101 Responses

1. This post is exactly what I needed to hear today. It is so reassuring to know that regardless of where we are in our lives or our blogging careers that we all seem to go through the same emotions. I am very restless right now where I am “planted” and I keep waiting for things to change. I’m not enjoying where I am, but I’m also not doing anything to CHANGE where I am. I always enjoy your posts, but this one really hit home emotionally today. I hope that you are able to be prepared and enjoy whatever God has in store for you right now. Thank you for an inspirational post.

2. I TOTALLY get you here girlfriend! Take a deep breathe and be thankful for all your accomplishments and your family. The rest will just follow.
   Happy Wednesday.
   Alison

3. Great stuff! As a military wife this is often the case — getting orders and preparing to move whilst also enjoying here! Thanks~

4. It’s already on the newstands. Saw it this weekend at the grocery store.

5. I did the ‘next’ thing for many years…….and last year I decided to concentrate on the ‘now’……it’s a slow process, cut can be done 🙂 And I so enjoy all the things I missed and took for granted….Life is better this way……in the now.

6. What a beautiful article. It hit home with me. I am guilty of wishing my time away when I want something to happen. Thank you for this and for your inspiration.

7. Yep, I hear ya loud and clear because that is exactly where I am right now. I am 9 months away from retiring. We sold our home of 25 years and thought we were going to build………..well we are living in my husbands childhood home. It has SUCH potential but we had always wanted to build. So we are waiting on the LORD to show us the way. I am trying to hurry to slow down. 🙂
   Will be thinking about you as we wait together!
   GG

8. I’m working really hard right now to focus on the present and not the “next thing”. Thank you Marion. Awesome post, and just what I needed! Blessings to you!

   And a BIG Congratulations!!!

9. I can totally relate to the feeling of always living in anticipation of the “next” phase and not truly enjoying the place I am in. What has helped me is to take stock of all my blessings that I am surrounded with at this very moment; there is a quote something like “If what we have isn’t enough, what makes us think that we would be happy with more?”

10. Great post. I also live in the future! I see my home as what it can be and not the mess it is. Which is great but my husband lives in the now, and sees the mess I don’t.
    Having faith and waiting is tough. But I don’t think it’ll be forever. We’re all ready for the next house with you. Whenever it happens, one thing’s for sure. It’ll be fabulous!

11. I understand exactly where you are at. When we bought our house, I always thought we would move in 5 years. I was always operating with one foot out the door. It is now 7 years later and we have just started to do things to our home. I know everything has a time and a place. I too believe that God has a plan. However we need to love right now, the flowers, trees, etc. It is so easy to get caught up in the 3 year, 5 year plan and not the today plan. Have an amazing day !!

12. Congrats on the cover! That issue is already out here. I have a copy.

13. Congratulations! I love that cover! You are so talented!

14. Congrats! and so glad you are taking a minute. I am one who pushes through (actually plows through) so much. A while back my sweet husband told me “if you don’t slow down something will knock you on your back side”, that was a Sunday, the Thursday of that week I was diagnosed with cancer. You know what? He was right! (good news all is well now but it took a year of my life to get here!)
    Please enjoy what God has for you now, remember we are only here a short time. Change will happen. (I would recommend the book Pursue the Intentional Life by Jean Fleming.)

15. The cover looks FAB!!!!!! Congratulations!!!…and may your prayers be answered.

16. Oh, Marian, I think God used you to speak to a lot of us today! I am in a very similar situation and I just need to enjoy my life while I am waiting…

    Congratulations on the cover–what exciting news! You are such a blessing to us all in so many ways! 🙂

17. That is AHHHH MAZING! Congrats on the cover! What a great accomplishment!

18. Marian, I so admire your beautiful home and your design business concept. It is very much a blessing to find women in business who are also willing to wait on The Lord for their next big thing. God bless you and your family. And congrats on the beautiful cover!

19. We all go through times like this and somehow with God’s grace all things work out for the best. When my precious mom was living, I would discuss things with her that were bothering me and of course, she always said “pray about it”. I would tell her I had been praying but I wasn’t getting an answer and my mom would say “you probably are getting the answer but it may not be the answer you want” – she was so wise and I miss her so much. You have accomplished so much and I know everyone in your family and your friends are so proud of you. It’s so hard but you must be patient.

    Congrats on your fab magazine cover. I can’t wait to purchase it. So many of you bloggers are being featured in magazines and I get so excited for all of you. Great work and way to go!!!

20. BRAVO! Congratulations!

21. Great post – Great cover!! Congrats!!!!! 🙂

22. I must say, I was pretty excited for you when I received my RC issue! As for God’s timing, I spent years working, praying and hoping for that next place in life I hoped to be in and, while I feel content in reaching most of my major life goals, very often felt that same push/pull along the way. Your post really summarizes it well in that I think many of us spend most of our lives trying to find that balance in the friction between the here and now and what the future has to offer.

23. Marian, you make me smile. 🙂

24. oh Marian you are so insightful I so wish when I was young there were blogs like yours that would have guided me . I am not complaining about my journey but it would have been nice to have more direction. So congrats on the magazine cover wow what an accomplishment .

25. What a wonderful post. I have those same days of wonder. Thanks for the reminder that the secret of life is to be grateful.

26. Marion,
    I just finished the book: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle….I think you would enjoy this book.

    FYI, the planet Mercury is retrograde at this time. It is the time (every 3 months) when things slow down and we get a chance to go within and really examine our lives. It is perfectly normal and you expressed yourself very well.

    Congratulations on your Cover. Keep up the good work!

27. Marian…loved reading this…I can honestly say, that throughout my life I have to “thank God for unanswered prayers” .. que the Garth Brooks song. There have been many, many situations that I prayed for something and then realized that it was not the thing that was supposed to happen…truly…and one of them was a “house situation” . . . and it turned out that I am glad that my prayer went unanswered…

    I have that copy of Romantic Country…and congrats for being able to fulfill one of your dreams…a prayer that was answered in just the right time!

28. Awesome post Marian… you’re so right about rushing and stumbling ahead waiting for the next exciting thing, when there are really good things right here and now. I think we all do it. It’s was nice to read this post today and be reminded to stop trying to force everything to our will, or to be what WE think will be best.
    And … YAY! on the magazine cover photo! It’s beautiful..! . and i’m so so excited that “Eulalie” is right smack in the middle of it all. Tickles me to death! Your camera work is incredible these days too. I marvel at the detail, color and light in your photos… I also finally found the French Style magazine and saw us in there too So cool to be in such amazing magazines…

    Cindy

    1. Yep, Eulalie always steals the show! 🙂

29. WOW! Now doesn’t that post just spell it all out?! I started to tear up reading it! I am 456 “working days” away from retirement (but who’s counting, right?) and we are planning a move from Wisconsin to either Eastern Tennessee or Western North Carolina after I’m done. I am so ready I can taste it! I am looking at houses and having the yard sales to downsize the “stuff” and want it to be yesterday!! We really DO pray with expectation and our human brain says, “let’s do this NOW”. But you are right Marian, we need to ask the Lord’s will and be willing to listen when He says no, or wait awhile. We always think we know what’s best for us…and really, we know nothing. You made me stop and think of how I am missing moments right now, because I’m in such a hurry to pack it up and go…to get started on the next phase…and how do I know there will be a “next phase”? None of us are even guaranteed tomorrow, let alone the rest of the day! So we should be thankful for today and the sweet moments each hour of it holds for us. Look at tomorrow as if it’s a gift and just see what the Lord has in store for each and every day He gives us. My garden is planted and I’ll be harvesting lettuce this week…the flowers are blooming and they make me smile to know I have time to enjoy them! Thank you for making me take a breath and slow down to enjoy today!!

30. Hi MMS — I put my condo on the market last Friday. A friend said she hoped I’d have good news in a week, I said I’d be happy to have good news in a month. The house sold the Friday it went on the market. God said I’ll have good news for her TODAY. I try to keep the verse from Jeremiah 29:11 in mind “For I know the plans I have for you. . .”.
    I try to keep this verse in mind if my plane is late or a car wreck makes me late to an appointment. We think we know best sometimes but God always knows the best time.

31. Congratulations on that beautiful cover photo – I have seen it on your blog & when I recently saw it on a Facebook post, I posted a link to your blog because you deserve the credit for making cow images fashionable 🙂

    I agree with you about not living in the moment – we are all very guilty of it & so thanks for the reminder to just enjoy the here & now …

32. As many others have said, this post is EXACTLY what I needed to hear today. I too am struggling to find the balance between blooming and bringing an umbrella-thanks so much for sharing your heart!

33. You never know the accidents you miss! God’s timing is perfect. Prayed for a job in a town I loved and where my parents retired after a military career. Went to school there, got an paid internship etc. It didn’t come together and I mourned the loss wondering what I had done wrong. Ten years later, I found out the job I didn’t get was a disaster from new coworkers who had worked there for several years and couldn’t get away fast enough. Be thankful in everything.

34. fabulous post! I feel the same many days. We are renting a house and will most likely have to move this summer. But maybe not. So do I start packing or do I keep adding things to the house that I love and will then have to pack? My husband may be getting a promotion at work. Or maybe not. A promotion means I can find a new job that is part time. No promotion means keep working FT, ugh but how my hearts wants the PT job so the rest of my life is in better balance. I hear you Marian!

35. This post was perfect today. It made my eyes well up. Your words were spot on to what I’m sure not only I but many other of your readers face. It’s an excellent wake up call. Thank you.

    And a HUGE congrat’s to you on the cover. It’s gorgeous and how thrilling that you photographed it all.

36. Marian,
    I’ve faithfully read your posts for years. I’ve watched you grow and been consistently impressed with, not only your talent and great style, but your kindness in the way you deal with life. This post shows me that as you’ve gained fame, you’ve remained true to who you are and your values. I so admire that and know that good things will come to you whether you sell your house or not. I love the cover as I’ve always loved your dining room. I apologize for not commenting more often, but I thoroughly enjoy your posts.
    Karen

37. Maybe it isn’t even that the timing isn’t right for you. Maybe the timing isn’t right for the family who will eventually move into your home; the family that will be getting more than they ever dreamed of when they find your home.

    Thank you for the beautiful post!

38. Marian, we just put our house on the market, believing it would be a very long selling process, but prayed just as you did that God would lead us as to whether we should stay in Tennessee or return to Texas. Our house sold in only 5 weeks at almost full price, in a market where sales have been slow! So we feel He gave us a very clear answer, and we are grateful! You, too, will receive His guidance, because you are seeking it…ask and you shall receive! And your inspirational message is right on…no matter where we are, every day is a gift to be savored.

    Your magazine cover is fabulous and we all would have known it instantly. Congratulations!

39. Sometimes it helps to see things on the other side…. if I feel depressed or anxious for something – I think of someone or a situation where they have more challenges and it slows me down …i

    If I am having a rouge day with my son (who has severe disabilities) I think of a single parent raising her son with severe needs (that I know) and this brings me back to a humble state. If I worry about the mortgage payment being late – I take a drive and see the individuals who are homeless and somehow that lateness seems to turn into gratitude. If I want more – I try to help and volunteer with my son at the local food shelter where we will bake healthy muffins at home and then bring and pass out to the many individuals who need to eat. Life is so challenging every minute every day – but somehow we get through it – it truly is how we look at the situation that makes all the difference in our lives….

    p.s. your son who has diabetes will be a better person because of his challenges – he will appreciate more and grow to have a different understanding of people and their needs ; his diabetes doesn’t define who he is – he is a person first medical diagnosis later (diabetic son vs son who has diabetes)… he will grow to have a certain dignity and be a much stronger person that you will ever imagine! Trust me!

    1. Yes, I totally agree! We were just talking in the car this afternoon about our abundance and being thankful. I know I can be such a whiner at times!

40. Marian,

    It will work out – You are a wonderful person who has picked me up at times – I am nothing more than a stranger to you and you cheered me up my answering e mails and caring when I lost my best friend and job and your blog was a great inspiration to me. Still trying to get some painting done and can’t wait to save enough to get some MMS and wax. Until then, I’ll dream of painting something in MMS and pray for my a/;c to be fixed – it’s so hot and humid – I tell myself, this will come –You will sell the house and move on to more beauty – Just don’t change that personality or outgrow blogging.

    Mar

41. I sit and marvel at my toddler grandchildren and then ask myself why don’t I remember their parents doing all this adorable and amazing stuff……..and then it dawns on me: when my children were little, I was not living in the moment, but rather in the hours, or days, or even the years ahead. It was a matter of survival!

    We, as moms, wives, employees, were programmed to function in the future…….but we did so at the expense of THE MOMENT, As a senior reader here, I urge all of you swirling in the midst of marriage, child rearing, careers and, and projects to stop and in the space of a deep breath, listen to THE MOMENT and see what it has to say to you.

    You will never regret that small pause in your life journey.

42. Marion… first off, CONGRATULATIONS on making the cover of a magazine. What a huge honor. I would be delighted to have a quote in a magazine. I can’t imagine being on the cover of one?! I know that is something you will always cherish. Secondly, love the house you are living in now. You will have time to love your “new” house in the future… when you actually live there. Our previous home was recently taken by a fire. We had already purchased a different home and had plans to move prior to the fire. I’m so glad that we never fell out of love with our old house. I loved it until the day it caught fire… and I still do. Now we are revamping our “new-to-us” home and learning to love it as well.

43. Yes, Marian. Just what I needed to hear also. Thank you for sharing your life with us, it is soooo helpful and encouraing.

44. Amazing post and a reminder to me to live in the now. So many of us needed to hear your heart! Thanks for the encouragement. Received my issue of Romantic Country and told my husband ” this is MMS dining room!”

45. My first time responding to a blog post. It’s like a daily devotion with pretty pictures. We all need to cultivate an ” attitude of gratitude”. Thank you for the timely reminder.

46. Outstanding post. Your kindness and sincerity always comes through and your skills as a writer know no bounds. Your accomplishments are impressive and your magazine cover is so well deserved. They were fortunate to find you as are your readers!

47. I loved this post. I could really “hear” what you were saying. Marcy

48. Don’t forget, it is all about the journey, not the destination. Don’t be like so many others who have lost their appeal because they finally reached the destination only to realize they enjoyed the journey so much more.

49. We can’t bloom where we’re planted unless we put down roots.

50. Jo couldn’t have said it better…..living in the present is such an insight…your house will sell, you will move into another home and maybe another after that. You will not look back on the houses you lived in… but the memories you made within your home. Live in the present…. make memories…… and the rest follow.

51. Excellent post…made me think!!
    Thanks!
    Cece

52. I believe when I pray for what I want, it is a selfish prayer. I try to pray for knowledge of God’s will for me & the power to carry it out. It keeps me out of self & placing more trust in God. Take time to smell the roses & love the moment.

    1. Lovely

53. Thank you for a great post; it actually brought tears to my eyes because this is exactly where I am, and your conclusion is where I need to be!

    Celebrating with you on that cover! It looks gorgeous!! I did notice that you did the styling and the photos and was so impressed. You are a gifted lady and your gifts are such an inspiration and blessing!! Loving my tee shirt too!! I am waiting to grab something else up from your online shop before it sells out!! 🙂

54. I love your words today. I am the “64 acre, on a mtn., in our dream home” lady–perhaps you have read my other comments when it came to your hopes for a new place to call home. I loved hearing you speak from your heart today. You have what so many would love to have and do. Find our passion, dream it, do it, and be successful. The plant story got me. We have moved every 2 1/2 years since our girls (11 and 14) were born. Always moving up by our choice (I say that tongue in cheek as I know it was not all our choice) and the VA home again by choice. However, leaving not our choice. So…my husband relays to me that he has wanted to grow some fruit trees in our (large) suburban yard for years. (We are 5 yrs. in this home!) I asked him “Why haven’t you planted them if you want to? It’s not a big deal!” He replied he was afraid to plant them because he didn’t know how long we would be in this home. I told him to get on it, neither of us knew, but that shouldn’t stop him from that enjoyment. I get it. I want to be here until I am old and grey. I don’t know if I will, but until then I will enjoy my time here in this home, with my family–healthy and happy. 🙂

55. I think you are very wise to stop and think! Sometimes we are in such a hurry to get to the next thing that we don’t appreciate what is happening in this moment. I know you have heard all the sayings, Let Go Let God….process is more important than product, etc. But sometimes we just want to get where we “think” we need to be. As a teacher, I am in charge…..in fact I often say that my classroom is my kingdom and I am the queen. But I have learned in my 60 years on this earth that surprises are around the corner. Did you imagine that you would be doing what you are doing say 10 years ago? I am doing things I never dreamed I would be doing. We have a booth at the best antique mall in Chattanooga and we sell something everyday! My hubby and I go out every Saturday, looking for treasures, and we find them! We are together, having a ball, and if you had told me I would be doing this even a year ago, I would not have believed you. We have met so many wonderful people on our little adventure and I cannot wait to get up each day. Enjoy your wonderful life, you are truly blessed!

56. I think this is something many of us military spouses (active and retired) struggle with.

    There is always a change around the corner, and when that change doesn’t come when we expect it, we can be thrown off a bit. Sometimes it’s difficult to live in and appreciate the now when what might be is looming over us.

    Kudos to you for stopping and taking stock, recognizing the struggle and choosing to enjoy where you are right now.

    And the cover? Beautiful!!! Congratulations!!

57. Congratulations on all the amazing things that are happening in your life! God is good, and you have worked super hard to achieve your dreams – both here and now, and those that you are working towards. xx

58. I can relate to your feelings of tomorrow will be better and if and when that happens I will enjoy them then. I keep reminding myself this each and every day to take in every moment and to not live for the future or the past.

    As for selling a home…my parents have been trying to sell their home almost four years now. I have watched them struggle financially and put life on hold until their home is sold. They are starting to feel that this just may not be God’s plan and that their home may just be holding out for the right next owner or for something hopefully better for them. I pray that you have peace in your moving and selling experience as well as my parents who are stuck in limbo land of house selling.

    Deb
    Seeking Lavender Lane

59. What a great article. It really made me stop and think. I’ve been struggling with this sort of thing myself lately and it’s good to know others are in the same boat.
    Your cover is AMAZING and I can’t wait to get the mag.
    Congrats!

60. It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s time
    to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you
    some interesting things or tips. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to
    this article. I wish to read even more things about it!

61. Congrats on the cover!! Your photo looks great! I always enjoy your personal/thought provoking posts. I can totally relate. This was me in the fall and if I’m being honest, every day, including today. Finding contentment and balancing dreams and goals while actually living is a tough one.

    1. I totally agree Jessica. Finding contentment in living everyday while wanting to pursue your passion and your dream is diffiecult. For me, I work a full time job but my passion is refinishing furniture and home decorating. However, we are reliant on my salary which makes pursuing my dream somewhat challenging because of the lack of time. I am struggling with finding contentment in my current job or pursuing my dream. It is very challenging to say the least in addition to feeling the guilt of feeling ungrateful because I am blessed with a good job. So yes, it is a tough.

       Thanks Maran for sharing your heart today.

62. I saw the magazine with your dining room on the magazine stand yesterday at my local Kroger!

63. Oh Marian,

    I know those questions, thoughts and prayers so very well. I think you have it in hand because you are thinking about it and you recognize what we want and what we “need” are often two different things. I remember someone telling me one time to remember God has a sense of humor….especially when we think we are in control of where we are going. 🙂

    I love your honesty and I know everyone else does too. You aren’t alone and you have a great talent to remind us that we aren’t either.

    Be well and enjoy your garden!

64. I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY WITH SEWTOALL. That is what I have been wanting to say but didn’t know how to express it. She did it beautifully !! Marion, please listen.

65. I leafed through that magazine at the beginning of the week at our Meijer store so they must come out at different times in different locations. Beautiful!

66. One year ago we were in exactly the same place as you, trying to sell our house to take advantage of the summer real estate season and wanting to get on with our life and watch the building of our new home in South Carolina. I prayed and worried all through April, May, June, July, and then finally, we gave in and had an open house and sold it in August! I got so tired of keeping the house picture perfect and taking two cats out of the house for showings. But in retrospect had we sold it earlier, we would have arrived in SC before the house was even framed and too early for all the selections that come with building a home, thus costing us that much more in rent while waiting for our house to be done. God always has the perfect plan for us, but we seldom realize it!

    Keep the faith and give your worries to Him. Your cover photo looks fantastic and you should be very proud!

67. I am SOOOOO glad you shared your thoughts! We are in the same situation with our house! I want to move and get on with life in our new house because the one we are in now is too small for our family of 5. My hubby is a tile man and has the floor ripped out but not back in yet. I hate it when my “nest” isn’t put together, so I’m finding things to be happy about~~ we have a roof over our heads, my family is healthy and we have food in the fridge! You are such and inspiration to me! May the Lord bless you and keep you may He make His face shine upon you and give you peace! Num. 6:24-26

68. This post expresses exactly how I have been feeling about my life! Thank you for putting into words what I could not express!

69. Thank you for that Marian.
    My husband is in the Military and we are posted yet again (we’ve been doing this for 30 years).
    We are posted to the one place we really didn’t want to go, selling our house at a big loss and we have to leave our kids behind for the first time. So I was having a hard time being positive about everything.
    We too, are in Limbo land, waiting to sell so we can make plans and praying to God to help me to be a better person and see the positive in all of this. I have been holding off on working on my projects so the house/garage wouldn’t be messy but you’re right I have to live in the now and appreciate what we do have now.
    Congratulations on your cover photo. It is gorgeous and well deserved.

70. Congrats on making the cover of Romantic Country, Marian!

    As for the prayers and preparing for showers of blessing, if I were in your shoes, I would have an opposite problem – I would NOT WANT the house to sell… Especially if I’d put as much work into it as you and your husband did.

71. Things will happen when they need to be. I picked up Romantic Homes yesterday, I always pick it up, but was delighted to see your room on the cover.!!!! Congrats!

72. I’m sure you know that God is constantly sending us blessings of goodness, constantly, never stops, and so our job is to always seek out the Goodness that is God at every moment. Receive God’s Love for you and pass it on. In the middle of Life I sometimes forget this…. Remembering this often puts me right where I need to be, emotionally, spiritually and physically. It is a gift to be in the NOW moment!! Enjoy it!!

73. It’s amazing how many of us feel this way and are riding along in the same boat!

    When I was a little girl visiting with my favorite aunt I said something about a future want or desire. She told me not to wish my life away. It didn’t mean much at the time but I can’t tell you how many times I thought about that advice when I’m trying to push my self or my life beyond where I am now.

    The older we get the more we need to capture the moment, enjoy the day and be thankful for what we have.

    Thank you for the great post!

74. Enjoy the moment! Our family is grown and all have left our nest. Everything will fall into place. Since I love to move I know how you feel–you just want the whole process to be over. The prospect of people coming to inspect your house at a moments notice can take it’s toll. Keep us posted and remember God has a plan.

75. …..”THE BEST IS YET TO COME”……

76. My husband lost his job three years ago and has yet to find another. He just turned 60 years old and no one is interested in hiring an ex-advertising executive. At first, we panicked, should we sell the house right away? Should we consider moving to a market where those jobs are more plentiful? He got three job offers in the Northeast and we live in the Midwest, should he accept one? Our lives were a whirlwind of if and when and I was a mess. We stopped, we prayed and then his Father was diagnosed with cancer. He was receiving treatment at a hospital in our city. He lived in a rural area about 75 miles away. My husband’s Mother was deceased. We made the decision to have him to stay with us. It was our pleasure to have him here and to help care for him, it was also very challenging. The job seeking slowed to a snail’s pace the more ill his Dad became. We buried him on March 10, 2014. Sometimes God intends for us to stand still and be grateful for what we have or what we are called to. So, bloom where you are planted, God will re-plant you or change things in His time.

77. Marian,
    CONGRATS on the cover!!! Your picture looks outstanding and I am so happy that it made the cover. Please be sure to share it with us, after you frame it.

    Blessings,
    Linda

78. “Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others.” St. Augustine

    I have been on my own journey with God for the last 3 years wrestling with priorities, desires, loss
    and provision. Recently the amount of time I have been giving to outside interests (including running a small shop) had become like a millstone around my neck. Even the number of physical things in my life, my home were all small sources of conviction that the good desire and ability God had gifted me was growing into something consuming. I was too tired to offer the best of myself to my husband and kids and my spirit became more and more restless. I recently made a huge jump and closed up my retail space (keeping my etsy shop open) so that I can have the energy, focus and desire to respond well to the needs of two little boys and two teenage girls.
    I did that 5 months ago and have not regretted a day of it and have since sold, purged and gifted
    hundreds of things out of my home as well as purging my schedule. I am not done… as Christ keeps drawing me to His example of simplicity, of not storing up treasures and remembering that the eye is not satisfied with seeing. I am fascinated by the idea of Christian minimalism… but, baby steps ; )

    You have a true gift, given from the Creator, He placed it in you, He is refining it, He is nurturing it, He is using it to reflect His Son in your story. He will be faithful to complete His work and give you wisdom in the coming days. I have quietly enjoyed your blog for the last 3 years. Your posts are so often sprinkled with humor and humility. Peace to your family.

79. As a homeschooling mother of six, I can relate to the lifestyle that Marian and Jeff desire for their children. A place for children to roam, have construction things to do with their hands, and manage a little livestock, is a noble goal. We pursued that dream for our family several years back and we’re joyfully reaping the rewards. I don’t believe the ‘farm/renovation project’ would be a distraction at all — it will be a family mission, with their young boys involved in the whole process! Support their dream, SEWTOALL! 🙂

    Marian, thank you for once again being so real and transparent. You bless us.

80. One of the advantages of being “of a certain age” (I’m 53 and a gramma) is that we don’t have the RESTLESSNESS that you girls in your thirties have. I remember the restlessness. I do. It is insatiable.

    It will come. It will happen.

    I love your blogging and work and congratulate you on your success.

81. I think we can all relate to what you are saying in some form or another. Contentment and waiting for direction, an answer, all can be overwhelming and yet bring so much joy. Geez, do we make things more complicated than they are??

    I too, like so many others, having been waiting for the “word” and bit by bit it comes, unfortunately, I am not a very patient person and I know the Lord keeps trying to teach me patience and I just keep running right over that lesson. And, I too have been what I call lost, unfilled, a sense of where am I going, what is in store for me, please just show me a sign, kind of thing.

    So, I recently started to get in touch with my passion and get connected with people who have similar passion’s as me and you are one of them. Reading your blogs and I applaud you on being so consistent with your blogging, something I just can’t seem to fit into my schedule, has brought so much joy to me, a newness, a light of inspiration, that I thank you for that. And, I too hope that you have outlets where you are inspired and just not giving all of the time? That can bring you to a place of being drained.

    For a sense of peace in the moment, you are where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to do and bring life to your garden, whether the enjoyment is temporary or permanent, breathe in this moment, this time and the rest will fall into place.

    Easier said than done, I hear it! I laugh and thing those were some good words, will you take a moment and listen for yourself. LOL…..

82. My mom always says we wish our lives away- it is so hard to achieve that balance between living in the moment and looking toward the future. Trust though that there is a plan- I recall my mom’s story of how the house that was “perfect” but fell through did for real when the roof caved in a month after they closed on their second choice. That part will fall into place. The saying no part is up to you. Its hard to say no when you come from a place of fear that there won’t be enough or another opportunity. You and your husband are working really hard!! You guys only make it look easy. You guys are inspirational. Do remember no one gets to heaven and says dang I should have worked more hours. Try to enjoy without guilt a little bit more time. You can’t get it back.

83. I can relate to your house situation. Several years ago we had our house on the market, and we were beyond ready to move on, but nothing was happening. Mentally, I had already divorced myself from the house, and the longer I felt ‘stuck’ there, the more I began to resent it. I know I was not treating it with the care that I would if I truly felt grateful for what we were already blessed with. About that time I heard someone say that you can’t ask God for “more” {better house, better job, whatever} if you aren’t doing the very best you can with what you already have. That was a real wake up call for me to treat that home as if I LOVED it, and was thankful for it no matter how long we stayed! In just the right timing, of course, we did move on to another home. {By the way it was AFTER the contract on the farmhouse on 3 acres with the barn etc fell through-waa!} That always comes back to me now when there’s something I’m praying to change. It IS hard to wait when you think you know just what you want and it seems so close. God’s timing will be perfect!
    Congratulations on your exciting magazine news! You are such a talented stylist and photographer, you really deserve this! The cover is just gorgeous!

84. I’m not sure if you have time to still read comments but I think I went through a stage at about your age. I was able to be home close to when my kids were out of school, was teaching at the university, plus subbed for those few that really needed me so I was keeping in touch with teaching myself, but its kind of the what next…there’s no more babies. Kids are easier. I was in shape. Busy all the time and then all of a sudden I wasn’t so busy and I thought, I’m not that super stressed busy person running from school to school and out to the university and then out to get my kids and making dinner, doing yard work, laundry, all the cleaning and bills…. And a year or two later I had a type of breakdown. I wasn’t treated but I lost so much weight my doctor warned me that being that underweight was as damaging to my heart as being overweight. Several criticisms from key people had hurt me deeply and I just could not snap out of it. So I exercised all the time too. The criticism continued the more I succeeded. And deep inside my heart hurt–but I was raised when a woman was the only one responsible for keeping a marriage together–and I wept. As I had for 25 years. And I didn’t know what was right or wrong. And my sister sat me down and said, Gwen. You have begun to think a God does not want you to have the best. Somehow this person has you convinced that a God only wants you to have junk. That is so not tyue. God loves you. He delights in you. He knows the plans He has for you. Plans for GOOD. Not for evil. Plans to prosper you. Gwen, she said, God gave you the desires of your heart. They are not bad.
    And to you I say. Do not let satan toss you like a toy ship in a big lake. Stand firm that this decision was made with prayer. You asked God for wisdom. And you put your house up. You need to. Your kids are at that age where space is what you need. Not ten years from now.
    Do not even glance at satan’s doubting plots to ruin your enthusiasm and rob you of joy. I’ve been slipping lately but for close to 13 years, since right after that sad time, I began to write five blessings from a God every day. Its a good thing to focus upon. And you’ll see God is not out to destroy you nor dangle 20 acres of skittles when they would be oh so bad for you. God would not do that. Remember He loves you so much He sings over you!!!

85. This morning while reading your progress and all the thoughtful comments made me feel like I was in to church. The comments are so inspirational and well thought out. In my own mind I have never thought of God in the way all these ladies do. What I learned from your sunscribers is that when you hand all that stuff over to a higher power life becomes a lot simpler. To not have that heavy load of decision making on my shoulders is such a relief! God needs to be allowed as my partner, I need to make room for Him in this chaos, I need more faith and I need to let God help with all of it! I need to learn to accept help. I love this site.

86. Loved your article today. I found your site ‘by accident” last week and after reading your article today, I know why now. Thank you for sharing from your heart your struggles with being content where we are and looking forward to the future. It is so hard to be patient and wait on God’s timing, but it is also so wise to do so. May the Lord bless you even as you wait!!!

87. I always read your posts.. I have never taken time to comment until today…..As believers in Christ our lives depend upon two major factors…..Faith and patience…..Patience a fruit of the Spirit…patience to not run ahead of God towards what we want when we want it and how we want it……and then faith (the core of who we are)….believing and trusting God completely…that He knows what is best..that He has it perfectly timed…and it is always the best for us… As a Minister’s wife myself, I have discovered God created us with passions and disires…I love antiquing, decorating, beautiful things.. recreating and repurposing…As I havae grown in my walk, I have found that those passions and desires also work among people who are needy, addicted…who feel hopeless….my repurposing creative heart wants them to see and understand how God sees them…just as you do in your furniture…If I could change them quickly and my way i would.. here is a top 10 do this and you will live a good life…..oh, it may look good for awhile but does not last…when I allow God to work through me…in a process.. patiently and with faithfulfully doing what is necessary…God does the work and it is complete and lasts…When God does something he does it good and it lasts. God makes everything beautiful in his tiime Ecc. 3:11. Just as it takes time to redo a piece of furniture….looking at it..decidint the best colors…what to take away and what to keep….it is the same way with us… God knows what is best….be still and enjoy! While you are there….show others His love.. after all, it is all about Him…regardless of what we are doing.. Blessings!

88. Dear Marian, I am much older but can’t say much wiser. I still struggle at 56 yrs old with priorities and “wants” as I read blogs and see homes that look perfect, larger and just plain old better than my own. It can so easily become an obsession for me. When is enough, enough? Do we continually keep looking for the next best thing? I for one continue the struggle to maintain balance and priorities.

89. I have been in that “ready to move forward right now” place so many times. When it becomes overbearing, I try to remember to walk out into the sun. I close my eyes and feel the heat on my skin, the air around me. I slow my breathing and just listen to what the Universe has to say for a few minutes. If you are still there, it is because there is still treasure for you to find. And the change will come.
    Prayers to you, dear lady,
    The Other Marian

90. We all find it hard to live in the now and not think in terms of “when this happens or I do this, etc.” Thank you for helping me to think about enjoying right now! I am still stunned that someone has not scooped up your beautiful home…..it has to be that God is indeed wanting the sale to wait for his good reason. Sending you hugs.

91. We have been hoping to adopt a child for over 2 years. We had our first home study in 2011. It is extremely hard to trust God in the midst of the wait. We are waiting for a expectant family to choose us. We have grown a lot in our faith and trust. We have two little girls who are very excited for another sibling to join our family but don’t understand when their sibling is coming. We tried to keep it on the down low but with the social worker kept coming and our kids were curious. We pray and wait and pray some more. I debate at what point I should pack up the nursery. So far the nursery has been set up for a couple years. Empty… Sometimes it is a place for me to dream and at times it is a place of hurt. We are happy as a family but feel like part of us is missing since we started the adoption journey. We are praying for our expectant family as well. The wait has been good at times and harder at others. We will continue to trust. Our profile is here if you know someone who is considering adoption: http://waitingfamilies.bethany.org/home/South-dakota/andrew-and-darcy

92. I got my Romantic Country magazine, saw the cover, waved it at my husband and said DO YOU KNOW WHO THIS IS???? So excited for you – congrats!

93. This post resonates with the way I have lived my life, waiting for the next thing and losing the moment. I am so inspired by your success and appreciate you sharing your journey. The Fall 2014 Romantic Country magazine is one I will be on the look-out for to prove dreams do come true.

    Thank you!

94. Amen to all of that sister! I’m rowing in the same boat. My husband and I are trying to find contentment in the now and not wish time away. ‘Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.’
    Oh, and congrats on the magazine! Hope I can find it somewhere and add it to my inspiration pile of books and magazines. 🙂

95. I can relate and have the same feelings. I work at letting God take the wheel. He has taken me on a roller coaster, up and down, but today is better than I could ever imagine and my faith gets stronger and stronger ever day. God bless you in your ministry. Kat

96. Yes, excellent post. I’m a grandma now, so I can look back with a bit more wisdom now. Be sure to spend enough time with your children! That would be the primary piece of advice I would give to mothers of young children. Have they taken a back seat while you built your business or did projects? Are you putting away the smart phones while your children are around? They are only young once, and it goes very quickly!

97. I think its always good to take stock of where we are in life, what does God have for us? I am I following my own way or God’s? How is His purpose going to show itself in my life. No easy questions, the questions and answers always seem to be evolving! Highly recommend John Acuffs book, “Start”.