Lately our goal is, do just one thing every evening, referring to our massive list of things that need to get done this summer around the house and farm. We still haven't finished the insulating of the house and went through another verrrry cold winter. We still haven't fixed the awful water mess in the basement...... like I said, it is a massive list and none of it is fun or easy, but by doing just one thing, or working an hour here or there, it is slowly getting done.
Last night, RM took on the beginnings of drying out the basement. He had to rework the plumbing from the laundry and then the kitchen sink/dishwasher. It only took a couple of hours and one trip to the hardware store, but then the drying out could begin. We've had to start the removal of all storage bins that were down in the swamp and, of course, found out quite a few things were ruined in the process, which is unfortunate, but helps me decide what to keep and what to throw out!
Exodus 23:30 has been my motto during this time. It is a verse referring to how God is going to help Moses and the Israelites conquer Canaan, driving out all the people that stand in their way. The encouragement really begins in verse 29, "I will not drive them out before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the wild beasts multiply against you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and possess the land."
There it is - little by little - that's how we're going to accomplish our house renovations, our mortgage debt, raising our children..... It just doesn't happen in one year, even God says so! I no longer get discouraged when it isn't happening fast as I realize now, it isn't supposed to!
This afternoon, it is the beginning of siding the house. We started last summer and made great progress, but there is a whole other section of the house to do. We are planning on "hiring" our children. I'm so grateful for my sons' new muscles! Both my older boys are getting quite big now and have tremendous strength. My older daughter is going to be the "painter". I'm not sure how much she'll love that, but oh well!
I have hope again. I have hope even though a lot of the things we have on our list were on last year's list and that may happen again this year. Some things might carry over into the next summer. That's ok. I don't want to be ruled by "the list". That steals my joy and robs me from enjoying my summer. Summer goes fast enough without me ruining it all on my own. My hope comes from the fact, we will get done what we can by doing this "little by little" approach. That verse tells me whatever we get done is exactly what we are supposed to get done. I can rest in that and not be stressed.
Meanwhile, I found out I do have some friendly neighbours. One of our neighbours on a nearby street is planning a tea party every Friday for just 45 minutes for whoever wants to come. She invited all the neighbours in the area. I've been busy for the last two Fridays, but plan on going today. I find that such an encouragement to think others long for relationship, too.
Little by little - it's such a great approach to everything in life.
I should add, today is my mother-in-law's birthday. I have two distinct memories of her from over 20 years ago. The first one was when I was not even in a relationship with her son. She had come to visit from Winnipeg, where she and her husband were still living at the time, and was at our church. The first thing I thought was, "Wow, does her son ever look like her!" (referring to my not-yet-husband!). Then I thought, "She is a funky lady! Check out her glasses!" Right away, I could tell she had a really neat sense of style and now that I know her a little bit better, it makes complete sense. She does have great taste in everything, from clothes, to decorating, to gardening, to cooking. She is a really neat lady. She passed this on to her sons, which I am very grateful for!
My other very distinct memory was when I was in the courting stages with RM. I had come home from Colombia for Christmas and we had decided it would be a good idea if I flew out to Winnipeg to meet his parents. He went ahead of me and met me at the Winnipeg airport. My brother thought this must mean things were pretty serious and started to try to tease me and get me all paranoid. His parents were German, so every time I saw my brother he started to speak in a German accent acting like he was interrogating me. It worked. I was starting to picture his parents, his mom in particular, like a very scary woman who was going to be a nightmare to impress.
RM met me at the airport as planned and we went right to the store where his mom was working. I was literally shaking in my boots. We got up the stairs and went towards the place where she was. Then I saw her. She saw me. She almost jumped out from behind the cash register and ran towards me, but not to interrogate me, to hug me! She was grinning from ear to ear and was so excited to meet me! It was like I was a long lost daughter! I couldn't believe it and right then and there, I broke down and started to cry! I told her I had been so afraid to meet her, but instead found out that she was so nice! My bad brother!!!!!! I'll still have to get him back for that. She has been the greatest mother-in-law our whole marriage. She's been so generous to us, kind, forgiving when I mess up as a daughter-in-law.... she's what I hope to be one day, not a scary mother-in-law, but a supportive, loving one. I love her son and how she raised him. I'm so grateful he was born into their family. That week that I was there to meet his family, I observed how he treated his mom. Supposedly, if a guy treats his mom nicely, then he'll treat his wife in the same way. I wasn't sure if that was true, but I watched very closely. He was so good to her and they had a very special relationship. They still do. They talk on the phone several times a week even now and are very close. That really moved me and it made me really start to fall for RM. That was one of the turning points in the relationship for me. I left Winnipeg wanting a ring on my finger. It happened only days later.
Her birthday is also my daughter's half birthday! She is only 6 months away from being 18!!!! How is that possible!!!???? She can't stand it. She knows she isn't a kid anymore! She is so sad about that! I keep trying to tell her it only gets better and it does, but there is a sense of loss, too. She sees her little siblings playing in the sandbox and she realizes she doesn't do that anymore! Ahhhh....growing up, so hard.
So Happy Birthday, Mom! And Happy Half-Birthday Big Girl! Love you both.
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