"Only one life, 'twill soon be past
Only what's done for Christ will last."

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Musings

There comes a time in a move when you are overwhelmed with everything that still needs to be done but it is too late to reverse action. The result is doldrums.

I'm there. I don't want to move back to the old house, which until it sells is called "The Cabin" around here. The Cabin was a wonderful place, and I knew where everything was.

Or pretty much.

Corgi Hollows is a wonderful place. The pets are in ecstasies. We are at peace.

But we can't find anything.

We haven't found a place for things yet, haven't installed the shelves we still need, haven't yet purged some of the old memorabilia that clings to our emotions.

We've had to re-do the septic system, find and manufacture screens for windows (previous owners used A/C----we don't), figure out the phone/internet (that took 4 weeks!), and adjust to fewer trips to the store. We are no longer conveniently located to shopping. There is still some painting to do and the forest we now own needs attention. Lawns must be mowed.

Lawn mowing has become a real challenge. The terrain here is quite rolling, and it takes some planning to avoid rolling the rider. We are currently using one riding lawn mower to mow everything---my parent's land and ours. It takes two days to get it all done. Unfortunately we have had several break-downs since mowing season began. The machine is old, and it begs for retirement. Another machine is in the shop, and the push mowers are either out of commission or at The Cabin. It's like a game to keep everything going.

But it's good. Really. I've had some issues flair up with my poor old thyroid and severe headaches -----but all that is pretty normal for me. It just slows me down.

So, no turning back.

In a week our Chinese student should arrive. She will be with us before she starts school at the university. Margaret starts her last semester there this fall, and she's begun planning her foreseeable future.

A year in France is on the agenda.

Ed's procedure went well on Wednesday. He did have a sedative, but was conscious the entire time.

His counts are low. Not completely okay with that, but the oncology staff seemed to be satisfied. The prednisone chemotherapy has done a number on his joints, so he's in quite a bit of pain. His limp is visible.

An MRI is scheduled for next Tuesday to assess the damage.

Along with other doctor's appointments and activities we have volunteered to help with the local church's Bible School. Starts tomorrow. It's nice to connect with old friends and meet new.

Cherie loved her week at camp. After we picked her up yesterday we took a drive around Lake Mille Lacs. It's about a 60 mile drive around the lake, and worth doing once a year. The sky was especially blue yesterday, so the water reflected deep azure. So beautiful.

The Canadian wild fires are affecting our skies. I think that the evening glow is rather Norwegian-looking. The beautiful light of Norway refracts in a distinct way, and we are getting a sample of that. It's gorgeous, and makes for stunning photography. The sun and the moon have shown distinct rosiness. Sad that the smoke has such a negative health effect. It seems to affect the older generation far worse.

Ed is in demand lately for his music ability. He and Margaret played at the wedding last weekend, and on Thursday he took his accordion to the local nursing home for their monthly birthday party. He was warmly received. You can imagine!

As my readership grows I've become more of a target for those who disagree with my musings. Sometimes that is hurtful, sometimes a challenge. When you are a public presence on the internet you invite all kinds of conversation. I am careful to mask many things about our lives here at Corgi Hollows, but caution can be breached on occasion.

Like the old "Dragnet" episodes began ---"The stories you hear are true, but the names have been changed to protect the innocent!"

I have been careful to do that, but I do understand that there are risks. Being a target, especially for spiritual issues, is hard. Perhaps it is a taste of what we are all facing in the near future?

Clinging to Jesus in the midst of a crazy world will have its hardships. The worst hardship would be to lose hold of Him, though, so I am grasping my faith and belief in Him like never before.

Rebukes and challenges send me to the Word of God. It's a very positive effect for a believer!

It's still hard.

The old booklet by Theodore H. Epp was one thing I found easily amidst this moving chaos. Most of my resources are askew in this house, but Epp's book was handy. "How to Resist Satan." http://pdf24.crumbpdf.org/49s2m_how-to-resist-satan.pdf

I was thankful for it, and I think you would benefit from its timely advice. We are at war with the "Prince and Power of the Air."

Warfare is a learned art, and spiritual warfare is no different. We are at war.

It is noted that persecution can come from the Pharisees as well as the faithless. Finding your place in God's love is the key to eternal peace. I've had to go back to Scripture---washing in the Word---to regain my own sense of peace.

War and Peace. Peace in War. Another spiritual paradox.

Blessings, Friends.
Concha


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