Since the second day of July last year, I have been working outside of the home. It was needed, and still is really, but I reached a point where I had to come home.
Then all the people departed each to his house, and David went home to bless his household.
1 Chronicles 16:43
Next month I will celebrate my sweet sixteenth wedding anniversary, and this is the longest I have been away from home. I was once gone one month, and another time three.
I can’t tell you how relieved I am in the housework/homeschool/time with children departments. I immediately began making lists!! As for the income, I am giving that to God, because I can’t figure that part out.
I am going to have to start being very strict about frugality, and have a keen eye for want vs. need.
It’s worth it.
The peace {I know some will laugh} of being home with these six beautiful gifts is indescribable. I think leaving home to work has made me appreciate so much more this path we have chosen.
To my constant companion, my fabulous husband Rick- thank you so much for all of your help! I hope to make your load much lighter than it has been!
Watch for a lot more homeschooling and purging posts-I have a lot of work to do!
© 2013, Sam Kelley. All rights reserved.
Sam Kelley
Wife to one and mom to six. I love my Lord, my family, organizing and fitness. I'm a homeschooler who takes pictures obsessively. I love good tea. I don't eat meat.
Welcome back home, Sam!
I worked outside the home for a brief 3 months back in 2001. My hubby was going to go to school after being laid off. Silly us for thinking I could make enough as a Wal Mart cashier to cover our bills while he did so. He was called back to work and I got to go running back home. I missed my babes so badly when I was at work.
I now work from home and enjoy that. But, the thought of going out into the work force quite honestly scares me. I am home, right where I feel I belong. Thankfully, my Honey has always been right there with me on that feeling.
We too have debt. It’s a burden, truthfully, and one that we are working to be shed of. God has always sustained us and I have every confidence that He will continue to do so.
I’m sure you family loves having you home as much as you love being there! :)
Laurie latest thoughts..Happy Dance!
I sure hope they do! I missed them! Debt. Yep, it stinks.
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Making a Menu
So happy for you! I’m also selfishly looking forward to more blog posts now. ;) I also love your photos! Praying God will not only meet your needs, but lavish you with love by blessing you with the desires of your heart.
Vicki Arnold latest thoughts..Using Google Reader – Blog Reading Made Easy Peasy
Thanks so much! I know this is the right thing to do!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Making a Menu
Why, what beautiful pictures you have! :)
kelli- AdventurezInChildRearing latest thoughts..FREE Books for Kindle or PC – Today
Kelli, I just love you!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Making a Menu
I am happy for you. I remember when I came home 5 years ago I was so happy, but a little nervous about the money part. But God is so good. We have always seemed to have what we need. I love watching how God works.
I had just finished nursing school when God brought me to homeschooling. I was working 4 evenings a week. I had no plans of quitting or cutting down in hours (I also only had 2 children at the time, with 1 doing school). I was going to be a career girl after all. Over the next 5 years God changed my heart and year after year I cut down my hours and commitment to work. By the time I had left I was working only 1 day a week per diem. Or should I say I was scheduled 1 day a week. However the 3 months leading up to me leaving I kept getting canceled from work. It was like God was trying to show us that we could make it without my money.
I am looking forward to more homeschooling posts. How about a Vlog : )
My wheels are turning already…a vlog is in the works!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Wednesday in The Word: Proverbs Two
Income, ah the Lord provides. He always does, to those who seek Him first. You obviously do.
I know He blesses me again and again in unexpected and beautiful ways. He will you too.
Renee @ Great Peace latest thoughts..Unexpected "Field" Study
Thank you, my friend!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home
So happy for you and your family. I have been married for 18 years and have never been away from home. We have sacrificed in so many ways to do that. We have a small house, used cars, 5 kids in two bedrooms, and own nothing you would call “fancy”. I sometimes have been met with people who disagree and don’t understand why we homeschool and why I would stay home. It is God’s place for me, and I wouldn’t change it even on the difficult days! Enjoy!!!
This has taught me that I was, indeed put here to stay home! A few months out of 16 years isn’t too bad, and I would do it again if I felt the Lord nudge me. Being home is where my heart is, though.
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home
Sam,
You “left” home a little after I did and I am so happy for you that home is where you find yourself once again. I am still away and am learning how to manage my time. It is difficult trying to make a decision between needed income and being at home 100% w/my children. I do pray that God continues to bless your family w/what is needed to support it. It sounds like you are already on the right path w/recognizing the need to be more frugal; not w/o, just more consicous about how you spend your money.
Jennifer @ Milk & Honey Mommy latest thoughts..Catching up {March 2012 – April 2012}
Yes, and I need to get more frugal really fast! I hope you can home as well!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home
So glad you are able to come home! I hear you on the frugal part; sometimes I wonder if I shouldn’t put the kids in school and find a job. We got our W-2 from my husband’s work and realized that we lived on less than $21,000 this year (only 4 kids), and paid for his school, too! Our only debt is our mortgage…but I know the numbers don’t add up: it’s the Lord! He will bless and provide!
Debt. I don’t want to talk about it. We WILL get there!! The Lord is good.
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home
You will! It’s a long journey… We might not have debt, but my hubby is just now learning marketable skills :)! Blessings!
What a blessing for you and your family! We have no family nearby and my husband relies on me for everything. Working outside the home is just not something that makes sense or our family. We couldn’t afford daycare, etc. However, we do get tight with bills and now we are debating a new van because our other is getting quite old and is starting to cost us $$ every month. We need new because we travel a lot and we need reliable and at least another 10 years from it. :-) Any suggestions you have for savings I’m always up for hearing! :-) I wish you the best!
Jill
Jill latest thoughts..Super Bowl
Yes, we have no family near either, and that has made us even closer! I am so thankful that when hubby goes to work, he is right in the building next door!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home
Happy for you!
Thank you!!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home
I am always amazed at how God continues to bless us financially. It amazes me. We have tryed to write it on paper as in a budget but we always come out short. Now we just trust God and it works. I love being home.
Me too. It is where I belong. God is very good!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home
I worked till my second was born. We had such a hard time finding child care and then my husband and I went on different shifts, which made it easier to leave our son with just each other but was not a good thing for our marriage. I did go back to fill in for someone over 2011 Christmas break and it was a good reminder of the blessing I have to be able to stay home with my children. A person can make any arrangement work but I like the one I have now best. So glad you are home again.
Melissa Buttry latest thoughts..A New Year
Me too. Thanks!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home
Sam, this is wonderful news – a blessing to you and your family! We have been living on one income and wow, sometimes it is tough, but the Lord provides for our needs. It has definitely been a refining process for me as I learn to lean on Him and to trust more and more each day.
Dorie latest thoughts..A Birthday Party with a Shakespeare Flair
Thank you, Dorie! That was the longest six and a half months ever. I am thankful for what I learned, and that I am back.
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home
Yay! Congrats! He will show you and bless you…no worries :) Eight years ago I questioned staying home with my daughter. I know sounds horrible. I was young and did not truly understand how lucky and blessed I was to be home. Then I deployed for eight months. I quickly understood how blessed I was and how truly hard it is to be away from family. I am so blessed to be home with my two blessings, raising them and homeschooling them. God has called you to be home; He will bless you for your obedience. So happy for you :)
Barb latest thoughts..He Shows Me His Blessings
You made me tear up. Yes, I truly believe God has called me to be right here at home, and to homeschool. Thank you so much for the support!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home
Congratulations! I’m so glad you are able to come home again. I know that is truly where your heart is. God will provide and He will make a way! He recently brought me home for the first time in 8 years of parenting and it is so wonderful. Finances are tight and it is scary at times, but He is always faithful. Blessings to you, friend!
Heather Bowen latest thoughts..Valentine’s Share the Love Week: Teaching Kids to Show Love Through Kindness
Thank you, Heather. It hurt my soul to leave, but I was needed, and I learned a lot about my blessings. Our bank account may be empty, but my heart is very full.
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home
What a joy to have you home. And while it is funny to watch you run out if the house in pajamas in twenty degree weather to take pics of the sunrise, it is obviously worth it. Breathtaking.
I love the things you appreciate. I love the little things about you as well!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home
Thankful that you have this opportunity and trusting that God will meet every need!!
Tracey latest thoughts..What Makes A Happy Home?
Amen.
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home
So excited for you! No matter how hard it is to stretch the money it is worth it to be home with the children. Praying you find wonderful blessings and peace in each day as you see God do your financial battles for you.
Also excited to read more homeschool posts!
Tristan latest thoughts..Everyday Moments
Thank you, Tristan!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home
Good for you! God will bless, and He can stretch the income to go far when it is turned over to Him. I have been home with our children for nineteen years now, and absolutely love it! God has taken care of meeting ALL our needs!
This is the first time I have really been gone in 16 years. I had no idea how hard it would be for my heart!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home
…and on the home. Congrats to your family for having you back. It is difficult, economically speaking. I have been home for most of the past 22 years. I have worked a few times in a very part time capacity ( a coffee shop around the corner from 4.30am to 9 am) so I could come right home and homeschool, and the children would barely know I was gone. Very tough on me, though. I now work, part time in my home, which ends in February. That has been a huge blessing, but still the same strain. It is just not the same, having Mom and wife, right by their side doing needs to be done. The road his humbling, but sooo worth it.
I agree! I was always grateful to stay home, but now I am even more so.
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home
That’s so wonderful!
Barbie latest thoughts..He Will Cover You With His Feathers
I think so!
Sam Kelley latest thoughts..Coming Home