Back to white

A room of generations: my grandma's dresser as sideboard, Brazilian
footstool (wedding present 38 years ago), mid-century lamp, a beloved
Canadian painting, mixed with Indonesian fabrics and African elephants.
In the closet: a basketful of toys for the grandkids' visits.

Wednesday, February 3.15
Today I finished washing floors in the main rooms. The jury is still out whether I'm going to do a job as intensive in the guest room and closet.

Call us crazy, but when we set up the suite, we painted the ceiling, walls, and floors white. It feels bright and fresh. I can also see every speck that needs cleaning. Without little kids, that's easy and quick.

Getting the painted concrete back to new took over 20 hours on hands and knees. (New may have been an ambitious goal: a fine young family took care of it for over a year - well done, you two+one.) But I'm pleased: it's done, after loading old washcloths with Simple Green, dish soap, hot hot hot water, and baking soda (an amazing scrub).

Candlelight: peaceful bedtime

Everything lifted off. Even faint lines from human traffic, doggie claws, and moving furniture back into place disappeared and it looks almost like new. I'm not a perfectionist. Just a close-to-great-ist.

I lit the candelabra last night. I'm celebrating: the furniture is back in place. The white slipcovers are retrieved from storage, the bedding is washed, the blankets fluffed up in the dryer.

We don't know how long we have to stay here but we're taking the time from God's hands. Already, I've had time with sweet friends and partners.

Love my mom!

More things I notice:

• Reading faces and body language is easier when you grow up in an area.

• Dear friends remain dear friends. I especially value time with the women of influence who have shaped my life.

• God's precious gift: my parents always affirm and encourage. It was a special treat to see them face-to-face: they drove to meet me from Canada. Dad reminded me to live outside other peoples' boxes (to follow God's design for me) and Mom told me how much she loves me. Doesn't get much better than that!

• What freedom to hop in the car and go. Driving is like riding a bicycle: the body remembers. I didn't drive for over a year in Indonesia and I've missed it. When I go back, I'll learn to drive on the left. (W owes me 4 small dents on the car from his self-tutorials haha.)

A great view: loving parents across the table

• Medicine is complicated here. Oh the insurance forms to wade through. (I understand nothing but am hopeful that I'm getting things right.)

• It's good that my husband arranges the 101 permission slips and gathers pages for every little procedure. (Hon, I hope things are in order for the Saturday workshop. We are applying for Ami citizenship to alleviate immigration issues; I've traveled to Seattle to attend a free legal seminar.)

  

  Twist two faux stems from Molbaks = a spring arrangement

• The unexpected times that seem like detours (this trip for me) can be accepted as pressures and diversions or blessings. My accountability partners remind me that I can choose to be grateful for this time, arranged by our Heavenly Father. 

• The chance to go to church with people who adore God is awesome! I treasure a visit to Molbaks with a prayer partner and supporter, the check-in with a ministry colleague whom I love, a place to stay that soothes and refreshes my soul, and the chance to hear what God is doing in Seattle.

I'm thankful for it all, surprised though I feel at times to be here. God is good!

Read more:

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 ESV

*When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken,” but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. Psalm 30:6–7 NIV

*This is what the Lord says--Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come--yes, let them foretell what will come.

Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one." Isaiah 44:6-8 NIV

*Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.  Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.

After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep (already died). 1 Corinthians 15:1-6 NIV

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5–7 ESV

Moravian Prayer: Lord of all blessings, we often become content with our lives, thinking we will never be shaken; but when hardship arises we fear losing you. You are never far from us and we need only to reach out with humble spirits, acknowledging your grace and love even in the most difficult times. Amen.