I’ve been gone for a bit.
I’ve been dealing with some health issues.
I’m okay and I’m sure I’ll eventually share some of what I’ve been through. But for now: I’m alive and well! Praise God!
In the midst of the health stuff, God has been putting some pretty heavy things on my heart.
Things about my time here on Earth.
About my priorities.
About two precious gifts that will only be little girls for such a short, short time.
So I won’t be around here in blog-land quite as much. I told God I was ready to let go and He whispered to me… you don’t need to let go, you just need to let go of your fierce grip. Oh.
What does this mean? Working less. Breathing more. Going back to writing for the love of writing. Being more intentional about what I post. Forgetting about some of the “Blog Culture” trappings I got sucked into. (Not that I didn’t enjoy it… what a fun ride!) Someday, my girls will be grown and I’ll have all the time in the world to blog my heart out, build community, Tweet like crazy, write e-books, do a series, volunteer for other sites, and finish my book… if God sees fit.
For now, though, It’s time to get back to the basics here and at home. Things like school. Tea time. Laundry. After-dinner walks. Baking. Teaching my girls to sew. Making sweet gifts for my hubby. And… spending a couple hours a week writing to encourage moms here. Not a few hours a day building a blog, but a couple hours a week to encourage moms. I will probably lose readers, my stats will go down, and trying to earn money to supplement our income? Forget about it.
And guess what? I am totally, absolutely fine with that.
Like I told my husband, I’m a homeschooling mom that doesn’t have to work. So why have I created this ridiculous to-do list stress for myself? Silliness.
Today, my family brought me breakfast in bed. Both girls wrote me the sweetest cards I’ve ever gotten. My husband told me he appreciated me and other special things. Later, I sat in church with tears streaming down my face, so thankful I was that God blessed me with motherhood.
Thank you Lord, for blessing me with children and for continually redirecting me to keep me on the path of loving them and raising them to be YOUR girls!
And on this Mother’s Day, can I just say I could never be the mom I am if I didn’t have the husband I have? God is so good!
So. I won’t be seeing you as much, but our time together will be even more special, right?
Happy Mother’s Day!
Kami@Nurturing the tender years says
You will (and have been over the past week or so) missed, but I totally understand, and wish you all the best in getting back to the basics. I hope that everything will be okay on the health front!
All the best,
Kami
.-= Kami@Nurturing the tender years´s last blog ..Happy Mother’s Day!!! =-.
Kellyc says
good for you! I am so with you on this. =0)
.-= Kellyc´s last blog ..Photo Before and after =-.
LindyFrill says
I have learned from you that following God’s lead is not as complicated as I sometimes make it out to be. You are doing the right thing. And I promise I’ll keep reading you – even if you only write once a month!
Angela says
Sweet! ๐
Hannah says
Glad your health has improved. Also, I appreciate hearing about the process the Lord has led you through. I can very much relate as I’ve recently gone through a lot of internal searching about my own role as a blogger. It’s scary how easily you can get sucked into that blog culture you mentioned, and blogging politics/jealousy. Nothing’s completely resolved, but I think my goals are clearer: to glorify God, to write because writing is a joy, and to focus on the relationships with my readers by reciprocating on their blogs or acknowledging comments with an email as much as I can. Not to look at them as number but as friends, and to keep the street two-way as much as possible. Quality over quantity, you might say. If my writing is a gift from Him and He wants to use it somehow, I just do what I can and let the results be up to Him.
Just thought I’d share that in return for your honesty. Best wishes to you!
.-= Hannah´s last blog ..For everyone who’s a mother or ever had one =-.
Angela says
Thanks for sharing, Hannah! You can’t go wrong with glorifying God as your goal ๐
Joy says
I’ve been wondering what has been keeping you offline and hoping it wasn’t bad. I’m also going to be offline more — same sort of thinking. Bless you for making that choice and I will pray you continue to get better!
.-= Joy´s last blog ..God’s Paintbrush =-.
Angela says
Thanks, Joy. I really enjoy your blog ๐
Davney says
I just came across your blog & it is beautiful & inspiring!
.-= Davney´s last blog ..America: The Story of Us =-.
Benita says
I just went through a similar experience a few years ago. I had 2 little boys at the time and quite honestly I was missing out on their childhood by putting things first (my career) that should not have been. God took me on quite a ride that was painful but much needed. I have come out the other side thankful that God loves me enough to not leave me where I was. The great news and incredible blessing in all of this is that God not only dealt with me early enough that I get to experience my boys’ childhoods, after all He could have waited until they were teenagers or adults, but He blessed me with an unexpected baby that I now get to savor…that’s my God. Blessings to you and your family!
Leslie says
I think you have made a wise decision. My children are in 7th and 9th grades. If I could go back and spend more time with them I would. I remember this game my son always wanted to play right before bed. On so many nights I was tired or wanted to watch a favorite television show so I would tell him later. Well guess what? It’s too late now. He isn’t that sweet little boy but rather a darling young man on the verge of leaving home and making his own life. That is one of my biggest regrets…not playing that line game with him every single night!!!
I will still come by and read your blog. Your button is on mine…love what you have to say!!
Enjoy your girls!!!!
Leslie
.-= Leslie´s last blog ..R U Ready for a Revolution? =-.
ali @ an ordinary mom says
Tea time and after-dinner walks sound like fabulous priorities!
So thankful you are doing well (I was wondering abotu the silence as well)
Take care of yourself and your beautiful family-
(((hugs))),
ali
.-= ali @ an ordinary mom´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday- Flutterby =-.
Honey says
Thank you for sharing your heart. I will keep checking in on you to see what God is showing you. Blessings
Honey
Debi says
It’s always good to read what you’ve posted, regardless of how often it is. I will continue to look forward to your writings.
I’m new to this blogging world, but I see what you mean.Your words are so true!
Bless you!
Matthew 6:33 – “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.”
.-= Debi´s last blog ..All Things =-.
Rhoni says
I’m glad your Mother’s Day went well and your finding what works for you AND your family in this season.
.-= Rhoni´s last blog ..Book Review: โThe Wives of Henry Oadesโ by Johanna Moran =-.
Wendy Hagen says
Sounds like you have a wonderful family who deserves your attention. What a blessing. And God is always good and it is such a blessing when He speaks so clearly to us . . . and we obey! Yea for you!
.-= Wendy Hagen´s last blog ..Design for Living =-.
horror dvd collection says
Hopefully we can find more more than the future number of weeks.
Sarah says
This is so encouraging to me, as I’ve been going through a similar struggle to balance my work and my passions with my life as a mother of two energetic, rambunctious redheads. We are going to begin homeschooling next year within a parent-run cooperative, and I’m pretty nervous about it. But I feel God calling me to let go of the things I only think I need to be doing now for the greater purpose of being a good mama to my girls.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Whatโs Good? =-.
Joyful Joyful says
*applause*
Donna says
What a wonderful example you are…truly doing the right thing! Blessings to you!
.-= Donna´s last blog ..Where does the time go? =-.
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Dodie says
I’ve loved reading your blog! I was so sad to hear you’ll be posting less, but I understand why!
Even though you’ll be posted less, I’ve added your blog to my Reader so I don’t miss any post you may decide to do.
Take care,
Dodie
x
P.S. At some point I would love you to finish your “I Wasn’t Always a Homegrown Mom” story – it’s great and I can’t wait to find out what happens in the end =)
.-= Dodie´s last blog ..Photoshop Layered Template 3 *Freebie* {CU} =-.
Kelly T. says
Hi Angela,
I just loved reading this post – though I am sorry to hear about your health issues. I hope everything is okay now…
Oh my goodness did your words ever speak to my heart tonight. For a LONG time I have felt God ‘nudging’ me to step away from all of this…the blogs, the emails, the online chatting, etc. etc. I can’t say I have always done the best job obeying Him (yikes)..for some silly reason I feel like I have to RESEARCH everything before I can step forward and impliment it – like I don’t have enough knowledge to just pray about it and do it as God leads! (sigh) Getting back to the basics is so very important – its so easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget about the most precious and ‘basic’ things life has to offer – like cuddling on the couch with our daughters! Priceless.
I hope that you are doing well and can write as time permits – I love to read the words flowing from your heart.
God bless!
Kelly
Cheryl@SomewhatCrunchy says
Thinking of you, hope you’re doing well ๐
Mrs. P says
Still hopefully checking this website every now and then for new updates… I hope you’re doing fine, may God bless you!