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“Mother told me to sit down at the table because she wanted to talk to me. When she came over, her face was bright red and her hands were trembly. ‘Ralph, I am giving you a very responsible job,’ she said, ‘but I’m sure you can do it very nicely. We’ve got to begin making our own living, and we must make it through things we can do at home, so we may all be together and help each other.'”
“While Grace and Philip were pulling on their overshoes, Muriel stood watching them, with a tear in each eye and her lower lip trembling. Mother noticed it, knelt beside her, and asked, ‘What’s the matter, darling?’ That’s all it took to make Muriel’s tears spill over. ‘I want to go, too,’ she cried. ‘Hal takes care of Elizabeth, and everybody does something to help us make our living but me.'”
“Mother took Muriel in her arms, hugged her up close, and said, ‘There, there, girlie, don’t cry. You see, if things go as we hope they will, Gracie and I will be busy from morning till night, and you will be the housekeeper who makes a home for us all. You know, dear, there is no woman in the world who has a more important task than making a home for those she loves.”
(Quotes taken from Man of the Family, and Mary Emma & Company, both written by Ralph Moody)
This summer my husband read aloud the books written by Ralph Moody about his family. We laughed and cried through various parts. But the character who moved me the most was Ralph’s mother, Mrs. Moody. After Ralph’s father dies (and we all cried through that very moving scene), Mrs. Moody is left with five children to care for on her own. Her relatives want her to parcel the children out to various homes, so that Mrs. Moody would have a better chance at making it financially. But she will have none of that. She is a very determined and strong woman, who insists that they will all stay together.
Mrs. Moody goes through several different creative ideas to make money. First, she starts a cookery route. She spends all day and night cooking, and then her children deliver the food to the various customers.
Next, after almost completely wearing herself out with her cookery route, she begins washing and mending curtains for a large hotel. After the family is forced to move to a larger city, she goes to work at a laundry. And finally, she begins to take in laundry for wealthy ladies in the city.
Through all of Mrs. Moody’s endeavors, her children are helping. Her oldest daughter helps with the work, her older son has a job of his own, and gives all the money to his mother, to help take care of the family. The next daughter makes the meals and keeps the house, and the younger son watches the younger children. It’s a beautiful picture of a family working together, in the midst of the most difficult financial trials.
A couple of months ago, my daughter broke her wrist, requiring surgery and many hospital visits. The following month, several family members required dental work. And then, my husband lost some of his work (which was already so desperately needed, and even more so after all of our recent medical bills).
As I sat in the dental chair, both sides of my mouth numb, a dental hygienist asked about my family (why do they always ask you questions when your mouth is numb?). I told her we had five children. She asked what school they went to, and I told her that we homeschool. She said, “Oh, I would love to stay home with my two kids, but I don’t have that luxury. We just can’t afford it.” I’ve heard this many times through the years, and I always think to myself that we can’t “afford it” either, without making numerous financial sacrifices (one vehicle, haircuts by Mom, no big vacations, etc.).
But this time, I thought to myself, “I can’t either. I can’t afford to stay home.” And for the first time, it became a reality to me. With all the frugal things I do to be able to stay home with my kids, this time I really can’t afford it. I heard in my mind what Dave Ramsey said in one of his books. Sometimes, just saving money isn’t enough. Sometimes you need to make more money.
So, I’m going to try a few things. First, I am coming back to blogging. I meant everything I said in my post about why I was leaving the blogging world, but apparently that wasn’t to be. I always wanted to be simply a stay-at-home mom, but now I can’t live in that dream anymore. I must be a work-at-home mom, too. But anything would be worthwhile if I can stay home with my children and continue to homeschool them. We have explained things to our children, and they are very willing and eager to help out any way they can. My older daughters have taken on more of the cooking and cleaning, and we’re all going to work together at this.
I know my decision to return may be a disappointment to some. But please know that we feel this is the best thing for our family at this time. We had one plan, but it wasn’t to be. I also know that many of you are in the same position we’re in, and really feeling the recession. My heart goes out to you, and I know what you’re going through!
When one door closes, another one opens. And the good news is, I have so many ideas for this blog that I’m really excited about. In addition to becoming a Lilla Rose consultant, I also have a few other home business ideas that I hope to announce sometime soon. I pray that what is written and shared here may be a blessing to you!
Welcome back! So glad to be reading you again. I would not have known you were blogging again if I had not read Deep Roots At Home blog.
Much Love,
Janet
Thank you, Janet! I'm so glad you found me again!
Blessings,
Joy
Oh goodness… I wrote a long response and I'm not sure it went through… So hopefully you won't get this twice.. I am SO HAPPY to see you back. You are one of my favorite blogs. We are in very much the same situation. We just moved from the north east to the south. We took a huge pay cut and now I find myself needing to make money to supplement our income. In the future maybe you could give suggestions on how to be a better blogger and set up blogs. I do have a blog but don't know how to maintain and update it. ( I'm not computer savy) I know I need to find something that will bring in income sooner but I would love to use my blog if I could.
We too are reading the Moody series. My boys love it and I love it because it encourages me to make it during these rough times.
May the Lord bless your efforts and have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Hi Adrienne,
Thank you so much for the very sweet comments you left! They encouraged me very much. I know where you're coming from with the financial concerns.
I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving!