Moving, new routines, formal observations, EOY meetings, new routines, hiring a lawyer, dealing with insurance, some days--crazy kids...where is summer?!, and did I mention new routines?
Since I last wrote things have changed quite a bit for us. Our lease ended with our sweet friend & we are so grateful for the time we were able to be there. So, we moved in with my sweet in-laws. Our commutes might be a little bit longer, but our hearts are full. But, even fuller than our hearts just might be our dogs....they LOVE Grandma & Grandpa's house. Shelby is everyone's favorite, but she LOVES her Gigi. She became Gigi's dog when she was living with us after Hurricane Harvey. She patiently waits for her to get up in the morning, and is either at her feet or curled up next to her on the 'Seniors' couch. In the evenings though, Shelby will gladly hop from lap to lap (not including her parents, I guess that she gets enough of us). Bella thinks life is great barking at the Great Danes. Sadie Mae enjoys sleeping in the hallway away from the hustle & bustle. Dexter is in good company as the 'play police' with his cousin, Turk. They guard the backyard together & then get after everyone when they play too much. Dexter walks out into the backyard & stares into Turk's house waiting for him to be let out. Sigh...boys.
This has also meant new routines for mom and dad. Our commute is quite a bit longer (even than if we were home), so our wake-up call comes bright & early. I will give that it is nice to watch the sun rise during my drive to work, but I am even more tired by the time I get home in the evenings.
We have officially hired a lawyer, based on a great rec from a sweet family at my school, to go after Allstate...yes, I'm giving you a name, for our Dwelling Claim. That means the general rebuilding of our house...like walls and ceilings. Our experience with Allstate has been great until now, and after this, we will be leaving...I mean running. Some day, I will write the saga that this has become to get our house put back together. Just know it has not been all rainbows & sunshine...more like thunder & rain.
The end of the school year is looming....3 weeks left. 15 school days!! We can do it....kinda...hopefully...hanging on by a thread....
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In my longer commute, there is actually time for my Pandora to connect to the car & time for the music to play. Most days, it's a daze of listening to the hum of the music in the background while thinking about all of the things that I have to accomplish for the day. While Lent was fruitful, I felt that I was left empty and longing for more during that time. It has been this season of Easter that has slowly been filling my soul. There is a song that caught my attention, and would snap me out of my daily trance. It is called 'The Well.' (See lyrics below & a link to listen) While listening, I immediately thought of the women at the well, who meets Jesus. At first, she does not know who He is and questions why & was He sure that he wanted water from that well, it was pretty deep. But, she comes to learn who He is and much more importantly, what He has to offer, Eternal Life.
For months, I have found myself longing for something more, longing for a soft place to land, and longing for someone to take away the tremendous burden that I was carrying around. I have been the woman at the well. I have been going to Mass, but simply going through the motions. I have had quiet prayer time, and more often than not doze off into sleep. I have been going to the well, but not truly sitting and listening to who is there, waiting to offer the gift of life. Waiting to give food and drink of Eternal Life.
When this finally dawned on me, it was after we had moved, and we were about a week into our new routine. I slowly began to realize all that I could leave at the well, and it would be taken care of for me.
I left behind the fear and concern for the furry babies changing houses yet again, with the peace that they were happy & being loved.
I left behind my daily, multiple phone calls to insurance, with the peace that someone else was going to fight my battle for me.
I left the feeling of need to have it all together all the time for everyone, and the peace that it is okay to lose it; someone is there waiting to pick up the pieces, and build something new and better.
I left figuring out our house with the peace that our contractor did have a plan to begin the work.
I have left figuring out dinner each night to my other half, with the peace that he will get it done because he will not miss a meal.
I have been working, very hard, at leaving work at work, unless it is something pressing that needs to be done at home, giving me the peace of mind that tomorrow is another day, and everything will get done.
I have been working hard on taking care of me, leaving it all at the well, and sitting with the teacher. I have found peace at night sitting with some Catholic books (that I treated myself to) to help me both relax and find peace.
While our journey with our home is far from over, I have finally found peace with where we are at, sitting at The Well.
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Our contractor has been busy at work this week! The week before, Jared was very busy with his dad and brother, getting insulation installed, and working on some electrical work around the house.
I was busy myself, and went and got lots of Miraculous Medals & St. Benedict medals from my favorite Catholic Book store (https://littlefloweronline.square.site/). I then walked around our house, with my Holy Water too, and tucked a Miraculous Medal inside the insulation in each room in the house, and a St. Benedict Medal next to each entry. Jared was following me, and bickering that my dash of Holy Water was getting his insulation a smidge wet...I told him to buck up buttercup. We may not have been able to put them in the traditional place, the foundation, but this will just have to do, and I think that it is just as good.
I also stocked up our fridge for the workers. Happy workers, good work done, right?
But, the best news ever is that we have WALLS AND CEILINGS AGAIN!! When I sit in my bathroom, I can no longer see all the way into my sewing room.
Pictured, hard worker guy...but my bathroom has walls again!!
Hoping to begin collecting & blessing those 2 Pro-Life Houses in June! May was a tad crazy, but I promise that is still happening!!
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Leave it all behind
I have what you need
But you keep on searchin'
I've done all the work
But you keep on workin'
When you're runnin' on empty
And you can't find the remedy
Just come to the well
You can spend your whole life
Chasin' what's missing
But that empty inside
It just ain't gonna listen
When nothing can satisfy
And the world leaves you high and dry
Just come to the well
And all who thirst will thirst no more
And all who search will find what their souls long for
The world will try, but it can never fill
Leave it all behind, and come to the well
So bring me your heart
No matter how broken
Just come as you are
When your last prayer is spoken
Just rest in my arms a while
You'll feel the change my child
When you come to the well
And all who thirst will thirst no more
And all who search will find what their souls long for
The world will try, but it can never fill
So leave it all behind, and come to the well
Yeah
Leave it all behind
The world will try, but it can never fill, leave it all behind
And now that you're full
Of love beyond measure
Your joy's gonna flow
Like a stream in the desert
Soon all the world will see that living water is found in me
'Cause you came to the well
And all who thirst will thirst no more
And all who search will find what their souls long for
The world will try, but it can never fill
So leave it all behind, and come to the well
Leave it all behind, leave it all behind
Leave it all behind, leave it all behind, and come to the well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKioQPEW4do
