I'm Back!!!

Long time, no blog, I know. Life got busy there for a while and now my family and I have settled into our school routine. We were so sad when summer came to an end.

Life has thrown me some curves this past month and some of them have been painful. Why is parenting so hard and painful sometimes? For those of you who don't know, my oldest child is almost 13 and then I have an 11 year old, 9 year old and 8 year old. So, can you guess which child is throwing me the curves? I won't reveal who it is but if you're a parent with children these ages, I'm sure you can guess.

I've often said this in conversations with others and I'll say it now. God has used parenting to help me understand how much He loves me and how much it hurts Him when I don't obey Him. I can't tell you how many times I've been in the middle of lecturing one of my children and I can hear Him whispering to me, "That's exactly what I've been trying to communicate to you, precious Julie." Parenting is so humbling!

In some recent events I've come to realize how much truth there is to the fact that the training of our kids can't be done at school, church, or through any other institution other than within the walls of our home. Negative influences are everywhere and it's impossible to shelter our kids from them all.

One of the nuggets I learned in my Bible study this summer was that we are living in enemy territory. If we are followers of Christ we are literally walking around in this world with targets on our foreheads. If that's true for me why didn't I realize it's true for my kids who profess to be Christ followers? They, too, are walking around with little targets on their foreheads and the arrows are flying through the air in the hallways at school, on the playground, in the locker room, in the youth group, on the Internet, in the media, etc....

So part of me wants to crawl into fetal position on my bed and pull the covers over my head and then there is the part of me that cries out and says, "So do you really believe what you read in your Bible or what? Do you truly believe in a God who can move mountains and has already won the war? Do you really think He's giving up on your kids?"

And that's when God places that little mirror in front of me and says, "Julie, just like you wouldn't let any of your children give up on doing their best at school, or in their sport, or with their responsibilities, you can't give up on the task I've given you to train your children diligently, Biblically, and counter-culturally. I know it's hard. I know you won't get the most popular mom award and that some of your training may seem weird to even some of your Christian friends. Don't worry about all that. You stay close to me and take the time to hear my instructions and follow them and don't give up the fight."

After hearing those words, I take a big breath, shrug off the anxiety and control. that will only paralyze me. and remember, My God is big enough! There is nothing He can't do!!!!!

A Little Confession

Ok, so I have a little confession to make...I am a craft addict. I get excited anytime I enter Hobby Lobby, Michaels, or JoAnns. I've been know to "browse" for hours. Of course those hours often result in a large purchase of many "small" items. I can't help myself. Oh, and the justification--"I'm saving money because it's cheaper for me to make gifts and home decor rather than to purchase it already made." The items you see in this picture are just a representation of all the projects I have waiting for me in my studio.

Can anyone out there relate? So it made me start realizing that it's all about immediate gratification. Here I am trying to teach my kids to not expect to get what they want immediately and I'm guilty of the same offense. If I'm going to be effective in training them to be patient and content with their circumstances, it must start with me.

As a result, I've decided to buckle down and complete the projects I have on hand rather than add to the pile that's collecting dust. Am I hesitant? Yes. Is it possible? Yes. Do I have the self-control to follow through? Only with God's help.

I know there are larger problems in the world, but this is the challenge I'm accepting today. To get to the simple life it takes baby steps.

Welcome!

I've contemplated the thought of having a blog for a couple of years now and I've finally decided to go for it. Those who know me know I always have something to say so I thought, why not get it out on the World Wide Web?

Today is a momentous day because my husband and I did something we never thought we'd do: we bought a minivan! Yes, it's still surreal as I type it out. Of course, it's a miracle we haven't purchased one before today since we are a family of 6. Nevertheless, it is quite momentous.

So why did we shun the minivan for so long? Well, it's the stigma, you know? However, I believe I've reached a point in my life where practicality and the comfort of my children sitting in the third row take precedence over any stigma I may fear. Bottom line: I'm a stay-at-home mom. I'm saying it loud and proud and now my vehicle is saying it loud for me as well.

I'm happy to say I'm content with who I am and what my life entails for me in this season I'm in. The Bible study I'm participating in right now has helped me embrace where I am in life and what God's purpose is for me at this time. I also believe another purpose He has for me is to help other women do the same.

So here we go. My first post on my first blog. I look forward to many more.