For the past three-ish years we’ve lived in a basement, a 700 sq ft apt., a metal building/garage and this house.

Each of these in turn adequately met our needs and from each of location we took some nugget of knowledge that helped us mature spiritually, emotionally, and financially.  Moving again means more growth I know, but I can only stand in awe at the means the Lord has chosen this time.  I am blown away by His thoughtfulness and gracious blessing.

 

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Ephesians 3:20 (New Living Translation)

Indeed.

Tired of breaking up one squabble after another, I finally let loose in a truly exasperated tone, “Could we PLEASE stop being so persnickety for at least FIVE minutes!”

To which Brother matter-of-factly replied , “But Mom, this game is called Persnickety.”

We say our bedtime prayers together every night.  Usually Daddy prays and sometimes Mommy but on this night Brother insisted it was his turn.

“God, thank you for the toy food and goldfish at our tea party and everything else.  It was a good thing you took care of us.  In Jesus name, Amen.”

Jenni’s hosting a weekly event over at her place.  Try it, you’ll like it.

Ye old brain cells were full of other things this week so I pulled one from the archives but it does pertain to moving and baby stuff which is all current so I think it counts.

Moving Through Labor

(originally published June 21, 2007)

So we are finally finished with our move. (I think.)  We have stopped bringing items from Grandma’s house and started taking things back or giving them away or throwing them away.  Each time we move I am astounded by the amount of “stuff” we have accumulated and, since our last two moves have been to smaller spaces, the amount of “stuff” that must be disposed of one way or another.  Interestingly enough, I don’t really miss anything we’ve left behind.  Oh sure, there are those emotional moments when you first decide that something must go (”Not the vase Great Aunt So n So got at that yard sale for nickel.  Remember how she talked the lady down from a quarter?  Can you believe anyone would ask a quarter for THAT?!  The nerve!”) But then the moment passes and you realize - it’s just “stuff” after all and you let go and your burden is a little lighter.  Finally, you are down to essentials.  You know, those items you absolutely neeeed.  But you don’t really have room for all of those either and so begin the hard decisions.  The criteria:  Is it truly useful?  Do I have space for it?

I know you think I’m rambling here but see labor is a lot like moving.  Early on, when you first start to think “Today is the day!”, you are excited.  You walk around in a happy daze.  You eagerly anticipate each rush as it comes.  These contractions are light and easy.  They do not demand your attention so you spend your time calling friends, “nesting”, and imagining the moment when you will meet your baby.  As the rushes begin to feel like waves gently lapping the shoreline in an ever constant rhythm, your excitement doesn’t wane but it does get tucked away momentarily as each wave washes over you.  Wellwishers come and go and between contractions you smile and nod and perhaps even laugh, answering their questions and listening to their stories.  Then (and this is where labor becomes like moving) just as you begin to settle into the rhythm of the waves, they intensify.  They become longer.  They become stronger.  Jokes are not as funny and you lose interest in the stories of “when I had my baby…”  The activity around you becomes “stuff” that must be discarded.  You don’t want to be rude.  You want to participate but you have to let go because there is not enough room within yourself for anything extraneous.  And within is where you must go.  Your retreat brings peace … for a time … until you discover there is “stuff” here too.  Fears, hopes, all sorts of emotional baggage.  In the constant sea of rolling waves you sort through each item, searching for the essentials. Toss the fear.  Release the expectations.  Strip everything down and when you discover your very core then you will also suddenly find yourself on the other side of the storm.

The waves will still seem tall because you will be tired but remind yourself that you are close.  Reach deep into the core you found and pull out a final bit of strength.  Your child is close.  You will hold her soon.

Read more Birth-Day posts here.

You know, the one where the house hunters look at three houses, fall in love with one and make an offer which immediately gets accepted.  Yeah… real life is nothing like that.  Real life involves WAY more than three houses and the negotiations look something like:  Offer / counter offer … no wait I changed my mind I’m going to rent instead.  Offer / Wait for it… wait for it … wait for it … counter-offer … no, wait I changed my mind there are other people looking at the house / New offer / HA! HA! I laugh at your new offer of mere cash.  What I really wanted was to trade houses.

It’s craziness, I tell you… just craziness.

I just wanted to make sure this one was not missed.  Unless NBC has changed its mind, you will not see this ad during the game but in my opinion it is probably the best message that could have aired.

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