I've been tagged by my friend Rachel to write about 6 things I've been learning lately.
1. I've missed teaching more than I thought. Last Saturday someone asked me if I missed teaching and without hesitation I said, "No!" I love staying home with my boys and wouldn't trade it! Jon and I kept nursery for the twos and threes on Sunday and I had the best time interacting with a small group of children, reading, singing and talking to them about Jesus. The Lord has also taken this love of teaching and allowed me to apply it to Michael David (now that he's old enough). It's been especially rewarding to teach him about God's word and have him understand. Yesterday during breakfast, with his Gideon Bible in hand, he turned around in his chair and told his brother, "This says, 'Moses walked over da Red Sea, Jon Jon!'" He also told me the other day, "Mommy, the bush was on fire, but it did not burn up."
2. That leads to my next item. I must continually take note of God's blessings each and every day. I can so easily become discouraged by MD's disobedience or a cranky, sick baby. But when I shift my focus to what God has and is doing, my attitude quickly becomes one of thanksgiving.
3. My gratitude should also translate into doing things for others and asking, looking for opportunities to be a witness for Him. I have a long way to go on this one, but giving of myself even when I least feel like it also takes the focus off of the difficult days/myself.
4. Being more thrifty is part of my contribution to my family. Jon works so hard to provide for us in order to let me stay home with my sweet boys. He has helped me be more conscious of prices and looking for good deals. I used to laugh at him for buying things just because they were on sale even if we didn't need them. But he's taught me how to be more on a budget and it's actually fun looking for ways to save money for my family.
5. My evenings go much more smoothly if I prepare dinner, cut up food for the baby and set the table during afternoon naps. Five to six o'clock seems to be the busiest and craziest hour of all: Jon getting home, cranky, hungry kids, etc. My house is more of a haven (and I'm much more patient) when I plan ahead and expect the insane to occur during this time.
6. God is continually giving me an eternal perspective and teaching me to daily...and moment by moment surrender all of my wants, selfish ambitions and in turn gain a Holy Spirit empowered/ driven life. May He help me have His perspective, thoughts, words and actions throughout all of my days.
I think I must add a 7th one just for fun: Dove has come out with an icecream called Unconditional Chocolate. I told Jon to surprise me with the kind he picked out at the store. When he arrived home with this and I was able to try some...YUMMMM! Yes, I get excited about icecream! Please try some if you love chocolate and icecream. Tote delish!
