sanctuary / prayer

That was very nice of you...
Be safe.

you too. ;-)

Aww. Thanks.

'welcome! ;-)

very nice.

;-)

Thanks for teh prayers!

'welcome. ;-)

oh wow. how nice of you and how relaxing! Thanks you for your prayers. Thhat's pretty cool.

You are so welcome. ;-)

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♥

wow~i feel special! i dont know anyone who has ever prayed for me that I dont really* know~ thats very sweet! God bless!

I'm glad you feel special, 'cause you are. ;-)

How nice that you have a sanctuary now! And you are a sweetheart for praying for us all! *hugs*

*hugs back* It is such a relief to have it, it's amazing how much peace it gives me.

Thank you

you're welcome. ♥

That's the sweetest thing I've heard all week. :) Thanks

'welcome. ;-)

seriously. you are so. cool. Do you know that?
Thank you so much for your prayers. That means so much to me. I need them ;)

Thank you for putting a smile on my face this morning. I've had a sluggish if not clumsy start and this has helped.

Right back atcha babe! I think you're so cool. I want you to post more introspective stuff so I can get to know you better. ;-)

I'm really glad this cheered you a bit. ;-)

p.s. That icon is hypnotizing!

Thank you! I know it's a sin, but I am somewhat jealous. Enjoy your sanctuary!

Ak, I can understand the feeling. All I can say is, make one, take time. It'll be worth the aftermath. Even if you just go for a drive and sit at the coffeeshop by yourself for a while. The Penny University was my sanctuary when I lived at your house -- I know it's gone now but the used bookstore across the street has a very quiet, relaxing upstairs -- you could try there!

This post got me to thinking about a habit I have.
For years before and after work, I walk around a bit.
Touch the ground or earth / cement and think the earth, the earth spirit for the day. I ask the Great Mystery to watch over me….
Give thanks for the sunrise and calm air.

sounds very beautiful and peaceful...

Awww.....

Yes, there is something I need prayer for. I am trying to sell my house. And at the same time find and purchase a new house in Pennsylvania. I am greatly disheartened.

I had found my dream home...

An 1855 brick colonial with 4 large bedrooms and many additional rooms. Fireplaces, hearth in the kitchen, small stone summer house (storage shed/workshop). 2-car garage. On 8.67 acres of wood, grass, stream and orchards. Close enough to darkpool's college for an easy commute.

Price for all that: $245,000

(sadly, it had just gone to contract. So did the 6 acre ranch we found for $175,000. So did the 3.3 acre raised ranch w/2-car garage for $188,000.)

I feel like I keep finding places but I do so a week too late. :(

I'm at the point where I think I've given up. I am just thinking of buying a 4-bedroom double-wide for like $60,000+ and living there for a few years. (With the sale of my house we'll hopefully be able to pay such a property off within a year's time.) The advantage would be no mortgage and housing expenses of approx. $300/month. (guestimate for taxes, electricy, heating, insurance). And maybe that's a better idea. Then we could endeavor to re-save up money. Since I'll be able to keep my job, if I put away $1,000/month into saving/investments we'd have $60,000 in saving in 5 yrs. Then we could look for a "dream" property. And then rent out the double-wide for probably $600-$800/month.

I would have gone for the 8 acre colonial even though it was at the top of my budget...because it essentially had everything I really wanted. But I am thinking - if I can't have what I want, then I don't want to invest the $$$. I made this mistake with my first house. Not that it was a "bad" mistake, it was still a great investment. But when I bought my first house (well actually my second - as I am part owner on my mom's) I missed my favorite house (only approved for $115,000 it was priced $145,000. We didn't know better - now much wiser - we would have had my mom co-sign.) And I missed another much nicer house next door. By the time all was done I paid about the same for less house. I don't want to make that compromise again. If i don't feel that I am getting a great deal on a property that either has everything I am looking for, or the ability to add everything and at a reasonable price - then I don't want to buy. I don't want to invest in something that I can't "grow" on.

Now you may be wondering why the double-wide. Because this would be a small investment. Quite possibly leaving us with "no mortgage or rent" after our first year of marriage. That will bring a lot of emotional/mental/financial freedom. (Which would probably be a benefit in one's first few years of marriage.) And I do not see it as a wasted investment because a) it's minimal (not that $60k is minimal - but in regards to housing it is) and b) because I see it as a future rental property when we're ready to move.

Anyways, if you could pray for the following regarding this matter:
- wisdom on my part
- a listening ear, so as to hear the direction of the Lord
- encouragement to my heart

((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))

I will definitely pray you those things. ;-)

And as for your decision, I think staying debt-free is the smartest investment in your future you can possibly make. ;-)

PS - a thought regarding your meditation sanctuary. I noted that you mentioned coffee. Let me suggest something for you. Go out to a tag sale or novelty shop, good-will etc. Find yourself a small ceramic cup and pitcher. And create for yourself a meditative prayer ceremony for drinking your coffee (akin to Chinese tea drinking). So you might set your little ceramic cup on a saucer beside your pitcher of coffee). At this point you can lift up your hands and invite the Lord to join you. Then at this point you can pour your coffee (perhaps you pour two cups, one for yourself and one figuratively for the Lord). Then ask the Lord's blessing on the cup of coffee and your prayers. Perhaps take from some of the Hebrew liturgy. "Blessed is the name of the Lord, make of the universe, giver of wine from the bean. Lord hear my prayers..."

At this point you can now take a sip of your coffee. And after each sip either thank the Lord for something, reflect on on something the Lord has done in your life, or intercede for a friend in prayer.

Then after you are done have a small pitcher of water and a cloth rag. Rise the cups into a bowl and wipe them clean with the cloth. Then praise the Lord for his sacrifice and promise to wash us clean continually and daily renew us with his mercies.

(Sure this is all very liturgious. But part of the point of such liturgy/ceremony is to help create a relaxing routine one that becomes almost elemental to our being. And thus by relaxing us helps open us to meditation with our creator. It quiets our mind enabling us to hear the soft loving whispers and pillow talk that our husband, our Lord speaks to us.)

Thank you! I love that idea!