Gaining Momentum

I haven't posted in a while. I have been going 'round and 'round in my head considering what I really want to do. I was worrying and not giving my concerns to God, which was a mistake.

God did something for me that only He could do. After I realized that I had been worrying way too much, rather than believing God's word, I asked for forgiveness. The scripture that came to me that caused me to stop worrying is the one where God says we should pray to Him to "give us this day our daily bread". What this has meant for me in life and in my business is that God didn't promise that He would give us a whole bunch of bread to store in a storehouse so we'd never have to worry again, but He did say that He would provide enough for us on a daily basis. Just thinking of that makes me smile.

Well, how this all relates to my VA business is that once I repented to God, when His spirit spoke to me, all sorts of things happened to make my VA business a reality.

1) My dad offered for me to take part in the business he has successfully run for about 25 years. This will create additional income for my family.

2) The phone company offered us a discount on my DSL/Phone/Cable package. I was really considering cutting off the DSL and Cable. We have a package deal that is very expensive. The new package will save us $49/month.

3) Additionally, a couple I know asked me to perform VA work for them on an ongoing basis. It is a good deal of work.

Prior to these things occurring, I was considering forgetting about my VA plans, they seems too hard, too much work. But when God pours you out a blessing like the one I received, and am receiving, you know that he is pointing you toward something. I had given up on this dream, but then God showed up in a major way.

I feel so blessed right now. I have been working at home, striving for balance in my life and my kids lives. My mornings have been picture perfect, just like right now. My new dog, a Yorkshire Terrier, is laying next to me on the floor. My 2 sons are playing with legos and watching Rug Rats. I never planned for life to be this good. But I did know God had a plan for me.

Did I tell you that my bank account will say I'm low on cash flow, but it doesn't matter to me, because my future is bright. I feel optimistic that I am leading the life God intends for me because I let go and let Him.

I love being available for my kids. I love not having clients in my home all day, as I did in my previous business. I feel like a better mommy since I can focus my attention on my kids. I feel balanced in other areas, as well. I am involved in lots of volunteer work with my local public school, and I've had more time to devote to that work.

For those moms out there considering work at home or considering becoming a VA, I'd like to tell you about my daily schedule, since becoming a VA:

I try to wake up very early, around 5am. (about 1/2 the time I do, and 1/2 the time I don't wake up until my DH leaves for work around 7:15). Once I obtain more VA clients, I won't be able to sleep in on those mornings. (;

While the kids are asleep, I make decaf coffee-it is a goal of mine to cut back on caffeine. Since I work on my kitchen table, I usually have to clean it off 1st and then set up my laptop and printer and other items I need to do my work.

Sometimes, but rarely, I make a healthy breakfast for my family. This is usually only possible if I get up at 5am. It is my goal to do this everyday. DH has diabetes and the kids and DH are more likely to eat healthy food if I make it, than if I leave it up to them to find something.

Depending on what time I get up, I have 2-4 hours of work before they wake up and need me.

Since my kids are home from school-we have year round school so they are off-they all sleep in until around 9:30.

So I take a break from work around 9:30 or 10 and clean up/recharge my batteries/spend time with my kids/etc.

Since 2 of my children are older-2nd and 6th grade- I involve them in my daily work goal setting. I tell them that I will be done soon, that I just have 1 more hour and then I'll be done. I think it is important that they see that I am indeed at work.

For me, the reason why I chose to work as a VA is to be home with my kids, and if I work all of the time, all day, that defeats the purpose of my choice. But I do think that they can stand to not need me for at least 4 waking hours per day, since the alternative is going to daycare all day while I have a regular job.

I then make sure I will have lunch ready for my toddler by around 12 noon, so he can take a nap and I can finish up my work while he naps.

Then the rest of the day is mine. Except administrative tasks for my own business and volunteer work, etc. This is just a goal, it doesn't always happen, but it helps me to get almost everything done early.

I just installed Office 2003 and am trying to learn Outlook and the Calendar program. I have a training CDRom (it was recomended by a successful VA and is called "PC Tutor Learn Office, Windows and more-Deluxe), I will have to schedule time to work on this. I find that I have to plan ahead to schedule everything in, both personal and business tasks, since becoming a VA.

I am also planning to reactivate my real estate license, since I have been doing Real Estate VA work.

Also on my "To Do" list is to finish putting up Christmas lights. My 8 year old son asked me to put them up and I said, "I'm too busy." and he said, "But we didn't have them last year either." And when I looked at the gutters of the house, I realized we have never put up lights since we have lived here-almost 4 years! That makes me really sad about he kind of life I was leading and made me even more determined to make the changes necessary to be more available for my kids. I can hardly believe that I haven't had time to put up X-mas lights! For 3 Christmases! And I didn't even realize it. That's not the life I want for my kids. I want time to enjoy doing "child friendly" activities with them.

I also plan to move my office away from my kitchen table and to our unused family room/formal dining. It used to be there. I also want to put a TV in there. Yes, I use TV as a babysitter for my baby while I do work. It is usually PBS. And only for 30 minutes-2 hours per day. And he always has toys to play with and I read him books daily, too. I would also like a CD player. I like to listen to Gospel while I work.

I guess it's time for me to sign off.

ps: my 8 year old chose the font color today...