The Simple Scents of Life

Yesterday was a rather busy and exciting day. It was the first day the house was put on the market. A small ad was in the paper, and we received four calls on the house in one day! At about nap time, we ran out to Home Depot to grab some paint and "fix-it" things for closets, gates, etc...

Around two o'clock we had a call from family who wanted to come by to see the house. They were due to arrive at 4:30, so we rushed around like mad men (or should I say, a mad-man and two mad-women ;-)) attempting to get the house in order and presentable. Jennie painted the upstairs hallway while I did touch up work on the trim and stairway walls. Once that was done all the toys, books, shoes and little things were put away, rooms picked up, floors vacuumed, swept and mopped, furniture dusted, laundry put away and all sorts of other things.

Once all that was done, and before the family arrived, I took the children outside to play so the people could ask questions, look through closets and check out the house without being interrupted by little people. I just can't imagine how much more crazy it would have been if we had put our house on the market last year!

When the family left, we all loaded up in the van and headed out to see Mrs. Chancey's brother and his family. David and Heather Ethell have four wonderful children, Kelsea, Grace, Jeffrey, and little David. Mrs. Chancey's mother and her husband and daughter came over as well. We celebrated their weekly Sabbath feast consisting of chips and homemade peach salsa, roast, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, peas, and gravy. And to tie it all up, we had Creamy Peach Pie for dessert.

After things were cleaned up and everybody stuffed to their fullest, the children and most of the adults went down into their spacious basement to watch a creation science movie. We had a great time visiting, feasting, and just having fun. As soon as we arrived back home, we all went straight to bed, thoroughly exhausted from the long day.

Once we were all dressed and fed this morning, we headed off to their church, Covenant Reformed Church. The pastor, Rev. Shank, who just happens to be friends of some of my dear friends in Texas, is a father of twelve children, so many of the families I met are related in one way or another! :) After service, the ladies of the house stayed for naps, also keeping Thomas to protect us. The older men of the house went off to another service to hear a missionary from Europe. When they arrived back home, a few of them took a little nap.

At about six, we headed back out to visit the Shank family for evening Scripture reading, prayers and another fellowship meal. They have a wonderful two story old brick home built in the 1800's. There are huge white pillars on their front porch, and a stone walkway leading to their front door. They also have a large garden in the back, some chickens and a corn field. I am very sorry to report, though, that I forgot to bring the camera for this event, so I have no photos of my visit. :( But, as we will be heading back out to visit their sweet family again soon for a cook-out, I'll try to remember to bring it. I had a wonderful time getting to know the people there.

When we arrived back home tonight, baths were immediately administered. Once that was out of the way, can you guess what we did? We read some more books. :) The little girls had tickle time with their Daddy and then we sang, prayed, brushed teeth, and the little ones headed off to bed. So, once again, the "big people" are messing around on computers in the library. The only sound to be heard is fingers hitting the keys on the keyboard, or an occasional laugh from somebody who just read something humorous, or a radio program coming from one of the speakers. It is such a cozy room. A comfy couch (which I happen to be sitting on at the moment), to large chairs, built-in bookshelves and a large desk are here in the room. We are all straining our eyes as well, since we type only by the light of two lamps.

As the hours of the night are quickly escaping, I suppose I should turn in and get some rest. I miss and love all of you guys back home, and wish I could have been there to fellowship with y'all in the new building. But it was not in the divine plan, so I will continue to look forward to being there with you soon!