Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Bees and Blessing

This year, like every year, we start the year off slowly and build up to where we’re going. This approach has helped to make back to school less hectic and more fun for our family. In this episode, I’m sharing how we get started in the fall.

Hustle. Grind. Work. These are the prescriptions we’re often given by society as the only way to have our goals accomplished and live our best life. But I’ve found that the constant hustle leaves so many of us drained, depleted and even further from our goals. I’m this episode, I’ll catch you up on where I’ve been and how I’m choosing the valley in this season to make room for what’s important for our homeschool this year.

If you know me, I don’t believe in one size fits all homeschooling. What works for me may not work for you! In todays episode, I go over some of the pros for both year round homeschooling and taking the summer off.

We all have a lot to do but I’ve learned you can’t do it all. I’ve learned a secret: creative neglect. Intentionally ignoring certain things for a bit to focus on the most urgent.

This is a quick one but I hope it’s helpful!

Reading doesn’t have to be a battle for your hesitant or struggling reader. Here are a few things that have helped us overcome some of our reading struggles.

I’m ready for summer and if we’re up to me? We’d spend these last few weeks spring cleaning and watching movies. But I’ve committed to educating my children at home and that’s what I will do!!! Feeling a little tired of school and ready for the sun? It’s normal but we can still end the year strong!

I know I had a lot of assumptions about homeschooling before we started. Some were right and some were not! In today’s episode, I’m going over 10 assumptions about homeschooling that I found on the Google!

Sometimes it’s so busy you don’t even have time for a long episode description! Enjoy this episode about how to continue (or not!) homeschooling when it’s busy.

Not a planner? That’s ok! Would you believe me if I told you I plan our entire homeschool year in about an hour? It’s true! Planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming and if it is, you’re doing it wrong. I hope this episode gives you some ideas on how to plan your homeschool year stress free!

I fought it as long as I could, but the truth finally caught up with me. I needed a morning routine. Since November 7, 2022, I’ve been practicing the morning routine I’m going to share with you today and it has made a huge difference in the flow of my day.

Just like with anything, you have to decide what you and your family are comfortable investing into your homeschool program. If you like all the shiny new things, that's great, but if you are finding yourself spending a little more than you plan to on your homeschooling, I hope this episode will help you see some ways that you can homeschool more frugally.

School is not just the worksheets, quizzes, spelling words, math facts, U.S. Presidents, and state capitols. Learning happens all of the time every day. Don't limit yourself or your learner to thinking learning only happens at the table or with a book. We have opportunities to learn all around us. Everything is School!

When I first started homeschooling in 2020, I scoured the internet for tips on how to get started. I watched hours of YouTube and read articles into the night. Everyone suggested something different and some of the things they suggested, I had never heard of. This is the list I wish I had when I started, and I hope it helps you.

It’s that time of year again. New Year, New Me! And I’m here for it! I love the New Year. I love the start of a new day, week, and month, too. I just love the opportunity to start over. Every year, I put together my hopes and dreams. Where do I want to go? What do I want to accomplish? What do I want to read? There are so many things you can do, but should you? What can you accomplish this year by focusing on the one thing that will make all of the other things easier or unnecessary? Check out this podcast as a blog @ beesandblessing.family.blog

In the fall of 2020, we homeschooling and haven't looked back. We are in our 3rd year and things are getting better every year! I'm learning what works best for our family and schedule.

I'm starting this podcast and my blog to encourage newcomers that you can homeschool your kids. I want to remind veterans that they are building a foundation that will help their children accomplish their dreams and reach their potential. I want to share the joys, the struggles, the victories, and even the failures that come with the blessing of choosing to home educate our children.

Home education has added so much value to our lives and I want to share that with you!

Check out this podcast as blog @ beesandblessing.family.blog

You heard it here first: Seeking God, Loving Others will not be coming with us into the new year. It’s been an amazing time recording podcasts about simple Christian living but I’m making the transition to better line up with where I am in life. Bees and Blessing will go live next Friday, January 6th. It’s a podcast about homeschool, homemaking, and home life. If this isn’t for you, I understand but thank you for being apart of Seeking God, Loving Others!

Did you know that there is a biblical way to handle difficult relationships? God's word is filled with instruction on handle money, familial issues, and even conflict. As believers, we operate by a different set of laws. In this episode, I'll talk about how to approach conflict in a relationship using God's word.

Have you ever tried walking against the force of a lazy river? It’s hard, but not impossible. I’m sharing how I intentionally chosen to pursue a life of less over the pass few years and how surprisingly, it has made my life feel more abundant than ever.

Does your Christian walk ever feel dry and stagnant? In addition to remaining in Christ, it’s important to remember the desire and passion we had for God when we were first saved.

Summer is winding down and it’s time to shift into fall! Today’s episode is about bearing fruit in the season you’re in. Jesus told his disciples before his arrest, death, and resurrection they had to remain in him in order to bear fruit and it’s no difference for us!

I love living in a part of the country where I get to experience seasons. While summer is my favorite, I can appreciate the unique things that each season gives. I love the color of the leaves in the fall, the cleanness of a fresh winter snow, and seeing the trees regain their green jackets of leaves in the spring. If we aren't careful, we can take for granted what each season has to offer in our lives and grow to either resent where we are or cling to a season that has been gone for a long time. In this quick episode, I hope you enjoy joy talking about how we can appreciate whatever season of life we are in.

I recently read a book by Dan Charnas called Work Clean. Amazon describes the book as "The first organizational book inspired by the culinary world, taking mise-en-place outside the kitchen. Every day, chefs across the globe churn out enormous amounts of high-quality work with efficiency using a system called mise-en-place—a French culinary term that means “putting in place” and signifies an entire lifestyle of readiness and engagement. In Work Clean, Dan Charnas reveals how to apply mise-en-place outside the kitchen, in any kind of work." 

Of course, my mind went to how can this apply to the life of a believer? Are there certain things that we can put in pace as believers to live highly effective lives that influence the Kingdom of God? Of course there are! Good gave us a sort of spiritual mise-en-place in Ephesians 6:10-18 when he welcomed us to put on the full armor of God. In today's podcast, I'll be talking about this armor and how to use it!

Hello friends! I have been gone for a few weeks but I’m excited to be back and share all of the things that have been happening. This is just a life update so if you don’t care about my life, you can skip it and I’ll cry later!!

I have been stuck in the book of 2 Kings with the Shunammite woman for months now. I suppose “stuck” is not the best choice of words. Stuck has a negative connotation and implies that someone is in a place they’d rather not be. So I’ll say that I’ve been “stationed” in the book of 2 Kings. There is a purpose, a responsibility assumed when someone is stationed, like in the palace guard or in the army. I feel like I can’t move on from this story because God keeps showing me more things the longer I stay there. (That’s a whole different message!) As I get ready to leave the land of Shunem, I wonder where God will take me next. The final installment of this series ends with the last event recorded from the Shunammite woman’s life. In 2 Kings 8:1-6, the Shunammite finds herself in need of one last miracle from God.

As we finish this story about the Shunammite’s son, let’s look at why it’s important to be patient in the process. One click buying and same day delivery are great, but our culture is losing the ability to wait for results. But sometimes the answer to our issues are found by being patient during the process.

Optimistic thinking, positive affirmations, good confessions. You may have heard of these ideas. You make think they're crazy, or maybe you do them everyday. But confessing good things over you life is nothing new. In fact, it's Biblical! Join me to day as we talk more about the amazing life of the Shunammite woman from 2 Kings 4.

I read an amazing book last year by Jon Acuff called Soundracks. He talks about replacing negative patterns of thinking with helpful, positive ones, or as he calls them new soundtracks. This idea is not new. Philippians 4:8 encourages us to think positively as well. "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." In 2 Kings 4, there is an account of someone who did just that. Instead of focusing on what was going wrong, the Shunammite woman (I talked about her last month in Make Room) confesses boldly "Everything is alright!" when literally everything was falling apart. Over the next few weeks, I'll be writing and talking about her story and the incredible testimony of God's provision, healing, and restoration in her life.

We’ll, I’ve gotten the chance to practice what I preach! What do you do when life just gets a little crazy and you’re doing everything you can to keep it together? You stay consistent in what really matters!

Today, I'm chatting with my friend, Amy Wolfe, the Director of Development for Safe Families Wisconsin Chapter. When Amy and her family opened their home to two little girls in 2019, she had no idea that this decision would open her eyes to the opportunities we have as the body of Christ to be a blessing to our community. Safe Families for Children is a family preservation movement motivated by radical hospitality, disruptive generosity, and intentional compassion to keep children safe and families together. They bring church and community together mobilizing an army of volunteers to advocate for vulnerable children and socially isolated families. Their goal is to grow a national movement of change agents passionate about protecting children and preserving families in communities across the nation and the world.

The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World 

https://www.safefamilieswi.org

Here is Victoria's story

What is Safe Families?

There is an amazing story in 2 Kings 4 about a woman who isn't even named but whose story has been used as an example of radical hospitality and disruptive generosity to this day. What would happen if we opened our hearts and homes to others to be the blessing and impact that God has called us be? Find out in today's episode what happens when we make room.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:7-10

We've declared this a Year of Yes for God. We've identified the distractions and how to overcome them. So how do we actually say yes? Thankfully the answers are found in the book of James.

What is one of Satan’s favorite tools to use against God’s people: distraction. He may not get us to curse someone out or lie to your spouse, but he can get us distracted. I want to talk about 3 types of distractions that will keep us from giving God our best yes this year.

Let’s give God our best Yes in 2022! I recently watched the movie YES DAY and began to wonder what would happen if we gave a YES DAY to God? What if whatever God asked us to do, we did it? What if when we saw the homeless person and felt the pull to buy them dinner, we did it? What if we prayed for the cashier at Walmart that is clearly having a bad day? We have an opportunity every day to commit to give God our best YES!!

Solomon wasn't leaving the building of the temple of God up to chance. In 2 Chronicles 2:5 he says, “The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods."

The temple that God has given us (our bodies) should be great. Our families should be great. Our finances should be great. Our relationships should be great. Our churches should be great. Why? Because our God is great! You don't have to have all of the answers, because you can seek the God who has them. But you can take some time to prepare as best as you can and leave the rest to Him.

Are you planning for success for 2022? I am! I’ve heard for years that “If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail” and this quote has proven to be true in my life more times than I’d like to admit. But we can take steps to make this next year our best year!

When the day comes for Solomon to take his position as king, it was time for to begin building. But he does something else first. HE PRAYS. He has the right job, the right supplies, the right crew and yet he still stops to inquire of the Lord. What if we did the same thing in our lives? This week, I encourage you to ask God to guide you in planning your New Year!

It’s coming. Prepare yourself. NEW YEAR, NEW YOU! But if you don’t have a plan for how you want to grow in 2022, I’m sorry to tell you, it will be NEW YEAR, SAME YOU. Maybe your life is perfect and you don’t have ANY room for improvement. If that’s the case, will you take over this podcast? Or maybe, like most of us, you want to see yourself grow closer towards the purposes and plans God has for you, improve your relationships, get your money together, or start a new hobby. Whatever the new year holds, it’s up to us to prepare for it! Church out the blog @ JasmineLozano.com

They say running a running a marathon is one of the hardest yet most rewarding moments in a person’s life. I don’t know who “They” are but they were right! In today’s episode, I’ll be recapping the race and what I learned through this experience. You can read the blog @ JasmineLozano.com You can still donate to my fundraising goal through November 22 @ teamworldvision.org/participant/270274

It's the weekend of my marathon! You guys have been along for the ride and know I get a lot of my blogging inspiration from my runs. In today's episode, I want to talk about how to run the race that God has marked out for us and tips to help us focus on our own journey. You can read the blog @ JasmineLozano.com You can still donate to my fundraising goal through February @ teamworldvision.org/participant/270274

How often do we neglect the things we love because our energy is spent on other things? Jesus said in John 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey my commandments." Today, I talk about how this plays out both spiritually and naturally.

We don’t get to choose everything that happens to us or around us, but one thing we can choose everyday is the pec of God.

“Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.” ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭5:19-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God gave us a wonderful gift in the Sabbath. We have an opportunity to recharge and relax but many of us choose to continue to hustle. Join me today as we break the ice in a conversation about intentionally resting.

There are things in our lives that God wants to revive! Dreams, goals and desires that appear dead could just be sleeping. Let’s wake them up!!! Blog: JasmineLozano.com Marathon Fundraiser: https://www.teamworldvision.org/participant/270274

Today, I’m talking about pain. No one likes pain, well most people don’t! Pain is time consuming, it’s frustrating, and it hurts! But it’s a signal. Something bigger is going on when there’s pain. Oftentimes, we try to treat the symptoms of pain rather than fixing the problem. In today’s episode, we’ll dive into this idea a bit more! Blog: JasmineLozano.com Marathon Fundraiser: https://www.teamworldvision.org/participant/270274

Thanks for coming back! Really! I don't know if you've missed me as much as I've missed me, I mean you! LOL! I have missed locking myself in my bedroom and rambling to you guys. Today, I just want to share what's been going on with me since we last chatted and where my mind had been at lately. You can read this weeks blog @ JasmineLozano.com and if your interested in donating towards my marathon fundraiser, you can do so here: https://www.teamworldvision.org/participant/270274

“You are only going to be as good as the people you surround yourself with, so be brave enough to let go those who keep weighing you down.” -Ziad K. Abdelnour In this week’s episode, we’ll look at the type of people you want and don’t want in Your boat. Sometimes our lives are not heading in the right direction simply because of who we’ve allowed to be a part of it. Enjoy the last episode of the season in this two part series, Who’s in Your Boat? Read the blog @ jasminelozano.com ** Season 1 is wraps up today July 16th with Season 2 starting the first Friday of September. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

“You are only going to be as good as the people you surround yourself with, so be brave enough to let go those who keep weighing you down.” -Ziad K. Abdelnour In this week’s episode, we’ll look at a group of sailors who had the wrong person in their boat. The story of Jonah not only shows what happens to a man who disobeys God, but how it affects innocent bystanders. Sometimes our lives are not heading in the right direction simply because of who we’ve allowed to be a part of it. Enjoy the first episode of this two part series, Who’s in Your Boat? Read the blog @ jasminelozano.com/2021/07/09/whos-in-your-boat-part-1-of-2/ **New episodes will now be posted on Fridays!! Season 1 is wrapping up July 16th with Season 2 starting the first Friday of September. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

Do you struggle with perfectionism? I know I’m not the only one! The Bible has the answer for you in Ecclesiastes 11:4.