What matters the most

God has a way of putting everything in perspective. It is very easy for me to obsess about all things house-related and forget about the really important events of life, whether trivial or monumental. The list of small things includes:

• Little T's almost constant smiles- he's such a happy baby
• teachable moments that come when I am reading to or playing with the other two
• the beautiful view of the mountains I can see from my bed- what a way to greet the day!
  
• the snow that fell throughout the day on Monday
  
• the joys of being near sisters-in-law and cousins
  
• watching my amaryllis grow each day
  

The monumental includes:

• my friend, Lauren, who is having a baby soon AND will be moving to another state immediately after
• A friend from our last church who just found out her cancer has returned and is looking to prepare her family for a future without her
• trying to get to know a whole new church body and learn how to serve them
• learning to hold all things loosely and be content with whatever God has given today

So even though I would love to go on and on about how desperately I would like to live in the farmhouse we saw yesterday (the house with the blackberries growing along the fence, the one that could house my entire family when they come to visit) it is really insignificant when seen with the whole of life in view. And even more insignificant with eternity in view. That said, I'll be sure to post a picture of wherever we end up.

And speaking of getting to know our new church family better, here's a great post on 20 Qualities of a Good Listener. Making new friends is never easy but this should help. I guess it would help you keep the friends you have as well.

My sister-in-law has agreed to let me plan a few meals and make dinner a couple of times during the upcoming weeks. Even though I have loved being pampered and served (and she is a great cook who makes it look SO easy to feed the 12 of us) I am eager to get back to cooking, which is an outlet for me. My family used to say I cooked when I was mad...or sad...or excited...you get the point. Bon Appetit!