I'm a Hearts at Home Blogger.

Have you ever felt alone as a mom? Lost in your chosen field of mothering?

There is an organization that was created to encourage, educate and equip women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home helps thousands of moms love their lives through their many resources including conferences, website, and books.

Recently I partnered up with this organization as a blogger. Over time I hope to share with you the many resources this ministry has to offer (old ones and new). To learn more about the Hearts at Home Blogging team go here.

In the meantime I would like to encourage you to explore their website and blog for an immediate dose of mothering encouragement.

LIVE it Up!! Guest Post Series.

Today we finish our series "Living as a Single Christian Woman," with a final guest post by Alicia from Experiencing Each Moment.


Our last topic is about LIFE:

Love-what a great chance you get to love! By love, I mean the sacrificial choice to put someone else before yourself.

• Maybe it’s being gentle to that co-worker that talks bad about you for no reason.
  
• Maybe it’s committing to 1 Sunday a month in your church preschool Sunday School class.
  
• Maybe it’s listening to your friend talk about the guy they’re excited about when you haven’t had a prospect in months.
  

Believe it or not, the day will come when you won’t feel like loving your husband. You’ll have to CHOOSE to, but it will come much easier if it’s already part of your life.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 3:16

Integrity-this one is simple. Behave like everyone can see you because the only one who matters can. Make pleasing Him your only concern.

As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:2

Venture (or adventure!)-In my single days, I traveled to 10 different countries. Since I’ve been married, I’ve been to 2, and since I’ve had kids? ZERO! And for 3 years as a single person I got paid to live there! Traveling may not be your idea of an adventure, but there has to be something that thrills you. Now’s the time to do it!

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15

Eternity-Live life in light of eternity. You may actually have to spend some time each day (even 5 minutes) of contemplating what eternity is. We often think of eternity as the end cap to our life. Like it’s a book end! But eternity IS our home, IS our life, IS God’s plan for us. If you just think about it for a while, it really makes today’s issues blend in the background. Oh, those issues still exist, but they are overshadowed by the Glory of what’s to come!

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

My husband is in the Navy, and is currently deployed (has been during this whole series), and just yesterday I found out that his return date, which we kind of knew, has been scrapped. We now know nothing about the rest of his schedule. It’s not the worst thing in the world, but it’s hard on me. And it’s going to break my son’s heart. But when my eyes are fixed on eternity I find it easier to love, easier to have integrity, and easier to accept this adventure.

Christian singles, LIVE it up!!!

I'm sorry... so sorry.

Hi, my name is Stephanie {me waving}.

I used to blog here before I lost my mind and over-commited myself to do a million projects, AND take care of my kids, AND homeschool a kindergartener, AND nurse an infant, AND still find time to sleep.

{Taking deep breath!}

Those other commitments are done. I learned a lot and now I'm ready to get back to my usual posts of menus, home management tips, books, and family happenings!

To everyone who tried to join me in reading The Ministry of Motherhood, I humbly apologize for completely dropping the ball!!! I have finished reading the book and will post a wrap-up/ review of the whole book next week. PLEASE leave a comment with links to any posts you've written about the book!!!

I would say the post will go up this Friday BUT Thursday night we will be attending a minor league baseball game (it was rained out last week) and Friday morning we are attending the Ringling Bros. Circus!!

My kids have never been to the Circus before AND Joel's taking the whole day off work so we can go in the morning. I'm hoping fewer people will be there for a morning performance than they would for an evening one. We're also going early so we can attend "Clown College." :) Here's hoping none of my kids are scared of clowns!!!!

Anyway. Thanks for sticking around and not giving up on Stephanie's Mommy Brain.

Be sure to come back Wednesday to read the final post in our Single Christian Woman series. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have! Aren't those 3 women incredible? I'd love to sit down with all of them for a cup of tea. It's too bad we're all spread across the continent!

Well, if you'll excuse me, I need to go feed the baby and get some sleep.