Seasons of Life – The Joy in the Journey

Keeper of the Home

March 22, 2017 Kelly Comments 1 comment

I was a young girl during the 1970’s a time when “enlightened” woman were fighting so I could have “equal rights”. During this time, many girls like me were being taught that we could have it all. A career, a family and all of the material trappings that would make us all so happy. Much happier than our poor mothers whom we were convinced were chained to a life of housework.

As I made my way through public school, I was never taught basic things like cooking and managing a home. My mother was a excellent example of taking care of our family, in fact she considered it her career! But, I being one of the “lucky” girls of the time was more interested in pursuing a career, so learning basic skills seemed pointless to me.

During college (and several major changes), I found myself studying early childhood education. I attended a school that had a lab school where we “practiced” our skills on our young students. As part of the curriculum, we had to rotate to different areas of the lab school for two week periods. The classroom, the baby and toddler room, the preschooler room and the kitchen. I was terrified! Not of working with the children, but of being in the kitchen! I was required to come up with a healthy lunch menu. It was so easy to do on paper, but to actually cook the food, I knew I was in big trouble.

So I swallowed my pride and went to my teacher and confessed that the only thing I knew how to make was macaroni and cheese, frozen pizza and popcorn! She tried so hard not to laugh at me, and told me this was a great opportunity to learn. (Which was a good thing for Rob, because we were engaged to be married in a few months and at least I would know how to cook something!) So my crash course in cooking began.

I taught preschool and kindergarten for 6 years before staying home with my own children. During that time I learned so many practical things that helped prepare me to take care of my own family and to homeschool my children. Yet it seemed too late to learn things like canning, baking, gardening and sewing. I still felt very inadequate in managing my home. My husband was very patient with me and encouraged me to read books, take classes and ask older wiser women for advice. I devoured everything I could find! As I searched the scriptures I found that the Lord desired that we…

The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as become holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,⁵To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Titus 2:3-5

Wow! We are to do this so that the “word of God may not be blasphemed”!

according to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary blasphemed means

” An indignity offered to God by words or writing; reproachful, contemptuous or irreverent words uttered impiously against Jehovah. Blasphemy is an injury offered to God, by denying that which is due and belonging to him, or attributing to him that which is not agreeable to his nature.”

Those are strong words!

I had never considered that being a homemaker was what God had designed women to do, (as well to be sober, loving my husband and children discrete, chaste, good and being obedient to our husbands!) and by not doing what God has designed us to do we are being reproachful, contemptuous and irreverent and the Word of God is being blasphemed!

I, as an older woman, am now to teach the young woman to do these things! What an amazing privilege and responsibility! The world will continue to tell us that we are wasting our time and talent, but what could be more important than this!

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men

Colossians 3:23

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Raising Homemakers

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth

Christopher Robin Days

February 1, 2017 Kelly Comments 1 comment

This past week my youngest child celebrated his 19th birthday. As I was looking through some old photos of him when he was little, I longed for what I call “Christopher Robin Days”. Those were such special times when everyday was an adventure! I loved those days. Hours spent in the sandbox, playing with Legos, building forts in the living room and exploring our backyard.

My children knew that when their chores and schoolwork were done, the day belonged to them. Screen time was limited and “boredom was not an option”. My goal was for them to have a childhood full of imagination and exploration. In the summer time I would ask them what they wanted to learn about and we would check out books from the library and take field trips to explore their interests.

I think it is a little harder these days with screens everywhere you go. I cringe when I see a parent hand a small child a electronic device to keep them quiet. I have seen my own children play for hours with a old piece of water hose and a hiking stick! They had so many “pretend” adventures that they still remember today! Children need to have the opportunity to be creative and move around. They also need to learn self control and occupying them with a screen is just entertaining them, not teaching them to be still when it is appropriate.

I want to encourage all of you mamas who have little ones at your house to savor these days. They will go by so very fast. Take the time to see the world through your children’s eyes. Enjoy your own “Christopher Robin Days”! The sad truth is that they pass way to soon!

Working on a project together in our school room

Lessons Learned

December 20, 2016 Kelly Comments 0 Comment

New Year 2016

2016 is a year I will not soon forget. This year so many lessons were learned. Many were not very pleasant at the time, but through it all I experienced emotional, spiritual and physical growth that I am so very grateful for.

Lesson 1 ~ Good things sometimes come to an end. ~ This year, our homeschooling journey came to an end. For the past 20 years that has been the focus of my days. My “new normal” is still a work in progress, but the Lord has graciously given me glimpses of the results of those years. Seeing the fruit of my labor in my children has been very rewarding.

Lesson 2 ~ Sometimes others choose another path. ~ It is hard to see people you have known for many years choose a different way. It is sad to see that maybe you were not so much alike after all. But, Jesus reminds me that he is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow. He never changes and neither do his ways.

Lesson 3 ~ Sometimes surgery is the only option. ~ After over 4 years of dealing with gallbladder issues, I ended up in an emergency situation. I had my very sick gallbladder removed in early September and a week later I ended up with a kidney stone. For 45 LONG days my journey with the kidney stone was not only painful, but also humbling. Through this trial, I now have so much more compassion for those afflicted. After being in pain for so long, I now have a better understanding of how people can get addicted to medication.

Lesson 4 ~ Love never fails. ~ My husband and I have been married for 31 years. We have been through many trials and losses during those years, but his care of me during my health crisis demonstrated love in a whole new way. He was my rock and was there with me every step of the way. Words can not express how truly thankful I am.

Lesson 5 ~ God’s people are everywhere ~ We have had the amazing privilege to travel to many destinations this year. We were able to meet with other believers who really love the Lord. What a blessing and encouragement to me to be with others who share my faith.

Lesson 6 ~ Life is a journey ~ The older I get the more I understand that I will always be learning and growing. I have no idea what lies ahead for me in the coming year, but I do know that God is faithful.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Shared at: Stevens Family Adventures

A New Season

June 8, 2016 Kelly Comments 1 comment

cool-4-seasons-spring-summer-autumn-winter

Each year we experience four different seasons. Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. With each season comes new experience. As I think of my own life, I realize I have gone through a few seasons.

Spring ~ I was so young and enthusiastic. Life was ahead of me. I became a believer in Christ at the age of 18. A new beginning. I became a bride at the age of 21. Our life together was in the future and we were so excited to set out on our journey together! Their were ups and downs, excitement and disappointment. I now know that the pruning and growth of those days was necessary to get us where we are today. It is hard to believe that we celebrated 30 years of marriage last year!

Summer ~ My first child was born when I was 28. We waited so long for this baby. This season was so exciting. Experiencing life through a child’s eyes is a wonderful gift! We were blessed with another child 6 years later. Homeschooling adventures with two little boys were such sweet days. Now those little boys have grown into men. My youngest will graduate from high school in a few days and my homeschooling journey of the past 20 years has come to end.

Fall ~ I am now entering this season of my life. With this season comes changes and challenges. Over the years I have had a few woman in my life who have come along side of me and encourage me as a wife, mother, and sister in Christ. The sad truth is, their have only been a few. So as I enter this “season” I want to be that woman.

Winter ~ This season, Lord willing, is in my future. I want to seek out woman who are in that season and soak in their wisdom so I am prepared for what lies ahead.

My goal for this website help woman in every season of life to catch a vision of who God wants you to be. I want us all to find “Joy in the Journey”!

So in the spirit of Titus 2:3-5, here we go…

The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— ⁴that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Titus 2:3-5

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Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth

The Modest Mom Blog