""Moving on" looks different for everyone in life. It may come through small steps or big, giant ones; a move across the country, or a series of steps in a methodical or haphazard pattern that leads you forward. As a close friend once said, "all steps forward" which I have recalled many times."
Read moreTransition to trajectory.
"This week is flying by, but you might say what else is new because I seem to say that regularly. No matter which way I turn in the past few weeks, change is ever present. I am moving from transition times into a trajectory........."
Read moreSharing a secret.
"As you probably know or remember, I am all about expansion; multiplication. Blessing. Lots of times in life however, my circumstances seem to contradict my beliefs. When I feel stuck or stagnant, I pray for options........openings, and have learned to recognize when they arrive..."
Read moreTraining Day.
It's been said that it takes 21 days to develop or change a habit, so training has begun. My youngest son, whose been dedicated to conditioning since a young age, pointed out that life is training; training is part of life. I think we sometimes try to skirt around that issue......
Read moreBeing real.
The first time I stepped foot on the soil of Griffith Park in the California hills, overlooking the infamous Hollywood Sign, I received a word. This word went into my head, moved to my heart, and has settled in my soul, the seat of our emotions.
Read moreGentle Reminders.
You know sometimes, the very thing I need to say are the words that I find so difficult to speak; the actions I need to take are the toughest to embrace. There are always reasons to stay, but then there comes a time… when I have to rise to new heights… I sat through a 4 hour long class today with the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtor Association, and received my official Certification and Realtor Pin.
Read morePersonal security.
The challenging thing about moving on is the desire to feel settled. I had the husband, family life, home together every night, kind of lifestyle. Some days I'm okay alone, others, not as much. It feels like a push/pull, tug of war thing between my soul and my spirit. The one wants to settle; the other...... soar.
Read moreThe father's business
No matter the amount of time that passes, I continue to see the residue of the resilience it takes to snap back after tragedy. It seems to settle on every area of the soul. I need every ounce of it I can muster.
As we all settle back in here. there remains a very transitory feel to our family, as my oldest kids are concerned with advancing their careers. The feelings that they do not need to follow in their father's footsteps are for real. I want each to have their own lives........ I don't make demands.
Ours is a family business but one founded when their father was alive; now, we ask ourselves where do we go; what do we do. How do we practically move on, given the demands on time, desires of the heart, and definite financial needs. It is a conundrum I need answers to........
It is with this in the forefront that I, honest to God, have to keep pushing. With a only a few hours to go, I will have finished up my 14 hour online course to renew my PA real estate license. And I have to begin to make money. The ball will be set in motion on Monday.
Austin's first day on the job at a restaurant in Exeter began today, while the two boys tackled rental projects. I spent 8 hours at the place tenants abandoned, as Chynna planned her "boot camp" workout for Oxyfit gym, beginning next week. We are all working so hard........
As always, thank you for your continued prayers and support. Our dreams live on, with faith we can make each a reality. It may require some supernatural intervention from God, but that's what He is good at.
And a big thanks to John, who continues to provide practical help, such as changing a pressure valve fitting at my house, to hands on help at my rental.
"May the odds be ever in our favor."
It's beyond me.
One of my sons recently said to me that "no one is remembered for what they were going to do or the ideas they had. You're only remembered if you DO something," take a risk, move, and lay it all on the line. As a family in pursuit of our dreams, going with our goals, we know the challenges to get from point A to point B.
Read moreDreams do not die.
I had to remind myself today that after our loss, I kept saying "things will settle down." My life, schedule, and activity level picked up at a rapid pace and I honestly thought it was only a matter of time til there was calm. I was wrong because I compared my present to the past and it does not fit.
This new pace would prepare me for the future because there was no way I could move at the pace of the past in the present, but expect to be positioned for my future.......... I have learned a key lesson as it relates to the subject of loss........
Upon returning to Pennsylvania, where there is a misconception of having a "slow paced life", I have set new things in motion. Having been coast to coast, I now know for sure we have the kind of life we create. If you can dream it, you should dare to do it.
As I worked at painting my property and cleaning up for five hours today, and have done this many years prior, it felt like a brand new time and season in my life..... FREEDOM 2015. I will not be a slave to the work any longer, but will make it work for me. I have changed.
I returned home with far more ideas than I left with; my creativity has been multiplied in California, as a result of self reliance and making myself put my faith into action. Challenging yourself to do something new can be invigorating and inspiring, even if done through fear and trembling.......
After the steadfast encouragement from my kids and signs abounding around me, I am taking steps to pursue my real estate career. I thought that idea was dead and buried, but it seems it is being resurrected. I am finding other old ideas, creations, and plans are coming back to life. Perhaps our dreams did not die....... but were simply dormant until NOW.
The financial challenges always face me, particularly as I hear of retirement and vacation plans being formed. I am rebuilding. I am restarting. I am refreshed. I am a work of restoration.......
"He who began a good work in me WILL complete it......."
A window in time.
As I get older and gain more life experience it seems I become a bit more particular with whose company I keep. In years prior, I had a need to please but that too, seems to have died over 3 years ago............... It is okay to be choosy.
Whether economic, of essentials, or everything precious, the "darkness" associated with loss seeks to take up residency in our lives. When this happens, I simply press a little bit more into the heavens....... to hear His plan. The impossible can be provided........... through Light.
I am trusting the Lord on levels I have not had to before. I feel I'm being "led to lead" and L.A. was simply another education for me. Coming back east has been empowering and I needed to be back for several reasons, business and personal. The kids, while there, are preparing for home......
In some ways I may sound naive, but I am quite the contrary. I have an innocence, the kind that the enemy of my soul, has sought to steal from me. The kind of childlike faith that allows me to believe for big things to happen. I have fought to hold onto this courage without compromise.......
Our household is filled with motion and good commotion these days as the Godshalls, Logan, and I are sharing our home. We have supported each other throughout times of despair and discouragement, only to see the light at the end of the tunnel coming.........
Work continues on a rental a tenant abandoned on me, but it is always amazing to see the work of restoration being done..... on more than just the physical home. The potential to see the restoration of lives is at the core of who I am.......... and it has manifested through real estate.
I may have a new venture coming in the industry as I ponder my future, personally and as a business woman. The plan for me is to write and look into publishing in the very near days to come. I have a window of opportunity and a self imposed deadline.........
Take time to nourish your soul with truth and light, as darkness is all around us and seeks to occupy our minds. We cannot afford to sit in confusion.
Nothing is impossible.