Top 10 Posts on My Blog in 2016

Looking back over the year to see which articles have been read the most is always a treat. You all visit for cleaning tips, definitely. But you also show up for encouragement, inspiration, and community. Here are the 10 most popular articles that I wrote in 2015 & 2016 (go here to see the most popular that were written in 2014 and earlier). If you missed any, be sure to check them out!

10. Housekeeping Tip #2: Find Your Mission Field (It’s Closer than You Think)

Nurturing souls, whether they’re in our living rooms or across the world, is no small task. And when we can offer a soft place for our families to land, when we can welcome others in without hesitation, we’re uniting together to offer havens, refuges, from a sometimes harsh world.

This difficult, monotonous work of sweeping floors and scrubbing toilets is not in vain. Creating and maintaining order within our own four walls is one of the most important works we’ll ever do. Not because a clean house in itself is so important, but because having a clean home opens up our lives for so much more.

Read about how to find your own mission field here.

9. Dear Messy Housekeeper {There is Hope for Your Home}: 5 Tips from a Fellow Mess-Maker

I know what your house looks like right now. Yesterday’s dishes aren’t rinsed, there are crumbs and toys on the living room floor, and laundry is everywhere except the drawers…

No, I’m not spying on you. I just know your type because I am your type. In fact, if there was a contest for being the worst housekeeper ever, I just might win the prize.

But you know what? Not being a naturally good housekeeper doesn’t mean we can’t learn…

Read the full article for 5 realistic ways you can find hope for your own home.

8. Housekeeping Tip #5: Look Ahead

Sometimes we look at a mess and feel overwhelmed. But when we can look past the mess and envision how we’ll feel when the room is clean, it’s much easier to accomplish the needed tasks. Get some free motivation here.

7. Housekeeping Tip #1: Know Your Why

It’s nearly impossible to stay motivated enough to make lasting changes in our homes if we don’t really understand why we’re doing it. Read my why and discover more about yours here.

6. 8 Books That Will Help You Break Free From A Too-Busy Schedule

Too busy? Wish you could simplify your schedule? Me too! This area has been a huge struggle for me, so I’ve read a lot of books about how to simplify life. This post shares a little about the ones that have impacted me the most, because I think they’ll help you, too.

See the book list here.

5. Fill Your Cup: Resting When The To-Do List Isn’t Complete

Being forced to completely set aside my to-do list for two solid weeks last winter reminded me that life goes on, even when I’m not the one doing.

“If we wait until every item on the to-do list is crossed off, the kitchen sparkling clean, and every sock matched neatly in the drawer – if we wait for life to be perfect and neat before we rest and embrace the moment, we’ll spend our entire life waiting. Never embracing. Always rushing, exhausted, on fumes.”

If you struggle with resting, then I think you will feel encouraged by this post.

4. 5 Homeschool Mom Books That Will Help You Slow Down, Savor Your Kids, And Rediscover Your Love Of Homeschooling

I absolutely love good book lists! And this list includes some of my absolute favorites. If you’re a homeschool mom, or if you know a homeschool mom, definitely check this out. And if you only get one book? Choose Teaching from Rest. I finished it months ago and my homeschool hasn’t been the same since (in a good way!). See why I like it here.

3. Show Love With Clean

Maybe I should have titled this post, “A modern day spin on the Proverbs 31 woman + a little discussion about ‘eating the bread of idleness.'” Originally written with Valentine’s Day in mind, this gently convicting article is relevant every day.

2. It’s Your Year To Shine (The House)

Clutter may feel like a normal part of life, but it always comes with a cost. Clutter induces stress, drains our energy, steals our time, and can rob us of our joy. But we don’t have to live that way.

I wrote this post to be your January inspiration, and really, it inspires me every time I need a reminder of why I don’t want to give up! This year, let’s be proactive instead of reactive. We no longer need to panic when the doorbell rings. We can stop spending hours searching for lost items. We will take control of our laundry mountains…

If you want some motivation-style New Year’s homemaking inspiration, read the full article here.

1. When You Want To Read Your Bible, But Keep Falling Behind (FREE Bible-Reading Record Keeper)

You guys. You absolutely blew me away with this! I almost didn’t publish my Bible-reading article because it’s so simple and has absolutely nothing to do with housekeeping. But it had been on my heart. So, at my husband’s encouragement, I posted it.

And within just a few hours of publication, this was my #1 most-read post of the entire year. WOW. It hurts my heart to think that so many of you feel behind in your own Bible reading. But, I also feel incredibly encouraged and honored to be able to help you in your spiritual walk. This is the printable I keep in my own Bible, and for the first time in my life, I finally feel “on track” during my reading time.

Read the article and download the printable here.

I’d love to hear – what have you read this year that’s left you feeling motivated, inspired, or encouraged?

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P.S. Some fun things that are coming soon:

• The Top 12 Favorite books I read in 2016 (now live – go here to see my choices!).
• FREE email course about how to completely freshen your home in 10 days or less (now available – now available – go here for details and sign-up info).
• A doable housekeeping maintenance plan (perfect for using after you go through the FREE email course!).

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