inexpensive, and lots of fun to share with others. You can either plan it ahead or be spontaneous. If you have a house-full, have all hands on deck. Our kids need to know hospitality is a family affair. If you’re really feeling creative, copy a few easy, healthy breakfast recipes to give to your guests––so important to eat a good meal before we start our day.

Here’s a favorite make-ahead breakfast you can grab on the run without having to cook in the early morning. Make it ahead and pop it in the microwave or toaster oven for a bit to warm it up. Serve with milk, oat milk, almond milk–––whatever your favorite is.

Being the Boss at Bedtime

Even if they’re the age where you may feel like they don’t even really see you, trust me–––they do. Our

kids may not admit to it, but they long for the one missing commodity in so many families–––time.

Our time.

Engaging their dad in bedtime routine makes it special for the kids and for our husbands. In our family we’d start by reading a chapter book together. Sometimes, my older kids would join us but not always. Usually everyone plopped together on the same bed. Then when our reading was done, we’d tuck everyone in, making the rounds to chat briefly and pray always. Unless a deeper conversation was initiated by one of our children, we kept the conversation light and encouraging. Sometimes Bobby. Sometimes me. Sometimes we’d be there together. Always one of us would do bedtime. Even with the bigs.

Doing bedtime together as a family says I love you without words. It creates a restful space––an atmosphere of peace. It takes the battle out of bedtime. The babies were a different story. Maybe next month I’ll share my baby bedtime story.

My Book Update: Holy Interruptions: When God Taps You on the Shoulder. Available in bookstores and on Amazon in November 2022

Team Member Gifts Are All Finished

Monday evening, August 22 nd , my daughters, granddaughters, and faithful friends gathered at Glory and John’s house for an incredible meal and an evening full of creativity. The gifts for my team members were created. They are beautiful! A huge thanks to Glory and John for their warm hospitality and thank you to all my family and friends who gave up their time to be a part of this special evening. I can’t wait to mail these out. Once the team is assembled, each team member will receive this beautiful gift as a token of my appreciation for your willingness to be a part of launching Holy Interruptions!