31 Day Fall Challenge: Week One - A light and a prayer...

I really can't believe we are already into the first week of October.  Seriously.  The time just seems to have flown by.  Well, as I mentioned in a previous post, I am taking part in a fall challenge to make our Home a Haven.  This should be something that every mother is interested in doing.  Our homes should be a place of comfort, security and good memories.  There is no perfect home, parent, marriage or child.  However, we can all strive to improve in some way.  This does not mean we never have laundry out that needs to be folded/put away or that there's never a dirty dish in the sink.  It doesn't mean you've got beautiful furniture that most people would only see in a magazine... Let's be honest here!
I had a party for one of my children not too long ago and a friend of mine commented that she loved my home and how comfortable it was.  I laughed and asked her if she meant it was looking shabby (not in a chic way). lol We were laughing, but then she got serious and told me that she really felt like it was a warm, loving, and inviting home.  I've had kids that I've babysat tell me that they loved my home too.  They said it always smelled good (not sure if that's still the case with 4 kids and a dog) and that they FELT COMFORTABLE there.
That makes me happy.  Now, I am the first to admit that I have a lot of STUFF.  I mean, come on.  I taught for years and years, I home-schooled, I am a crafter, I work in all sorts of ministries in our church and my furniture is... well, eclectic is the nicest word for it. haha.  It's a hodge podge of stuff, I guess.  However, it is my goal to always have things as NEAT and CLEAN as possible.  I enjoy having air fresheners, smelly candles, etc. but I know that they can not replace a clean home.
My kids are allowed to play with their toys in the living room.  They are allowed to paint, color, get out the glitter, etc at the table.  They are NOT allowed to eat and drink wherever they want...but sometimes, they sneak by me. *sigh*   Hey, we are a work in progress, right?  I am a firm believer in everyone helping to keep the place picked up and looking nice.   We are currently having our mid-week Bible study at our house every Wednesday.  It's been great, but that means 20 - 30 people (including children) are tracking through my house on a weekly basis.  That's okay.  I love having them all over for such a great reason.  Dishes can be washed and carpets can be cleaned, but we are making memories here in this house.  We are praying, we are learning, we are growing and we are LIVING.
Besides looking, feeling and smelling nice, I want my home to be a place where my family feels safe.  Safe from this world, safe from judgement, safe from bullying... A loving, forgiving, growing environment.  With four kids and a busy mom and dad who are not perfect, this is not always how it works.  We fail, but we are always making room for improvement!
This week's challenge provided by Courtney at Women Living Well Ministries is this: "October 3 - Go buy an extra large candle and light a candle everyday in your home. I will be starting mine in the morning! But you can start yours at dinner time. Do what makes sense for your family. I will be placing mine in the kitchen – the main hub of my home. Each time the candle catches your eye, say a prayer for peace in your home."
I couldn't go out and buy a new candle this week, but I did have a candle that was perfect for this challenge and then I put something else together for another spot in the house.   Take a look:

 I took a small hurricane vase that I had and place a glass votive inside. It still has some pumpkin spice candle left in it.  Then I poured in these adorable pumpkin and acorn shaped beads I bought at a yard sale that I passed this weekend. Only a quarter for each bag.  Yay! I love fall stuff!

Psalm 18:28 ~ "For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness."

 A close-up of the fall beads I scored at the yard sale.  This lady was selling all sorts of seasonal stuff.  It was one of those days that I wish I had cash on hand and also one of those days where I was kind of glad I didn't have cash on hand.  Know what I mean? haha!  I could have done some real damage there.

Now to my other candle.  I have had this candle since last year.  I never lit it, just put it on display.  Well, no more saving or "collecting" candles here.  Use them and enjoy them is what I say now.  It already was decorated with the adorable fall leaf.  I can't tell if it's going to be a very fragrant candle yet, but it will remind me to pray a prayer of peace over my house and my family when I see it.  Oh and do you notice that little pumpkin to the right of the candle?  It's made to look like broken glass pieces, but I think it's some kind of resin or plastic with metal.  Anyway, that was my other yard sale deal.  Brand new with tags and it cost me a whole dollar.  Simple pleasures!
Are you participating in this challenge?  If you are, please share your link if you are posting about your progress.  I'd love to visit. =)  Happy fall y'all and don't forget that you can help to make you HOME a HAVEN.