My new calling!

Today marks a new day in my life. I am officially on summer break AND I am officially a house wife. To be completely honest, I really don't like the sound of the last part. For so long, all I've wanted was to be a wife and a mother. Then... it happened. And now, I'm a little scared of it! haha! No, to be honest, there are just so many stereotypes that I have grown up with, and I have always been taught to work hard. I will still be getting a paycheck over the summer from my job, so in my own small world of self-accomplishment I feel like I am still contributing financially to our home. That's the great part about being a teacher, right?!

I know that God is calling me to contribute in new ways now, but for the first time, I really feel like I have no clue how that will look. It's rather unpredictable! I feel like the summer will be easy in many ways. I get to focus on getting our house in order, something that I complained about every week while working, because I never had time to be organized at home like I wanted. I get to contribute by getting better at how our family saves money. i.e. couponing and budgeting. I will actually have time for people in my life. There are so many friendships and ways to do ministry through our home that I never had time for before. I get to focus on God more. I actually sat on our porch this morning and read my Bible! It was so peaceful!

Until that baby comes in September, I will spend the majority of my days home by myself. Well, technically, I have Abe, our dog, but he can't talk. So, he doesn't really count. So, I'm thinking that my prayer life will naturally become deeper because I will be talking to God more. I get to focus on my garden more! I need to figure out why my bell peppers plants haven't grown in several weeks. I get to focus on how to become a better wife and mother. I have so many books piled by my bed that I need to read. These are things that I'm really excited about!

I feel like it is going to be really nice to slow down just a bit and enjoy this time before our baby comes, because after that life will NOT be the same. I just read my friend, Chelsey's blog and it made my heart melt!!

I am still praying about what God would have me do financially to contribute to our home after baby, because I want to help in part in that way if I can. But, I need to see how life works caring for our baby first. I do know that I will be able to help my mom with her dance studio AND I will be on the substitute list for Heritage next year! I've had a summer opportunity to tutor a girl in Spanish! I also have goals to become a better seamstress, and maybe I will be able to do something more with that, too!

I will leave you with the encouragement that I received today from the Lord from Ephesians... God writes, Paul speaks...

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humilty and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call --one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6

I read that and accept my calling in Christ! I am so encouraged to walk in that manner today as a new calling on my life begins! Praise Jesus forever and ever!