Rosalie in Manitoba, Canada
Still moved...
Some of us who moved away from our home area more than five years ago still have a piece of us “back home” that is hard to reconcile.
Often as “still-moved” women, our vacation money and time is spent making trips “back home”. Our aging parents may be there which tugs at our heart. Most of the extended family is “back home” and our children don’t get to have their grandparents and extended family members at their graduations, birthdays and other special holidays. It gets lonely just the four of us. Old friendships that were deep back then slip down the tubes and it is never quite the same making friends in the new locations.
There seems to be something missing from the fabric of my life as a woman, to be in what feels like a foreign land for an extended period of time. We wanted to move back “home” two years ago, but our kids were at a stage in school where they didn’t want to be separated from their friends. So we stayed. Now I feel trapped in this freezing climate, feeling like I’m living some other woman’s life. I don’t know if this will ever be home but now I fear my kids will want to stay here and that will pose a whole new problem. I’m trying to see God’s hand in all this but often it’s hard.
Of course what is prompting this email is a decision not to go home for the holidays and it will be just us four. It has been hard to plug into a new church as it doesn’t seem to be what it used to be. So I have to wonder if this truly is God’s best for us.
Thanks for listening.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Moving Tips
Tips for Moving On
Over the Thanksgiving Holidays
When you move, the memories of family and friends you've left behind come to mind so vividly over the holidays. Some of you can't go back to be with loved ones for Thanksgiving after just having moved. You have to face the holidays in a new place, a different home and possibly alone without family and friends.
Try the following tips to help you in your transition at this time of the year:
Invite another family or a neighbor over for Thanksgiving dinner or for Thanksgiving dessert.
Volunteer to serve food on Thanksgiving Day at a local community service organization.
Visit an elderly care facility and befriend someone who doesn't have a family for Thanksgiving.
Start a new Thanksgiving tradition in your family. Get your children involved by asking what they would like to do.
Have everyone in the family choose a favorite recipe for the Thanksgiving menu. Give everyone an assignment in food preparation, table setting, and Thanksgiving decorations.
Go to a nice restaurant and make it a special date if it's just you and your husband.
Count your many blessings - go around the dinner table and have everyone share what they are most thankful for. Dwell on the positive, not the negative.
Just Moved! wishes you a heartfelt Thanksgiving!
Over the Thanksgiving Holidays
When you move, the memories of family and friends you've left behind come to mind so vividly over the holidays. Some of you can't go back to be with loved ones for Thanksgiving after just having moved. You have to face the holidays in a new place, a different home and possibly alone without family and friends.
Try the following tips to help you in your transition at this time of the year:
Invite another family or a neighbor over for Thanksgiving dinner or for Thanksgiving dessert.
Volunteer to serve food on Thanksgiving Day at a local community service organization.
Visit an elderly care facility and befriend someone who doesn't have a family for Thanksgiving.
Start a new Thanksgiving tradition in your family. Get your children involved by asking what they would like to do.
Have everyone in the family choose a favorite recipe for the Thanksgiving menu. Give everyone an assignment in food preparation, table setting, and Thanksgiving decorations.
Go to a nice restaurant and make it a special date if it's just you and your husband.
Count your many blessings - go around the dinner table and have everyone share what they are most thankful for. Dwell on the positive, not the negative.
Just Moved! wishes you a heartfelt Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 2, 2009
National Outreach Convention
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November 4-6, 2009 in San Diego, CA
Just Moved! will have an exhibit (booth 429). Be sure to stop by to talk to a JM representative about how we can help your church reach out to newcomers.
http://www.nationaloutreachconvention.com/
PWOC Southeast Region Conference
November 5-8, 2009 in Atlanta, GA
Susan Miller will be conducting two workshops and Just Moved! will have an exhibit booth. If you plan to attend, be sure to stop and say hello!
http://pwoconline.org/SoutheastConference.html
Monthly Devotional- Nov 2009
Be the “one” who shows gratitude
In Luke 17:11-19, we are told the story of Jesus healing ten lepers. Of the ten, nine left without even a thought of thanking Jesus. Only one returned to express his thanks and undying devotion to the One who had healed him. Only one in ten showed gratitude.
So often we are caught up in the excitement of the moment, and forget to stop and thank Jesus for His blessings, His mercy, and His grace in our life. Sometimes our own “leprosy” keeps us at a distance from Jesus. Perhaps your leprosy is a lack of faith or some hurt, anger, or lack of forgiveness. There might be other things that keep you from being close to Jesus—like busyness, worldliness, or selfishness.
Take the time now to exam your heart and ask Jesus to heal you of your leprosy. (“Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on His face at His feet, giving thanks to Him.” verses 15,16) Be the “one” who stops, turns back, and gives Him thanks. Gratitude brings you back to Jesus. Praise Him with a grateful heart and give Him all the glory!
Scripture to Remember:
Enter His gates with thanksgiving,
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him; bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting,
And His faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:4-5
Question to Consider:
What is keeping me at a distance from Jesus?
Prayer:
Oh God, heal my hurts, my lack of forgiveness, my anger. Let nothing come between us God. Give me a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude in all things. Amen
Thought for the Day:
Today I will run to Jesus with thanksgiving and praise!
In Luke 17:11-19, we are told the story of Jesus healing ten lepers. Of the ten, nine left without even a thought of thanking Jesus. Only one returned to express his thanks and undying devotion to the One who had healed him. Only one in ten showed gratitude.
So often we are caught up in the excitement of the moment, and forget to stop and thank Jesus for His blessings, His mercy, and His grace in our life. Sometimes our own “leprosy” keeps us at a distance from Jesus. Perhaps your leprosy is a lack of faith or some hurt, anger, or lack of forgiveness. There might be other things that keep you from being close to Jesus—like busyness, worldliness, or selfishness.
Take the time now to exam your heart and ask Jesus to heal you of your leprosy. (“Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on His face at His feet, giving thanks to Him.” verses 15,16) Be the “one” who stops, turns back, and gives Him thanks. Gratitude brings you back to Jesus. Praise Him with a grateful heart and give Him all the glory!
Scripture to Remember:
Enter His gates with thanksgiving,
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him; bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting,
And His faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:4-5
Question to Consider:
What is keeping me at a distance from Jesus?
Prayer:
Oh God, heal my hurts, my lack of forgiveness, my anger. Let nothing come between us God. Give me a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude in all things. Amen
Thought for the Day:
Today I will run to Jesus with thanksgiving and praise!
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