September 12, 2017

Greetings My Friend,

Our move to Virginia has been teaching us about being flexible. I would love to set up our home in a certain way, leave that way from then on. We have found through the very long process of renovating the need to rethink what we first thought we wanted. When Junior extended the front porch, he added an open spot where we would put in a fire pit. Last year we enjoyed a few fires in this spot which was up higher than the porch area. This summer Junior extended the porch, opened up a portion where there was no roof then we put the fire pit in that spot and we like it much better. The plan now for the old area for the fire pit is to put a container garden, mainly big pots of raspberries, blueberries, grapes and strawberries. That area has lattice fencing on three sides which is great for the vines to grow into. Their is no roof so the plants get plenty of sunshine and water when it rains. I am grateful that we rethought the use of the spot. Being flexible allows us to utilize the entire wrap around porch much more efficiently. The spot where the fire pit is now gives us a view of the road, the woods across from the road allowing us to relax in the beauty of God's creation. As we have renovated the house we found that the original idea  generally needs to be tweaked once we live with it. Junior has been very good at making changes as he sees the need. Last year I dried squash, green peppers since it was my 1st year preserving food. I rarely use these in my everyday cooking so this year I did not dry any. I realized I mainly used corn, green beans, carrots and celery, for soup making. This year I only did what I mainly use. My faith journey also needs to be flexible as well. Right now I am trusting God as He is teaching me to exercise more. My mind wants to be busy with housework as my source of exercise, it is good and contributes greatly to my active level but I also need another more challenging type of exercise, mainly walking. Walking around the yard, proves to be a challenge for my leg muscles to navigate the bumpy and hilly grass, also taking a walk down our mountain country road gives me hills to work my thighs. These exercises along with housework are quieting down the spasms and tremor in my legs. I struggle with the thought that my baking is slacking off as I now help do dishes, exercise more outside. I need to remind myself that trusting God is more important than doing what makes sense to me or is comfortable. I have much the same struggle with the work God is giving me for His kingdom building. As a follower of Jesus, I have a heart for those that are in need due to the hurricane and long to reach out to help them by going down there. The reality is I won't be any good I tire easily, I cannot be of use and it makes me sad. I can donate items, money although to me being personal in my giving means more. God reminds me that my season of donating time is not there anymore and He has other work He wants me to be involved in. God reminds me about the importance of prayer, of donating goods or money to those in need right now. These jobs are very necessary as well, God reminds me how important donations were many years ago when I was a child and Dad had polio. The people's donations at church allowed my family to have food and clothing, Dad to get a back brace and so on. If people would not have given of their money as well as their time we would not have survived as well as we did. When I did short term mission trips I found that many times those I went to help often gave to me as much as I gave to them. I loved the lessons these people gave me in my life. I can share how God has worked in my life by talking to people online, at the store, being a neighbor. We always need to be a witness at home as much as away from home, this is the lesson I am learning about being flexible. It is exciting to travel to help others although there are people right in my neighborhood who need to know the love of God, the gift of Jesus in their lives. In the end being flexible is not about "me" but what God is calling me to do and then doing it with joy and enthusiasm. May God bless you and keep you, make His face shine on you. Love Janet