Yes, this was our EIGHTH move in EIGHT years of marriage. I feel like we should get an award just for that.
As far as moves go, it went fairly smooth. Besides a little hiccup with the truck (and a trip a little out of the way to get it), we packed up everything and unpacked it all in the same day. A hot, sweaty, exhausting day, but it got done nonetheless. We had a lot of people upon seeing our truck ask if we were going to be able to fit everything---well, we didn't know, but we were praying, and with some major Tetris-style packing, it got done. Todd and a good friend did an awesome job WORKIN' IT!
We were super grateful for our church's missionaries. We had FOUR elders come from our own ward, and then the two for our new ward showed up once we got to Wichita. We are so, so grateful for them as well as the many other people who came out to help.
We are settling in now. For me, it is weird to be home and have nothing to do but unpack boxes all day. I'll take that back, it's not weird, it's booooooring. But things are almost all unpacked, so I'll be grateful!
We had some good friends, the Jacobs, invite us over for dinner the night after we moved in. It was the best timing, I really have to remember that for people that have just moved in! It is so hard to have food in the house when you've just moved in, especially on a Saturday!
We checked out our new ward, and it is smaller than what we're used to. But people seem friendly. Funny story, I was asked to teach the CTR 5 class, and during the second hour of the same day, the librarian came to get me to ask if I could teach that day! So, I jumped right in! There were 8 little cuties that day, I am so excited. I always wanted to try my hand at a kindergarten-ish age, but I don't think I want to practice for a year on 25 of them. So this little Primary class is perfect. Some gems from last Sunday:
Me: We want to be kind to our friends and our church.
Little girl: Yes, and we shouldn't be bad like touching your tablet or taking it and playing games on it!
Me: How else can we be a peacemaker?
Little boy: Can I tell you something? We just got a new dog!
So, as you can see, we got pretty far on Day 1 :) But thanks to my teacher instinct, I was already ready with class rules, a system where they can earn pom-poms to earn a treat, and we discussed the bathroom (whereupon ALL of them had to go, never fails, even third graders all immediately have to go the minute you talk about bathroom rules). I am already looking forward to next Sunday.
So, here we are, ready and waiting to see what adventures Wichita holds for us!
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Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Monday, June 2, 2014
So...are you going to buy a house?
If there's one question I'm sick of, it's that one.
We've finally got people to stop asking when we're going to have kids. Which really wasn't that hard, because the people we know are kind and non-intrusive and non-judgmental, and most people understand that's a pretty lame question to ask someone unless they are volunteering that information.
But "Are you looking for a house/So you going to buy a house next?" has nearly replaced that in questions that make me cringe. I know that I am ultra-senstive about it, because YES, I would LOVE to have a house. I would LOVE to have a yard, and a deck, and walls to paint, and an extra bedroom. I would LOVE it. But for us, it's not in the cards for a while, and somehow that question makes me feel bad about myself. I don't know when living in an apartment became a lower form of living, and it just may possibly be that I FEEL that way when I get asked that question, even if the person asking the question means nothing by it. In fact, I'm sure that anyone who asks that questions is not purposely doing it to MAKE me feel bad (I hear my mom saying, "No one can MAKE you feel bad, no one can MAKE you do anything" in my head ). But, I have not figured out how to answer that question without feeling like I have to be on the defensive. My answers have ranged from, "No, not yet" to "Someday" to "Yes, we have a dwelling to live in," to "No, we're not really house people (which is a lie, we COULD be house people, but we CAN'T be house people, so we make ourselves feel better by saying that one out loud).
Now I know I shouldn't get all worked up about it, and I'm really trying hard not to, but I think people should be aware that sometimes that question is the equivalent of "So when are you going to have kids?" (Add that to, "So, did you get a job yet?" Eek. That's an uncomfortable one too. Maybe also, "Are you dating anyone?")
The other day I saw this quote on Facebook. I send it to Todd, and we had a laugh, because this is exactly how we feel when we get the dreaded "house" Q&A.
So, I've come up with a few solutions. One, I have to remember everyone's circumstances are unique, and that there is not one thing wrong with living in an apartment. NOT ONE THING. I need to keep telling myself this, because it's true. If we were to buy a house, it would be a really bad financial decision for us. And that's all that matters. Living in a small apartment is a short-term solution that is going to help us reach our long-term financial goals. And that probably includes a house. But not just yet!
Two, I have to remind myself not to feel like I have to get defensive. When I get the "house" question, I am not being interrogated or put on trial for failing to acquire a house by the time I'm 30. If I get/have gotten defensive with you, I apologize now!
Three, there are so many benefits to living in a smaller space. Lower electricity, lower bills in general, no maintenance, etc. It's wonderful. I don't need to be in any rush because there will be plenty of time for trash pickup, calling the plumber, or taking care of the lawn. For now, I don't have to do any of that. I should be shouting, HALLELUJAH! Also, I've spent this whole week packing, and I am REALLY grateful our small space limits the amount of stuff I have to pack :)
And, if you live in a huge house, go YOU! I don't want to be judged for my small house, so I'm working on not being a hypocrite. It's a work in progress, I tell ya!
I love this quote one of my friends has in her own home, taken from a country song:
The song is super cheesy, but the message is OUR LIFE. In fact, I will probably figure out a way in our new home to post this so that I can remind myself each day that many blessings come in small packages.
Fourth, relating to blessings, we have so many. Sometimes that "have nots" get in the way of recognizing all that we have. We are truly blessed. We have so many good things in our lives. We are happy, and that is so important. We are happy because of friends and family and the gospel, which are part of who we are, not because of plain ole THINGS.
Lastly, I'm remembering my own personal mantra, from Doctrine and Covenants 122:7 "All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."
So here's to finding the good, house or not!
We've finally got people to stop asking when we're going to have kids. Which really wasn't that hard, because the people we know are kind and non-intrusive and non-judgmental, and most people understand that's a pretty lame question to ask someone unless they are volunteering that information.
But "Are you looking for a house/So you going to buy a house next?" has nearly replaced that in questions that make me cringe. I know that I am ultra-senstive about it, because YES, I would LOVE to have a house. I would LOVE to have a yard, and a deck, and walls to paint, and an extra bedroom. I would LOVE it. But for us, it's not in the cards for a while, and somehow that question makes me feel bad about myself. I don't know when living in an apartment became a lower form of living, and it just may possibly be that I FEEL that way when I get asked that question, even if the person asking the question means nothing by it. In fact, I'm sure that anyone who asks that questions is not purposely doing it to MAKE me feel bad (I hear my mom saying, "No one can MAKE you feel bad, no one can MAKE you do anything" in my head ). But, I have not figured out how to answer that question without feeling like I have to be on the defensive. My answers have ranged from, "No, not yet" to "Someday" to "Yes, we have a dwelling to live in," to "No, we're not really house people (which is a lie, we COULD be house people, but we CAN'T be house people, so we make ourselves feel better by saying that one out loud).
Now I know I shouldn't get all worked up about it, and I'm really trying hard not to, but I think people should be aware that sometimes that question is the equivalent of "So when are you going to have kids?" (Add that to, "So, did you get a job yet?" Eek. That's an uncomfortable one too. Maybe also, "Are you dating anyone?")
The other day I saw this quote on Facebook. I send it to Todd, and we had a laugh, because this is exactly how we feel when we get the dreaded "house" Q&A.
So, I've come up with a few solutions. One, I have to remember everyone's circumstances are unique, and that there is not one thing wrong with living in an apartment. NOT ONE THING. I need to keep telling myself this, because it's true. If we were to buy a house, it would be a really bad financial decision for us. And that's all that matters. Living in a small apartment is a short-term solution that is going to help us reach our long-term financial goals. And that probably includes a house. But not just yet!
Two, I have to remind myself not to feel like I have to get defensive. When I get the "house" question, I am not being interrogated or put on trial for failing to acquire a house by the time I'm 30. If I get/have gotten defensive with you, I apologize now!
Three, there are so many benefits to living in a smaller space. Lower electricity, lower bills in general, no maintenance, etc. It's wonderful. I don't need to be in any rush because there will be plenty of time for trash pickup, calling the plumber, or taking care of the lawn. For now, I don't have to do any of that. I should be shouting, HALLELUJAH! Also, I've spent this whole week packing, and I am REALLY grateful our small space limits the amount of stuff I have to pack :)
And, if you live in a huge house, go YOU! I don't want to be judged for my small house, so I'm working on not being a hypocrite. It's a work in progress, I tell ya!
I love this quote one of my friends has in her own home, taken from a country song:
The song is super cheesy, but the message is OUR LIFE. In fact, I will probably figure out a way in our new home to post this so that I can remind myself each day that many blessings come in small packages.
Fourth, relating to blessings, we have so many. Sometimes that "have nots" get in the way of recognizing all that we have. We are truly blessed. We have so many good things in our lives. We are happy, and that is so important. We are happy because of friends and family and the gospel, which are part of who we are, not because of plain ole THINGS.
Lastly, I'm remembering my own personal mantra, from Doctrine and Covenants 122:7 "All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."
So here's to finding the good, house or not!
Ruth and Naomi
Yesterday's Sunday school lesson revolved around Ruth and Naomi (YES, I get to go to Sunday School! Finally! We'll see how long that lasts since I'm sure we'll be getting callings in our new ward in Derby).
I'm sure the intention of the lesson was different then the way it went in my head, but lest they continue to swirl, here's some of the thoughts I had about this story.
I'm glad we're studying the Old Testament, because honestly, I don't think I've gotten past Judges when I've tried to read it straight through. I've picked up a few random stories, especially at the beginning, like I've got the creation down and Noah, and very little after that point. I've wanted to be more literate in my Bible, but I also want to know about the culture too, because I think that helps my understanding. Anyway, there's a point to this rambling. We were talking about how Ruth left her people to stay with Naomi when she had no one. For me, that really resonated with me.
We recently watching a Turning Point episode on the BYU channel about the Akshaya Trust (HERE is the link to the show, it's worth your 30 minutes!) There is a town in India where there was an epidemic of families just returning their elders to the streets because they couldn't afford to feed them. Obviously, this is horrifying, and so the episode revolves around a man who spends all day every day delivering meals to these elders who live on the streets.
I love Turning Point, but this episode really went straight to my heart. I can't imagine leaving my Granny or parents on the streets to fend for themselves, ESPECIALLY if they are dealing with disease, mental deficiency, physical disabilities, etc. Todd and I talked about how when you start to abandon your elders on the streets, that's another symptom of the degeneration of the family. We have talked often about how we want to make sure we place ourselves in a position where we can take care of family members if need be. Anyway, my heart is filled with admiration for this man and his organization in India that is feeding this elders.
I thought a lot about Ruth compared to this gentleman in India, eager to make sacrifices and steadfast in her loyalty. She had to give up her people to follow Naomi to a life possibly filled with hardship. Things worked out for her in the end, but her unwillingness to abandon Naomi is an example I want to follow.
I have extended family members who are sacrificing so they can take care of grandparents and parents. Some of their major life decisions have been altered so that they can be there for family. I want to be just like them, willing to sacrifice my own wishes and desires to provide support and love for the family God has given me on Earth!
I'm sure the intention of the lesson was different then the way it went in my head, but lest they continue to swirl, here's some of the thoughts I had about this story.
I'm glad we're studying the Old Testament, because honestly, I don't think I've gotten past Judges when I've tried to read it straight through. I've picked up a few random stories, especially at the beginning, like I've got the creation down and Noah, and very little after that point. I've wanted to be more literate in my Bible, but I also want to know about the culture too, because I think that helps my understanding. Anyway, there's a point to this rambling. We were talking about how Ruth left her people to stay with Naomi when she had no one. For me, that really resonated with me.
We recently watching a Turning Point episode on the BYU channel about the Akshaya Trust (HERE is the link to the show, it's worth your 30 minutes!) There is a town in India where there was an epidemic of families just returning their elders to the streets because they couldn't afford to feed them. Obviously, this is horrifying, and so the episode revolves around a man who spends all day every day delivering meals to these elders who live on the streets.
I love Turning Point, but this episode really went straight to my heart. I can't imagine leaving my Granny or parents on the streets to fend for themselves, ESPECIALLY if they are dealing with disease, mental deficiency, physical disabilities, etc. Todd and I talked about how when you start to abandon your elders on the streets, that's another symptom of the degeneration of the family. We have talked often about how we want to make sure we place ourselves in a position where we can take care of family members if need be. Anyway, my heart is filled with admiration for this man and his organization in India that is feeding this elders.
I thought a lot about Ruth compared to this gentleman in India, eager to make sacrifices and steadfast in her loyalty. She had to give up her people to follow Naomi to a life possibly filled with hardship. Things worked out for her in the end, but her unwillingness to abandon Naomi is an example I want to follow.
I have extended family members who are sacrificing so they can take care of grandparents and parents. Some of their major life decisions have been altered so that they can be there for family. I want to be just like them, willing to sacrifice my own wishes and desires to provide support and love for the family God has given me on Earth!
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