Hello World!

Hello, world!

I don’t know about you but my life is not always a picture of a peaceful haven.  It is more often than not a bit chaotic as I make my way through raising 6 children, finances, homeschooling, and the list goes on and on.

But here’s the thing…I think I found out how to make my life one of peace. As the years pass by I am getting older and I think I am finally learning how to manage this life I have been given.  I want to share what I have learned with you.  I have made so many mistakes over the years!  It is my sincere hope you will be able to learn from my mistakes and join me on this journey of finding and keeping a peaceful haven for you and your family.

My name is Janelle and I would like to officially welcome you to my blog The Peaceful Haven where we will be talking about everything from organizing, home decor to parenting principles, and potty training!  Mostly, I would love to hear about what you, as individuals are struggling with on a daily basis.

So, here are the players…

This is me and my husband, Michael.  I am married to an amazingly patient and compassionate husband for 25 years now!  It has not always been easy…we jokingly say we have fulfilled all our marriage vows and we have been married only 25 years.  We have dealt with sickness (like a brain tumor for my husband and autoimmune disease for me)  and health, we have been richer and poorer ( mostly poorer, 6 kids cost a lot of money) and we have been through better and worse.  In the end, we would both say we have been incredibly blessed!

This is our oldest daughter Kylie who also just happens to be autistic.  Kylie is 24 now and has her own home business foodforgoodthought.com  She makes goat milk soap,  gluten-free dog biscuits, and goat milk chocolate truffles which she sells to local stores and online.  We are very proud of her!  Kylie’s main interests are animals and botany.

Hannah is 22 and is now living at home finishing her degree online at Moody Bible Institute in Old and New Testament Studies.  Hannah’s passion is for missions.  She has traveled to more countries than I can count on mission trips both short-term and long-term.   Some of Hannah’s interests include collecting knives and swords and taking long walks.

Next in line is our son Andrew.  He is 18 and will be attending Otterbein University in the fall with a major in Computer Science.  He too will be living at home! Yahoo!  He loves to read and can make it through an amazing number of books in just one week’s time!  We think he is the funniest person in the world…He really keeps us laughing!

This is Carrie and she is 16  years old and loves to dance!  She has the privilege to dance at a Christian Dance Company.  She also loves Civil War History and volunteers at  The Ohio Historical Society’s Hanby House www.hanbyhouse.org.  She is the social one of the family and enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is currently learning how to drive.

Sarah is our baby but she is not a baby anymore!  She is 13 and loves any artistic endeavor.  We often find her drawing, sewing or making various crafts.   She also loves to watch movies and ride her bike.  She is a sweet girl and enjoys caring for our whole family!  She is an EXCELLENT baker and we can’t wait to see all that God is going to do in and through her!

Last, but definitely not least is our son Fredy who is the oldest child but came last to our family when he was 16.  He is currently 24 and lives and works in his native Honduras.  It is hard not to see him daily but we communicate via Facebook, phone, or Skype.  We usually see him once a year which is extremely hard! Fredy loves to play soccer.  Watch out he is extremely good!!

You may be wondering how we make our home a peaceful haven?  With a family of 8 very different people, how is it possible?  Well, truthfully we don’t always make it.  Our home and family are not always a peaceful haven but we are daily learning how to make that happen.

 The key is quite simply faith in Jesus Christ.

The moment Jesus entered our hearts and we became his children a whole new world is made available to us!  When I am struggling with an unruly child, the dog just threw up and the baby has diarrhea.  It is possible at that very moment to let peace rule in your heart.  I didn’t say it was easy.   It is, however,  possible to make your house, home and heart a place of peace …yes a peaceful haven in a crazy world.  Faith in Jesus Christ as my savior has given me the ability to seek his word which shows us his will for our lives that brings peace.  When we choose his ways over ours, his kingdom comes to earth and God makes a peaceful haven in our hearts and homes.

I leave you with these words… And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

I would love to hear from you!  Your comments are valued and appreciated even if you don’t agree with the things that I write.  

Blessings,