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...