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Flanders Family Freebies

FF #171: 💤 Sweet Dreams -- No More Tossing and Turning!

Published about 2 months ago • 3 min read

Welcome to the 171st issue of Flanders Family Freebies, a weekly themed link list of resources designed by me, Jennifer Flanders, in hopes of helping you build a strong, happy, healthy home. Thank you for giving me a place in your inbox! Was this newsletter forwarded to you by a friend? Want your own? Subscribe here.

Tyler, Texas
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Hello Reader,

How are you faring after the start of Daylight Savings Time? Is your sleep rhythm back to normal yet? Or are you still playing catch up for that missed hour?

It's probably no accident that the time change coincides with National Sleep Awareness Week. First they disrupt our rest, then they draw our attention to it. Ha!

Fortunately for me, my sleep cycles adjust rapidly. I don't know if it's due to my being a super early riser or to the exhaustion I feel after keeping up with 12 children all day or to the fact that I've never been prone to worry, but I'm out like a light as soon as my head hits the pillow each night.

Certainly, keeping a clear conscience can lead to more restful sleep, but I have friends and relatives who routinely toss and turn and struggle with insomnia despite living a life with no regrets and maintaining a strong faith in God's goodness and sovereignty.

And I know lots of young mothers who wouldn't have any trouble sleeping if their rest weren't being interrupted by hungry babies or frightened toddlers all night long.

Wherever you are on the sleep spectrum, this link list is for you. Enjoy!

Free resources for you this week:

What I'm reading this week:

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

In C.S. Lewis's classic work, a senior demon by the name of Screwtape offers diabolical advice to his nephew, Wormwood, on the most effective way to tempt, torment, and trip up the human in his charge.

Reading through the correspondence is both eye-opening and convicting, as the familiar methods discussed are instantly recognizable as tactics that have been employed, with greater or lesser success, against me.

I've read this book at least once or twice a decade for the past 40 years, always finishing with a fresh resolve to remain more alert against Satan's schemes.

Reader request this week:

One subscriber asked if, for St. Patrick's Day, I would publish a trivia quiz about his life. So I did. If you'd like to test what you know about the patron saint of Ireland, you can do so here: Saint Patrick Trivia Test .

Is there a printable resource you've been looking for without success? Reply to this email and let me know. If I can figure out a way to create it, I will (as time allows).

On the podcast this week:

Loving Life at Home: Episode 35

HOW TO DISAGREE RESPECTFULLY

We can speak civilly to each other, even when we don’t see eye-to-eye. We can treat one another with courtesy and kindness, even when we’re on opposite sides of an issue.

But it's essential that we learn to discuss areas of disagreement respectfully.

Progress on last week's goals:

Well, I successfully ✅ added an extra shelf to my closet bookcase, ✅ emptied another large box of books in garage, ✅ replaced the glass in two broken frames and hung the photos back on the wall, ✅ sent a new Bible memory challenge to my grandkids, ✅ pared down my overflowing inbox to a manageable 30 messages awaiting answers 🙄, and ✅ drove to Dallas for granddaughter’s birthday party -- though not in that order.

Basically, except for the B-day visit, I ignored my entire list until yesterday afternoon, when the realization I'd need to publish a progress report today suddenly lit a fire under me. Ha! But then, that's the beauty of accountability, right?

Personal goals for this week:

  • prepare talk on learning differences for local moms group
  • babysit grandkids while their parents are on a cruise
  • work in garden/ divide liriope
  • paint a new band box to use for toy storage
  • catch up on grading math homework
  • submit freebie for swag bag for upcoming Lifestyle Summit (see below)

Flanders Family Freebies

A happily married mama of 12, I am passionate about faith & family and love sharing ideas, fun resources, and free printables to help you build a strong, healthy, happy home.

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