“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” --- John 16:33
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Oh dear. I aim at writing here once a week, but ....
First, I had to start manually advancing our old washing machine, causing me extra (tiring) trips down into the basement. Finally I discovered the hand wash cycle remains normal. Whew.
Then our 14 year old dishwasher went all I-just-want-to-do-a-sloppy-job-and-back-up-into-the-kitchen-sink-like-I-have-before-and-clog-your-drain. Last few loads, I had to examine every single item(!) and rewash many. Oh, and it grew a wall of mold.
And yes, I tried the hacks.
Finally, I gave-up on all that complication. I super disinfected it and now our dishwasher is the extra kitchen cupboard I always longed for.
And washing dishes by hand? I adore the simplicity.
Then we had a day of high/bad air quality and guess who started coughing and feeling exhausted? Gah. Next day, too, and the next day and -- even when the weather app said, "Air's much better now! Open your windows! Be free! Go outside!
After more bleary-eyed perusing Youtube, I placed the small air-conditioner back in the upstairs window and ran it, even though outside was cold and rainy. That helped. (But those mid-May frost warnings made me cranky, for I couldn't transplant my indoor seedlings. Still haven't.)
Man, for days while draped over the couch with the cats, I was unable to think clearly. Groggily I'd repeat, "I love this life God's given me. I am grateful. And blessed. This, too, shall pass -- and mostly I recalled things like this:
"A great love knows that in every difficulty, every trial, every failure, the presence of the love one suffices... Just to be with Me, just to know I am beside you--does that bring you joy and peace?"
From God Calling
Eventually, while upstairs where always I felt better (hmm), I recalled our heater vents were still open. I sealed them and wow! Almost instantly I stopped coughing and felt awake.
Uh-oh. We began wondering if we have mold in the vents. Tom read about this, watched Youtube, and went all, "The sky is falling! The sky is falling! We'll have to leave while a professional mold expert (no regular vent guy) fixes the problem."
Eegads. I calmed him down. Reminded him I felt 95% better--and--that I'd need at least 3 days before the mold guy came lest he walk around with his gadgets and exclaim, "My, my. All the dust in your house!" シ
Anyway, I think Tom's more serene about it all and we'll start with a duct work crew that's qualified and not likely to race into the street should they come across mold.
Such is Life, right? So many tests which I'm determined to pass with godly reactions and attitudes. But yeah, sometimes it's ever so tempting to stay curled up on the red couch and wish them all away.
(Hint: go doing that and they'll just return later since God won't let us quietly flunk out. So let's all pass those tests, ok?)
--Unknown.
Oh, and when we're not feeling well, it becomes super important to speak truth aloud so to drown out the hopeless voice from satan inside our heads (you know, like the one which says we'll always feel this bad, etc.).
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This was a huge helpful reminder for me lately: Resilient and Strong
This young woman makes simple snacks look awesome!
Wow, one of Cass' most powerful decluttering (and living life well) videos, ever!
Don't know about you, but I found this video fascinating!
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We rewatched these movies recently and again enjoyed them:
Slumberland (perhaps the most creative, colorful film I've ever viewed)
The Young and Prodigious T. S. Spivet (though there's talk of the death of a child in case that's a trigger for you)
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Books I Finished Reading in May:
Nonie: The Autobiography of Lenora Mattingly Weber
Chicken Every Sunday by Rosemary Taylor
Short and Tall Tales by Lilian Jackson Braun
Mystery of the Red Carnations by Mary C. Jane
Mystery on Echo Ridge by Mary C. Jane
Death and Wedding Cake by Nova Walsh
The Moffats by Eleanor Estes
Believe by Julie Mathison (I was so disappointed by the ending, but I understand why others would appreciate it.)
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"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15
2 comments:
Debra, you've been living out John 16:33. Some days a person is almost afraid to get out of bed, for fear of what that day may bring. And why is it that challenges seem to come to us in multiples? You and I both know the answer, but sometimes we just want a lifeline to help pull us through the junk surrounding us. Well, we know our lifeline and his name is Jesus. I love how he brought you solutions, one at a time, just as you needed them. I guess May is the month for mold issues. We had a fellow do a routine check of the crawl space underneath our house, and he said he saw some beginning signs of white mold. We've already called another resource for a second opinion. And now I read that you're concerned about your vents. "In this world you will have trouble..." For sure!! But my heart will keep on singing because my Friend and Savior has overcome the world!" (And that includes mold, hallelujah).
Oh girl! I relate about the household problems. We've had several major things lately, too. May God provide your every need. I appreciate this quote. There is always something to be thankful for. "Repetitive complaining will attract things for you to complain about. Repeated gratitude will attract things for you to be grateful for."
--Unknown.
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