Dec. 1, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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It's been awhile, but I'd like to ask all of my readers, if you're a single, homeschooling mom who blogs, or if you know one who does, would you please leave a link to that blog in the comments. As I begin writing for Gleaning the Harvest, I'm going to be needing a place to point a new group of homeschooling single moms - another "generation" if you will. Ladies, what we do is so important, and supporting others is equally as important. Thank you for all you do. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Nov. 27, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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We have so much to be thankful for this year. I could write pages and pages, but it would take forever because the conviction it would bring about my ungrateful attitude, would make me cry, the pages would be soaked and I'd have to start over. One of the biggest blessings this year -- after getting to spend Thanksgiving with my Dad, for the second year in a row, after many, many years without -- is the ministry of the Dixon Family through Gleaning the Harvest and those who "get it" when it comes to the importance of Christian mom's remaining at home and training their children. Because we receive welfare, and I've come to a point of being settled that for this season it is the Lord's provision, we do not ask the supporters of Gleaning the Harvest to help support us on a month to month basis. However, LizBeth turned 18 and she has a heart to be a keeper at home, in spite of the push for her to go out and get a job or go to school or do something with her life. We've spent much time in prayer and asked the Lord to reveal ways that she can earn her keep from home. When LizBeth was 9 she was determined to learn to play the piano. Lessons were not an option. She taught herself. Later she was told that a piece she wanted to learn was too difficult. She learned it to prove she could. When people heard her play it they were amazed and wanted to know where she'd been trained. She hasn't been, it's a gift. It's a gift we'd like to share with others. LizBeth desires to continue to learn piano but also to teach homeschooled families who may not be able to afford lessons, asking them to consider making donations. To do this she needs a piano. We had to sell our free beast when we moved. Knowing that we will be moving again in about six months, most likely to a smaller home, makes getting another free beast impractical. We researched it, sought advise and decided on a small, portable digital piano. When she gets her license (hopefully in the spring) she would also be able to travel to homeschooling families or groups, as well as working from home. Several dear brothers and sisters in Christ have chosen to help us by making donations toward the piano through Gleaning the Harvest We now have enough for a down payment on the piano. The hitch is that once we do that we only have 8 weeks to pay off the balance. If you would like to help you can visit Gleaning the Harvestor using the donation button in my side bar. Sometimes I forget what it really means to be a daughter of the King. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Nov. 25, 2009
Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
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Just wanted to wish all my readers a Happy Thanksgiving!
Take time to count your blessings during this holiday weekend. The Lord has been convicting me lately about how blessed I really am -- and how ungrateful I can be. Leave a blessing in the comments for me, so I can share with you! Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Nov. 21, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I'm doing some research and I could use your help. If you are a single, homeschooling parent and you are a part of a church that is supporting you in this, would you share how they do it? What does the local body of believers around you do to help you remain at home training up your children? If you are a church leader (pastor, elder, deacon) and your church is actively supporting one or more single moms to homeschool their children how do you do it? What are you doing to help them? How does it work? Several years ago, I shared Defending the Fatherless with our pastor at the time, and one of the things that stood out in my mind was that he thought it was a good idea, but didn't know how it would work and was there some example to follow. I wonder if more churches aren't doing more to help single moms be keepers at home, because they simply don't know how to and they'd like to have ideas of how it works in churches where it is being done. Please share here or email me directly. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Nov. 19, 2009
Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
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Someone just forwarded me this article about hanging your laundry out -- or not being allowed to -- depending on where you live. What is this country coming to? I'd rather see laundry on a line than . . . http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091118/us_nm/us_usa_laundry Do you hang your laundry out to dry? MaggieRaye |
Nov. 18, 2009
Posted in Current Quilts for Sale
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Just wanted to let everyone know that everything at Patchwork Cottage Shoppe is at least 10% off for the holidays. Remember there is an etsy mini in my side bar if you want to check it out. Some items only have a few days left in the shop -- so now is the time to buy. Happy Holidays, MaggieRaye |
Nov. 16, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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Well, I just received news that proves that God's ways and the world's ways are not the same. Not that I really doubted this, mind you. Because we receive rental assistance, we have to keep the agency notified of household changes - people moving in or out, income, etc. So when LizBeth turned 18, now legally an adult, I notified them to find out how/if this changes anything. It won't, until our lease is up in July. This is a good news/bad news situation. There are no changes yet -- but . . . When our lease is up, we will no longer be eligible for a 3 bedroom unit, because the rules only allow 1 bedroom for every 2 adults in the home. The upside of this is that the kids and I have been talking about moving when our lease is up anyway, now it's not a choice, we'll have to move. There is a freedom in this. At the same time there is also a frustration -- we won't be able to have a three bedroom place. I'm praying for the Lord to do something really amazing that only He could do. By that point I should have my teaching certificate - I plan to do some tutoring as well as homeschool assessments, so we are working toward something that will generate income. We're praying for a piano for LizBeth, to further her own studies as well as to be able to give lessons to other homeschoolers. She's hoping to start taking Ballet lessons soon, so that she might one day be able to teach that also. So hold onto your hats, I think the next eight months may be a bit of a wild ride. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Nov. 15, 2009
Posted in Just Ramblin
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My oldest turned 18 yesterday, where does the time go? Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Nov. 10, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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Any of you that have followed my blog for long have known my on going struggle with whether or not Christians should receive welfare. Specifically, I have struggled with whether or not I should be in the system. There is a myriad of voices around me with opinions. The bottom line is that the only opinion that counts is Gods. Several months ago, I finally, after much prayer, came to a point of resolve about this. I just realized I never shared it here with all of you. If I were married to an unbelieving husband, he would be my provider. As long as he was willing to stay and did not ask me to do anything in violation of God’s word, I would be obliged to stay. There would always be the chance that by my words and example of faith, that he might come to Christ. The Lord spoke to my heart about the fact that I had married the government when I went into the system. It was not His best choice for me, but I lacked faith and was disobedient, unwilling to trust Him totally. Until God closes the door and ends our benefits, I am to remain where I am, for this season. This is God’s provision for my family. He wants me to stop struggling and trying so hard to do it on my own and to simply rest in Him. In all of this, the Lord has answered my prayer for a full-time ministry from home. In my home state the welfare system requires that you be working, looking for work, going to school or volunteering in order to be eligible for benefits. My state homeschool organization qualifies as an acceptable organization to volunteer for. I can work to support homeschooling, ministering to others, while homeschooling my children. It also has given me the opportunity to go back to school and do the necessary work to complete my teaching certificate, not so much for me to be able to seek full time employment, but so that I can do assessments for homeschooling families. There is a seeming lack of homeschool friendly certified teachers in our state. I hear horror stories every year about teachers that did assessments, but really didn’t understand what they were doing or reviewing. The Lord is opening up an amazing door there for me to have an ongoing ministry to homeschooling families, because who understands it better than someone who is doing it every day. It is my prayer that this season in our life may be coming to an end. It’s going to require a lot more faith and trust than I have now. It’s also going to require contentment with what the Lord provides. It is going to require caring more about the Lord and His leading than what people around me think of what I’m doing. I can’t do it alone. It will only be by His grace and for His glory that we will succeed.
I should add an end note here, that while we have less financial support than every before in our homeschooling, we are able to do so much more with it. It is the kind of thing that only God could do. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Nov. 9, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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It's been quite awhile since I've been here to add anything of substance. The Lord had me keep silent, deal with some sin in my life, processes through some anger and forgiveness issues. I just couldn't write. I'm not sure I can yet, but I will soon be drafting some articles for Gleaning the Harvest and thought it best to try to get back on track here also. So many things in my life have changed in the past year. Through it one thing remains constant. I NEED to be at home with my children. Yes, they are older, but this is where the Lord has called me to be. I'm so sad for those who don't understand, or don't want to understand how important it is for all mothers, but especially single mothers to be at home with their children. So, watch here, and at Gleaning the Harvest for forthcoming articles. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Nov. 5, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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Well, it's been awhile since I've updated. Now that I have FB, it seems like I"m never here. Or maybe it's that I'm teaching a class. Or it could be that I'm taking a class. We've reached the midterm point and I'm on the down hill side of this one. I talked to a lady this morning who was so encouraging. She said she felt I was an inspiration to her, because she had a hard time homeschooling as a married mom, and couldn't imagine how hard it must be for me. She recognized that it must truly be the Lord's calling, because no one would do this for the fun of it. This was so refreshing. We're approaching the holidays and the busyness of all of that. How are things with all of you? Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Oct. 15, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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It's been awhile, I know. Things are very, very hectic right now. I'm taking one of the two classes that I have left to become a state certified teacher -- no I'm not giving up and going to work, just trying to add credibility to my business and to be able to be a blessing to homeschoolers by providing annual assessments. I'm working on growing Patchwork Cottage into a viable business -- so far this year we're doing about 4x better than we did last year -- and in a faultering economy. God is so good. I have 10 sewing students and have sold several quilts. I'm a regular volunteer for our state homeschool organization -- I seem to be busier than ever before and know I'm doing more than the hours that dhhs requires for us at present. Job security is a good thing. And Facebook has certainly replaced blogging as a major time stealer in my life. It's so easy to just have it up in the background when I am working on business or school related things.... Oh, and I'm homeschooling. But hey, you all know I'm home all day, every day, so I must have plenty of free time, right??? Bring on the Soaps, diet Coke and BonBon's.... Gosh, I only wish. How are you doing? Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Sep. 28, 2009
Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
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I am researching Robert McCloskey for a paper I have to write for the class I'm taking. In the process, I found this list. I thought I'd share it. I'm trying NOT to feel pressured, but I haven't heard of 1/2 these books, and of the ones I have heard of, I may have read 1/2 of them. If I'm going to do everything I'm suppose to as a homeschooling mom and read all these books -- I'm gonna have to get busy, like yesterday. http://www.librarything.com/bookaward/1001%20Books%20You%20Must%20Read%20Before%20You%20Die Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Sep. 24, 2009
Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
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A friend sent this to me in an email: > You'll Get Your Quilt > > Sunday after church, a mom asked her very young daughter > what the Sunday school lesson was about. The daughter answered, "Don't be > scared; you'll get your quilt." > > Needless to say, the mom was perplexed. > > Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the mom > asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was > about. > > He said, "Be not afraid; thy comforter is coming." |
Sep. 18, 2009
Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
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I recently posted this on my FB and thought I'd share it here too - though I realize I'm writing for a biased audience here: How many of you work in a position where you spend 6-8 hours a day in a desk, in an office with 15-25 other people, who are all doing exactly the same thing you are at the same time? Do you take your coffee breaks, potty breaks and lunch breaks all at the same time, together? Considering this, how can we say that school prepares our children for the real world of grown up life? The second challenge I'm sharing here and did not bother to post on FB: If we deny Christ in the little aspects of our daily life, how can we possibly believe that when it comes to the big things -- like giving our life for our faith -- that we would actually stand true to Him? I've been thinking about this for a couple of days now and even challenged my children with it this morning during family devotions. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Sep. 10, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I realize this is the fourth post in less than a 1/2 hour, but it's the last one, for today. In the past my readers have been great supporters of my efforts to remain at home. If you're in the cleaning out mode or would like to be and you have any of the following items, here are some things I'm looking for: embroidery floss polyester fiber fill narrow ribbon - in 12" or longer pieces hankies - mens or ladies flannel - complete yard width, 1/2 yard or longer this is for making diapers for Haiti Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Sep. 10, 2009
Posted in Inspiration and Meditation
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While some of the theology might be a little off, please understand it is the ideas and principles that spoke to my heart and I wanted to share it. Again, no criticism please, not even the constructive kind. I'm my own worst critic where things like this are concerned. Enjoy what the Lord would have you glean from it. Blessings, MaggieRaye A Lesson from God In Patchworking Several years ago, I began to seek verses that I could use to put together a tract related to patchworking to give when I made quilts for sale or gifts. I hit wall after wall of frustration. This last week, I woke up one morning, with several verses on my mind. These verses all spoke to my heart of the way the Lord works in our lives and the way patchworkers work their craft. As a patchworker, I take rags, scraps of fabric, cast off clothing, worn out linens and I give them new life. My goal is that folks might see Jesus in me. Jesus redeems us and gives us new life. Those of us who are destroyed, worn out, useless, hopeless, can all have a new life in Christ. Isaiah 64:6 says, “ But we are all as an unclean thing; and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…” Before I can turn a bag of rags into something useful, something beautiful and new, I have to clean them. I have to cut away the bad spots, the stains. I accept the rags as I receive them, and then I clean them up. I don’t expect to receive them ready for use. Likewise, Jesus doesn’t expect to receive us ready to serve Him. He cleans us up first. Psalm 51:7, 10 says, “Purge me with hyssops and I shall be clean: wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. … Create in me a clean heart, O God; renew a right spirit within me.” Matthew 7:19 says, “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” When I’ve cleaned up the rags, when I’ve cut out and disposed of that which is no good, thus redeeming the rags, again to a useful purpose, they are given a new life. They become a small part of a bigger picture. They are no longer what they once were, a pair of pants, a shirt, a dress. The old life they had, has passed away. They have a whole new life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if anyone be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” Christ redeems the rags of our righteousness and gives us a new life when we trust in Him. 1 John 1:9 says, “ If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Where are your “rags of righteousness”? Have they been redeemed? Have you been given a new life? |
Sep. 10, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
Just in case you were wondering what I've been up to lately. . . I'm getting more New Mom Bundles assembled to send to Haiti with Maine Haitian Ministries (http://www.mainehaitianministries.org/). And here is a peak at what's inside:
 I also discovered (yesterday) something called church dolls. They are also called Pew Babies or Hankie Babies. Whatever you call them they are stinkin' cute. The question is, to sell them on etsy or at craft fairs? Don't have enough to do both.
 I think I'll be including these in my Primer Level sewing class as a pre-sewing activity in the future.
So, this is what I've been up to, what about you? What are you doing with your days? Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Sep. 10, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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Patchwork Cottage Shoppe now has a fan page on etsy. If you have FB please become a fan. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Waldoboro-ME/Patchwork-Cottage-Shoppe/127731917140 Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Sep. 7, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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Did you see my etsy mini? LizBeth put it up for me last week. This is the first chance I've had to stop by my own blog and see how it looks. Thanks kiddo! Now you can have one stop shopping -- just like WalMart only WAY better. You can come by and read the latest news at Patchwork Cottage, and see what's new at Patchwork Cottage Shoppe all at the same time! Way cool, huh? Praying all have a blessed Labor Day! MaggieRaye |
