Weekend Progress...

Woo-hoo!!  Teacher-in-service equals a three day weekend for us! :)  And, I have made some progress around here.  Long way from done...but progress!

 

Some friends of ours gave us a few 5 gallons of paint.  I bought one gallon of the color we chose (in a darker shade) and mixed it with two gallons of the light tan.  Ta-Da!  Three gallons of terra cotta for the cost of one!  Good bye white walls!  Hello warm desert colors! :)  I will do some more tomorrow after church.  Maybe I can get our "L" shaped hallway done this weekend!

My first thing from Pinterest! Homemade Laundry Soap! Simple and easy with only 3 ingredients!  Oh yeah, less than six dollars and I have two gallons of laundry soap.  And, have enough stuff to make another batch or two!  YEAH!!  Smells great too!

My laundry room is painted a light turquoise  I found this wonderful saying to put on the wall.  I love it!  :)  I read it every time I go in to do laundry and it makes me smile.  We still have a long ways to go but we are getting there.  It is wonderful just to start.  I feel blessed every time I pull up in the driveway. 

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...

It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Isn't that the truth? ;)  I hope that your having a great weekend as well!



View of Politics

My goodness ~  it is that time again.... Politics

I usually keep my mouth closed when it comes to politics.  Everyone thinks that their opinion is the right one.  Some people are so closed minded that there's no use even talking.  If you turn on some news cast, the truth is so altered that it becomes watered down.  Then, those listening accept it as the truth and their opinions grow. 

Republicans ...  Democrats ....  first of all they are politicians.  Good.  Bad.  Ugly.  It's all there.  One label doesn't make one better than the other.  I don't judge a book by it's cover.  You have to read the book.  Way back when, those labels meant something.  Now, well, they are just a label to get elected under.  Do I believe in abortion?  No.  So, that means I am a republican, right?  Nope. Do I believe in the trickle down effect?  No.  The rich just got richer and the poor got poorer.  So, that means that I am a democrat?  Nope.

So, please don't judge me.  I when I vote, I look at the person ~ not the label.  Just because some is labeled a republican doesn't mean his/her morals are Godly and just.  For instance, a certain political candidate right now is labeled republican.  He is also a Mormon.  Which means, he believes only Mormons go to the celestial kingdom.   (the best level of heaven according to them) Also, that they "are co-eternal with God and have the potential to become Gods themselves."  I had to read that a few times.  Seriously, they believe they become God's themselves and have spirit children.  Okay, not anywhere near what I believe.  Will I cross him out because he believes a different way than I do?  No, but it also doesn't mean that I will vote for him because he has a nice label on.

I know that might get some backlash from this.  But it gets old.  I know some people that vote republican just because the label once upon a time meant they had Godly morals.  I know a lot of people that believe everything FOX news spits out.  I don't believe everything ANY one says if it's about politics.  My two cents during any political campaign is to use your knees and your head.

1)  Hit your knees and pray for guidance.  2)  Do research yourself and use the brain that God gave you.  Pretty good advice for politics and in life.

God's Harvest and Workers

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers
are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out
laborers into  his harvest.”  Matthew 9:37-38

There's a picture that comes to my head when I read Matthew 9.  Jesus went through many busy cities and villages.  He witnessed to many.  People were gathering and learning about God.  Jesus also healed many sick and broken people.  Blind men were allowed to see.  A mute was allowed to speak.  A girl was brought back to life.  So many people in need.  The ESV version describes it as people helpless like "sheep without a shepherd".  I love that description.  In so many ways, times haven't changed.  People are still scared and confused just like they were hundreds and thousands of years ago.  People are God's harvest.  And the harvest is plentiful! 

But, we must do the work.  Our harvest is God's people....which is EVERYONE!  Plus ~  the laborers are few.  We must pray for workers.  Not only that ~  we must be a worker.  We cannot expect to just let some one else do it.  We must dust our bootie off and do it ourselves.  Isn't that what Jesus did?  He didn't just tell the disciples what to do.  He showed them.  He got dirty and did the work.  He spoke to people that I'd be scared of.  He healed those I might turn away.

Who are we to chose?  Each of us know some one that is not saved.  Some of us even have family members.  It's so hard because I just want to just fix it, but knowing that I can't.  I just want to slap my brother sometimes because he just doesn't see the big picture.  (yes, I know, probably shouldn't admit that but it's still true) He still holds on to anger and his chips on his shoulders until there's no room for us in his life or his heart.  There's no room for God.  Yet, the only thing that I can do is pray for him, let my light shine, and love him through it all.  I cannot change his heart, only God can.

I believe that's why volunteering has always meant so much to me.  When I get out there, out of my comfort zone, I am part of the laborers and I rely of God to get me through.  I can show God's love through my hugs or food or kindness.  I can plant seeds in people that are looking for something to fill their lives with.  I've missed it the past few months.  :(  I really do miss it when we don't volunteer.  Kids miss it as well.  Once this place gets a little more settled, we are going to jump back in it.  Everyday could be harvest day! :)

Lord, just use me.  Use my family.  Use my home.  Let us not just wait
on the side for some one else to pick up the Cross.  Shine your light through
our imperfect, human bodies so that YOU shine...not us.  For when I am
weak, You are strong.  Let me be one of many workers in the body of Christ
that reaches out and makes a difference.

Busy, Busy!

It's been a very busy few weeks. Busy can be good! :) Since we've received our keys, we have been right at work. We painted all four bedrooms: ceilings and walls! The kids picked out their colors before they left so we could get to work. We also tore out the carpet. Smells so fresh now. Looks it too!

Joey's Soothing Green Tea Paint

Faith's Pretty Turquoise

It was great to have friends stop in to share in the excitement with us. Our open door policy has begun! :) I really feel that this is not just our home.  It is meant to be shared. God has given us this home to be a blessing to my family and others. Who knows how many friends and family will gather in these doors? I can't wait to begin!

We've had friends and family come over to help us clean.  We've been given some gift cards so we can continue remodeling!  Some friends even brought over ceiling fans for our bedrooms. Isn't that amazing? Our friends are a testimony of how God works through others to bring blessings. Felt like home in the middle of our mess. And, yes, it's still a mess around here! We had our "Estate Sale" this weekend so things are getting cleaned out around here.  Of course, I'm tired and it's back to work time.

Luke's Fisherman's Net

My light lavender walls with sage green

Of course, with an older home, you do quickly find out some of the quirks. Like for one, those silly circle things on the wall you never paid attention to...well, those are the phone lines. Don't know about you, but my modem has a flippy square at the end...not a four-prong circle. :D Yeah, they finally came today to give us a wire from the box to our designated office area. (and yes, I've been working on getting that painted so some guy didn't think we live like that! LOL which Kent thought was a bit funny because our garage gives it away!!)

I look around and I can see that we have a long way to go.  We still have boxes to organize, pictures to put up, and carpet to pull out.  But, it is wonderful to begin. God wanted us to wait for this house. He put blocks on all of the others know this is the home meant for us. I can't wait to see what wonderful things He has planned for us and this home!

We have KEYS!

It's hard to believe that I just got my keys yesterday.  It seems SO unreal to actually walk in there and think that this is OURS!!  (well, ours and the bank..but I don't like to include them!)   I called Kent and walked around room to room (he was at work) just squealing.  Then, I got off the phone and felt overwhelmed by the amount of stuff left.  Seriously, every room was full still.  Things were still in dressers.  Towels still in cabinets.  Clothes (seriously vintage 70's clothes!) were hanging in closets.  Packed!!  Not a few.  Packed!

Then, I went back to my stack of papers from closing and saw a letter that she wrote to us.  She told how hard this move was for her.  It said how hard it's been living alone since her husband died and how people have tried to help her.  Then, she said how the Lord sent us to her.  How overwhelmed she was trying to deal with everything in her home.  And what a blessing we were to her.  Okay, seriously.  I am a bit emotional.  (did not ask for any opinions Kent! anyway...)  But, by the time I got through with that two page letter, I was crying so hard I couldn't talk. 

So, in the space of about 10 minutes, I called Kent bubbly and excited like a little kid Christmas morning..to the I'm crying so hard I cannot speak and give me a moment.  He was a bit worried as you can imagine.  What's wrong?  What did you find?  Is everything okay?  I finally got out that she wrote us a letter.  I am probably glad that I did not see his face because I probably would have covered all the emotions and got mad! :~P 

I was ready to begin now going through Ms. Myrtle's things.  She felt like a family member by now.  I was so wrapped up in the moment, that I didn't even think of taking "before" pictures.  But, I did get some today.  While looking please remember that there are over 60 (yes seriously stopped counting at that number!) trash bags outside waiting for pick up tomorrow.  There is also one room just designated for yard sale stuff.  But, we only have one room to go through tomorrow.  The rest are done!  We still have to move Ms. Myrtle's furniture out and around but they are now empty! :)

It's even more full now! :)

So different than when we began yesterday

Little touches like this which I love :)

One will be the living room and the other one will be a formal dining room with a reading/writing nook.  :)  I'll update more pictures as we go.  We are going to get paint for Faith's room tomorrow since her room is totally empty.  Can't wait to see how much we can get done before I pick them up on Saturday morning!!

Plans for a New Start

We are yet again find ourselves collecting boxes and packing up.  But, I've never been more happy to see that sight!  I don't even have to ask the kids to help pack.  As soon as we get boxes, they are ready to get them filled.  Monday we get to sign the papers and get the keys!  Of course, that is after I drop the kids off at camp on Sunday afternoon.  :)

The kids and I have been going through paint samples since we put an offer on the first house the end of February.  Yes, this home has many hopes and dreams already.  Faith's color is called Crystal Aqua.  Doesn't that sound beach-y?  Luke's color is called Fisherman's Net.  It's a perfect outdoors-y color for him.  Joey's is called Soothing Green Tea.  He wanted bright red walls ~ I told him to pick another color! I've done red walls before and not doing it again! My room color is called Lilac Whisper.  Doesn't that sound light and airy?  Luckily Kent really doesn't care what color is on the walls! :)  Yeah Me!  The living room/dinning room will be a nice neutral color.  But I want lots of desert colors added with curtains, furniture, and rugs.  I love the reds, blues, oranges, and yellows. I love the warm colors that invite you to stay awhile.

We have a long ways to go.  We have carpet to tear up.  Even some wonderful wool yellow and green plaid carpet in the kitchen that was glued down...that will be fun.  Kitchen needs an overhaul.  It still has a push button 27" drop in stove! The only way to get a standard 30" stove is to mess up the cabinets.  I can see my new kitchen in my mind even though I know that it's going to be a while before we start that!  My kitchen is going to have some color! :) I still have to go through Ms. Mytrle things as well.  I will enjoy seeing what she left for us to find.

So many hopes and dreams and plans!  I am very blessed and very thankful that the Lord has given us this home.  It's hard to me to realize how long it's going to take to make it the way we want it.  (or even close to the way we want it!)  I've been planning for so long and now I'm ready to begin.  I just have to remember that even baby steps are one step closer.  Our home will be a work in progress...just like us!

A Woman's Look in the Mirror

As I look through other blogs I read, the message seems to be just accepting yourself.  Which is one of the hardest things to do ~ especially as a woman!  Compare my life to others and it seems so ... dull, maybe? boring?  I'm just a curvy (another way to put that I need to lose a few! LOL) middle age  (...oh, my gosh did I really write that?? should I erase it?? no..no, just leave it) mother of three trying to be a loving mom, aunt, friend, daughter in a world filled with anger and hate. 

I look at other mothers who seem to have it all going for them.  It's easy to start to feel hard on myself.  But there are certain things as I've gotten older that I have come to accept.  Yes, there will always be other women prettier than I am.  I will never be a Reese Witherspoon or Julia Roberts.  God only made one of them ~ just as He only made one of me.  Yes, there will always be other women who seem to have it all together.  I've learned the key word is "seem".   They are just a frazzled over a kid puking in the back of the car, as you and I would be! 

Remember that God made each of us with a plan.  All of us are not supposed to be Reese or Julia.  I am just Jen buying the movie ticket hoping that for the next hour and a half I'll forget about the laundry and dishes waiting for me when I get home from the movie.  Most of the time, I'm just 'Mom" coming home to my kids after work, helping them with homework, and cooking supper. 

And, part of my self-esteem comes with being okay with that.  Even things that I am good at, there is probably some one out there that can do better.  I am a good cook and baker, but it's not like I'm on the way to having a cooking show! ;D  I am pretty good at art, but it doesn't mean that it should be in a museum!   If I strive to improve, then I will get better.  But, if I keep striving for perfection ~  I will never be happy.

God made you with every freckle and hair counted for.  When God sees you ~ He sees His child.  He loves ever wart you ever will have.  That is what God wants for us when we look in the mirror ~ to see love.  Not wishing for perfection.  But loving His creation right now...right where you are.