Home with Tracy

Today, I opened up the box to my new sewing machine that I was blessed to receive from my wonderful mother-in-law at Christmas. I probably should mention that it was Christmas 2007! I remember being so excited about receiving the sewing machine that the next week I went to the fabric store and bought material and a pattern to make my girls matching outfits. I don't quite remember why I never opened up the sewing machine or why the material and pattern stayed in their original store bag for over 2 1/2 years. But, they did. Recently I have been inspired by great women around me. Inspired to be more and do more with the talents God has given me. Inspired to do more things creative. That inspiration lead to me doing these... all today, by the way! First, I made the girls matching dresses with the material I bought over 2 1/2 years ago. I did not use a pattern, just cut them out and sewed them. I am pretty proud of myself because I think they turned out pretty good.Next, I made...

Lately I have had to ask myself if I am a Martha or a Mary? Am I so busy trying to serve that I am not listening to what Jesus wants me to hear? Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42 I have been known to say that people need to "step-up" and serve. If I see a need that is not being met, I feel that it is my responsibility to step-up and do it. Do I always ask Jesus first if it is what He wan...

Jesus replied, "'Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, 'Love your neighbor as yourself'. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40 There are ten commandments that God has given us. Yet, when Jesus was asked which is the greatest commandment in the law, Jesus said "Love". Of all the commandments we have been given, Love is the one God considers the greatest. I love my kids. I have always wanted children and I pray that God will bless us with more. I absolutely LOVE children! At least I thought I did, until I read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 a little more closely. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices w...

Since returning home, well if I must be completely honest, I've always had an issue with pride. I use my pride as an excuse not to do the things God calls me to do. The last position I held was in the preschool department of the church my family attends. I loved it! I loved the organization. I loved the children. I loved the teachers. Sure, like every job, there were some down sides, but mostly I loved it! When God called me away from it, I didn't want to obey. I was doing a good job. Why would He call me away from a job I was doing well? I was in His house, doing His work. Pride! That was my main problem. It wasn't the "I want attention" pride. If you know me, I am not one that wants attention. I don't want recognition. The pride that I was filled with was selfish pride. The pride of knowing I could do the job and do it well. Now that I am no longer working in the preschool department, I have found it difficult being around the department. It is hard to wa...

This morning, I posted about my quiet time and how it encouraged me because it was just what I needed to hear from God. My quiet time was about a Mom's greatest joy. How we are to teach our children about God and how to measure success. I was pumped, excited and ready to go! Someone knew I was excited to be doing God's work. That someone, is satan! The morning that started out great quickly turned. First, I had checked our bank account and it was not what I wanted or expected to see. Punch 1. Secondly, I received an email that was not what I wanted to hear. Punch 2. Next, I cried and cried and cried. I did what I shouldn't have, and I let that hurt and fear turn to anger. Punch 3. Then, I did the unthinkable, I let that anger out on my children. Knocked Out! That was the absolutely lowest part of my day. You see, the bank account and the email made me question the decision of quitting my job. It made me question the decision of staying home and homeschooling. I...

Yesterday was our first day of homeschooling. My 1st grader must have been excited, because he was up at 4:30 a.m. I don't know if I was more excited or nervous. Being completely responsible for the education of our four children is a lot of responsibility! Will I be able to do it. NO! It will not be me who educates them, it will be all God. I know that I cannot do this alone. I know that I don't have the patience, knowledge, dedication, patience . . . My quiet time with God these past two days has been exactly what I needed. Yesterday's time was about fear. And, believe me, I was full of fear starting to homeschool. Today's time was about A Mother's Greatest Joy. Our greatest joy as mothers should not be if our child wins the game, if our child gets the highest grade in the class, if our child gets the lead in a play. Yes, those are great accomplishments, fantastic accomplishments, and we should be proud. But, our greatest joy should be that our children...