We recently moved from our 20 acre farm, to a Subdivision. It was quite an adjustment, but we are really enjoying it. Many have asked why we moved from our "dream" home that we built, to our new place, and the answer is really very simple....obedience.
Aaron recently started seminary. Most of you know that the end result is rarely staying in one spot very long, especially once you graduate. Now, he will have a while before he is done, but taking care of 20 acres, with cows, and a starting each project from scratch is not only costly, but time consuming. His dad is going on 4 years post stroke, and since that time we have joined with the family (loose translation) in taking care of their almost 60 acre farm. Not an easy task to juggle with school, our own place, worship team, and now trying to adopt. Plus, where we are now (location) , will be much easier to sell when the time comes to move. Where we will go is undecided, and also irrelevent in light of obeying one step at a time.
My new favorite song is Chris Tomlin's "I Will Follow." Having a heart that says "I will follow" is only part of the process. Moving, when he says move is another. Each one having a huge impact. The song reveals many avenues that the Lord uses to work in our lives. Moving, staying, loving, serving, leaving. Yet having a submissive heart is the goal. (Not saying I have accomplished these things- just sharing observation).
When we moved, it wasn't difficult to leave behind all the things we worked so hard for. To be honest, we don't miss it. Why?? I believe it is God's grace and His blessing. We have had a lot of change come into our lives this year and in the past 4. We had some difficult decisions to make early on this year that broke my heart and I struggled through a period of depression/grief. We have had to let go of things we had no control over, only to have another door open up and be given something more. We have been challenged to do something that we swore we would "never" do. We have tried and failed at one thing so much that we wondered if our prayers were being answered and/or we were just not wanting to accept the answer, only to have another door suddenly open up pulling us forward. We learned that sometimes loving is letting go. I can share more about some of this later, but the bottom line is when you say yes to Jesus, your life will never be the same. In this move, I feel like it was significant to us, because for the first time, our hearts were not focused on ourselves and what we were leaving behind, but on what was ahead and stepping forward. Growing. Change. Moving. His will, His way- I will follow.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Deal or no deal?
I read an interesting article recently that was based on an intensive study, of a very controversial argument pertaining to families. Leaving the subject out, there was a sentence that said, "....what seems to be apparent in the stats below,.....children are influenced by their parents." Who knew? =)
When we were young, my mom loved garage sales. Loved may be an inadequate word, but for the sake of time and my mom not proofing this, we'll leave it at that. She once had a key chain that had tire marks on pavement and a quote saying: "I brake for ALL garage sales." (you get the picture) Now, I am not dogging on this. I was the recipient of many a "steals" and following the wise words from above, I now can see the "influence" she had on me. I have become just like her.
I would like to say that, as a stay at home mom, I sit at home and darn socks, sew or iron on patches on the knees of jeans, and knit all our sweaters and things. I'm not going to lie. Such is NOT the case. I love to crochet scarves and hats, but nothing else. I would even go so far to admit to you that I have a brand new sewing machine from my wedding still in the box, in storage. As far as sewing, my mom DID try to "influence" me at one time in 4-H. It was a disaster. She had great intentions, but I chose "singing" over "Singer."
Moving on.....I love using things like Amazon, Ebay, and Craigslist, to find things when you just don't have the time or energy to plot out a course with the paper. It's the "new" garage sale-ing of my day. My latest quest was for a bike and a bike trailer. We recently moved and have a 4 mile track that begins 1/4 mile from our house. We LOVE it! Anyhow, I drove up our street one day and there was a Schwinn bike out by the road for sale. When I stopped, the lady who owned it, said she had undergone some major leg/foot surgery and wouldn't be able to use it. If I wanted it, she would give it to me for $25. !!!! She had a little girl (thus the big gray grocery-getter looking thing off the back) who had a special seat that attached to the back. They had used it twice since she bought it last Christmas. I then found a bike trailer on Craigslist for $70, that looked brand new. The folks who owned it had used it four times before their children outgrew it.
Aaron teases me about my "granny" looking bike, but with some minor adjustments- she'll be a beauty! =) Plus, the bike trailer also converts to a double stroller with a rotating wheel in the front and folds completely flat. Great for walking or jogging. With those kind of savings, I am not complaining!
When we were young, my mom loved garage sales. Loved may be an inadequate word, but for the sake of time and my mom not proofing this, we'll leave it at that. She once had a key chain that had tire marks on pavement and a quote saying: "I brake for ALL garage sales." (you get the picture) Now, I am not dogging on this. I was the recipient of many a "steals" and following the wise words from above, I now can see the "influence" she had on me. I have become just like her.
I would like to say that, as a stay at home mom, I sit at home and darn socks, sew or iron on patches on the knees of jeans, and knit all our sweaters and things. I'm not going to lie. Such is NOT the case. I love to crochet scarves and hats, but nothing else. I would even go so far to admit to you that I have a brand new sewing machine from my wedding still in the box, in storage. As far as sewing, my mom DID try to "influence" me at one time in 4-H. It was a disaster. She had great intentions, but I chose "singing" over "Singer."
Moving on.....I love using things like Amazon, Ebay, and Craigslist, to find things when you just don't have the time or energy to plot out a course with the paper. It's the "new" garage sale-ing of my day. My latest quest was for a bike and a bike trailer. We recently moved and have a 4 mile track that begins 1/4 mile from our house. We LOVE it! Anyhow, I drove up our street one day and there was a Schwinn bike out by the road for sale. When I stopped, the lady who owned it, said she had undergone some major leg/foot surgery and wouldn't be able to use it. If I wanted it, she would give it to me for $25. !!!! She had a little girl (thus the big gray grocery-getter looking thing off the back) who had a special seat that attached to the back. They had used it twice since she bought it last Christmas. I then found a bike trailer on Craigslist for $70, that looked brand new. The folks who owned it had used it four times before their children outgrew it.
Bike Purchased: $25
Retail: $300-350
Savings: $275
Bike Trailer Puchased: $70
Retail: $385 (USED on AMAZON)
Savings: $315
Total Saved: $590
LOVE IT!!!!
Aaron teases me about my "granny" looking bike, but with some minor adjustments- she'll be a beauty! =) Plus, the bike trailer also converts to a double stroller with a rotating wheel in the front and folds completely flat. Great for walking or jogging. With those kind of savings, I am not complaining!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Confetti for Marsha....
Today my heart is sad and broken for the Reed family. Their sweet mother, friend, sister, aunt, grandma, co-worker, sister in Christ will be laid to rest today. As Marsha's life is remembered, I can't help but be rejoicing with her/for her as well, as she is now present with the Lord. His word says that such a homecoming is "precious."
Marsha had a way about her. As I have said to many people....Marsha remembered every birthday. She didn't just call, she sent you a confetti filled card with gum in it along with her thoughts for you to have a great day. I don't know about the rest of you, but when my cards came in the mail, they were LOADED with confetti. Not the big stuff either. I had the fine dusting stuff that stayed with you and on you for days! What a way to make people smile! It always worked! So what do you think was at her viewing? Yes, confetti. I couldn't think of something more appropriate.
It is ironic that the only two "constants" in this life are the very things we are afraid of and/or have the most difficult time dealing with: Death and Change. Probably because these two often go hand in hand, are closely related, or first comes one and then another in no particular order.
So, as I am writing I feel very conflicted. In one way I just want to cry, and keep crying as memories surface of all the great times we had together and interactions we have had. In another way, I wish I could be there supporting the family and grieve with them, for it is for them that my heart breaks. They have such a long road ahead, and as anyone knows who have walked it before or walked along side someone....it is often up and down, troubled, and filled with joys unexpected all at once. Regardless of any "phase" you go through, it hurts. All of it. I am praying for you Lindsay, Paul and TJ. For you and your families. For the days ahead. The holidays. For every "first" for everything that she won't be here for.
Lastly, a third conflicting emotion. I have such a peace inside of me. A confidence in a sovereign God who knows every single breath we take, hair on our head, and day we have here. I don't always understand and don't always accept this, but I do believe in God. In Jesus. In the fact that the grave (because of Jesus) is OVERWHELMED. The Victory is WON. She lived every single day that He gave her. Not one more, or one less. Some may say that is heartless, but I say that is Sovereignty. That is Mercy. None of us "deserve" anything. But a good and gracious God- Jesus, has given us far more than we deserve, and His complete control over every thing, every situation, should provide us with a peace that no one can take. Do I always understand? No. I wish I did. But I have come to trust him more and more through surrender to Him every day in these two things we have never controlled, nor never will.
Rest in peace, Marsha. We will see you again, and I can't wait to see what kind of Confetti they threw up in heaven this time- for you.
Marsha had a way about her. As I have said to many people....Marsha remembered every birthday. She didn't just call, she sent you a confetti filled card with gum in it along with her thoughts for you to have a great day. I don't know about the rest of you, but when my cards came in the mail, they were LOADED with confetti. Not the big stuff either. I had the fine dusting stuff that stayed with you and on you for days! What a way to make people smile! It always worked! So what do you think was at her viewing? Yes, confetti. I couldn't think of something more appropriate.
It is ironic that the only two "constants" in this life are the very things we are afraid of and/or have the most difficult time dealing with: Death and Change. Probably because these two often go hand in hand, are closely related, or first comes one and then another in no particular order.
So, as I am writing I feel very conflicted. In one way I just want to cry, and keep crying as memories surface of all the great times we had together and interactions we have had. In another way, I wish I could be there supporting the family and grieve with them, for it is for them that my heart breaks. They have such a long road ahead, and as anyone knows who have walked it before or walked along side someone....it is often up and down, troubled, and filled with joys unexpected all at once. Regardless of any "phase" you go through, it hurts. All of it. I am praying for you Lindsay, Paul and TJ. For you and your families. For the days ahead. The holidays. For every "first" for everything that she won't be here for.
Lastly, a third conflicting emotion. I have such a peace inside of me. A confidence in a sovereign God who knows every single breath we take, hair on our head, and day we have here. I don't always understand and don't always accept this, but I do believe in God. In Jesus. In the fact that the grave (because of Jesus) is OVERWHELMED. The Victory is WON. She lived every single day that He gave her. Not one more, or one less. Some may say that is heartless, but I say that is Sovereignty. That is Mercy. None of us "deserve" anything. But a good and gracious God- Jesus, has given us far more than we deserve, and His complete control over every thing, every situation, should provide us with a peace that no one can take. Do I always understand? No. I wish I did. But I have come to trust him more and more through surrender to Him every day in these two things we have never controlled, nor never will.
Rest in peace, Marsha. We will see you again, and I can't wait to see what kind of Confetti they threw up in heaven this time- for you.
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