HAPPY NOVEMBER

It's been a long time coming...

in fact, it has been so long since I have posted,

I feel like a stranger to my own blog.

And yet, it feels good and somewhat familiar to be putting some words together.

This blog is something I had been doing for our family.

There are many reasons why I stopped for a time. I may share some of those reasons at some point but that's not what I would like to share today.

It is the month of gratitude. And I love it.

With all of the social media outlets, people are getting bombarded with information from others. A lot of people post their thoughts and feelings of gratitude during the month of November now. I realize all of that repetition can be overwhelming to people.

But I have felt that I want - and need - to return to blogging, for us.

Now seems like a great time to start it up again.

And keeping daily gratitude is one way to go ALL IN.

Today I would like to express my gratitude for a home. 

You see, we just moved into a home - a home we purchased. We have been renting since we left TX over 3 years ago.

This is our 4th move since we left TX. (Yes, that is a lot of moving!)

We had wanted to buy or build for quite some time but we just couldn't find the right fit for us.

While renting in town we determined it would be good to buy a home in town - which was not our original plan. We have loved the area where we have been living; the people are wonderful, the school is close (which means the kids come home throughout the day, LOVE that!), etc.

So, we broadened our criteria and the day this house came on the market, we made an offer immediately.

We were very blessed to find a home - it is hard to find homes and /or land here - much harder than anywhere else we have lived.

We have been working on the home: changing the flooring, granite counter-tops, painting, tearing out a wall, and other little changes and have been absolutely loving the process. Although not all of the changes are complete, the major work was done enough that we could move in.

I cannot express how wonderful it is to have a home of our own again.

Just after moving the first of our things into the home, I sat in the great room for a few minutes to take it all in. Feelings of gratitude and peace came over me and I began to cry. I didn't realize the emotional need I felt for our own place. I guess I never let myself feel that need, so the emotions that rushed through me really surprised me.

The kids and Jonathan are completely 'at home' as well.

It feels like we can really relax and enjoy our new space.  And to finally open boxes and see some of our pictures, paintings and furniture that have been packed and stored away for over three years - is fun! Those little additions make the house feel like it is ours - and we are home.

We have been so blessed to always have a roof over our heads.

And now we are blessed again to have a place we can really call HOME. I am very thankful.

Comments

[Mary]

Woo-hoo! Yay for a new house and for being back on the blog! Love you guys and can't wait to see you in a little over a month!

[Grandma Honey]

Welcome Back! I've missed you LOTS so what a sweet surprise this was to find a post from you. And yes, I do hope you write about how life has been since your last post.

[Jonathan]

This experience has deepened my appreciation for how the Lord helps me understand that going without can deepen the fulfillment when the blessing is granted.

God is wise.

[Shelley]

Hooray! I'm so happy for you! We are going to wait for our invitation to come visit...

[Karen]

Okay. So I knew you were blogging again, but somehow have missed all of your updates! I'm rarely at my computer anymore these days, so I forget to check back and see how things are going.

But--I am so happy (belatedly) that you have your own home again! What a wonderful blessing that is. We are finally starting to put things up on our walls, and it makes such a difference! I'm so glad that you have a place to call your own.

Looks like I have a bit of catching up here to do. :) Love you!!