And I see a little boy on the verge of manhood. A daughter, already a young lady, needing guidance and friendship. A husband who works so hard, his once-dark hair now peppered with gray.
I need more time. More time to give to what really matters. Time equals love to my family.
In addition to a strong desire to be more intentional with my time, I’m also dealing with some health issues that are demanding more undivided attention. I really just need some time to rest. Time to think and focus and figure out how I might regain the health and energy that I once enjoyed.
I just don’t have time for blogging right now. I do enjoy it, but I just don’t have the time for it. And I don’t have time for Facebook either, so I won’t be continuing on with either of my Facebook pages (and they weren’t showing my posts to anyone anyway).
Is this goodbye forever? I’m not sure, but I doubt it. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I just know that I need to go. And most likely for an extended period of time. If I do come back to blogging, it will only be after sensing from God that it’s time.
I will still be continuing on with Lilla Rose. If you’ve ordered from my Lilla Rose website in the past year, thank you so much–what a blessing you have been to our family! If you would like to be notified when I return to blogging (assuming that I’m able), feel free to sign up for email notification here.
Thank you all so much for reading here! Thank you for the kind notes and words of encouragement you’ve sent my way. I so much appreciate your prayers. I pray that you will be blessed in 2014, and I hope to meet up with you again someday!
Many blessings,
fee
Michelle says
Beautiful post. You are so brave! Blessings to you as you redeem the time.
Joy Kincaid says
Thank you, Michelle! The time away has already been a tremendous blessing. ♥
Anonymous says
Wow! Just discovered you and this was the blog's last post. Kind of funny, since I'm in the same season, in a similar place. My word this year is "fellowship". I am to be intentional on creating opportunities of fellowship for my family and friends in order to encourage growth in our relationship with Christ. Blessings to you on your journey, Joy!
Joy Kincaid says
Thank you!
Dawn@OneFaithfulMom says
before you go, I want to say thank you. you first introduced me to trim healthy mama. and it has changed so many things for me!
your posts have inspired me in many ways, and this post inspires me even more. my oldest 2 are grown and married, and I still have 8 at home. I want them to have the mama that my biggers had, before internet. that means being willing to pull back. I am actually refreshing my blog at the moment, but it's because God has clearly called me to that ministry.
thank you for helping me to contemplate ways that I can make myself more available to my family. your goal for this year is something I am going to write down and keep so that I can think about that. I love it.
so thank you again, for your inspirational posts, and for the way you have inspired me with your departure. God bless you and yours.
Joy Kincaid says
Dawn, thank you so much for your kind words! I appreciate them so much. God bless you!
Christina says
May God bless your wise decision and your family!
Joy Kincaid says
Thank you, Christina!
Anonymous says
I will so miss your blog but I completely understand. Your sentiments are mine exactly at the beginning of this post. Blessings to you are your family. You have been a huge encouragement to me in this journey of Mothering:)
Joy Kincaid says
Thank you so much, and many blessings to you also!
Maria Crow says
The time does go too fast – so glad you've decided to make some wonderful memories for your family, but I will miss your posts. May I ask, if you have an email list for your past Lilla Rose customers, I'd love to receive any notifcations of sales, specials, etc. My daughter LOVES her flexi clips she got for Christmas.
Blessings to you and your family Joy!
Joy Kincaid says
Thank you so much, Maria!
I do not currently have a personal email list for Lilla Rose, but since you're signed up as a customer, Lilla Rose sends out notifications of the sales and specials they are holding to all customers. So, the next time there is a sale, you should receive an email from Lilla Rose about it. And I'm so happy that your daughter loves her flexi clips!!!
Many blessings to you and your family also!
Anonymous says
I really did not see this coming Joy even with the title of your post
Family need to come first and I can relate to so much of what you have written
I want this year to be different too and have already made some changes
I will certainly miss you and thank you for your blog
Love and blessings to you and all the family
I will pray for better health for you
Take care
Fiona x
Joy Kincaid says
Thank you so much for the kind comment and the prayers, Fiona!
Grace T says
Hi Miss Joy! I will miss you but understand health and family are more important. God Bless You and hope to see you soon. Praying for you and your family. Give Elyse a hug for me. Love You <3 <3 <3
Joy Kincaid says
Hi Grace! Thank you so much for the prayers! Love you and your family! ♥
Anonymous says
I too have been following your blog only about a year, and I'm more of a troller than a participant-but I have been so blessed by you! I've learned so many new crafts, new recipes for homemade things, I found your "6 skirts, 1 pattern" pattern and have outfitted the whole family with it, lol. But I also am blessed by your commitment to your family! Our Christian families are so very much in need of Moms who put them and their needs first, over even the "ministry" of the blogosphere. I will miss you terribly. Will you be able to leave your past posts up online? I didn't realize you were having health issues. I will pray for rest, healing, satisfaction, and renewed vision for you. Thank you for being an online friend and encourager.
Kim Smith
Joy Kincaid says
Dear Kim, thank you so much for reading here! I'm so glad you decided to leave a comment! I do plan to leave the blog up, so it will still be here.
I haven't mentioned much about the health problems I've been dealing with, just because I haven't known what to say about them. Thank you so much for the prayers, they are greatly appreciated! I'm still hopeful that one day I'll be able to return. 🙂
GracefulMomto11 says
Oh please don't go….away for long….I will miss your inspiring posts! I agree with getting rid of your facebook pages though…..those take too much time. Your blog is such a source of encouragment to my dd and I.
I understand though. I pray you feel better and I wish I were closer to be able to come over and give you a hand or just invite you over for tea! May God bless you and strengthen you in your time away.
Joy Kincaid says
Aww, thank you! Your comment was such an encouragement to me–especially the wish that we could enjoy tea together! I would so love that! ♥
Jennifer says
Blessings as you set aside a time of rest and focused concentration.
I've enjoyed coming here and was always encouraged in my faith and homemaking…
Joy Kincaid says
Jennifer, you've been such a blessing! Thank you so much! ♥
Ellen says
♥ God bless you & your family Joy. He convicts our hearts for a reason and He knows what is best for us. I too will miss your posts, but I understand. The season we have with our children is a short one…embrace it!
Joy Kincaid says
Thank you, dear friend! Yes, I'm feeling like the season with my children is very short indeed!
Anonymous says
I understand. You will be missed in the blogging world. I hope you feel better soon. Your blog has been a deep encouragement to me.
ChristyH
Joy Kincaid says
Thank you so much, Christy! I always loved hearing from you!
Carol Blanchet says
Joy,
I can't even begin to tell you how you have blessed me over and over again with your inspiring and thought-provoking posts. Often you have said, just what was on my heart, but that I couldn't quite formulate into words. I pray that by this decision, the Lord will be glorified, your family blessed beyond measure, and your health restored quickly. {and you return to blogging – because I'll miss you.}
May your time in His Word richly bless you this year.
Blessings,
Carol {puretsimple.blogspot.com}
Joy Kincaid says
Oh, that is so sweet, Carol! Your comments are always a blessing, and thank you so much for all the ways you've encouraged me! ♥
Lilyofthevalley - Tanya says
I will miss you!! I'm always inspired when I read your blog. I understand though and may this time away from your blog (however long) be an abundant blessing to you and your family. Your family is most important!!
Much love and blessings to you!
Joy Kincaid says
I so appreciate your friendship, Tanya!! I'll miss you, too. ♥
Nikki says
Aww..I've only followed your blog for a short period of time and you've been such a blessing to me. I'm going to miss your blogs. Blessings and peace.
Joy Kincaid says
Thanks, Nikki! Blessings and peace to you, also!
Julian says
This is my heart too,although I have no blog and not on facebook. I pray for gods blessings on you and your family. I have been encouraged and inspired. Thankyou for being
a light. You will be missed!
Christina
Joy Kincaid says
Thank you, Christina! I will miss hearing from you as well. Your comments always brighten my day and encourage me! ♥
Jacinda Vandenberg says
I got choked up reading this! I'm going to miss you, but I do understand. May God bless you for putting His way first!!
Joy Kincaid says
Aww, you're so sweet, Jacinda! I got choked up writing it…and thinking about you getting choked up makes me feel even more like crying! I'm going to miss this so much. But I know it's the right thing for me to do right now. Love you! ♥