The Proverbs 31 Wife Handbook

As part of my homeschooling journey, I can't forget that I am also a wife.  I most definitely do not want to neglect my wifely duties.  The Lord is teaching me how to master homeschooling all the while being a Godly wife and domestic diva.  Ha! Yeah, had to throw a little sense of humor in there.  We all need that from time to time.  But seriously, it has been a definite challenge being a homeschool teacher, parent, and wife all the while staying on top of domestic duties such as house cleaning, laundry, healthy meals, etc.  I know that the Lord is teaching me a lot and I want to stay opened for what he has for me and my family.  I don't want to steer off onto the wrong path and make decisions that I think are right when really they are selfish and don't line up with God's Word.

Just the other day, I downloaded a book on my Kindle Fire.  It is called the Proverbs 31 Wife Handbook. I came across the website first. This most definitely caught my attention.  It was only about $7 to download, gotta love Kindle.  I started reading it and my goodness it is awesome.  The author, Lara Velez, founder of momsoffaith.com is the author of this life fulfilling book.
In a nutshell, The Proverbs 31 Wife Handbook was not just something that was put together over night.  Here is Velez's direct quote from her website on the "About" tab:

"The Proverbs 31 Wife Handbook has been a long time coming and took many hours of inner struggling and cries out to the Father. During the studying and initial writing stages, there were many obstacles and trials that needed to be overcome." ~Lara Velez

I do believe that the instant you go through misery, it indeed becomes your ministry.  That I have learned through my Moms of Angels Outreach Ministry after losing my precious son.  How could I possibly reach out to other moms who have lost babies if I never went through it myself, right?  Same thing for Mrs. Velez.  She went through trials in her marriage, decided to write a book, but then was attacked in the process.  I can totally relate crying out to my father while putting the ministry together.  And now my focus is on writing a book.  Boy, it's been a struggle and I am still struggling but God is faithful and will help me craft the words that I need to relay to others.

Because I just started The Proverbs 31 Wife Handbook, I can't really talk about it just yet but can't wait to share it with you in a later post.  Here is a summary of what I have read thus far:

Basically, Lara Velez, author, describes the scriptures within the chapter of Psalm 31 in detail then breaks it down for a Godly wife to really understand.  She then prays for the journey through the book as it is a detailed handbook as well.  You can purchase the handbook but I am just going to do the study of the scriptures that she makes reference to. 

As you can see I have not obtained a whole lot of info yet but what I have grasped so far has open up my heart and mind to what the Lord has for me as a wife, which is a noble calling for sure.
~Proverbs 31:10

Who can find a virtuous wife?  For her worth is far above rubies.
Lindsey
Blessed to be a wife and a mom

 Image: jannoon028 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Called to Homeschool!

As a new homeschooling mom I can honestly say that it has been a harder experience than I originally anticipated. The Lord began speaking to me about homeschooling over two years ago. My oldest daughter (Sweet Pea, 8) was enrolled in a public school since Kindergarten. All was going well. I was very active in her school and was on the PTA but something was brewing in my spirit, homeschooling kept popping up. I was back and forth and really unsure and very apprehensive. I prayed: 'Lord, if you are really calling me to do this, you will send the resources and help me be research what I need to do this.' The Lord did an amazing thing and resources and people just came my way in droves. God is so amazing. It first began when I homeschooled my middle daughter (Cup Cake, 5), when she was in preschool. This was an easy transition as I am a degreed and certified Child Development professional and taught preschool for years. God started me with what I was familiar with first. It was then a year later the Lord had me pull Sweet Pea out of the public school the end of her second grade year. Our youngest (Sugar Bean, 2.5), well she is potty training and a busy bundle of energy. I most likely will be starting preschool with her pretty early on as she is eager to be doing what her big sisters are doing. It's all a new challenge for me but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! I will not give up, Lord help me.

I have learned that if you are not called to do this, don't. If you are meant to, you will just know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are supposed to home educate your children. Prior to my journey I talked to so many moms that homeschooled their children and thought they were 'crazy' for lack of a better word. HA! But, God gave me the desires of my heart and here I am today. There have been dark days and discouragement but the Lord has been faithful to carry me through. Honestly, I wouldn't trade this for anything. I love my children and want to raise them up in the way they should go, according to the Bible. If I am disobedient in training my children, I will be held accountable for their lives and they may end up going down the wrong path in life. I do not want this to be. I want the Lord to bless me and my family and the only way this can be achieved is if we are being obedient and diligent! The "Jewels in my crown (my sweet little girls), will indeed one day earn me heavenly jewels in my crown.' This is why I named my blog "Jewels in my Crown.' Please feel free to share your heart with me and send on over words of encouragement. We are still in the adjustment phase but coming along swimmingly. We started our homeschool journey here at Brandon M. Homeschool Academy the end of August 2011. I will share what the name of our homeschool means in a later post. I am sure you will be touched and blessed by this.

I hope you enjoy my new blog as a homeschooling mom. I just ended my personal blog: Peaceful Island Mother and felt I needed to start over fresh with a new focus and that being connecting with other homeschooling moms and families out there.

God bless you and I look forward to sharing journey. For a play by play of my weeks including crafts, etc., you can view Lindsey's Journey on homeschoolingindetroit.com. (This is a local source in my state). Enjoy!

Also, if you are looking for excellent deals on children's books and even homeschooling workbooks, foreign language, biographies, etc., check out a site I have partnered with childrensbookstore.com. To learn more about this endeavor you can view my blog in process titled "lindseyskiddiebooks.blogspot.com.'

Lindsey
Blessed to be a mom!

Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net