Who We Are in a Nutshell

Being a stay at home mom, I find it hard to consistently reflect on all that has happened, be present for what is currently happening, and contemplate for the future.  I had always loved writing, but haven't made it a priority since having children.  However, in recent conversations, women keep telling me that I should write...so, this is my first attempt at sharing my thoughts and experiences.  My aim is to inspire, reflect, share practical tips, and our precious moments.  I run a household with 4 little ones in 1200 square feet, one income, and lots of home made everything.  We never know quite how we do it, but through God's grace, we get by!

I wanted my first blog entry to encapsulate my and my husband’s parenting philosophy.  It can be summed up with the following passage:

“The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever; therefore, your objective in every context must be to set a Biblical worldview before your children.  From their earliest days, they must be taught that they are creatures made in the image of God-made for God.  They must learn that they will only ‘find themselves’ as they find Him.  Your child must grow to see that real living is experienced when he stands before God and says, ‘Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you’(Psalm 73:25).  If this is what you want for your children, then you must ensure that the content of everyday life fits this objective.” 

-Excerpt from “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” by Tedd Tripp

In 2006, we were pleasantly surprised with the news that we were expecting our first child.  This came after years of tears and prayers, as I was unable to conceive.  The Lord took us on a journey of faith, and our very great reward during this journey was the Lord himself.  He showed us so much of who He is and who He called us to be.  The grand finale of this faith-filled pilgrimage toward parenthood was our Micah Daniel, born on December 14, 2006.  Micah has represented to us God’s faithfulness, but also His compassion.  As such, my Micah, now 5 ½ is a faithful and compassionate little boy, eager to know God.

If that weren’t enough, God has been giving us more than we could ask for or imagine ever since!  We welcomed Noah David in June 2008, Samuel Jonathan in July 2010, and, most recently, Emma Elizabeth in March 2012.  Each pregnancy has had its challenges, some more major than others.  Each one of my children has had a testimony the day he or she was born.  We know that these lives have been entrusted to us for a reason, and it is our privilege to raise them the best way we know how.  That is where Training and Treasuring is now born.  The Lord has led us on a path to home school our children, training them in both character and education.  But the Lord has also been so good and allowing us to pause in the middle of the chaos to treasure these little ones.  I want to share our journey, give Him the glory for our victories, and confess to our failures. 

In this initial post, I should also add some additional information that might help with the lens with which you read this.  It is written by a woman who has been rejected by her mother.  When I was 13, I was taken from my mother’s home, hoping and praying that she would correct her incorrect behavior and take me back into her arms.  Rather than working hard to reunite us, she left the state.  Despite many attempts at a relationship, sadly I have no contact with her.  However, I do hope for her and pray for her regularly.  I say this not for pity, but explanation.  Motherless mothering is really tough.  I have no one to call when I need to talk, when times get hard, when I need a break, or when I have good news to share.  I have no healthy background about how things were when I was a kid, and my kids have no grandma to look forward to seeing.  My husband’s mother passed away when he was a teenager, so there’s no mother-in-law either.  While there have been amazing women who have stepped into my life for a season, they all understandably move on.  I used to really struggle with this, and in all honesty still have my bad days, but I can stand here and say from the depths of my being:

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:25)

I have found myself as I found Him, and now I want to provide for my children the ability to find Him while properly being trained in His word and treasured by my husband and I.  The reality is that I am broken and scarred, a sinner with limitations, but I have a Savior who is bigger than all of that.  He will not waste my hurt, but bring glory to Himself through my life and the lives of my children.  He truly is the air I breathe and I could not make it through the day with 4 children 5 and under without His constant leading. 

So here we are, sharing what has worked and what has not.  Sharing what I have learned from watching, playing, and talking with my kids.  I find that my days are filled with natural and supernatural experiences that I could keep to myself, but I’d rather share them so that we can learn more about our Maker together. 

Thanks for reading!