The Week Ahead

As a mama, today i am feeling a mixture of sadness, pride and joy. This morning we saw Rachel off to camp. This week she and her friends from church will be serving by helping those in need. There will be so much to do; cleaning, yardwork and childcare to name a few of the known assignments. With so much to do the week should go by pretty quickly for the kids and their leaders.

On the other hand, for Jeremy, the boys and me the hours will tick by very slowly. We will miss her so much-we are already missing her. Though her absence makes it difficult for the next few days we are proud of Rachel. She is going with such excitement and wanting to help that it is hard to imagine not being proud of the young lady she is growing into.

Then there is the joy of knowing that Rachel is doing what she feels is God's will and we believe that the center of God's will is the very best place to be.

It is going to be so much fun to hear of Rachel's experience upon her return. I am sure she will be exhausted but more than anything she is going to feel a deep satisfaction knowing she has shown God's love to those who may experience so little of it in their own lives. The memories and the eternal rewards are going to be far greater than any temporary exhaustion she may feel at the end of the camp experience.

As a mama i ask everyone who reads this to pray for Rachel and her friends this week they act as the hands and feet of Jesus.

Thank you and God bless!

Why i Journal

Though i have always loved to write it has only been in the last four years that i have journaled consistently. During this time i have filled three journals and i am presently working on my fourth. I have also started a seperate journal for my family's homeschooling journey. The reasons i enjoy journaling are numerous but i will share a few with you. One reason is because i write much better than i speak. I may not always be able to orally express what i am feeling but give me a pen and paper and i can tell you in writing. Even if i am not so sure of how i am feeling or why i feel the way i do if i try to write it seems to make more sense and usually by the time i am done i do feel better. When i have trouble praying vocally i start writing my prayers. It helps me to focus. Another neat thing about journaling is that it usually ends in praise and thanksgiving! That is why i often refer to my journals as "my psalms". Journaling gets my creative juices flowing as well. Sometimes i even draw in my journal. It was through journaling that i was inspired to start blogging. One more reason i love to journal is because i am leaving a legacy for my children. It is my hope that when they read my writings someday they may learn more about me and maybe even learn from my experiences. Rachel has already started writing on her own and it makes me glad that she is realizing at her young age the importance and joy of journaling.