Fourteen months ago, I moved into this little cabin of a house. At the end of the month, we are moving out. It makes sense that with going to the States, and working on the new house, to move in with Rodrigo’s aunt and uncle for a few months during the summer. They live closer to the land and it will be more cost effective, and on top of that, for me, there’s this feeling that it’s time.
A lot has happened in my little cabin. I lived my first year in Chile in this house. I’ll be forever grateful for what it has taught me. So here goes.
Here’s some of what I learned in my itty-bitty-cabin:
– You and I have an incredible ability to adjust to our circumstances. We may not want to adjust, we may fight and clench our teeth most of the way through it, rip our hair out, cry every day for many months … but we can adjust if we choose to. It’s part of being human.
– I really like dishwashers. Really.
– I also really like insulation and believe good insulation is well worth the investment. Winters are cold, summers are hot without insulation.
– Good wood and a good wood stove are life savers. Being cold is difficult and shouldn’t be underestimated by governments or institutions. It matters if people can heat their homes.
– There will always be people with more than you have and there will always be those with less. One day, a neighbor came in and surveyed my home, which I in particular was cringing over that very day, and wished she could have something so nice. It’s good to be careful about these things. I suspect this is why we are told not to despise humble beginnings… my humble might be someone else’s plenty. It’s about perspective and one we’d be wise to remember.
– God has friends for us everywhere if we’re willing to open our doors and open our hearts. The kids are already grieving their plaza, their playmates, and their tiny house. There are people in my neighborhood who really care about us and don’t want to see us go. Just yesterday, my friend, Maria Eugenia, said that while I’m packing up the house, I can send the kids to her house and she’ll take care of them. How that happened is rather miraculous, if you ask me. Kind people, good people are all over the world.
– If we’re willing, there will always be people who could use our love, our friendship, and our help. We need to open our eyes, and watch and pray. And where we can, we must help. It is part of our human responsibility. One of our great tasks. Love your neighbor. We don’t have to cross oceans if we don’t want to. But we do need to cross the street.
There’s so much more. I watched miracles take place in this house. I got to see a family adjust to life in a new country, I got to drink wine and cry with new friends, old ones who were willing to travel many miles to see me, and be with my mom in this house. I never would have chosen to live here on my own accord. But it was a good place for me. And maybe that’s the greatest lesson of all. We see in part. We know in part. Any place, any home, any neighborhood has everything necessary to teach us to care more, has whatever is needed to guide us into greater sacrificial love, if we are willing …
I’ll be packing, and setting things up for the release of As Waters Gone By. Stay posted for the Book Launch Party and all that!
Much Love,
Tina
Below are some pictures next to my house:
We lived here. And we won’t ever forget what we learned or who we met…
And, I know your neighbors will never forget you! Thanks friend, for sharing your struggles and triumphs and the lessons…because they are teaching and inspiring me, right here in my Bothell kitchen. I miss you friend!!!!
I miss you too! And learned so much from your gentle heart. You are a wonderful example of kind and gentle to me.
love this paragraph….
If we’re willing, there will always be people who could use our love, our friendship, and our help. We need to open our eyes, and watch and pray. And where we can, we must help. It is part of our human responsibility. One of our great tasks. Love your neighbor. We don’t have to cross oceans if we don’t want to. But we do need to cross the street.
That’s universal my friend…..thinking of you has you say your goodbyes, and make the transition to move in with your in-laws. god bless you all!
Thanks friend! Yes. It is universal. See you soon.
T
Tina,
Sometimes your posts make me cry. Good tears. A sigh of, “yes, I’ve experienced that too.” and the ache of loss and joy and all that is humanity is awakened within me.
Thank you for writing. Your words shed light. Your words heal.
Goodbye’s are so hard, even if we are leaving circumstances or places we never would have chosen…
I love that “All that is humanity is awakened” – I was recently reading an interview with Over the Rhine the other day and Linford said something similar, about becoming more human and it’s making me think. Thank you. Good-bye’s are hard even in places we never would have chosen, is so true. I’m so thankful for the journey I’ve been on down here. One, that will always leave me a bit speechless and in awe of God.
Much love,
Tina
PS – thanks for the email about a book launch. So great.
Thank you for your continued writing. I look forward to it every week. I especially like the passage “Any place, any home, any neighborhood has everything necessary to teach us to care more, has whatever is needed to guide us into greater sacrificial love, if we are willing …”
Just recently, I was denied the chance to work where I wanted, where I thought God wanted me to be. . . so confused, I stay put and get to practice sacrificial love in a way I didn’t expect.
Keep writing about real life. Looking forward to your book being available. Darrell Lee
Darrell,
Thank you so much for writing. I loved your package. It finally arrived the other day. The CD’s are great. It was nice to get mail and hear from a friend.
I’m sorry about the confusion – and I will pray for clarity. You’re right, we don’t have to be where we expected to be, in order to love sacrificially. We can choose to be present and open wide our hearts wherever we are. I will continue to write about real life … and being present to it.
Much Love,
Tina