For the next month or so I will be working in our church office two days each week. Since I spent twenty-five years on the church staff, it seems pretty natural to be there, much like a familiar habit. I enjoy the people, but I have so much to do at home.

There are so many of my Dad's books that still need to to find a home, many little treasures my mom isn't ready to let go of which must be stored in my basement and/or attic space, and all the regular every day chores and tasks that I have grown to love. My dear sister gave me a full cardboard carton of books that need to be read and enjoyed, we have soccer games and birthdays coming, and what on earth are Pepaw and I going to wear as costumes for Maya's birthday/Halloween party?

I surely must not have time for "work" again. I have settled into my life at home, and am at last content with my life. Only a deep abiding love and compassion could have moved me from my nest back out into the world away from my home.

We finally had the mammoth garage sale to try to "finalize" my parents' downsizing move. We spent more than we made, but I think my parents were pleased with the results. My dear husband said he felt like their move was finally over, and now maybe we can at last get his Ford truck back into the garage. Life moves on. Blessed be the Lord.

Yesterday a funeral watch, seated along side loved ones, whose grief was complicated by broken relationship, lost dreams of what should have been.
Today the march of ordinary everyday life- of dirty floors, boxes of memories to be sorted and sold at a weekend sale, wishes for healing of a dear friend.
O Great Giver of Life see me through the contrasts, the highs and lows, the gifts received and the hopes lost. Stand beside me as I live this day for You. Amen.

Added to Things I Never Thought I Would Do

Watch the Home Shopping Network with my mom who is watching the Home Shopping Network while she talks to me by cell phone about stuff they are selling. It was actually kind of fun:)

There Is A Fountain

It turns out that the lovely flowing waters on our front sidewalk are on our side of the pipes. I felt that "Oh no" feeling right down to my shoes. I called DH at work to share the bad news and he insisted that I call the folks we have purchased homeowner repair type insurance from and see if we were covered.

Yeah! We are covered. I had just chosen to increase our coverage last month, reluctantly due to our financial pinch. Although expected, the jump in our natural gas bill last month gave me a huge jolt, but now I am so glad I went for the full coverage.

Now I just have to keep praying that out beautiful maple tree (the most likely culprit in causing the pipe problem) will not have to be taken down during the repair.

Question: What do you do when you see water bubbling up underneath the main water connection located in the sidewalk in front of your house?

Answer: You start praying the leak is on the "city's" side.

Today is just a normal Monday. I am enjoying doing laundry, cleaning, and making lists of chores for the week. It seems it has been a while since our lives felt at all "normal."

Dear husband and I are making a list of chores that need to be done at our house. I am making fewer trips to my folks house, and I am trying to feather our nest for a change. We would like to get our yard and flower gardens into better shape, hopefully to enjoy a little more of their beauty before the cold weather hits. We are trying to decide how to store my dad's books and preparing for a garage sale at the end of the month. There is great joy in purging, as I am finding out.

Hurrah for normal!

"O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee;

I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean's depths its flow may richer, fuller be."

Matheson/Peace, The Methodist Hymnal

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"This is the air I breathe, this is the air I breathe,

Your Holy Presence living in me.

And I, I'm desperate for You.

And I, I'm lost without You.

This is my daily bread, this is my daily bread,

Your very Word, spoken to me.

And I, I'm desperate for You.

And I, I'm lost without You."

Michael W. Smith