Over and Abundantly More Than I Ask...

This week, I was blessed with more things for my lovely home. Things I did not have to purchase,which is oh-so-important when you are living within your means. These gifts from human hands were conduits from above.

When we first moved into our home a month ago, I thought it would be lovely to find an outside table one day. Perhaps I would see one at a garage sale this summer. I was not going to pine for one. I did not know how close a table actually was!

One recent evening after dinner, the kids begged their daddy to open up the tall fence that surrounds the hot tub that came with this home. We had been too busy and it had been too cold to think of it sooner. Imagine their surprise to find this...

It is the perfect table for us.  Thank you, Lord!

My next story comes as a bitter-sweet tale.  I was given this table and chairs for my kitchen, but it comes at the misfortune of another, a person I love deeply.  My only consolation is that the set will be loved and will remind me to pray for my generous benefactor often.  

A little over a month ago, I did not have a table to my name.  Now I have 3 and all were gifts.  Here is a picture of the dining room set, also a gift from a friend. 

I am so thankful that we did not rush ahead and buy some tables.  We actually did visit an antique mall in February looking for furniture for the house.  We even found some great items.  It would have been OK, as we were planning to use cash.  But what a wonderful thing it is to see what the Lord wanted us to have, instead.  What He wanted to provide us with for our home, the home He gave to us. 

In the past, I've been one to rush ahead and not wait on the Lord.  I've borrowed money to get what I wanted right away.  There is a thrill, certainly, but no joy in that.  Soon the bills come and the shine wears off.  I am learning a new way of getting joy, waiting on the Lord!

Trusting

From March2010

We'd already been to several music stores. He bought himself a book with his birthday money and was willing to put all the rest he had into fixing up the old guitar his uncle abandoned long ago. Did I tell you that it was raining and we went to three different stores? I called my husband and explained the situation. The experts agree, the old guitar is not worth fixing up. We could get a new one for $100. He has about $40 saved. Yes, we are in a recovery mode, trying to regroup after the big move and needing to buy Jeep brakes. But I had saved a little on groceries the last two weeks and my heart's desire was to encourage my not so little son to do something musical. And I see a strong desire in him to play, not like the violin or piano. No. Not like those. Those were my desires. So, the guitar was bought. He now is in our debt. He must show us dedication and then we will see about lessons in the fall when money should be available. Until then, I hear lovely sounds coming from my living room.

The Favorite Spot in My Home

From March2010

Windy!

From March2010

Enduring Cheerfully

From Blogger Pictures

About this time every year, I start to go a little stir crazy. My husband works insane hours as a CPA. I am so thankful that he has a good job, that's not my complaint. It is just a long season without him and we all start to really miss him at home. I am not sure how military or other families in similar situations for much longer times survive. I do know that at least our season will end in April. And it does help us not to take for granted the time we do spend together. Right about now, those 8 or 9 camping trips from last year don't seem so excessive! Oh well. Just thought I'd mention this tonight as I am sitting her missing my darling. And if you are missing the one you love, know that you are not alone.

What Kind of Blogger Am I?

This question goes through my mind quite often.  I tend to categorize blogs I visit.  Am I encouraged?  Am I enlightened?  My favorite blogs tend to encourage me to be a better wife, mother, person or even Christian. 

What kind of blogger am I?  I think I am sort of a sponge-blogger.  I take more than I give.  I often think I will just give up blogging all together and become a lurker.  I could lurk to my heart's content.  But then, I'd start to feel guilty about not leaving comments.  Good bloggers deserve my comments, right?  Well, I know I like getting comments, so being a lurker is not something I would want to be, for long.  I'd be back to trying to blog again anyways. 

I am not a writer, as you know.  I am not interesting or knowledgeable enough to think of topics that would draw people who want similar things that I want from a blog.  I've tried that.  The whole blogging world is full of those blogs, thankfully! 

So, I guess I will just keep plodding along for now, taking more than I give.  Oh, now I know one or two of you may feel compelled to say something like," But you're a great blog friend."  Thank you in advance.  Being a blog friend may be my lot in the blogging world.  Friends are needed.  I guess I don't really want to rock the blog world.  That's not my style, but I would like to contribute, maybe even pull my weight. 

Time for Tea?

It is finished!

Just like this frog, I am taking a little break this afternoon.  For more than the last few weeks, I have been consumed with moving.  Today we begin living.  Everything that we need to live is where it belongs.  Sure there are boxes to deal with, pictures to hang.  But for now, I am satisfied.  I am thankful.  I am beyond grateful.