A Daughters Struggle

I have been asked to participate in a question by Libby at: http://anoblecallingblog.blogspot.com/
and
Cameron at: http://followerofchristsblog.blogspot.com/
The question was: What is your greatest struggle as a stay-at-home daughter
Hmm... tough question! It seems to be different the older I get. From a 21 year old, stay-at-home daughters perspective, I would say at first it was finding contentment within the home. I had so many family members ask me what I was going to be doing when I grew up, and I couldn't give them an answer. Me, being the first born daughter, my mom and dad knew that when they'd raise me, they'd raise me to be a Homemaker. (Titus 2:5) But, they didn't know what that would look like.
  My great Aunt Pearl told me, "Idle hands are the devil's playground", so I know how important it is to have contentment. There are many days when I still struggle with being content... I have thoughts such as, "When will I get married and have children?" "What can I do today that I can drive around town for?" ..etc.. however, those times when I do feel dis-contented, I have to stop myself, pray, read the Bible, ask God for forgiveness, and think of things that can help my parents out throughout the day. I'd highly recommend the book, "Calm my Anxious Heart" by Linda Dillow. I read this book when I was 17, and loved it so much that I bought it for myself.
As I grew older, I became so busy with life that the greatest struggle began to be making time with God. Sure, maybe pray once a day, but I didn't read the Bible, except for family worship every night, and on Sunday's. I began making my life more important than God. So, for me, I have to constantly remind myself that I need to make time for God  Lately, God has been giving me a break in my schedule, and so rather than try and get things done, I've been able to soak in the Word of God joyfully! :) We can all choose to read the Bible every day, but if our heart isn't in the right place, than we can't find joy. If we find contentment in Christ, then we will find contentment in the home. :)
Here are some verses in the Bible that talk about Contentment:
Philippians 4:11-13, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
1st Timothy 6:6, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain."

Home

What does a Home look like to you? What Reminds you of a Home?
Frequently when we have people come into our Home, they will often say, "It smells so good in here!" My mom just smiles and says, "Thank you!"
For my dad, what makes a home is... a clean house, candle lit, a glass of tea when he comes home, (filled up with half ice) and dinner ready and on the table.

Last year, I officially took over all the cooking for my mom, (to take the stress of of her) and so when my dad gets home from work, it's my job to put all the drinks on the table, and get all the dinner/side/salad on the table.

So what makes a home to you? Maybe it's the smell of a certain candle, newly fresh baked cookies in the oven, dinner on the stove, friends and family gathering around, or music in the background. Whatever it is, remember how blessed you are to have a Home!

Home

The other day I was looking at some blogs, and there was one that caught my eye. it was called, "The Chosen One"...
In this blog this couple adopted a few kids from China, but what really caught my attention was a song called, "Home" by Ross King. It talked about Adoption and how you can fall in love so easily. I have pasted the Lyrics below.
You see, on October 8th 2010 we adopted a little guy.
A few weeks ago, was the first anniversary that our little "Elijah" is/was officially a Baughman. We are thankful for him everyday and every moment.

"Home" Lyrics of Ross King:

Your mother and I had a plan
We knew the ending before it began
American woman, American man with American dreams
How could we ever have known? The God who can save had a dream of His own
He opened our heart and He made it your home and it changed everything

Not flesh of my flesh, Not blood of her blood, You are heart of her heart, And soul of my soul
Your mother and I were broken inside then you came and made us whole,
And now we're loved by your love, and you are named with our name
Cause a real family is more than biology, It's more than looking the same
Would we have prayed a different way If we had known that God would bring you home? Nothing prepared us for this
we never knew we would fall like we did, surely there's no one that's ever been given
A sweeter surprise
All we can give is our love, Love is the way you were given to us, We only pray we can love you enough for the rest of our lives
You are heart of her heart, and soul of my soul,
Your mother and I were broken inside, then you came and made us whole
And now we're loved by your love And you are named with our name
Cause a real family is more than biologyIt's more than looking the same
Would we have prayed a different way If we had known that God would bring you home?

We love you Elijah James Baughman!!!