Dear reader, these last three months had been busy as I published a few blog articles in advance, prepared for house-guests and spent time with my out-of-the-country family. It was such a blessing to see my loved ones again!
In the meantime, one of our major and one of our minor appliances gave up the ghost, both of our computers crashed and we have a fridge that is on life support! :) Yet, life goes on... And I am happy to have this one computer repaired and running which gives me this opportunity to update you all.
It was heart-wrenching to embrace family and be forced to let them go. Everything bottled up inside that you never realized you held so strongly, it overflows into the heart, and aching tears spill in abundance. When all the good-byes have been said, it leaves you with a sense of loneliness and longing.
But I am grateful. I am grateful for the piles of laundry that need attention. I am grateful for the appliances that need tending. I am grateful for the messes in the corner that had been neglected during our visit.
For this is where the homemaker will find solace -- in the home. She will embrace those daily rituals, beautify them and invest her time and energy into what is standing before her. She will receive strength from this calling because of He that has called her to it. Whatever has left you hanging last year or whatever remains unfinished this year, I encourage you to "welcome home" as a healer. It is the pleasantest of distractions.
"Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
~ Nehemiah 8:10
Epilogue: With that being said, I will be diving back into the blog next week as I share about the Back to Basics Living Bundle. This is the opportunity that encouraged me to write our Ebook in the first place and I am excited to be a part of it. I will be sharing some tutorials, tips and other goodies next week from the wonderful resources that I think you will appreciate! There are so many fun and useful parts of homemaking and I hope these upcoming posts will inspire you to enjoy being home!
All the fine print. This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays, The Scoop, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, The Homesteader Hop, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop, Wow Us Wednesdays, Coffee and Conversation, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Our Simple Homestead, Awesome Life Friday Link Up, Five Star Frou Frou Friday, and Shabbilicious Friday. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. This post may contain affiliate links (which are merchant links that help to support this site at no additional cost to you if you purchase an item through them).
It's wonderful to have you back. We are your family too XXOO
ReplyDeleteHow SWEET! Thank you for that!
DeleteOh my, JES, I well know the heartache of family leaving and the emptiness without them, but you're right, the business of daily routines is therapy for the loniless. Welcome back to the everyday routine. Hope you're appliance problems are remedied soon, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the posts you have for next week.
Have a blessed weekend!
Thank you so much Toni! I appreciate your kind comments always! :)
DeleteWelcome back, my dear JES!
ReplyDeleteLove, Carolien
Thank you kind Carolien! :)
DeleteBless you, Jes. Home is indeed a place where we can flourish, draw closer to God, and be mindful of all we have and all He can provide. Our Father knows our needs before we ask, aren't we so blessed?!
ReplyDeleteYes we are! Thank you for the encouragement Jenny!
DeleteYou make me cry because I remember those times so much. My mother came to visit me when we lived in the mountains of Kentucky from Michigan. We laughed and had such a good time. I literally cried for days when she left. I missed her so much. Then I got busy like you have and tended to the things that needed attending to. Busyness is the key! So glad you got to go!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that! I completely relate to all you said! -- Though I didn't go anywhere this time, they came to us! But perhaps next time... :)
DeleteLife can be so bittersweet at times. Welcome back!
ReplyDeleteDarlene
Indeed it is! This side of heaven is always bittersweet but the other side will be 100% joy! :) Thanks for the kind words Darlene!
DeleteGlad you're back and enjoyed time with loved ones (even though that time had to come to an end). Enjoy your housework and I look forward to future posts!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the warm reception Katy! :)
DeleteWelcome home. I am looking forward to your posts. Nancy
ReplyDeleteThank you Nancy for taking the time to comment! :)
DeleteWelcome back! I missed your encouragement! Absolutely love your dish towel! Is there a pattern somewhere you could share with us?
ReplyDeleteHi there! I am glad you like the dish-towel! It was a gift from a dear person... and therefore I do not have a pattern. So sorry!
DeleteI can so relate to your feelings of loneliness and longing when your family has to leave. I feel this, but in a different way, as my dear Mom and Dad and so many other loved ones who used to be such a part of our lives have gone home to be with the Lord. OH, it hurts...the missing them is the worst. It is sad that loved ones who are still alive have to live so far apart and have to say good-bye while life is still going on. I have thought of that so often. But, God has individual plans for all, and sometimes separations cannot be helped. One day, we will never have to part again...I hate good-byes down here. Have you heard that song by the Browders called "The Land Of No Good-byes"? Here is a link, in case you would like to hear it...I can't hardly hear it without crying, but in another way, it is so comforting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib6UobQzKBw Sending you love and hugs, JES.
ReplyDeleteOh Cheryl, thank you for the kind words. I have not heard of the song before but the title has me tearing up already. I will check it out!
DeleteJes, it is so good to have you back. I understand what it is like to say goodbye to those close to you who live far away and you rarely see. The 'Back to Basics Living Bundle' sounds interesting :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Nanna Chel, I am sure you do! I think you recently came back from a trip yourself... Boy do I dislike goodbyes!
DeleteHappy to have you home. My husband and I have noticed in our home that appliances, etc leave us "in groups." He also says it is 'no surprise to the Lord." God bless you all as you settle back in.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the truth!! Thanks for the welcome back :)
DeleteI'm so glad to read that you're back, dear, dearest JES, you're such a blessing to me and I'm so grateful to have you so close to me !
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a beautiful Sunday,
I'm thinking of you with much love and thankfulness
Xx Dany
Thank you sweet Dany!
DeleteWelcome back my friend! We've had things a bit topsy turvy this weekend, and I have much to put back in order.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week.
Laura
Yes, the both of us will be putting things in order this week then! I am in good company! :)
DeleteJES, a very warm welcome back! Your return is wonderful to us, your readers, but I am sorry for your heartache in the separation from beloved family. (I was delighted and amused by the embroidered pug in your photos!) Nancy D.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting Nancy and I am so glad you noticed the precious pug. It does bring a smile to my face! :)
DeleteWelcome back, JES, but you have my sympathy for the recent parting from your family. It's so hard to be separated from loved ones! I hope you have many happy memories of your visit.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Leigh
Thank you Leigh for your kind comment! :)
Delete