Being Still

Being without a phone, Internet, mobile, my minivan, or a washer and dryer makes one reevaluate what’s really important.

Obviously, it’s not laundry.

So, while I refuse to walk past that basket with the growing mounds of laundry eagerly awaiting the delivery of our washer and dryer…

I spend more time:

• really listening to my children as they prattle on
• reading to my children and discussing
• making healthy meals from scratch (We don’t have a microwave! yay!)
• going on walks and hikes to explore our new home
• helping the kids with their chores (it goes much more quickly with many hands)
• teaching Bible lessons every morning
• singing while Liz plays piano
• listening to the birds outside my window
• taking the kids to the backerei on the corner and letting them pick out something new and fun and delicious
• having homemade ice cream with coffee

This summer is teaching me many lessons in being still and patient and present with my babies. Being stuck in hotels and living out of suitcases for a couple months and then having no vehicle or even the ability to drive – being without the luxuries we come to expect as convenient is helping me slow down and appreciate my family more.

We purged a great deal before we moved and we’re realizing as we can’t find a place for some things that we don’t really need them that much.

I plan to continue with these positive changes after we get more organized and back on the grid. I refuse to let my mobile phone or the Internet control me like it once did.

I will be present for my family and only use the computer and phone during set office hours.