Day 50

Okay, so I'm not really counting every single day, but I was reading back through my blogs & thought I would count up how long since the "Day 1" post.
I can't believe it's already been 50 days--7 weeks!

Every so often I think: "If I were at Group right now what would I be working on?" Today I'd be at the field test gathering ideas for writing the new scripts for the marketing and training events for the 2009 program. I'd also be hosting 10-15 VBS directors from across the country, taking them to dinners and various activities. Of course, these two things would be in addition to the day-to-day marketing activities.

So, do I miss working at Group? Yep--it was a major part of my life, and I have a lot of cherished memories of the work I did there.

Now, do I wish I was back at Group? Not even a little bit. I don't even have much time to even dwell on those memories. I absolutely LOVE being home, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to stay right here with my kiddos, supporting my husband, and working on projects that I feel God is leading me to work on.

I joined a new Bible Study today, led by an AMAZING woman, gifted mother, and someone I esteem highly. She's teaching on the noble, divine calling of being a mom. Today was the first class, and it was just a basic introduction--but, WOW just hearing words of encouragement was SO uplifting.

Being a mother (whether you're at home, or working, or whatever) IS a divine calling. It IS noble. It IS something God wants us to do & glorify HIM in bringing up these babies.

The first question Wendy (the amazing woman leading the study) asked was how did you imagine motherhood to be before you had kids.
I thought about that, and realized I had never really imagined myself as a stay-at-home mom. I really always imagined working, climbing ladders, busting through glass ceilings & whatnot. I always wanted to be a mom, but it was the icing on the cake. I never planned on being "just a mom." (I've realized now that the word "just" is horrible when referring to motherhood.)

Now, I'm seeing it as the opposite. My children and husband are my cake, the rest of the "stuff" is icing.

Starting my own business (which is turning out to be businesses), is great. I'm excited to do this work and bless other women. The real work though, the real BLESSING though, is raising my children. NOT cleaning house, NOT trying to be supermom, but truly raising my children is my VOCATION.

If you're a mom reading this--be encouraged, be UPLIFTED. God has called you to be a mother--no matter what circumstance put you in the vocation of motherhood YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED. It doesn't matter if you're reading this at the office, or in your bedroom while the kids are (finally) napping, or whatever. Seek out God's wisdom and guidance in how to raise your children despite your circumstances.