*Sold* Fish Cottage*

Fish Cottage Est. July 2012. Sold December 2014

So we closed on our cottage today. We kept it a little quiet in case the deal fell through, but today we signed the papers. This adorable cottage has a nice new owner who is so excited for a new beginning. I'm very happy for him and I'm sure he will absolutely love it! We had mixed emotions (which is good), but... It couldn't have been any cuter.

Maybe it would have been better if we lived on the lake full-time? We learned so much in the couple of years we owned it. We learned that you really have to love your neighbors. ;) You need to love the lake more than the cottage itself. We loved the cottage more than the weedy part of the lake. I love other local lakes a tad more. I grew up on Lake Fenton and it's just a whole different lake. You better be super handy, and be ready to deal with boats/docks/lawn maintenance, etc.; or be willing to pay to have someone else handle them. We learned that we really need a bigger place, so we can all stay there. It can be expensive heating it, especially if you have baseboard heat. Do you want to feel committed to one place, or do you want to go other places too. Do you like to travel and play golf? Does your daughter live across the country? As much as we enjoyed it being a 35 minute drive and not having to fight traffic, it didn't 100% feel like we were getting away. The whole thing was a bit stressful for one of us (me not so much).

I don't mention these things to sound negative; I just want to remember.

We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to buy this cute cottage, but we are a little relieved to have a simpler life. I'm sure come next Summer we will be sad that we don't have a place on the lake, or any of our lake toys. Did I also mention that we sold/gave away all things Aqua? Oh well, it's all good and we learned some valuable lessons. I just pray we aren't paralyzed next time we decide on our next adventure!

Dear Fish Cottage,

Thank you for the many memories we made with family and friends.  I'm sure next Summer we will ask ourselves why on earth we gave you away. We are excited to see what God has in store for us next; and we trust that when He closes one door, He opens another.

With Grateful Hearts,

A & L

How to treat the flu?

[caption id="attachment_1562" align="alignnone" width="660"] Lincoln and Steve in the Park Bench Drama at Kensington Community Church where the guy (Linc) has an encounter with God Himself. When the business man is frustrated with his life, God tells him to give everything up (including his family) and trust and follow Him. Linc did an amazing job![/caption]

My poor husband has the flu. Yesterday was a rare day because he had to call in sick to work. I can count on one hand the days that's happened since I've known him. Over the weekend he didn't feel well and I have to admit that I wasn't quite as compassionate as I (in hindsight) should have been. Like a lot of guys, I know the second he has the slightest sniffle. He loves to act (see above photo or watch it here) and a lot of times I have a hard time knowing when he is acting and when he isn't. Have you ever heard the story "The Boy Who Cried Wolf?" Anyway, yesterday morning I could tell it was the real deal.

I had to leave him to go to work and when I got home he was still pretty miserable. A friend of his suggested he have a "Hot Toddy." When I heard him say that I immediately thought of my Aunt DeNaze (my dad's aunt). She was known for her home remedies for just about anything. I quickly called her daughter (Cuz DeNaze, almost 91) to get her mom's recipe. I talk with her every few months since she lives in Florida. I think I've written about her on a previous post, but she's still "cool" at her age! I was happy she answered the phone. I have to tell you that I get a little worried every time she doesn't pick up right away, since she lives alone. I know there is a plan in place between her friends, who call each other every morning to make sure they make it through the night (Isn't that so cute?), but I'm always a little nervous.

Sorry to digress. The reason I told you about Cuz De is that so often I have the need to call my parents for help. I need my dad for questions around the house. My dad could do anything! I've needed my mom's real estate mind lately and it's frustrating that I can't just pick up the phone to call her.

I thought I better hurry up and call my almost 91 year-old cousin before it's too late. There was something about hearing her tell me how to take care of my sick husband that Google cannot quite match. Although I could have quickly clicked on my computer to get the answers, it was so much better listening to her squeaky voice and familiar laugh while she shared her mother's secrets.

Aunt DeNaze's Hot Toddy 

Boil about a half of a cup of water. Add a shot of whisky and a couple of teaspoons of honey and maybe some lemon. If you want you can add your whiskey to a cup of tea. Have your patient sip on it. Put a warm shirt on their chest. It's very important to keep them warm, but not too hot. 

Moral of the story? Cherish your loved ones and hold on to each and every conversation. Take the time to listen to them share their secrets... and their wisdom. Ask them questions. Don't be in a hurry. Life is short. Be intentional. Love each other. Take care of each other. Be compassionate. Have eye contact. Call your loved ones. Get off your computer.

My patient needs me so I better run... and hurry up and get ready for Christmas before I catch the bug, too! ;)

Angie xoxo

Thanksgiving 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!

The house is quiet. My husband is sound asleep and I'm about to start the Thanksgiving preparation. The Holy Spirit brought me down to my office to stop and pause... to remember.

It's too easy for me to focus on the yesterdays, the if only's and the whys? I remember so many holidays where my mom would be more concerned about who wasn't there instead of who was there. My second to the oldest sister had moved to California and it totally broke my mom's heart. It's a long, complicated story, but I remember my mom having this underlying stress that seemed to consume her because of it; she wasn't able to fully enjoy the holiday. She was on edge and could seriously cry at the drop of a hat. She had a hard time not taking it out on those of us present, especially my dad. I'd by lying if I didn't admit that I became a little bitter toward my sister for what felt like abandoning our family. I wonder if she has any idea how much it affected the rest of us.

It is so ironic that what seems like just a few years later, our family has shrunk. The crazy, busy holidays are just a memory. My daughter is in California and she isn't going to be here. Instead she will be home for Christmas. The only family member outside of my immediate family (Linc and John) will be the same sister (and her friend) who I mentioned above. Although it will be such a small gathering today, I want to fully enjoy those who are present.

I'm so Grateful that although Meghan won't be here, I know to the depth of my soul that we have an amazing relationship. I know she didn't move to CA to run away from me and she has reminded me of that a zillion times. God has given me so much and I don't take any of it for granted. I could list the many gifts He has given me but He knows what's in my heart.

Wherever you are today, I pray you have nothing but laughter and Peace in your house. Forgive anyone you need to forgive, and try to be Mary instead of Martha! ;)

So much love,

Angie

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_HLIOnfJNs&w=560&h=315]

A Poem About Pride

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
I cheat you of your God-given destiny…
because you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment…
because you “deserve better than this.”
I cheat you of knowledge…
because you already know it all.
I cheat you of healing…
because you are too full of you to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness…
because you refuse to admit when you are wrong.
I cheat you of vision…
because you’d rather look in the mirror than out a window.
I cheat you of genuine friendship…
because nobody’s going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love…
because real romance demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven…
because you refuse to wash another’s feet on earth.
I cheat you of God’s glory…
because I convinced you to seek your own.
My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
You like me because you think I’m always looking out for you.
Untrue.
I’m looking to make a fool of you.
God has so much for you, I admit, but don’t worry…
If you stick with me you’ll never know.

by Beth Moore

My Prayer Request

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr9YVD05x8M]

"The Proof Of Your Love"

If I sing but don't have love
I waste my breath with every song
I bring an empty voice, a hollow noise
If I speak with a silver tongue
Convince a crowd but don't have love
I leave a bitter taste with every word I say

So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love

If I give
To a needy soul but don't have love then who is poor?
It seems all the poverty is found in me

So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
Oh, let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love

When it's all said and done
When we sing our final song
Only love remains
Only love remains

Let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love

Katie's Homecoming

This past weekend was super exciting for my sister and her family. My niece, Katie was chosen to be on the Queen's Court for Homecoming at her high school. I drove down to North Carolina with my older sister, Patricia to be a part of it. Katie was so sweet to ask her little brother to be her escort. This girl is amazing! Her brother has had so much (unwanted) attention lately, so she has taken a back seat. To say life has been hard on her is an understatement. Watching her handle him with so much love and grace brings me to tears. I could go on and on here, but I mainly just want to share that my sister's house was full of smiles all around and it was such a treat be able to share this time with them.

[caption id="attachment_1535" align="alignnone" width="682"] The Lamb Family[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1536" align="alignnone" width="682"] Katie was nominated to be on the Queen's court and she asked her brother to be her escort.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1537" align="alignnone" width="890"] Katie & Zack[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1538" align="alignnone" width="890"] Zack is in the Pit and if you knew all he's been through lately you'd think this is as amazing as I do![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1539" align="alignnone" width="682"] I was so impressed by his ability to do this with absolutely no assistance. :)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1540" align="alignnone" width="890"] A proud mother and her daughter! xo[/caption]