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Dwelling: The Heart of the Home-Maker

by | Apr 2, 2019 | Dwelling, My Books, My Life, Rhythm + Routine

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Dwelling: The Heart of the Home-Maker

Today is launch day for my new book Dwelling!

I love hearing the wind chimes in the trees outside our open windows. They chime softly, gently playing a soft melody as the wind blows. They are one of the few man-made sounds that really relax me. I thrive best in quiet spaces. I prefer hushed voices; soft, soothing music; silenced TVs and computers.

Of course, my home doesn’t always sound or even feel peaceful. It can be rather chaotic. Dogs barking at who-knows-what, TVs blaring, people swearing (well, not so much swearing, but it rhymed better than people speaking in loud voices).

Dwelling: The Heart of the Home-Maker

Nevertheless, I can tell my house is growing quieter. It’s probably quieter right now than it’s ever been. Soon my husband and I will be empty nesters. Our son, the baby of the three, is graduating from high school this June and he’ll be off to college.

I can sense the seasons in our home changing. Some days, the changes around us feel more vivid and alive than others. Other days, things feel a little cloudy or foggy.

Part of me is excited for the newness of what is to come, part of me is still holding on, and part of me is feeling that sense of “uneasiness” that comes with the unknown of all that is ahead.

We’ve had two girls already leave the nest (quite a few years ago now!), so I know that it is wonderful to be in a season with grown children. But I scarcely can imagine what it will feel like to be truly empty nesters.

Dwelling: The Heart of the Home-Maker

I want to savor these remaining days, just like I tried to savor what I could in each of the seasons that came before this one. It’s not always easy to do, though, is it? In the chaos of young family life, finding the peace and quiet I thought I needed to savor anything felt almost impossible at times.

But after all of these years as a “home maker” (I use that term to describe myself as a maker of a home, whether I also worked outside of it or not) I can say this for sure:

All we can really do to be at peace in any season is to be as intentional as we can. How can we live well in the season we find ourselves in? We don’t have to know how to do everything perfectly. Who really knows how to do it all, anyway? We don’t. We should be always growing. Always learning. Always adapting. Always giving ourselves grace while bringing as much of our heart and soul as we can into every season of our home.

Dwelling: The Heart of the Home-Maker

Whether we are in a season of loud or quiet, peaceful or wild, happy or less-so, we already have in front of us what we need to savor today.

Dwelling: The Heart of the Home-Maker

Today is book launch day!

Today is book launch day for my new book Dwelling! I’m always blessed in these seasons to hear from others that I am not the only one who feels so deeply about being intentional in the place we call home.

Dwelling is not so much about the structure of a house, or the decor we fill our home with (although you know I feel deeply about that, too!) but it is more about the ways we can care for ourselves and the people IN it.

Dwelling is a simple book to read or scan through, but ideally one you’ll want to slow down and read with intention.

Let reading it slowly be a gift of self-care!

There are journal questions to spark ideas and to help you process your own thoughts. You’ll find prompts that I hope will stir your heart and inspire you to action. Read with pen in hand. Paper to write on and an open heart to see the blessings always in front of you.

If you haven’t ordered your copy, it is ready to ship today!

You can order your copy of Dwelling here!

*GIVEAWAY CLOSED*

PS. If you haven’t entered our HUGE giveaway yet, you can head to this post! I’m giving away ALL of these nurturing home + body items to ONE lucky person…and it’s super easy to enter! Go here for giveaway details.

Dwelling: The Heart of the Home-Maker

17 Comments

  1. Debby

    Melissa, this is one of your most beautifully written and heartfelt posts ever. You are growing as a writer as well as a communicator–and to me, those can be two different things. I am a writer myself (as well as a copyeditor), and I think you have one of the best blogger “voices” I’ve ever had the pleasure to come across. I wish you blessing upon blessing–and it seems to me you already know what yours are.

    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Oh my goodness, thank you so much!! It means the world to me that you took the time to encourage me with such a kind and generous comment. ? Thank you!

  2. Nancy

    I really enjoyed this blog post and did not realize you had a new book coming out. I will definitely order it. I look forward to getting to know you through your writings. I love this quote” we can set a mood in our home that nurtures our mind, body and soul”. Blessings, Nancy

    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Thank you, Nancy! I hope you enjoy the book, I can’t wait to hear what you think!

    • Kelly

      I have three kids too. One in college and now another one leaving too. I’m not doing well with it even though I still have one at home. It’s just an empty sad feeling. I know it’s all normal, but gosh I dread it so much. I miss them and my house feels empty. Some people are so glad to see their kids go and I think “what’s wrong with me “??? I was glad to read others feel the same. Change is hard after so many years home with your kids. God goes before us and works it all out, but it’s a hard adjustment.

  3. laura |everyday edits

    HI Melissa, I loved this post too! We also have our youngest getting ready to graduate from highschool and leave in the fall for university away from Colorado. Congratulations on your new book! I read your last one via the library( I am old school with books). ha! Laura at Everyday Edits (formerly not a trophy wife). My rebrand was timed with the changing of where I am today versus where I was when I started to blog! xo laura

    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Oh that’s wonderful about your rebrand, Laura! Sounds like we will both be in an empty nest this fall! ;)

  4. Christine

    Hi Melissa!
    Got my book today!!! Will be diving into it. I love your website. It always cheers me up when I see it in my inbox. No matter what kind of a day I am having, it elevates my mood. Thanks.

  5. Nancy

    Good morning? I received your book yesterday and after my grandchildren left I started to read it!!! It is wonderful. So inspiring!!! This is exactly the kind of book I would want to write if I had your talents:). I don’t think I’m going to get much done today, because I had a hard time putting it down now to comment here? I wish you much success with this book and many blessings. Have a beautiful day???

    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Ah, Nancy! Thank you so much! I’m so glad you are enjoying it! I’m also grateful you stopped by to let me know you’re inspired by the book already, it really means so much to me to hear that!

      Melissa

  6. Sheila W

    Looking forward to reading this!

  7. laura

    sharing on my weekend post, the weekend edit. Love this one Melissa! Laura

  8. Jo Jo

    I received my two copies on Tuesday! Savoring reading my copy! And the other will be gifted to a friend that I KNOW will appreciate it. I feel this is your best book yet, Melissa! ❣️❣️❣️

    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Oh, that means so much to me, Jo Jo! Thank you! I’m so glad you are enjoying Dwelling. Such a kind compliment, you made my day! :-D

 

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