(The pic above is Tyler’s Commissioning)

I love reading of when God would have the Israelites set up memorial stones to remember when He had moved in a big way among them. God knew we needed reminders so that we could respond in faith the next time we needed God to move in a big way! I often find this practice to be important to me too. I usually write down my “stones” but I am thinking we might need to set them up in the yard. Wouldn’t that make a great rock garden with all memorial stones?

With Tyler leaving in the morning, just him and God, for the first time I wanted to remind myself of the steps God provided to get to this place. I am not even going to try to think dates because I’ll get them wrong. I am just going event by event.

~We came to Lakeside Community Church where there are many, many mentoring men!

~Tyler had great opportunities on the High School Soccer Team, playing for the freshmen team, the JV team and a couple games with Varsity.

~He played Premiere Soccer with the best team in our state for his age group, Maine Coast United and got to travel out of state for tournaments and also win the state cup. He travelled for soccer, but Robin travelled with him as he is not ready to fly solo!

~Next he becomes a student leader in his youth group getting some ministry training and experience.

~ Then last summer, Tyler was first a missionary in our town doing kids clubs and then immediately travels with his youth group to minister to kids in inner city Raleigh, North Carolina. This time he travels for ministry, without his parents but with his trusted youth group leaders and friends. He tells me when he gets home that he is thinking about ministering with OnGoal the following summer, thinking that now he is ready to travel alone.

~Upon arriving  home from Raleigh he learns that he was recommended by a beloved soccer coach to assist with a U10 soccer team. Here he gets some coaching experience.

~He is accepted by OnGoal and will be assisting with soccer clinics to reach kids for Christ for 2 weeks.

Can you see the gentle, step by step preparation?? I think it is so cool. I praise God for it!! The Lord is our Good Shepherd!! He gently leads. No experiences or opportunities are wasted! Every step leads to the next step and the next one!! How can I doubt? It’s crazy really!! I learned to trust God to be in control of MY life. Now I am learning to trust God to be in control of MY CHILDRENS’ lives!!  So when I am anxious about this trip I will revisit my memorial stones and praise God that He is faithfully leading my child who is one of his sheep.

This morning, as I was reading Sylvia Britton’s article entitled “What’s the Difference” on the Main CHK Website (you can read it at: http://christianhomekeeper.org/blog/whats-the-difference/ ), it really resonated with me and reminded me of the journey that led me to be home fulltime.

When I was first married I knew I wanted to be home “someday” when I had children. I was a full time student at the time so my husband and I decided that I would not get a job initially. We really didn’t have much money but we were living on love and very happy!! Once I was done with my schooling my husband was an Assitant Pastor and we were living in a parsonage and I was praying over and seeking a job. The search was not going great and at about that time one of the leaders of our church pulled Robin aside to speak some truth in love.

He told my husband that if we were planning on having children and if we were planning on me being a stay at home mom that we ought to just start then. His concern was that we would get used to the money I made and not be able to make-do without it. That is not necessarily the right advice for everyone but I do believe God used this man to speak to my husband. About the same time, a godly woman in our church encouraged me that being a homemaker, even before I had children, could be a full time effort if I gave it 100%.

Thus began my “at home” journey!! I spent time in those early days learning to cook, to sew, to garden, and to keep the house clean enough to get it in shape for guests (grin…).  I met with other young wives in the church and we learned to bake pies together and studied the Bible together and prayed together. I discipled some young ladies and served alongside my husband.

I have never regretted the decision to stay home and I believe it is God’s will for my life. There have been different times that I have tried to make money but honestly it has never been blessed. The whole time I was doing it I felt like God was convicting me to lay it down and trust him to provide.

I have since tried to be an encouragement to other women either considering being home full time or starting their journey. I have often told them that if they give it 6 months they’ll wonder where they ever found the time to work!! There is so much to do, so much that can be done. I really can’t imagine ever being bored.

I believe every woman should make homekeeping and caring for/serving her family her priority. I can say that confidently because of Titus 2:3-5. But, not every woman is called to stay away from earning a paycheck. However, that seems to be where God has called me and I find great joy in it.

A full time homekeeper may not earn money but she sure can work at stretching the money her husband makes. She can keep things running smoothly for her family thus saving time. My husband often graciously said that he could not get done what he got done outside the home in work and ministry if I was not taking care of things at home.

The center of God’s will is always where we find our joy. I find my joy at home. I am no Martha Stewart!! My house is not perfect and won’t be hitting the cover of any magazine anytime soon!! But I strive to continually learn and continually do better to work to God’s glory. In that I am satisfied.