A Conclusion to the Dilemma
Nov. 10, 2009
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 |
Gleaning the Harvest
Nov. 9, 2009
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 |
Mid Term
Nov. 5, 2009
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 |
Updating
Oct. 15, 2009
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 |
One Last Thing
Sep. 10, 2009
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 |
What Have You Been Up To?
Sep. 10, 2009
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 |
Have Facebook? Become a Fan.
Sep. 10, 2009
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 |
Did You See???
Sep. 7, 2009
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 |
Banner Morning!
Aug. 27, 2009
Aug. 27, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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When I went to work this morning (this entails turning on the computer -- still in my pj's) I checked the work email account this morning first thing. I made my first etsy sale!!!! One of the items posted yesterday sold. I have more stuff to post later today. Also, there was a picture of my first quilt! Thanks to those who prayed with me over this. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Moments Like This ...
Aug. 27, 2009
Aug. 27, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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This morning the oil truck arrived in our complex. Where we are now heat is included in the rent, so there is a certain novelty in the oil truck arriving without a frantic phone call having first been placed. MattMann of course was curious and as we talked, I tried to explain that the oil also heats our hot water, through the furnace, to which he replied... "that's a complicated situation, you know." Yup! These are the moments I"d miss if I were going to work everyday and sending him off to school. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
More Items in the Shoppe
Aug. 26, 2009
Aug. 26, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I had forgotten that you could sell vintage items on etsy. I didn't think about the fact that the items I've been trying to post of eBay are actually vintage items and thus could be posted on etsy -- until today. So I've just posted several new items in our shop. I still have a pile of quilts to post and a few more vintage items -- but since we still operate on dial-up, I decided I needed to give the phone line a break -- right after I posted here and on Facebook. Be sure to go by the shop and check out the new items. Patchwork Cottage Remember, when you purchase something from our shop, you are helping me continue to remain at home and homeschool. So pass the word along, tell a friend or two and have them tell someone, too. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
What are you Strengthening?
Aug. 18, 2009
Aug. 18, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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Earlier this spring someone challenged me with this thought What you support you strengthen? What are you supporting? Do you want to strengthen it? What do you want to strengthen? Are you supporting it? This was, by the way, the same lady, who encouraged me, not to do what was easy -- like putting my kids into Christian school and getting a job. Just something to think about. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Posted I Intended to Write Earlier
Aug. 4, 2009
Aug. 4, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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My last post ended up not being what I meant to be about, but I think this is the reason. I had to read someone elses post first. I highly recommend reading this post: http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/working-harder-is-not-the-answer/ I felt her story could have been my own up to a point, changing a few details. Then it was totally different. There is so much controversy over whether or not Christians should be in the welfare system, and if not how do they survive, etc. I've struggled with this personally for several years. So often the answer is, if I would get a job and go to work it would solve all my problems -- well most of them -- it would create a couple of new ones like who would raise my children and how would we homeschool? But hey, that's nothing right?! Reading this lady's post made me realized how very blessed we are. The government is not the husband I desire, nor the one I would have chosen, but we're actually living pretty well for the moment, and more importantly, I'm at home with my children, every day. I am convicted about how much I have to be thankful for. While I would like to be out of "the system", I'm not ready to risk my children. The cost is too high for me and my faith is too small. So, about the PayPal Donate button on the side -- for those who believe in what I'm doing -- being a keeper at home and training up my children, that is the opportunity for you, IF the Lord leads you, to help us, as I attempt to move us from the system, as the Lord leads. For those who feel we shouldn't be in the system, it's your opportunity to help us get out. You can also help by purchasing items from our website www.patchworkcottageshoppe.com and coming soon will be our eBay business. I'm having trouble finding time to do the things I need to for that -- but the quilt site took a while too, so this is probably all just part of the process. I need to go now and seriously count my blessings, and just be thankful for awhile. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Called to be a Silent Witness?? ME??
Aug. 4, 2009
Aug. 4, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I had an awesome visit with some dear friends this weekend. During the conversation I shared something I've been contemplating at someone else's suggestion recently. Orthodoxy or Orthoproxy? Do we fellowship where people believe what we do even though they don't live like we do (orthodoxy) or do we fellowship where people live like we do even though they don't believe exactly the way we do (orthoproxy). The ideal is that the two should meld together, but the reality is they don't. So, a dear brother in Christ suggested that perhaps I need to hang in there and be a silent witness for what I believe God has called me and most other Christian mothers to do - to home educate and to be keepers at home. Me?? A silent witness?? God can't be serious. I just really want to go where everyone is as gung ho for family intergrated, reformed worship as I am. Where I will be encouraged to homeschool, where someone won't say, "Now that Lizbeth is about through you can go back to work." I am realizing people just don't understand. I realize that I can't make them understand -- but if they'd only listen....and how are they going to do that if I'm silent??!! (read sarcasm here). Yicks! And it's only Tuesday. I hope the chiropractic adjustment to my back today, sort of ripples to my attitude. I'm really struggling to do the hard things -- I'd just like things to be easy for awhile. And this isn't even what I meant to blog about -- go figure. How about you? How are you doing? What hard things has the Lord called you to do recently? Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Coming Soon - PayPal Option
Jul. 27, 2009
Jul. 27, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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We have been very blessed recently and I'm so grateful! A banner for etsy. A cash gift from a homeschooling family we've never met, but who believe in what I'm doing and wanted to help us. A chiropractor who is waiving the initial consult fee (this is a HUGE blessing). So I was thinking about this. I have paypal, because of the website and so we're going to add a little donate button somewhere here on the blog page. If you're reading and feel led at any point to help me continue in my efforts and would like to donate all you'll have to do is click. I'm not sure when this will happen but keep watch! Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Check It Out! - Love etsy!
Jul. 27, 2009
Jul. 27, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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Just wanted to make sure to invite you to go by and check out the website -- LizBeth put up a couple more quilts this week for me -- I've got two or three to finish up that are NEW -- try to have those up for you all by the end of the week. Also check out the cute graphic banner -- thanks again Jennifer!!!!! I so love it. Patchworkcottage Shoppe Also, check out under my FAVORITES on etsy and see who my favorite sellers are. If you're a homeschooler who has an etsy page and you'd like me to check out your stuff, leave me a comment or email me. We've been in the new place two weeks and now it's time to settle down, settle in and get serious. I'm on day three of the newest quilt project Kumbayah p. 54 of the August 2009 issue of Quilter's World -- What was I thinking???? Day 1 - cut many many pieces Day 2 - sewed together close to 400 triangles creating almost 200 blocks Day 3 - putting blocks together into Friendship star blocks - 6 done 42 to go..... So what are you doing? If the weather was better I'd save this project til winter. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
A New Attitude -- A New Approach
Jul. 20, 2009
Jul. 20, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I've been praying about my attitude lately. I've been working hard to change my "stinkin' thinkin' " to something more edifying. Okay, so there are lots of folks out there who aren't doing what they could be, but you know what, it's between them and God. I am only accountable for me. So here's my new approach to homeschooling as a single mom -- I need to trust God, not the church or even individuals to supply our needs. What I need to do is have a grateful heart toward those who do help, to praise God for the blessings we receive and to leave the rest to Him. So, here is my first praise! A homeschooling mom who read my blog wanted to do something to encourage me in my efforts, her gift to me was a banner for my website (etsy page). While this may not seem like much to some -- let me assure you, anything that will make my website more professional looking, anything that may help my quilts sell, may in fact be the very thing that helps to move my family from dependence on welfare, to independence from it. Her small gift may be the biggest blessing we receive this week, this month, or even this year. I am so totally blessed! Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Updating
Jul. 18, 2009
Jul. 18, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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It's been a day or two (or more) since I posted last. I find I do lots more on FaceBook these days -- instant gratification and all. Encouragement Link I did want to share a link of encouragment for you single homeschooling mom's. Here is another lady who gets it. http://sharingheartswithanoldersister.blogspot.com/2009/07/lets-be-gracious-to-single-mothers.html Recent Insight I also wanted to share something I'm working on learning -- I've recently started looking at, listing and thanking God for the help I do get -- instead of focusing on who isn't doing what to help us. I'll give you a for instance. As I was sitting here starting to type this, the Lord brought to mind a very recent situation in which someone had the opportunity to help our family and they "missed" out on it. Someone else, who wasn't asked to help, saw a need and helped without being asked, in a much smaller but much more meaningful way. I've wasted tons of time and energy thinking about, writing about who isn't doing what. However, after last Sundays sermon on learning contentment, I've realized it's between them and God. I need to stick to doing what I know the Lord has called me to do -- and leave the rest to Him. If someone sees we have a need and chooses not to help, it's between them and God and I need to leave it with Him. Moved We've begun settling into our new place and the Lord's provision is undeniably amazing -- it gives me hope that one day I may actually be blessed with my cottage on the ocean. It's as big as our old house -- only newer and nicer. I actually remember as a teen babysitting in places this nice and thinking that I would NEVER be able to really live in one like this...God is so awesome! MattMann is making friends -- well he was doing that the day we moved in. Please pray as it is a very secular, public school neighborhood and this is evident in the attitudes and behavior around us. Pray for MattMann to stand strong, but also for me to be aware and diligent, as well. LizBeth continues just to go with the flow of things. I'm hoping next week to start working out in the yard area and getting some plants in -- we'll see how it goes. Ministry Finally, with the summer passing much too quickly and the next academic year approaching, I've started to tentatively plan out homeschool group activities. I will continue through the next year to serve my state homeschooling group on a regular basis both by assisting our board as well as attempting to start a support group of sorts. Pray that I can balance this with our own homeschooling and my efforts to start selling on eBay and etsy. So, how about an update from you, my regular readers??? Let me know what is going on either by posting a comment or sending me an email. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
BIG Faith
Jul. 6, 2009
Jul. 6, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I don't remember the last time I updated, but I thought you all would enjoy this. I've been quite discouraged lately. Saturday when we were out taking a walk, I was talking with the kids about wishing we could get away, but since we moved home there is no where to go. This is where we use to come when we wanted to get away. I was even wishing that someone would just let us use a cabin/cottage somewhere for a weekend, free. That just does NOT happen in the area where we live this time of year. Well, not to normal people anyway. But as I've known my whole life I'm not normal. Today, a friend invited us to join them in a couple of weeks on an outing and guess what -- we get a free cabin on the water for the weekend. All we have to do is bring our gear and our food. I mentioned to a friend that I didn't realize God was listening, because I was just talking -- and my almost 9 year old piped in and said, "Of course God was listening!" Well, most days I don't feel like I'm doing a very good job training them up for the Lord, but then there are days like this when I'm so glad God uses my little faith to help teach them to have BIG faith -- to show them that NOTHING is too big for God to do. Praying that you're having a blessed summer vacation, and curious to know if God is doing anything like this in your life. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Trusting
Jun. 25, 2009
Jun. 25, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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Good Morning Those of you that have been around awhile know that at one time I was "on fire" where living by faith and homeschooling as a single mom. Sin quenched that fire, and it's been a long road back. I, once again, for the first time in a long time, realized that I have not been trusting God. I've been looking to the church to help and I certainly trust the government from month to month, but I haven't been trusting God much at all. Please pray for us, we'll be moving again in a few weeks. We're praying that the neighborhood will be a better one (I won't even begin to tell you the things we've witnessed in the one we've been in the last 7 months). I'm also praying that the Lord is answering an ongoing prayer for something that I can do from home that will sustain us financially so that we can rely on the Lord rather than the government for our financial provision. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
