I am in love with my new place.

Last night we stayed at our new place even though we are not completely finished moving everything out. We have most of the furniture that we are taking, apart from our bedroom suit, already moved in and mostly arranged the way I want it. Since we got so much done over the weekend, we were too excited to not stay over last night. We came home after our workout, ate dinner, packed some things and headed out. You should have seen us – full-size mattress oddly folded and placed within the trunk/back seat space (seat down) of our little sedan! We also managed to pack some baskets of laundry, a few things for the night, and what food we’d need.

It was so much fun just settling in after loading the clothes washer, making some coffee, and tidying up a tad. (It’s so hard not to blast through the boxes that haven’t been unpacked yet!) We put in a movie, had a bath (we have a nice-sized tub in this place), and snuggled close on our floor/mattress. Without being too personal, it was wonderfully cozy, and you must know the feeling I’m talking about when I say I felt a freshness and peace in the new place. I believe it comes with the fact that you’ve just finished purging all the unneccasary things from your old place, and you feel much more organized and ready to take on…well, anything. Okay, that’s at least how I feel.

I will have to post some pictures. And I’ll let you know how taking on the world goes. *wink*

Lately: Part 2: The New Day

Just got back in from the barn. Not mine, of course, but my friend’s. If I’m available, I’m the one who cares for her animals when she’s away. Currently, she’s in West Virginia visiting family for the Holidays. And as I’ve already gone and come home from visiting my family just a hour and a half away, I’m looking after them until Tuesday. I love it. Two horses, two dogs, and two cats.

The fog settled in as I was there in the barn, and when I got home, I noticed how I didn’t have the Christmas tree lights on tonight. Doesn’t feel like they should shine anymore. Maybe it’s always a little sad when Christmas is over. Probably because it happens so quick after such a long build up. It does have me thinking about moving on, though.  Moving on from this season, this place, and moving into The New Day.

I’m calling in that, because for the last almost 4 years, we’ve been ministering to youth by being employed at a local church. It was a little part of our identity. We are no longer employed at that church due to reasons we still have not totally understood. My David decided against the deacons and pastor’s idea of  ”resignation” and instead had the church vote on what should happen. And it happened. We were no longer officially wanted there, which has become, little do they know, a complete release to fulfill our true calling! We are now able to minister to the youth with which we spent 4 years building a relationship without man-made, church decided rules and regulations. We are completely free to do ministry exactly the way God wanted us to.

I have just been keeping in touch with a few of my girls – texting and hanging out a little, mainly keeping up with what’s going on in their lives -  during the transition. But after our move into our new place we’re renting, our plans are to  host events we can invite lots of area youth to. These events will be the launch of A New Thing.

How definitely exciting!

My first freelance writing check!

Of course I took pictures of it.

 

I wasn't going to give you my address.

 

$10/articles isn't bad.

 

 

 

It was a long time coming. The company had a few setbacks in getting the first batch of articles reviewed and payed for, but I think now we’re on a roll. I’ve got to find some time to actually write again, so I’m not sure when I’ll ask for more assignments. 

There’s a busy weekend ahead of me, and here I am blogging from home when I should be at work. I’ve really not felt my best today. As I was getting ready to leave home this morning, I vomited. Slowly, I tried to make myself continue to dress and get out the door, but it just wasn’t happening. Sometimes, your body blatantly screams to you, “I’m tired. Just let me rest.” So I heeded my own advice and stayed home in order to recuperate for a major event we’re having tonight for our youth at our church. After the local football home game, we’re taking them roller skating from 11pm – 1am. Then we’re heading back to the youth building for a lock-in. There’s a movie we’ve rented, and we’ll have lots of snacks. I’m only hoping I can keep up with those kids – especially the ever-talkative, very lively bunch of middle school girls! I love them so much, though, for their tireless energy and excitement – it’s what’s so much fun about growing up, I guess. 

Tomorrow, I’ll have a wonderful lie in with my husband – try to recuperate again for that evening. I’m babysitting the dear miss 11 month old Cheyenne. She’s my good friend’s beautiful baby girl, and she’s growing into her personality, showing us all a little bit of her “wilder” side. I very much enjoy babysitting her. 

I’m obviously not a mother yet, but the feminine instincts in that regard still have a way of creeping into my emotions, I suppose. I started a new book recently. 

 

by Lisa Bevere

The first chapter talks about the story “Are you my Mother?” by P.D. Eastman and it’s possibly firstly comical impressions but then also it’s quite emotional/spiritual implications. Bevere also talks about the birth of her first son in this opening chapter. I don’t know if it’s because reading this book has been highly anticipated by me, and I had to wait a while to order it, or what, but during the description of her son’s birth, streams of tears rolled down my cheeks. (And they even fell hard enough to roll into my ears since I was lying down in bed while I read.) 

Now, this certainly doesn’t mean I’m ready to have a child – still no where near entertaining those thoughts for me and David. (Sorry, Mom.) But I am really interested in finding out with this whole nuture thing is all about. Even without being a mother, I am aware that I need to be a nurturer in my home and a nurturer as a sister to my friends, and that, indeed, I need to be nurtured as well. I will try to update this blog on some of my thoughts on the book possibly. 

Speaking of, I think I’ll give my mind a little break from writing here and try to read some before I rest a bit more. Once David comes home from work, we’ll be getting started on the crazy evening with the youth. Say a prayer for my strength, will you?

Tea and Violins

Tonight is a lovely evening. David brought me tea just now. A hot pot of Earl Grey delivered right to me by the bedside and poured before me. Tea pouring into a cup is one of my favorite sounds. We enjoyed our tea tonight with honey (and sugar) since we’ve no milk at the moment. Here’s a picture for you of my teacup on the bedside table.

I’ve inherited my great grandmothers china (and china cabinet). Albeit     incomplete, I adore having these 4 teacups and 5 plates in my possession. I have an affinity for roses and tiny things. (I wonder where I got that from?)

Tonight, I am in a slightly nostalgic and quite light mood. I feel free is what I mean. I am happy and most myself in this atmosphere: sitting on my bed writing, breeze from the fan blowing, listening to classical music, cats fumbling about on the floor, drinking tea, and near to my life companion, my love.

The night in a warm home is a sweet and glorious thing.