Making Your Home a Haven Fall Challenge Is Back!

Join me in making our home a haven for our families. Together we'll make our homes a haven of peace, joy, tranquility, and fun for all who enter. #WomenLivingWell #homemaking #friendship #makingyourhomeahaven

Welcome to the 5th Annual “Making Your Home a Haven” Fall Challenge.

If you’ve been around a while – you know all about this series and might already have your candle going right now!

Oh friends, we don’t want to just read God’s word – we want to live out God’s word in our homes first and then outside the home where God has planted us.

So this challenge is all about living out the word of God within the four walls of our home.

Each week I will give you one practical tip and one spiritual tip that you can do to create a haven in your home.

Is your calendar full? Do you feel tense, rushed and even panicked at times? Do you feel like the rest of the family is feeling the same way?

I believe we can create a physical environment, as well as a spiritual environment, that can bring peace, harmony and a sense of calmness to our homes if we are willing to be intentional.

 This challenge will run through the month of October and this video I use yearly, explains the heart and plan behind it.

(if you can’t see the video: click here)

“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” ~ Proverbs 14:1

Here’s the topic schedule:

Week 1: October 6th -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 or whenever is convenient for you.. 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.

Work on peace and patience this week.

Week 2: October 13th – Play soft music everyday in your home.

Choose worship, classical, jazz or another form of peaceful music that the family enjoys. Focus on using peaceful words and maintaining peaceful relationships.

Work on gentleness and self-control this week.

Week 3: October 20th – Keep the candle burning, the music playing and plan a Family Fun Night.

Have a pillow party in the family room and get out every blanket and pillow in the house and be cozy with the kids or your hubby! Even if you live alone you can do this. Enjoy a cozy evening of hot cider and caramel corn. Bust out some old fashioned games and take the time to savor these moments with your loved ones.

Work on kindness and joy this week.

Week 4: October 27th – Focus on the kitchen, the heart of the home.

Cook things with pleasant aromas like homemade bread, pies, and cookies. Don’t wait to have a reason to make something special – do it simply to show love to your family. Invite your kids and/or hubby to cook along side of you – make memories in the kitchen – test tasting, being creative, laughing and loving. Remember the importance of dinner time around the table as a family.

Work on showing love, goodness and faithfulness to your family this week.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” ~ Galatians 5:22,23

You may notice that our spiritual emphasis this year is on the fruit of the spirit.  There is no magic in the lighting of a candle, soft music, game nights or comfy food – it is the power of the Holy Spirit working through us that will transform our homes into a haven for everyone who passes through our doors, so the light of Jesus can shine brightly.

Will you take the challenge?

“There’s simply no place like home.  Whether you have a one-bedroom apartment or a large farmhouse, home is where we rest, refuel, and build strong relationships with our loved ones.  No two homes are alike.  Home is a place where we express our individuality in the kitchen and on the walls.  Whether you are a full-time homemaker or work full-time outside the home, we all have in common the desire to make our homes a haven.  Together let’s pursue peace and harmony.” ~ excerpt from the book, Women Living Well

If you are in – it’s time to prepare for the first challenge by going out and purchasing a large candle.  I just love the fall – this should be fun!

See you back here on October 6th when we discuss the first challenge!

Walk with the King,

Courtney

 

48 Comments

  1. hi Courtney!
    I am loving your challenges!!
    I am doing the bible challenge, then I also added the Genesis challenge and started blogging about those, but this one… Yes this one is really calling to me. Trouble is.. It’s spring in Australia, but I don’t want that to stop me, so I am going to do YOUR challenge with a twist! Bring a little bit of Spring to my house..

    Thank you for inspiring us all to keep walking with the King!

  2. It’s spring here in South Africa too, but I’m keen to try the challenge!! Love the idea of a family night – I actually think my family needs that every week, maybe this will be our kickstart!

  3. This is great Courtney, I will have to share this ‘Making My Home a Haven,’ concept with family and friends!
    God bless,
    Rosalyn

  4. Thank-you Courtney and Yes! I will be doing the fall challenge with you! I also have a fb group studying along with you and blogging through the bible. This experience has been both a growing and tremendous blessing! I love how God is using you and touching so many lifes! My next personal challenge will be creating my own blog! You have deeply touched me and have been a great inspiration and example! <3

  5. This is just curiosity here… What brands and scents are you ladies favorites for winter?
    I usually go with something Apple or pumpkin from Yankee … Would love to hear ideas from others
    I notice a strong chemical smell after a while from wood wick brand. Any suggestions on a clean smelling candle with a delicious scent?

    1. Autumn LEAVES from Yankee Candle is hands down the BEST fall fragrance in my opinion! I have burned lots of candles for many years and I tell everyone that this one beats them all (non-fall themed scents included). It’s a fragrance that’s hard to describe but definitely puts me in the mood for fall even when it’s hot and humid outside. You really just need to smell it for yourself. No chemical smell after either. I use the traditional kind of wick candle and not the wood one. Hope this helps!

  6. I love this challenge and am really looking forward to it this year! With 3 kids age 6 and under (I homeschool the oldest and she is involved in dance 1 night per week plus we are part of a homeschool co-op) I need this challenge! I know that I set the pace of my home and want for our pace to slow down so that we can begin to really enjoy our time as a family at home again instead of always being on the run. I think that this is the first year of my life where I am really looking forward to cooler weather (I live in Northeast Indiana) and spending time indoors de-cluttering my home and trying to create a peaceful and loving environment. I ran a half-marathon on Saturday and have been thinking for the past few days about changes that I want to make going into the final quarter of the year. Where do I want to be 92 days from now and what changes do I want to make? I want to end the year with more fruit of the spirit qualities. Thank you for continuing to do this challenge every year. It is needed more than ever for me this year. God bless you and your family, Courtney!

  7. I am SO excited for this challenge Courtney! I’ve followed it before, but never blogged through it! Eeek! I can’t wait! I’m setting October up as a slow down time for me so that God can truly use this challenge to change myself, my family and my home! <3 ya lots girly!

  8. This is my first time to see this challenge, and I could not be more thrilled to do this challenge!! You’re site is just a huge blessing to me. I’m so happy I found you. I’m already doing your Bible plan with a fb group and it’s been amazing. Thank you for al the time and love you put into this!
    God Bless You!!

  9. I cannot believe it’s the 5th year already! I’ve followed along for all 5 years but haven’t always blogged it. I remember the first year I found a few fellow bloggers that I still visit today. I have a candle going all year long but don’t always remember to light it each day. I just downloaded some new music from Paul Cardall and will be playing that.

  10. I am new to Women Living Well and this will be my first challenge! You have no idea how perfect this timing is for my family!! Because I am involved in a Bible reading challenge/emphasis through my church, I won’t be joining you in that, but will definitely be engaging my family in the fall challenge. Thank you so much!!

  11. Well, last Tuesday(Sept 23rd) was my birthday and since I love candles I got two new ones among my gifts. So, I’ve got my candles and have started burning it this morning. I look forward to this challenge. Thanks for everything you do, Courtney.

  12. This is wonderful and encouragement is what I need. Please keep holding strong with this ,you cannot imagine the wonderful impact you are having at least in my life. Mother of 5 kids with a wonderful husband. Thank you indeed!

  13. I’m excited for this challenge! Fall is my Favorite season, but it is always crazy busy too! So glad to have this reminder to slow down and enjoy it!

  14. Oh, yay! I love this challenge! It is always such a blessing for me personally (and I’m sure for my hubby and kids too!).

  15. I’m new as well to Women Living Well and will do the Fall Challenge with you. Thank you for being so passionate about The Lord! Loved your book and reading Genesis with you, too!

  16. I love this challenge!!!! This is my second year doing this. Thanks for everything you do. I’m also doing the Reading the Bible series 🙂

  17. I’m so excited to do this challenge this year, as it is my first year living on my own! Thank you so much, Courtney, for reminding those of us who live alone that we can participate, too! My home is my haven, even though I’m a single gal without kids 🙂 I can’t wait to start 🙂

  18. I am in for the “Make Your Home a Haven Challenge”. Thank you Courtney for this challenge. This helps me to be intentional in taking extra special care of my family!

  19. Perfect timing, I was just thinking about this. I have been trying to find ways to create a better atmosphere in my home. I do play music sometimes during the day and have several candles out but I do not think to light them everyday. It gets a little tense in here at times, especially with my hubbie not being a believer we bump heads a lot. I am definitely in on the challenge, I need God’s peace and stillness to walk all through my home. Going out to get my candles today.

  20. I’ve been lighting my candle at meal times for the past two weeks! This will be my 4th Home A Haven with you, and I’m excited. I love Fall, and I’ve been trying to make sure I keep a peaceful heart, because when I don’t, my whole house goes off kilter as well. Can’t wait! 🙂

  21. I really need this challenge this year. I am striving to alleviate my calendar so I am able to make time for all of the things you mentioned in the challenge. Looking forward to the next few weeks,

  22. I love this challenge, I do it every year and blog along with you. This year I will be doing the challenge and blogging when I can. My husband has took a traveling job and some mondays we aren’t home. My poor little blig has been sort of neglected but I am taking care of my family and homeschooling so life is a little busy. I am trying to start scheduling better so I can blog more because I miss it!

  23. I’ll be joining for the third straight year — in fact, I already went shopping for my fall-scented candle this weekend, not even thinking about the challenge! It’s just part of the rhythm of my year. I found your website and this challenge right after my husband and I were married, so lighting candles, spinning records, baking favorite treats and praying for peace have been part of our home from the beginning.

    Thanks for this yearly reminder, Courtney!

  24. This is such a wonderful idea! What a great way to make the house a home. I have a large candle and will begin this tonight. It is just my hubby and I so the candle will go in the bedroom. This is where we talk about our day, read the bible and devotionals and discuss what our plans are for the near and later future.

  25. I am going to try. I am alone much of the time, It would be nice to have someone share this with me. My husband comes home very tired and he eats and goes to bed.Life up here has become very lonely and because of a foot injury I can no longer drive, My phone number is 622-9478 if anyone would like to chat with me, Thank You

  26. Super duper excited!!!! I don’t remember how many years I have done this. I have my candle! Just wandering does anyone have suggestions for soft music to play?

  27. Yay! I’m all in with you, Courtney. Can’t wait for the fall challenge to begin. My entire family (hubby and children) is in on the reading through the entire bible and (praise God!) WE ARE ON TRACK!!!!! So glad you started the series, and THANK you for your encouragement and ministry to us.
    Blessings,
    Toni

  28. Thanks for this post! It helped me to get motivated.. Cleaned the house and made a great crockpot meal and banana bread for the family. Thanks for the encouragement! Mothers need more of these helpful posts to keep us on track us nowadays. 🙂

  29. I love your candle idea but find the best time of day for me to light it is the evening after supper. The time between supper and the kids’ bedtime is the only time we are all together as a family! I tidied up the livingroom tonight and put candles on the mantle and everyone loved it. My daughter asked why it seemed like I was getting ready for something special. Aww break my heart that I only tidy up for “company” and not the people I love the most! Making our home a haven is definitely a top priority! Thanks for the inspiration this month!!! {I gotta take pics tomorrow!!}

    1. I hear you, Mary. My family has said similar things. God will honor our heart’s desire, though, as we endeavor to focus on ministering to our families NOW. Many blessings to you.

  30. Hi, Courtney! I am so excited to be joining you again this year for Making Your Home a Haven! I’ll be blogging through this challenge with my readers too. I got my introductory post up on Tuesday and linked back here so my readers can get all the details from you. Thank you so much for your vision and for your encouragement!

    Walking in His Grace,
    Laurie
    Grace-Filled-Moments.blogspot.com

  31. So excited for your fall challenge again this year. I kinda cheat with the candle and use a tart burner in my kitchen. Actually, every time I turn it on throughout the year, I think of you. I love the emphasis on the fruit of the spirit. Happy fall!

  32. Yay Courtney! Im so glad you are doing this again. Ive been eagerly awaiting this and almost emailed to ask if you would do it this year. This and the Advent study are my two favourite. Thankyou so much for making my day. X 🙂

  33. Hi Courtney!
    I just stumbled onto your blog and I am very interested in the Making Your Home a Haven challenge. I love the fall and all the colors and scents. I love the crisp air and cool evenings! I think I really need this challenge right now as our daughter and granddaughter are moving in with us and I really need to create a happy peaceful home. Please help!

  34. A Facebook post brought me to your blog just a few days ago, and what a blessing it has been to me already. I jumped right in to the Bible challange, and I’d love to join this challenge
    too. Concentrating on the fruits of the spirit and creating a haven in my home seems like the perfect focus for this season. It also gives me a little incentive to dust off my sad, neglected blog. Blessings to you and all the other ladies joining the challenge.

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