Adjusting

The last few weeks have been wonderful! 


The kids got off to a great start in school.  Emma is loving middle school.  She likes that she can move from class to class and not be in one place most of the day.  Her classes include science, math, social studies, language arts, Chinese and choir.  I am so proud of her for how well she is adjusting.  Sam is enjoying 3rd grade as well.  He really likes the social part of school.  He loves being with his friends and he says his teacher is his favorite so far.  I am proud of him for adjusting to school without me being there.  He wasn't so sure about that at first.


Todd is really enjoying his job.  I think this job will challenge him more than his last job and that is what he needs and wants.  I am proud of him for waiting until the right job came along.  He's been looking for a long time.  He rocks!  By the way, he just ordered ANOTHER guitar.  His motto is new job, new guitar!  I am so in love with that man.


I am thoroughly enjoying my time at home.  I have been keeping up with laundry and cleaning, baking cookies, spending quiet time with God and volunteering at the kids' schools.  I absolutely love going into school and not having so much responsibility while I am there.  I will be volunteering in Emma's math class every other week and Sam's class every other week as well.  I may increase that to once a week  if I feel I have the time or want more things to do. 


In my time with God on Monday, I was reading a chapter out of Stormie Omartian's book called, "The Power of a Praying Woman."  When I sat down with the book I looked through the contents to see what I felt called to read and the chapter called, "Lord, Bless Me in the Work I Do" jumped right out.  I have a new job this year!  One unlike any I have ever had.  Everyone has a job to do.  It might be in the corporate world, in the church, volunteering at the mission, something out of your home, a stay-at-home mom, a disabled person, a married person, a single person, etc.  It doesn't matter if the whole world sees it or just God sees it.  It doesn't matter if you are getting paid big bucks or nothing at all.  Your work is valuable.  You want it to be blessed by God.  The ideal woman described in Proverbs 31 is a hard worker.  She may be a real estate agent, a landscaper, a designer, a manager of a clothing store.  She is a woman of strength and energy and she knows that what she has to offer is good. 


I want to be this kind of woman.  I want God to bless my work no matter if I am doing laundry, emptying the dishwasher, making beds, vacuuming, mopping, mowing, washing windows, baking, cooking dinner, volunteering, taking out the garbage, grocery shopping.  You get the picture?  I am continually asking God to bless what I am doing and it makes the daily chores more enjoyable.  This takes me back to the scripture in my previous post. 

Psalm 128:1-2

Blessed is every one who fears the Lord,

who walks in His ways.

When you eat the labor of your hands,

you shall be happy,

and it shall be well with you.

Your work matters.  It matters to God and to others.  Don't let the mundane tasks of every day get you down.  Ask God to bless EVERYTHING you do.  Ask Him what work He wants you to do.  Thank Him for giving you the abilities to do what you do.  Commit all your work to Him not matter how small or large it may seem.

The Great Adventure

August 19, 2010

Wow! God sure is good! What a day of big changes for our family. Today is Todd's last day at his "old" job (he begins his "new" job on Monday), Emma went to middle school for the first time, Sam is starting his 3rd grade year, which is his last year in elementary school (intermediate school for 4th grade), the kids are having to ride the bus on a daily basis for the first time and I am beginning my journey as a stay at home mom, for at least a year.

I have never been a stay at home mom so this is a new experience for me. This is something God has called me to do. When He first gave me this idea, I thought, "That is crazy! I love my job and I can't imagine doing anything else." God kept calling...so I finally shared with Todd what I felt God calling me to. He was completely supportive from the moment I shared it with him.

God has continued to reaffirm to me that I am doing what He wants me to do. It sure feels peaceful to be obedient. God just continues to bless us during this time of transition.

I want this to be a year of growth and servanthood to my family and others. I am going to be involved in Bible Study Fellowship studying the book of Isaiah, volunteering in Emma and Sam's schools, spending time in God's word and whatever else God brings my way.

After I sent Todd and the kids off to school this morning I wanted to spend some time in God's word and prayer. I had no idea what I was going to be reading in the Bible when I opened it. I was just thumbing through and happened to stop at Psalm 128. (By the way...this kind of thing doesn't happen to me very often, but God spoke!)

Blessed are all who fear the Lord,

who walk in his ways.

You will eat the fruit of your labor;

blessings and prosperity will be yours.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine

within your house;

your sons will be like olive shoots

around your table.

Thus is the man blessed

who fears the Lord.

May the Lord bless you from Zion

all the days of your life;

may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem,

and may you live to see your children's children.

Peace be upon Israel.

WOW! Another confirmation for me that I am following God's will. The theme of this Psalm is God, the true head of the home. It was often used as a marriage prayer at Isaelite marriages. God will reward your devotion to him with inner peace (study Bible words, not mine). That I most certainly have! The psalmist wrote that a good family life is a reward for following God. The values outlined in God's word include love, service, honesty, integrity and prayer. These help all relationships, and they are especially vital to home life. Is your home life heavenly or hectic? Reading and obeying God's Word is a good place to start to make your family all that it should be (again, words from my study Bible).

I want a heavenly home here on earth for my family and myself, not a hectic one. How about you? That is what this time is all about for me. I am so incredibly blessed to have the husband and kids I have. I love them so deeply and I am so proud of all of them.