I wish I could say the month of August was all good things and favorites enveloped by constant grace and poise. But, as is often the case with life, it was a rollercoaster of peaks and valleys. It was days of peace and ones of impatience. It was the start of school in the midst of uncertainty. It was weariness from not having our own home, our own beds, our own stuff. But, it was also full of gratitude for a family who so generously open their homes to us and take care of our sweet animals. It was the enjoyment felt as new acquaintances grow in familiarity and potential friendships are on the horizon. It was being able to walk again after a month of relying on crutches and a scooter.
It’s the peace in knowing that this is all just a brief season, that God is in complete control, and that we’ll one day look back and tell stories about the steps of faith and the twists and turns of the summer of 2022. We are embracing God’s best for us, even if we don’t completely know what that means in the future. What it means right now is continued waiting and resting in Him. We’ll take one step at a time as we can see where there is a lit path.
One thing we’ve focused on over the month of August was pulling together as a family and doing things that are fun and even just pleasant distractions. As a family, we’ve been playing card games, going to the skating rink (of course, I have to sit out), and seeking out opportunities to laugh together. Personally, I’ve been getting out and about to hunt for treasures, reconnecting with old friends, dreaming about our future house and making plans, reading books, and making things. Here are a few of the favorite things I picked up along the way through the month of August…
dad’s breakfasts
When I couldn’t bear weight on my foot, my parents really babied me. I had to joke about it at one point because we moved to be closer to our parents so we could help them. We’re supposed to be the ones getting their scooter in and out of the car and carrying their bags. We’re supposed to be the ones cooking meals and picking up. But, it’s been my parents taking care of me…carrying my guitar when I’ve been playing with them on the worship band at their church, bringing my crutches over, fetching ice packs, and taking me to appointments. (Jeff and the boys have been doing plenty of this as well!)
It’s also been my dad getting up to cook diner-worthy breakfasts for us each morning. I don’t know where he was hiding this gift when we were growing up and the best dad would do was chilidogs, but he is a champion short order cook! He’s made omelets, veggie/egg scrambles, biscuit sandwiches, bacon and pancakes, and more. I’ve been super spoiled, especially since I love breakfast.
duck feet shoes
I asked on Instagram a few weeks ago which shoes were good to wear after getting out of a boot. Hokas was the recommendation by my orthopedic and I did buy a pair of those, but I was hoping for shoes that were a bit cuter than a thick-soled running shoe. I needed a shoe with a flat, sturdy sole, and one that could accommodate a swollen foot until it settled down. I’ve read that it can take about a year for the swelling in a broken foot to subside.
One brand that came up repeatedly was Duck Feet. I had been eyeing and considering their shoes for years and this was a good excuse to finally buy a pair. There was a good sale going on, so I bought two pairs – one pair of mary janes (Lloland) and a pair of boots (Roskilde). I had to play around with the sizing a bit (I wear a larger size in the boot than the mary jane), but they are comfortable and have a European look that I love.
With all of my new shoes, I’m going to end up with a left shoe that is broken in and comfortable and a right shoe that is brand new! I look forward to the day I can wear two matching shoes again. It’s been over four months!
growing my bone
Speaking of my broken foot, I finally got good news! First, my x-ray was finally showing significant healing and that the bone is pulling back together. I went into that appointment feeling pretty pessimistic since there hasn’t been much change in months, but staying off it and really pumping the helped. I also started my bone growth treatments after about a month of waiting for insurance approval. I have done it faithfully every day and I’m hopeful that I’ll be out of my boot very soon.
I can’t wait to go on walks around the neighborhood again. I think that’s what I miss most.
The bone growth stimulator is programmed specifically for my broken foot and is timed to run for 30 minutes, so all I have to do is push one button and sit still for a half hour. I don’t feel anything as it’s happening, but I’ve been assured it’s working on healing that bone. I get rewarded with a digital smile and a beep when I finish.
visiting my old honey holes
Going to some of my old haunts with my mom and Jeff has been so much fun! It’s one of the things that’s been a nice diversion for me. We’ve gone out about 3-4 days each week once I could bear weight on my foot again. I’ve been buying things for our future house (mostly small things or pieces that are multi-functional and replace pieces I sold in MN.)
…and discovering new ones
I’ve also enjoyed checking out places that are either new or ones I haven’t been to before. When I did most of my shopping before we moved to MN, I was looking for pieces to refinish, paint, and/or resell, so that’s a different kind of shopping than looking for special pieces to keep and use in my home. I’ve been able to expand the kind of antique stores I visit and I have really been enjoying some of the higher-end places I shied away from in the past.
the perfect kitchen & the perfect English townhouse
One of the diversions I’ve enjoyed the most is seeking inspiration for our future home. I bookmark pages, make notes, and even make sketches of how I would take an element from one space and merge it with ideas of my own. A couple of books I enjoyed most in August were and . They have similar names but are not related or buy the same author/publisher.
is filled with classic English style that blends centuries of tradition and history with modern living. I actually have come to really love the styling in English decorating books. It is a bit more relaxed and feels truer to everyday life. There are wrinkles in the fabrics and everything isn’t perfectly placed or arranged. It feels more welcoming and familiar, yet has a grace and formality about it that I appreciate.
It is just a feast for the eyes!
represents many different kitchen styles, but most of them lean more traditional and classic with some contemporary and modern examples mixed in. I found so much inspiration in this book from cabinet style to range hoods, storage to styling.
I was reading it at the skating rink and didn’t bring my favorite along to mark the pages, so I ended up ripping up a piece of paper into smaller and smaller pieces to mark all of the pages.
You can see a list of all of the decorating books in my library .
maverick
As a child of the 80s and a military BRAT, Top Gun was, naturally, among the movies I have watched. I thought it was okay, but I was too young to get swoony over Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise, and too much of a girly girl to be interested in the air scenes. So, when came out, it got a bit of a shoulder shrug from me. But everyone kept telling us it was such a good movie. Very clean for a modern PG-13 movie, entertaining, and fun. Even my mom liked it and that’s saying a lot.
So, we went to the theatre to watch it as a family and everyone was right. It’s good. Now, I lean more towards period dramas, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens, but I can also appreciate a good, entertaining movie and this was one of those. The boys really enjoyed it, too.
taco cat goat cheese pizza
I bought this card game, , for Calvin’s birthday and we played it in the evenings once homework and chores were done. We laughed so hard playing this game. It’s sort of a stupid game, but it’s one that is so fun that you don’t even care. Laughter has been good medicine for us, so this card game has been a go-to.
the goodness of god
This song has been an anthem for our family. When we prayed with the boys about starting a new school or feeling anxious about uncertainty, we talked about God’s goodness and how it’s not a passive thing. It’s running after us. God’s goodness is running after us and we can’t outrun it. We can’t hide from it or shake it off. It catches us, gives us a huge bear hug, and gives us safety, shelter, and peace. We’ll sing this song together and make it a daily reminder.
Just writing this list of favorites was a nice diversion. I hope you have some favorites to look back on for the month of August and you can find laughter and joy no matter what your current circumstances are.
And, let me add. So many of you have been praying for us and/or are also in a time of transition or waiting or are just dealing with a lot. How can I pray for you and your family?
You can find my past posts about favorites HERE.
31 Responses
Marion, I have followed you since the early days and you are an inspiration to me and so many others. The Goodness of God is my fav! The words of that song were like they were written from my heart. It’s been like my anthem as well. Thanks for always showing your faith and your strong walk with the Lord. Keep on keeping on.
Yes, it is so good and such an encouraging song. It’s a current favorite.
So many goodies! We have had a tumultuous summer as well (loss of job, baby graduated, cross country move, etc) and we have found ourselves waiting and wondering when this will all be behind us! Reading your words was an encouraging reminder that we’re not alone in this season of waiting. Holding on to God and trusting He’ll work it out for the good for both our families!
Oh, Cindy, I am so sorry that you’re having a summer of waiting, transition, and uncertainty. It is hard! I will be praying for the job, the move, and for the child who graduated!
Thank you for sharing this post. I appreciate you and enjoy
your posts. Prayers for continued healing.
You have amazing faith also! I am a bit of an impatient person, but you have totally put your confidence in God. You’re rolling with your faith that God will provide for you & I believe he will, too! Thanks for the game recommendation, I will certainly put this on my list for my grandsons for Christmas. Have fun antique shopping & keep showing us what you have purchased!!
Yes, it’s such a fun game!
We LOVE Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. It’s the perfect take-along game. We have played it with extended family, high school youth group kids, young adults ….. and everyone has enjoyed it.
You have a lot on your plate. God is in control but the waiting sure can be hard!
Yes, God is in control. Even when I feel impatient, I haven’t lost sight of that.
Thank you for being so much more frank and open about your faith in God. I am on a different kind of journey, a cancer journey, I can testify about the goodness of God❤️
I am praying for you as you walk with God during this struggle with cancer, Dale. I’m praying for strength and comfort, peace over fear and ultimately healing. May God richly bless you with all that you need.
Oh boy! Am I in trouble…God bless your parents. No word on your husband. I’m not like you or your loving parents.
I want to know if you will have a home, a parish, a school for your children. I love to collect too . You don’t know your full future and you don’t even have a concrete plan . All of this let God lead would make me insane. Let God lead …only if your husband leads a flock. It’s not what a clear thinking woman needs. Get on the ball husband ,if you can’t lead a flock then find another career! So sad to be the blunt one !
You are the girl on the ball..make it happen!!!
My post may have been unintentionally misrepresentative of what Jeff has been doing this summer! I just haven’t been sharing all of the details here, but he has been doing a lot of caring for the boys, filling in to preach at churches, and conducting a job search. Getting a position as a pastor isn’t the same as interviewing for other jobs. It’s a long process that involves several interviews, preaching a few times at the church, meeting with members of the congregation, leadership, and staff, and following the hiring process as outlined by their constitution. It is a long, patient process and it’s important to let it play out to make sure it’s a good match for us and for the church.
He is ready and eager to be in a pastor position, but it’s all in God’s timing and we’re okay with that. He has been doing plenty of pastoring in the interim! Anyway, we know this was the right move for us and we would rather wait for the right opportunity than jump into something quickly. The right thing is always worth the wait.
Thank you for your concern, though. I know it’s sometimes hard to be transparent when I’m also not sharing all of the details of our journey. I hope you can extend grace. ?
Perfect response Marion. You are a grace-filled woman for sure. I admire you and your husband’s desire to be where God leads you. There’s no better place than to be in the center of God’s will. His timing is perfect.
I too am putting my future in God’s hands. Normally, I am a planner and list maker. However, my husband is very ill and my life is very uncertain, no matter how much I want to be in control, I am not. God is.
Hi Marian, I love your words and your faith and the lovely song. I am glad that you have this great faith. In this life we need to always to trust and have faith in our Lord to get us through things. May God bless you and your lovely family.
If I was a betting girl, I would put money on opening the dictionary to the definition of GRACE and finding a picture of you.
Oh my goodness , every time I read your blog, I feel like you and I are so much alike. I am a former Art Teacher, born again Christian, love antique Art things , love to paint mainly landscapes. I own a lot of similar things, ( I purchased a folding writing desk in the spring , I found it on Marketplace after I saw an episode of The Repair Shop where they restored one that was similar. I also fell in May and fractured and sprained my left ankle. I had a boot for about 3 weeks, and then they transitioned me into a brace. I was finally told that I can transition out of the brace about a week ago. I still am going to therapy, and still not totally healed. I had to by sneakers that would work with the brace, and just purchased a pair of Sorrel boots hoping that they will prevent me from falling on the ice this winter! Thank you for all you put into this blog , I really enjoy it, and am praying that your foot will totally heal!
I have always had this saying, trust your gut and things always work out in the end. Faith that is what all we need to have. Marion you have such unwavering faith and it truly is a blessing. God speed.
Yes please!! We just found out about three hours ago that our daughter in law has cancer. She is 33 years old and just had it 5 years ago. She wasn’t our daughter in law then. We’ve only had her a year. Please pray for healing for Kelly. Thanks!!
Marian, so glad to hear that you are all keeping busy and I pray that your new home is just around the corner. Please pray for peace and calm for us. We just moved (to rent) for a year and it is not working out so well. Now we’ve decided to move closer to our son but it is a daunting task.(We are both 65). I ask God for resolution and calm every night but the extra prayers would be much appreciated.
Susan, just noticed your comment above my own and I am so sorry to hear about your daughter-inlaw. I will certainly pray for strength for the whole family, God loves you more that you can imagine. Lean on Him every minute of every day. And may He bless you all.
It is abundantly clear that this is a place of discovery, affirming the good and difficult in life, and that each one us are faithful followers… that can encompass many things.
Life can be so full and yet feel so empty.. God is always, always I’m those empty places. I often remind myself when I’m feeling impatience that God does not wear a watch .. it’s all in his time. Love to everyone who is being challenged right now, and to those who will be. I’ll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you Marian for opening such a beautiful discussion. I’m sure many of us wonder lots of things about your life right now. I was wondering if “your boys” were being homeschooled or in school.. and now I know 🙂 And I hope Jeff waits for the job that feels just right.
With great faith~
Cynthia
I love that song so much and hadn’t heard it for a while. It’s been true for our family, too, through joys and sorrows, challenges and triumphs. I’ve listened to it several times since I saw this post. Thank you so much for reminding me of this wonderful anthem.
Every time I hear (and sing along with) this song, I get goosebumps and tears in my eyes. Now that I know it is your family anthem, it touches me more. My dear friend, this is a challenging time, and you are in the good, good hands of God. Hugs to you.
My sister-in-law who is a nurse told me a couple of weeks ago that she finally gave in and bought some Hoka tennis shoes. She is on her feet a lot as a nurse and has has arthritis for many years (she is only in her 40s now), so she was looking for a good shoe for her needs. She found some Hokas on sale. She said she just out walking near her home and had made it about a quarter of a mile and could not go any more. Those shoes were hurting her feet so bad.
My brother and sister-in-law (not the same as above) took my 85 year old dad to see Maverick a couple of days ago in Carlise while he was visiting them. He had been wanting to see the moving since he enjoyed Top Gun. He really enjoyed the movie.
Mea Culpa
Yes, sometimes life is a bit of a waiting game. It is so good to hear about all the nice things your family gets to enjoy together as you wait. AND you get to have a little bit of down time to dream about all the pretty ideas you can incorporate in another house. God is good! Many thanks for the encouraging song. I just sent it to my Marine son who is going through a rough time. Blessings to you and your family as you heal and wait!
Marian,
I admire you for your patience and trust in the Lord during this season of uncertainly. His timing is always perfect, but patience is something that doesn’t come easy for me. So many families can’t even be around one another for a couple of hours, so having been with your parents for several months is a real testament to how much love and respect they have for you, Jeff and their grand-children and vice versa. You will always treasure this time you got to spend together. I am sure you probably have been back to AntiqueMarketplace in Lemoyne and there are some great stores in Carlisle. I will be praying for your family as Jeff continues his job search. I know the Lord will place him where he needs to be.
I am hoping you are out of your boot by now! I also broke my left ankle and right foot this summer. A completely ridiculous scenario, watering the rock garden after spending the day painting my girls bedroom! No one home, hollering for help from the back yard. Anyway I sympathize with you. I found this excellent aid called evenup which you stretch over your shoe that is not wearing the boot. This really helped me not stress my hips etc by walking crooked, since the boot makes you so much taller. I also am wearing those clunky sneakers, Hoka. And I need to find a nicer shoe that can accomodate my still swollen feet. So thanks for the shoe info. I love leather shoes! Hope the healing progresses. It is a trial to be sure! God bless!
Have you discovered “For the Love of Kitchens” tv show? It features the work of deVOL kitchens in England. Definitely swoon inducing – inspirational and aspirational.