Time - the great equalizer

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I read a post yesterday that I had written back in 2007. It was an odd experience to read something from your past and not remember having written it. I felt as if I was reading stories from someone else's life.

Five years ago we had just moved to Washington to help our daughter, Tori, take care of her babies while her husband was serving in Iraq. To be honest, our motivation was not as noble as it sounds. We had just purchased a 900 square foot home in California for 330k - 200k more than we should have spent. The value was clearly inflated but the truth was, we had no business buying a home at that time in our lives. We had lived on a steady diet of over-indulgence for years. The thought of doing without just wasn't in our vocabulary. Moving in with Tori and renting our home was a 'quick-fix' solution that might help save ourselves from certain doom. However, as often happens, what we envision in our minds, isn't exactly how it works out - especially when operating on limited mind power!

We could never imagine what would be waiting for us in terms of physical, financial and personal stress in Washington. It was within a few short months that my health would begin to fail, we would make our 16th move in as many years and the stress of commuting in an overcrowded city, coupled with a high-pressure job would cause unusual stress on our marriage. Our youngest daughter would go through the worst ordeal in her life, and we would be faced with finally admitting to our financial failings and filing for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. 

The writing was on the wall and we would either break under pressure or wake up and make some long-overdue changes. Those changes led us to moving to Bend and began to usher in the greatest growth we could imagine in our lives. I'm so thankful that God was patient with us through all of those years. When we were impetuous, He was still. When we were chaotic, He was in control. When we experienced fear, He provided peace.

It's been five years and it's hard to believe the change we've experienced. In five short months, we will have paid off a five year bankruptcy plan and be completely debt free. For the first time in our lives we have an emergency savings account, a retirement account and the funds to live a sweet life. We haven't used a credit card in over five years - a habit we are determined to keep. I've learned that saving is so much funner than spending and living within our means creates a peace never experienced by our purchases.

My health has returned and we are finally experiencing what it means to live in the moment. We have proven that time does change things, if we allow it. Time is truly the great equalizer.

This morning we took a sweet walk around our meadow. The meadow is completely surrounded by the entire cascade mountain range. The smell of the juniper and sage is intoxicating. Our dog Lucy, leaps and bounds like a gazelle - she's a happy dog. We stop along the walk to pet our neighbors horses, mules, dogs and even a pet pot belly pig. I took a few pictures this morning, but as typical, a photo never quite captures the emotion of the moment. Just the same, I'm posting them below in hopes that you can experience a glimpse of the sweet stillness of a morning in my life.

Looking East Towards Prineville

We tried to capture the Sisters behind us....No luck!

Our neighbors pet pig - very sweet!

Mt. Jefferson through the mist

Three Sisters - Faith, Hope and Charity

Black Butte exposing her buffalo

I imagine that many of you reading this are living the life we experienced back in 2007. I'm sorry and I know your sorrow. What I can say is that time will usher in change and if you are willing to participate, the change can be better than you can imagine. In the meantime, if you need an open ear or heart, I'm here. Perhaps you can learn from some of our mistakes. We've picked up some fun financial management tools, eating habits and creative ways to experience peace daily we would love to share them with you.

jan