Mother/Daughter Time

This past weekend was full, but also very fulfilling for me as a 40 yr old woman and a mom. It began with me running the 5K race I've been training to run. Some of us gals from church ran together and encouraged each other along the way. It was such a fun morning and there's no feeling that compares when you finish the race. I really don't enjoy running in itself to be honest, but something keeps pulling me back to this exercise. I feel like it's such a great way to relate to our life's journey. I am just a short distance runner. I have zero desire to go for the 10K or half marathon at this point, but I do keep going back to running 2.5-3 miles as part of my weekly regime. I think because I just see how it relates so perfectly to this earthly life. We're just in training for a race where the finish line comes and there will be no comparison to what lies there. Of course, it isn't a sprint or a competition. I'm not running as a competitor. I'm running for the benefit that I know it brings to my life. As I run, I often find myself talking to God, looking to Him, trusting in Him, and listening to Him. It's strengthening me in so many more ways than physical. So, after the race, Baylee and I attended a "Secret Keeper Girls Event" in Bowie, MD. You can find more about these conferences at http://www.purefreedom.org/. We attended with 4 other moms from church and their daughters, ages 8-12. It was such a special time for us, and a memory I know that these girls will take with them always. One of the young gals also prayed to receive Christ at the event! It was icing on the cake of a great day!
Finally, yesterday started our first day of homeschooling both my girls. Things went well, and I am loving the curriculum in addition to the fact that I get to invest not just education but precious time with my girls in the process. This was certainly not a route I would have chosen in the past when my kids were first school age. Many years ago, I used to utter the words, "I will NEVER homeschool! God's not called me to EVER do that." Ha! It's obvious I do not have the gift of prophecy. :) About 7 yrs ago God began changing my heart on the issue and called us to take this route initially with all our kids and to this season of our life with just our girls. It's also been neat to see how He's changed my attitude about it over the years, equipped me completely for the task He's called me to do, AND given me a love and satisfaction for the calling. Here's a picture of Baylee on our first day. Nothing greater than getting to do your work in your pjs. It won't happen every day, but it sure was fun the first day! :) Ashtyn woke up with a bad cold, and did not feel like having her picture taken, so I'll add one later.

Here we go....taken today during school.... I am treasuring these days with my girls and so grateful for the blessing and calling to invest in their lives in this way at this critical time.

Ecclesiastes 3:22
"So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot. Who can bring him to see what will be after him?"