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Christian homemakers need encouragement and motivation to stay the course. Homemaking and homeschooling can feel overwhelming, but they don’t have to be. If you’re a Christian mom longing for a well-ordered home, a peaceful homeschool, and a joyful heart—without the stress or burnout—you’re in the right place. Moms can be productive and peaceful when grounded in Scriptural truth.
I’m Mystie Winckler, homeschooling mom of five, founder of Simply Convivial, and your guide to managing both home and heart with faith and focus. Here, we talk about biblical homemaking, sustainable homeschooling, and cheerful productivity—all through the lens of organizing your attitude and embracing your God-given calling.
In each episode, you’ll find practical homemaking systems, homeschooling strategies, and mindset shifts that will help you manage your home without perfectionism or frustration. We’ll tackle topics like:
✔️ Christian homemaking routines that actually work
✔️ Productivity, mom-style
✔️ Homeschooling with peace—even when life gets messy
✔️ Time management for moms (without rigid schedules)
✔️ Decluttering your home & your attitude
✔️ How to be diligent, not just busy
Motherhood is a marathon, not a sprint. You don’t need more willpower—you need a grace-filled, biblical approach to managing life at home. Let’s cultivate faithfulness, embrace joy, and build habits that make home a place of peace and purpose.
👉 Subscribe now and start organizing your home and heart—cheerfully.
Speaker 3: Which is so much better than
the negative thoughts I used to dwell
on, uh, to repent and to walk away
from the, the mud puddle of negative
thoughts, um, makes a big difference.
Speaker 2: welcome to the Christian
homemaking podcast, Simply Convivial.
I'm Misty Winkler, homemaker, homeschool
mom of five, grandma, and author of
the book Home is for Hospitality:
Why Your Home and Homemaking Matter.
Convivial means living together with joy,
and that's the kind of home atmosphere
that we want to create in our homes.
That's why I created Convivial Circle,
a community helping women to excel
at homemaking and do life cheerfully.
And today I'm joined by one of our longest
time members and mentors, Sara Nelson.
Sara lives in California with her husband
of 24 years, and two teen daughters.
They homeschool with the help of a local
classical hybrid homeschool community.
Throughâ¦
Whoop.
Though grateful for the opportunities
available in the city, she dreams
of quiet family life in the country.
So thank you so much for
joining me today, Sara.
Speaker 3: Yes, happy to be here.
Speaker 2: Well, as a team behind
the scenes, we were talking about
alignment cards, and Organize October,
and who to have on the podcast to
talk about alignment cards, and
everyone instantly said, "Well,
Sara is the alignment card queen."
Speaker 3: Well, I love them, and
they've helped so much, so that's, uhâ¦
I'll, I'll tell everybody about them.
Speaker 2: Yeah.
So how did you get started
with alignment cards, and then
how did it progress over time?
Speaker 3: Well, as I was thinking
back, I've always collected quotes and
sayings, and things that just amused me.
And it kind of started turning into, you
know, useful alignment cards as I, um,
as I started, like, taking the verse of
the day and putting it on the wall and
things, and it started making some sense.
I would say that my, my head
is very busy, and The internal
voices are not always very kind.
Um, so itâ¦
Over the years realizing that I have
the job I want, and why is it so
hard, and maybe I need a better story.
So the alignment cards help, uh, reframe
that story, help reset the voices in
the head, as opposed to just avoiding
them and, uh, seeking distraction
instead of, uh, faithfulness, I guess.
Oh.
So that's-
Speaker 2: Smart.
Yeah.
Yeah.
When we would normally turn
to distraction, it often is
because we don't want to pay
attention to what's in our heads.
Speaker 3: Yeah.
That's very true I grew up reading
and, you know, just light reading,
anything that was a distraction.
So how fast could I read
how many books, you know?
So that was the, the out, and then
which turned to TV, and then of
course, eventually a cellphone.
Um, none of those were very constructive.
I mean, the reading was at least
useful, but, uh, you know, none
of those were very constructive.
So, um, finding a new way to, um,
I guess, you know, live with myself
was, uh, an important step forward.
And having, having bite-sized
bits of truth to turn to, uh,
makes a big difference in that.
Speaker 2: So where are some
of the places that you've put
alignment cards over the years?
Speaker 3: Um, well, I started with,
um, some verses on the kitchen cabinets.
Like, I found out I could take the,
you know, the verse of the day from
the Bible app and, like, print it.
I had a printer that would do 4x6
photos just really easy, and so I'd,
you know, put it on a background and
print it out, and I stuck those up.
Oh, goodness, since kindergarten I've had,
um, "And let us not grow weary in doing
good" on my cellphone lock screen, and I
don't think I can ever get rid of that.
So, you know, that's one.
Um, when I started writing them out
for Humble Habits, I put it in the
bathroom where I brush my teeth.
And then that, little by little, I
just kept adding them down the side
of the cabinet there and the wall.
So I think I have probably
a dozen of them there now.
I went around and took some pictures
'cause I was like, "I need to remember."
So, um, I don't like getting rid of them.
I've had one or two
that didn't fit overâ¦
You know, I covered them over, but
I couldn't quite get rid of them.
So I just keep adding.
I have them by my bed.
I have them across the way here
in this room where I usually sit.
Um, so they just kind of multiply.
Uh, seeing things vertical really
helps me keep it in mind as opposed
to, uh, you know, just out of sight.
And even, I mean, goodness, how
many times have I read the quote
behind your shoulder there and, uh,
used, and repeated that to people?
So yep.
Speaker 2: So, how do you then use them?
Like, I think it's so easy for
those alignment cards that we put
up to just become almost background
noise that we don't pay attention
to or s- even see that it's there.
Mm-hmm.
How do you bring your attention
to them or kind of overcome that?
Speaker 3: I don't know if it's
just personality or, or what,
because I find myself reading them.
They're there.
I've always been a person who reads
whatever's in front of me, which can
be a real hassle and a distraction.
Um, as a kid, you're like, "Wait,"
you can't focus on anything
because there's words everywhere.
So having them there really
just brings them to mind.
Um, and you know, I have to like stop and
choose one and, and actually, you know,
read through it, you know, to myself.
But just that they're there, you know?
And I don't read them all every time,
it just, the one- my eyes land on one
of them, and it's like, "Oh, that's
the one I need to read," and it works.
Um, and I've read them so much
that they now stick in my head.
And as I was saying, I also use songs
and, uh, you know, I'm in the church
choir, so the songs we sing or the hymns
we sing those become their own form
of alignment because they're there.
And so when I'm walking around
the neighborhood or when I wake
in the night, um, I just fall
back on them and it's easy.
Um, and it always, it has this way of
feeling like, um, the bit that comes to
mind is the part that I needed to hear.
Um, which is so reassuring that, you know,
when you remember, um, God is my refuge
and strength, and you go, "And oh, yeah."
And it just, it suddenly feels
like that's what I needed to hear.
So, um, the more I put it in,
the better off it becomes.
Speaker 2: Yeah.
Yeah, that's what God uses and
brings to mind at the right moments.
Speaker 3: Mm-hmm.
Yep.
Which is so much better than the
negative thoughts I used to dwell on,
um, to, uh, to repent and to walk away
from the, the mud puddle of negative
thoughts, um, makes a big difference.
Speaker 2: Mm-hmm.
Speaker 3: Yeah.
Speaker 2: And having those concrete
things that we repeat, I like how
you have them spread out in multiple
places, 'cause sometimes that's helpful.
Like, no matter where I am, I'm gonna
have the opportunity to look and see one.
And-
Speaker 3: That was, that was actually
an interesting thing about COVID.
We, we moved, sort of.
Um, we went and stayed at our cabin
because we could, which was wonderful.
But I felt like I was spinning a
bit out of control, and I finally
looked around and went, "Oh,
there's, there's no alignment cards."
And so I printed one out and stuck
it up by the bathroom mirror, and it
was like, "Oh, that feels better."
So it's funny, I, I rely on 'em in a way.
And, you know, in a time when all of
my systems, all of my routines, and
even my environment were uprooted I
needed that grounding to go back to.
And even if, though I just printed
out an old one I had made, it was
enough to, uh, to ground things again.
And then of course my kids notice it.
That was about the time they got old
enough to start noticing and reading
things and telling me what they remember.
So that has been another fruit of this.
Speaker 2: Yeah.
Yeah.
That's always neat.
Mm-hmm.
And then they're in multiple places.
Speaker 3: Right.
And
Speaker 2: how often do you,
like, add a new one or change
them up or move them around?
I
Speaker 3: don't tend to move
them unless they fall down.
Um, but um, I have one that's
really faded right now, so I guess
it's become a memory exercise.
I have to stare at it and try
and remember what it says, um,
which is its own amusement.
But generally I add them
whenever something strikes me.
So if I read a verse, you know, if I'm
reading a Psalm and it strikes me, I
write it out, um, you know, part of it.
It, you know, there are bits from
the various lessons that we do in,
like, in, uh, Convivial Circle.
Um, sometimes those strike
me and I write 'em out.
I've tried off and on for,
to keep, like, a commonplace
notebook, and it never sticks.
But if I see something that strikes
me and I write it and stick it on the
wall, then that, uh, that's better.
So yeah, it's just really
whenever something hits me.
And I have a few that my
daughter has made for me.
You know, I'm like, "Oh, I like that,"
and she sticks it up somewhere, so.
Speaker 4: Nice.
Speaker 3: You know, like Grandma had
the coloring book of, uh, Bible verses,
and so a few of those are on the wall.
And she made me a "not all who
wander are lost," uh, card.
And
Speaker 2: yeah,
Speaker 3: it's, it's fun.
Speaker 2: Becomes a family culture thing.
Speaker 3: Yes, very much so.
Which I guess I like to think that that,
uh, redeems a little bit the culture
that we also have of quoting movies.
So it's like, okay, we can quote
movies, but we can also quote
book- books and Bible verses,
so, you know, it balances out.
Speaker 2: Do you think you're gonna
run out of wall space then if you keep
adding them, or you have new places?
I
Speaker 3: don't know.
I mean, so far it's worked.
I'm, again, I'm looking around
the room going, "Well, you
know, there's things there.
There's thingâ¦"
Now, at some point I'm guessing that
my husband might like a little less
visual clutter, but, uh, he's a blank
wall kind of person, so we'll see.
I, I may have to adjust my
ways, but, uh, so far I've
been able to keep it reined in.
They do end up a little bit topical,
like the ones that are next to my
bed are a bit like the lying down
in safety or the, uh, you know,
waking up and, you know, appreciating
what a privilege it is to be alive.
You know, those kinds
of, you know, things.
The, the love and faithfulness.
And that's also where I've stuck my
vocation statements because then when
I, you know, when I pause there, I'm,
like, putting on my shoes, I'm like,
"Oh, yeah, that's what we're doing."
So those things help.
Speaker 2: Yeah.
Speaker 3: Yep.
Speaker 2: Yeah.
Finding those ways just to keep,
to look at what we've written
down and to have those- Mm-hmm
reminders of all kinds.
Speaker 3: Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2: If you were talking to
someone who was reluctant to get started,
what would you encourage them to do?
Speaker 3: Hmm.
I don't know.
I mean, just start is the easiest one.
But think ofâ¦
I mean, think of something that's helped
you, be it a song lyric or a time that
someone, um, you know, said something
to you or, like, say something you
read in a book or got from a lesson.
I've heard people say that they're kind of
embarrassed to put it up, and it's like,
I don't know, putting up a Bible verse.
I mean, especially if it's somewhere
like where you brush your teeth.
How many people are paying attention
to, you know, what's in your bathroom?
I've had a couple I put
inside the cupboard.
I'm like, "You know, I'm just
gonna put this on the inside of the
cupboard door," and then, no, it's not
really always there, but it's there.
And those help.
So, you know, find a place that
you feel comfortable with it and
find a place that you see it.
Maybe it's just on your phone
lock screen or something.
But any, any bit helps.
Any time we can, I don't know,
add a little truth to, to combat
what's out there, that helps.
Speaker 2: How long would you say it has
taken for, like, p- a particular alignment
card to, like, pop to mind at other times?
Like, that kind of review,
'cause it's not instant.
They can be- No ⦠out for a while.
Speaker 3: There are a few that I seem
to have, you know, memorized quickly.
I mean, And there are a few that I
don't really come to mind, but when I
read them, they're, you know, they fit.
So I don't know.
It's hard to say.
And sometimes I just remember a bit of it.
I'm like, "Oh yeah, that poem," you know?
And you remember a- enough to go
remind you, yes, do it immediately.
Okay, got it.
Or rejoice always.
You don't always have to recite
the whole thing to, like, hang
up on it and, uh, remember.
Speaker 2: That's true.
Yeah.
Even just a fragment
Speaker 3: Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Just a little bit will help.
Yeah.
Speaker 2: Do you have, what, do you
have a, a single favorite alignment card?
Speaker 3: Well, the one I use the
most is the Elizabeth Elliot, "The
secret is Christ in me, not me in
a different set of circumstances."
Which is funny because I copied it out and
I stuck it in the book I was reading, and
I found ⦠I didn't find it for a while.
And and then I found it and hung it up.
But it was, it was always
came to the top of mind.
Yeah.
And as I mentioned earlier, like
currently the thing that comes to
mind is the song we sang about, uh,
the Lord is my refuge and strength,
um, an ever present help and trouble.
And it's, you know, it's probably
been a year or so since we sang
that song, but it, it, you know, it
just has been coming to mind, so.
Speaker 2: Mm-hmm.
Speaker 3: I just always take
it as that's what I needed.
Speaker 2: Having the external
cards is helpful to give us
something to latch onto visually.
Yeah.
And rethink those thoughts.
But really anything like that that
can direct our thinking so that we
think good things and can direct our
thoughts and change what we're thinking.
Mm-hmm.
So that, you know, sometimes
our thoughts start wandering
off into places they shouldn't.
It's like anything, a song,
something you've memorized.
Right.
Looking and reading words to get
the good thoughts in your head.
These are all things that we can do.
Speaker 3: Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
The daily quotes help, too.
Um, those are fun, the text messages.
When you used to do the, like, short
workshops and you'd send out quotes for,
like, a month, I was like, "You know,
I just subscribe to those forever."
' Cause I like quotes.
And then you had membership
and it was like, oh, I can
get quotes and conversation.
So yes, I think I signed up
the day I opened that email.
Speaker 2: It was the quotes.
Speaker 3: Well, 'cause
you had both options.
I was like, "Well, do I sign up for
quotes or do I join a membership?"
That's an unusual thing.
Yeah.
Speaker 2: Forgot about that.
Speaker 3: Yeah.
So back at the beginning.
And I was like, "Huh, well maybe
I'll try it," and- ⦠obviously
have never left, so.
Yep.
Speaker 2: Well, we
appreciate having you in.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Speaker 3: Thank you.
Speaker: Like Sarah mentioned, inside
Convivial Circle, you can sign up to
get daily quotes texted right to you
every morning, and that might be the
best way to start an alignment card.
If you haven't tried it yet this month
and you just can't figure out where
to get started, I will interrupt you
every morning with a texted quote or
Bible verse that will help you get your
head in the right place and focused
on good and true things every weekday.
That's just one of the perks inside
Convivial Circle, where we also have
community support, courses, and so
much more that will help you become a
more capable, competent, and cheerful
homemaker We do it every day by repenting
You can join us by going
to convivialcircle.com.
In November, we're going
to be planning the holidays
And then in December, we'll be
doing our annual Ready Five review
our take on annual planning
that focuses more on big picture
and perspective shifts and
word of the year Focus options
rather than achievement goals
or complicated habit plans
Convivial Circle is the place for
Christian moms who want to grow and
become better life and home managers.
Join us at convivialcircle.com,
and we will continue to
repent, rejoice, repeat