Terry and I are moving. This will be our 7th move in the 47 years we've been married and we've been at our current house twenty years. Hopefully this move will be our last until Jesus takes us home but packing-up only emphasizes our belief that we are way too old for this. We found it helpful to post assumptions and commitments and put them where our eyes will see them on a regular basis.
Assumptions:
Moving will be difficult.
We will feel overwhelmed at times.
Progress will seem "too slow."
At times, we will regret moving.
Commitments:
We will support each other.
We will practice kindness.
Blame doesn't help.
We will track accomplishments.
Watching our pennies will take care of the dollars.
We will take "escape" breaks.
We have a LOT of work ahead of us but the new property has amazing potential. It's a 1940's farm house with 1940's features. At least it has a barn for the animals but our first week will be spent putting up fences to contain our herds. Our livestock will follow once fences are up and the new owners here are willing to let them stay where they are for the week while friends visit twice a day to feed and care for them.
Moving is a powerful stressor but a focus on our purpose in Christ provides strength to endure.
I can already hear us in the new house... "Honey! Where is ???" "I'm not sure. It's in a box somewhere."
UPDATE: That last point "escape breaks" is more important than I originally realized.
Terry is my "canary."
In early coal mining, miners brought a caged canary with them down into the mines. Mining can be hazardous as outgassing creates pockets of odorless but harmful gas that affects small birds quicker than men. If the miners paid attention to their bird, they would notice the effects of the gas on the bird before they were overcome and have time to escape. I tend to be a work-a-holic and will suffer from over exertion, leg cramps, and exhaustion. Being over-attentive on my goals causes me to overlook Terry's need for frequent breaks and we become irritable, cranky, and discouraged with whatever project is at hand.
Keeping my attention to how she is doing, not only communicates how important she is to me but also causes me to address my own neglected need for a break.
what a good reminder this list is. Good timing for me.
We found out we need to replace our truck faster than we wanted. We expected by winter, but it can’t wait that long. sigh
And…when we went to our seasonal camper spot, to uncover it today and drop some stuff off, we discovered a critter left “pellet gifts all over. Ugh. But…NO DAMAGE…PRAISE GOD . I’m hoping and praying the box of dryer sheets keeps it away. All that to say…THANK YOU TYLER for being humble enough to share that list here and on BP Devo.
Such a timely blessing.
ps…I cried a bit when I drove the truck home from the mechanic. I was expecting….”you need to replace it with 3 months”. Then implied much sooner. It’s been a HARD week.
I had a Pastor who used to joke and say…I can do all things through Christ who thinks I’m somebody else.
And had a friend who would remind me how to eat an elephant…one bite at a time.
Wish I was younger and healthier yo pop in the car and come over to help, prayers, encouragement and the Holy Spirit coming your way.
Father please pick Tyler and Terry up on wings like eagles to help them soar with strength above home and the barnyard transfer. 🙏