Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Progress With the New Flooring

This card is a free gift from Susan. You can use it.


There is a lot of work still to be done around here after a 20 year old carpet was replaced with vinyl flooring. It is worse than unpacking after a move. At least when relocating, the things are in boxes with labels . While I was gone one day, the men moved everything and jumbled it up with a giant spoon like a huge salad, and now I am sorting through it.
You can see the darker flooring which had been discontinued, and the lighter flooring next too it, but with the furniture and rugs, it is not noticeable. In an old house that was actually going to be torn down years ago, I am not going to get too particular about having everything perfect.
The difference in the two floors can hardly be seen unless someone is looking critically.
The living room is the only thing camera-worthy right now, and I have a lot of things to do to get the giant salad in order.
I am getting ready to host a morning tea-luncheon tomorrow, and a ladies Bible class, so I will open the tent windows and take more pictures tomorrow when I have everything set up.
The tent needs some adjusting, as the wind is playing around with it right now, but this is what it looks like inside, so far.


It is perhaps appropriate that our study tomorrow is about the faith of Abraham, because he was a tent-dweller and we are having our lesson in a tent. Each week we also read the great faith chapter in Hebrews 11, which includes the people who lived by faith, even though they had never seen what they were promised.


Noah had never seen rain or a flood or a boat, and yet he built one and entered into it for safety. The New Testament refers to the ark as a type of salvation.


Abraham was called by God to go out of his own country and away from his own kin, and away from his father's house to go to another land. I know people who have to move from their beloved homes, and sometimes it is bewildering and discomforting. They miss their homes and their kindred and they find it difficult to adjust.



When I was only 16 I was uprooted from a home I loved, as our family went to another country to live there permanently. We were strangers in a foreign land and the adjustment was difficult. My father read the faith chapter, Hebrews 11. Hebrews seems to be written to Christians who wanted to go back to their childhood religion, just like we wanted to go back to our familial home, to remind them of the faith of their fathers who were looking for a home provided by God.


Being so very young, the changes seemed bewildering. It would have helped if someone had taught me the benefits of gratefulness and contentment. I believe these two qualities chase away mental anguish and mental instability. Happily, there were several people who took an interest in me and offered comforts that took the edge off the sudden changes. On top of the drastic relocation we made, one of the children died in an accident in our new country (my oldest brother) which added an undercurrent of sadness to our existence.

Whatever your circumstances, like Abraham, who had to move continuously, and like Noah who lost his known world, you can bring your knowledge and your wisdom and talents with you to make a home. One day your children will think you are were very confident and brave, and of course, whatever we do is for The Lord, anyway.

If you have moved across the country or across the world, I would suggest you ease into social situations slowly and cautiously. If you attend a church, be aware that the people there have already established the way they work together and the way they conduct their Bible studies and their worship services. Do not walk in as a newcomer and start wanting changes.


Never tell your hostess that you hate the new state you live in or that you hate the country you live in. Just tell them you are having difficulty adjusting and that you miss your old home but never insult people who are hosting you by saying you hate their state or city or country. It will not endear you to them, and they will not be inclined to show warmth to you, and it will make it even harder to like the place and to adjust.



A Christian lady has to remember that she is still a pilgrim traveling through a foreign land, because she has a mission of teaching, by her life and her conversation, the refinement and contentment the New Testament teaches. In such circumstances of painful relocation, she can get her mind off herself and extend gracious understanding and generosity to her hostess and be a ray of sunshine and optimism.


In a sense, you represent the place you came from. Would you want your new acquaintances to think that everyone from your area was a complainer or a malcontent? Such a trial can be a great time to work on character qualities found in Philippians 4:8 and Galations 5:22-23.

Jas 5:11    Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

If you are relocating or suffering from grief, or any trial, you can still use it for good. I think The letter to the Christians in Rome shows what our focus should be on. Use this chapter as your guide to getting along in the church, whether you are relocating or not:
Rom 12:1    I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2    And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Rom 12:3    For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Rom 12:4    For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Rom 12:5    So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Rom 12:6    Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Rom 12:7    Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Rom 12:8    Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Rom 12:9    Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Rom 12:10    Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Rom 12:11    Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rom 12:12    Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Rom 12:13    Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Rom 12:14    Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rom 12:15    Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Rom 12:16    Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Rom 12:17    Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18    If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Rom 12:19    Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Rom 12:20    Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Rom 12:21    Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

It looks beautiful Lydia. May your class tomorrow reap a great deal of the seeds Our Lord continues to plant in the hearts of every Believer. mari

living from glory to glory said...

Dear Lydia, Firstly, you made me laugh as you put the state of disarray as a large tossed salad really was funny!
And your floor looks wonderful!
And your counsel on where we live or fellowship if and when we move was really great wisdom. Thanks for the new pictures of the makeover!
Enjoy the rest of your week getting everything back in its place.
Blessings, Miss Roxy

Katrinka said...

Your floor is beautiful. My daughter is redoing our living room floor for us next week. We're opting for a painted floor, and I'm planning on sewing some country look curtains. This week we're moving things out and packing some things up for the attic or to give away to have a tidier place when she's done. It's so much fun to do some simple things to make life prettier and easier.

I like what you say about being grateful. For some time I was fearful and worried about many things until I realized how much we had already been given, and I began to look at what we had rather than what we still needed and my contentment has grown considerably.

Susan said...

You are writing about my very thoughts today. I am feeling a bit like a tossed salad myself. Frequent moves for employment have taken a toll on both myself and my husband. Today I was wondering if we have been making the right decisions and had to take a long nap to recharge and continue unpacking. The scriptures put a smile on my face and gave me a lift. A big part of a new move is establishing a working relationship with neighbors and others in the new community and church. I always find this difficult especially with those who appear to be prone to gossip in the neighborhood. I try to keep myself focused on the goal and keep really busy as I should be. I'm sure Abraham encountered gossipy neighbors on his journeys. I wonder if he invited them into his tent for tea or maybe gave them a gift. I wonder if his neighbors came bearing gifts or if they watched their new neighbors from afar and made up strange stories about them. Maybe I need to set up a tent on my new patio and have a tea party and Bible study for my new neighbors.

I think your new floors look great. It adds a warmth to the home. I like those types of floors because they are easier to clean than carpet. The tent is a lovely place for a bible study and a nice idea to have a quiet reading space during the day. I enjoy tents in the evening when you can see a light glowing from outside. It has such a cozy feeling to it. I think tent dwelling must have been a beautiful existence. Thank you again for the encouragement.

Lydia said...

Life tumbles in sometimes but I think we are equipped to endure it if we do not lose heart.

Lynx said...

Hello. Thank you for this timely post. We moved less than a year ago for my husband's job, and there have been challenges and setbacks. This post, and the verses from Romans, will be something for me to meditate on, and to share with my husband.

I think your living room looks pretty and a place of serenity. If it is an old house, then the differing floor patterns will seem in keeping with the other quirks an old house has. Your tent room looks like such fun.

Lydia said...

I just now remembered it rained during my wedding 43 years ago. At the time it was notable as a kind of disaster but we have been so busy with life I had forgotten. Since then we have had lots of sunny anniversaries.

We are going to have to put a heater in the tent, and some lights today, as the weather turned cold and it is very dark and overcast. Don't know how this is going to turn out for the morning tea out there, but the guests wont fit in the one clean room in the house so I am hoping they think its an adventure

Will take some pictures when the tent is all ready and the tea is set up

Andrea R said...

I would think the tent would be a lot of fun! Even when weather is chilly and cloudy..even rainy, the freshness of being semi-outdoors is wonderful!

I wish I were close, as I would LOVE attending a Bible study with a small group of like-minded and lady-like ladies.

While I adore my church and my pastor, the women's studies around here are not something I would ever attend again, as the few I've gone to were quite feminist leaning and led by women that I have nothing against, but don't look to as mentors.

Your floor is beautiful, and you will love how much cleaner it is than carpet, I am sure. Since our wood floor was completed, keeping it clean is a cinch! I'm so happy you have completed that project!

I pray your Bible study and tea are a wonderful blessing to the ladies, as it would be for me, and that you enjoy a great time of worship and fellowship!

Unknown said...

Dear Lady Lydia,
I have been sick for a long time and it is so good to feel well enough to write to you again.

Your new flooring looks very nice and the fact that one side is darker than the other makes it even more interesting.

In your daily living you breathe contentment into the everyday by keeping a beautiful home but now being worried if the flooring doesn't match or if everything is just perfect. Your beautiful spirit makes the most of everything and draws the lovely out of the everyday and that is one thing that makes you unique and a wonderful example to young women who may just be starting out. It is also a fine example to us older ladies who may need to downsize because of age, health, or economics.

I also was impressed that you are still having your meetings, teas, and Bible Studies while undergoing the renovations. Your commitment is commendable and you set a marvelous example.

I hope your salad is soon mixed to your liking!

Your friend,
Deborah Gnagey

ChristyH said...

I love the flooring!! Your blog always inspires me to focus on what is around me and not on outside things. I feel more peace and contentment since starting this focus.

Another posted said she doesn't attend bible studies for women at her church because of their feminist views and leanings. There is the same thing at our church. It makes me a bit sad.

I have even printed off several of your articles and keep them in a folder by my bed for reading before bedtime. sorry for the rambling and erractic nature of my comment. ;0)