Losing Jon was a heart-wrenching experience, and I was overwhelmed when I thought about life without him. I was trying to grapple with his death, plan a funeral and burial, and was suddenly plunged into single parenting. I was also now the sole provider for my family, and there were so many unanswered questions:
- How was I going to make ends meet?
- Would I have to get a job and put my kids in school?
- Would I lose my dream of homeschooling my kids?
- What kind of work would I be able to find that would provide enough income?
As 2024 is just beginning, I have been thinking and praying about a word I want to focus on for the year. I am not one to make New Year’s resolutions, as I often lose momentum after a few weeks, but I do like to have something I focus on for the year.
For 2023, my focus was to be INTENTIONAL. I wanted to be intentional in my relationships, my home businesses, my time with the Lord and my health. Some things went well, and others were more challenging.
A few years prior, my focus was CONTENTMENT. Let me tell you, so many things came at me that year that challenged my contentment. But it made me lean harder on Jesus as my only source for contentment.
Read more...Working from home is such an amazing option for many people. Being a piano teacher in my home has been such a blessing for myself and my family. God gave me the desire to become a piano teacher in high school, and I started with my first students when I was 15. Having a home-based piano studio has not only allowed me to follow my passion for music and teaching, but it helped me provide for my children as a young widow.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. Ps. 23:1-3a
I have had these verses memorized since I was a little girl, and I always thought about the literal sheep in a pasture when I read this Psalm. I never really applied it to myself. But when my husband died, and I was raising young children on my own, it became a lifeline for me, and I can see how God has gently led me through difficulty to restore healing and joy.
Read more...The holiday season is a special time of year, filled with love, laughter, and the spirit of giving. And sometimes we need a little help with ideas that won’t break the bank. If you are needing some last minute gifts that are budget friendly, look no further. These thoughtful handmade gifts will be a favorite this year. They are effortless to make, and you probably already have most of the ingredients.
Here are three simple DIY gifts that you can easily make with only a few ingredients.
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