Packing up!

PACKING UP!

Today is a new day! We are about to embark on one of the greatest adventures in this families life. We have finally opted to buy a home. I absolutely LOVE the way the Lord works. It is something I have prayed for since I first married Dan. Something I knew would be a long way off but I also knew it would happen some day. That day is here!! well, nearly here. We are set to close at the end of the month. Today is the 13th of June! The end of the month is nearly here. Although, we still have 3 weeks to go, the packing has begun.

Packing: This is not a new concept to me, for though we have never owned our own home before, we have moved several times. The kids would tell you we move too often. So, packing should be something I can do with ease. It is just not something I like to do. I must say this for it though, moving is a great way to clean out a bunch of junk. I am not sure why human nature is to save and store. It is not a good thing to do. So, as I start packing I find the stuff that I will naturally keep.... books, pictures, and the day-to-day things that we use on a regular basis. Then there are those things....you know, the ones that you haven't touched in years, have absolutely no use for, but they have a sentimental attachment on your heart. There are those other things that you keep because some day you are going to make something, or use it like you intended, etc. These are often the hardest to let go of, yet, you probably wouldn't miss them if they were suddenly gone. I love to be able to give things away though. Things that you have outgrown, even if it is sad, you can say... I can't wear this anymore. With any luck it is because you out grew it due to weight loss not gain. Then it is pure joy. Ok.... so boxes and paper and tape and marking pen.... and a sigh.

The sad part for this move has been more on the emotional side. As I sit packing up memories of years gone by, looking at old pictures of the kids and how much they have changed and grown and how fast the time has gone by, others have been packing up old friendships they have outgrown. This came as a sad surprise to me.

Friendship: If you are lucky enough in life to find a friend that has seen you through many good times and bad, who knows you well due to years of being with you, I think you should hang on to them forever. I do not think friendship is something that can be outgrown. I agree, that people grow and change and any relationship will have that, but if you are friends, you learn to adapt and love and grow through the changes. I just hate to see friendships tossed aside, left abandoned and cast aside as though they are no longer of any use. If that is the case, was it really a friendship? Maybe a friendship of convenience, something that served a purpose but once that purpose was fulfilled it was no longer of any use to you. That doesn't sound like friendship to me. So, God has been doing a work in my heart. It has come to my attention that perhaps he does allow us to grow close friendships but that at some point it is fully within His will that the two part company. I have several friends that come in and out of my life just when I need them most. They are precious and life long but not the kind that walk with me every day. Then there are those days that I just wish I had a friend to call up and laugh with and vent with and share the burdens of the day with, and it is then that I realize that God did not leave me with that kind of friend. He instead, has given me something more, himself, in the person of His son. It is true that I have a friend. He is with me every single day, all day long. I just too often overlook Him. Mostly because when I start talking out loud with him, people think I have lost my mind. Maybe I have. So, treasure the friends God brings into your life. One day they may choose to walk away. I have no regrets. People are the only thing on this earth that you can invest in for eternity. They matter. They are here to help us become who God wants us to be. So, as I pack up the memories. Some are good, some sad but all of them are here, stored in my heart to teach me and to grow me and to change me. I will accept what I cannot change and change what I can, and that is me.

Happy Summer Days! This summer is going to be busy and fun and hard and exhausting. I should have plenty to blog about and since I will want to procrastinate the inevitable, you may see more blogs in the future days! Stay tuned!!