Once a week we try to get together with good friends.  This week Anna wanted to make cupcakes for snacks for everyone.  We also made mummy dogs for lunch.  Yum!

Yesterday was really a rush.. I spent time in the morning cleaning and doing dishes.  I admit I enjoyed the later quiet time since Anna stayed up with daddy the night before, watching Anime.  However, we had alot of school to cover.  I just found out my friend Steph and her children would be coming the following day..  which means pretty much a lax schooling day.  So I got her up and spent the entire day pushing her to work.  Of course, this was the day she was going to totally be uncooperative.  Oh my word!  She and Ethan fought over everything!  I managed to record little bits of our day that wasn’t so umm.. chaotic.   I really would like to try and include alot more visuals to the blog.  I have been way behind in finding the time to write. 

Last Friday evening, Annaleah got all dressed up for the festivities at the local ice rink.  Daddy took her and I hung out at Walmart for 3 hours.. shopping slowly, checking prices.. alone.  Most of you are probably like.. seriously?? There was no way I was going to hang out for 3 hours at the ice rink!  It is freezing cold!    The donut video amazed me because 1. Anna never eats anything that fast.. 2. she doesn’t even like anything but powdered donuts.

I just got done reading my Proverbs 31 Devotion.

It definitely hit me this morning.  The verse of the day is..

 ²⁰And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 28:20 (King James Version)

Some of the examples today where..

Are you worried about your ability to be a good mother? Do the work.

Are you struggling with debt and financial issues? Do the work.

Do you want to eat healthier, commit to regular exercise or lose weight? Do the work.

Ok.. yes.. I struggle with each of these daily!  I worry about my ability to homeschool and feel like a failure most days.  I get all irritated and anxiety builds fast.  Finances are never ending.. just never gets easier in that area.  My health??  I have been so frustrated with that, I have just stuck it on the back burner.  It isn’t helping me when I shove it aside.  It is only getting worse! 

Make no mistake: sometimes the work will be hard. Note that our verse today didn’t say “Lay around and hope things get better.” The challenge we face is not in focusing on how hard the work is, but in seeking the God who has promised to show up as we work. We offer our best efforts and trust that He will multiply them. We will see Him supply the words, the resources, the energy, the time, the patience, the grace we need. But first we must do the work. Just like the priests had to first step into the water before the Jordan could part in Joshua 3:15-16, so we must begin working before we can see the solution appear.

What work do you need to start doing—or keep doing—no matter how discouraged or disheartened you feel? I pray that you will see Him at work on your behalf today as you do the work He has called you to do. Do the work, and He will be with you.

As I copy this and re-read, I also realize something else.  How often do I ask the Lord for guidance in these areas?  I pray when others are hurting, when others have needs or requests, but I rarely pray for my struggles.  Somehow I think that maybe I don’t deserve the help?  I know that sounds foolish but it is something I struggle with daily.  I tend to be alot harder on myself.  It gets me nowhere.  So those are areas I need desperately to work on.  I guess I should start with prayer and then do the work that needs to be done. 

All italics are copied from the Proverbs 31 Devotions.

I am behind in everything.. seriously everything!  I haven’t been blogging, I am struggling with keeping the house in shape, schooling, and just your typical day to day stuff.  Exercise and healthy eating have been thrown out the window.  I don’t understand what the problem is here. 

So I am going to start by making a list.  All the things I need to be better at..

• waking up in the morning to do bible study (not getting up and watching youtube videos)
• Schooling on time
• Organizing school materials so everything can be found and used in a timely manner. (Too much time is spent looking for things)
• Preparing some type of preschool activity for Ethan so that he has something to do instead of talking to Anna during school.
• Having meals planned ahead of time and actually cooking them.
• Cleaning up before bed!  After dinner would be best! (Instead of doing this in the morning.)
• Washing and putting away one load of clothes a day. (Instead of being overwhelmed on the weekend)
• Blogging before reading everyone else’s blog.. ( I get lost once I start reading)
• Going to bed at a reasonable time (3am is not a reasonable time when you need to wake up at 5:30am)

So there you have it.. if I follow these simple steps.. maybe life would be a bit easier? 

Is there anything I missed?  Hmm..