It is a beautiful December afternoon and as I sit here pondering the many twists and turns our lives have taken in the year of 2017, I feel incredibly humbled...
The Lord has been so gracious to us in keeping us from harm in the face of danger and providing for our family every step of the way...
Truly, my cup overflows with joy and my heart is filled with thanksgiving...
This Christmas was somewhat different to those of previous years with our dad being in China till the end of January.
Praise the Lord for technology...we were able to video chat with him whilst opening gifts and again after Christmas dinner.
I was delighted to have a much simpler meal to prepare this year as we chose to have a quiet day by ourselves...
On Christmas morning I decided to ask my mom about moving into the little outside flat. This room was first our schoolroom and more recently, our sewing room. However, having my bedroom inside and my sewing room outside wasn't working too well... My mom readily agreed, thinking it would be lovely for Nancy as well as she would have her own room and a place to work too. We also moved the piano into her room so that she can practice without disturbance...{{winks}}
Thus, Christmas day was spent moving my things into the flat and organising myself which was wonderful as it took my mind off the fact that Dad wasn't here to celebrate with us. I love my new little ''house'' and it appears to be working out very well for everyone - Caleb loves to come over for some special sister time and I am already planning some fun things to do with my sisters over the next few weeks... Sometime I will do a little house tour for you...I am hoping to decorate a bit first...
I intend to grow my sewing business in 2018, so having a workspace all to myself will be fantastic! {{smiles}}
This week I allowed my mind to drift back over the things I used to love so much...
There are so many aspects of country life that I greatly miss...
The space and freedom of living on a farm...my big vegetable garden and literally having free rein to do whatsoever I wished with it, provided I did in fact grow vegetables for my family! {{Smiles}}
Tea parties under the trees...hours spent in the kitchen preserving fresh produce... Taking photographs of the beauty surrounding me...very little to no distractions...
Old fashioned simplicity...
I miss those things...I realise that in an attempt to block out the pain of losing our simple way of life, I became distracted with various social activities...outings...anything to keep my focus off the things I used to love and hold so dear to my heart.
I lost sight of who I was and what was most important to me...
My family...
My home...
And serving my Jesus in the small things...
The girl who used to delight in the simple things got caught up in the hustle and bustle of town life...
I have allowed my tears to bottle up for months upon months, but now they are beginning to well over...slowly but surely I am allowing the memories to come flooding back, allowing the Lord to minister to my hurting heart.
This week I have been reminded of the importance of my role as a daughter at home...the blessing that comes with submitting to the Lord in His plan for my life and seeking to serve Him each day in the small things.
Washing dishes...folding washing...reading a story to the toddler...
Lately I have been resentful of these precious things, thinking there were much more exciting, gratifying things for me to be doing with my time.
I believe that there is a time and a place for enjoyment outside the home...but this should not take the place of my family and the pivotal role the Lord has given me to play in the lives of my sisters.
Surely they are the most important people in my world?
Dear friends...I am learning a great many things at present. The Lord is working in His quite way in my heart. It has been painful indeed to have to reflect on certain things I have allowed to take precedence if my life, even if they are good.
I have come to the conclusion that I am still a country girl at heart and even though it broke my heart to leave the farm, I realise that this is a season of new beginnings and that the Lord has a special plan for us as a family. I know I can trust Him to reveal this plan to us in His perfect time.
I also have come to realise that I need to be more intentional in delighting in the simple things in life...it is still possible to enjoy a quiet life whilst dwelling in the city!
And hopefully with this change of focus, I will have more inspiration for writing about the things I love once again!
"O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways..."
~ Psalm 139:1-3
Dear friends, thank you for being such faithful readers throughout this year...each of you have been a precious blessing to me and I cannot thank you enough for your prayers, love and support...
I pray that this next year will be a truly blessed one for each of you and that we will all continue to grow closer in our relationship with the Lord and trust Him wherever He leads us.
You are all very close to my heart and I praise the Lord for His grace in allowing me the incredible privilege of sharing this journey with you...
With love and blessings in Christ,
Kelly-Anne
"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
The Lord has been so gracious to us in keeping us from harm in the face of danger and providing for our family every step of the way...
Truly, my cup overflows with joy and my heart is filled with thanksgiving...
This Christmas was somewhat different to those of previous years with our dad being in China till the end of January.
Praise the Lord for technology...we were able to video chat with him whilst opening gifts and again after Christmas dinner.
I was delighted to have a much simpler meal to prepare this year as we chose to have a quiet day by ourselves...
On Christmas morning I decided to ask my mom about moving into the little outside flat. This room was first our schoolroom and more recently, our sewing room. However, having my bedroom inside and my sewing room outside wasn't working too well... My mom readily agreed, thinking it would be lovely for Nancy as well as she would have her own room and a place to work too. We also moved the piano into her room so that she can practice without disturbance...{{winks}}
Thus, Christmas day was spent moving my things into the flat and organising myself which was wonderful as it took my mind off the fact that Dad wasn't here to celebrate with us. I love my new little ''house'' and it appears to be working out very well for everyone - Caleb loves to come over for some special sister time and I am already planning some fun things to do with my sisters over the next few weeks... Sometime I will do a little house tour for you...I am hoping to decorate a bit first...
I intend to grow my sewing business in 2018, so having a workspace all to myself will be fantastic! {{smiles}}
This week I allowed my mind to drift back over the things I used to love so much...
There are so many aspects of country life that I greatly miss...
The space and freedom of living on a farm...my big vegetable garden and literally having free rein to do whatsoever I wished with it, provided I did in fact grow vegetables for my family! {{Smiles}}
Tea parties under the trees...hours spent in the kitchen preserving fresh produce... Taking photographs of the beauty surrounding me...very little to no distractions...
Old fashioned simplicity...
I miss those things...I realise that in an attempt to block out the pain of losing our simple way of life, I became distracted with various social activities...outings...anything to keep my focus off the things I used to love and hold so dear to my heart.
I lost sight of who I was and what was most important to me...
My family...
My home...
And serving my Jesus in the small things...
The girl who used to delight in the simple things got caught up in the hustle and bustle of town life...
I have allowed my tears to bottle up for months upon months, but now they are beginning to well over...slowly but surely I am allowing the memories to come flooding back, allowing the Lord to minister to my hurting heart.
This week I have been reminded of the importance of my role as a daughter at home...the blessing that comes with submitting to the Lord in His plan for my life and seeking to serve Him each day in the small things.
Washing dishes...folding washing...reading a story to the toddler...
Lately I have been resentful of these precious things, thinking there were much more exciting, gratifying things for me to be doing with my time.
I believe that there is a time and a place for enjoyment outside the home...but this should not take the place of my family and the pivotal role the Lord has given me to play in the lives of my sisters.
Surely they are the most important people in my world?
Dear friends...I am learning a great many things at present. The Lord is working in His quite way in my heart. It has been painful indeed to have to reflect on certain things I have allowed to take precedence if my life, even if they are good.
I have come to the conclusion that I am still a country girl at heart and even though it broke my heart to leave the farm, I realise that this is a season of new beginnings and that the Lord has a special plan for us as a family. I know I can trust Him to reveal this plan to us in His perfect time.
I also have come to realise that I need to be more intentional in delighting in the simple things in life...it is still possible to enjoy a quiet life whilst dwelling in the city!
And hopefully with this change of focus, I will have more inspiration for writing about the things I love once again!
"O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways..."
~ Psalm 139:1-3
Dear friends, thank you for being such faithful readers throughout this year...each of you have been a precious blessing to me and I cannot thank you enough for your prayers, love and support...
I pray that this next year will be a truly blessed one for each of you and that we will all continue to grow closer in our relationship with the Lord and trust Him wherever He leads us.
You are all very close to my heart and I praise the Lord for His grace in allowing me the incredible privilege of sharing this journey with you...
With love and blessings in Christ,
Kelly-Anne
"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
Oh Kelly-Anne, how wonderful it is to read this open and heart-felt post from you. As I was reading I just wanted to reach through the screen and give you a big hug. Your honesty and openness blessed my heart and I must say, you are quite an inspiration at your young age...you are wise beyond your years. I am so excited for your new little "abode" of your own and cannot wait to see it! I have no doubt that you will create a lovely and cozy space. I can only imagine how you must miss the country...I remember all of your lovely photos that you have shared over the years and the Lord knows the desires of your heart. I pray that one day your family will be able to make a home in the country again. It was wonderful to able to video chat with your father on Christmas Day! Many blessings to you and your sweet family in the new year, dear friend! Much love and HUGS!
ReplyDelete"You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl."
ReplyDeleteI'm also grateful for technology, in particular, the internet's ability to connect people across the globe.
Congrats on your new little house! I look forward to touring your flat!
Hello, sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your thoughts in this post today! My heart goes out to you all at this time of change, but I am ever so happy to hear that your dad was able to join in on your festivities a bit through video chat...the blessings of modern technology! I'm sure both he and all of you can't wait for his trip home...it's almost January, friend!
As you were mentioning how much you miss the farm and the quiet country life...I get that. If anyone can tell you it is possible to live quietly in the midst of things, let me. We live in a neighborhood (with some, ummm... interesting people) and our lives look very, totally different from everyone around us. Not only with our beliefs, values and morals, but also with how we choose to spend our time. No one else spends time outside like we do; we are the only ones at home all day doing home things...and loving it. I say this to encourage you...it is possible to live quietly in a not-so-quiet place, it just takes a bit of creativity.
I relate to much of what you said about being drawn to "other things" besides the home, family and all that truly matters within those spheres. At the beginning of the year, I was very content and confident in my role, then we had a run-in with an extended family member who does NOT value anything good, right, holy or godly, and all that was dashed! I know it shouldn't have been, but what they said hurt...a lot and the pain went deep. I've been spending the last couple months getting back to "me", and I feel like I'm well on my way...I'm actually going to be writing on this soon, so maybe that will offer some encouragement from one daughter to another ♥ I know I have gotten so much encouragement from you and your blog!
And, lastly, before I end this LONG comment, I am so excited for you and your new little home! I do hope you will share some pictures and details about it, as it sounds so nice and cozy!
Thinking of you, my friend! Sending end-of-year hugs, love and blessings to you! It is a gift to have you as a friend, Kelly-Anne!
Lots of love,
Libby
Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Your faith and maturity are amazing and your heart is definitely in the right place with your family. Blessings to you...xoxo
ReplyDeleteKelly-Anne, your open heart is so inspiring to me! Openness about our struggles is what helps us to heal. I know God is working a beautiful work in your heart, He has such a wonderful plan at work! {{smiles}} You are so precious and loved by both God and me, your friendship is so cherished and I love you so much! {{smiles}}
ReplyDeleteYour new 'little house' sounds lovely! I know you will enjoy it! I keep forgetting that it's summer there... here we are under almost 3 feet of snow! Eek! It's been crazy, haha! I'm so glad you had a lovely Christmas, we really did too! {{smiles}} Always know you are in my prayers, sweet friend! A hug to you and sweet Caleb! {{smiles}}
I hope you and your family are having a wonderful holiday full of good food and good cheer.
ReplyDeleteHave a very Merry Christmas, and we wish you all the best in the New Year, too!
Ryoma.
Happy New Year to you and yours. Hope 2018 will be a year filled with blessings for you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post dear lady. Happy New Year to you and your family. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteChange is never easy, and it is often hard to accept the new place in life where we are at, especially with your father being gone! It must be so hard there without him, but how wonderful that at least you can video chat with him. I was glad to hear that you have your own little spot in which to create in, and I pray that through the creating time that the Lord will bless and encourage your heart in these things. At the right time, the plans the Lord has for your life will become known to you. I'm praying for you dear friend, you are such an encouragement, and a blessing to all of us in blogland! Many hugs to you today :)
ReplyDeleteDelightful. Wish l were allowed to enjoy your love. From someone you have forgotten and still loves you dearly. God Bless. TG
ReplyDelete