I know that I have been MIA lately, so I decided I should give a bit of an update.  It’s been a month and a half since my last post, but for good reason.  On January 8, I published an entry which can be found HERE about my friend, Kim, who has been battling brain cancer for the last 5+ years.  Shortly after I published my post, Kim found out that she only has a short amount of time left.  The tumors are growing rapidly and unless the Lord heals her (which I believe He still can), her journey on earth will soon be over.  The news took some weeks for me to process and my husband and I jumped in to start helping her family.  I’ve devoted my writing time to her family for now, but plan to pick blogging back up more regularly soon.

In addition to major life changes for Kim, I also have some changes coming in my life.  For the last almost 6 years I have babysat full-time on top of homeschooling my children.  It’s always worked well for our family.  I have been able to stay home with my children as well as contribute financially toward our childrens’ extracurricular activities.  I’ve always said that I have the best job ever as I get to love on these sweet babies, get my “baby-fix” in, and then I send them home at night so I can sleep.  It’s a pretty good deal!  I thought it was something that I would always do.  My son even said a few years back, “Mom, I don’t think there will ever be a day when you won’t have extra babies/children in your house.”  I agreed with him whole-heartedly…until December of this past year.  

This is an older picture, but these are all of my babies! Left to right: Rian (who is now in 1st grade, but was with me from 11 months of age until he started Kindergarten), Justus (who has been with me for a year and a half and is now almost 2), Della (has been with me for 6 months and is now 14 months old), and Cadence (has been with me for 2.5 years and is almost 3).

At the beginning of December 2020, I began to feel restless.  Do you know that feeling?  I just wasn’t content and something seemed to be off.  I began asking the Lord what He was doing within me and soon I started feeling like my babysitting days were coming to an end.  It made absolutely no sense to me because the 3 little ones that I keep are like my own.  I love them with every fiber of my being and thought that I’d have them until they went to preschool or kindergarten.  Why were these days ending?

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.  ~  Proverbs 16:9

I prayed through all of December and by January, I knew that the Lord was moving me on to something else, though I had no clue what.  Meeting with the 2 families that I work for to give them the news was very difficult, but after much prayer and agonizing over the decision, I knew it was what I was supposed to do.  

At this point I will be done on March 31 unless they are able to find childcare sooner.  I am praying that these babies will find the place that is a perfect fit for them, where they will be well loved and taught about the love of Jesus just as they have been here.  I know that if I love them as much as I do, Jesus loves them even more.

I will miss these snuggles so much!

I’m still not exactly sure where my journey will take me next, but I’m starting to get some clear direction.  I’m excited about what the future holds and I know it will give me more time to blog.  I also know for sure that the Lord is leading me to a pretty big project in addition to this blog here at Don’t Wait which I will share more about as I am able.

I will be continuing to spend more time with Kim during what appears to be her last days.  Walking with a friend while they are literally in the valley of the shadow of death is a sobering experience.  It’s hard, it’s messy, but it’s exactly where I want to be.  

In the coming days, I will continue to pray for direction and seek wisdom through God’s Word.  If you believe in the power of prayer, I would love it if you would be in prayer for me.  I need continued guidance, wisdom, clarity, and focus as I walk into a whole new season of life. Also, pray that these sweet children will find new childcare that is the perfect fit for their family.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. ~ Psalm 119:105

How about you?  Do you feel a pull toward a new project in life?  Is there something that you’ve been wanting to do, but are too afraid?  Life is too short to sit and let the days pass you by.  We were not created to live in our own bubble.  Let’s reach out, share our stories, and spread the hope that we have with others. Pray and ask God for wisdom and then act on what He tells you to do.  And whatever you do, DON’T WAIT!