Dear Natalia,
I came out from getting ready for the gym this morning and found the kitchen floor covered... SOAKED in water. I wish I would have taken a picture of it.
I stood there and looked at you. You had moved the ladder to the fridge and filling up your cup with water from the fridge, then you proceeded to dump it onto the floor. I watched you do it a couple of times before I interrupted you. Part of my goal today is to take a deep breath before anything I might react to and handle it with the spirit instead.
I said, "Talia, what are you doing?"
"I am getting water in my cup mom!"
"What about the water on the floor?"
"Oh....(looks at the floor, then back to me)... I didn't want that water."
Taking a moment to react really allowed me to see the humor in the situation. We got some towels and cleaned it up. I took about 3 towels and we had to ring them out a couple of times. It was covered.
You just want to experiment with life and everything in it. I am grateful for your adventurous soul and I hope you know I never want you to change, even if it means that there are many messes to clean up.
I love you,
Your Mom
Monday, March 25, 2013
Power In A Walk
Dear Handsome,
There is a lot of power in just taking a walk. You and I have had some 'testing' days in the last little while. Yesterday was no exception. We got done with our discussion and I had so much energy, negative mainly. I thought maybe cleaning the kitchen would do it, or hanging up my clothes, or something else to move my body.
It was 11:44pm and I knew I could not go to bed with you yet. I could not lay beside you until I had reset myself and could touch and love you. So I decided to go for a walk. How powerful that is! I walked to the park, I walked around the neighborhood, I walked on the golf course and then back to the park again.
I was able to kneel down a few times when I needed to really concentrate on part of my prayer. I was able to walk fast and then slow depending on what was going through my mind. I was able to whisper and I was able to just talk out loud to the stars and heavens. I went through all my emotions that I needed to get out.
My whole goal is that I could not come back to the house angry or negative. I had to have love in my heart and reset my mind, knowing that I could wake up this morning and kiss you, hug you and love you as much as I possibly could.
There is a lot of power inside of going for a walk, having alone time with God and resetting yourself. I think I might make it as much of a nightly routine as possible. I want to start reviewing my day and then creating the next day in advance with God. Going for a walk is the perfect way for me to get that done.
I hope you know I love you and no matter what we can work through this.
I love you,
Your Lover
There is a lot of power in just taking a walk. You and I have had some 'testing' days in the last little while. Yesterday was no exception. We got done with our discussion and I had so much energy, negative mainly. I thought maybe cleaning the kitchen would do it, or hanging up my clothes, or something else to move my body.
It was 11:44pm and I knew I could not go to bed with you yet. I could not lay beside you until I had reset myself and could touch and love you. So I decided to go for a walk. How powerful that is! I walked to the park, I walked around the neighborhood, I walked on the golf course and then back to the park again.
I was able to kneel down a few times when I needed to really concentrate on part of my prayer. I was able to walk fast and then slow depending on what was going through my mind. I was able to whisper and I was able to just talk out loud to the stars and heavens. I went through all my emotions that I needed to get out.
My whole goal is that I could not come back to the house angry or negative. I had to have love in my heart and reset my mind, knowing that I could wake up this morning and kiss you, hug you and love you as much as I possibly could.
There is a lot of power inside of going for a walk, having alone time with God and resetting yourself. I think I might make it as much of a nightly routine as possible. I want to start reviewing my day and then creating the next day in advance with God. Going for a walk is the perfect way for me to get that done.
I hope you know I love you and no matter what we can work through this.
I love you,
Your Lover
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Crazy Impulses
Dear Kids,
So I get these crazy 'impulses' every once and a while (okay very often) that sometimes I follow through with and other times, I definitely don't!
I was telling the group at family dinner tonight when I had a crazy impulse to attack my Stake Presidents hair when I was playing the organ during ward conference a couple of years ago. The Stake Pres was sitting, NO JOKE, right in front of me about 6 inches from the organ's bench. His hair was very, shall we say, particular hair. All meeting long I had to suppress the urge to just attack his head and fluff his hair into the next decade. I literally had to sit on my hands.
Other crazy impulses include, but not limited to:
So, I am going to make a goal to live by my impulses more... unless of course it includes driving head-on into a car and killing all of us. I promise I won't put you in any danger, but we could have more adventures together, don't you think?
I love you,
Your Mom
So I get these crazy 'impulses' every once and a while (okay very often) that sometimes I follow through with and other times, I definitely don't!
I was telling the group at family dinner tonight when I had a crazy impulse to attack my Stake Presidents hair when I was playing the organ during ward conference a couple of years ago. The Stake Pres was sitting, NO JOKE, right in front of me about 6 inches from the organ's bench. His hair was very, shall we say, particular hair. All meeting long I had to suppress the urge to just attack his head and fluff his hair into the next decade. I literally had to sit on my hands.
Other crazy impulses include, but not limited to:
- Driving into the other lane of traffic, just to see if people will swerve.
- Have a high speed chase with the police, while evil laughing in the car.
- Go and paint a huge mural on the side of a big building.
- Hop in the car and drive and drive and drive just to see where we end up. (I have wanted to do this one for years and never have yet)
- Soak the backyard full of dirt and just roll around in it all day (this WILL be happening this summer, I promise).
- Run down the middle of the street in the rain while singing at the top of my lungs.
So, I am going to make a goal to live by my impulses more... unless of course it includes driving head-on into a car and killing all of us. I promise I won't put you in any danger, but we could have more adventures together, don't you think?
I love you,
Your Mom
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Finding Significance
Dear Kids,
Something you will find out about me, if you don't already know it, is that I have a need to have attention, have success, be well-known, make a difference, feel significant... etc. It has always been a part of my personality and always been a part of who I am.
For years I used to fight this about myself, because I would be teased about my need for it. But it is something that I have come accept as a good thing as long as I use it right.
Well, the last few days I have been having conversations with and/or been party to conversations with women and men talking about their latest adventures, latest achievements and big opportunities that have been presented to them. And I have found myself starting to get jealous of it. There are so many stories I have been listening to that I think, "OH - I want to do that!" or "I could be a part of that" or "I know my skills could be used for that".
I have thought about how to squeeze all these different opportunities into my life, but then I look around me and I have a nursing baby, a boy who is learning like a maniac everyday and a girl who is on the go all the time. And at this point in my life I have to remember, that THIS is my chapter.
There are going to be plenty of opportunities that will always come along. There are going to be many ways I am going to be a leader again, a public speaker, a teacher and a motivator. Those are the things I LOVE and adore to do. But right now, I must be those things for YOU. There are teaching moments here, there are speaking moments here, there are motivating moments constantly HERE.
I can't have a scarcity mentality that if I don't take all these opportunities right now and jump at them, then I won't be missing out... I am just saving them for later. There is no fear of loss in God's eyes, and so I will no allow it in mine.
I KNOW there are so many women who feel the same way as I do. But my time will come again. For right now, I will and choose to find happiness in finding my significance with you instead.
I love you,
Your Mom
Something you will find out about me, if you don't already know it, is that I have a need to have attention, have success, be well-known, make a difference, feel significant... etc. It has always been a part of my personality and always been a part of who I am.
For years I used to fight this about myself, because I would be teased about my need for it. But it is something that I have come accept as a good thing as long as I use it right.
Well, the last few days I have been having conversations with and/or been party to conversations with women and men talking about their latest adventures, latest achievements and big opportunities that have been presented to them. And I have found myself starting to get jealous of it. There are so many stories I have been listening to that I think, "OH - I want to do that!" or "I could be a part of that" or "I know my skills could be used for that".
I have thought about how to squeeze all these different opportunities into my life, but then I look around me and I have a nursing baby, a boy who is learning like a maniac everyday and a girl who is on the go all the time. And at this point in my life I have to remember, that THIS is my chapter.
There are going to be plenty of opportunities that will always come along. There are going to be many ways I am going to be a leader again, a public speaker, a teacher and a motivator. Those are the things I LOVE and adore to do. But right now, I must be those things for YOU. There are teaching moments here, there are speaking moments here, there are motivating moments constantly HERE.
I can't have a scarcity mentality that if I don't take all these opportunities right now and jump at them, then I won't be missing out... I am just saving them for later. There is no fear of loss in God's eyes, and so I will no allow it in mine.
I KNOW there are so many women who feel the same way as I do. But my time will come again. For right now, I will and choose to find happiness in finding my significance with you instead.
I love you,
Your Mom
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Volunteering Your Time
Dear Kids,
We are all moved into our new home. Time for another adventure. I just wanted to write about the 'Mormon Mob'.
Yesterday morning we got up early to get everything ready for moving. At 10am we had volunteers trickle in. It is amazing to see people come and volunteer their time on a Saturday morning, when there are a ton of other things they could be doing. Everyone worked so hard to get us all packed up and ready to go for the first load over here.
Then when we got to our new home (on Silk Tree Circle in Bloomington Hills) there were 6 more volunteers just waiting for us. The church is just amazing.
I remember thinking that on my mission, how amazed I was at the systems of the church that we take for granted so much. There are skills and abilities the church teaches us that we don't even realize we are being taught! Volunteering, working hard, reaching out, helping a neighbor, teaching your kids to do the same... so many things that are easy to take advantage of when it is so prevalent in our culture.
There were quite a few young men who came over to help, and immediately I thought of you boys, Gabe and Elijah, in the future helping other families in our same situation. The gift of volunteering your time on a Saturday morning for a family is immeasurable. We couldn't have done it without them.
Love you,
Your Mom
We are all moved into our new home. Time for another adventure. I just wanted to write about the 'Mormon Mob'.
Yesterday morning we got up early to get everything ready for moving. At 10am we had volunteers trickle in. It is amazing to see people come and volunteer their time on a Saturday morning, when there are a ton of other things they could be doing. Everyone worked so hard to get us all packed up and ready to go for the first load over here.
Then when we got to our new home (on Silk Tree Circle in Bloomington Hills) there were 6 more volunteers just waiting for us. The church is just amazing.
I remember thinking that on my mission, how amazed I was at the systems of the church that we take for granted so much. There are skills and abilities the church teaches us that we don't even realize we are being taught! Volunteering, working hard, reaching out, helping a neighbor, teaching your kids to do the same... so many things that are easy to take advantage of when it is so prevalent in our culture.
There were quite a few young men who came over to help, and immediately I thought of you boys, Gabe and Elijah, in the future helping other families in our same situation. The gift of volunteering your time on a Saturday morning for a family is immeasurable. We couldn't have done it without them.
Love you,
Your Mom
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Box Days
Dear Gabriel,
You know, I hear stories and advice all the time from people, books, magazines... etc. about just making sure to spend time with your kids no matter what. The laundry and dishes can always wait. Other things on your list can just wait... "just put down the 'to-do' list and focus on your kids".
Well, I want to call their bluff a little bit today. There are days when I really can't focus on you as much as I want to. That is just reality. We are getting ready to move and so we have a lot to do this week. Today you kept asking me, "Mom do you want to take a video of me? Mom, do you want to watch me? Mom, will you play monsters with me? Mom, do you want to..." Over and over again you kept asking me to do something with you constantly.
I found myself just getting irritated about it today. I was feeling overwhelmed and just didn't want to worry about doing anything else except pack and get ready. It was one of those days when I had to repeat to myself again and again and again, "Andrea, you are a mom first... you are a mom first.... you are a mom first."
But then I realized (with help from a friend) that sometimes there are just 'box' days, like today when I had to focus on the boxes everywhere and I couldn't focus on you. The 'box' days come and go, but when they are here I don't need to feel guilty about getting things done that are needed. There are 'time' days when I can spend a bunch of time with you, and then there are 'box' days, when what I really need to do is pack and put stuff in boxes to move.
So at one point when you asked me again to do something with you I put down the box and said, "Gabe, let me talk with you a little bit." So I sat down with you and told you why I kept saying 'no' when you asked me to do something. I explained that it wasn't because I didn't want to, but I had to get some things done. Then when they were finished we could spend a lot of time together.
Once I took that magical 2 minutes with you to look in your eyes and let you know I wasn't ignoring you, but I still couldn't spend time with you like you wanted, you replied, "It's okay mom." You touched my cheek and then went on your way. You were a little bit sad and had a little bit of a rough emotional day, but we were able to work through it once I took that time with you.
I think that is the 'magic' of taking time for your kids. It isn't that I have to spend hours with you on end constantly, it is that you need to know that your feelings are heard and respected. Then once that happens, even if it is a 'box' day and not a 'time' day you will know I love you still, no matter what.
Let this be a lesson to me and anyone else who needs it on the 'box' days.
I love you,
Your Mom
You know, I hear stories and advice all the time from people, books, magazines... etc. about just making sure to spend time with your kids no matter what. The laundry and dishes can always wait. Other things on your list can just wait... "just put down the 'to-do' list and focus on your kids".
Well, I want to call their bluff a little bit today. There are days when I really can't focus on you as much as I want to. That is just reality. We are getting ready to move and so we have a lot to do this week. Today you kept asking me, "Mom do you want to take a video of me? Mom, do you want to watch me? Mom, will you play monsters with me? Mom, do you want to..." Over and over again you kept asking me to do something with you constantly.
I found myself just getting irritated about it today. I was feeling overwhelmed and just didn't want to worry about doing anything else except pack and get ready. It was one of those days when I had to repeat to myself again and again and again, "Andrea, you are a mom first... you are a mom first.... you are a mom first."
So at one point when you asked me again to do something with you I put down the box and said, "Gabe, let me talk with you a little bit." So I sat down with you and told you why I kept saying 'no' when you asked me to do something. I explained that it wasn't because I didn't want to, but I had to get some things done. Then when they were finished we could spend a lot of time together.
Once I took that magical 2 minutes with you to look in your eyes and let you know I wasn't ignoring you, but I still couldn't spend time with you like you wanted, you replied, "It's okay mom." You touched my cheek and then went on your way. You were a little bit sad and had a little bit of a rough emotional day, but we were able to work through it once I took that time with you.
I think that is the 'magic' of taking time for your kids. It isn't that I have to spend hours with you on end constantly, it is that you need to know that your feelings are heard and respected. Then once that happens, even if it is a 'box' day and not a 'time' day you will know I love you still, no matter what.
Let this be a lesson to me and anyone else who needs it on the 'box' days.
I love you,
Your Mom
A Day Of Mom Life
Dear World,
For anyone wondering about a day in the life of a mother with 3 kids under 4, here is a snap shot (from personal experience):
Wake up at 6:14am to screaming down the hallway saying, "Give it back!"
Feel the bouncing of the bed to little bodies saying, "I want to cuddle"
Getting the kids off the bed so dad (who has an upset stomach) can rest
Starting 'Signing Time' while handing kids a piece of toast
Go back to bed to nurse the baby
Pick up my bible to read while I nurse the baby
After 'Signing Time' help the kids get ready to go to the gym
Get myself ready for the gym
Get in the car, go to the gym and have peaceful work out time and meditation in sauna
Get kids from gym daycare
Drive back home
Open the door with a screaming baby ready to eat
Hurry and hop in the shower while husband holds the baby so I don't have to nurse while sweaty (good husband :-))
Make a fast shake for kids
Drink my shake while nursing the baby
Daughter running to me saying, "I need help to sit on the potty! I have to poop!"
Unlatch the baby while nursing to help daughter (experience has shown if I wait to help her we have a big mess to clean up)
Help her with a screaming baby in the background
Try to latch baby back on when finished helping daughter
Son jumps next to me to read a book while I finish nursing, we read 3 books
Get done nursing, while burping the baby he spits up everywhere
Change the baby
Son wants me to take a video of him on the camera, I take a video for 2 minutes
Daughter wants me to play a game with her
I tell kids it is time to go outside and play for 10 minutes
Finish the dishes and sweeping the floor while kids are outside
Daughter comes in screaming, son tells me they hit each other
Sit down and talk with them about hitting, daughter immediately hits son
Consequence follow through
Son takes a toy from daughter, consequence follow through and talk with son
Baby doesn't want to be on the floor, put baby in sling
Try to finish packing a room upstairs (moving this weekend) while kids are playing 'monsters' in the background
Son asks to play on the computer, I tell him no
He gets really mad at me, acts inappropriately and jumps up and down
Consequence follow through and talking about it
Outside time again for 10 minutes and I try to do more packing
Baby is hungry, time for nursing
Kids are hungry, time for lunch
Kids help make PB&J sandwiches, me teaching them how to use a knife
Kids help pour drinks, me teaching them how (son getting much better!)
Get out the veggies, tell kids they can have a couple chips after veggies
Finish our lunch, clean up the table together
Put dishes away together, daughter loves to put away silverware, son love to put away plates and cups
Time to read before naps and we read for 30 minutes
Daughter to a nap
Son goes to a friends house instead of quiet time today
Time to nurse the baby
Get on a phone call with a friend
Check email
Check facebook
Want to take a nap - but then daughter wakes up
Get daughter up
She helps me to pack a room upstairs, clean and vacuum
Baby in the sling, needs more mom time and doesn't want the rocker
Go to pick up son
Husband comes out of office - sold a couple greenhouses! yay!
Kids want to play with husband
I need to think about dinner, but we just sold our stove and microwave before the move
We decide to go out instead
Time to nurse the baby
Go out to eat
Kids bouncing everywhere, they are excited about being out for dinner
Get back in car and sing 'Wheels on the bus' on the way home
Put on a 'Leapfrog' for the kids
Do more packing
Son wants to watch another Leapfrog, I say no, he acts inappropriately
Consequence follow through and talking about it
Both of us get kids ready for bed, pj's, brush teeth, wash hands
Sing songs before bed
Say family prayer
Do 'piggy back' rides to bed, hugs, kisses and talking moments
Come out, look at big pile of laundry and decide to eat a bowl of ice cream instead
:-)
That is a day in the life of a mom!
For anyone wondering about a day in the life of a mother with 3 kids under 4, here is a snap shot (from personal experience):
Wake up at 6:14am to screaming down the hallway saying, "Give it back!"
Feel the bouncing of the bed to little bodies saying, "I want to cuddle"
Getting the kids off the bed so dad (who has an upset stomach) can rest
Starting 'Signing Time' while handing kids a piece of toast
Go back to bed to nurse the baby
Pick up my bible to read while I nurse the baby
After 'Signing Time' help the kids get ready to go to the gym
Get myself ready for the gym
Get in the car, go to the gym and have peaceful work out time and meditation in sauna
Get kids from gym daycare
Drive back home
Open the door with a screaming baby ready to eat
Hurry and hop in the shower while husband holds the baby so I don't have to nurse while sweaty (good husband :-))
Make a fast shake for kids
Drink my shake while nursing the baby
Daughter running to me saying, "I need help to sit on the potty! I have to poop!"
Unlatch the baby while nursing to help daughter (experience has shown if I wait to help her we have a big mess to clean up)
Help her with a screaming baby in the background
Try to latch baby back on when finished helping daughter
Son jumps next to me to read a book while I finish nursing, we read 3 books
Get done nursing, while burping the baby he spits up everywhere
Change the baby
Son wants me to take a video of him on the camera, I take a video for 2 minutes
Daughter wants me to play a game with her
I tell kids it is time to go outside and play for 10 minutes
Finish the dishes and sweeping the floor while kids are outside
Daughter comes in screaming, son tells me they hit each other
Sit down and talk with them about hitting, daughter immediately hits son
Consequence follow through
Son takes a toy from daughter, consequence follow through and talk with son
Baby doesn't want to be on the floor, put baby in sling
Try to finish packing a room upstairs (moving this weekend) while kids are playing 'monsters' in the background
Son asks to play on the computer, I tell him no
He gets really mad at me, acts inappropriately and jumps up and down
Consequence follow through and talking about it
Outside time again for 10 minutes and I try to do more packing
Baby is hungry, time for nursing
Kids are hungry, time for lunch
Kids help make PB&J sandwiches, me teaching them how to use a knife
Kids help pour drinks, me teaching them how (son getting much better!)
Get out the veggies, tell kids they can have a couple chips after veggies
Finish our lunch, clean up the table together
Put dishes away together, daughter loves to put away silverware, son love to put away plates and cups
Time to read before naps and we read for 30 minutes
Daughter to a nap
Son goes to a friends house instead of quiet time today
Time to nurse the baby
Get on a phone call with a friend
Check email
Check facebook
Want to take a nap - but then daughter wakes up
Get daughter up
She helps me to pack a room upstairs, clean and vacuum
Baby in the sling, needs more mom time and doesn't want the rocker
Go to pick up son
Husband comes out of office - sold a couple greenhouses! yay!
Kids want to play with husband
I need to think about dinner, but we just sold our stove and microwave before the move
We decide to go out instead
Time to nurse the baby
Go out to eat
Kids bouncing everywhere, they are excited about being out for dinner
Get back in car and sing 'Wheels on the bus' on the way home
Put on a 'Leapfrog' for the kids
Do more packing
Son wants to watch another Leapfrog, I say no, he acts inappropriately
Consequence follow through and talking about it
Both of us get kids ready for bed, pj's, brush teeth, wash hands
Sing songs before bed
Say family prayer
Do 'piggy back' rides to bed, hugs, kisses and talking moments
Come out, look at big pile of laundry and decide to eat a bowl of ice cream instead
:-)
That is a day in the life of a mom!
Mommy, I Want To Talk
Dear Natalia,
Today while I was nursing Elijah, you got the computer chair, moved it (with the little body of yours) and situated it right in front of me on the couch. Then you bounced up onto the chair, sat down quite resolutely and said, "Mom, I want to talk."
Then you just went on talking. You talked about mom, dad, baby, Gabe, friends, books, teachers, the wall, your chair, the colors of your shirt... you just kept going and going. I just sat there looking at you and thought, "You are 2 going on 20". It was adorable to see your mind moving so fast like that.
Girls just want to talk. While I was listening to you I thought, "Isn't this what we all want and need? We just need to process and talk through things. Most of the time we can figure things out, we have all the answers inside of us, we just need a good listening ear so we can throw it up out of our brains."
Then when you were done, you hopped off, moved the chair back and came back to me. You looked at me and said, "Mom, I love you. Thanks for talking to me." And then you bounded off and did something else.
I hope you know that I always want to talk! Even when I don't do any talking, and you do all the talking, I want to always be a resource for you as you grow.
I love you so much,
Your Mom
Today while I was nursing Elijah, you got the computer chair, moved it (with the little body of yours) and situated it right in front of me on the couch. Then you bounced up onto the chair, sat down quite resolutely and said, "Mom, I want to talk."
Then you just went on talking. You talked about mom, dad, baby, Gabe, friends, books, teachers, the wall, your chair, the colors of your shirt... you just kept going and going. I just sat there looking at you and thought, "You are 2 going on 20". It was adorable to see your mind moving so fast like that.
Girls just want to talk. While I was listening to you I thought, "Isn't this what we all want and need? We just need to process and talk through things. Most of the time we can figure things out, we have all the answers inside of us, we just need a good listening ear so we can throw it up out of our brains."
Then when you were done, you hopped off, moved the chair back and came back to me. You looked at me and said, "Mom, I love you. Thanks for talking to me." And then you bounded off and did something else.
I hope you know that I always want to talk! Even when I don't do any talking, and you do all the talking, I want to always be a resource for you as you grow.
I love you so much,
Your Mom
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Even At The Last Minute
Dear Kids,
We found a home! Yahoo!
The Lord is so merciful to us. We went to look at a home that would be perfect for our price range, neighborhood and yard. When we met the owner there he told us to look around. They had just finished painting it and were saying good-bye to the painters.
After looking through it we both felt good about it. So we went to talk with the owners about it. He was very kind and upfront with us about all the information about the house. He told us that there were about 10 other people who had come to look at it, but he said, "I am the kind of guy who waits for the 'Ah-ha!' feeling with any business that I do. We have been waiting for that to happen...." Then he paused for a couple of seconds and he said, "You can have it if you want it. It's yours".
It was so shocking! We said, "We can send you all our information, you can call our references..." He just shook his head and said, "No, I got the 'Ah-ha' that I needed with you. You can move in any time."
So we told him we would come by his office the next day and drop off the deposit money. We just walked away going, "Did that really happen?". It was SUCH a huge blessing, especially because that is what we have been waiting for! We have been waiting for that kind of thing to happen, especially because we just weren't feeling good about anything we were looking at (except the house I told you about a couple day's ago).
BUT, the lesson we learned from this is... the Lord is in charge. We knew we were going to have to find someone who would be willing to work with us. We knew we wanted to have a private owned home, without working with a property management company. We knew we wanted a yard and a very nice neighborhood for the kids. We knew we needed a place where the rent was very low and would allow us to keep saving for our own home.
This seemed like it was a lot to ask for a little while, because none of these requirements were coming together. But then all of a sudden... BAM - it worked! That is how the Lord works. We needed to find a home by the end of the week. We have no idea how that was going to happen, and He opened the door for it to work.
It is amazing how the Lord works with our lives. I keep learning this lesson over and over and over again, that the Lord is very aware of what we need and even when it seems like it is the last minute, he always answers our prayers and our needs. It is a lesson I am sure we are going to keep learning as the years go by. So when you get stuck in tight situations, remember that the Lord really does have you in mind. He knows before you ask. He just wants you to ask and look up to Him so He can give you His blessings.
I love you,
Your Mom
We found a home! Yahoo!
The Lord is so merciful to us. We went to look at a home that would be perfect for our price range, neighborhood and yard. When we met the owner there he told us to look around. They had just finished painting it and were saying good-bye to the painters.
After looking through it we both felt good about it. So we went to talk with the owners about it. He was very kind and upfront with us about all the information about the house. He told us that there were about 10 other people who had come to look at it, but he said, "I am the kind of guy who waits for the 'Ah-ha!' feeling with any business that I do. We have been waiting for that to happen...." Then he paused for a couple of seconds and he said, "You can have it if you want it. It's yours".
It was so shocking! We said, "We can send you all our information, you can call our references..." He just shook his head and said, "No, I got the 'Ah-ha' that I needed with you. You can move in any time."
So we told him we would come by his office the next day and drop off the deposit money. We just walked away going, "Did that really happen?". It was SUCH a huge blessing, especially because that is what we have been waiting for! We have been waiting for that kind of thing to happen, especially because we just weren't feeling good about anything we were looking at (except the house I told you about a couple day's ago).
BUT, the lesson we learned from this is... the Lord is in charge. We knew we were going to have to find someone who would be willing to work with us. We knew we wanted to have a private owned home, without working with a property management company. We knew we wanted a yard and a very nice neighborhood for the kids. We knew we needed a place where the rent was very low and would allow us to keep saving for our own home.
This seemed like it was a lot to ask for a little while, because none of these requirements were coming together. But then all of a sudden... BAM - it worked! That is how the Lord works. We needed to find a home by the end of the week. We have no idea how that was going to happen, and He opened the door for it to work.
It is amazing how the Lord works with our lives. I keep learning this lesson over and over and over again, that the Lord is very aware of what we need and even when it seems like it is the last minute, he always answers our prayers and our needs. It is a lesson I am sure we are going to keep learning as the years go by. So when you get stuck in tight situations, remember that the Lord really does have you in mind. He knows before you ask. He just wants you to ask and look up to Him so He can give you His blessings.
I love you,
Your Mom
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Some Lessons Learned In Housing
Dear Handsome,
We are getting ready to move. We have had many experiences during this moving adventure, that I must make sure and write some of them down so we have them for our memories in the future.
The first one that I want to make sure and not forget is the lesson we learned about moving by the spirit quickly. We came across a house in Bloomington Hills on Vermillion Street. It was privately owned. It wasn't the most comfortable house... but as soon as we walked into it I felt the spirit. I knew that the spirit was telling me that this was a house we should pursue. But then getting out to the car and talking to you about it, there were several things about the house that you didn't particularly like. So I started double thinking again about it.
Well, it kept coming back to me, over and over and over again about that house. I kept seeing it in my mind and I even started thinking about decorating it. A couple days later you told me, "I felt really good about that house on Vermillion. The spirit confirmed it."
BUT... we didn't act on that prompting. The reason why is because we didn't quite have enough money for a down payment and for the first month's rent. Because of that we just kind of waited. We didn't do anything. We just waited. Then about a week and a half later I drove by the house and it had been rented out.
Well, immediately I felt the spirit tell me that we disobeyed the prompting that we received. It was a very stark feeling, especially because I hadn't felt it for a while. I felt a feeling of light withdrawing. I knew we had sinned. You were out of town at the time, so I talked to you about it later that night. You felt the same way. We disobeyed the spirit and we both knew it.
That was an interesting experience because it really helped us to learn more about 'acting instead of being acted upon'. We have been learning that lesson a lot in the last year. Both of us have been waiting to be 'acted upon' too often... more than just acting and being lead by the spirit.
This was again one of those times when we were waiting to be acted upon, instead of following the prompting, acting on it and seeing what doors the Lord would open to us because of acting by the spirit.
Another thing we have learned is to not close our minds to how the Lord will open possibilities for us to have our own house. And a house that we want. We have been talking to one of our friends, Margo, about her being an investor buyer for a house that we would live in and possibly do a lease option on. We don't know if it is going to work out for sure... BUT something we have both felt from the spirit in the last week is to remember that we don't and shouldn't be renters for very much longer. The Lord will open up the way for us to have our own home as long as we are being proactive about it - again ACTING instead of waiting to be acted upon.
That is going to be a continual lesson for us I think.
No matter what, I am grateful to be learning all these lessons with you and strengthening our relationship because of it. There are so many reasons why we could be in the box towards each other right now with the various housing, business and financial stresses that we have been feeling for a while. But the Lord has lightened our burdens, just like the Nephites in the Book of Mormon. He lightened their burdens so they couldn't feel them upon their backs anymore. I think the Lord is doing the same thing for us as we are staying close to Him and relying on Him. The days I rely on Him, my burdens are much lighter and I am happy and joyful to be alive.
Well, I love you. I hope you always know that.
Me
We are getting ready to move. We have had many experiences during this moving adventure, that I must make sure and write some of them down so we have them for our memories in the future.
The first one that I want to make sure and not forget is the lesson we learned about moving by the spirit quickly. We came across a house in Bloomington Hills on Vermillion Street. It was privately owned. It wasn't the most comfortable house... but as soon as we walked into it I felt the spirit. I knew that the spirit was telling me that this was a house we should pursue. But then getting out to the car and talking to you about it, there were several things about the house that you didn't particularly like. So I started double thinking again about it.
Well, it kept coming back to me, over and over and over again about that house. I kept seeing it in my mind and I even started thinking about decorating it. A couple days later you told me, "I felt really good about that house on Vermillion. The spirit confirmed it."
BUT... we didn't act on that prompting. The reason why is because we didn't quite have enough money for a down payment and for the first month's rent. Because of that we just kind of waited. We didn't do anything. We just waited. Then about a week and a half later I drove by the house and it had been rented out.
Well, immediately I felt the spirit tell me that we disobeyed the prompting that we received. It was a very stark feeling, especially because I hadn't felt it for a while. I felt a feeling of light withdrawing. I knew we had sinned. You were out of town at the time, so I talked to you about it later that night. You felt the same way. We disobeyed the spirit and we both knew it.
That was an interesting experience because it really helped us to learn more about 'acting instead of being acted upon'. We have been learning that lesson a lot in the last year. Both of us have been waiting to be 'acted upon' too often... more than just acting and being lead by the spirit.
This was again one of those times when we were waiting to be acted upon, instead of following the prompting, acting on it and seeing what doors the Lord would open to us because of acting by the spirit.
Another thing we have learned is to not close our minds to how the Lord will open possibilities for us to have our own house. And a house that we want. We have been talking to one of our friends, Margo, about her being an investor buyer for a house that we would live in and possibly do a lease option on. We don't know if it is going to work out for sure... BUT something we have both felt from the spirit in the last week is to remember that we don't and shouldn't be renters for very much longer. The Lord will open up the way for us to have our own home as long as we are being proactive about it - again ACTING instead of waiting to be acted upon.
That is going to be a continual lesson for us I think.
No matter what, I am grateful to be learning all these lessons with you and strengthening our relationship because of it. There are so many reasons why we could be in the box towards each other right now with the various housing, business and financial stresses that we have been feeling for a while. But the Lord has lightened our burdens, just like the Nephites in the Book of Mormon. He lightened their burdens so they couldn't feel them upon their backs anymore. I think the Lord is doing the same thing for us as we are staying close to Him and relying on Him. The days I rely on Him, my burdens are much lighter and I am happy and joyful to be alive.
Well, I love you. I hope you always know that.
Me
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