Journal Entry #10

Moving Along: House on market 151 days. Ugh. Moving date is still up in the air - still haven't found a place in AZ. Hoping for end of April. I keep praying.

Reading: Finished Tess. Such a good book. I believe I first read it when the Roman Polanski movie adaption was released, I would have been 15. Full of symbolism, it would be fun book to study in college. I can see how Tess was symbolically Eve - having sin trust upon her and living as a fallen woman. Eve (Tess) is ultimately redeemed by blood, but taking matters into her own hands, she is her own redeemer. Or perhaps it is a nod to the Douay-Rheims Genesis 3:15. Maybe this is why it is considered a feminist novel. Interesting how the religious climate in England (Anglican, Calvinist, Methodist, Deist) are portrayed in the men she encounters, and how each of them is unforgiving, or perceived to be - failure of Grace in the church. The baptism of Sorrow was a particularly moving moment in the book (Genesis 3:16). Got me teary eyed.

Just started O Pioneers! by Willa Cather. Another book about a strong woman. First time read.

Out my Window: Still cold. Below zero every night. Deep snow. Icy roads. Agony. Probably the coldest winter I have lived through.

Journal Entry #9

Moving Along: Looks like May 1st is our target date to move into our new house in AZ. Yeah! Now if we can just find that new house....Mr. Bee's company will help with the rent, but we have to pick a place. Five bedrooms with a pool, no busy streets, and a mountain view would be nice. And a 3-car garage would help a lot. 68 days and counting!

Out my Window: Ten inches of fresh snow and lots of ice. Roads are awful. Scary drive to work. Kids had their 6th day off of school this year (2014) because of weather. We had a couple of warmer days this past week but now we are back in the deep freeze for the next 10 days.

Journal Entry #8

Moving Along: 2 couples this week and 1 more tomorrow, but still no offer. But the rental offer looks likely! We will be moving this spring I hope.

Feels like life has come to a stand-still. Haven't finished my socks, my book or Greek Esther. Need to get going on stuff!

Journal Entry #7

weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalm 30:5b)

I woke up this morning with those words in my mind. Last night was horrible. I felt utterly defeated. Another showing, another "no, thanks." More snow. More cold. Can't find a 5 bedroom house to rent in the area in Arizona where we plan to live. Tired. I miss Mr. Bee - he's been so busy we haven't had much time to talk. And no matter how well-behaved my kids are, it is nice to have two parents in the house.

But! I woke up feeling refreshed and renewed and ready. Much more energy. Things have looked brighter all day.

The temps got into the 20s - felt like spring!

Found a house for rent that I like and it is not far from where we want to live.

Had another showing tonight.

So.....maybe tomorrow will be better still.

Journal Entry #6

Moving: I did the math and our house has been on the market for 133 days. Ugh. My sister suggests burying a statue of St. Joseph in the backyard. She did and the 13th person to look at her house bought it. I'm not ready to resort to idolatry, but seriously thinking about it. Another showing tomorrow. Found yet another house we like in Arizona - probably will be sold before we can make an offer.

Weighty Matters: Only 18.8 pounds to go to be back to wedding day weight.

Prayers: Thankful for a warm home, even though I want to sell it. Thankful for plenty of food, even though I need to watch what I eat. Thankful for healthy kids. Thankful for a hard-working husband. Thankful for reliable cars. Thankful for my understanding boss. Thankful for our patient realtor.

Scripture Verse: We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the father, we too might walk in newness of life. - Romans 6:4

Thankful to God for the sacrament of baptism. Read a blog post today by an evangelical mother regarding how to keep children from going to hell. Nowhere does she mention baptism. Sad.

Journal Entry #5

Out My Window: Cold & snow. Unrelenting winter. Minnesota has cold, snowy winters, but this winter is well below normal cold and above normal snowy. Makes me wish the move to Arizona would come faster.

Feeding: Chili dogs & Olympics watching for dinner. :)

Moving: 4 couples looked at our house yesterday. Still no feedback, still no offer. Maybe a little hope on the horizon. Mr. Bee's new employer has suggested renting a house for us! We will know more this week.

On My Mind: Dieting as a sin. I saw this verse in an blog talking about gluttony and it got me thinking about legalism.

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. -Philippians 3:18-19

I wish my study Bible wasn't already packed.

Journal Entry #4

Out My Window: Still very cold. Only got to 4 degrees today. We have about 2 feet of snow in the front yard. Feeling as if I have Seasonal Affective Disorder. Very tired all the time.

Pins & Needles: Finished my first sock, will cast on the second one this weekend. They are soft & warm but a little too loose.

Reading: I added two reading lists to my side bar. First is what I am reading at leisure (still Tess of the d'Urbervilles) and what I am reading in the Bible. I decided to read and sort of study the books of the Apocrypha this year. I have already finished Tobit & Judith. I really enjoyed Tobit (I've read it before). Judith has a great message but is too gory. Working my way through Greek Esther, which isn't much different from "regular" Esther.

Weighty Matters: I'm plumping up. I am now about 20 pounds heavier than when I got married. Not happy about it. My metabolism is not what it use to be. I need to start taking better care of myself. Cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis all run in my family. Really must make time to exercise and eat right all day.

Moving: No one has looked at the house since last Thursday. Open House again this Saturday.

In the Kitchen: Tonight we had veggie pizza.

Journal Entry #3

Today: -7 this morning when I drove Mr. Bee to the airport. Warmed up to -3 by the time we got out of church. Bright sun.

Super Bowl was today. Seahawks 43 Broncos 8. Watched it with the kids.

Used my weekend to climb Mt. Washmore. Got fairly caught up.

No open house or showings.