“You can do this!” I am trying to motivate my oldest to do some work right now. I know what it’s like to not want to do something. Today, I really struggled with actually reading the book I knew I needed to read. I had the book of Daniel on my heart, but I just had the hardest time sitting down. Finally, I set a timer and started reading. It’s such a great book. I am grateful for a Bible study through Christ Community Church about ten years ago that explained the book to me. Highly recommend! I see my notes on the side – God rescues us, and He wants us to acknowledge Him as God, and the One who sets up kings. The One who reveals mysteries, who is Sovereign. He is charge. He is charge of promotions and demotions, He is in charge of government. God, please help our government now. Please help them lead with integrity.

I also have on my mind the instance in December when we were having some work done on the house. Because of the work being done on my sink, my kids all huddled together in the room of my oldest as the middle child assembled a gift from Era. We had taken for granted the ability to go up everywhere in the house, and it was limiting and confining to be in only certain places. But, it also forced us to be together and work together to accomplish great things.

Now, we are confined to the house because of the ice and snow. We get to cook together (today, it was Sip and Feast’s Greek Chicken and Potatoes and also our own recipe for a pasta with a meat sauce). I enjoyed cooking with the youngest. Likewise, it was really interesting to hear from colleagues what they were cooking and eating. But it was hard for the kids to basically be in the house almost all day. It was hard for me not to see other adults, although a big shout out to Diamond, who brought over a gift. And it was great to hear from folks on the phone. I guess I needed time to stop everything and think. A rescue from the full-time teacher, full-time mom impossible balancing act. Time to read. Time to talk with family. Time to talk to the kids. We did an at-home work out, and the kids laughed a lot. I also introduced the boys to Scrabble, my favorite game, after Connect Four. Now, it’s after 10, and I am going to read again. I am grateful for this time to be all together! Thank God that He is in charge! 🩷🩷🩷