Hope Wingate
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Hope

Thank you for this opportunity to join your blog.

I’ve been writing off and on since college. It always brings a special happiness to my heart when I write, as I’m sure you can relate. I wanted to share a little bit about myself. I was raised in the South as a pastor’s kid in the Nazarene church. I grew up in a musical home and learned several instruments including piano, flute, and oboe. However, the only instrument I continue to use is my voice.

Growing up with the gospel, I prayed the prayer of salvation at a very early age. I really began sensing God’s presence in my life as a preteen. As I grew older, His voice became more familiar and constant. I didn’t have a great phase of rebellion, but that is not to say I didn’t hurt or need His saving power in my life. Day after day, He is more real to me. He is literally the breath I breathe and the song I sing. I want to live my life to show my heart’s desire: to meet Jesus face to face when this life ends and hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Welcome home.”

I met my husband the summer before my senior year of college on eHarmony.com. Our marriage is just the first of three eHarmony success stories in my family. My sister and my brother met their spouses on this wonderful website. Yes, we’ve reported this news to the dating service and they did contact us for interviews…but nothing has come of it yet.

Jonathan and I married in May of 2006 and had our first child the following May. Even though I was working my career job, we felt God wanted me home full time to raise our son, Aaron. So we made the adjustments financially and moved in with my in-laws. Little did we know that this move was the first of six more we would make in 8 years of marriage. That’s right. We’ve moved 7 times in 8 years. We’ve been in our current home for 2 years come October and I’m thrilled to say we signed the lease for another year.

When our son was three, we welcomed our little girl, Adaira, into the world. Jon and I didn’t understand the trials of parenthood until number two came along. Our first was a breeze compared to her vivacious personality. She is four now and still pushing the limits. But the growth we’ve seen in our marriage and her is no short of a miracle.

This month we started our third year of homeschooling. This choice has been very rewarding for us. My heart sings when I see my kids grasp something fully. The fact that I taught them makes it even more worthwhile. I’m thankful every day for the privilege and freedom to teach my children at home. What a blessing!

In my spare time, I enjoy singing, reading, sewing, and rubber stamping. I’m always daydreaming about the next project I want to get started. My husband has recently gotten me interested in gardening and landscaping. I’m very involved in our homeschool co-op. This support group is vital to our homeschool success and I’m continually blessed by the friendships I’ve made there. The Lord provides all that we need.

My life verse is Psalm 34:3, “Glorify the Lord with me, let us exalt His name together.” This verse proves the Lord wants us to be together and not alone. That’s why I’m making the most of every opportunity to encourage my sisters in this journey of life and motherhood. Thank you for having me.

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