The 15-minute Goal

One of the things that blessed me as a young lady was reading blogs of young women who got married and would share tricks and tips about married life. So, I resolved that when I was a young married woman I would do my best to give folks glimpses into the new adventure in my life - both the failures and the victories!

My husband and I have more than one business. Combine that with the fact that I work a job where I have to carefully keep track of my hours and we knew that time management would be one of the keys to our success.

So, one of our favorite “rules” to operate by is what we call the “15 minute goal”. My husband and I actually started this before we were even engaged. Basically, we focus on one project or task for 15 minutes before switching gears. This has been especially helpful for me as I can so easily get sucked into a project and stay in a sedentary position for hours. This isn’t a good idea for anyone. With my job I do a large amount of writing and it is vital for me to keep my creativity tank full. Sitting still and doing the same thing over and over can definitely be an inspiration-killer, and I didn’t want that to happen! I know some folks might think that this sounds like multi-tasking and you’ll say “I can’t multi-task”. But, this isn’t multi-tasking. Let me give you a few examples.

On a typical work day, this is how I apply the 15-minute rule.

Wake up, take 15 minute or less shower & get dressed.

Spend 15 minutes making breakfast. Usually, breakfast is a milkshake and maybe some pancakes, eggs, or something.

Begin working. Spend 15 minutes checking & replying to email. Stop, even if I haven’t read every message.

Spend 15 minutes checking voicemails & replying to calls. Stop, even if you aren’t done. (Obviously, you can’t hang up on someone. 15 minutes is just a guideline to keep you going!)

Pull up 1st writing project of the day. Spend 15 minutes proofreading, editing, & writing. Stop.

Log in to social media outlets & check stats. Spend 15 minutes looking at posts, responding to messages & preparing your next post. Stop.

Research foundations & update database for 15 minutes. Stop.

Hand-write thank-you notes for 15 minutes. Stop.

At this point I’ve been at work 1.5 hours and made progress on 6 different things. If I did just 1 task, I would have spent my entire morning doing something like replying to emails. I would be tired of staring at one screen on my computer and frustrated that I’m not making any progress because every time I send an email someone replies and I would begin to feel I’m not getting anywhere. With my 15-minute strategy I know that I’m making some real progress in more than one area.

How about a weekend day, when I’m not working. Here’s how my Saturday last weekend started out.

Wake up, take 15 minute or less shower & get dressed.

Spend 15 minutes making breakfast. Usually, breakfast is a milkshake and maybe some pancakes, eggs, or something.

Spend 15 minutes rinsing dishes, putting them in dishwasher & tidying kitchen. Stop.

Go outside. Move rocks from where I’m going to plant my starts for 15 minutes. Stop.

Come inside and write wedding gift thank-you notes for 15 minutes. Stop.

Go in garage and assess which boxes need to be moved. Move them for 15 minutes. Stop.

Go back outside. Notice that the Christmas lights *still* need to be taken down. Take them down. Stop.

Go inside. Move load of laundry out of dryer. Move load of laundry from washer to dryer. Fold clothes. Stop.

Realize your pantry needs to be cleaned out so there’s room for all the things you want to can this summer. Organize it for 15 minutes. Stop.

Decide its time to sit down and you want to write a blog about the 15 minute rule. Grab laptop. Sit down & write for 15 minutes. Stop.

The hardest part for me is the “stopping” after 15 minutes. I want to keep going because I love seeing projects DONE. But, so many projects are easy to get burned out on or worse yet you have to rely on someone else to finish them. So, 15 minutes at a time actually makes it easier to get more done. Yes, sometimes it means you’ll have to come back to a project for 3 or 4 15-minute installments, but I think you’ll find you are generally more energized and enjoy the time you spend with each project.

Another advantage of this system is that It forces me to plan ahead. I can’t make a breakfast in less than 15 minutes if I don’t have bananas, berries, kefir, etc. already in the freezer for or morning smoothie - or at the very least have them easily accessible. It makes me think about what I have and (try to) plan meals ahead.

The main reason I love my (our) 15 minute goal is that It keeps me going. It makes big projects become bite-sized challenges. And, when I’m frustrated with a project not moving forward it makes me feel as if I’m moving forward if even just a little bit at a time. Try it out and let us know if it works for you!

Wedding photos are up!

Our wedding photos are up on Facebook!

Check out the album here:

Lucas & Elysse Baumbach wedding album

We will likely be adding more photos, but this is a start...

Charge to Lucas & Elysse

Another significant part of our ceremony was my (Elysse) Father's charge to us as he answered the question "Who gives this woman to this man?"

Instead of just saying "Her Mother and I do", or something along those lines, he stepped aside and said these words:

Lucas:

You came to me desiring permission to seek the heart and hand of our daughter, Elysse.

In taking that initial step you recognized the God-given authority and headship given to me over her life.

As a result, we met several times. We talked of your family and your faith in Christ. We talked of marriage and God's purposes in that relationship. We talked of family and Gods vision for and kingdom purposes for the family. We spoke of Fatherhood and the great responsibilities it entails. We spoke of your role as husband and the service it requires.

Each of these times we looked to the Word of God, for only there can we find clarity in what God expects of us. Through our times tougher, we covered what the Word of God has required of me, and will now, by the transfer of responsibility, require of you to be the head and covering for Elysse.

Only as you keep Jesus Christ at the head and covering of your life and His Word as your Law for living can you fulfill what God intends for the husband of a marriage and the father of a family. Lucas, as you commit yourself to Elysse this day, and enter into the role of her head and covering, commit yourself to love her as Christ loves the Church, washing her with the water of His Word.

Elysse:

This is the last time I will address you as only my daughter. The next time we speak together, you will be the wife of Lucas. You will have taken on a new identity. For these past 27 years you have honored me as your father and as your head and overing. You have listened to my instruction and followed my lead. Yet, you have done even more.

Early, you learned to learn of God on your own. Having committed yourself to Christ, you have pursued a life in Him and consumed by Him. Years ago, I told you that before you could ever enter a courtship, you would have to be married first. Marriage, marriage to Christ was a necessary prerequisite to entering any courtship. Having been united with Christ and learned of His love, you can now be united with another and love him out of Christ's love for and in you. Having come into a true covenant with Christ, you can now enter into the covenant of marriage with Lucas.

Marriage, as you know, Elysse, is for God's glory and for the advancement of His Kingdom in the earth.

Elysse, as you enter into this covenant relationship with Lucas this day, recognize the great kingdom purposes for which the union has been ordained.

Pastor Chaney:

Pastor Chaney, it is with great joy that I respond to you, that her mother and I give this woman to this man.

May God's blessings to their fullest be upon this union.

Then, Daddy came over, lifted my first veil and hugged me. We were both trying not to cry. I want to make it a goal to re-read his challenge to us on a frequent basis. What wonderful words of wisdom!

Our Vows

Our wedding vows were one of the most important parts of our ceremony. We understand the seriousness of a vow. It is more than a promise; it is the seal of the covenant. God, who is perfect, just and holy will be holding us to these vows. If and when a vow is broken you have not just wronged the other person, but it is an affront to God and he will hold you accountable and meet out punishment. Though our entire ceremony was joyous, in both of our hearts we felt a certain solemnity and seriousness with our vows...and as we said them we were both on the edge of tears. :)

We both knew we wanted the traditional vows at our ceremony. I (Elysse) had also written personal vows shortly after I knew Lucas was "the one" but before we were ever engaged. The more we talked about our family vision the more we came to the conclusion that both traditional and personal vows would reflect the purposes for our commitment and marriage. You may note that the only difference between our traditional vows is that the word "obey" is inserted in my vows to Lucas. I was so disappointed to find out that most women do not include "obey". Unfortunately, feminism has caused women to believe that if they vow to obey their husbands they will be treated like children or some such silly notion. I have written on this extensively in "Fathers and Daughters: Raising Polished Cornerstones", but submission to one's husband is God's design and is very freeing and gives a woman comfort, security, and boldness to move forward in her calling as a wife, woman and full partner in the marriage.

I, Lucas, take you Elysse, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish according to the ordinance of God, until death do us part.

Elysse, you are my treasure

i will love you with my heart mind and strength even as I love my own body

i will sacrifice my desires for your welfare

i will take you with me to the spiced mountains of adventure

i will fight with you for the kingdom to come

i will be your refuge and counselor in God

i will direct your children and train them up in God's ways

i will be your pitcher refreshing you with God's words

i will be your equal in sin and God-given rights

i will respect you and what God has forged

i will pray assiduously for our union

i will tend our vineyards with you

i will set you as a seal upon my heart

_______

I, Elysse, take you Lucas, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish and obey according to the ordinance of God, until death do us part.

Lucas, you are my best friend

and first and only love.

Before God and these witnesses

I acknowledge that I must always seek Jesus first

so that I may love and respect you fully and well.

I vow to make that my daily goal

from this moment forward.

My heart belongs to you only

all the days of my life.

As God gave Adam a helper

so do I promise to help, serve, and encourage you

in your calling.

Your vision and purpose is mine.

You are now my leader and head.

Where you go I will gladly follow.

I covenant with you

to live out God's purpose for our family

bringing glory and honor to Him

and truth and light to the culture

through the generations we leave behind.

Wedding Scripture Passages

Some have asked what Scripture passages were read at our wedding, and why.

Every bit of our ceremony had much thought, prayer, and intentionality behind it - including the Scripture passages. While it is still fresh in our mind we want to share about different parts of it.

Many people have a passage about love at their wedding. Even though I Corinthians 13 is one of our absolute favorites, we wanted a passages specific to each of us that would remind us of our calling in Christ.

My grandfather, as a representative of the Godly heritage that both of us have been blessed with began the reading with Job 29, verses 12 to 25 - the Biblical standard for a Godly man. Job seems to some like an odd role model, but God continually rewards and blesses him for his character and calls Job righteous. Our culture would do well to look to Job as the standard for raising Christian warriors. (Lucas' favorite verse is 17...any surprise?)

"I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth. Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand. My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch. My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand. Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them. And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain. If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down. I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners."

The second passage was a call to Godly womanhood that we ladies should never tire of hearing and challenging ourselves to aspire to. Proverbs 31, verses 10 to 30 took on an entirely new and deeper meaning hearing it as I stood on the brink of becoming a married woman and fully stepping in to the calling that God has for my life. (I think verse 25 is my favorite.)

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised."

A sneak peek at our wedding photos!

For all of you who have been waiting on the edge of your seat...here's a few photos :)

I know, I know...the anticipation is hard to stand! We'll try to get some more up soon :) In the meantime we'll be doing our best to make this blog site our new family blog and putting updates here on a regular basis. -Lucas and Elysse

Watch our Wedding live!

If you are unable to join us in person for our wedding we would love to have you watch our wedding live!

Please join us at 11:00 am Mountain Time on Saturday, April 14th.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE WEDDING!

-Lucas and Elysse

PS - if you are unable to join us for the live web stream of the wedding it will be recorded and archived :)