I’m a Career Woman!

Last night the family sat down and watched an episode of The Walton’s, remember that old tv show? It is a good show that would do many good to revisit! There was a scene where Mary Ellen is sitting with Grandma. Grandma wants to show her how to crochet and Mary Ellen says, “Oh, Grandma, I don’t need to know how to do that I’m going to be a career woman.” Grandma in return says, “Who ever said being a wife and a mother was not a career!”

My husband and I replied in unison, “THANK YOU!”

Where have those days gone? Today if you stay home to raise your own children you are seen as less of a woman. I submit to you that those who fulfill their God given role as a keeper at home are the real career women! It is a place to excel and in so many diverse areas. I am a teacher, spiritual leader to my children, nurse, cook, cleaning lady, economic major, gardener, organizer, hairdresser, clothes presser, piano driller, chauffeur, disciplinarian, and on and on and on.

I believe this is not only the most diverse career, but also one of the most difficult, because to truly excel you must possess many character traits that are not easy to come by and not easy to maintain. Things such as humility, patience, integrity, and consistency. You must be able to withstand pressure from the world, of those telling you to go and make something of yourself, implying that you are nothing if only a wife and mother. It is often a thankless and unappreciated position.

Not only is being a keeper at home one of the most diverse and most difficult careers it is also the most rewarding. Not monetarily of course, I do not get a paycheck. I do not think anyone could afford to pay a keeper at home for all they do. It is by far the most blessed position one could find! You receive the blessings of the Lord. When living a life according to His plan, you are blessed. You have freedom, I am the queen of my castle. It doesn’t even have to be a big castle. I am blessed with joy, satisfaction, fulfillment, love, contentment, a thankful family, and a bunch of smiling faces! No paycheck can beat that, no praise of man can even come close.

It is also the most important job. Who is preparing the generation of tomorrow? Not only to be good citizens but to be godly citizens! There is eternal significance. It does NOT take a village to raise a child, it takes a committed mother and a father!

So I ask, “Who said being a wife and a mother is not a career?”

Blessings Beyond Belief

Our family has received a tremendous blessing this week, one that we are still trying to process and convince ourselves that it is real. I still cannot believe it! As you may have noticed from a previous post, our family is very involved in Awana. Last year our children that qualified went to Awana Scholarship Camp. It was such an amazing experience and a fun time for them. Due to our move in late spring this year the children will not be able to attend camp this summer. There is just no possible way we can get them back here. We just cannot afford plane tickets for four children and the trip is just too long to make again with the costs of transporting such a large family over 2000 miles. Camp was just out of the realm of possibilities this year.

My husband received a call the other night saying that someone had anonymously donated the money for our children to fly back to attend camp! I still cannot believe it!

Thank You Lord! Thank you to the individual or individuals who have so vividly shown Christ’s love to us through this gift!

God gently reminded me of his promises this week and has brought these scriptures to mind:

Ephesians 3:19-21 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

No Greater Calling

“Christian parents, brothers and sisters in Christ, there is no greater calling in our lives as Christians than to raise up the next generation of faithful servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. Surely within that calling, the most noble, the most necessary, the most foundational task is to ensure our children have been thoroughly trained to properly, earnestly, honestly, from the heart and soul and mind and strength, offer their reasonable service, their spiritual worhip to God the Father Almighty in the name of His only begotten Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Amen!”

~ Craig & Barbara Smith Keystone Magazine July 2002, Vol. VIII No. 4

Baby Step Five

College Funding

Look into the following:
ESA~Educational Savings Accounts or 529 plans.

NEVER fund college using the following~
Life Insurance
Savings Bonds
Zero Coupon Bonds
Prepaid Tuition

Wordless Wednesday!

Reminder of God’s Grace & Protection

Today I was once again reminded of how amazing God’s grace & protection are. While visiting a friend in the hospital the memories of times when I was in her exact position came flooding back. She is in for pre-eclampsia and soon to be a premature delivery of her son. I have had two pregnancies where I have come close to loosing my life as well as the life of my baby. I did not always have the best medical care in those instances and yet God protected us. I have learned to push for good medical care and for doctors and nurses that listen to their patients, however, I try to continually remind myself that God is the One in ultimate control and He is the Great Physician.

On another note: I would like to ask of those of you who do read this blog, to pray for Becca, my friend in the hospital and her unborn son. Also to keep another friend in your prayers. He is the Catholic priest at our chapel and his name is Father George. He was diagnosed with cancer in his bladder and will be having his bladder removed next week, they are also checking to see if it has spread. He will also be medically discharged because of this. He is having a very difficult time. Again, God is the Great Physician and His grace is sufficient. Please pray for them if you feel led to do so.