I keep kids at home. I love kids. Providing quality childcare and early education is something I am passionate about. My favorite job ever was in AR. I was teaching Pre-K. I was young and had no education but I threw myself into learning everything I could learn and the kids who left my class and went to kindergarten were the best. We didn't use a curriculum. We wrote our own. Looking back, remembering that I didnt even have Internet, I have no idea how I learned everything I did. I did this for a while in Meridian but was never given the opportunities I was given back then, and therefore just wasn't as happy. I worked other jobs, made good money but it all came back to this.
It took several months to build my business up. I was very discouraged. Now I am overflowing thanks to God and a little thing called word of mouth. God really blesses you when you are patient.
I have just done the absolute most heartwrenching thing I have ever done. I have a 4 year old. My favorite age to teach. She's a sponge. I could have this child reading and writing like a pro before she goes to kindergarten in the fall of 2012. Yes. I would place money on that. But she's the only 4 year old I'll have left. The other 4 year old that I get part time will be going to kindergarten this fall. Knowing how important interaction with children her age is, and knowing that the parents have already talked about putting her in pre-k in the fall, I have recommended a preschool and a teacher. My heart is broken. What's even worse is that I also keep her baby brother. I just feel that for convenience they will want them both at the same place. So I'm going to lose him too. I hope and pray I do not. Funny how quickly you get attached to these little ones.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Colossians 3:23
I was in a job that I hated. Ironically it was in childcare- the job that is and always has been my passion. More about this passion in another blog.
This job- it was horrible. I needed the money, or so I thought, or I would have left the job in a heartbeat. I just had all of these dreams and ideas and I couldn't use any of them. I felt my creativity was being squashed in a playground filled with dirt- and ONLY dirt. I loved my babies so very much. I wanted to love them and teach them. My parents trusted me to do these things and I worked hard not to let them down.
I found myself getting bogged down with stupid petty office things. "You're supposed to be wearing green scrubs today and not purple"; "ok this kid told you to kiss his ass. Punish him by making him sit in your lap." seriously? Take him out of the big never-ending desert behind the daycare and give him special treatment by letting him sit in my lap? I really hate to see what he comes up with next!!
Anyway. I was frustrated. Beyond belief. Ready to walk in the next day and tell someone off and it was not going to be pretty. Yes I was a Christian then too. But a person can only take so much. Right Lord? Are You on my side here God? I am so obviously being mistreated here!!
Okay so I get home and get out of my car, ready to go in and tell the hubs that It is over. I quit. I look in my yard and there is some paper in the yard. Bright pink paper- almost fluorescent. I grumble as I walk over to pick it up. I pick it up and head to the garbage can but I feel a slight nudging to see what it is. It is a brochure from the church down the street. The youth group is having a get together. I don't have youth at this time so I don't plan on reading much further but one little word catches my eye. Work. Ok a big word at this time in my life. So then I had to look. Here's what it said:
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23
I had to read this several times to let this sink in. Was this really in the Bible? Seriously? Was this some kind of joke? I'll admit, I had been very vocal about my frustration. I go in the house and grab my Bible. There is was. It was in the Bible. I kept reading. This is the day I realized that no matter what situation you are facing, the Word of God has you covered.
This verse helped me stay at this job another year. I did move on but only after I knew it was time and not in frustration.
Since then, this verse has gotten me through many a rough day. At work and home. Just because it says work heartily doesn't mean it's only talking about your job. We work as much at home these days as we do at work!
No matter what you are doing, do it as if you are working for the Lord. Not that gripey boss. (unless your boss happens to literally be the Lord, in which case you really shouldn't be calling Him gripey...)
If you go up to verse 22, God specifically commands slaves to obey their earthly masters. In this day, this no doubt is referring to an employee/employer relationship. So there we have a command to obey our bosses and then a command to do this as to the Lord- so, with the right attitude.
We must do these things to set a good example. As we know, we are being watched by non-believers who are waiting for us to stumble. BUT- when we start facing our day with the attitude that we are working for the Lord, our days will look much better.
I leave you tonight with a challenge. Write this verse on an index card. Several index cards. Put them up at work. On your fridge. Wherever you think you might need them. Recite this verse over and over throughout the day and strive to live it. Do this for ten days and see if your days don't get better. Then leave me a comment below and let me know. I can't wait to hear about it!!
Love and hugs!!
Tammy
This job- it was horrible. I needed the money, or so I thought, or I would have left the job in a heartbeat. I just had all of these dreams and ideas and I couldn't use any of them. I felt my creativity was being squashed in a playground filled with dirt- and ONLY dirt. I loved my babies so very much. I wanted to love them and teach them. My parents trusted me to do these things and I worked hard not to let them down.
I found myself getting bogged down with stupid petty office things. "You're supposed to be wearing green scrubs today and not purple"; "ok this kid told you to kiss his ass. Punish him by making him sit in your lap." seriously? Take him out of the big never-ending desert behind the daycare and give him special treatment by letting him sit in my lap? I really hate to see what he comes up with next!!
Anyway. I was frustrated. Beyond belief. Ready to walk in the next day and tell someone off and it was not going to be pretty. Yes I was a Christian then too. But a person can only take so much. Right Lord? Are You on my side here God? I am so obviously being mistreated here!!
Okay so I get home and get out of my car, ready to go in and tell the hubs that It is over. I quit. I look in my yard and there is some paper in the yard. Bright pink paper- almost fluorescent. I grumble as I walk over to pick it up. I pick it up and head to the garbage can but I feel a slight nudging to see what it is. It is a brochure from the church down the street. The youth group is having a get together. I don't have youth at this time so I don't plan on reading much further but one little word catches my eye. Work. Ok a big word at this time in my life. So then I had to look. Here's what it said:
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23
I had to read this several times to let this sink in. Was this really in the Bible? Seriously? Was this some kind of joke? I'll admit, I had been very vocal about my frustration. I go in the house and grab my Bible. There is was. It was in the Bible. I kept reading. This is the day I realized that no matter what situation you are facing, the Word of God has you covered.
This verse helped me stay at this job another year. I did move on but only after I knew it was time and not in frustration.
Since then, this verse has gotten me through many a rough day. At work and home. Just because it says work heartily doesn't mean it's only talking about your job. We work as much at home these days as we do at work!
No matter what you are doing, do it as if you are working for the Lord. Not that gripey boss. (unless your boss happens to literally be the Lord, in which case you really shouldn't be calling Him gripey...)
If you go up to verse 22, God specifically commands slaves to obey their earthly masters. In this day, this no doubt is referring to an employee/employer relationship. So there we have a command to obey our bosses and then a command to do this as to the Lord- so, with the right attitude.
We must do these things to set a good example. As we know, we are being watched by non-believers who are waiting for us to stumble. BUT- when we start facing our day with the attitude that we are working for the Lord, our days will look much better.
I leave you tonight with a challenge. Write this verse on an index card. Several index cards. Put them up at work. On your fridge. Wherever you think you might need them. Recite this verse over and over throughout the day and strive to live it. Do this for ten days and see if your days don't get better. Then leave me a comment below and let me know. I can't wait to hear about it!!
Love and hugs!!
Tammy
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Facing the Giants
Well I watched Facing the Giants with my wonderful hubby tonight. This movie is always a guaranteed tearjerker for me.
Spoiler alert!! If you haven't seen this movie now is the time to stop reading this blog. Seriously. Watch the movie then come back.
I love this movie. I've read the reviews. The acting is bad. I don't really give a rip about that. They had no training if I understand correctly. Look past the acting. Look at the people. Look at the raw honesty of the situation.
The guy pretty much sucks at his job, which is a coaching job so really how much money can he make? His wife has a job but probably makes barely above minimum wage. They have a crappy car but they are trying to save and really can't afford a new car payment. They are trying to have a baby but really can't afford that either. They go to church... Their faith is just not there. They are lukewarm like many of us. (myself included) He is so stressed out about every single thing that their marriage seems to be falling apart. Then something happens. His faith does a complete 180. Everything he does in his life he does for God. He prays with his wife, his football team, alone. He gives God the glory for everything. A rebellious son goes to his father and apologizes and agrees to obey his rules. That dad later on buys the coach a truck. Anonymously of course. They are winning games like crazy. Coach gets a raise. Marriage is wonderful. Still trying for that baby. Favorite part of the movie. They make it to state playoffs. Wife is nauseous. Goes to doc to take a test. They tell her she's not pg. Disappointment is not even the word. They realize after she's walked out it's a mistake. Nurse goes out to the truck and tells her it was a mistake. She is overcome with joy. She goes to the game. It comes down to the last second and they pull a miraculous win. He prays with his team. He gets home and his wife tells him he's gonna be a daddy. He drops to his knees and tells God he's overwhelmed. Overwhelmed!! Did you read that??
When is the last time we were overwhelmed by something God did in our lives? You know, it's not often He goes to this extreme to get our attention. He can. But we should be overwhelmed every day that we were CHOSEN by Him. The Maker of the universe. To serve Him. To spread His word. His joy. And live forever. I can't even comprehend forever.
And another point. When the switch was flipped in this guy, he didn't start doing everything for God so he could get a new truck and a baby and a state championship. He did it because he was at the end of his rope and he knew that God would at least help him get through it. God did that. And He went above and beyond. We don't put our faith in God expecting Him to go above and beyond. I had an old friend tell me once that she was trusting in God because she wanted a bigger house. I asked her what was wrong with her house. She said nothing. Her kids were grown and she just wanted a bigger one and she knew that if she believed God for it, He would get it for her. My God is not a genie in a bottle. He provides for my needs as He has promised. Sometimes He does go above and beyond. I have many things I don't consider a need, but I don't have excess. Everything He allows us to have that is beyond what we need, we should be thankful for and not proud or boastful.
Anyway back to the point. Do everything for God. At work. At home. At play. Everything you do, do it for God. When He gives you a blessing, be overwhelmed. Let God bless you!
Now- homework. Go read Colossians 3:23. Yes, now. And while you're at it, go ahead and finish the chapter. Don't be afraid to keep reading. Next blog will be about how I came across this wonderful bit of scripture. Awesome amazing story!!
Goodnight!! Love and hugs to all!!
Tammy
Spoiler alert!! If you haven't seen this movie now is the time to stop reading this blog. Seriously. Watch the movie then come back.
I love this movie. I've read the reviews. The acting is bad. I don't really give a rip about that. They had no training if I understand correctly. Look past the acting. Look at the people. Look at the raw honesty of the situation.
The guy pretty much sucks at his job, which is a coaching job so really how much money can he make? His wife has a job but probably makes barely above minimum wage. They have a crappy car but they are trying to save and really can't afford a new car payment. They are trying to have a baby but really can't afford that either. They go to church... Their faith is just not there. They are lukewarm like many of us. (myself included) He is so stressed out about every single thing that their marriage seems to be falling apart. Then something happens. His faith does a complete 180. Everything he does in his life he does for God. He prays with his wife, his football team, alone. He gives God the glory for everything. A rebellious son goes to his father and apologizes and agrees to obey his rules. That dad later on buys the coach a truck. Anonymously of course. They are winning games like crazy. Coach gets a raise. Marriage is wonderful. Still trying for that baby. Favorite part of the movie. They make it to state playoffs. Wife is nauseous. Goes to doc to take a test. They tell her she's not pg. Disappointment is not even the word. They realize after she's walked out it's a mistake. Nurse goes out to the truck and tells her it was a mistake. She is overcome with joy. She goes to the game. It comes down to the last second and they pull a miraculous win. He prays with his team. He gets home and his wife tells him he's gonna be a daddy. He drops to his knees and tells God he's overwhelmed. Overwhelmed!! Did you read that??
When is the last time we were overwhelmed by something God did in our lives? You know, it's not often He goes to this extreme to get our attention. He can. But we should be overwhelmed every day that we were CHOSEN by Him. The Maker of the universe. To serve Him. To spread His word. His joy. And live forever. I can't even comprehend forever.
And another point. When the switch was flipped in this guy, he didn't start doing everything for God so he could get a new truck and a baby and a state championship. He did it because he was at the end of his rope and he knew that God would at least help him get through it. God did that. And He went above and beyond. We don't put our faith in God expecting Him to go above and beyond. I had an old friend tell me once that she was trusting in God because she wanted a bigger house. I asked her what was wrong with her house. She said nothing. Her kids were grown and she just wanted a bigger one and she knew that if she believed God for it, He would get it for her. My God is not a genie in a bottle. He provides for my needs as He has promised. Sometimes He does go above and beyond. I have many things I don't consider a need, but I don't have excess. Everything He allows us to have that is beyond what we need, we should be thankful for and not proud or boastful.
Anyway back to the point. Do everything for God. At work. At home. At play. Everything you do, do it for God. When He gives you a blessing, be overwhelmed. Let God bless you!
Now- homework. Go read Colossians 3:23. Yes, now. And while you're at it, go ahead and finish the chapter. Don't be afraid to keep reading. Next blog will be about how I came across this wonderful bit of scripture. Awesome amazing story!!
Goodnight!! Love and hugs to all!!
Tammy
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Home Alone!!
I'm home alone this morning! It is simply wonderful! I must admit- of everything in this world- this is my guilty pleasure. The peace and quiet of being home alone. It's not that I have control of the remote control- although that big red OFF button sure is beautiful!! It's not the cliche of running around sans clothing- but be warned that "the girls" do run loose.
What you would find if you were to drop by would be nothing mind blowing. Me in the recliner reading a book on the Kindle. Me playing Angry Birds. Me enjoying the quiet hearing nothing except my ears ringing, or you might hear Third Day jamming on Pandora. Or me talking on the phone without any interruptions.
My 16 year old thinks that because I so treasure this alone time, it must mean that I hate her and the baby-daddy. My sweet sweet girl, if you are reading this, all I can tell you is this. When you are 40 and have raised two kids and been married as long as I have, you will understand. This is my bliss.
Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go enjoy the rest of my time before it's over.
What you would find if you were to drop by would be nothing mind blowing. Me in the recliner reading a book on the Kindle. Me playing Angry Birds. Me enjoying the quiet hearing nothing except my ears ringing, or you might hear Third Day jamming on Pandora. Or me talking on the phone without any interruptions.
My 16 year old thinks that because I so treasure this alone time, it must mean that I hate her and the baby-daddy. My sweet sweet girl, if you are reading this, all I can tell you is this. When you are 40 and have raised two kids and been married as long as I have, you will understand. This is my bliss.
Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go enjoy the rest of my time before it's over.
Friday, June 10, 2011
I've Deleted Facebook- OH MY GAWSH!!!
So I finally did it. After all of the hours I've spent poring over Facebook to see what kind of drama is going on, that I am GLAD I'm not a part of anymore, I have deleted it. I am no longer a party. I no longer know what is going on in the world. What shall I do?
I don't even know what I'm thinking by starting this "BLAWG". I don't even know where to begin. I know that since I've made the big announcement, I've had several emails, texts, and some comments that they will miss my scriptures and other rantings. I hope to use this blog to post my stuff, while being protected from the drama. We'll see how this goes. I do know that I spend WAY too much time on Facebook and I am hoping and PRAYING to use this time to better myself. Like reading my Bible, or praying, or cleaning my house, or spending time with my family, or..... whatever. The list is neverending. If you find yourself here, welcome. I hope that I can uplift you, entertain you, make you mad, or all three!!!
Until next time, I leave you with this...
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2
I don't even know what I'm thinking by starting this "BLAWG". I don't even know where to begin. I know that since I've made the big announcement, I've had several emails, texts, and some comments that they will miss my scriptures and other rantings. I hope to use this blog to post my stuff, while being protected from the drama. We'll see how this goes. I do know that I spend WAY too much time on Facebook and I am hoping and PRAYING to use this time to better myself. Like reading my Bible, or praying, or cleaning my house, or spending time with my family, or..... whatever. The list is neverending. If you find yourself here, welcome. I hope that I can uplift you, entertain you, make you mad, or all three!!!
Until next time, I leave you with this...
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2
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