I haven’t updated this blog in years. So, what’s happened in
almost five years? Well, we moved to TN in September 2022. NC will always hold
a special place in my heart, having spent my teenage and young adult years
there. Not to mention, most of my children were born in NC. My family lives
there, so it’s a special place. But Robert and I determined before we even met
that we would follow God wherever He led us.
God opened a new chapter of our lives and directed us to
uproot our lives in NC and move to East TN. Sometimes we don’t know the ‘why’
of God’s plan, but we follow Him, seemly blind to some people. But I call it
faith. I’ve learned a lot about faith. A faith that no matter what comes,
knowing God is truly in control. Having faith doesn’t mean that life will be
worry-free and easy. It just means amidst the valleys of life; I have a strong
tower that I can lean on. Emotions waver like the wind, but God is unchanging.
I am confident in Him.
I look back over the past months, and I see that He alone
has met all our needs. Sometimes I wish life was easier. Then I ask myself
which would I rather have? A life of ease where we have no financial burdens
and I casually pray or a life totally dependent on Him, knowing if He doesn’t meet
our needs, no one else will. Imparting to my children a faith that can move
mountains. I want a genuine relationship with God. Not one where I ask and
take, and it never goes in depth. But one that is filled with sweet communion
and praise even if He answers ‘no’ to all of my prayers. He is still worthy and
I should praise Him for who He is, not what He blesses me with. And if you know
me today, you know how blessed I am.
Not long after moving to TN, my seventh son, our eighth child,
was born. Some people think eight is a big number, but I have wanted and loved
every child God has lent to us. I’m not a super mom or woman. I fail too much
to count, but I believe I’m living for what really matters. There’s nothing
wrong with women working outside the home and sending their children to daycare
or school. But that’s not the calling God has in my life. God has graciously
allowed me to stay home and take care of my children. I don’t have to worry
about so much because my children are close by. Homeschooling is difficult
sometimes, but there’s beauty in it.
I admit, sometimes I take the mundane tasks of life for
granted, but I am so thankful God has allowed me to stay home and care for my
own children. Does that mean my house is always clean and the days are smooth? If
I claimed that I’d be a liar. Life is messy and chaotic, yet there’s beauty in that.
God molds me every day, and He uses my children to point out my failures.
Showing me how I can be more like Him. Life with eight children ages thirteen
to one is never dull. It’s a wonderful adventure. One I wouldn’t trade for
anything. And there’s no other person I’d rather share my life with than my husband,
Robert.
I’ve been writing for a long time. But I take breaks every
once in a while. I decided this year that I enjoy the entire process of
self-publishing. I love making book covers, editing, formatting. So, I’ve been
doing it all since a couple of books ago. God made me to be a writer. I’ve had
stories in my head since I was a child. But most of the stories I had written
before 2020, I threw away. They are not the quality they are today. God has
been working in my life, developing my voice and my creativity. So, I really
like where I am on my writing adventure. My goal isn’t to be a best-seller who
makes lots of money. My goal is writing fictional stories that not only
entertain, but show the lowliness of life and how God can pick up a life and swipe
away the darkness, revealing a life shining for Him.
Life is good, and God is my song in the uncertainties of
tomorrow. I don’t know how regularly I will update this blog, but I will try to
update it casually. I’m not on social media besides for my writing, so I don’t
get on social media and share pictures or talk about my life. But on this blog,
I can do that some.
I hope y’all have a great weekend.
