Twisty

Life has a tendency to take many unexpected twists and turns.  Four years ago I wouldn't have believed that between 2010 and 2013 I would go to Africa and England, see two of my three children get married, move out of our historic Civil War era house, renovate my in-laws house and move into it, put both of the aforementioned houses up for sale, and be preparing to move to a rental house and then build another house.

Here's how it happened:
Big Life Twist #1
We went to Africa on a mission trip in 2010 and found out that our happiness has little to do with our stuff and much more to do with serving God in ways He designs and in ways we wouldn't even think of.

We kept saying to each other, "Can you believe we are in Africa?!!"

Collating papers for books for pastors in Namibia.

Then in 2011, we got ourselves a new member of the family.  This was not an unexpected twist, just a wonderful one.

Very Unexpected Twist
About that same time we decided to downsize and move from the historic house we had cherished for over 20 years to something smaller and more practical.  Life's not about stuff, you know?  But we kept both houses just in case the kids would want our stuff.

Great house for raising kids

The cute downsizer

2012 found us happily living in our downsized house, celebrating the engagement of child #2 and getting ready to welcome a new son-in-law.

We also traveled to England for a family vacation.  We LOVE being with our kids.  It doesn't matter where-- in any location, any house, any country...

Now in 2013, our house is a lovely place to live and entertain...

Bridal shower

But, it turns out that our kids don't really want our "stuff" (i.e. houses) either. They're going to do their own thing in their own time in their own places. You see, it's all about the people.  It's not about keeping all the stuff in the family.  Like I said, it doesn't matter where we live.  Good relationships aren't contingent on certain locations.  And our happiness isn't rooted in a certain rectangular structure in southern Pennsylvania.

Most Recent Bold Twist: sell them both!
Yep, let's simplify, downsize, start over.  We're ready to move on.  Well, we're not moving very far, but we are starting over.  I'm so excited!  I'm excited to get rid of the baggage of way too much property, lawn, furniture.... stuff.  I'm excited to empty nest with my great husband of THIRTY years (well almost empty nest-- the youngest is in college-- and we love having her home this summer!)  I'm excited to build something brand new.  I'm excited at the thought of having more freedom to serve God in whatever way He leads us.  I am hoping He leads me to Haiti soon, maybe back to Namibia... who knows?

Let's build a house right about... here.

Are we nuts?  Maybe so.  If we are, I hope we're almonds.  They are so good with chocolate.