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 |
HSLDA Single Parent Survey
Jun. 23, 2009
Jun. 23, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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Good Morning All, HSLDA is doing a survey on single parent homeschooling. Please help me to get the word out. Post this on your blog, pass it on in emails, etc. I think this could be just the beginning to making a huge difference in how folks view and possibly even begin to help single parents who are trying to bring their kiddos home and train them up for God's glory. HSLDA Single Parent Homeschooling Survey in the event that the link doesn't work for you here is the url http://www.hslda.org/survey/singleparent Let's pray that the Lord will use this in a mighty way. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Blessing!
Jun. 20, 2009
Jun. 20, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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Well ladies, it's been awhile since I've had something like this to share. Wednesday I discovered that I had forgotten to write in one of those Debit Card purchases, and thus thought I had more money than I did and of course made a HUGE mess of the check book and the finances for next month. I sat here at my computer because it's near the phone, as I got off the phone with the bank and just said, "Lord, I don't have it, I'm not going to have it until....and by then it's going to cost this much more...." "Lord I need you to do this, because I can't." Then yesterday I called the property manager of the place we're hoping to move to in mid-July (yes, we're moving again) and explained the situation, because the money to fix my oops was going to have to come out of what I'd set aside to put toward the security deposit. Yucky! I also had to explain to this young man that because of my religious convictions, I was not going to ask the town or any other angencies to help us with the deposit. I figured for sure that he would call back to say that we wouldn't be able to take the place. But, he didn't. They are willing to work with us. That in itself is a blessing. But there is a bigger one. A dear sister in Christ felt led to send us a check on Thursday morning - not knowing about the financial oops I'd made. It will clean up the oops and there will be a little left over to help with whatever.... Praise God for His provision for our need and to help us when we make a mess of things. How has God provided for you in an unlikely way, recently? Blessings, MaggieRaye |
eBay, AVON & websites . . . oh my
Jun. 14, 2009
Jun. 14, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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Well, it's come down to this . . . I NEED to find something that will generate a sustainable income from home that does NOT involve caring for other peoples children. I can not do it, for a multitude of reasons. I thought I could, but I can't. So, what are my options? Well, I have the quilt website up, but these things take time, and some of you who've visited may discover we have some bugs to work out -- not a comfort in this technologically challenged home. So AVON? It is the least expensive start your own direct selling business there is to get into -- so that is a possibility. eBay? That's why I'm really here -- if you're a homeschooler and you sell on eBay, I'd welcome insight, advice and wisdom -- please email me directly. Other suggestions -- does anyone have an suggestions for other legitimate, inexpensive, do it from home (not direct sales preferrably) business ideas? I am off to do some serious praying for inspiration, wisdom and direction in this one. What about you? Do you work from home? If so what are you doing to make ends meet? Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Patchwork Cottage Shoppe Update
Jun. 10, 2009
Jun. 10, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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Good Afternoon All, It is a typical coastal June afternoon here in New England - cold, damp, gray and even rainy at times. Yup! It's perfect weather to curl up under a quilt with a good book. Speaking of quilts, my daughter has added some of her items to our website. I also wanted to give you an update and let you know that I've sold two quilts since the website went up. We're going to have to do more than that, if it's ever going to sustain us, but it is certainly an encouraging start. Go by and check it out. I'm working on a new quilt right now too. Ladybugs -- their spots are buttons, just to get you interested. Only about 30 more of those little ladies to finish before I can start putting a quilt top together. Be sure to go by and see what is new at Patchwork Cottage Shoppe. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Brilliant Idea or Sit Down Before You Hurt Yourself
May. 18, 2009
May. 18, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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Because I long to have a teachable spirit, I'm reposting this with an editorial note of thanks to my friend who left the comment below. There was a bit of frustration in that last paragraph about restraining myself from thumbing my nose. The fact is that frustration is just selfishness in disguise. Lately things have just not been going MY way and so like the two year old I stamp my foot. Very unattractive when you reach my age, I know. In fact, if my children do end up sold out for the Lord and serving him, what I really MUST do is praise and thank Him! It's too easy to get caught up in the "all about me" attitude that is so prevelant in our world today. Blessings, MaggieRaye I had an email today from a friend who has several little ones and is expecting another. I miss her. She told me she's been reading the book So Much More and it made her think of LizBeth. LizBeth read it several years ago, actually. We've done a lot of the Vision Forum stuff. The thing is we both get exceedingly frustrated. There is a certain segment of the Christian community that they totally neglect in their wonderful efforts. The single mother and her children. Especially daughters being raised by single mothers. So my brilliant idea? Well, I think we (LizBeth, MattMann & I) should write a book, about how single mothers can train up godly daughters and sons. Of course, it might take years - since MattMann is only 8 and we just don't know where the Lord will lead him. Of course, if their "callings" at this point, lead them in the direction the Lord has for their lives, LizBeth will be a wife and mother training up children for the Lord in only a few more years, and MattMann will be a missionary to the Jewish people. What mother could want more? If this is in fact where they end up, sold out and living for Jesus as adults, I will certainly have to work very hard not to thumb my nose at all of those folks who just couldn't get why it was so important for me to stay home and train up my children, in spite of my circumstances. I will strive to have a Christ like attitude -- but some days, I'm oh, so flawed and human.... Or maybe I should just sit down before I hurt myself - that's usually what happens when I get a brilliant idea. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Quilt Shop Online
May. 16, 2009
May. 16, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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Please pray with us this week. Our website is ready, we've got the instructions on how to load pix onto it and now all we have to do - for quilts to be available to the public for sale is to get those pictures up and start promoting the website. Please pray! This has been a long journey and I believe we need for it to succeed if I'm going to be able to continue to do what God has called me to do. I'm very fearful of failing -- and I know that is a sin. Will keep you all posted as the week progresses. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Comfort & Advise for Single Mothers
May. 8, 2009
May. 8, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I was just surfing around the web this afternoon. I thought I knew all of the "best" links out there related to single parent homeschooling. Silly, smug little me!! I surfed intoGleaning the Harvest, because it has been awhile since I've been there and I found a link to this article Comfort and Advise for Single Parents by Skeet Savage. (There is a lady I'd like to meet.) You should go by and check it out! Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Homeschool Encouragement in an Unusual (or maybe not so)Place
May. 1, 2009
May. 1, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I needed to do something - a job, volunteer work, something. Fortunately, I have a great connection with my state homeschool group. I took on a project (well several actually) and have been working from home for the last two weeks. First let me say that while well disguised this is an answer to an ongoing prayer that the Lord would bless me with the opportunity for full time Christian ministry. I just didn't think it was going to look like this. The first project has been to update our mailing list - I've been making lots of phone calls. I've gotten to talk to homeschoolers from all over my state. When I ask the question, "Is your family still homeschooling?" and I get the mom's who are now "retiring" after 20+ years, having graduated their last ones, I find that they are the most talkative and the most willing to share. In my recent discouragement about how we would continue to homeschool I have found this to be an incredible encouragement. These women have been amazing. They've shared their stories and said it is definitely worth the effort. God is so good, so gracious, so merciful. He truly does provide our every need -- and so much more that we will have an abundant life. It is such a blessing! MaggieRaye |
Update on Prayer Request
Apr. 26, 2009
Apr. 26, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I know it's been less than a week since I posted it, but I wanted to give you an update. I'm praying that the Lord will help me learn contentment right where He has me at this moment. We are doing okay financially, and I've got a full time volunteer position for our state homeschool group. This meets my welfare "work" requirements. My biggest "thing" right now is that I still feel like we need to live somewhere else - but there is hope - a small spot of light at the end of the tunnel on this front also. So for those who've been praying - Thank you! Blessings, MaggieRaye I know it's been awhile. Things have been an unusual struggle lately. So here' s my prayer request - I'm feeling a desperate need to find gainful employment that can be done from home. I am a decent typist and considered doing Medical Transcription - but just learned that there is a lot more involved than I originally thought - like two years worth of schooling. This brings me back to something I've toyed with off and on for a long time - taking two classes and the PRAXIS exams to become a state certified teacher, and then doing year end assessments for homeschooling families. I was going to family child care, but can't find any place to rent in our area where landlords are willing to allow this that is really appropriate for this type of business. Fortunately, my friend Janet (link to her blog in sidebar) is going to be working on my official quilt website this week -- so that will be coming soon! I have 20 quilts ready to go on it. If you are praying or will pray with us that the Lord would provide clearly, without confusion or struggle, I would sincerely appreciate it if you'd leave a comment or send an email. If you have encouragement to share about how you are managing to stay at home and homeschool as a single parent, I'd appreciate that as well. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Encouragement
Apr. 12, 2009
Apr. 12, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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In light of my last post, I figured that you could use the encouragement I've received this week. A friend who also happens to be a pastors wife shared that God has been providing for us for eight years, and He isn't going to abandon us, just because someone said.... Another friend was appauled (she is an elders wife) and said it was absolutely nonsense! Another friend just encouraged me by reminding me where we are and where we've come from, and she's known me long enough to really do a good job of it. Everyone asked, what was the motive of the friend that sought out the information and shared it. Only the Lord knows. But none of this is what I really meant to share, it's just sort of the leading up to the best part. I almost didn't go to church this morning. I've been so stressed over everything, that I was feeling very anxious and my stomach has been a mess for weeks. It's Easter Sunday, and there was a breakfast before church. I haven't felt much like fellowshipping with anyone lately -- I usually end up crying and that is oh, so attractive. I went, feeling lousy, physically and spiritually. I survived. I didn't pass out or throw up or anything else unpleasant (which one is always sure will happen if they "push" themselves.) Additionally, I met someone new and was able to share about a special missionary friend we have in the Boston area, that might be able to be a witness and encouragement to their extended family in that area -- all because I have a very bold son. But the best part was, at the recommendation of a lady in our church, I borrowed The Financial Guide for the Single Parent by Larry Burkett. Ladies, if you haven't see this, I'm going to strongly suggest/recommend/beg that you find a copy -- your local library, interlibrary loan, church library, Christian bookstore, a friend -- and go through it. I don't know what the Lord is going to do with our situation, but I'm convinced of two things -- first, He is already doing something, and He will not abandon or forsake us and second, that He will use all of this for His honor and glory! I cried as I read the various parts of these two books (there is a book and a workbook) that apply to my life. I skipped the parts that didn't. I've cried a lot lately. These pages gave me so much hope, not just that there are solutions out there -- but more importantly -- there are people who really "get it". Not just the financial aspect of it, but that they are approaching life from a Christ like perspective. I hope that you'll find a copy of these books and read through them, and be encouraged by their wisdom and their compassion. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Reposting - Contraversial Post
Apr. 7, 2009
Apr. 7, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I posted this earlier, quite, "off the cuff" which almost always lands me in trouble. I realized that in so doing, many things may have been unclear and disconnected. So, I"m going to go in and add some clarification. The original post parts are in normal print and my edits are added here in italics. I recently had a conversation with one Christian homeschooling mom, regarding No Greater Joy and whether or not Mr. Pearl was correct in his recent 3 part series on Patriarchal Families. We came to no agreement. Actually, it wasn't a matter of agreeing or disagreeing. We were just talking about whether he was right or wrong and we both felt that there were some points that were good and maybe some we didn't totally agree with. The conversation came up because another friend stopped reading NGJ over this. I was a little concerned over this, because I have always liked NGJ, but didn't want to be reading/believing something that was way off base. Since I don't have a husband, I often defer to other Christian homeschooling moms that I feel are well grounded in scripture. This led to a great discussion on people who follow men instead of God. The point my friend and I reached was that the real danger is not in what Mr. Pearl did or didn't say, but in who we are following. Are we following men? Or are we following the Lord, because men, all of them, are just human beings, sinful creatures. When we start following someone instead of the Lord, we are in danger. It seems that because as I believer, I sinned and have two children ( I was never married), there is no scriptural obligation for the church to care for us. In recent months, I had concluded that some might feel the church had a responsibility to us as widow (woman without a husband) while others did not. I was even okay with that, it really depends on how well you know Greek and Hebrew and how you read the definition in your particular concordance. But I figured at least we would qualify for help as being among the poor and needy, but apparently my sin disqualifies us from this as well. So, ladies, this is posted to say, if I've misled you(that is, if because of me you believe that a Christian woman has child out of wedlock, that the church held some responsibility in helping you train up that child for the Lord) I am sorry. It was not my intent ever. Apparently, (according to Vision Forum and John MacArthur) the Church has no responsibility to us, if we are in difficult situations because of our own sin. On a different note, I'm ever so grateful for those who've come along side me during this journey, especially since they didn't really have to. And I'm most grateful for the mom who called me this afternoon, upon reading my email concerning this, reminding me that NOTHING had changed that the LORD was still my provider and as long as I was following where I believed He was leading me, it didn't matter what a Church did or didn't do. Her call uplifted me. She inspired me to remember who is really in control, and why it is so important to look to the Lord and not to men. So, single moms regardless of the stand a church may or may not take regarding you, if the Lord has called you to home educate your children for His glory, hang in there! Trust Him! (He's been trying to get me to head this message for many weeks, and today it is just starting to sink in. I once had a great deal of faith and I was willing to walk that faith. Lately my faith has been much less, and I hadn't the courage to even step out of the boat (like Peter) never mind attempting to walk on water. These conversations today have stirred me to the point where I'm about ready to step out in a much greater faith. Praise God for the struggles that refine us and grow our faith! Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Help Gleaning the Harvest! Get a Free Magazine!
Apr. 3, 2009
Apr. 3, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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In the spirit of my former blogging days - here is an opportunity to get a copy of an awesome magazine free, and at the same time, help a very worthy ministry! If you'd like to know more about the ministry, you can visit their website at Gleaning the Harvest We want to offer our readers a free sample issue (a $5.00 retail value) of Home School Digest, the nation's longest-running Christian homeschooling magazine. The emphasis of HSD is on Family Discipleship, Character Building and Developing A Biblical Worldview. For each new sample request that they receive, they will give us $1.00 worth of advertising credit that we can use in Home School Digest.
The link we can use for the sample offer is:
and the Promo Code is: GLEAN
By using this link and Promo code, they will receive a free sample issue of the magazine, and we will receive $1 in magazine advertising credit.
You may offer this free sample issue on your blogs and websites, in email, on Yahoo groups, in church bulletins and other support groups and meetings.
The more it is promoted, the larger the ad space we will get and get GTH into a magazine hard copy. I will be getting info up on GTH about this, and I hope you will use any media avenue possible to spread the word on it. I am awaiting response from Mr. Wayne to see if we can use any of their graphics to make an icon, and if we can, we will get you an icon code for your sites also.
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What Next?
Apr. 3, 2009
Apr. 3, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I'm just wondering "What next?" Not that it really needs an answer, but I've been pondering questions like, what is "work"? How does God define it, as compared, say to the local welfare office? Or the average Christain? I think (okay, I know but am in denial) that God is calling me to take a stand on what "work" is to moms. Not just single moms, but all moms. Can't serve two masters, right? Shouldn't worry about money? But then the proverbial verse about those who don't work, not eating is alway, and I do mean ALWAYS brought up when I have this conversation. The fact of the matter is I've gotten comfortable. Very comfortable. Remember the children of Israel, harassing Moses about why they were wondering in the desert eating manna, when they'd had all those lovely leeks and cucumbers in Egypt. Well, I'm still in Egypt eating leeks and cucumbers saying, Lord, you don't really mean you want me to give this up...what are people going to say? Yup, that is where I am this morning, what about you? And I'm wondering, "what next?" Lord, because I know that there is something coming, and there is soon to be no more sitting on the fence over these things. I'm just going to have to toughen up and take a stand. Sighhhhh, Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Encouragement & Exhaustion
Mar. 29, 2009
Mar. 29, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I'm exhausted. I reach this point every year at about this time. I'm so tired of going it alone. Winters not really gone, springs not really here and I'm ready for both things to happen. Like yesterday! I've decided when I'm done here to go look up the verses about resting in the Lord and letting Him carry our burdens. Early today it was the verses on trusting Him. On the encouragement side of things, several folks asked today where things were on the housing front - yes, we're again (still) praying for the Lord's provision of a home where we can settle. That was encouraging, as was the consistent comment that they would continue to pray with us. Why another home? Well, we're in a little apartment, with too many neighbors too close to us. We knew this would only be temporary, until we could find the "right" place. Spring is coming, and I'd like to put in a garden soon, and MattMann still needs room to get out and burn off energy and all those calories stored during hibernation this winter. Before I fall asleep on the keyboard, let me just share that if you know a single mom, who's trying to train up her children for the Lord, please uphold her in prayer. She may not need cash or food or a place to live, but it gets lonely, and it's always wonderful to know that someone else is praying for you and your family. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
I've Been Thinking . . .
Mar. 28, 2009
Mar. 28, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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and for those of you know us, you know in our house this translates to "Duck & Cover!" Yesterday, the Psalm I read was this: Psalm 55:22, " Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee:..." This is so crucial right now. The vision God has given me for my family is so far from where we are. So few people embrace the vision enough to willingly come along side us. This is not to say no one does, because there are a few, and maybe that's enough. My burdens today are the following: - a home where MattMann can go outside and be a boy, without me having to be there to supervise him, for genuine safety reasons. - a home enterprise that will begin to support the children and I to move us out of the government system, but will also let me continue to be at home and to homeschool. - how to know who to believe and who to trust, when there is division in the body of Christ. The Lord is gracious and merciful and helps me to carry these burdens. He knows our need and has promised to provide it. I'm listening to Return of the Daughters in the background to remind me just how important the vision for my family is and to help me hang in there! What about you? What burdens do you have that you need to cast upon the Lord? What do you do, where do you find/seek encouragement when you feel discouraged? Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Inspiration - Getting My Focus Where It Should Be
Mar. 26, 2009
Mar. 26, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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A little over a year ago, I read online the following: "The light that shines farthest, shines brightest at home." My challenge to you is to think about how bright a light are you for the Lord in your home and with your family first? This morning I was bemoaning all the things I can't do right now. All the things I'd like to do, but . . . then I realized that if I don't tend my home and children first, nothing else I do for the Lord is going to count for much anyway. It helped me remember why I am doing what I am, why I've taken the stand that I have and why I need to continue to stand for single mom's to be keeper's at home. Statistically, we can't afford not to, but more importantly, eternally, we can't afford not to be in the place God has prepared for us. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Reposting from Feb. 19 - How Healthy Is It, Really????
Mar. 16, 2009
Mar. 16, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I'm reposting this in response to the anonymous comment: The brand of turkey bacon we compared to regular bacon was Oscar Myer and it is bad. Anything processed is bad compared to whole foods - the more natural the form the healthier it is there is no question about it. And as a disclaimer for anyone stopping by - my blogs are my "thinking" space. Not the finished product. If you find errors in grammar and spelling, forgive me. I am what I am, and at best I'm flawed. Blessings, MaggieRaye For about the last 18 months or so I've been obsessed with food. Not in the way you might think. It started when I was really sick and just couldn't get better. I started reading labels, looking at what we were eating, etc. I thought we were eating healthy, but .... So over the last year, I've tried really hard to make sure we used foods that were as whole, fresh and minimally processed as possible. No more Little Debbie's for desert (okay, once in awhile we splurge, but we use to do it daily.) LizBeth has been pushing for me to buy turkey bacon for us to try. That sounds really healthy right? Well guess what, as I was comparing the label to the real bacon it isn't. And the texture is kind of like, uhmm, well bacon wannabe flavored cardboard that is crispy. You can have 2 slices (who actually eats only 2 slices of bacon?) for the same number of calories that are in turkey bacon so there is nothing to be gained there. There is less fat in 2 slices of bacon than in 2 slices of turkey bacon (how does that happen?) The sodium content in 2 slices of turkey bacon is higher than real bacon and there is double the cholesterol in turkey bacon -- did you read that? double the cholesterol. So please someone tell me what exactly is the health benefit of eating wannabe bacon, verses the real deal???? Turkey bacon also has more additives in it than real bacon. So here is my lesson one I've been learning almost daily over the last 18 months -- don't assume it's healthy, read the label. Do you have any idea how many "healthy" breads have high fruitcose corn syrup in them? Well, that's my little tirade for today. You can't assume just because it seems healthy, and the package looks healthy (remember that is what the company selling it wants you to believe) doesn't mean it is healthy. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
What Do You Think?
Mar. 6, 2009
Mar. 6, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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Okay, I'm going to attempt to sound humble in this -- but it's really kind of one of those unbelievable, unless you're a homeschooling mom thing. My son is 8. What do most 8 year old boys get excited about? Matchboxes, Legos, playing in the snow... I don't know, boy things right, guns, knives, etc. My son just came out through, after asking if he could turn on the radio, very excited, little 8 year old boy excited -- "Mom, John Piper is on the radio and I get to listen to him!" Hhmmmm...why does my 8 year old even know who John Piper is and why is he excited that he gets to listen to him on the radio? Could it be the new church? Could it be that he listens when grown ups are talking, and we think he isn't listening? Does it mean the general conversations around our house have a spiritual and edifying bent to them??? Is he just a geeky kind of kid who's into stuff like that instead of "normal" boy things? Only the Lord knows, really, because surely I can not explain it, though I do think it is going to be one of those stories I tell in days to come. What about you? What do your kiddos get excited about that just doesn't seem quite "normal". Blessings, MaggieRaye |
God's Perfect Timing!
Mar. 3, 2009
Mar. 3, 2009
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I've been telling my friend Jacque that I was going to blog about this for a couple of weeks. In the next week or two my friend Janet (my webdesigning heroine) will be putting up the links in my side bar for me, but I figured I'd take advantage of this opportunity to do a little PR. Most of you that know me or have followed my blog for any length of time know that my biggest soap box is, has been, and will continue to be, that I believe that single mom's should be supported (in a multitude of ways) to home educate their children. For a long time I've prayed that the Lord would allow me to set up a ministry that would help to financially support single mom's in their efforts as this is often the biggest material need we have - just making ends meet. About two months ago someone emailed me a link to a new ministry online called Gleaning the Harvest. The Lord led someone to do what I had been praying would happen for a very long time. At last there is a ministry to help single moms homeschool. Here is the perfect opportunity for the whole body of Christ to join together in helping those in need. Please go by and check out the site and pray. Pray for the mothers that are being sponsored. Pray for those doing the sponsoring and pray about how the Lord might use you as a vessel for His ministry to these dear ladies. Also, stay tuned, because Lord willing I'll be sharing more about the ministry as the week goes on. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
