Mama Made My Day!

Mama Made My Day!

“There is no amount of money worth you sacrificing being home with those boys!” 

The decision for me to stay home with the boys was obvious, but difficult for sure.  Giving up an entire income seemed like a lot to sacrifice.  However, Nathan and I both felt that this is what the Lord had intended for us and that it would be the best thing for our entire family.  We knew that we would have to sacrifice things along the way, but decided that that it would be worth it in the end.  Although we have given up some things and changed our lifestyle along the way, I don’t know that I would go so far as to call it a ‘sacrifice.” Also, breastfeeding, cloth diapering and homemade baby food might have never been part of our lives if we didn’t decide for me to stay home.  (And there are many people who thought I wouldn’t do ANY of those things!!)  Sure, we’ve given up cable tv (just recently got rabbit ears and now have four channels J), home phone, gym memberships, dining out, shopping trips and dunkin’ donuts, but that’s nothing compared to what we’d be giving up if I were to go back to work.  J

Anyway, Not everybody in our lives agreed with and supported or encouraged our decision.  There were several people who just didn’t think it was a good idea or people who weren’t capable of seeing why this was best for our family.  My mom was one of those people.  I’m sure that she meant no harm in her disagreement, but she disagreed nonetheless.  But today she said something that I will never forget and that I will cherish forever, “There is no amount of money worth you sacrificing being home with those boys!” She went on to tell me how good of a mother I am, how wonderful our children are and how she never understood before the impact of a GOOD mother being home has on a family.  Those words are so priceless to me, just as the experience of staying home with our family. 

All of these are moments I would've never gotten if I would've been at work....So thankful for a husband who supports us!

THANK YOU MOM!!!

Ministries Among Us

Ministries Among Us

For the past few months I have been asking myself, “What are you doing for the Lord?”  This question has the potential to elicit several different responses from me.  Depending on the day it can be eye opening, shameful, rewarding, or inspirational. 

Our service in the Lord before our boys….Attended church three times a week, involved in choir, nursery work, Sunday school teaching, AWANA, women’s ministries, a short attempt at being part of the music ministry as well as enjoyable fellowship with many other members of our church.  We have been members at our church for about five years.  Please do not misunderstand my message here…I don’t think that service for the Lord is like some kind of checklist that you can have and say I did this for the Lord today, so that should be good for now.  In fact, sometimes I truly believe that one can be involved in too many ministries.  I’ve often found that if I have too much going on, I don’t really do a good job at anything because I’m spread so thin. 

Our spiritual life and service after the birth of our boys…Changed. 

It would be ridiculous to say that having two newborn babies (as first time parents) wouldn’t change your life around a little bit.  Our church attendance and service certainly did change after the birth of our children.  Having two newborns and being a first time mother I felt it was crucial that they were on a very regimented bedtime schedule for the sanity and peace of our entire family.  (They didn’t sleep through the night until they were eleven months old).  As a result, we stopped going to Sunday night and Wednesday night services.  Some may view this as using our children as an excuse not to be in church.  However, I would’ve gladly invited those people into the eleven sleepless months and a few screaming car rides home (on attempts to go to evening church) with two very tired little guys. 

We have done what we thought was best for our family. 

Now, as our children are rounding the corner to two years old (I can hardly believe that!)  I ask myself again, “What are we doing for the Lord?”  I see people doing this and doing that and am then reminded that everybody’s circumstances are different and we aren’t all able to do the same things.  I feel strongly that my first ministry for the Lord is this family that he has so generously blessed us with.  As the wife and mother of this household I feel it is my responsibility to keep a home that is filled with peace, love, respect, order, and encouragement…To be a wife that my husband adores and to be a mother that my children look up to.  My first ministry is here.  I have to remember that.  Each time I pray with my children, read the Bible with them, sing Bible songs and hymns to them and teach them…I know that I am doing the ‘work’ that the Lord has intended for me.

As our children grow older, I find it more and more important that we are involved in other ministries so that our children also have opportunities to see the blessings of doing the Lord’s work.  It’s is a trickly balancing act and I’m no juggler.  I pray that the Lord would bless us in this ministry of our home and guide us to other areas that we may serve Him together.