This past week I had the privilege of being with my 13-year old grandson Simon as my daughter made a quick trip to Florida. Simon is homeschooled and I was (supposedly) there to oversee his attentiveness to his work. The first day I learned he knew exactly what needed to be accomplished and he did it. Their homeschool curriculum is A Beka dvd’s. I am so impressed by the excellence. Simon has been homeschooled since first grade and the knowledge that boy has is impressive. He’s now in 8th grade and I would venture to say a college course could be thrown in and he’d ace it. All that to say I didn’t make it to Kate’s FMF party last night. I fell into bed at 8 p.m. and was probably asleep by 8:30! Of course this morning I was up at 4 cleaning our kitchen!
Kate called a good word…
00:00
28-years ago this Labor Day weekend my husband, then-10 year old son, and I chose a new path for our life. After living in South Florida for 30+ years, we moved to the mountains of northwest North Carolina to start a new life. It was definitely a chosen, well-thought-out path. Hubs wanted to move to the panhandle of Idaho, where we owned 25 acres of wild country. But that path was just a little too hard for me to say yes to. I had two grown kids who I knew would not leave Florida and Idaho? Well, it’s like polar opposites! Our compromise was the Appalachians in the Blue Ridge Mountain range.
New path. New life. New everything. I loved it. I took almost a year off of work, stayed home, and played Ma Ingall’s – I played it well. Michael fit right in as the new boy in fifth grade and everyone accepted him – it was kind of neat for them to have someone who wasn’t kin, in some form or other, as their peer.
This new path had many hardships. Many twists and turns but we eventually found our rhythm and learned the dance of country life.
It’s been a good path for us and it is one I would probably choose to do again if given the chance.
It’s the place God and I got real together. The place He made it clear that HIS PATH is the best path. I’ve not waivered.
And, I’m glad.
05:00
There is so much TRUTH in these words:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Mmm…so good Susan!
Love you!
XO
Tammy
and you…………..
Its really hard to take a new path when you can’t see where it leads. Oh me of little faith lol.
Melissa, just keep doing the next thing….HE will present the path you should be on. Remember…open wide the door or ROADBLOCK. Yes! Lord.
Isn’t it great to read the different paths we’ve traveled but God was the one leading each way. Enjoyed reading some of your journey Susan.
Debby, this journey has been path-laden. Eh?
Susan, we’ve made a few moves too. With my husband being active duty in the Air Force (now retired), we moved a few times. Those transitions always take time, don’t they? You were brave to move from Florida to North Carolina. I’m glad your family found community there. 🙂
And I love Proverbs 3:5-6
We found peace, Jeanne, and “finally” an awesome community of like-minded believers!
Susan, LOVE the photo!!! It is so hard to follow a path which is unknown. But when we follow His lead, it is there we find His blessing. Like you, I am finding myself appreciating reflecting on this word prompt this morning. Blessings!
Joanne, life truly has had its paths. Amen?
Susan, this is so good! I love the verse you shared. We really do need to trust Him because He will lead us on the right path! Blessings!
Gayl, honestly? Proverbs 3:5-6 sums it all up.
Hi Susan,
That sounds idyllic. I loved reading your post, and am maybe slightly jealous that you got to enjoy a year playing at being Ma Ingalls – wonderful!
Mandy, visiting from FMF
Mandy, it was pretty wonderful!
You as Ma Ingalls….love that image. I would love to come visit you in the country sometime. 🙂
And, I would love for you to visit some time.
What a wonderful essay, Susan. I could feel, I think, the combination of joy, hesitancy, and excitement! (Though having lived in South Florida during a particularly stressful time in its history I would have given anything to get to Idaho…or even Alaska.)
Thanks so much for sharing this!
Andrew, I must know more…when were you there?
I would have LOVED to see you play Ma Ingalls. I can just imagine it!
As I’ve been reading through the line-up today, I’ve been reminded of Hebrews 11:8-9 which says, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents…”
Changing location is always difficult, especially if you aren’t someone who enjoys change. Been there, done that. But I figure that “If Abraham can do it, then surely I can too!” He even made the Hebrews hall-of-fame.
Enjoy your weekend, Ma! 🙂
Shauna (#18 today)
Shauna, I’m one of those weirdo’s who loves CHANGE!!! I played Ma pretty dang well!!!
Oh I love this… (although… Idaho WOULD be so much closer to me!) 😉 Love you, friend! xoxo
Well it certainly would be, Ms K, but you know the drill, “GOD HAD A PLAN.” xo
“It’s the place God and I got real together.”
I feel the depth of rich story found in the midst of this sentence. I suppose this is a phrase that is written after believing you had been real…and then got real.
What’s your best story of getting real?
–Cheryl
Oh my, Cheryl, where do I even begin? xo