Lessons Learned

Raising our first round of chickens and guineas have been a learning experience for sure. We’ve learned about feeding, watering, predator proofing, and loss. We learned signs of a hen between a rooster. What to expect week by week as the chicks grew. We’ve experienced joy and sadness as we continue to learn.

We worked daily to find treats and ways to keep our chicks cool during the hot summer days. We found they loved frozen spinach leaves and beets. We’d add oregano or thyme to their frozen salad, put cold apples on a stick, and halves of watermelons to help them get some water and keep cool. We found they we’re not big fans of the sprinkler, but loved the damp ground afterwards. We also began to hear the familiar calls of “come-back” from one of our grey guineas. It was so cool to hear the calls and see them feel confident with their calls and chirps to one another. Unfortunately, we also learned our pen wasn’t predator proof as we thought.

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One morning, I walked out to the pen with their morning treat of mealworms to find all but one of our chicks greeting me at the gate. After doing some looking, I found one of our lavender guineas passed away. Half eaten and feathers strewn. I immediately removed the bird and cleaned up the area. I started to look around the pen and try and figure out how to make the pen better. I plugged up the holes I found, redid the netting around the housing, and secured the bottom of the pen as best as I could. The other birds were unusually quiet for about 4 days. The kids and I worked hard to comfort the other chicks and showed them we were trying to keep them as safe as we possibly could. We also added 4 new babies to the flock. It was during this time we learned about signs of a sick chick and different ways to try and heal it. One of the babies was very lethargic. not wanting to eat or drink. All it really wanted to do was sleep. Every 2 hours we were holding it trying to get it to eat or drink something. we tried egg yolk, scrambled egg, Apple Cider Vinegar, and just plain ol’ water. We had to wash her little bum each morning due to it having “pasty bum.” We found out about Corrid, which is supposed to help, but we were too late. We lost baby chick number 2. 2 chicks in 2 weeks. We were just devastated. Fortunately we still had 3 other baby chicks thriving, so we had to keep going to make sure they didn’t get sick.

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The days kept on and every morning we’d count heads, make sure they made it through the night. Every evening, we’d check around the pen. Make sure we didn’t see any holes that needed fixing. We would visit them throughout the day to keep them cool and watch them strutting around. Soon, we’d begin to hear the calls of the Guineas again. The chicks would start chirping away as they ate their treats. All was well with the world again.

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All was well, until one morning about 2 weeks later, we found our beloved Red was deceased. Once again an animal was able to get in and he was gone. We grieved Red pretty good for a bit. He was so full of personality and determination. He also made it his mission to protect his flock, even the guineas that were bigger than him! The flock grieved him as well. They were very quiet again, but this time they weren’t as active either. They seemed lost without their Red. They were more skittish and jumpy without him around. It took the kids and I about a week to help them learn to trust us again. They began to meet us at the gate again as we walk towards them.

It was obvious I was missing something. I needed something better for my birds. I began to research and get a plan into action for a better coop and run for the birds. IN the next blog, I’ll discuss our changes within the flock and the new coop and run I’m building for the birds.

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Here are some of the treats we give to our chickens and guineas! They absolutely love it when we shake the bucket, they know yummy goodies are coming their way! These are my affiliate links. It cost you nothing to buy, but if you do, I’ll get a small commission.

Manna Pro Garden Delight Poultry Treat, 2.25 lb

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Manna Pro Mealworm Munchies, 30 oz

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Manna Pro Chick Non-Medicated, 5 Pounds (Pack of 2)

We use this to feed our baby chicks until they’re about 4 weeks old. We add garlic cloves or Apple Cider Vinegar to their water to help add the vitamins they need.

https://amzn.to/3f5eWHC

Our First Chickens!

We were so excited to find these baby chicks at Atwoods. We’d had success with our baby guinea fowls and wanted to add to our flock. Each kiddo picked one chick, and I added two more guineas fowls. 2 lavender guineas, California White, Rhode Island Red, and Golden Comet made their way home with us. We didn’t know if we were getting pullets or roosters, and we didn’t care. We loved them as soon as we saw them running around in their bin.

We made the long drive home, set up the feeder and water, got the bedding down in their box,their little dust bath bin, and the heat lamp turned on. Once they were in the box, we gave them a little time to get comfortable with their new home.

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We’d check on them multiple times a day. Watching them grow their little feathers, hearing them chirp, seeing them test their flight was so fun to watch. We loved this experience with our first 3 guineas and this time round didn’t disappoint. Once they were about a month old, we moved the original guineas to their new pen and the baby chicks to the smaller coop. We weren’t sure if they would like it or not, but they were getting to big for their box. Turns out, the chicks loved it. They enjoyed the bigger space to run and fly. The endless supply of bugs and greens. The new places to dig their little holes to sit in. It was during this time we began to figure out if we had hens or roosters. Their combs and tails feathers were beginning to grow out. We noticed the Rhode Island Red chick was not growing tail feathers as fast as the other 2 chicks were. We also noticed that his combs and wattles were developing faster and darker than the other 2 chicks. The 2 guineas were growing along the same pace as the older 3 guineas were at this point. Learning and watching the growth patterns has been such an adventure.

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The older guineas were loving their new pen as well. They now had an even bigger place to roam and fly. The new buffet of insects, greens, and dirt was heaven for them. They love the dog kennel we placed in there to help add a shelter for them. They were growing so fast already! It was fun to watch the birds call out to each other between the 2 coops. They learned the sounds and become good friends.

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In my next blog, I’ll discuss introducing the little chicks to the older chicks in the pen. I’ll also discuss our first loss and how we’re learning through these experiences. It’s been rewarding watching the kids go out the pen and coop to check on the birds. They’ve learned how to feed, water, and help protect them. We all sit in the big pen with them and will talk to them as they flit around and peck our toes. It’s become such a peaceful time of day.

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Our Backyard Flock

In the middle of March, I took steps towards a dream of mine. Having my own backyard flock. I researched, planned, and got all supplies needed. Now we just needed our first birds to join our family. We wanted both chickens and guinea fowls. In our tiny town, I patiently waited for the call from the local feed store saying they had chicks available. Finally! The call came, “We have 3 guinea fowls left. You want them?” “YES! I’m on my way!” 10 minutes later, three precious tiny little guinea fowls were in my car heading to their new home.

We set them up in the garage. Got the heat lamp on and food and water set up. The kids and I watched them for hours. We watched as their fluff begin to grow into feathers. We watched them realize they could hop and then fly. I couldn’t hear the chirping, but my kiddos said they were always chirping. We also discovered they LOVED meal worms! After about 3 weeks, we moved them into the bigger coop in the backyard. Under a tree for lots of shade. We’re in Texas and it’s been HOT summer so far. They loved the dirt and grass bottom. Endless supply of bugs, grass, and dirt to roll around in. They began perching on the bars. We loved watching them run to the door of the coop while calling out to them. They knew mealworms were on the way!

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While the Guineas were in the backyard coop, we added 5 more birds to our flock. 2 lavender guinea chicks and 3 chicks(Rhode Island Red, Golden Comet, and California White). We were at Atwoods, and picked them from the straight run bin. Each kid got to pick 1 chick each. We put them in the garage and watch them grow, just as we did the first 3 guineas. Fluff turned into feathers, learning to run and spread their wings, and seeing the many changes.

Soon it was time to move the Guineas to the big pen and the chicks to the smaller coop. My family stepped up and helped me get a coop put together. We trimmed the trees, cleared the space, and used a lot of zipties.

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Now it’s time to bring the bigs in. They weren’t so sure about it at first, but soon learned to love the extra room to run and new bugs to discover. We moved the smaller coop next to the pen in the hopes that they’ll learn each other’s calls and not want to attack each other once the smaller ones eventually moved into the bigger pen.

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We visited both coops multiple times a day. Watch them run and flap their wings. Found them roosting on the bars, digging holes to lay in, and flapping wings. The chicks were changing daily. They began to sprout tail feathers, combs, and wattles. The lavender guineas were growing their flight feathers and using them all them time. All of the birds in both pens would call out to each other while running up and down the sides facing each other.

In my next blog, I’ll continue the story of our back yard flock. It’s been 4 months of learning, loss, rethinking, and more research. So far, we’re still loving this adventure. Watching them grow and scavenge the land has been an amazing adventure. We’re always looking to add to our flock, but we have to make sure we have enough room for them!

Here are some of the things we use daily in our coop**These are my affiliate links with Amazon. It’ll cost you nothing to check them out, but if you choose to buy something, then I’ll get a small commission.

RentACoop Chick Feeder Waterer (1.5 L Waterer)

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LITTLE GIANT Miller Manufacturing 9810 Round Jar Galvanized Feeder Base. We used a 24 oz. Mason Jar screwed to the base for this feeder. Great for chicks.

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Little Farmer Products Chicken Bird Food Coop Cage Cup Feeder Water, Oblong 32 oz Durable Black Plastic

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Manna Pro Mealworm Munchies

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A new adventure is upon us!

Whew! It has been an adventure these last few months. March was a whirlwind of packing, driving, unloading, setting up a new home, and more. We moved from El Paso, to Whitney Tx. Thanks to our family who helped get the house ready before we were able to get to our new home. We moved into a 4 bedroom home on 3 acres of land. It’s been one issue after another followed by one blessing after another. My husband will be retiring from the US Army next August. The kids and I moved to set up our home and get settled in the small lake town before he gets here. He’s our fixer, builder, and landscaper. Thankfully throughout the years of being a military family, I’ve learned a few tricks to help maintain the fixings and building. These last few months of setting up our homestead has taught me I have a long way to go when it comes to learning the tricks of the trades.

Our mission: to set up a homestead with a garden, pond, chickens, guineas, and ducks. I’m sure a couple goats or cows will be in our future as well. I have started with a small garden with grapes, cantaloupe, watermelon, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkin, okra, peppers, and jalapenos. My goal is to get a 20X20 fenced in garden started in the fall. I need to till up the land and get it ready to properly grow the veggies and fruits we want to plant. We don’t use pesticides on our garden, so some days are spend plucking snails, caterpillars, and other bugs of the leaves.I’m working a plan for a “bug” plant garden that’ll hopefully keep them off the actual plants we want to eat. I’d like to one day have my own little market stand and have enough to donate to local businesses and homeless people. The heat here in Texas has started to become brutal so keeping these few plants I have alive has been a struggle. The rabbits love the grapes and zucchini. I don’t mind sharing them with the rabbits. These plants are really to just help me get through the wait of building a proper garden. If I get a yield from them, great! If not, then I know I helped a rabbit family sustain themselves a little through the summer.

Grape vines that we started last summer in El Paso. I brought them with me in the hopes of transplanting them along my back fence. Thankfully it worked! The grapes did wonderfully! The chickens love grape leaves as well, so we share some with them. Unfortunately those darn birds and rabbits and other wildlife seem to grab them before we do LOL

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Cherry tomato plants we started. They’re not producing much, but our chickens love eating the leaves so it’s all good. When we do get to the tomatoes before the birds, they turn out so yummy! Kiddos love just plucking them from the vines and eating them.

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Cantaloupe and watermelon vines are going well. It’s been a little bit of a struggle with the watermelon though. Trying to work out solutions, but it’s fun to watch them grow.

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We planted the pumpkin vines the last week of June. We’re hoping to yield enough to carve some pumpkins and maybe cook with a few of them. We love pumpkin in this house!

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Our “community” zucchini plant. I just love watching nature work it’s magic!

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Our peppers, okra, jalapenos, and cucumber plants.

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Our very small yield we’ve gotten from these plants. All this time, sharing with the wildlife, love, and water. The cantaloupe was so juicy and so sweet. Honestly the best tasting one I’ve ever had!

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Stuffed Manicotti

If you’re like me, you may have a picky eater or two in your family. Making meals that appeals to at least one of the picky eaters will like is always hit or miss. This is one of those meals that all of the family loves. It’s super easy and versatile. You can use different ingredients to satisfy the taste buds of all. You can use Manicotti Shells or Giant Shells found in the pasta aisle. Any flavor of Laughing Cow Cream Cheese. Any type of grated cheese works well for this recipe too. Spicy, hot, or mild ground Italian sausage are options for the meat. Here I’ll put what we used in our supper tonight, but know that you can adjust which type of ingredient works best for your family.

Ingredients:

• 1 lbs mild Italian Sausage
• 1 small leek
• 1 bag spinach leaves
• 1 jar spaghetti sauce
• 1 pkg. Garlic and Herb Laughing Cow Cream Cheese
• 1 to 1/2 cups of grated Cheddar Cheese
• 1 box Manicotti Shells

Ingredients

Directions:

• Bring water to boil and follow the directions for al dente
• Brown the meat

• While the meat is browning, chop the leek in slices, the cut those slices in half. I chop up to the leaves the save the leaves for another supper.
• After the meat is browned, add the leeks and cream cheese slices
• Cook until the cheese has melted some

• Add the spinach leaves and cook and stir the mixture until the spinach leaves wilt down.
• Turn off the heat and remove to a hot pad on the counter
• Preheat your oven to 375 while the meat mixture cools
• When the shells are ready to drain, run some cold water over them as they drain to help cool down the noodles while stuffing them.

• Get an 9×15 baking dish and put about 1/4 of the spaghetti sauce on the bottom.

• Take the meat mixture and gently put the meat mixture in the shell.
• Continue doing this step until the shells are used or you run out of meat mixture. You may have an extra shell or 2 depending on how much you stuffed in the other shells.

Shells have been stuffed!

• Top the shells with the rest of the spaghetti sauce
• Top the sauce with the grated cheese
• Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Supper is Served!

This is a sure fire win for supper for my family and I truly hope it will be for yours as well! If you make this recipe, leave a comment and let me know how it turned out. Was it a hit? A miss? Did you make a change? If so, what did you do? I look forward to hearing from ya’ll!

Overwhelming Journey

He said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry.

Jonah 2:2

Over Christmas, my family and I found ourselves embarking on a journey of the beginning of a new chapter. The hubby and I decided that we wanted to retire in a small town in Texas. After 13 years of being a military family, Hubby’s 18 years in service, the looming choice of retirement or staying in for a few more years kept coming up. We would discuss the pros and cons of staying in vs. getting out. What would be the benefits of sticking out 2 more years or going ahead and getting out at 20 years. What would the affect be on our children? What would be affected by financially? Are we OK with being separated countless more times over the next few years? We started looking into properties this past summer to see what options we had. We kept going back and forth on what would be best for our family. We continued looking into the possibilities of where we wanted to live, what land or home we wanted to set true roots in, also where would our next duty station be and what options went with those. We even followed up with an amazing realtor to help us look for our “forever” home. Many months of looking into properties, discussions on our future, and praying. We had a plan A, B, and C ready for wherever God directed our family. We got our answer over Christmas.

About 2 weeks before we left to go visit our family, we found a home that we absolutely loved. We talked about it for a few days and decided to talk to our realtor. After a virtual tour with the realtor and my mom, due to us still being over 10 hours away, we fell even more in love with it. We scheduled a formal walk through with the home owners for when we’d be in town with the understanding that if they got an offer on the home before then, we’d be out. Now was time to just give it to God. If this was our home, He would lay the plan and make it happen. While we waited the two weeks out, I prayed, Hubby and I started getting our financials in order in case we truly wanted the home, we discussed how we’d move forward if we got the home, and prepared for Hubby to go overseas after the Christmas Holiday.

During the Christmas vacation, we walked through the house. It was exactly what we wanted. Lots of land, each child would have their own room, open floor concept, and no HOAs. We made an offer, they accepted, and we were on our way to making things happen. We had 3 days to get POAs situated before Hubby left overseas. Now it was left up to me to get the new house taken care of, the old home ready to give back, the kiddos situated with both schools, and continue on with normal day to day life. My realtor helped me navigate the confusing ride that is paper work hell. Hubby tried to help as much as he could with his end of getting the financial paper work, my parents helped me with the final walk through and setting up the house before we can move there. Thankfully we have until mid-March to be out of the old house and into the new house. I didn’t realize just how much I’d bitten off at the beginning. 3 months to get the old house packed up? No problem. Getting new house bought and ready? No problem. Maintaing a sense of normalcy as we slowly transition from old to new? No problem. Doing all this on my own with more than 10 hours between old and new? No problem. Boy was I wrong.

I began to feel overwhelmed. Extremely overwhelmed. Slowly the pressures started creeping on me. No on but myself was doing this to me. Everyone was/is offering help. For the first time in my life, I accepted the help from the realtor when it came to confusing legal talk and house buying paperwork. I accepted the help of my parents, brother and sister in law, and their friends who can put boots on ground” and help me get the new home set up. Who’s help I didn’t enlist, was God’s. I got so caught up in my anxiety and the everyday life, I forgot to ask God to help me. He’s gotten me this far, why in the world did I forget to thank Him for His Blessings in the middle of the journey? Why did I get selfish in my days and forget to lean on Him. When I had to drive on the highway I-10, which I absolutely fear, I’d pray the He’d keep us safe and thank Him as we arrived home. As I went about my days, I find myself feeling overwhelmed and shutting down when it came to preparing the old home to give back to the owners. I’d get overwhelmed with the kids needing supplies for schools for their parties, teacher conferences due to my middle child’s behavior, helping my oldest daughter ease into the changes her body is going through, and providing my youngest with the attention she constantly needs, that I’d find myself crying in the shower. I’d cry because I’d feel I was failing everyone who had faith in me. I’d lose sleep night after night trying to make sure I was meeting all the expectations and needs of the people around me. I was drowning. I could feel myself on the brink of the depression hole that was beckoning me. I couldn’t go down that hole. Not this time. I had children that needed me. I had a husband who needed me. I had a family and friends helping set up our new home. I had ME to fight for. I was on the edge staring down that hole. Everyday I’d wake up, go through the motions, and get a restless night’s sleep and go at it again.

After about a month of feeling anxiety and overwhelming pressure(put on myself and no one else doing it), last night it hit me. I was cooking supper and an intense feeling swept over me. I needed Jesus. I’d forgotten to lean on my Trust in Him. I did something I hadn’t done in months. I put on our favorite Christian station, blared the speaker, and started singing and dancing. Slowly each of the 3 children came in and started dancing and singing with me. It was laughter. It was smiles. It was a relief I didn’t know I desperately needed. I’d forgotten my Savior was there to help me. He is my Comfort and my Stay. I’d forgotten that He was there to help me. As a solider in His Army, I’m not forgotten. I am a Child of God and I can trust Him to help me with my anxiety and overwhelming pressure. Last night I praised the Lord and asked for help. I fully gave in to Him and gave Him my fears. Still working through the feelings, but you know what? Last night I slept like a baby. This morning I woke up more motivated and focused on the positives. I feel lighter. I feel like the pressure is gone. Every day is a new day and there will struggles along the way, but I’m determined to keep my eye on the prize. I will not be on the edge anymore. As of today, I’m almost out of eye sight of that dark hole. I will not be a prisoner anymore. I will call on the Lord, for He is my strength, my hope, my way.

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Trusting God Series

December 11

“Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, spekaing truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head…”

Ephesians 4:15

Mrs Meyers uses this verse to urge us to take of our “masks” that we wear throughout our lives to please other people. So often we as children, then teens, and now as an adult wear so many masks to be someone we’re not. We feel as though we’re not good enough as we are, so we change things about ourselves to fit in. It’s hard to believe that God made me perfect, even though I’m so flawed. I’ve changed who I was for so many years, that at 39, I’m having to rediscover who I am. I’m changing the path that I’ve been semi-following. I haven’t been following God’s path for me solely by trusting in Him. I’ve making changes on the path and it’s not worked out well foe me. Decisions and actions were made that I’ve regretted. I’ve said things that I want to take back. I haven’t parented in the way that has worked in the past. I’ve not been true to who I am and what God has made me for. As a result, things have been harder than needed. I have sins that I’ll need to answer for, and I’m honestly and truly prepared to answer for. I’ve been slowly changing little things within myself to heal my soul. As I do that, I find the need for my masks aren’t needed anymore. It’s truly freeing as I work on improving myself and my spirit. Things don’t feel as heavy anymore. Things don’t seem as bleak as the light slowly starts to shine through. I know I have a long ways to go and more sins will happen, but I wake up each and every day to improve one thing and work on it. To keep the masks locked up and take pride in knowing that I am a child of God. He made me special. He made me in His image. Trusting in His love for me, flaws and all.

“God loves you, and He wants you to trust Him enough to be fully who you are!”

-Joyce Meyers 413

Trusting God Series

December 10

“The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God’s word].”

Lamentations 3:25

This verse talks of hope. How we wait and hope for things in our lives. Mrs. Meyers talks of how we approach life and situations will dictate how we hope in our lives. Negativity brings misery and negative things; positivity brings happiness and positive things. Hope is very important to our well being in all aspects. Have you ever noticed that when you expect bad things to happen, it does? When you expect positive things to happen, it does? It’s like a self-fulfilling prophesy.

After being let down in life so many times, lied to, cheated on, and other things, I just started to lose hope in people. I started losing hope in good things happening to me. I had low self esteem, low expectations, and a negative outlook on life. My choices in friends and boyfriends reflected that. My choices in life reflected it. I was just waking up to do what was needed of me for the day, then locking myself in my room. I was lost and wasn’t really listening to anyone. I fell deep into a depression. Coming out into the world only when expected or to fake it to make it to happy. When my relationship ended (before I met my now husband), I decided I was tired of being miserable. I was tired of being let down again and again. I was going to take time for me. Live a life of being single, live life for me, and to change my attitude. I was going to try and have hope. Try to start listening to God and follow that path that He laid out for me. It was a daily struggle. every single day I tried to change a negative into a positive. I started trying to see good instead of bad. Some days I failed, some days I succeeded.

As the days turned to weeks and weeks into months, I noticed that things were changing for the better. Life didn’t suck as bad. I still struggle with my insecurities. I still struggled with depression. The devil had a strong hold on me and I was determined to shake him off. I knew that I was a child of God and we will win. There are still times today the devil fights hard for me to stray, but God always brings me back. God fights even harder for me.

“Not today Satan. Today belongs to God who is stronger than you.” is what I’ve often repeated to myself as my life started to change and continue to change, I’ve noticed that more and more things happen depending on how my attitude is. If I’m expecting to be let down, it usually happens. When I hold hope in God and a positive attitude, good things happen. It may take a while and a few negative days for it to happen, but I find that if I keep my hope and attitude in God and positivity, it will work out the way God had planned. Struggles are a part of life, but it’s our hope and trust in God or lack there of, that will determine the quality of life we get.

Trusting God Series

December 9

“The Wicked flee wen no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion.”

Proverbs 20:1

Does it seem like no matter how hard you try to succeed in the calling that God has for you, there’s always an obstacle? Someone trying to keep you from having the confidence to follow through on your dreams? Some problem constantly popping up as soon as you solve one issue? It makes you want to give up and ask why the heck do I even keep trying? What’s the point?

These past few months, year almost, this has been me. I’ve been trying to get my dream of opening up a business from home. I’ve met obstacle after obstacle. My husband tries to support me, but he really thinks it’s all a pipe dream. My mom and Nana for sure support me and gives me positivity, but there’s others in my family that really don’t believe in what I’m doing. I have my own self doubt in my abilities to provide a marketable product that is appealing to others. My inexperience and financial constraints prevent me from being where I want to be at the moment. There’s so many things that are fighting hard within me to give up.

Mrs. Meyers writes, “Many rejected me, and the pain of their rejection tempted me to “sit down”[give up]. But God was standing tall inside of me, and “sitting down” wasn’t an option for me.” I read that line over and over. I’m still hearing it in my mind as I type this. It’s an excellent reminder that no matter how high the deck is stacked against you, if He is calling you to pursue a path, He will provide in His time the successes that come with it. God is with you every single step of the way. “….despite what is happening outside, everything is going to be all right because God is with you, and when He is present nothing is impossible.”(Meyers, pg. 411)

Even when you feel like giving up, the world isn’t understanding why you keep pursuing the dream that’s calling you, and nothing seems to go right; keep at it. Keep your trust in God and His timing. He will not leave you in the dust. He wants you to succeed. He calls you to a passion for a reason. Wait, easier said than done I know, put in the time and effort, and watch the Blessings flow to you.

Trusting God Series

December 8

“Therefore let us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that being to spiritual maturity.”

Hebrews 6:1

Mrs. Meyers uses this passage to help us think about the potential that we have been given by God. She asks us if we’re wasting the potential God has put within us? How any times have I sat and asked God what is my goal in life that You have for me? What path have you carved out for me? Am I even on the right path? I have been struggling with this for most of my life. I get a thought in my mind and decide I want to do it. I want to make this my way of succeeding financially. I thought I wanted to be a teacher. I studied and got my certifications. I began working as a teacher for the Deaf. I truly enjoyed it, but honestly, it wasn’t really where my heart was. I loved working with the special needs students and watching them succeed in their goals for the day. I didn’t love the red tape and bureaucracy that went with it. I didn’t enjoy setting up the students for failure instead of successes. It took the joy and passion from my heart. I was lost and wondering what the heck was I going to do? Thankfully, I was able to meet my husband during my first year of teaching. If I hadn’t gone into teaching, we’d have never met.

When we moved to Tennessee, I was able to find a job on post working in a severe SPED classroom as an interpreter/aide for a deaf and autistic child. I knew nothing of autism, but I learned. I wanted to help provide the very best experience for him to succeed. I found my joy again. I realized that I still loved helping children live up to their potential. Help guide them in life skills. I worked with an amazing group of ladies that held that same joy and enthusiasm to make the students be the best they can be. This classroom was challenging and some days really tough. I learned so much from the students themselves. I learned patience, compassion, and strength. It helped me to find the love in helping people. Once I gave birth to my daughter, I became a stay at home mom. Oh how I found my new joy. Over the past 9 years, I’ve been and continue to be Blessed to watch my babies grow everyday. Discover new things, taste, and sounds. I’ve always known I’d wanted to be momma. Even on the toughest days, I’m still so honored that I was chosen to be these children’s mom.

I know that my full potential isn’t to be a Mom. I was meant for more, but I just don’t know what that is. I’ll have to return to the workforce someday soon. I know it isn’t teaching. That desire to get back into the school system isn’t there. I’ve found in the last 3 years I’ve been trying to find ways to work from home. I’ve been wanting to open up my own market stand. My passion is gardening, cooking/baking, writing, and helping others. I’ve been trying to improve and learn how to market my dreams. To make them successful. I haven’t been successful as of yet. I’ve tried so many things. I pray and ask God to please help me. I have no idea what the heck I’m supposed to do. I don’t want to be unhappy while working. If I’m unhappy, then I’m not helping others succeed. What is my potential that God has for me? I know there’s something more for me, but I just don’t know even where to start. Something Mrs. Meyers says, “If you do what you can do, and trust Him to do what you can’t, you will grow into the person He gave you the potential to be!” The challenge for me is, figuring out what the ingredients I need to help Him to make me what He wants me to be. I trust in Him to show me the path He has panned for me. I just got to make sure I have my heart and mind open to seeing His destiny planned for me.