Sunday, May 26, 2013

Get Out and Do Something!

Hello blogger world, long time no see!
A quick little update for those of you who do not follow me on Facebook- we moved! To Mansfield, Texas!... going on week number 6 in our new state. The transition has been a stressful and busy one. We're currently trying to sell our home in Athens and looking for a new home here in Mansfield but in the mean time, we've settled in with my in laws...



It has been hard, on me, particularly- but not completely terrible. I do love the area that we moved to and have enjoyed the company of my husband's family and having him home every night (no more travel for Jamie!! Yay!!), but being so far from my family and friends has been tough to swallow. Our 3rd week here was the worst as the ''time to go home'' feeling set in- but instead of going back to Alabama, I had to face the reality that this is now my home. I cried a lot that week. I've lived away from Oneonta (where I grew up) for over 3 years, but still just an hour up the road. I never thought I could mourn that place... but that week, I did. No matter how hard I've tried to hate the little bitty town that I call ''home'', I can't change where my family is, where I grew up, the roads I traveled, or the memories I've made.  I still haven't quite wrapped my head around it or accepted Texas as my home- I feel like my home will always be in Alabama but I am trying. 

Anywho- I had to get all of the sad-depressed-feelsorryformyself out of my head. So, what does any furniture painter do when she needs to get out of a funk??? She paints a piece of furniture! (and plans a trip back home to Alabama)
I definitely gave this piece more TLC than it EVER needed but it was the 1st time I'd worked on anything in about a month and I was a little... happy. More specifically, veneer removal happy.


This was my 1st piece in Texas and also a temporary savior- an idle mind is the Devil's playground, and my mind was very idle It was great to get up off the couch and do something that I love no matter what state I'm in!

I haven't had an opportunity to paint anything else but I have started a new project to keep myself busy for a while...
I'm don't have much of a green thumb. In fact, I've killed everything I've ever tried to grow. Including 2 herb gardens and the unity tree from our wedding. Massive fail.

I have to be honest and say that I'm not very good at being able to recognize when God is leading me. There is always a conflict in my brain asking if I'm truly following what God is leading me to do or if I just think it's what God is leading me to do because it's something that I want or need or feel. It's something that I've been praying about for years. However, when it comes to my vegetable garden, there are no doubts about it! God lead me to it!

He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. -Psalm 126:6

God has been leading me to grow a garden (among other things) for quite sometime now. I could go all ''dooms day prepper'' on you, but I will spare you. Moral of the story is, I think this is God preparing me for something. Maybe he's just trying to teach me something that I don't know yet. Maybe it's a test of my ever so short patience. I'm not sure. All I know is he wanted to me grow a garden- so I am. So, as I was out in the yard with sun beaming down on me, tired, and covered in dirt.. I was literally "happy as a log" knowing that at that moment, I was doing exactly what God wanted me to be doing.

At the end of the day, my back was hurting and I looked like I had tilled the ground with my body (right now, picture me doing the caterpillar), but I was so so happy. Usually, a beautifully painted piece of furniture calls for my ''happy dance'' but today, it was big ol' spot of dirt.

Thank you God for giving me hands to work with and the joy I get when I use them!

Next time you need a pick-me-up, get out and do something that you love or FIND something that you love to do. Don't be afraid of hard work, we were not put here to sit around. Do it alone, or do it with a friend, just get out do something!



4 comments:

  1. Good for you Audra! You'll only be happy when you do what He is leading you to do. As you obey this time, your listening skills will improve, and you'll be able to hear Him even better next time. xoxo Kim
    P.S. I have a truly black thumb! Hope I don't need to plant anything :)

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  2. Looks like you are doing great! My husband and I recently {August 2012} relocated to NC from OH for our careers - we are teachers. Our families live 20 minutes from eachother in OH. This was a leap of faith, and sometimes its hard to see -- but this IS God's plan. Best of luck to you :)

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  3. When we left Huntsville, Al, for central Florida 9 years ago I thought my heart would break. It took a very, very long time to accept the move and deep in my heart north Alabama was always home. This past January we sold our lake home in Florida and moved back to Huntsville - I was surprised at how much I miss our Florida friends but have stepped right back into the Alabama Mode. I wish you luck settling in. Don't rush yourself. Nesting is such an important part of who we are and there's no reason to feel bad about having to re-nest far from home. -- Jan

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  4. What a touching and inspirational story Audra! I pray that whatever He is leading you to or teaching you will become crystal clear as you get closer to our wonderful father. You sound wise beyond your years. I also pray for comfort for your heart as you adjust to your new surroundings.

    Love your pretty buffet! Great job!
    Linda at The French Hens Nest

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