Day #16

Thankful for:

Jesus, my Lord and Savior

Joyful in the Storm

Day #15

I'm choosing to be joyful today because I know you are safe.

God is present and answering my prayers.

I know His ways are not my ways. I don't understand why?

I don't have all the answers for my girls, but I do have one.

God is good all the time.

He loves us.

His grace, mercy, love, and hope is sustains us.

He is my rock.

For that I am choosing joy!

Finding Joy and Gratitude Day #14

I'm learning to see the joy and to be thankful in the small things in life.

Today I found joy in:
1. The wind and warm air blowing in the windows on a beautiful late March day
2. Giggling with my niece over how similar we are
3. Joy in the face of my girls when they get to sleep over at Grandmas
4. Celebrating Ricky's amazing 50 years of life. He beat the odds of being born with Fragile X in a different era of time
5. Looking at my husband and saying a breathe prayer to God , "Thank you for blessing me with a man who loved you first and loves me so passionately." He still makes my heart skip a beat

Thankful for my Children

Day # 13

Yesterday, we set out on one of our many journeys. Myself, my girls, nieces, and one of their friends journeyed to the Children's Museum. Yes, during Spring Break.

I forgot something in my car, so I ran back to go get it. The crossing guard was very polite. We started talking, then she asked why we were visiting the museum. I began to tell her one of my daughters loves legos! I also told her we homeschooled. We were there to check out the planetarium because my girls were doing a research report. She looked at me and said, "Wow. I admire you. I need my time away from my children." I looked at her sadly and said, " I absolutely love spending time with my girls. I love having them with me all the time. I couldn't imagine life any other way." She again said, "Wow," then I crossed the street. In my head I said, "Wow." How sad.

I get the "I could never homeschool my children" all the time. The reasons are usually similar: I need "me" time, I'm not educated enough, they have special needs, etc. The list goes on and on.

I know not everyone can Homeschool. I don't do it because I have nothing else to do. I choose to Homeschool because I firmly believe this is what God wants for my family. Devoting myself, to preparing my girls for life is a joy. It's my responsibility as a parent. Should we leave it up to the schools, the government, the church? I don't think so. Look where its gotten us so far as a nation.

When we started this homeschooling journey, it was just for a couple of years. Now, its our life mission. My husband and I believe, the PARENTS should be the biggest influence on a child's life. We want them to have a biblical worldview, to seek justice, to love mercy, love God, and love others. It's what God commands and expects of us as  parents.

What if everyone took on a challenge they thought was impossible? I certainly thought and often think, I am not equipped for this mission. Then I look into their innocent eyes and could not imagine someone else fulfilling my God given role as a parent.

I rely heavily on scripture and prayer to get me through life. One of my prayers is "Lord, please replace my fear with faith. Give my girls the courage and faith to move mountains for You."

Homeschooling isn't a easy choice but its a choice we've made. God is blessing our family. I pray He will give more parents the courage to take a step of faith and find joy in their journey.

"Be strong and courageous for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9

Delight in the Lord

Day#12

Over the past several weeks, I have been intentional about being thankful and joyful. At first, I found myself thinking more positive. The goal was to be more grateful and joyful in my life. It was about being intentional about the small moments in life. I have learned, it takes lots work and I got side tracked.

I've been living for myself for far too long. Feeling a leading from the Holy Spirit, I picked up a favorite book of mine 'Practicing the Presence of God' letters written by Brother Lawrence compiled into a great little book. It took me a couple of days to pick it up and start rereading. God hit me on the head! I made a commitment to God that I would be intentionally grateful and joyful. I promised to keep a written record of my joy. However, as life continued on, I failed. I got so caught up in myself, i slipped into old habits of relying on myself and not God.

So, I picked the book up again and started reading. Brother Lawrence is a perfect example of how to find joy in everyday life. During his daily duties as a monk, he talked to God all day long. No matter what he did he did it with a pure, God loving heart. He practiced the presence of God in everything. Again, he did it with joy and thanksgiving for God's glory.

As for me, Washing dishes several times a day, mopping floors, picking up toys, being a personal chauffeur, homeschooling and doing so much more, I got lost in the process. I just felt being a mom wasn't enough. I needed to be out in the world making a difference. I constantly compare myself to those women around me who work, travel, have careers, etc. Just thinking about where I am in life and how I value this season has been lost in the monotony of being a wife and mother.

God has used this great little book to remind me of something very important. I am His daughter. I matter to Him. Everything I do matters to Him. He has given me a wonderful, important mission in life. That mission is to raise my three beautiful girls. To teach them, the things of God. To train them up to be fully devoted followers of Christ.

God calls us all to serve. He's called me to serve at home for this season of my life. My mission field isn't in Haiti, Africa, or in the inner city streets of Chicago. It's at home to lead by example on how to be a godly wife and mother.

God delights in me because He loves me. I will delight in Him right where I am. I will replace monotony with joy because this is important. I will place God as the priority in my home and I will pass on the things of God to my girls as He has commanded in Deuteronomy 6.

My prayers are not in vain. He hears me and loves me. I will delight in the Lord as I find joy in my journey. Most importantly, I'll do it for His glory not mine.

Stumbling into joy

Choosing Joy and Gratitude

Day#11

I've had a bad couple of days. I've been overwhelmed with life lately. Cleaning the girls room I came across a letter my daughter wrote me. It said this:

1. Thank you for homeschooling me.
2. Thank you for my legos.
3. Thank you for the roof over my head.
4. Thank you for taking care of me when I am sick.
5. Thank you for loving me.
6. Thank you for my clothes and shoes.
7. Thank you for letting me do my activities.
8. Thank you for the dogs.
9. Thank you Daddy for working so we can have food, house, and so much more.
10. Thank you mom for staying home with us when you could be out doing something else.

My heart is overflowing with emotion. Tears of joy are flowing as I stumbled across joy in my journey.

Finding Joy

Day #10

Thankful for:

1. Homeschooling

2. Listening to my girls laugh

3. Spring weather

4. Walks with the dogs

5. Listening to Makenzie and her friend Grace. They feed off each other!

6. Worshipping with friends in Friendship class

7. Troy's smile

8. Listening to Josh in Friendship class read

9. Nieces and old friends