Change Of Plans

If we have any hope for some contentment in our lives I think being flexible in "our plans" goes a long way.  Didn't mean to wait 3 weeks to post again..but, well...our plans changed.  This change of plans caused us to change directions several times....not the end goals..just those day to day plans. Just as the journey that we have embarked on to be debt free and voluntarily choose frugal simplicty for our lives here at Rosehaven Cottage included changing some plans and putting some projects on hold for a season...which we hope will be only this next year, we knew we needed to "plan" for emergencies...and to be flexible. 

Hubby has been under the weather since last July...and we were perplexed with the symptoms.  It can be difficult to pinpoint given his underlying health issues. We continued to try to live life..making a few changes to see if we could figure out what was going on...diet, exercise, assess stress (hah!), and he just "worked" around this puzzling illness.  Then..3 weeks ago he kinda hit the wall, and off to the family doc we went.  After several thousand (yikes!) dollars worth of tests...CT scans, blood work, etc. (Thank you, Lord for that medical insurance!)  doc felt we were dealing with a long standing or back to back viral infection.  Given his immune system,  he just couldn't shake it.  This viral infection required mostly....rest.  Drop everything....and just lay low and rest.  Now, remember, my last post was all about diving in to the fall rythym...including starting up Bible studies and Sunday School from the summer hiatus, getting our homestead/cottage ready for winter....and even a little fun...taking Ramblin Rose on a 4 day camping.  All this came to a screeching halt....so he could rest.  Whoa..wait a minute...what about "our plans"...our busy ministry schedule...our winter prep..our trip?  How can we just stay home...and rest. Who would fill in for hubby..preach, teach, sing. How would we do those winter prep projects....the ones that required my hubbys brawn (but my brains..hehe) such as it is?    Uh....Lord, what are you doing?  I don't always understand the Lord's reasoning right at first..kinda slow sometimes.  But this verse I will leave you with was the reminder I needed...to encourage my husband through this time of rest, and for me to rest in the peace that He provided..knowing that  we need to give over "our plans" to His Plan...to be flexible.  His daily planner is way more organized than mine! 

"For I know the plans I have for you'" declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  JEREMIAH 29:11

I LOVE THAT!

Blessings!  Mumsie 

Autumn Beckons

Getting back into the rythym of fall/winter living..planning, preparing and praying. Autumn beckons..but we will pursue a slower pace...and hope in His abundant Grace.  There is still plenty  to do..garden to harvest, getting the new garden area ready and the raised beds in place, chickens made snug for cold weather. Canning and soap making.  One more short trip for some respite in Ramblin Rose. :o)

We are also getting back into the rythym of ministry...and circumstances here of late means a little busier and not so slow of pace ;o)..for a while. Bible studies back into the schedule. Good studies..that should challenge us to grow in our faith, and to a more mature walk with Him. For the spiritual battle..Ephesians 6, that we have our armor in place as we fight this fierce war. I John,  true fellowship thru obedience and trust in His Word. Galatians, a true believer's strong affirmation of liberty based on God's grace. 

How can we possibly make it without this?...I know I can't. It has been a challenge some days to put on a "happy face"...to respond gently or even keep silent when treated unkindly by those who seem  to want to hurt us intentionally.  In our women's study yesterday one of the verses we looked at so powerfully spoke to my heart and it is a awesome reminder to those of us who deal with the struggles and trials that may come our way, whether in ministry or in other endeavors.

"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed".  2 Corinthians 4:8-9  Literally..we are cast down but not conquered. Instead of crippling us..we are strengthened. That's awesome! 

So as some days are slower paced and others not so slow..we can still fall into the rythym of planning, preparing, praying, growing, trusting, maturing. All in His grace.

Blessings, Mumsie

Less is More

Another step forward today..loading up "Rosebud"..the farmgirl pickup and will  head north to "The Front Porch", a favorite antiques haunt to consign some of the excess...I am purposed to downsizing a lot of "stuff" .. hoping to pay down our debt even quicker with the proceeds!  We wouldn't mind a shorter journey..less than a year would be just fine! It feels good..a positive step..as long as I don't stop at any yard sales on the way. JK ;o) This is a lot of the "outside stuff"..cute and vintagey..but there's lot  to be said for "less is more". A small step perhaps..but a positive one! I seem to get too attached to "things"...but that's a whole 'nuther issue..and one I'm letting the Lord work on. :o) But let the reader understand ;o)  I only  want the "less is more" attitude to be about material possession..or bad habits or a crummy attitude 'cause when it comes to Him, more is more is more! Don't ya think?
Blessings, Mumsie

FYI Alert!!  I didn't stop at any yard sales...and I drove past a WHOLE BUNCH OF THEM!!! ;o)

Moving Forward!

What in the world are we doing?? We are moving forward when our minds (the little we have left!) tell us to cut and run. Why?.. the simple  honest truth? This past year (since last September) in ministry has been VERY DIFFICULT.  It has been painful and we have had plenty of discouragement! (I'll spare you the gory details!) This past year in our own personal family structure (our immediate loved ones) has been one that has seen a lot of heartache and tears. (Again, I'll spare you!) Our hearts have a lot of band-aids on them.
Through all this God has been faithful and has abundantly blessed us..allowing us to move forward in  "our plans" to finish this wonderful cottage homestead we call our own. (For more info..check my first few posts from last year) We have always desired to live a more simple..somewhat rustic life...even in the midst of active ministry. It is our hearts desire to serve the Lord no matter what. It is what we are called to...we can't cut and run..He won't let us. That really is a good thing. Sooo we realized we needed to assess our situation, and formulate a plan, so that regardless of our circumstances (financial) we could live this lifestyle and continue to serve the Lord. Thus began  MUCH prayer and discussion of what direction to take. Thus the one year faith-filled frugal journey.  Our cottage/homestead has no mortgage. We have no car pmts. We have poured all our extra cash resources and financial blessings into finishing our abode..and we have made wonderful progress. We chose to put the initial  "building materials" for the original 16x20 cabin on a line of credit of which there is still a balance. That hinders us. There are other things in play, other factors..but the debt bothers us and it is time to clear the slate.  We have purposed to pay off this debt, using whatever resources God has placed in our stewardship by October 2011. We trust Him. He has given us all we need and will continue to do so according to His mercy! We will have plenty to eat, still go out occassionally, and by most standards..live very well.  We will pay off debt, save some, and seek His will for the ministry He has called us to. Any projects that are still on the list for our cottage homestead will wait another year..and that is fine. We will share our progress..in fact this week we paid our debt down with the first big pmt. A few more to go! ;o) We give God all the glory..for it is from His blessings which it all flows!
I hope to share our progress and some of the things we are doing..or using,  to help us be frugal and creative with our one year budget plan.
Till then...Blessings, Mumsie

A new journey

Today we begin a new journey in this life we are called to. Some big  changes and challenges for us. A one year commitment to faith filled frugal living. To shed some financial encumbrances and "worldy trappings". To continue to serve our Lord as he shows us His Way. Will you join us in this journey? Pray for us? Cheer us on?  I'll keep you up to date on how this all takes place and we will have some more details of how we accomplish all this! Till then...Blessings! Mumsie