A Year of Change

(Written February 12th)

Today marks my first year staying at home as a full time mom.  A year ago I left my job teaching art to 500 wonderful elementary students to fulfill my lifelong dream of being a stay at home mom.  When I started teaching art I didn't realize how much I would love it and love being involved in the lives of children who blessed me and taught me so much!  I also didn't realize how difficult my dream would be to live out!  I believe this change in my life has helped to make me a better teacher and artist.

February 20, 2012...
Still waiting for my little man

My cowboy

This year has stretched and strengthened me in many ways. If there are any moms out there who want to stay at home, but don't see how it can work...IT CAN WORK! My husband works very hard and does a great job supporting us, but it is only through God's grace we make it every month.  I am in awe of God's provision to us. There were many months we would receive bills and I didn't know how they would get paid. But then we would receive a check in the mail or another week we had a garage sale and we made exactly what we needed to pay a bill.
It isn't easy, but it is worth any hardship and sacrifice! Matthew 6:26 (NASB) 26 "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?"

This year God has blessed me with many art related jobs. In the last six months I have continually had commissions. I am so thankful for this opportunity to strengthen my skills and to learn how to handle the business side of creating art.  I hope to continue to produce art whether for self expression or for commissions in the coming year.  I have also had the opportunity to teach children from ages one to four once a week in Art and the Bible.

At times it is difficult to be content staying at home and I miss the extra money, and the praises and exaltation from others. I cannot put my hope and joy in men, but in my God Who made me, knows me and never deserts me.
Hebrews 13:5 (NASB) 5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"

My hope for the coming year is to strive to be an excellent wife and mother and continue to seek to glorify God in my art.
Proverbs 31:10-12 (NASB) An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.