LOOKING BACK
May was a month with very fluctuating temperatures here in upstate South Carolina. Looking back our highs ranged from the eighties all the way down to the sixties! On the hot days I didn’t spend much time outside. Other days a delicious breeze brought a welcome respite as I lounged on the porch swing or walked around the property.
May was also a time of changes.
Since my mother’s death earlier in April, I’m learning that grief is an ongoing process. I never know when a wave of grief will come over me or what will cause it. Recently my niece sent me a photo of the finished gravestone which has not only the dates of my dad’s birth and death and my mom’s birth, but now includes the date she left this earth. That brought tears to the surface. There are still days when I think I need to pick up the phone and call her, but I remember she is now at peace.
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Late April I joined the Literacy Musing Mondays linkup as one of the hosts. With hosting comes responsibility to read and comment on some of the posts. This has been a great way to make friends and learn what others like to write about. It’s also fun to pick a favorite post to feature each week. Many share book reviews, but you are welcome to share any family friendly posts. Please check out our latest linkup if you haven’t yet. We’d love for you to join us.
At the beginning of May my husband and I had a short respite in the form of a personal spiritual retreat at The Cove in North Carolina.
There were no meetings, just time to rest, pray and reflect. The only set times we had to remember were when the meals were served. There were walking trails beside a stream with benches along the way and scripture verses to meditate on. It was very peaceful and a time of renewal. We realized that we need to be spending more time together in prayer. Now we just need to put it into practice. We also met some wonderful people from different parts of the country. God used us in each other’s lives to encourage one another.
In the middle of May I decided to start a new blog and learned that I still have a lot to learn about setting up a blog.
I spent a lot of time researching and finally decided to take the plunge by getting my own domain, signing up with Bluehost and downloading WordPress. Countless hours were spent going through the themes/templates to find one suitable. Even after making a decision, I experimented with many more. Each seemed to have something I didn’t like so this one is a keeper for now. I’m sure I’ll be learning and adding things as I go.
My last post at the former blog was called Reminiscing and Time for a Change. I am grateful for all I learned since beginning blogging nearly three years ago. My dilemma now is deciding whether to import the posts to this new blog or just repost my favorites over a period of time. If any of you have experience with this I would love hearing your advice or suggestions. There are over 300 posts so I don’t really want to import them all.
An ongoing lesson God is teaching me is that my house doesn’t have to be uncluttered in order to show hospitality.
We now have a young man living with us whom we’ve known since he was a child. He and my son both struggle with some disabilities, but they are able to help each other in many ways. The first few weeks He slept on the couch, but he now uses an upstairs room that has extra furniture in it right now so is a bit crowded. He doesn’t seem to mind but is thankful to be here, often helping out with chores, too.
Just this past Monday we had a family over from church to enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs grilled outside. They even brought a friend along who had no place to go that day. Amid extra furniture sitting around and floors in need of repair, we had a wonderful time. None of the clutter seemed to matter. They thanked us and said they enjoyed being here.
I was reminded that what really counts is making our guests feel welcome.
Enjoy this video I took on our walk at The Cove.
I’m linking up with Emily Freeman’s and Leigh Kramer’s end of the month reflections, #LMMLinkup, #TellHisStory, and #CoffeeForYourHeart.
That’s so sweet that you’ve opened your home–I’ve always found it to be a blessing! We’ve had three foreign exchange students over the years, and they still all keep in touch (and one of them just came for a five-day visit!).
May the Holy Spirit continue to comfort you as you go through the grief process.
Thank you so much, Anita! God is faithful to comfort. We’ve also had a few exchange students over the years. We keep in touch with some of them, one of whom was actually able to be here for the wedding of one of my daughters. When we picked her up at the airport she cried and said she thought she would never see us again. That was a few y ears ago. Now she has her own family with two little boys. She still lives in France but facebook has been a great way to keep in touch. Many blessings to you, Anita!
Well, I guess I’m just going to stick with my simple little blog for now. Thanks for sharing the details about all your complications. I do love your new look, and am also appreciative of your effort at #LMM. That’s a big job!
Thanks for this update!
Thank you, Michele! You are always very encouraging and I appreciate you! I do enjoy being part of #LMM and have enjoyed meeting Mary in person. Have a great weekend coming up. Blessings to you! xo
YAY YOU for “doing it anyway”…rah rah rah!
Thanks, Susan! You are such an encourager! 🙂 Blessings to you! xo
We’ve had some amazing experiences with opening our home to students and even a quartet once. It was awesome to get to know visitors to our town in a little more intimate way and be able to love on them with food and comfort.
I’ve also had to learn that soup and buns can be just as gourmet as steak and lobster with the right company. Have a lovely June.
I agree, Sarah, it is awesome to have visitors from out of town. It’s special to love on them as you have said. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by and for your comments. Blessings and I hope you have a lovely June, too.
Beautiful job on the new blog, Gayl! Fabulous! And bravo on all that you learned this month, I’m enjoying reading everyone’s musings, feels like catching up with friends 🙂
Thank you, Christine! It is fun to read what others have done this past month. I’ll be over to read yours, too! Blessings to you! xo
Praying for you, friend! What a month full of lessons!
Thank you, dear Karrilee! Yes, it was definitely full, but good, too. Blessings to you! xo
Thank you for the glimpse into your heart and the month of May. It sounds like life was a little tops turvy just like the weather. The lessons you learned will carry you through a lifetime. God is so good to teach and guide us through all the days of our lives. Blessings!
Yes, life was full of surprises and twists and turns but there was still good in it, too! Thank you for your encouragement, Mary. 🙂 Yes, God does teach us and gently lead even through the storms. Blessings to you! xo
I am sorry about your mothers death. Prayers sent your way.
Thank you so much. Blessings to you!
What a full month. I’m sorry for your loss, grief really does have its own schedule! We have found opening our home has been a wonderful gift, and not just for the ones we’ve invited in! Blessing as you navigate this new path, and encourage others! (Stopping by from #TellHisStory )
Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Katharine! Often opening our home, even with unexpected guests, has blessed us as much or more than those who visit. 🙂 I’m glad you stopped by today. Blessings to you!