Well today is the first day of school...for the kids, that is. I am so blessed as I sit here and feel nothing but peace. Peace with my God, my family, my husband, my life, and that I am SO doing what the Lord has in store for me at this particular moment in my life! I probably can't express it like I am feeling, but I just wanted to put it down in words. I know I have heard "it must be nice" at least a dozen times since announcing to others that our family had made some decisions for this upcoming year and I am sure for many it was hard to understand. Now don't get me wrong we had people who were genuinely happy for us, supported us, and encouraged us. I don't know when it started but the Lord has been working on me for at least a year and I feel maybe more. I know that my role as mother, wife, and home caretaker has not been fulfilled in quite a while. I know most women feel this way. However, I have felt so strongly about this that I started praying for the Lord to make our circumstances where we could make a biblical statement in our family, that family and God's roles for them really had to be primary in our lives. Yes it was scary, yes it caused some stress, yes we didn't know what would happen. However we did say that if we truly made some adjustments and "needed" less then we could make this a priority! I could work from home part time and focus on my work while everyone was at school. Then when the kids and Russell got home I could just be mom and wife. I have to say I got the first taste of this last night. It was SO wonderful. I could make dinner peacefully without stressing about going back to my classroom to work and get it ready for the first day. I could help pack lunchboxes, paint finger and toenails, fill out forms, and even just feel more settled in my new roles without the stress of a more than full time job taking my joy. I say all this, and I know it is long, to say God does answer prayers. God does intend for us to fulfill the roles he gave us in the Bible not just in word but deed. I have had this yearning to do that for so long and I am so blessed with a husband that believes this as well, so hopefully I can look back one day and not have regrets about the way I chose to spend my time when my kids were little. They are my job; they are my life; they are my legacy! I pray I live up to that in everything I do each day for them and with them! Thank you all for your support! And for reading this endless paragraph of my thoughts on this dreary, rainy first day back at school! God bless you all!
On a lighter note, here are a few back to school pictures...
By the way - I will now be posting family updates, journal tidbits, and plenty of pictures regarding our family on this blog. I feel it is time to separate my family and work, even in the blog world. I will still have my blog/website for photography
http://jennifergauerphotography/zenfolio.com so please visit that often to see what is new in my photography journey! But if you want to stay up to date with all the really important things in our lives...check this blog frequently! :)
I love each of you,
Have a blessed Monday!
~Jennifer
