Just a quick note... I've been so busy living my life that I haven't had a spare minute to write about it! Things are going very well here in the sunny West. We have something of a pulse on the house in SC but it will be a process that takes a few weeks. If it's anything definite, I'll be sure to post about it. Please continue to pray that God will miraculously sell it for us in this horrendous market.
We are all moved into our charming little place in downtown. I will try to post pics soon of the house. When we first moved in, we yanked out old powder blue carpet to expose gorgeous, old hard wood floors throughout. It's not huge, by any means, but it's nice and we're enjoying it.
The kids are all doing great. Bry's school is going very well and he is learning so much- I'm learning right along with him. I know that sounds crazy to think that a 3rd grade curriculum could offer so much, but I'm learning (or perhaps re-learning) a great deal about American history. Also, I'm rediscovering a love for late night reading. I guess I love reading at anytime of day, but late night is the only time I manage to squeeze it in. Both girls are doing super too. They are learning, growing and loving this gorgeous AZ weather. I'm sure summer will be another story as far as the weather is concerned. All 3 kids love living near my parents and their cousins. All 3 are very excited about Granny & Pops visiting from MI in the next few weeks too.
Cal and I are good but often don't see each other nearly as much as we'd like. I wish I could share all the details of his job but since that would be a serious breach of security, I'll just say he and the others on his team are doing some great things. Please continue to pray for their safety as they're fighting the war on illeg*l subst*nces coming into our land. I believe lives are being saved because of these guys and the many others like them across the country. It is because of their service that we get to enjoy many of the freedoms we do. Have you thanked an officer lately? Their job isn't nearly as easy as many people think. May we not take them for granted and let us give them the respect they deserve. Not all cops are jerks like the media and a lot of people want to indicate. Most of them just want to do their jobs well and make it home to see their families at the end of the day. (THUMP- that was me stepping off my soapbox)
Well, just wanted to do a quick post. I have some pics I've been wanting to put up. Another day, another post!
I hope to have internet at the house soon so it's not such an ordeal to get online!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Beginnings
This is what I woke up to one morning this week:
I did not alter these photos in any way
Within seconds, the sky lightened
In minutes the vibrancy of the sunrise was gone
I was laying in bed (in our unimpressive 5th wheel trailer) and I could see a radiant pink coming through the window. I threw on some shoes, a jacket and grabbed my camera to head outside and capture it before it was gone. Much like this sunrise, I don't want to miss the beauty of my life around me.
For the past 2 months, the 5 of us have been sleeping in a crowded 5th wheel trailer on the back of my parents' property. I haven't mentioned this to many people for a few reasons. The first being that I didn't want people to worry about us. We are doing fine financially and unexpectedly great emotionally, thanks be to God. We needed to take this leap of faith without the approval of others. The last thing we needed was people worrying about us or criticizing us. So we went for it, even knowing we'd be staying in a little trailer with 3 children for a season.
So, all of our belongings have been in storage and we've lived very minimally. That tiny trailer is so cold at night, you wouldn't believe it. The kids all share a snug room with one bed and a trundle air mattress. Cal and I have been sleeping on a crowded full-size bed. It has been anything but glamorous. The funny thing is, I wouldn't have missed these past 2months for anything.
At first, I wondered how on earth we'd make it through this time, living in a tiny trailer. We wondered if we were completely scaring our children for life. Soon, I grew more and more grateful and could see this is a good part of our journey. I realized that this was a great adventure for our children on the road of gratitude and away from the trap of entitlement. Instead of thinking about all I didn't have, I began to focus on how much we DO have. Yes, the temperature isn't ideal at night, but we never froze. We've had shelter all along. How many people don't even have that? We have each other. We have loving family all around us. We have food, clothing... everything we need to live. We had laughter and joy. We have old memories and new hopes. Perhaps, best of all, we have had simplicity.
Tomorrow, the movers will bring our countless items and furniture out of storage. The power was turned on yesterday to our new house. There is a fireplace and a lovely view. So many things that are little blessings that I don't want to fail to notice and be thankful for. I think the house will serve it's purpose nicely and I'm looking forward to it. But, I don't want to forget this time of living off the bare essentials. I am so thankful to have experienced our "long term camping adventure". I'm thankful for the fresh perspective and the realization of just how little we need. Happiness absolutely does not come in the things we have.
I'm excited about this new beginning. A new year. A new home. A new perspective.
I did not alter these photos in any way
Within seconds, the sky lightened
In minutes the vibrancy of the sunrise was gone
I was laying in bed (in our unimpressive 5th wheel trailer) and I could see a radiant pink coming through the window. I threw on some shoes, a jacket and grabbed my camera to head outside and capture it before it was gone. Much like this sunrise, I don't want to miss the beauty of my life around me.
For the past 2 months, the 5 of us have been sleeping in a crowded 5th wheel trailer on the back of my parents' property. I haven't mentioned this to many people for a few reasons. The first being that I didn't want people to worry about us. We are doing fine financially and unexpectedly great emotionally, thanks be to God. We needed to take this leap of faith without the approval of others. The last thing we needed was people worrying about us or criticizing us. So we went for it, even knowing we'd be staying in a little trailer with 3 children for a season.
So, all of our belongings have been in storage and we've lived very minimally. That tiny trailer is so cold at night, you wouldn't believe it. The kids all share a snug room with one bed and a trundle air mattress. Cal and I have been sleeping on a crowded full-size bed. It has been anything but glamorous. The funny thing is, I wouldn't have missed these past 2months for anything.
At first, I wondered how on earth we'd make it through this time, living in a tiny trailer. We wondered if we were completely scaring our children for life. Soon, I grew more and more grateful and could see this is a good part of our journey. I realized that this was a great adventure for our children on the road of gratitude and away from the trap of entitlement. Instead of thinking about all I didn't have, I began to focus on how much we DO have. Yes, the temperature isn't ideal at night, but we never froze. We've had shelter all along. How many people don't even have that? We have each other. We have loving family all around us. We have food, clothing... everything we need to live. We had laughter and joy. We have old memories and new hopes. Perhaps, best of all, we have had simplicity.
Tomorrow, the movers will bring our countless items and furniture out of storage. The power was turned on yesterday to our new house. There is a fireplace and a lovely view. So many things that are little blessings that I don't want to fail to notice and be thankful for. I think the house will serve it's purpose nicely and I'm looking forward to it. But, I don't want to forget this time of living off the bare essentials. I am so thankful to have experienced our "long term camping adventure". I'm thankful for the fresh perspective and the realization of just how little we need. Happiness absolutely does not come in the things we have.
I'm excited about this new beginning. A new year. A new home. A new perspective.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
