The "Official" launch of this blog takes place in just 5 days with a book giveaway.
Over the next few days I will be posting some "Getting to know me" type posts to introduce myself, my story, and my heart. I hope you'll enjoy getting to know a bit more about me than just the "About Me" section of the blog.
The book I will be giving away is a book I read years ago that was lifechanging for me.
Being a stay at home wife and mother has been the biggest blessing of my life. It was a huge financial sacrifice and was not easy, but it was the single most rewarding thing I've done in my life and I am most grateful for choosing that road. No job, award or financial reward could ever compare to the opportunity to be God's hands, feet and heart in my home. To make my home and family my first ministry, my first priority. I am not perfect at it. I am not the perfect wife, mother, or homemaker, but I am possibly the most grateful. God has taught me more about His love, mercy and grace through my role as a wife and mother than through any other Bible Study, Sermon, or time of Fellowship. I have learned that serving Him doesn't require me to leave my own home, it is something that starts first and foremost inside my own home and then spreads out to the church, community and world.
As I journeyed through my life as a homemaker, God gave me a heart to encourage and help ease the burdens of other wives, moms, women and homeschool moms. The life of a stay at home wife and mother is not an easy one and we can use all the encouragement we can get. The schedule is grueling, the work is never-ending, the responsiblities are enormous, but the rewards outweigh all of it! The joy is indescribable! The blessings overwhelming. Sometimes however, the rewards are not felt right away. When you're in the midst of teething, or sibling squabbles, endless piles of laundry and dirty dishes, it can be hard to see how rewarding it is. lol Some days I used to get envious of the fact that my husband could go to the restroom any time he wanted to while he was at work. Somedays just getting a shower taken was a luxury sweeter than a Carribean Cruise. But then again, a hug from your sweet child is more valuable than a diamond necklace. An appreciative kiss from your husband means more than all the roses in the world.
On top of all that, the world tells us that what we do is of no importance. Moms are easily replaceable in the world we live in today. We are told that we should send our little ones into daycare and preschool at the tender ages of 2 and 3! Let me assure you, there is nothing of value that preschool or daycare has to offer your child over the love, affection and attention of their mommy! You are absolutely irreplacable in their eyes! And the work you do in your home has the potential to impact your family for many generations to come! Most importantly, the work we do in our homes and our families is the direct work of God and there is nothing more valuable, more important or more rewarding than that! But in the midst of the day to day work remembering that can be difficult some days.
So, my heart is to encourage wives and moms in their roles. And to encourage Christian women in their walk with the Lord. In addition to that I am quite simply a Christian woman, wife, mother, grandmother, who enjoys creating a home, sipping tea, line dancing, music, comedy, singing, crafting, keeping up with friends and family on Facebook and trying to move towards a healthier lifestyle. So there you have it, a sample of what you can expect to find here on my blog. I pray you will walk away after each post inspired, encouraged, amused, hopeful, thinking, glad you took the time to visit.
Be Blessed,
Colleen
