Even when life turns into a crazy train, God never leaves us for a moment. August was a whirlwind. My husband went to El Salvador for 3 weeks to see his mother before she went to heaven. My kids and I emptied two bedrooms in our house in Izmir for the people who will rent it nine months. We packed our suitcases, said our goodbyes, and flew to Dallas, where we rejoined Jose. Then we spent two weeks on the road before finally landing in Mesquite, Texas.
August was topsy turvy, but I learned a few things:
1. We Really CAN Do All Things Through Christ
Life looked daunting on August 1st as I grieved for my mother-in-law and missed my husband’s company and practical help during our move. But God reminded me to trust Him for grace and strength as I did the next task in front of me each day. The hardest thing was when my daughter’s guinea pig, Robin, died. I cried more than Camilla did as we drove to a nearby forest to bury him. In 100 degree heat the two of us managed to dig a hole in rocky soil. Sweet Robin was gone, but we had one more reason to marvel at God’s enabling grace.
2. No Treasure Outweighs Family and Friends.
I was gladder than glad to see my brother Richard at the Dallas airport. We spent a week laughing and having fun with my two brothers’ families and my mom. Then we went to Austin to visit my home church, where I have friends who go back 30 years. Spending time with people you’ve known forever refreshes you like nothing else.
3. Attitude is Everything
Okay, so I wasn’t looking forward to 2 weeks on the road, 4 suitcases, 3 driving days, and 4 different houses. But you know what? I remembered how my stinking attitude affected my whole family when we made a similar trip last year. I decided to try a fast from complaining and to choose gratitude each day. I enjoyed our trip so much more this time around.
4. There’s a Time for Everything
We took our oldest son Andres to Baylor University and got him settled in. He was so excited to start his new life that he hardly said goodbye when it was time to leave. I realized I’d miss my son terribly, and I cried when we drove off. The next morning, God spoke to me through Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is a time for everything…” He reminded me that it’s time for my 18 year old man child to start college, and it’s time for me to embrace a new stage.
5. Family Heirlooms Connect You to Your Roots
When we arrived at our new home in Mesquite, where we’ll spend 9 months, culture shock set in. The house, beautifully furnished, was a gift from God, but it was a long way off from Izmir, Turkey. What were we doing here? My parents gave us several family treasures for our new house. My daughter and I unpacked my grandmother’s china together and hung several paintings. Those gifts reminded us that even in a new place, we have a history, and we know who we are.
6. It’s Never Too Late
After years of being happy enough with our simple cell phones, thank you ma’am, my husband and I finally broke down and got smart phones. We had fun discovering all the whistles and bells. It feels like we finally joined the 21st century!
I hope September will be slower, but I’m grateful for the ways God blessed me last month even when life got crazy.
Now comes the best part of this post: What did you do or learn in August?
Linking up with Emily Freeman’s What We Learned, Holly Barrett’s #TestimonyTuesday, Kelly Balarie’s #RaRalinkup, Holley Gerth’s Coffee for your Heart, and Grace and Truth. Check them out for more encouragement.
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Welcome to the wonderful, chaotic, convenient, addicting world of smartphones 🙂
Thank you, Sarah! Can you believe it took me this long???
I just got my smart phone last month, so you are not alone!
You did have a whirlwind of a month! I hope the next 9 months will be a great time of refreshing for you – in the midst of the busy.
Oh, I feel lots better to know I wasn’t alone on being one of the last ones to get a smart phone! Hope you’ll have a good September!
Yeah, the Crazy Train. I think we’ve been going down the same track in recent days, Betsy.
Thankfully, the Sacred Conductor knows the road we travel and continues to navigate the path ahead.
And for that grace, I am grateful!
The Sacred Conductor! I love that, Linda. Yes, he’s got control of the train for sure!
You did have a crazy August. I am so glad you are safe in Texas and getting settled if that is possible. I am praying that these next nine months are ones of growth and many new opportunities. Blessings!
Aw thanks, Mary. I hope you’ll enjoy the next 9 months of NOT teaching. (and adjust to new roles, walk through open doors.)
Betsy,
So sorry about your MIL’s passing…Congrats on your new place…and you definitely had a crazy month but I love how you chose gratitude and found God’s grace in the midst of it…praying your son adjusts and you adjust to this new phase of life in Texas…and also sorry about the loss of Camilla’s guinea pig…family pets do become like family…blessings to you 🙂
Thank you, Dolly! God redeems and gives us grace in every situation, doesn’t he? Have a beautiful Tuesday!
I hope September slows down too but I don’t think it will! 🙂 God’s grace has carried you through some difficult times this month and He has blessed you with some precious memories too. Enjoy your new home and time of rest, friend!
Ha ha, you make me smile, Holly! But I think you’re right, September probably won’t slow down, will it? 🙂 May God give you grace for the month ahead of us! Let’s enjoy what we can!
Sounds like quite a whirlwind! Hope you have a calmer September 🙂 Waco’s my hometown – I’m sure your son will love Baylor – and at least it’s a short drive for you to see him.
Yes, he seems to be loving Baylor already although he’s shocked at how much he’s having to study. 🙂 We’re going to pop in on him this Saturday!
So wonderful Betsy! I am so excited that we are just a short drive away from you. Let’s get together and talk about Jesus, shall we?
Yes, I’d love that, Kristine!
You learned some deep and meaningful things this August. May you enjoy your new home and a slower pace in the coming months. Blessings!
Thank you, Joanne. Blessings on you at the start of September!
It sounds as if you and your family are on a journey of change and adjustment. Did I miss a post saying how long you’ll be here in the U.S.?
I guess I’m riding the crazy train tracks this summer too, so August has been a blur of changes (I definitely get the letting go of the man child paragraph!), but my take away is a deeper trust in the God who holds the molecules and the galaxies in their places. There’s always so much I don’t understand. Trust.
Thanks for the update, and blessings to you all!
Did you send a child off to college too, Michele? Yes, we can trust Him. I’m choosing to trust him with my daughter left at home too! Blessings back atcha!
Yes, Betsy, and this is his second year, so I should be “fine,” but he’s further away this year, so, already I know that we will see him less. . . which is as it should be. But that echoing empty bedroom . . .
Betsy, I got tired just reading about your August! Praying for you and your family with all of your new adjustments…thanks for blessing me with an encouraging word!!
Oops, I didn’t mean to make you tired, Janelle! Blessings on you as you start September!
Bless your heart, Betsy, that was a busy month. Beautiful insights you took away from it.
I’m sorry about your mother-in-law. ((hug)) ~ I just got a smart phone a few months ago too…I thought I was the only holdout left. 🙂
No, you were the last holdout, it was me! Blessings to you too!
Wow… that was one packed FULL month – but so full of great lessons, too! Praying for you in all of the transitions and new seasons!
Hi, Karrilee, thanks for stopping by. Thanks for the prayer. I can use all I can get! May the Lord bless your day, friend!
Oh my gosh…..I love, Love, LOVE this post. (And had NO IDEA you were wading through such muddy waters while I was busy whining about getting my post to you on time. Girl….) My sympathies to your family on the passing of your mother in law. The grief often seems heavier over the miles. So thankful your husband was able to be there when she met Jesus face-to-face.
You continue to amaze me. God’s hand in you is strong, Betsy. The words, although simple at times, are powerful and impactful. Here’s what hit me for today, well…all of it was over-the-top fantastic, but here’s one sentence that went straight to my heart. And is a next step –> “…fast from complaining and to choose gratitude each day.” Was just praying this morning about the bickering in our house. Praise God for guidance.
You’re a Godly example. So thankful you’re in my life. xo
Oh you were NOT whining, Kristi! You had a lot going on this past month too. Yes, we were SO thankful that Jose could see his mom. And yes, that complaining fast changed my trip! (I need to go on another one of those this week too! 🙂 ) I never manage to give up complaining entirely, but at least trying to “fast” is a good reminder!
Betsy,
So sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. Sharing in your sorrow and praying that God’s comforting arms would surround you now and in the days ahead. Joining with you in attempting to choose and attitude of gratitude over the easy out of complaining. Sounds like August was jam packed for you…may you find some time for R&R if that’s feasible?!
Blessings,
Bev
Thanks Bev. It was sad about my mother-in-law, but it was time. She was 90! We were thankful. Yes, I’m trying to carve out time to rest. Blessings to you, friend.
Good words to remember. I especially love the focus on gratitude. September for me will be my crazy train, so I’m thankful to read your post and have words to think about for the month!
Grace to you for your crazy train month. I hope September is calmer than you expect!
I really enjoyed your post, the sweet lessons you practiced and lived out (my fav is “no treasure outweighs family and friends). God bless you in your new place!
Thanks, Sandra. It’s true isn’t it? No treasure is greater than the people we love.