Country air

One of the best parts of my day is my daily walk or run... I can't think that I will ever tire of the wide open fields or the little paths through the woods.  Regardless of what I may be reflecting on or wrestling with on the inside, it always lifts my heart.  Something about drinking in gulps of fresh fragrant air, open skies and beauty for miles... as I take in the view, so my point of view is altered.  

All the tractors have been going back and forth for the last two months with the hay stacks, wood and more.  Now its time to store for the winter months.  Beautiful.

Indeed, the earth does rejoice and declare his faithfulness! 

The next book

So after looking at what to read next, from this pile by my bed, I chose instead to pick up 'River, cross my heart',  a book that I bought more than a decade ago.  It was hidden somewhere on the bookshelf.  And I'm loving it.

Same but different

We are a family, we live in a house, there are neighbours, shops, church, walks in the sunshine, delicious food to eat.  In some ways it's the same but it's so different.

Today I read a blog about someone that moved from New Zealand to the UK.  She said that she loves her life (and what she is doing is pretty amazing) but that a part of her heart will always long for her home and her people… reading those words made my heart sink.   For the most part I am happy (there is honestly much to love) but there are moments of intense longing. Before I read her blog, I thought that this would be a temporary condition as I adjust to a new life on a new continent with new everything.

Each day is the almost fragile opportunity to have joy or lamenting the different. I am an optimist by nature so I endeavor to live out the words of Marcus Aurelius
'Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so will your heart'  - with all my heart I am trying to embrace the differences with gladness

A gate of joy on my walk

Embracing the new... I call it Gumboots, they call it Wellies

Our sweet neighbor welcomed us with homemade bread.