Things have been flowing right along at our house this week. We did have my nephew over for dinner on Monday night, and it was a blast. The kids love having him over, and playing Wii is usually what happens after dinner. It was a great night.
We went to playgroup on Tuesday, and we've started meeting in a local park now that it's warmer. It was great. This park, which I've never been to before, is huge. It has a play area, a baseball field, a huge grassy hill the kids can climb and run down, and a very long walking sidewalk around the whole park. The kids had a blast, and I got to have a nice walk with friends. We are all looking forward to next week. I also cut the guys hair on Tuesday night, and that went o.k. except my clippers broke after Paulie's hair, but before I got Paul's done. That was a bummer. I ran out and got a new set. We still had some money left from the stimulus check, and it's something we use every 6 weeks or so. It was a definite need and investment.
We finally made it to church on Wednesday night! I am so happy about that because we have been trying to go for months. First it was just plain laziness, then we really wanted to go and things kept coming up on Wednesday's that made us have to skip it. Well, this Wednesday did get a bit crazy, but we pushed through it and went and we were blessed. The worship was great, and the teaching was just what I needed to hear. We will be making this a regular thing, and I'm blessed by that. The kids did better than the last Wednesday we went to (which was about 6 months ago when we first started going to this church), but it still wasn't great. Paulie's class was o.k., and besides possibly getting into some boyish mischief, he did fine. Sarah, well, it's a work in progress. She's still making friends, and most of her friends are from the homeschool group, and they don't always go to church at the same times we do. So though some girls will say hi to her, no one includes her in their conversations or the things they are doing. But she truly seems to be o.k. with it, I think it bothers me more than her. She likes the teaching, and says she's fine with going, so go she will. She knows it's completely up to her, and she can come sit with us anytime she wants. I guess it will just continue to take time. But all in all, we were glad we went.
Last night was woman's bible study, and it went well. There was more fellowship after the study this time, and that was a blessing. I got to talk to one of the ladies about the ministries we are stepping up for, and the ones I'm praying about. Though I still don't have friendships that I can just pick up the phone and call these ladies for prayer and encouragement, the friendships are growing. I think we forget how long it truly takes to build friendships, and its not anything we think of until we move to a completely new area. And what's hard is that so many people already have their friends, and don't feel a need to reach out to anyone new. The problem with that is, the new people don't always have any friends, and can't make any if no one wants new friends. I find that a lot out here. People have lived out here their whole lives. They have friendships they've had for years, if not from childhood. And though they are always kind, the deep, bonding type friendships don't easily happen, because they already have them and don't realize that so many woman don't have them. I realize now I was like that in Illinois. I always welcomed new women, included them in things, stuff like that. But I never felt the need to truly get to know them or try to really be in their lives and let them in mine. I had my close friends that I opened up with, and didn't feel the need for more. What I didn't think of was them. That the fact that they were new meant they probably didn't have lots of close friends and could use someone like that in their lives. So I pray that through all of this I will learn and remember that when I see a new woman in the church to not just say hi and include her in things, but to be opened to developing a close friendship with her. She just might be in the position I'm in right now. OK, not sure where that came from, but it's on my heart with what we are going through now. It's not like we have started going to a new church and still have old friends. All our old friends are in Illinois, and we have to start over completely new out here. It's been hard at times and a struggle. But the Lord is faithful to bring people into all of our lives. I pray that the friendships He wants to go deeper grow that way.
Well you are now caught up with our week. If the weather stays clear we will work on the yard this weekend. Our landlord came and turned on the automated sprinkler system, so the grass is growing even quicker now. We bought a lawn mower, but now we have to clean up the yard from the former tenants then mow the lawn and get it looking neat. But it's been windy and wet the past few days, but I think tomorrow is suppose to be in the mid 60's and sunny, so hopefully we'll get it done. We might have my nephew over for dinner tonight, and Paul does his first ushering in church this Saturday night, so we have to get to church early. So it's looking like another busy weekend. I hope you all have a blessed day and weekend.
Oh, our laptop has been sent to Gateway and they should have it by today or tomorrow. So we'll see what happens. I just keep praying they don't find anything else wrong with it, and that it's the cheapest possible fix. I'll let you know what we hear.
I'm sorry you are feeling lonely for a close friend. I have had very few close friends over the years because we move so frequently, so I know that feeling.
I guess I have learned to be content with Jim being my best friend, but it would be nice to have someone to talk to when he is gone.
Maybe you could start inviting other moms over each week until you find one you click with?
I just thought of something else--maybe it could be a mom of one of the girls in Sarah's class?
You are so sensitive (in a good way) to others. What you wrote is a good reminder to me who has been at my same church for 13 years (minus some time this year). I have friends and need to look around me to see if anyone else needs to be included around me. :-)
Jenn
We are waiting for our stimulus check. It won't come till June I think. We are going to use it all in one blow. We want to get our front loader washer. I am looking for any way to not spend money so we can shift it to where we need to. We need to make it so we are staying in our budget. I want to try NOT to use the credit card.
I know what you mean about the frienship issue. Well me being up on this mountain most of the time it makes friendships challenging. I find my friendships are more through the computer and phone. I do love asking people over for meals.
My brother and his friend are here for a week. So lots of projects will get done around here and my MIL's.
Sending blessings and ((HUGS)) my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary
I can so relate with you on the frienship area you were speaking of.
We moved from one county to another a little over 2 years ago and I still haven't been able to make any friendships or pick up the phone and call anyone. My 12yo son has made a friend but, the mother isn't interested in having anymore friendships as you were saying in your blog many people don't want to reach out and make "new" friends.
So I sit most days with no one still but, I am thankful to have my friends here in blog world.
I am excited for you to be getting your laptop fixed..whoohooo!
I am also happy that you were able to get to the church you wish to go to and be a part of it that is really wonderful, I am still aprehensive on the church deal okay because of what we have been through, but the Lord is working through that with me, I am working.
I really enjoyed reading your blog this evening..thanks.
It's good to hear your settling into your new church. It will take time, just hang in there. We've been at our church for almost 3 years now. We have many strong friendships there. It did take time though! Have a wonderful weekend, and don't work too hard in the yard. Hee Hee, I'm a poet!
So glad the week went well. In the town we used to live in there was a park with a walk all the way around the play area. I really liked that because I could walk and still keep and eye on the kids.
I know what you mean about friendships and being new and everyone else already having "set" friendships that go way back. I really hope you are able to build a few strong ones that you can hold on to.
As you and I have talked before, we understand well the problem of "being new at a place" About Sarah, we have been there with Anna also... yes, it's harder on us moms ;)
I am jealous of your sprinkling system....just kidding :)
Have a wonderful blessed Mother's day. I'm sure the girls will have lots to talk about us their mothers next time they talk.....Anna is up some real secrets for tomorrow :)
(((((hugs))))
Katia
This blog is so I can share my journey with the Lord, my journey as a wife and mother, and my journey as a homeschool mom. I pray that you will see the Lord in my life through happy and sad times, and that this blog glorifies the Lord.
This is an award and tag free zone, thank you.
That was a bummer. I ran out and got a new set. We still had some money left from the stimulus check, and it's something we use every 6 weeks or so. It was a definite need and investment.
I am so happy about that because we have been trying to go for months. First it was just plain laziness, then we really wanted to go and things kept coming up on Wednesday's that made us have to skip it. Well, this Wednesday did get a bit crazy, but we pushed through it and went and we were blessed. The worship was great, and the teaching was just what I needed to hear. We will be making this a regular thing, and I'm blessed by that. The kids did better than the last Wednesday we went to (which was about 6 months ago when we first started going to this church), but it still wasn't great. Paulie's class was o.k., and besides possibly getting into some boyish mischief, he did fine. Sarah, well, it's a work in progress. She's still making friends, and most of her friends are from the homeschool group, and they don't always go to church at the same times we do. So though some girls will say hi to her, no one includes her in their conversations or the things they are doing. 
