Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Make New Friends, But Keep the Old

One is silver and the others gold. 

It has unfortunately taken me most of my life to get this right. 

Today, I was so incredibly fortunate to have a dear lifelong friend Wendy come to my home to enjoy a morning of coffee, shared company and a lovely lunch together.  She brought her two littlest girls to play with mine and it was so sweet.  She mentioned wanting to meet my newest friend, my neighbor Nicole who I've been talking about quite a bit.  You see I am so thankful for her!  I had been looking for someone to go walking with every day.  To get outside and enjoy a brisk walk in nature, and we do, sometimes in a neighborhood and often out in the countryside.  What a treasure!  And even better we are kindred spirits, our conversations flow naturally and we find ourselves with always something more to be said!  The combination of good conversation and breathing fresh air is good for the soul and I am the better for it!

With all that said, I called Nicole to invite her to come over for lunch to meet Wendy and she accepted!  It was a meeting of two very dear friends and an impromptu celebration of friendship in general.  Wendy and I actually used to be neighbors at one point in our friendship!  At that time, she was my walking friend and I have missed having someone to share that with for 8 long years since we both moved!  What I haven't missed in those years is her actual friendship.  We have through the telephone (and infrequent visits) literally comforted, complained and commiserated through marriage, babies, work, and pretty much all of life together! 

My heart is full!  And most importantly I think I have finally matured to know how to value each friendship and it's place in my heart!  I am someone who likes and needs to simplify.  I do this routinely throughout my home and tend to get overwhelmed and try to streamline my heart too.  There is however, a new concept I am pursuing these days and it's all about a sense of community!  There will be no more streamlining of my heart!  Only always room for more!
Blessings,
Olivia

Monday, November 22, 2010

The First Snow!

Oh how I dream of yesteryear!  There is something about snow that brings out the nostalgia in me! 

We have lived in old houses for the past eight years and the previous one was the oldest, built in 1914.  I once told my husband during a snowy winter day "Can't you just imagine this street (one of the main streets in our little town) with sleighs and horses driving down right past our windows! 
He then brought me back into reality and said even 90 years ago we didn't get much snow around here so there wouldn't be many sleighs!!  Well, carraiges then I said!
Now we live a little farther into the country in our little farmhouse (built in 1927) and get to see the wintery scene stretching out over acres!  It's so beautiful!  The view looks like a postcard, I love the way snow makes everything so...picturesque.  At least until it starts to melt.
We have over 7 inches here!  It's magical!
Do you have any snow at your house? 
Blessings,
Olivia

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

I know a place

As I sit to write this post and the little one starts to wail in the background for some yet unknown reason... 

 I am "posting" ( which is just another way of saying "postponing") 

 I should be:

digging into the laundry that never was started

starting a homework lesson

cleaning the floors which of course look as though they haven't been swept in a week.

This has been one of those out and about kind of days - the kind when you've been gone so long you just can't quite settle into to start chores that should have started hours ago. 

But...in spite of the mess...

I know a place were there is at least one child asleep at my bedside when my eyes open in the morning.
I know a place where the little one stands in the window sill to wave bye to siblings zooming away in the school bus.
I know a place when naptime is a heavenly lull in the noise at midday.
I know a place where a little voice sweetly says "momma" as she wakes again too soon!
I know a place where growing feet pound up the stairs and through the door at 4:03
I know a place overflowing with laughter while 8 feet circle the hallwaylivingroomdiningroomkitchen for the hundred millionth time
I know a place where quiet prayers and lullabies are sung and little boys dont forget to ask God to make them strong and brave
I know a place.... it's HOME

(this post was inspired by one of my favorite children's books, but adapted to my own home)

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Comfort and Simple Faith


Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thes. 5:16-18


As I read these verses I remembered a book I read a few years ago called "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom.  I remember it being a comfort to me and as soon as I could get to the library I checked it out again. To my delight they also had another book about her life and faith.  I guess this post is a study on my thoughts and inner struggles this week and the encouragement I have found in reading about Corrie whose faith in God was simple and yet carried her through the lowest lows and highest heights of human existense. 


Here are just of few of the simple truths she is known for saying and encouraging with in addition to her favorite scriptures:


Jesus is Victor. 



The Lord has no problems, only plans.



She wrote:  I look at the faces around me, and experience deep sympathy.  I know I have work for the kingdom of God.  After what He did for me on the cross, then I am happy that I can suffer a little.



(If you are unfamiliar with her story, she suffered much, soooo so much in a concentration camp where she lost her father, sister and nephew).  When I read her words "suffer a little" and then compare it with any present suffering I experience - my sufferings wouldn't even register on a chart. 


From her stories I gain perspective and draw up strength.  I am encouraged to hide the Word in my heart and live with a childlike faith.


I highly, highly recommend reading her story or rereading it, whichever the case may be!
Blessings,
Olivia








                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Is it too early?

For this:
And this:
And this:
I'm sure it is it but it's so much fun ~ I cannot wait!

I'm sorry, I know you're not quite ready but I feel the Holiday season is fair game about the first day of November!  The thing is much as I value giving thanks I feel it is more of a daily choice instead of an annual holiday!  It is really a side road detour on the way to my favorite Holiday of all, the birth of Christ, Christmas!
The really ironic part is its so warm and sunny today not winter-ish at all!  Oh well!
Blessings, & thank you for putting up with me!
Olivia

About Me

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wife & mother of 4 beautiful children, 2 girls & 2 boys. small business co-owner; catering and a restaurant/alehouse, writer, gardener, lover of freedom and humility found in christ, small town enthusiast, book reader, admirer of noble truths, beauty and love

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