A New Dream
“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!
I am so glad you are back! I clicked on your blog looking for something from a past post and when I saw it all new and updated I was beyond thrilled! I can so relate to your story. We just moved form the North East to the south. My husband lost his job but was able to get a joB he re in TN. God has blessed us beyond belief even with a 50 % plus salary reduction. I too find myself having to look for some way to bring in income yet still be able to stay home to school the children.
We are also reading the Ralph Moody Series! My boys love them! I love them because they inspire me to make it in the hard times.
Maybe, in the future you could post some information on how to create better blogs. I am not computer savy and even though I have a blog I have never been able to really get it to a level that I think is worthy. I know you can make money blogging but with my lack of computer knowledge I just can't see me doing that any time soon when our need is now.
May the Lord bless you as you continue to bless your readers.
I am very glad to have you back!! Truly, I missed your blogging. I pray for your family's financial situation and I know that it will all work out.
I do understand. Times are tough and will get tougher.
This year I have simplified our christmas shopping even more and I don't think all the family understands, but it's about His birthday anyways!
Thank you so much, Josette! I appreciate your prayers so much!
Joy,
I am behind you 100%. I am praying earnestly that the dear Lord opens the doors wide so you can help your husband and that your children catch the vision of being helpers, both willing and creative! May the mercy, joy, and blessings of the Lord ABOUND to you now both physically and spiritually, my friend! Do share on the 'EOA' Wednesdays any of your new and maybe they will be something I can feature for more exposure..we will see 🙂
Thank you so much for this very encouraging comment, Jacqueline! I appreciate your words so much. And I will plan to link up to EOA. Sometimes I forget or I'm in such a hurry that I don't take the time to participate in link-ups, but I should try to do them more. Thanks again for all you do! ♥
My SSiC,
I lift you all in prayer and I pray that the Lord leads and guides each and every step. I know that between your frugal means and work at home the Lord will provide all that you need and sometimes some hearts desires. But remember to keep looking at what is a want and what is a need. I know you do but it is something that we need to keep doing. As you know I am doing the same thing.
Blessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary
Thank you so much for your prayers, and for sharing those words of wisdom. 🙂
Hi Miss Joy!
I am glad you are back because you always encourage me when I read your blog. I wanted you to know that I understood why you gave it up and know what you have been going through. May God Bless You~ Jehovah-Jirah is our Provider and He will provide all of our needs. The pumpkin hat turned out so cute!!! I am praying for you all and just wanted you to know that. Blessings to you all and I am so thankful that we met your family. Much Love <3 <3
Thank you, Grace! We're so thankful for your family, too! ♥
I'm glad you are back, too! May the Lord bless the work of your hands as your heart is to be with your children and provide a good education and environment for them. Enjoy the journey! Blessings
Thank you so much, Pat! Blessings!
Oh I'm so excited to here this. I am sorry for the struggles you are finding yourself in, but as Pa says in the Little House books, "there is no great loss without some small gain!" You can be our "some small gain" and I know God will bring blessings to you and your family as you are faithful to serve Him! 🙂
You've made me want to read those books too. I started reading Little Britches to my kids (age five and under) this summer, but found that I was editing out more than I wanted to, so I gave it up. I don't remember what I wasn't liking now, but maybe it's better for older kids? I don't know. I love the parts you quoted though and may just have to read them for myself. 🙂
Thank you so much for the encouragement! 🙂
Yes, some of the books do require some editing. My husband edits them as he reads aloud. This was the second time he has read them to us, and the first time our children were younger. He mostly read it to me, though, while I was doing dishes. I think the kids were a bit too young to understand much of it back then, but this time they loved them (except the younger two children, who played quietly while my husband was reading). We also only read the first 4 books, as my husband said the later books seemed more for adults (he's read them all on his own, before reading them aloud). 🙂
Joy, when I clicked on your site, just to see if you had posted, I was SO excited to see that you did have a new post!! Your blog is my very favorite one to read!! It blesses me and I learn soooo much!! I am very happy that you are back blogging! I pray that your family will be blessed financially, as you follow the Lord's leading. Welcome back!!!
Susan
Aww, thank you so much, Susan! I'm glad to be back! 🙂
Joy, you have inspired and encouraged me…with excerpts from the Moody books, as well as your desire to roll your sleeves up and get busy. The photography is beautiful, as always 🙂
Thank you, Bambi! You always encourage me!
Glad to have you back! I pray that the Lord will bless you in all that you do! I know you have been an encouragement to me!
Thank you so much, Abby–your comment meant so much to me!