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Re-Evaluating Your Life & Making Change

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So, I know I’ve been MIA this past week. I’m so sorry! Life has just been super stressful. Last Tuesday we ended up in the emergency room with Sarah, after I had called the doctor because of a new pain she was having in her abdomen. It turned out to be nothing and they didn’t keep her, but it made for an exhausting day.

Thursday we went to see the surgeon and while that was the only thing we did that day, it took us all day to drive there, see the doctor and come home. And since Wednesdays around here are always physically exhausting, Thursday night was even more so because of the emotions involved. Sarah’s scheduled for surgery this coming Friday, January 22, and she’ll be in the hospital for several days.

I did manage to get more rest on Friday and Saturday so Sunday I felt better. I’ve been so worried about Sarah and stressed over the magnitude of everything, it’s just been hard. I spent Sunday cleaning my house, but there’s still a lot to be done!

In other news, last week while at Costco I purchased something I’ve been wanting for a really, really long time. Years. I’ve been saving my money and when I saw it was $300.00 off… well, I couldn’t resist. I bought a Canon T6i Camera. I know next to nothing about cameras. Nothing. So I have a lot to learn and no time to do it. But I’m hoping with practice it’ll just get easier. So, in today’s posts, and in future posts you’ll see some of my photography as I practice. And if you know of a great place where I could learn how to use better, let me know in the comments!

Today I practiced taking a few photos of two of our cats – Milo and Quill. They were sleeping on my bed in the sunshine and seemed like an easy target.

milo and quill @ AVirtuousWoman.org

milo and quill @ AVirtuousWoman.org

milo and quill @ AVirtuousWoman.org

milo and quill @ AVirtuousWoman.org

Re-Evaluating Your Life

It’s never too late to re-evaluate your life and make a change for the better.

I’m a big believer in re-evaluating your life throughout the year. I do it fairly often – and not necessarily on a schedule. It’s just something I do.

This is My Life Planner @ AVirtuousWoman.org

It’s kind of like goal setting. I ask myself questions and change my direction as needed.

  • What are my present goals in life?
  • Am I taking care of priorities the way I need to?
  • Am I headed toward my goals?
  • What changes do I need to make in order to reach my goals for this season?

This is My Life Planner @ AVirtuousWoman.org

Without goals, you are basically just drifting through life instead of living with intention.

Even in homemaking, you need to set goals for yourself, your home, and your family. Thoughtful homemaking requires you to spend time thinking about what it is you need to change, ideas you have for making home special for your family, mealtime ideas, how to help a family member through a tough time. Planning for your week, month, and the year will help you stay on track with your goals.

The Ministry of Homemaking

Sometimes we realize that we aren’t headed in the direction we’d like to be going. Maybe you set a goal to cook healthier meals for your family but you got overwhelmed with knowing where to start. Instead of deciding it’s useless to try, make actionable goals to work toward.

  • I will cook one new healthy recipe each week.
  • As I find new recipes my family loves, I will begin to incorporate them into our weekly meal plan.
  • Old favorites that bring comfort to my family will be saved for special occasions or Friday night.

It’s also okay to change your course in the middle. I can’t count the times over the past 17 years of homeschooling my kids that we’ve changed curriculum in the middle of the school year. Thankfully that doesn’t happen every year, but it’s happened several times! If something isn’t working the way you imagined, switch gears.

This is My Life Planner @ AVirtuousWoman.org
Week One of January 2016 in my This is My Life! Planner.

Regardless of the change you need to make, realize that change takes time to settle in and become comfortable. It’s all part of the learning and growing process. Also, realize that change isn’t always easy – even when it’s good. So give yourself grace for the moment and press on toward the finish line!

This is My Life Planner @ AVirtuousWoman.org

Home Work

Answers these questions below in a journal or notebook. Or, download my journaling page here.

I am Called to the Ministry of Homemaker

  • Look up these verses and write them down in your journal: Philippians 3:14, Psalm 37:4
  • What changes would you like to make regarding your life, home, and family?
  • What are some actionable goals you can make to help those changes take place?
  • What kind of life do you dream of living?
  • How does your life right now match up to that dream?
  • Are there reasonable changes you can make to reach those goals?

 

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11 Comments

  1. I hope everything goes well for Sarah and both you and your family are able to have some time to relax! Being busy busy busy isn't good for the nerves, especially dealing with something stressful on top of it all! I entirely understand the goals and adjusting - it's easy to get into a rut and do the same things because it's easy, even if you want to change them. It can feel useless to try and change things because it's hard, and what you normally do is at least familiar! I am currently trying to add more into our meal rotation and do so for as little extra money as possible, and it does seem a little crazy...we eat well enough as it is, why go ruining that?! But if it means we can eat better soon, and eat more varied foods, it's worth the effort!
    1. Thank you, Jessica. I appreciate that! And you're right - doing a little bit at a time adds up over time and soon you'll be eating a healthy variety of foods! Definitely worth the effort!
  2. Melissa, you do have your hands full. I don't know how you find the time to blog, but I am grateful that you do. I do pray that things go well for you and your family. I will keep Sarah in my prayers, especially on Friday. Hopefully she will get some relief. p.s. I think your pictures are great. Linda
    1. Thank you, Linda. I so appreciate your prayers as we prepare to head to the hospital Friday morning. I fully trust Jesus is going to be right there in the operating room. And I'm so thankful for the many friends who are praying! Oh and thank you, I'm really enjoying the camera!
  3. Hello Melissa, so glad you are continuing to write while also going through some stressful times with your daughter/family. I am praying for y'all and hoping everything goes well and the surgery goes smoothly. I really enjoy your blog and it is continuing to help me see the bigger picture as a homemaker. God Bless!
  4. Hello all, I just found this website and it is right on time in my life. I need guidance in some many areas as I try to walk this life out as a virtuous woman. I am not naturally an organized person but I wanna be! :-) I am looking forward to implementing some of these awesome ideas and hopefully building friendships with some of you ladies!! Be blessed!
  5. Hi...I have been reading your blog lately and I'm encouraged by your faith. I have been in a real difficult rut trying to decide on sending my son to school. This year, 2017, he will start kindergarten and I'm not sure I want to send him to public schools. I dont want him to be lonely. He is the only child at home and has so much personality. Never meets a stranger! Loves people! I've prayed and feel like God has said the decision is ultimately up to me. I love teaching him and watching him grow and will really miss him if he goes to school. Is it selfish for me to want to keep him home? I'm new to this blog thing but would really like ur advice. Thank you in advance!
    1. Hi Christy, there is no one right decision, but I don't think it's selfish to want to keep him at home. You can be creative with social interactions. Look for opportunities to get involved where other children are: little league sports, homeschool groups and co-ops, meet other kids at the park or in your neighborhood, at church, etc. My daughter Hannah has made friends despite homeschooling at the ice rink where she takes classes and skates. You can always change your mind down the road and enroll him in a traditional school but homeschooling provides so many unique opportunities and will allow you to spend lots of time with your son!

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