I have a date with my husband this weekend!

I have a date with my husband this weekend, and I'm as excited as though I were 16 again anticipating its arrival.

Anybody else out there feel that way when you finally get time alone with your husband?

As stay- at- home moms, we are all so busy. I think I do more now in a day than I ever did when I worked 80 hour work weeks as a manager for Bealls before I had children. But you know what? I still think this is the best career in the world, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Except, I miss time with my husband.

We have a very good marriage. I tell people all the time, " our marriage is better than it's ever been!" And that's true, It is.

He loves me, I love him. We hardly ever fuss. We enjoy each other.... but as good as our lines of communication are with each other, the responsibilities of life make it hard for us to find time for each other. And even though he is home every night after 5PM and home all weekend, so many things take us away from each other............

Tomorrow will be great!
We are going to see the new Kirk Cameron movie - Fireproof- www.fireproofthemovie.com .
It's a new Christian movie by the same church who made - Facing the Giants. Kirk Cameron plays a fireman who gives 100%+ to his job but his marriage is failing. He talks with his dad. His dad gives him a book, a 40 day plan, tells Kirk to try it, give it 40 days before you do anything else, follow the plan, see what happens.

I can't wait to see this movie! and I'm eager to take a look at the 40 day plan book myself.

I know what I'm doing here at home as a mom, teacher, writer, friend etc., all of it is very important. Each child we are raising, we are raising for God. God has entrusted these little gifts to us to care for, nurture and raise.

I pray that each of my children all receive Christ in their hearts and follow His lead. I love each one of them and I thank God for allowing me the wonderful gift of my children and the gift of being allowed to stay home and home-school them.

"Children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them" Psalm 127:3-5

And we are very happy. This is a happy home. God is so good to us. Every need we have, he provides. We are building a new house. We are debt free. We spend our evenings together watching movies, playing games, taking walks, etc. It's all very pleasant.

But there are some things that I struggle with at times that our contradictory to my so called, "happiness." I truly feel called to be a stay-at-home, home-school, quiverfull mom. And for the most part, everyone around me understands that and accepts it.

But being Mom is not my only role in life. I also enjoy being Amy, friend and wife, who enjoys getting out there and fellowshipping/sharing with my husband and other adults. I enjoy going out to eat, to movies, small groups etc.

We have four children, so far. They range in age from 11 down to 1. The oldest is not yet old enough to babysit her siblings. My mother does not live in the area, and if she did, she wouldn't want to keep all 4 at one time. My mother-in-law does live in the area, but doesn't like to keep all 4 at one time. Babysitters, if you find one, can charge $5 an hour.

It seems, at times, we have very little support of the fact that this is our ministry and our calling.
God calls us all to do special things

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV) "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

This verse says it all, that God has a special purpose, a calling and a ministry for each of us, but at times it seems that those around me deem some callings higher than others.

I have nothing against full time missionaries, please don't take this the wrong way, but is the calling of a full time missionary in a third world country any greater than my calling on my mission field here in Kilgore, Texas to raise my family, support, nurture and encourage those around me in the name of the Lord?
Are we not all doing the same thing?
Sharing the love of Christ through our daily lives.

We all need breaks. Everyone knows a missionary or a pastor needs R & R. A time away, a time to rest and reflect.

But not everyone understands that motherhood or parenthood is a ministry too. We love our children. We'd give our lives for our children. But there are times when we too need R & R, a time to rest and re-full, to be uplifted, strengthened and encourage ourselves.

As parents, we need time, now and then, to remember we are not just parents, we are not just Mom and Dad, we're also still husband and wife, Amy and Lance.

Even if it's just for two hours, once in a blue moon, to go see a movie together. It is a blessing. A time to rest and re-full.

Let me leave you today with two challenges.
1. No matter what, each day, make time for God, yourself and your spouse.
2. If you can, help each other out. We are all here to help, encourage and support each other.
If you live close to another family with many children, maybe you could arrange to trade off baby-sitting once a month so that each of you could enjoy time alone with your spouse.

Maybe you and your church or home-school group could start a free Parent's night out.

Be creative.

Remember when you were courting or dating? Remember the feeling of excitement, simply at the fact that you were going to see each other and be enjoying each other's company? Find ways to keep that feeling alive in your marriage each and everyday.

I'm off to the movies!
Amy