Thursday, September 29, 2011

Wise Words for my Frazzled Heart

"To live content with small means, 
to seek elegance rather than luxury, 
and refinement rather than fashion, 
to be worthy and wealthy, not rich, 
to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, 
to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart, 
to hear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never - 
in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, 
grow up through the common. 
This is to be my symphony."

William Ellery Channing (1780-1842)

Wow, what great words as my anxious heart does not want to settle down in this time of transition.

On the way to Granite Park Chalet a month ago.



Saturday, September 24, 2011

What Happens When Your House Sells

So, we decided we should "downsize" since we are truly empty-nesters and our life is in a time of Great Change.   And what I didn't really expect to happen (getting an offer on the house) happened less than a month after it was listed.  So, that's good news.  But I started to wonder what on earth I was thinking.
Where should we live?  What kind of place?  How can we find something by the time we are to close on our current house?


The great truth, however,  is that all through our married life we have seen the faithfulness of God to guide and provide and we do trust him now with the Next Steps for us.


I am busy going through all our belongings.  Which has led to some interesting finds.


The funniest was a "report card" Angela made for me when she was six.  




She gave me a grade in 3 categories:  
(Everything was spelled phoenetically, which interestingly enough, I don't know how to spell.)

     "snacks: needs improvement"
     "Behavior: horrible"
     "love: needs improvement"


I burst out laughing when I read this.  She was obviously upset about something, right?  When I called Angie to tell her I had found it, she had no memory of this.


So, I guess my behavior and love must have improved, because I found a letter she wrote some time later, with much more positive thoughts about me.



"Dear Mom,
I love you.  Thank you for being the best mom in the whole world! 
 You do so much for me!  
You brighten my day with your personality!  
You give me so many presents. You and dad are the stars of my life.  
Your loving daughter,
Angela"

And I love her, too.