FARMHOUSE Table

A few months ago, my husband and I made this beautiful farmhouse table together. Today, I just thought I would share pictures of it. While it's not perfect by any means, it is something we made together. It's connected us and a part of our history. My husband and I can't really go on dates right now, because we are leery of babysitters and in "military land" :) so we usually create together. (Sometimes I have to tug on him a bit to get him to be willing to try all of my crazy ideas) But just ask him, our projects connect us and as we spend time together we build a history and add onto the story of...us.  Late nights building a farmhouse table, laughing and scratching our heads is something we will always remember. So, here's some pictures! If you are interested in building your own go to Ana White's website. Not only does she have this project, but many more. And believe me, if my husband and I can build this, so can you. We have absolutely ZERO wood-working experience! But yeah, head over to that website! It is beyond amazing, encouraging, and inspiring. So, without further ado, here's one more pictures of our 8 foot farmhouse table :)

<3.
Bethany

Please do not use either picture without permission...thanks in advance :)

Stepping into a High and Noble Calling

 

image courtesy via google images

It's hard being the first generation to "step backwards". Well to the world it is stepping backwards, by not going to college and instead recognizing my true calling... Motherhood.

I have met so much opposition on this journey. There are those who are looking out for what they think is in my best interest who encourage me to stop having babies and through my responsibility to the wind and put them in daycare and further my career and find myself... There was a point in which I listened to these people. I thought they had wise council and I followed their "perfect formula." I am here to tell you, there is NO perfect formula aside from the Lord's.

Isaiah 55:8-9

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁸ For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

What a wonderful verse to take solace in. The Lord has graciously given us a most perfect and holy manual. It's all there, you just have to open it up and delve in, have faith, and pray. I finally stopped listening to the ways of the world and left that "required" Ivy League University and job and came home to be with two little boys that needed me. 

I have been so blessed to be here everyday and watch these sweet little boys grow up. I want them to remember I was here for them and I want them to know God and to know that they can rely on him even when it seems there is no one. I want to tell them that the Lord's ways are the right ones and that if they will just seek his face and seek him first, they will be saved from so much hardship and turmoil.

I was outside of the home for about a year and what I wouldn't give to have that time back. It took the Lord taking my wonderful husband to basic training in order for me to break down and realize that my true calling was motherhood. All those years, someone would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I would say the "correct" thing. Something that aligned with my bookish talents, but what I wanted to be in my heart was a wife and a mother. It's astounding really that the tug of my heart from such a young age was my true calling...I just needed to listen.

I know it's hard to step out of the box and be different, but I can almost guarantee that if you look back on your life the Lord has been preparing you in ways you might not even have fathomed for the roll he wants for you to take. He has been preparing you for your calling and now you just need to rest in his arms and abide.  So, for all of you mothers who feel that tug and that soft whisper that says go home. You are not alone, I was there once and I encourage and beseech you to listen to that tug and whisper.

<3.

Bethany