A Better Life - Part 1

Today, I'm taking it easy and trusting God. My mom is here helping do some things around the house. So, what better way to take it easy than to blog!

I was searching around my normal stops this morning... facebook, twitter, gmail.. and I read something that hit a place in my heart...

I read of a young mother who was thankful for the opportunity to go to college and make a better life for her family. And while I can understand what she's saying, it just hurt a bit.

It seems that we as a society seem to think a college degree, a successful career and money as the ingredients to 'a better life'. But where does this ideology come from? Is it biblical? I don't think so.

I'm just concerned that these days full time motherhood isn't even considered as noble or even an option. So often even before we think about marriage and a family we set ourselves up with a lifestyle that isn't compatible with a single income family. Then when children come along, rather than sacrifice, we just continue in the rat race to keep up with our lifestyle. It's even affected our decision to 'be fruitful and multiply'. I was listening to Nancy Leigh DeMoss this week and the topic was children. They were talking about how Christians today are having less and less children. And this is effecting so many things.. socially and spiritually in the world we live in. We aren't fulfilling God's call and one of the top reasons is affordability. I was just baffled and saddened.

Is a better life really being away from our family 8-10 hours a day? Does having an abundance of nice things equal a better life?

I don't want to come across as ungracious. I am fully aware that often families have certain circumstances that keep them from this. But I'm also burdened that so many who have the option (and most do) don't seek out God's direction. And I fear it's because maybe they know what God would want, what God would have for them and their family. But maybe they aren't willing to follow so it's left ignored and not prayed about. The result: families aren't what they could be.

So, I'm praying that God will turn our hearts back to Him... back to following His heart for our families.

Stay tuned for Part 2. I want to share my struggles with being at home, even though the Hubs and I decided I would stay at home before we had children. There is often a battle in my mind between what God wants and the world's pull.

Change Me

I've been thinking a lot about my blog here lately and wondering what God would have me to write about. I'm still not sure exactly but this post I read today has encouraged me to continue blogging and sharing. I'm praying that God will sharpen my focus though. I need sharpening in so many ways.

Speaking of that, one journey that I'm on.. okay, so I just started tonight... is Scripture memory. Oh yes, I've memorized a verse here.. a verse there. And of course the verses that the boys learn. But I want to know God. Deeply. So, I must know His Word.

What convicted and compelled me to do something about this lack of discipline in my life were these two posts. Go read them! I am new to A Holy Experience, but I promise you Ann Voskamp posts will captivate you. She is so full of grace and God. It is definitely good use of computer time.

So, I want to memorize Psalm 139. I'm not sure why, I just feel like that's where I need to start.

I want His Words to pierce my heart, change me, sanctify me. And I know they will if I let them. If I let them.

Here is a great short video by John Piper. He gives 8 reason why we should memorize Scripture. My favorite is the last. That is my desire.

Raising Homemakers

So, most of you know I don't have any little girls running around my house! Two precious little boys live here and I LOVE it. Who knows if or when God may bless me with a little girl but if He chooses to just give me boys, I'll be just as happy! But for those of you who do have sweet little girls, I have a great blog to share with you!




Here is a little excerpt about the site, written by the founder Sarah Mae:

RaisingHomemakers.com was born out of a desire to grow, learn, and be encouraged by women who were living out Titus 2 and who were managing their homes well for the glory of God.
This space is for you and me to journey together in learning how to teach and train our daughters in the homemaking arts to the glory of God…and to re-train ourselves! We are extremely blessed to have wise, older women willing to give their time to teach us what they’ve learned and to encourage us in the way. I am grateful some of them are writers here.
I hope Raising Homemakers will be of help to you…it is my prayer that we would all continue on in knowledge, skill, and love. Thank you for walking the narrow path.

And actually, you don't have to even have little girls! Because it's a great source of knowledge, wisdom and practical advice for any woman of any age!

I think that in so many ways homemaking is a lost art. It's one that I'm continuing to learn! They cover all kinds of topics like cooking (look at these pumpkin pancakes), hospitality, how to stock a pantry, saving money, sewing skills (mine are limited to buttons only!), training your daughters to be godly women and seeking God as a mother.

There are several writers who are not married with children but are single and pursuing homemaking. What a noble and God honoring idea! (and why is that not the norm?!)

I definitely think you should check it out!

And if you do, start here. This is a post by one of the writers of the blog. There is a precious video of her sweet 5 year old daughter making a simple meal! It is the sweetest thing!

I'm praying those sweet little boys I have will one day find a woman who has been nurtured and trained to honor God by serving her family in the home!!

Remember me??

I just wanted to pop in and say that I have had zero desire to blog here lately. Zero. I haven't wanted to make time for it... and honestly, I haven't really had the time for it. I truly don't understand how so many find the time to blog regularly without giving up something else. So, the blog is on the back burner. And it probably will be for a while longer. I'm thinking and praying about where it fits in my life. I enjoy sharing about my family and what the boys are up to. But honestly, who reads this? What impact am I making through this blog? Many use their blog as a ministry or a source of income.. but mine is neither of those things. Many have lots of followers and enjoy a 'blogging community' but I don't. Why do I blog? That is a great question.

I've been re-evaluating a lot of things I 'do' and trying to figure out what of the 'stuff' I do is really important. And blogging fits into that category, for me anyways. I just have a lot to think about concerning it... among other things! So, there you have it! :)

Until next time... maybe!