Stuck According to His Will

I read Miss Holly's thoughts at Falling Upward tonight, and as usual, she made me reflect on my own life.

Sometimes I feel like I'm waiting around for my life to start, and I'm afraid it's going to be nine more years before I'll truly be rid of that feeling. The reason? Lovely Judge Clayton has us planted in the town where I was born and raised until my daughter is eighteen. We're half way there this summer.

When my friend circle seems particularly small (though never lacking in quality!), when the activity choices for my kids seems sparse, when I'm forced to move my kid to our public school instead of a different Catholic school, I dream about what life would be like had we been allowed to move closer to the city where my husband works. I detest the fact that I've never lived outside my hometown of 3,500 people. Though I never want to live in the heart of a city, it disappoints me that activities like ice skating lessons or quality performing arts are two hours away. While I love my small-town parish, it makes me sad to know that there are next to no other young Catholic families to befriend. These are the thoughts that go through my head, the ones that I struggle to push out of my heart at least a few times a week.

I know, without a doubt, that God has kept us in this town for a reason. I believe with all my heart that He is working through us somehow, or that we've been kept here to learn a precious lesson. If nothing else, I'm learning that patience isn't just needed while my kids are asking the same question 82 times in a row. No, patience in that context is a breeze for me. It is in the long waits that I struggle. The eighteen year wait to start fresh, to not be known as the girl who had a baby in high school, to find a community where I truly feel at home (instead of only feeling at home inside my the walls of our house), demands my daily prayer for patience and peace.

The Simple Woman's Daybook: June 8th

For Today... June 8, 2009

Outside my window... a dreary day, a few raindrops land with tinks on our metal roof.  The forest around my home blocks the view to even the field beyond our yard.  

I am thinking... It's good to be back, but so nice to have been unexpectedly left without internet connection for ten days.  The nights of our vacation would have been vastly different had we been "connected."  Instead, we were able to connect with each other over card games, board games, philosophical conversations, and a couple nights out.

From the kitchen... emptiness.  And a shopping list 30 items long.

I am wearing... jeans and a hunter green t-shirt. And bare feet.

I am reading... The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. This was to be my read on the beach, but while I lounged long enough to read it cover to cover, I ended up watching my kids play during most of my lounge time and only read about a third.  It's a great read so far! 

I am creating... a color pallet.  It's time to order flooring and countertops for the remodel, and I'm finding it a bit overwhelming to make sure it all works together!
I am praying... That the next 9 days pass SLOWLY! After those days are gone, my sweet daughter will be at her dad's for 6 weeks straight.  Those are lonely weeks even now with 2 other kids to occupy my attention... 

Around the house... the normal tidying of kids toys and clean clothes to put away.  Then there's the van that needs a good scrub after our road trip.

One of my favorite things... hammocks.  I fully intend to have one someday.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Make the most of my time with my daughter, find homes for 2 kittens, photo session, hopefully start painting the remodel.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... 

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Revitalized at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The 19 hour drive home already fading, I'm anxious to post pictures and stories about my family's visit to Myrtle Beach.  For today, you all will have to be satisfied with a couple sneak peak shots...