New Home... New Beginning

So it's official, Josh and I bought a house.  It's actually new construction and we are building our house here in Athens.  We are so excited about it.  It's been a long time and a lot of hard work to get here.

I will be posting construction photos after they begin to lay the foundation.  Hopefully we will close in February and move in. 

HB

Octoberfest

So Josh and I are trying to buy our first house. We'll keep you posted as to what happens and if we get the house we've been wanting.  This time of year is always such a great time.  The weather is finally cooling off and it's time to enjoy the turn of the leaves.  It's always fun to get a pumpkin and carve the jack-o-lantern. 

This may be a turning point in your life as it is ours. Our lives could change significantly with the purchase of our first home.  A lot has happened in the past few weeks already for our family.  We recently lost to Great Uncles just weeks apart.  I was not able to attend the services but I remember these two men with great fondness and love.  I only wish that I could have seen them to say goodbye or just catch up on old times.  I'm grateful for the time that I was able to spend with them when I was younger. 

Anyway, for the two people that follow this blog  :), that's what's going on here.  Check back soon!

God Bless,

HB

With so much going on how do we keep our faith?

Taxes go up.  Job growth goes down.  The need for health care goes up.  How do we focus on the positive and be faithful in these times while still learning to navigate these scary waters?

I am humbled by one line of scripture.  It is in a constant loop in my head all day long, "Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth" Psalm 46:10.

It's not necessarily about making oneself feel better, it's about truly embracing that God is bigger than everything we see and touch on a daily basis.  Be faithful in your work and with your loved ones and friends.  Lean not on your own understanding, but on God.  He will ultimately guide your path if you let Him.  I find that sometime just giving over that control (that mental worry that we often confuse as control) is what God needs from us.  Let Him speak to you without questioning it and you will see that path laid out before you.  It may not be the path that is neat and clean.  It may be the path less traveled, but it is where He needs you to be.  Know also that your friends and family are praying for you and lifting you up everyday.  Be still and listen this day.

God Bless,
HB

To steal is to break more than the law...

Last week Josh went to a conference in the D.C. area.  He stayed at the same hotel he always stays and attended the daily events.  He was invited to perform this year and the piece he chose to do was one that required him to bring out laptop computer.  He performed on Wed. and brought the computer back to the room at the end of the day.  He left on Thursday to attend another day of events and this time he could relax and just enjoy the exhibits.  He left the laptop in its bag in the hotel room (a locked hotel room.)

He was gone all day and when he returned late that night he discovered the laptop was gone.  He did what any one of us would do and he immediately went down to the front desk to report this.  He was not offered much help by any of the hotel staff or the police.  We realize that it is just a material item and I am certainly glad that nothing happened to him.  The room was not broken into...the computer was taken by someone who had access to that room. 

These kinds of events that happen to us remind us of what is most important.  Obviously if we travel again with any type of equipment, musical instrument, jewelry, what have you, we will take precautions.  But sometimes you can't prevent everything.  The person or persons responsible have no doubt done this before.  It is really a testament to the fact that basic trust is gone in most cases.  Not only that, but even basic human courtesy of helping the guests of your hotel have gone by the wayside.

We are over the shock of this now and have moved on to praying for those responsible.  Although we are still angered when we think about it.  Needless to say, Josh will never stay at this particular hotel ever again and he has warned all of his friends and colleagues about this as well.

Whenever your privacy is invaded and something of value is taken you have to shake yourself free of the "why" and think more about the "ok, what do I need to do to take care of this".  It becomes more about recovery and moving forward and trying to let go of the bitterness.

God Bless,

HB