It's May 22

It's May 22 and I only have a bit longer to go. . . with eating.  So I've messed up a few times, but for the most part this has been good.  I have to remind myself that I'm not on a diet.  I think I've lived on a diet for the past 12 years, so this needs to be something different: something intentional.

We wanted to make space for God to work and to speak to us and He has.  It has been so wonderful to have great conversations and make decisions.  We have been in our house for 10 years and it was a good time to think about space and staying vs. moving.  We saw so clearly that this is the house for us.  It is what I wanted, but to lay it before God and have Him tell us that. . .well that gives such peace.

We are expanding though.  Our kids are getting bigger and since we aren't going to be in a home with more bedrooms, we thought we'd add more space in general.  We've had a couple of builders here to look around and give us a quote on a 4 season room.  I'm so very excited I can hardly stand it, although after talking with some very knowledgeable people. . . my enthusiasm has been dampened.  I need to plan zones.  All I wanted to know was about lighting, but I can't know this until I know where the furniture will go in the room and what will be the purpose of it---the zones.

I know I want a fireplace, lots of windows, a place for a round table, and orange.  I'll keep you posted. ;)

As I mentioned before, we are also giving away 10 things a day from our house.  There have been some very hard moments, but when I think about others buying my gray and white sweater for a very reduced rate and the money being spent on orphan care in Africa, well it does change it my perspective.  The bunk beds are gone, but I rejoiced because God orchestrated a moment between Gary and Jose (he is one of our renters) which resulted in Jose getting the bunk beds!  And a dresser!  I wanted to know the bunk beds were going to someone who needed them and they are.  God is just so very wonderful.

I haven't been intentional about giving away exactly 10 things a day, although I have been intentional about going through many areas of my house with the intent of giving away possessions.  The truth is, we have already given away more than 310 items.  There is more days to go in this month and I will be giving away more.  It is rather freeing.  I did have to talk myself out of buying this awesome pair of shoes that were on clearance!  Crap.

Penny is done with pre-school and I will be drinking up the next two weeks with her.  I will miss her terribly when summer begins.  She isn't going anywhere, but four others are staying here every day.  I really enjoy my time with her and will treasure it always.  I am excited for next fall and already have a mental list going of stuff I want to do to better myself and family for the Kingdom.  It includes visiting sweet old ladies, super cleaning my kitchen (this is indeed Kingdom work!) and finishing scrapbooks.  It may include at 5k--right Lisa?

I finished my Bible Study on Paul and had a very difficult time on the last day.  This study has changed my perspective about Paul and I have just fallen in love with him.  I'm so excited to talk with him and attend one of his classes in heaven.  I knew he was going to die on the last day of the study and I knew I would cry.  Paul did die and I did cry.  Right now I'm reading through Proverbs and will begin a study on John beginning in June.

June.  Hard to believe.  I'm looking forward to late nights, bare feet, and eating a variety of fruits.