Lead A Quiet Life

Victorian Trading Co.

Isn't that the way it is? We start to get caught up on all that is planned, finding projects put aside in order to complete the goals set. Resolved to update my blog, I found that in order to keep the balance of life from crowding other priorities, my enjoyable endeavor had to conclude without posting all that was hoped~ as time I set had run out. In order to finish blogging the past year (for those interested), a link to some dear friends who did a write up on our "Family Holiday Together" was included with pictures to share! (be sure and click the "Merry Sleighrider's" video on the highlighted links).

Reflecting upon what God taught while living in the Midwest, I am trying to take these hard earned lessons from Philliapian 4 and still apply them today.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.
I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound:

in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry,

both to abound and to be in want.

I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me

We experienced in one region of the country the gament of abundant fellowship and all the"busy-ness" (as I call it) that would be ever desired while in another area, the abasement of what seemed complete stillness. In that place, it seemed like all the fellowship we had was with the fields and the neighborhood cattle. Yet, my bible tells me in Psalms 50~

"For every beast of the forest is Mine,

The cattle on a thousand hills.

I know every bird of the mountains,

And everything that moves in the field is Mine"

..."Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving

And pay your vows to the Most High;

Call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.

From that time of stillness, we learned the importance of trusting our troubles to Him who understands, thanking God for allowing us to let silence reign. We learned that we get more accomplished bearing much fruit during times of quietude. The balance was to have meaningful wisely timed fellowship, limit our activities and keep a quiet home. At least for our family, we hear the Lord clearer in this lifestyle. We love the beautiful place we live in and my husband's wise directive for our family is~

.... to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,
so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.

1 Thessalonians 4:11

What wonderful, beautiful lessons learned and what I am now writing came from the choices we have made from those trials so many years ago. To keep the balance in our family I will complete an already belated 2006 year and take some time off. As our good friends proceeded the same, now is the time for a "Sabbatical." When "Lord willing" future blogging resumes, the updates of all 2007 activities may just be the "happenings" of the present.

What a joy it has been to keep in touch with all of you, meeting new friends and those of many years while sharing a "Country Diary Of A Twenty First Century Lady".

There is an appointed time for everything.

And there is a time for every event under heaven...

Ecclesiastes 3:1

~May the Lord Bless you and keep you~