2009 in Review

I started 2009 with a trip to see my colorectal surgeon about the pain in my tummy after the reconnection of my colostomy and here I am at the end of 2009 with the same pain.  Hopefully 2010 will bring healing.  Mark's place of work went through a transformation so great that many people lost their jobs this year.  Now 2010 holds for us a move to Colorado because of those changes.  And my boys went from a small Christian private/home school to a big public high school.  Definitely, 2009 has been a year of challenge for all of us and 2010 looks to be a year of even greater challenge (and adventure).

Whatever is ahead, we know that our Lord goes before us leading us in paths of righteousness.  I am finding for myself, that letting go of what I hold dear and clinging fully on to Him is the only way to survive scary times.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called...And he went out, not knowing where he was going.  (Hebrews 11:8)

Many things about tomorrow I don't seem to understand; but I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.  ~Stanphill

Blessed New Year to All!

Winter in California

Tonight's sunset was beautiful here in Southern California.  The bare branches of the trees against the pink tinted clouds and blue sky was absolutely gorgeous.  This is my kind of winter.

My big tree friend is on the left. I am going to miss that tree.

But I will have new tree friends at the house on the hill.

The clouds drift over from the ocean.  I love the damp chilly feeling they bring.

Here is Dusty all tucked in for a long winter's nap.

She likes to hide under blankets, silly kitty.

Been Thinking

We had a very simple Christmas at the Little Blue Cottage.  I baked small batches of goodies and made up little packages for neighbors which the boys handed out on Christmas morning.  Have enjoyed visiting with family the past few days.  Could not help myself from crying at times.  It is very hard to let go of what I have.  The Lord has been speaking to me about it, telling me His grace is sufficient, that He cares for me.  That I need not wallow in the "whys", nor throw a pity party or remain in misery.  What I need to do is accept all of what He wants to do for us.  I need not understand why, I just need to hold on to His hand so He can help me through.  Part of His help is coming through my readers and I am very thankful for your kind words.  You are all a blessing!

I have been thinking of the house on the hill in Colorado wondering how it will feel to live there.  Wondering what it will be like to live in snow and experience spring.  The house is vintage 1960's and I wonder how I will be able to make it homey.  I've also thought of blogging from there and decided to open a new blog leaving this blog as a memory of my Little Blue Cottage.  I have not decided on a title for the new blog yet, although my friend Fairmaiden at Sea Cottage gave me a couple of great choices.  I will be blogging from the Little Blue Cottage till the end of January 2010. Then we will move to temporary housing and wait for our belongings to catch up with us.  I will have internet access while in temporary housing, but the house on the hill does not have internet access.  Definitely the connection will have to be put in fairly quick because Mark needs it for work.

Otherwise, I am having trouble with my tummy.  On our trip to Denver it flared up bad.  It may have been due to stress, PT or both.  When we got home I thought it would let up, because I was home, but it has kept up.  Tomorrow I go to PT in the morning.

Blessed Christmas

Wishing all my readers a Christmas filled
with the Savior's love.

Sincerely,

Becky

Tell me what you think...

This is the house we are going to rent in Golden, Colorado.

This is the view.

The Lord is blessing me with all this and I am afraid to go.

I want to stay in warm, green California with all the traffic, noise and pollution.

But then there is this verse:

"Do not be afraid, neither be dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with you where ever you go."

Joshua 1:9

Choices

We filled out an application for renting a house today.  The house we applied for is down the hill from the 3000 sq. ft. house we looked at on Sunday.  It is a little brick house in excellent condition.  It is owned by a man in the military who is currently overseas.  The only problems with the house are that the one car garage looks too small for our mini van, there is no place for a dining table and the bedrooms are very small.  On top of that there is an apartment building in back of it.  Even so it had a lot of good qualities, plus it was affordable.

We decided the house on the hill was a little too expensive.  Mark called the owner for the 3000 sq. ft. house and  left a message telling him that we have to pass.  A while later we got a call from him and he lowered the price because he really likes us and wants us in the house. Mark and I talked over the pros and cons of each house. That pretty much made me a basket case because there are quirks about both.  We decided that it all boils down to us being afforded an opportunity of a lifetime, to be able to live in a home with a beautiful view.  The house is not perfect, but it is a family home and part of the history of the city of Golden.

I cried hard again today, I am so scared to move.  Tuesday afternoon we fly home to our Little Blue Cottage.  I am thankful that I get to come home for the holidays, but at the same time I am terribly sad.  Thanks to all who have been and are praying for us.  Your prayers are very much appreciated.

Sorrow and then Golden

Well, I have decided that this Christmas season we are like the holy family.  Here we are in Colorado looking for a place to settle.  We have been making phone calls, knocking on doors, etc.  We most definitely have had our faith muscles stretched.

Saturday I began crying, hard.  It was a discouraging day trying to find a place to live. I was sad that we sold our house and I began begging and pleading with the Lord to let us stay in California.  Mark came along side and assured me that we are doing God's will and that the Lord is blessing us.  I cried more and finally I wore myself out and went to sleep.  In the morning we had decided to go to Golden, Colorado.  It is a small mountain town not far from Mark's place of work.  A very nice couple invited us to come up and see their home.  We found them on Craig's list which we were told is the best tool to finding rental property in Colorado.  Anyway, the home is old, but very well built by the owner's father and maintained by the owner's mother.  The house has 3000 sq. ft. and sits on top of a hill with a view.  The high school is just down the hill and is a very nice school.  Downtown Golden is quaint, charming and beautiful.  Mark and I agreed, we like Golden and if we have to live in Colorado, we would like to live in Golden.

We have a few more houses to tour on Monday and then we will make a decision.  Please keep us in your prayers, that we will follow the Lord's leading.  Thank you!   P.S.  I found two more pennies today! ;-)