5:47pm
I can't believe that April is over. The year just seems to be flying by.
Today was a quiet one. It's been cold and cloudy all day and now it has started to drizzle.
I love rainy days. I think I would be very much at home in Seattle, WA.
I wish I could say something exciting was going to happen but unfortunately all I've got ahead of me is laundry and maybe a movie.
Eric has a gig tonight so he won't be home before 11:30pm.
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
04-27-16: Boundaries
8:04am
I woke up early and am having a difficult time sleeping but I can't go back to bed because I'm giving Mona a ride to Wellness City and then afterwards we are going to see The Jungle Book at the Fox Cineplex.
I'm listening to Clint Black. I love the country music from the 80's and 90's. I found a great country station that plays the "oldies" all the time. It's at the top of the dial and doesn't have a very strong signal here in Banning, but most times I can pick it up. Country music helped me get through my divorce. I think country music helps a lot of people which is why it's so popular. The songs are usually about relationships, faith and love or adversity.
10:31pm
The Jungle Book was a very cute movie with quite a few thrill seeking moments. The CGI graphics were amazing. For those of you fond of the original animated movie you will be happy to know that this movie followed very closely. The most interesting thing was that when the songs began to play you could hear a theater full of adults singing along. There were only a handful of tiny tots at the 12:30 showing and I was amazed to say that they were quite well behaved and were very engrossed in the show. This movie obviously charms the old and young alike.
Today in our Coming Out of the Fog class we learned about boundaries in relationships and how important it is for us to have them and enforce them. Boundaries are there for the good of both parties. Coming from a Catholic upbringing I learned self-love is the same as selfishness and that it is a bad thing to do. I found this blog very informative about the difference between two and it's definitely worth your time to read. The Psychology of Selfishness. What I learned today in class is conveyed in this saying below:
While Christ asked us to turn the other cheek He did not mean that we should allow people to walk all over us. We are to love others as we love ourselves. I have understood this to mean that healthy boundaries are a vital part of being assertive and taking care of ourselves. If we do not love ourselves we will never be able to extend a healthy love to others.
I also learned about how we make judgments about people at a first glance - grouping them into categories where they don't actually belong. In one of my favorite movies, Gettysburg Sgt. Buster Kilrain is having a conversation with Col. Chamberlain about just this thing. I found this "speech" very profound.
Christ said we are not to judge. How often have I found myself doing just that when I should not. I have learned in this class that (and from the movie) that we are to step outside our comfort zone and give people the benefit of the doubt. We are to show kindness and love first and if those things are returned then we know that it is a person of equal depth and compassion then they are safe...but if they do not return those things we should give them a wide berth but pray for them all the same. But as the saying above conveys, We are not called to be doormats." Christ never asked that of us. We are to practice self-love, NOT selfishness. They are very different. As Christians and human beings we should take time to educate ourselves on the difference between the two so that we can live more enriched lives and share our love with others as well as loving ourselves.
I woke up early and am having a difficult time sleeping but I can't go back to bed because I'm giving Mona a ride to Wellness City and then afterwards we are going to see The Jungle Book at the Fox Cineplex.
I'm listening to Clint Black. I love the country music from the 80's and 90's. I found a great country station that plays the "oldies" all the time. It's at the top of the dial and doesn't have a very strong signal here in Banning, but most times I can pick it up. Country music helped me get through my divorce. I think country music helps a lot of people which is why it's so popular. The songs are usually about relationships, faith and love or adversity.
10:31pm
The Jungle Book was a very cute movie with quite a few thrill seeking moments. The CGI graphics were amazing. For those of you fond of the original animated movie you will be happy to know that this movie followed very closely. The most interesting thing was that when the songs began to play you could hear a theater full of adults singing along. There were only a handful of tiny tots at the 12:30 showing and I was amazed to say that they were quite well behaved and were very engrossed in the show. This movie obviously charms the old and young alike.
Today in our Coming Out of the Fog class we learned about boundaries in relationships and how important it is for us to have them and enforce them. Boundaries are there for the good of both parties. Coming from a Catholic upbringing I learned self-love is the same as selfishness and that it is a bad thing to do. I found this blog very informative about the difference between two and it's definitely worth your time to read. The Psychology of Selfishness. What I learned today in class is conveyed in this saying below:
I also learned about how we make judgments about people at a first glance - grouping them into categories where they don't actually belong. In one of my favorite movies, Gettysburg Sgt. Buster Kilrain is having a conversation with Col. Chamberlain about just this thing. I found this "speech" very profound.
Christ said we are not to judge. How often have I found myself doing just that when I should not. I have learned in this class that (and from the movie) that we are to step outside our comfort zone and give people the benefit of the doubt. We are to show kindness and love first and if those things are returned then we know that it is a person of equal depth and compassion then they are safe...but if they do not return those things we should give them a wide berth but pray for them all the same. But as the saying above conveys, We are not called to be doormats." Christ never asked that of us. We are to practice self-love, NOT selfishness. They are very different. As Christians and human beings we should take time to educate ourselves on the difference between the two so that we can live more enriched lives and share our love with others as well as loving ourselves.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
04-26-16: Another New Day
5:39am
I don't know why I woke up so early but here I am.
Today, I get my certificate for completing Anger Management which will be an asset when I go to apply for a job. You'd think that attending this class would mean that I had severe anger issues but actually I don't. A lot of the people in my class have been ordered to attend Anger Management by the court because they have become aggressive with other people. I took the class to learn how to deal with those sort of situations and people like this because I might run into them when I'm counseling. As for my anger issues...sure everyone gets angry because it's an emotion we all have. It's how you handle it that counts. I've found that on my anger meter I've reached upset and annoyed. We have to report in every week as to what level we've reached.
Funny thing about this class is that I've learned that most people in it are very nice when they are in control but they can get scary when they are not. I think that attending this class has really helped me to realize that I can be around angry people if I don't react. Usually angry people just need someone to listen to them. I've also realized that their anger is not directed at me, personally, but at a situation and that many times when they are allowed to just talk it out they feel relieved that they got it out and someone listened to them vent. All in all it's been a very helpful class for me and I'm glad that I took it.
6:11am
Well, it's time for a cup of hot coffee and then on to work on my Primitive Blog!
7:45pm
Art class was cut short because they wanted to close the restaurant early. It was no biggie. I only lost about 30 minutes of class because of that I was early to bingo. I won $5, but it cost me $6 to play so actually it only cost me a dollar.
I am going with my friend, Mona, to see The Jungle Book after class tomorrow and on Sunday, after church, I'm going to go see The Huntsman with my friends Rachel and Bernice. What a great weekend!
Tomorrow I get a certificate for completing my WELL classes. That's going to look great on my application to PET. I really am grateful that God is blessing me so bountifully.
7:45pm
Art class was cut short because they wanted to close the restaurant early. It was no biggie. I only lost about 30 minutes of class because of that I was early to bingo. I won $5, but it cost me $6 to play so actually it only cost me a dollar.
I am going with my friend, Mona, to see The Jungle Book after class tomorrow and on Sunday, after church, I'm going to go see The Huntsman with my friends Rachel and Bernice. What a great weekend!
Tomorrow I get a certificate for completing my WELL classes. That's going to look great on my application to PET. I really am grateful that God is blessing me so bountifully.
Monday, April 25, 2016
02-25-16: Graduation Day at Wellness City
1:01am
Today I have much to be grateful for; I woke up here to celebrate another day of life. I recently had a cancer scare. I had a needle biopsy which wasn't fun, but was endurable. The test results came back negative so I was relieved, but I was prepared to be positive regardless of which way the chips fell. I don't know if I had cancer and God cured it or if I never had it at all. I do know that either way I am grateful to have my health. I guess it's not my time yet. God must have wonderful plans for me.
5:29pm
It's been windy, rainy and cold with brief periods of sleet off and on all day. I love stormy days. They are perfect for climbing into my favorite chair turning on the fireplace and snuggling up with a cup of hot tea and a good book. They are also excellent for napping. I love to fall asleep to the sound of gentle rain falling.
However, a fierce lightning and thunder storm can have the opposite effect. I get all energized anticipating the next bolt of lightning to slash across the sky and then the following roll of thunder. Does anybody else out there wait for the lightning flash and then count how many seconds it takes until the thunder sounds to know how far away the storm is? I loved doing that up in the mountains.
I completed my WRAP class and got my certificate today! One thing down on the way to a new job. I can't wait! I called RI International in Perris to learn more about orientation on the 6th but Rosie said she'd have to get back to me.
10:20pm
Well, it's been a long day and I've been playing around with my blogs since I got home. Time to log off of this darn thing and do some R&R and reading before I look at the inside of my eyelids for the next 8 hours.
It's been a great day and I'm glad I was here to enjoy it.
Today I have much to be grateful for; I woke up here to celebrate another day of life. I recently had a cancer scare. I had a needle biopsy which wasn't fun, but was endurable. The test results came back negative so I was relieved, but I was prepared to be positive regardless of which way the chips fell. I don't know if I had cancer and God cured it or if I never had it at all. I do know that either way I am grateful to have my health. I guess it's not my time yet. God must have wonderful plans for me.
5:29pm
It's been windy, rainy and cold with brief periods of sleet off and on all day. I love stormy days. They are perfect for climbing into my favorite chair turning on the fireplace and snuggling up with a cup of hot tea and a good book. They are also excellent for napping. I love to fall asleep to the sound of gentle rain falling.
However, a fierce lightning and thunder storm can have the opposite effect. I get all energized anticipating the next bolt of lightning to slash across the sky and then the following roll of thunder. Does anybody else out there wait for the lightning flash and then count how many seconds it takes until the thunder sounds to know how far away the storm is? I loved doing that up in the mountains.
I completed my WRAP class and got my certificate today! One thing down on the way to a new job. I can't wait! I called RI International in Perris to learn more about orientation on the 6th but Rosie said she'd have to get back to me.
10:20pm
Well, it's been a long day and I've been playing around with my blogs since I got home. Time to log off of this darn thing and do some R&R and reading before I look at the inside of my eyelids for the next 8 hours.
It's been a great day and I'm glad I was here to enjoy it.
02-21-16: Risen!
We went to see Risen today. It was an amazing movie! I can't wait for it to come out on DVD/Blu-Ray. When I left the theater I felt like evangelizing the entire world.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
My Third Book: The Itty Bitty Pumpkin Problem
This was written for my granddaughter, Kaitlyn. It's a short story/picture book that I hope to illustrate myself. I hope to publish soon.
My Second Novel: The Sinister Secret of Swynhollow
On March 13, 2013 I completed my second novel which I wrote for my grandchildren. They are the stars in the book. Once again it's not copyrighted so I can't post anything about it right now, but I hope to publish it on Amazon as a Kindle book or softcover as they have both options.
Here's the cover:
Here's the cover:
My First Novel: Prarie Dawn The Life and Times of Nettie Fisher
In February 2013 I wrote my first novel called Prairie Dawn: The Life and Times of Nettie Fisher. I haven't copyrighted it with the Library of Congress yet, but I hope to do it in the next few months.
I'd love to share the prologue here but until it's copyrighted I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. Once it's copyrighted I hope to publish it as a Kindle book on Amazon. Here's the cover.
I'd love to share the prologue here but until it's copyrighted I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that. Once it's copyrighted I hope to publish it as a Kindle book on Amazon. Here's the cover.
I've already started on the sequel, Prairie Moon, and have most of it completed.
02-24-16: The Lord's Day
I went to church today and was very inspired by Pastor Tate's sermon.
When I got home we went shopping at the Aldi store nearby. What a great place and such reasonable prices too. I bought some butterleaf lettuce salad mix, fresh strawberries and raspberries and mandarin oranges for our salad tonight. We will have it with honey mustard dressing. Dinner will be baked Tilapia, Greek rice and green beans.
After we got home from shopping we took the bikes out and went for a long ride. I got these bikes off of craigslist.org. Mine is the powder blue one that I paid $90 for. Walmart had the exact same bike for $130. Eric's bike (the dark blue one) was $130 and I got it for $75
When I got home we went shopping at the Aldi store nearby. What a great place and such reasonable prices too. I bought some butterleaf lettuce salad mix, fresh strawberries and raspberries and mandarin oranges for our salad tonight. We will have it with honey mustard dressing. Dinner will be baked Tilapia, Greek rice and green beans.
After we got home from shopping we took the bikes out and went for a long ride. I got these bikes off of craigslist.org. Mine is the powder blue one that I paid $90 for. Walmart had the exact same bike for $130. Eric's bike (the dark blue one) was $130 and I got it for $75
Anyway, we went for a leisurely 2 mile ride and decided that we needed to have gears put on the bikes because we live in a hilly area and it's just too difficult to ride them without being able to shift to lower speeds to climb them. I'll check into one of the local bike shops to see how much it will cost or if it's even possible. They are perfect for the beach, but that's 1 1/2 hours away so it's not convenient.
Later today we are going to the movies at the Fox Theater to see Miracles from Heaven. It's a quaint theater that opened in May of 1928. It's in the historic district of Banning. The art gallery where I paint is two doors down. (See my other post entitled Acrylic & Watercolors)
6:22pm
We just got back from seeing an awesome and inspirational movie called Miracles from Heaven. It's a real tear-jerker but has some amazing scenes of what she said she saw in Heaven. I believe that God is allowing these children to come back to give believers comfort and to encourage us to live our lives fearlessly. To be courageous and bold and to spread the word of His salvation and God's forgiveness.
Another great movie to see is Heaven is for Real which is also an inspiring movie about a little boy who goes to Heaven and sees Jesus. The person he saw was the same one that a little girl has been painting for years after she saw Jesus in Heaven. This is what he looked like...
Riley's Farm in Oak Glen, CA
Close to our new home in Banning is the quaint sleepy little town of Oak Glen. It looks very much like my beloved hillsides of Virginia. Riley's Apple Farm hosts a variety of Colonial celebrations and activities which are reminiscent of my trip to Colonial Williamsburg and every year I will attend several of their events. They have a Colonial tavern that serves delicious period food.
There are two annual events that I have attended there so far. The first is the Sleepy Hollow Dinner Show which includes hay rides through haunted cornfields, trips past the creepy graveyard and a drive by Van Tassel's farm. The dinner includes a delicious meal of either chicken or beef, all the pumpkin soup, corn chowder and hot apple cider you can consume. It is held in converted barn and the tables are festooned with fall decorations and china. While you dine a cast of Colonial players re-enact the tale of Sleepy Hollow on a stage. Between acts there is a dance with traditional Colonial dance steps that they teach you, pumpkin carving, and, of course, a pumpkin seed spitting contest. There are too many activities for me to mention. The night is topped off with a daring display of the headless horseman chasing Ichabod Crane down a dirt path. The Headless Horseman is astride a great black steed and holds a flaming pumpkin in his hand which he tosses at the terrified Ichabod!
In the fall Riley's has a huge pumpkin patch where you can pick your favorite holiday squash to carve. They also have Civil War enactments complete with cannons!
The second is event I've attended twice so far is their A Christmas Carol dinner event. Once again the barn is festooned in holiday décor with a large Christmas tree. The dinner fare is English roast beef or cider baked ham, cheddar potatoes, home baked bread, candied carrots and buttered green beans. Then there's all you can eat delicious corn chowder, and the dessert table with bread pudding or apple pie, You can have all the dessert your heart desires. Once again there's dancing, and fun activities plus you sing all the traditional Christmas carols that you know and love. While you dine the players perform the tale of A Christmas Carol.
Here's a picture of this years Scrooge being haunted by the terrifying Jacob Marley...
Many times you will be greeted by a snow covered hills when you arrive or exit. This year it snowed while the festivities were going on in the barn and everyone was treated to a winter wonderland as they exited to go to their cars. Many of the children (and even the adventurous adults) engaged in snowball fights. It was pure bliss for me.
I've yet to attend the Fourth of July celebrations. I hope to do that this year as Eric has to work and staying home alone doesn't interest me. If I get to go I will make another post with plenty of pictures.
Here's the link to their site if you should be interested in seeing anything more about this rare and marvelous place located in Southern California of all places!
Riley's Farm - Where History Comes Alive
There are two annual events that I have attended there so far. The first is the Sleepy Hollow Dinner Show which includes hay rides through haunted cornfields, trips past the creepy graveyard and a drive by Van Tassel's farm. The dinner includes a delicious meal of either chicken or beef, all the pumpkin soup, corn chowder and hot apple cider you can consume. It is held in converted barn and the tables are festooned with fall decorations and china. While you dine a cast of Colonial players re-enact the tale of Sleepy Hollow on a stage. Between acts there is a dance with traditional Colonial dance steps that they teach you, pumpkin carving, and, of course, a pumpkin seed spitting contest. There are too many activities for me to mention. The night is topped off with a daring display of the headless horseman chasing Ichabod Crane down a dirt path. The Headless Horseman is astride a great black steed and holds a flaming pumpkin in his hand which he tosses at the terrified Ichabod!
The second is event I've attended twice so far is their A Christmas Carol dinner event. Once again the barn is festooned in holiday décor with a large Christmas tree. The dinner fare is English roast beef or cider baked ham, cheddar potatoes, home baked bread, candied carrots and buttered green beans. Then there's all you can eat delicious corn chowder, and the dessert table with bread pudding or apple pie, You can have all the dessert your heart desires. Once again there's dancing, and fun activities plus you sing all the traditional Christmas carols that you know and love. While you dine the players perform the tale of A Christmas Carol.
I've yet to attend the Fourth of July celebrations. I hope to do that this year as Eric has to work and staying home alone doesn't interest me. If I get to go I will make another post with plenty of pictures.
Here's the link to their site if you should be interested in seeing anything more about this rare and marvelous place located in Southern California of all places!
Riley's Farm - Where History Comes Alive
A Fresh New Start
It's been ages since I posted and there have been lots of changes since my last post.
We have moved off the mountain and left our dear little cabin behind, but in good hands.
Ironically, all of the things we've wanted to do for years were repaired or completed in order to sell the house. We finally got the bathroom tile repaired and repainted the house. We also landscaped the front yard. I planted yellow marigolds. They weren't blooming yet in this picture but a week later there was a profusion of yellow flowers all along the path and in the planters by the front door. I had hoped to plant tulips in the wheelbarrow, but we moved.
We installed a propane heater which we got to enjoy for two months before we had to move. Eric was happy to not have to haul in wood but he wasn't as elated when we got hit with a $400 gas bill!
We also replaced all the valves and the meter on the propane tank. We did a lot of other things, but I don't want to fill up this blog with a repair list.
We did all the repairs because we had decided to stay and not move. Wouldn't you know it the next week we got an offer and after talking it over we decided that a move down the hill would be better for us. After saying good-bye to all our neighbors and locking the front door for the last time...I cried because I knew I'd never live in the mountains again.
It was a very cold winter even though we didn't get the promised heavy snowfalls that El Nino was supposed to deliver.My neighbor took a picture of the house after the first snow. Unfortunately, we were gone by the time it hit so I didn't get to enjoy one last snow before we left. The drifts are pretty high near the chain link fence. The picket fence is 3' high so that gives you an idea of just how much they got.
So we decided to move with a list of things in mind. As I look back our list of answered prayers were answered above and beyond what we prayed for; which brings me to the scripture verse in Jeremiah 29:11
"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."
What a comforting scripture that is and after you've read the rest of today's blog you will see why.
We moved to the country in the flatlands below my mountain home. I can see the mountain from my kitchen window and while my heart aches every time I look out and see the ridge where my little cottage is, I know it has been a good change for us.
Banning is a lovely small town surrounded by open range filled with grazing cattle (no smell, thank goodness) and horses in pastures. It is an old stagecoach town that is growing with the times but will always remain small and quaint as it is nestled in the small valley between the San Gorgonio and the San Bernardino mountain ranges. It has all the conveniences without the over crowded streets and overbuilt areas. It's mostly a quiet and sleepy little town with a wonderful history of the old west stagecoach days.
The quaint town of Oak Glen is only minutes away and it is filled with apple orchards and farms on hillsides. And the village of Idyllwild in the San Gorgonio mountains is only a 45 minute drive away where I can find a movie theater, shopping and cozy restaurants to dine in. In the winter it becomes a snow covered wonderland. So while I can't bear to drive past my old hometown of Angelus Oaks on the way to Big Bear and can still get my yearly dose of winter cheer. Oh, and it also snows in Oak Glen which also has small stores filled with delightful things, a petting zoo and many restaurants serving delicious meals and, of course, apple pie.
God was with us every step of the way with this move and we believe it was His plan that brought us here. It is more convenient for Eric since his commute is now on a freeway and work is only fifteen to twenty minutes away as opposed to the forty-five to sixty minute drive down a two lane windy road that was often dangerous. He is very happy with the new change.
There were several things that were on my list of requirements for the new house we moved into, one must have was that it had to take our large lab/mix dog, Shilo. He's a member of the family and leaving him behind or farming him out was NOT an option.
The second thing on my wish list was that the house would have two bathrooms. I wanted a garden tub to have a candlelight soak in, but it wasn't a deal breaker if the place didn't have it.
The third thing must was a room for Eric's office/music room.
The fourth thing I wanted was a bonus room for my art studio, but if I couldn't get it then so be it.
The fifth item on my list was a front porch large enough that I could decorate it and put some patio furniture on it, but once again it wasn't a deal breaker if I didn't get it.
And the final thing on my list was that we could buy the house outright.
It was a pretty tall list, but we prayed and asked God that if we were to move He would guide us to the right place. We looked at many houses in many areas and found several potentials, but none of them had everything on our wish list. One of the houses we saw was priced low enough that we could have bought it outright and had enough left over to pay off all of our debts which made it very appealing, but when we talked to the neighbor in that park she said that the town was not a good place to live and that if she could she would move. After doing some research I discovered that she was right. So while the park was new and beautiful it was set in a town that was plagued with trouble that's when I cast my eye on Banning.
God found the quaint 55+ mobile home park that we moved into. It is a small park filled with homes with beautifully manicured front yards (not just planters but yards actually big enough for grass and plants!), and streets lined with Kinkade-style street lamps and personal mailboxes.
We are in the highest house next to an open field and only have only one immediate neighbor - Carol. She's a lovely little old lady who came over when we first moved in and shared her faith with us, which brings me to another vital point...most of the residents in this park are Christians. Imagine that! Not only did God give me everything I wanted on my list of must haves for the new house, but He put us in a park of like minded individuals.
This is the front of the house. As I said the yard is large enough for a lawn. Right now it's filled with smooth round pebbles, but soon we may be able to have it landscaped. The tree has to go and will be replaced with shrubs and flowers. The inspector told us it was brushing up against the house and wasn't beneficial to the screens or eaves. I was hoping it would get flowers or turn color, but it did neither.
I've removed the large shrubs and the white wrought iron bench. Next year we hope to landscape it similar to this, but without the large bushy shrubs. I want to replace the existing tree with something that has 4 season interest.
The other thing that happened was that I've met some wonderful new friends in the park one of which has the same challenges I have. She introduced me to Wellness City which is owned and run but RI International and through this place I have discovered that I can find gainful employment doing something I've always wanted to do...be a counselor! So next month I am going to my PET (Peer Employment Training) orientation and then on to the classes that will get me certified. Then they will help me find a job. I am hoping that I can get one at Wellness City as it is right around the corner from me and I have made many new friends there. God has used me as a conduit to show His love to so many people there and the generosity that the Holy Spirit has inspired in me has affected the entire place. People have changed because of it. I have been told that I bring love, energy and inspiration wherever I go. What a testimony to God that is! I am so grateful that he is using me and it humbles me that He does. Whenever anyone compliments me I give the glory to God as it all comes from Him and I do nothing from my own merit, but it all flows through me.
The last and final prayer that God has granted me is that I have found a home church! It is LifePoint Church and is only 5 minutes from my house. I love the way the whole place looks because from the outside it looks like a traditional church with a steeple and everything and inside it has the high vaulted ceilings that are reminiscent of the church I went to when I was growing up. At Christmastime they have the huge Living Christmas Tree (which is actually fake because of its size) and all the lights on it flash in coordination with the music. It's quite beautiful. I missed Easter service this year as we were with family and couldn't make it.
Pastor Tate gives amazing and inspirational sermons.
The music inspires and lifts me to higher planes of worship and I have begun to make friends there.
Eric is making his own journey through private Bible study as at this point in his walk he doesn't feel inspired to attend church. I have put him in the Lord's care and pray for him that he will continue to seek the Lord fervently through his Bible studies. I know that if he is open to it the Lord will speak to him and the Holy Spirit will guide him.
So that's it. So many blessings that have exceeded my hopes and dreams are and have been answered by God. I look forward to getting a job counseling soon and being able to leave the financially constrictive income of someone on disability. I look forward to achieving my dreams of seeing New England in the fall, buying a trailer and traveling (on vacations and weekends of course) and being financially able to enjoy the life that God wants me to have.
And so I walk forward with confidence, grateful of all the blessings He sends my way...
We have moved off the mountain and left our dear little cabin behind, but in good hands.
We installed a propane heater which we got to enjoy for two months before we had to move. Eric was happy to not have to haul in wood but he wasn't as elated when we got hit with a $400 gas bill!
We also replaced all the valves and the meter on the propane tank. We did a lot of other things, but I don't want to fill up this blog with a repair list.
We did all the repairs because we had decided to stay and not move. Wouldn't you know it the next week we got an offer and after talking it over we decided that a move down the hill would be better for us. After saying good-bye to all our neighbors and locking the front door for the last time...I cried because I knew I'd never live in the mountains again.
It was a very cold winter even though we didn't get the promised heavy snowfalls that El Nino was supposed to deliver.My neighbor took a picture of the house after the first snow. Unfortunately, we were gone by the time it hit so I didn't get to enjoy one last snow before we left. The drifts are pretty high near the chain link fence. The picket fence is 3' high so that gives you an idea of just how much they got.
So we decided to move with a list of things in mind. As I look back our list of answered prayers were answered above and beyond what we prayed for; which brings me to the scripture verse in Jeremiah 29:11
"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."
What a comforting scripture that is and after you've read the rest of today's blog you will see why.
We moved to the country in the flatlands below my mountain home. I can see the mountain from my kitchen window and while my heart aches every time I look out and see the ridge where my little cottage is, I know it has been a good change for us.
Banning is a lovely small town surrounded by open range filled with grazing cattle (no smell, thank goodness) and horses in pastures. It is an old stagecoach town that is growing with the times but will always remain small and quaint as it is nestled in the small valley between the San Gorgonio and the San Bernardino mountain ranges. It has all the conveniences without the over crowded streets and overbuilt areas. It's mostly a quiet and sleepy little town with a wonderful history of the old west stagecoach days.
The quaint town of Oak Glen is only minutes away and it is filled with apple orchards and farms on hillsides. And the village of Idyllwild in the San Gorgonio mountains is only a 45 minute drive away where I can find a movie theater, shopping and cozy restaurants to dine in. In the winter it becomes a snow covered wonderland. So while I can't bear to drive past my old hometown of Angelus Oaks on the way to Big Bear and can still get my yearly dose of winter cheer. Oh, and it also snows in Oak Glen which also has small stores filled with delightful things, a petting zoo and many restaurants serving delicious meals and, of course, apple pie.
God was with us every step of the way with this move and we believe it was His plan that brought us here. It is more convenient for Eric since his commute is now on a freeway and work is only fifteen to twenty minutes away as opposed to the forty-five to sixty minute drive down a two lane windy road that was often dangerous. He is very happy with the new change.
There were several things that were on my list of requirements for the new house we moved into, one must have was that it had to take our large lab/mix dog, Shilo. He's a member of the family and leaving him behind or farming him out was NOT an option.
The second thing on my wish list was that the house would have two bathrooms. I wanted a garden tub to have a candlelight soak in, but it wasn't a deal breaker if the place didn't have it.
The third thing must was a room for Eric's office/music room.
The fourth thing I wanted was a bonus room for my art studio, but if I couldn't get it then so be it.
The fifth item on my list was a front porch large enough that I could decorate it and put some patio furniture on it, but once again it wasn't a deal breaker if I didn't get it.
And the final thing on my list was that we could buy the house outright.
It was a pretty tall list, but we prayed and asked God that if we were to move He would guide us to the right place. We looked at many houses in many areas and found several potentials, but none of them had everything on our wish list. One of the houses we saw was priced low enough that we could have bought it outright and had enough left over to pay off all of our debts which made it very appealing, but when we talked to the neighbor in that park she said that the town was not a good place to live and that if she could she would move. After doing some research I discovered that she was right. So while the park was new and beautiful it was set in a town that was plagued with trouble that's when I cast my eye on Banning.
God found the quaint 55+ mobile home park that we moved into. It is a small park filled with homes with beautifully manicured front yards (not just planters but yards actually big enough for grass and plants!), and streets lined with Kinkade-style street lamps and personal mailboxes.
We are in the highest house next to an open field and only have only one immediate neighbor - Carol. She's a lovely little old lady who came over when we first moved in and shared her faith with us, which brings me to another vital point...most of the residents in this park are Christians. Imagine that! Not only did God give me everything I wanted on my list of must haves for the new house, but He put us in a park of like minded individuals.
I've removed the large shrubs and the white wrought iron bench. Next year we hope to landscape it similar to this, but without the large bushy shrubs. I want to replace the existing tree with something that has 4 season interest.
The other thing that happened was that I've met some wonderful new friends in the park one of which has the same challenges I have. She introduced me to Wellness City which is owned and run but RI International and through this place I have discovered that I can find gainful employment doing something I've always wanted to do...be a counselor! So next month I am going to my PET (Peer Employment Training) orientation and then on to the classes that will get me certified. Then they will help me find a job. I am hoping that I can get one at Wellness City as it is right around the corner from me and I have made many new friends there. God has used me as a conduit to show His love to so many people there and the generosity that the Holy Spirit has inspired in me has affected the entire place. People have changed because of it. I have been told that I bring love, energy and inspiration wherever I go. What a testimony to God that is! I am so grateful that he is using me and it humbles me that He does. Whenever anyone compliments me I give the glory to God as it all comes from Him and I do nothing from my own merit, but it all flows through me.
The last and final prayer that God has granted me is that I have found a home church! It is LifePoint Church and is only 5 minutes from my house. I love the way the whole place looks because from the outside it looks like a traditional church with a steeple and everything and inside it has the high vaulted ceilings that are reminiscent of the church I went to when I was growing up. At Christmastime they have the huge Living Christmas Tree (which is actually fake because of its size) and all the lights on it flash in coordination with the music. It's quite beautiful. I missed Easter service this year as we were with family and couldn't make it.
Pastor Tate gives amazing and inspirational sermons.
Eric is making his own journey through private Bible study as at this point in his walk he doesn't feel inspired to attend church. I have put him in the Lord's care and pray for him that he will continue to seek the Lord fervently through his Bible studies. I know that if he is open to it the Lord will speak to him and the Holy Spirit will guide him.
So that's it. So many blessings that have exceeded my hopes and dreams are and have been answered by God. I look forward to getting a job counseling soon and being able to leave the financially constrictive income of someone on disability. I look forward to achieving my dreams of seeing New England in the fall, buying a trailer and traveling (on vacations and weekends of course) and being financially able to enjoy the life that God wants me to have.
And so I walk forward with confidence, grateful of all the blessings He sends my way...
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