Dislocation...

Well, it's been a few days.  We've been busy focusing on getting the house unpacked and making it our home instead of just a house.  My childhood BFF, her mother, and daughter stopped for lunch on their way through to visit family.  I LOVE having company...hint, hint...come visit! 

We are nearly done with bed #1 and bed #2 is cut, pocket holed, and now it just needs assembled, wood puttied, sanded, and painted.  Of course, there is still more to do, the drawers haven't been built yet.  Those may have to wait, we are waiting for word that T's mother has passed away.  This has weighed heavily on my heart. 

Today's devotion was how God can use dislocation to draw us to Him.  I've been feeling very dislocated.  For the first time in many years, we are in a place where we didn't know anyone when we arrived.  On top of that, we had no instant connections with people in the community.  Our first connection was the family who boards their horses on the property.  They have turned out to a very sweet family, and better yet, they are Christians...such joy and comfort this fact brings.  We also connected with the local cafe owner, because we visited his cafe WAY TOO OFTEN when we first arrived.  Great food, and gluten free options made it an immediate favorite, but we wouldn't bother Mr. Ray outside of our business dealings.  I've still been longing to make more connections.  You may not believe me when I tell you I'm an introvert, but I really am...honestly, I am.  But, I love being around people who enjoy the same things I do.  Especially when it comes to crafting, it's more fun to craft with a friend!  Yesterday, we got a call from the local blueberry farmer that our blueberries were ready, all 12 pounds of them!  She said she was heading to the next town over and so she'd be happy to drop them by.  After an hour of chatting, we  became instant friends.  It seems I always make a good chunk of my friends with people older than me.  Mrs. E is old enough to be my mother, but we love all the same things and we are a like in so many ways.  Well, I don't find this a coincidence.  God knows exactly what He's doing and He orchestrates things for a reason.  We are attending a barn quilt (painted wooden square blocks painted to look like quilt squares) class at a nearby library together at the end of the month.  She offered to stop by and pick me up.  It seems each place we go God gives me a "mother".  He knows what our hearts need, and each time He seems to know that I need a mother figure in my life.  I don't think it matters how old we get we need a Mom!

These thoughts have brought back a bit of sadness for me.  It makes me miss family members who, for whatever reason, have decided to no longer be a part of our lives.  And, whether they'd believe it or not, I love them a lot and miss them a lot.  I pray for them, I've forgiven them, but I've moved on and maybe one day God will see fit to open those doors again.  Those thoughts coupled with the feelings of severe dislocation have made me realize my need for a Savior even more!  Because, no one is perfect, not one of us...and I've made mistakes, some unknowingly, some purposely, only to regret them later.  I've been praying that God would show me His ways and His paths, and that is all I can do is move on in life and let God be God and let Him do the restoring of the dislocations, whether physically from one place to the next or in our hearts and in relationships with other. 

Sorry, no pictures to share this evening.  I have a bunch I'll share in the next day or two.  Until then, please pray for peace and comfort for T's mother and the same for T's family.  And, let me know when there was a time you felt severely dislocated, how did you know God was near?

Building a bedroom suite....then a major distraction!

Today's missionary story was about how an elephant in the Philippines escapes and gets hung up by the chain still wrapped around his leg.  The Filipino people worked hard to keep the elephant comfortable and fed while others worked on freeing him.  The verse was Genesis 1:24, "And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so."  God used that elephant to open the door for the Gospel to be shared the next day by the missionary as the locals discussed how amazed they were by the situation.  That story was yet another reminder to be ready in season and out of season to be ready to share the hope that lies within us!

We were off to the farmer's market by 8:30 this morning.  Then on to pick up the van from the dealer, they had finished up programming the new key...I won't tell you my opinion on the new style keys, except to say I don't like how expensive and difficult they've become to replace!

We came home and got started on figuring out where to start on the boys' bedroom set.  It felt amazing to be back working with wood, saws, safety goggles, clamps, etc!  We debated about doubling up the plywood and making cuts 1 time instead of 2 times, since we are building 2 twin beds.  I finally convinced T to cut two sheets at a time, carefully clamped together so they don't shift.  We try to always follow the rule of measuring 2-3 times and only cutting once!  We looked through all the plans again, verified all my measurements and calculations were accurate, then we got 1 cut done, the top of the platform beds.  But then....we had a major distraction....horses!!  Which reminded me of the elephant story this morning.  

The lady who boards the horses on the property had her family out to ride and take care of weed eating etc around the outbuildings.  We walked up to say hi and it quickly turned into a ride for L, and then a ride for me, T didn't get to ride because we received a text that the family buying L old bed could meet up with us to pick it up, so we quickly loaded it up and meet up with them to have that out of the way.  But, E got to ride bareback and in the saddle!  We are falling in love with this property more by the day!!

Safety first, right L?!

 

Yep, the plans are sat...good to go.

Hooray, we are ready for the first cut.

 

 I think he's a pretty happy little boy riding on Shilo.

 As for me, it had been 22 years since I've been on the back of a horse. 

I loved it!!

Lumber, Weed Killer, and Just Keep Scanning!

So, yesterday was just a slight bit crazy.  To start with, the day's verse was 1 Corinthians 12:7, "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."  We often think about the spiritual gifts God has given us are for us to edify and build ourselves up, but this verse makes it clear that He gives us these giftings to build up and encourage one another.  It reminds me of 1 Thessalonians 5:14, which says, "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."  That was another good verse to challenge and mediate on yesterday.  How often do we hoard God's gifts and keep them to ourselves.  We are part of one body for a reason, each for a very specific purpose.  I wonder how well a foot would serve as a hand, or a liver as a heart?  They just wouldn't work, no way you cut it!

Today's verse was Luke 15:7, which says, "Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."  This verse really made me stop and think about how much I reach out to others and share the Gospel with those I come in contact with.  This verse definitely wasn't a "feel good" verse, because it was more of sting to my heart and a serious challenge to truly reflect on my actions and priorities.  Though, I take great joy and comfort in knowing that that glorious heavenly party was carried on for me when I realized my need for a Savior and Lord.  That adds sweet balm to the sting of reality.

We moved one step closer to making the boys' bedroom set yesterday, I purchased all the lumber and plywood to build the beds and console!  Ray, at Home Depot, was the bomb!  He ripped down 7 sheets of Oak PureBond Plywood for me in a range of different sizes.  See picture, oh the smell of freshly cut wood was marvelous the entire way home.  I was amazed everything fit in the van so perfectly! The longest, tallest pieces could not have been another smidgen taller or longer and still fit...God is good, and even in the details!

 Today consisted of paperwork, bills, scanning paperwork, paying more bills, and phone calls.  Then we took a trip to the commissary, which is 45 minutes away, to stock up on stuff that is just too expensive to buy at the local grocery store.  Then I made more natural weed killer for the yard.  If you loathe Round Up as much as me, this is a tried and true wed killer.  In fact, I loathe Round Up so much that I bought the more expensive 1 1/2 gallon sprayer, just because the cheaper one had Round Up written on the side.  To me, it's all about principles.

The recipe:
3/4 gallon vinegar
3/4 gallon water
1 c. Epsom salt
1 c. Dawn dish soap
1 1/2 gallon sprayer

This stuff works and you don't have to worry about the kids or animals getting into it!  L even helped me apply the first round of spray.  I had to stop because I ran out of vinegar, but at last, I bought more and mixed up another batch this evening.  The weeds growing up in the gravel driveway are next! ;) 

Sadly, today was so busy and I was stuck in the house from 8 am - 1 pm waiting for the internet man to arrive, which never happened, then getting wrapped up in more paperwork, I didn't get out to see the horses and cats!  :(  So, instead of getting my daily fix of kitten and horsey endorphins by petting them, here is a picture of one of the horses.  Her name is Dinally (sp?).  All three of the horses are very sweet, but she especially loves me loving on her, so I spend more time and attention with her than the other two.

Proverbs 16:3

I had a friend tell me once that she has to pray and give her day to the Lord before her feet even hit the ground.  Since I'm trying to form a new/better habit of praying and mediating on Scripture, I downloaded a book of missionary stories with devotionals to go through before my feet hit the ground in morning.

Today's verse was Proverbs 16:3, it could not have been more fitting.  God's timing is amazing and I truly needed to "hear" and chew on this verse today.  It says, "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."  It has challenged me on several levels today.  One thing it has really made me contemplate is...how often do I give God my work and/or do my work for Him?  I honestly got more done today than the last few days because my "work" didn't seem as much of a burden.  I was also extremely grateful, as I thought of this verse throughout the day, that I get to do my "work" at home.  How many mommies out there don't have the luxury, but would love to be at home full time?!  I'm already excited about tomorrow's verse!  I bet my kids would even say I was a calmer mom today.  :D

Today consisted of a lot of cleaning, organizing, and picture hanging.  It's surprising how much I got done and how much still needs done and I didn't touch one single unpacked box today of which about 10 remain.  The hall bathroom and laundry bathroom are now completely cleaned, organized, and wall deco done!  I also hung quite a few random things, but my favorite one to hang was T's Navy shadow box in the living room. I've been looking forward to having a Navy wall for T for quite some time...so, this brought so much joy to me! 

Here's a sneak peak of a few walls now done as we slowly get settled into this house and it slowly becomes our home.

Being a Mary in a Martha World

I've never been one to sit around and do nothing.  I'm always busy going about doing s.o.m.e.t.h.i.n.g.  Whether it is sewing, household responsibilities, running errands, dreaming up new construction plans, or organizing something I'm not one to be idle.

This "problem" is another reason why I took a 30-day FB break.  I need to learn to sit at the feet of Jesus and have some quiet time alone with him each day.  I'm terrible about making this a priority and so I'm making it a priority during my hiatus from FB. 

Monday, Day 4 was quite busy and yet I feel as though I accomplished very little.  Hummm, maybe because a lot of revolved around sitting....
*sent some much needed emails that I've been putting off for a month or two
*switched cell phone service from ATT and Verizon (now maybe we'll have reception when we're out and about...(can you hear me now?)
*printed construction plans for the boys' bedroom furniture set (see modgepodgecrafting.blogspot.com soon for details on that endeavor) and totally revamping the entire plan to suit the boys' needs and to lose less storage space
*helped E find a new swim suit, why does it have to be sooo hard to find appropriate/modest swimwear for young ladies these days?  I think bikinis don't leave enough to the imagination, if you get what I'm saying!
*email deleting mission day 4, I'm now below 9,000 emails, will this mission ever be complete?
*a trip to the library to pick up the Chicken Coop book I requested...see I'm always dreaming ;)
*and, of course, the mandatory trip out to the barn cats and horses.  They are truly teaching me to be Mary as I set and enjoy all that God has made in the beauty of His creation!

On a side note, the first day I REALLY missed FB!  I found myself mechanically going to the app on my phone.  The 2nd day I only found myself wishing I could check up on people and pass some time 2x.  Yesterday I only missed it once, and that was because I wanted to ask a question in a forum so I could complete a project I was working on yesterday.


Tomorrow I hope to get some more unpacking done, more photos hung on the walls, more cleaning around the house done, another batch of weed killer made and applied, and the rest of the constructions plan drawn up so I can get to Home Depot to purchase all the lumber to get this project started.  

Sans Facebook for 30 days...if I can last 30 days!

When life seems to fly by at Mach 50 sometimes it's important to slow things down.  I feel like I've been flying at Mach 50 since April and I could tell my fuel tank was running dangerously low.  So much has happened since the new year I feel like my head is left spinning from all the busyness. 

T's Navy retirement, T's new job, E's high school graduation, preparing for another cross country move, selling our home in SC, finding a new home, moving cross country, emergency medical travel to NE, trip to SC to close on our house....is your head spinning too?

So, I decided to take a break from Facebook for about 30 days because it sucks up so much of my time and leaves me feeling like I don't have enough time to get the necessary things done around the house.  Boxes sit unpacked, pictures sit around the edges of the rooms waiting to be hung, home schooling curriculum to decide on for I and L.  Plus, we have a community and farm to explore!

On Friday, day 1, I accomplished more than expected, some of which were:
*All T, L, and my laundry got done
*Master bedroom and bath completely unpacked and organized
*The beginning of my email clean up....11,646 emails=major clean out
*The mandatory two trips to visit the barn cats and horses to get in our daily animal endorphins

Saturday, day 2
*I scrubbed the hall and kitchen floor by hand...yes, it was that bad, in fact, it needs a round two, but that will have to wait awhile
*Grocery shopping
*Farm and Fleet Store shopping
*Mixed a safe solution of vinegar, water, salt, and Dawn dish soap to kill the weeds that are growing like crazy
*Quicken downloaded and all accounts imported and reconciled
*The mandatory two trips to visit the barn cats and horses to get in our daily animal endorphins
*I actually got to start reading a book...Wheat Bellies!

Sunday, day 3
*Visited a new church *yawn*, the 2nd one since we've moved here, we'll be checking out a new one next Sunday.  A co-worker of T's invited us to another church and it is the same one that the family who boarders their horses on the property attends
*Sprayed half the weeds in the walkway to the house
*A return trip to the grocery store to pick up a few forgotten items for T's lunches for the week
*A nap!  :)
*Email clean up, day 3
*The mandatory two trips to visit the barn cats and horses to get in our daily animal endorphins

Tomorrow is a new day and brings another long to-do-list of stuffing needing to get done.....I guess it never ends.