My favorite reading nook...
Where did the past few weeks go? It does seem as if we were at our friend's house for Thanksgiving dinner only a few days ago but here we are... one week from Christmas! One more week to read Christmas books and watch Christmas movies (at least while in season).
I do hope that I don't make people feel sorry for us when I share the realities of our life. I only do so to let you know that one can lose a lot of material goods and important titles and health and have their children grow up (which is the intent all along, anyway... to prepare them to leave the nest) and still live a life surrounded by Beauty and Grace.
It runs counter to the culture in which we live and it does require making a decision of the will but it is possible. One learns to live a life of gratitude for what they do have. I have learned to take no less joy in this little house at the edge of the forest as I did in my dream house. Although it is easier to plan meals and such when one has more disposable income, you learn to cook simply as our grandparents and great grandparents did before us. :)
I have written in the past about the Beauty of Forced Simplicity, I think once you get past the stomping of the feet and being really, really upset at God for allowing bad things to happen to good people... you begin to see the Beauty and look for the ways He provides every need (and once in awhile, a Godly desire!).
To answer a question in Comments, I think Coffee Tea Books & Me is loading a little slow right now due to the Christmas header picture... which is huge (a picture from last year's tree). Other than that, I use Foxfire and have had no problems with it loading. I'll return to another header after Christmas!
19 comments:
So many of us are in this new boat called "What the heck happened?" I think that we're in shock. That's why it's wonderful to be encouraged and to be taught. BTW, your blog loads fine for me. I just tested it and it's loading well under the suggested 7 seconds.
From a frequent reader, infrequent poster~~
Brenda, you don't have to stop reading Christmas books and watching Christmas movies after Christmas Day because we are really in the Advent seadon right now. The Christmas season doesn't begin until the 25th and lasts until Jan. 6. So now you have the rationale to go on reading and watching what you like for awhile longer! :-)
Sorry it's loading slowly because it's a really beautiful header.
Even though we've had hard times during the past years, my husband still does have a job, but I really do know what it is to buy groceries for 4 on $20 a week (this was in the mid 80s) and Christmas on less than $50.
Right now we're hoping that my husband can retire next fall, so we're looking very closely at our budget. We want to be out of debt by then, and we've had huge legal fees recently (we had to cash in part of his retirement), and will have more in the near future.
Frugality posts welcome!
Keep on writing the way you write!! It is an encouragement and testimony to many!!
I have been wondering the same thing about the time. We've been sick around here, so the time has gone by in a sort of fog. I'm just coming out of it and am starting to feel excited for Christmas coming now!
We are doing Christmas different this year too because my husband is out of work. It is a good learning lesson for us and our kids.
First, and off topic, I removed the last post on my blog at my daughter's request but wanted to thank you for your prayers for Sofia who is home again already.
My husband and his family were very poor and rather persecuted in Hungary following WWII, and were poor when they arrived in this country. However they always felt that the cultural world they lived in, a world of faith and belief in the value of education and hard work, lifted them out of the true poverty that comes when these things are missing. And I completely agree. I can't feel sorry for people who have these things which are the most important ones. Especially not for people who have these things and also share them with the world!
Most of us, if we live long enough will go through deep waters of one kind or another, if not many kinds, sometimes all at the same time!! You are so fortunate to have such a nice house in a beautiful setting!! My hubby wants to retire soon...we have no house and no way to get one, at this point in time. IF I were able to get my inheritance (meaning IF my brother would put the property of my parents on the market...which he is refusing to do right now...might be different). But we figure that whatever happens somehow will be for our best, IN THE END anyway. And it is hard to know when in the thick of things, just what the FATHER is arranging in our lives. It is good that you share so much and many hints and ways to do things...think of all you know that perhaps you may not have, unless forced upon your life's path. THANKS for sharing the encouragements on your blog...it gives me ideas for our future and ways to ponder and pray. It seems very likely that a majority of people in our country soon will be in similar situations, if not already. Hopefully we will be able to have blogs for a long time, for the ideas, etc. But no matter what, HE is there to help us always!!
Blessings,
Elizabeth
I've only just discovered your blog and I am loving it so much, especially your book recommendations. God never leads us where His Grace cannot sustain us. Sounds like you are walking a path you wouldn't have chosen for yourself, but there are treasures we only discover when we walk in God's ways rather than follow our materialistic world's values aren't there?! xx
So thankful that you don't try to candycoat life and it's struggles, but instead offer hope in those dark days. There is no greater joy than to know that we have a God who can carry us through everything!
One thing I like about your blog is that your frugal tips are much more practical and realistic than those in magazines. It's probably because you have "been there, done that", that your blog is helpful to so many people.
In our family we are coping with various disabilities and resultant financial strain. Thanks to your blog at least I know that we aren't alone.
Your post provides encouragement and validation. My husband was laid of in 2008 at age 59. It took over a year for him to gain employment, and it meant going outside of his field and taking an 80% cut in pay. We went through all of our savings while he was unemployed and part of retirement. He's now making less than $28,000 a year, and we may end up losing our house, but it's not the end of the world. We've never been big spenders, and have no need of fancy, expensive stuff. We have never been ones to go out a lot for entertainment, no Wii systems, no video games, etc. Despite having to cut back even more these days. we have what's important --- God, family, love, and an appreciation of simple pleasures. Times are tough for a lot of people, but I know God has a plan for us, and for others who find them in a similar situation.
Blessings to you, and Merry Christmas!
Yep, I'm surprised that Christmas is next weekend!
Just wanted to pop in to tell you that I'm enjoying pumpkin bars right now with my coffee. Delish! Thanks for the recipe!
Manuela
P.S. Your blog didn't load slow for me but I'm on Firefox
I love your blog. It's the first one I go to every day! It's not only encouraging, it's also full of wonderful wisdom. Keep up the good work.
Love your blog ! And love that you are real in your sharing of life.
God Bless You
Merry Christmas
The Season is flying by!
I think that learning to live simply is a wonderful thing, even if you can afford "more." Margin is a great thing, and really how much stuff do we need? Good books, good relationships with our family, good friends, a Wonderful Savior. We have all we need!
Your favorite reading nook looks very comfortable! Thanks for sharing.
There's no pity - in perspective you have much (a beautiful home, huge yard, lovely deck). Perhaps you don't have all the comforts of life or an expensive life, but you have the love of family (children and grandchildren), a roof over your head, and more. That's a lot in this world.
We all have our struggles, and so many these days are in the same boat. We live on a tight budget too, with less of a home/yard than you have, an old car, old furnishings, but we are blessed. We don't have family or friends that help us and we visit the food pantry too and are just able to pay our bills. But God is good and we are not in the streets. That is more than a lot of people. It is always good to remember our blessings (instead of what we don't have) as we all have things to be thankful for, even during the difficult times.
That beautiful header is worth a little extra time loading Brenda!! :) We understand your inentions to let us know the beautiful things of life cost nothing and love is all around us if we look. It is nice to know you understand what so many of us have gone through too. In that situation or out of it we are still His children and that never changes. :) Merry CHRISTmas! Sarah
Brenda, I so appreciate your posts that cover the challenges you face. My husband has been unemployed for almost 11 months, and 10 days ago he had emergency major surgery, had complications, and ended up with another surgery yesterday. His doctor says it will take 6 months for him to heal, then another surgery to put everything back together. Your posts bring me hope when times are so difficult. Thank you.
Post a Comment