Hello, dearest readers,
Yes, I am alive.
I know it seems like I have fallen from the face of the universe and I imagine how difficult it must be for you to go for days without hearing from me — those long days without reading something fran-tastic (fantastic + frannie = fran-tastic. 😉 must be as difficult as trying to properly clip your toenails when the clipper’s handle keeps slipping off … you all have experienced that haven’t you? It’s excruciatingly annoying.
. . .
Yes, I am alive.
I’ve just been oh-so stumped at what to write. Our home is beginning to feel more and more like home — so much scope for the diy imagination. Of course there was my melt down over the hot-glue gunned, burlap banners but I think that is a story for a different day.
When I haven’t been busy at home diy-ing, baking, enjoying a (wonderful, five day!) visit with family, or substituting for a music teacher (fun!) I have been babysitting a two year-old named Calvin who loves to play cell phone, dance and try to eat paint.
October was a very good month full of answered prayers, memory making, Gilmore Girl watching, and married bliss. There were also days, d a y s, when I struggled with
f e e l i n g s. Feelings were out of control, out of balance, and out of the will of God; ugly feelings like loneliness, fear, and anxiety. I even found myself looking for hormonal excuses and eventually asked my beloved, “What’s wrong with me!?” The dear, wonderful man answered in his gentle, good way, “I don’t know. Why don’t you try to find out. Look deeply.” Within minutes I had my answer: I had let some unfounded fears nibble away at my peace and security and I was looking for something, anything, to fill that. So today has been spent in looking at the Christ who loves me so much and in repenting at the lack of faith and trust I have in His goodness.
He is so good.
And I am so blessed.
So, without further ado, I am ready to start my November with a bang. Here are my five goals and five favorites for November:
What a good list of goals. Hospitality can just be opening your door to one person, maybe a lonely elderly lady who would love to have coffee with you. I would!
I love Christmas music! But we have a rule in our house that we don't listen to it until it after the first snow 🙂
It is always so good to hear from you, my dear friend!! Thanks for posting. Blessings to you and your November.
Oh Frannie, I've been so absent from commenting, but I'm trying to do my best to keep up!! I know how those emotional spells are, and they're never any fun to go through; but when I'm feeling sad and all gray-blue, and no one can help me feel better, I'm driven so much more urgently to hide in the warmth and understanding of Christ's love. When I'm feeling happy and busy, I'm often not leaning on Him as much as I ought; but when I feel like antique glass that could break at any second, I have to seek shelter in His arms so I don't crack and cut somebody. And He's always there. He always says "Well, there you are. I've been here all the time, you know. I promised never to leave you and I've kept that promise. You know life would be so much easier if you stayed this close to me all the time, don't you?" *Sigh*.
Anyway. 🙂 I'm so glad to hear from you, and I'm glad that overall, you're doing well. I hope you'll have time to post again soon!! I love you, dear friend!
Hugs!
Vicki