Wednesday, May 16, 2012

THE MOVING MEMOIRS - Worth a Second Look


So, Debbie suggested that I name these posts about my moving journey.

I thought I'd take her up on it – (obedient blogger that I am…)

Some great discarded thoughts:

"Movin' On Up" – (I kept hearing spontaneous outbursts of the theme song from "The Jeffersons")

"Go Tell It On the Mountain" – (I had a music thing going there, huh?)


"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" – (had to think of just one more)


"The Big Move" – (sounded like a migration of giants…)


"Move Me, Shake Me" – (not such a good idea in Southern California earthquake country)


I have finally decided on "The Moving Memoirs" with a subtitle of "When God Says Go!"

I thought it was an appropriate title – 

Definition of memoir: a record of events written by a person having intimate knowledge of them and based on personal observation

Definition of moving: producing strong emotion

So…there ya go.

I thought I'd start today in the beginning…because that's a very good place to start.

As I mentioned on Monday, we originally looked at houses last summer.  And then, we started looking *for real* in January.  We probably traipsed ourselves through about 25 homesand "virtually" toured another 30 or more online!  

We finally found one that we liked – a great view, most of the amenities that we wanted.

We liked it enough that I decided to have my sons go up with us for their opinion.  Because, after all, I didn't feel like I could really go without their blessing.

Well, the second we drove into the driveway of this home, I felt their *vibes* – and they weren't good.  They tried to be nice, generously pointing out things they liked, while keeping quiet about the things they didn’t.  But…a mom knows.

I finally pulled them aside and said, "Be honest.  You don't like this house, do you?"

And both of them said basically the same thing – "We just don't picture you here, Mom."

God speaks to the spirit.

We decided to drive around the neighborhood a while.  At one point, the road came to a dead-end, and there was a house there.  I casually mentioned, "Oh, we looked at this place last summer."

The boys looked at each other, looked at me, and said, "And why didn't you like this house?"

I muttered, "We only got a chance to look at it for like 10 minutes.  It was a little modern."

But I also muttered, "It's got acres…"

Well…much discussion later…it was decided that this home needed a second look, a second chance.

You see, seasoned house-hunters look at things differently than they do when they first start out.  They begin to understand that there is no perfect house (unless you want to build it yourself!)  But…there are houses with grand potential to become beautiful homesand there is one house out there that is *your home*.

So, we scheduled another appointment to tour this house.

And lo and behold, the moment "The Hub" and I walked in the front door, we knew.  I looked at him, and he looked at me – "This is it," I said.  He smiled and said, "I know."

And when I looked out the window at the spectacular view of the mountain, I cried.

Yes, indeed, this was our home.

I've reflected on this whole experience – this "change of heart" if you will. The house was exactly the same as it was when we visited it last summer. What happened between Visit #1 and Visit #2?  

A couple of things, I think:

We saw a potential there we hadn't seen before – how new carpet, new paint would totally transform the look.

We spent more time there, and appreciated the many features of this house.

We compared it to all that we had seen, and realized that nothing else came close to being the "right" place.

But, more than anything, I believe that God spoke to us this time.  HE showed us that this was the place He had prepared.


So, my first lesson in "The Moving Memoirs"?

Sometimes, when God moves the spirit and speaks to the heart, it changes everything.  We see things with new eyes.  He reveals His will, and we know what He wants us to do…

Sometimes God wants us to give someone another chance, or to take another look at a situation, or to re-consider an opportunity.

Sometimes God reveals His plans right away and sometimes His plans are revealed a step at a time.


Sometimes He turns a "no" into a YES!


Is there anything in your life worth a second look?


(Incidentally, I did take my sons back up to this house to get their opinion. Consensus?  "Mom, this is a no-brainer."  Their blessing was the icing on my cake!)


(OH!  When things get settled down a bit - I'll post pictures...)


Linked today with Joan at the GRACE CAFE


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

12 comments:

  1. "Sometimes, when God moves the spirit and speaks to the heart, it changes everything. We see things with new eyes. He reveals His will, and we know what He wants us to do…"

    Love it and Amen. That's how I felt about the daughter's move. She had actually been offered a job in Alexandria back in July of 2011, but I wasn't ready for that distance, and neither was she. When HE was, she was. More miraculously, I was too.

    And thanks for naming this series and I heartily agree with the choice. We're going to be learning a lot from your move, I think.

    But now... Since you seem to take orders from me so well, I'm starting to look like your Blog Mother.

    Which would be fine...
    Except when you try to combine words to create an official title, it makes me your BOTHER.

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    1. Debbie... I'm sure you're not a BOTHER... just a BLOTHER (so check your Funk & Wagnalls for this one):0) You seem to always give Sharon great suggestions! Love how you two are in such a good sync! Hope everything worked/works out as regards your daughter's move and job... and you being alright with it.

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  2. Loving this blog Sharon, and laughing at Debbie's comments above. Between the 2 of you there is some seriously fun and wise blogging going on!

    I can hardly wait to see pictures of your new place. I am in 'the moving mode' with our kids, so right there with you. It sounds like God is providing something more than special, to care for your family... and your heart.

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  3. Waiting with GREAT ANTICIPATION! Love the series title... and the songs that spoke to you... you are indeed MOVIN' ON UP... but please remember the "Much Afraids" you leave behind in the valley... because I love looking at the mountains just not climbing them... Many blessings Sharon and Much love 'cuz "...there ain't no mountain high enough... Nothing can keep me, keep me away." Glad while I was here, I was able to catch this one also... Peggy

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  4. Cute titles you were thinking about Sharon; love your sense of humor!! How neat that you revisited that house and that you were wise enough to listen to your sons when they didn't like that first house and invited you to reconsider something you had seen before! A wild adventure you are doing; looking forward to sharing it with you (except for the actual moving part, LOL)

    betty

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  5. Can't wait to see your new place...
    THE MOVING MEMOIRS - Worth a Second Look...excellent!

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  6. Sharon,
    Loved this post. We moved, for the first time in 21 years, last fall, and it was an adventure. And, much like you, when we walked into the house we bought we just "knew" - and it was God's time.

    Great post. Thanks!

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  7. Okay - I can't resist - has Marty given his approval? :)

    Seriously, I look forward to seeing the photos. When is moving day?

    Blessings,
    Joan

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    1. Actually, Joan - Marty was also there!! He stayed in the car, but gave me a hearty *air bark* of blessing. So...a Marty Seal of Approval was part of the decision process, too!!

      Can't wait to move in and have him come up and see me. He will have a snouting festival - the forest is Hound Heaven indeed!

      :)

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  8. You made some good points... I feel some analogies coming on!
    It's good to be back...

    Shay

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  9. Ok for some reason blogger keeps eating my comments as I type. I had a similar experience when shopping for a house. Had my heart totally set on another house. But since settling into my home, I have discovered it was indeed the perfect for me even though I didn't see it at first. As you said it takes God to help us see things that may have been before us all along. Sometimes things must be revealed to us instead of just seen by us. Blessings to you Sharon.

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  10. I love you sweet friend, you always make me smile.

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)