A Day In My Life.

Amos and I have been married for just under 2 years. We recently returned from a 7 month trip to LaColline, Haiti and are now re-adjusting to life in the States. Amos works on farm tractors and I work (on-call) as a secretary for a local business. I try to keep my week mostly free to be at home since my husband works from home. This doesn't always work out the best... as you will see!

7:30AM

I wake up to my phone beeping. My usual waking time is closer to 6:30 but I haven't been feeling quite like myself lately. My mind goes over the days work... Then, I remember the phone call the night before. My dear friend, Delite, cares for five young children. Usually they are in school during the day and she is free to work at her second job, which she agreed to do this week, however, two of them are now home sick.

I decide that I had better get up and get dressed so I can see her for a few minutes before she leaves to take the other children to school. It doesn't work out quite that well because my husband pulls me back into bed with him when I go to kiss him goodbye. I giggle and promise that I will see him later as I disentangle myself and head out the door. I love my husband.

It is a long standing joke between us because I am an early bird and he is a night-owl. He'll stay up until all hours of the night working (he makes half our income after 9pm!) and I fall asleep long before he comes in. Sometimes I wake up when he gets there and other times I just snuggle into his arms and keep sleeping.

However, in the mornings, I'm up and about and he misses the warm body in the bed next to him. I'll usually be up for hours, cleaning and working in the house when I hear his pitiful call from the bedroom, "hhhhoooonnneeeyyy..." And when I come, he immediately pulls me back into bed to snuggle. Such a goof.

8:00AM

I arrive at Melvie's just in time to say goodbye to the other kids and hear Kimmy say to Delite, "Pleeeeeaasseee, can I stay home with Tasha? I was sick yesterday!" Delite laughed and kissed her forehead. "No. Now get in the car." I smile at Delite as I drop my bag on the kitchen table. It's easy to see there is no mother in this home. There are clothes everywhere and dishes piled in the sink. Well, no matter, I'm here now. Kimmy gives me a hug and kiss as she goes and the boys even manage to wave and say, "Hey, Tasha." (which is a great accomplishment for a 15 year old.) They can act pretty tough but one day they broke down and told me how nice it is when the house is clean and there is a snack ready when they get home from school. I know that I can't do it, but it made me want to go back in time and be a mother to him for the past ten years. My heart aches for these children. Don't get me wrong, though, their dad works hard and does his best by them. I'm proud of him.

My two sick, sleeping girls soon wake up and beg me to give them medicine. It takes a little bit to figure out when they had their last dose and I am soon measuring out 2 t. of grape flavored Tylenol. It looks disgusting. But, thankfully, it works. Jocelyn's fever breaks and I breath a sigh of relief. It had been rather high for a five year old. I take time to lay my hand on each of their heads and pray that God will bring them healing. They smile at me.

Four loads of laundry and two dishwasher loads later, the house is smelling and looking cleaner. The floors get swept. There is chicken and rice soup cooking and the girls are feeling well enough to watch a movie.

2:45PM

The girl's dad arrives home a bit early. He was worried about them. Once he sees they are doing better, he asks if I mind if he runs a couple errands. I tell him that's fine and he's soon gone again. I sit on the couch with Jocelyn and rub her feet. She sighs and looks at me, "I love you, Tashie." I smile back. "I love you too, Jocelyn."

3:30PM

Melvie is back and I'm packing up my stuff. He thanks me and asks if I'll be available on Wednesday if either of them are still sick. I tell him yes and head out.

I settle in the car and turn up the Bible CD that is playing. Hebrews. I love Hebrews. I smile as I listen...

I make a quick stop at the gas station, cringing as I turn over $25.02 for gasoline. The cringe because that didn't even fill my tank. Oh, well. I stop at the library to pick up a book I had ordered. They were having a sale on books, a grocery bag full for two dollars.

Needless to say, I filled a bag. There were several books on Russia that I wanted because I am in the middle of working on a book that takes place in Communist Russia.

I stop at my mother's to pick up the book, "The Persecutor." This is the auto-biography that inspired my name (Natasha) as well as the book I am working on.

I finally make it home. Amos is carrying in a half gallon of raw milk that his brother brought for us. I've been working at eating only certain foods because of PCOS and one this that has helped tremendously has been drinking raw milk. I also make yogurt and ice cream out of it. I think about making some yogurt today but then change my mind. My throat is feeling quite scratchy so instead, I opt for a long hot bath.

My husband comes in and tells me that he needs to go get some things at Jeremy's. I think about going then change my mind. They have 3 children and I don't want to get any of them sick.

Instead, I do a load of laundry and then curl up on the couch with a book.

Amos doesn't get home until late but it's okay with me. With waking up late in the morning, I suddenly remember that I haven't spent any time in the Word. I pull out my journal and smile at the last thing that is written... You, Jesus, are most important. Only you.

I spend some time thinking about and praying for the people in my life. Melvie and his five children. Brianna, my sister-in-law. Oh, how I miss her. Delite and her fiance. Danielle, who is living in Dubai. Elizabeth. Marsha, my other sister-in-law who is expecting her second child. I stop there and add, "Please, Jesus, don't let her go into labor until I am better! I really want to be there." Then I think that's a bit selfish. Then I decide that it's true! I was at the birth of all my nieces and I would hate to miss one.

I read some of Hebrews, reiterating when I heard on the Bible CD today.

10:00PM
I fall asleep thinking about how good it feels to be serving our God. He is so faithful. So wonderful. I am blessed beyond measure.