AmazinglyBlessed

Making do with less

font-family: Georgia, verdana, arial, serif; 12:55 PM, Wednesday, December 6, 2006 .. Posted in Living on a shoe string .. 7 comments .. Link

There was a time - about 10 years ago - when I didn't know how to make do and frankly, I didn't want to. I was raised in Montreal, Quebec in Canada by two loving parents who never let me lack in anything. My dear mother is from France and her cooking is wonderful. Having lived with less during and after WW2, she embraced the modern life to the upmost and seeked a luxurious, comfortable life.

When I first moved to Tennessee with my husband and baby #1, I was addicted to shopping. I didn't go for expensive items, but the pleasure of acquiring new "things" offered much satisfaction. Of course, that satisfaction was short lived and very soon I had to head off to stores on the lookout for more finds.

God works in mysterious ways ladies. Looking back, I can clearly see how He brought us to live a very simple and plain life, but at the time it didn't make sense. Why didn't my husband find carpentry and plumbing jobs all the time? That was frustrating at first. For months I had to stay home because we didn't have enough money to afford extra traveling. Then we sold my van and went to a one vehicle family, a 15 passenger van that guzzles down fuel too rapidly. It was not easy and I was hoping that things would improve soon. Well, it didn't.

For a few years now I have found contentment with where we're at. I'm found at home most of the time unless we go to town with hubby, and now I wonder how could I have been a good mother / educator to my children if we were gone here and there during the week? Our meals are simple, made from scratch, but healthy and satisfying. We find pleasure in the small things life offers like flowers blooming in spring, volunteer plants in the garden, new babies born at the barn and good friends.

Making do with less has brought blessings upon blessings and it has also brought me closer to God. I don't have many distractions outside the homestead and that allows a close relationship with Him and my family. I am not there yet, I sometimes get glimpses of how I have to become and where there is a need for change, but I can only change a little at a time. But a little change here and there over the last 10 years has completly turned us around. So what's in store for the next 10 years? Only God knows, but it's an exciting thought. Praise Yahweh!

Christina

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03:14 PM, Wednesday, December 6, 2006 .. Posted by homesteadinthemaking
You are a good inspiration. I would love to hear more on how you save money.
Blessings,
Trixi

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03:51 PM, Wednesday, December 6, 2006 .. Posted by Kitty
Your story is simular to mine. My parents gave me everything then I married my first husband who gave me nothing. He didnt hold down a job are cared wheather or not his children ate. I learned a simple life through necessity as you did. I learned to make do. Then I remarried and my dh had and still has the same job now for over 20 years. He doesnt make a lot of money, in fact we live from check to check. So I continued to live a simple life and have learned to love doing so. I cook from scratch also and love doing that for my family. In my opion, the simple life is a very good life, for all.
Kitty

Amazing story

06:54 PM, Wednesday, December 6, 2006 .. Posted by maa
Wow! This is an amazing story.To have gone from that life style to the one you are living now is just wonderful. I am very interested in reading more about you and your homestead.

maa's mom--- homesteadgirls

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06:59 PM, Wednesday, December 6, 2006 .. Posted by Vicki
I would love to live more simply. I work full time and do not enjoy it,but need to help to pay for all our stuff.I look foreward to reading more about your lifestyle. How do I get Hubby to want to live simply?
Vicki

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01:37 PM, Thursday, December 7, 2006 .. Posted by blessedmama
I will be writing more about simplifying our lives. Thank you for the encouragements!

Blessings,
Christina

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04:55 PM, Thursday, December 7, 2006 .. Posted by kimmie
how wonderful! I sure love reading your blog!

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05:07 PM, Wednesday, December 20, 2006 .. Posted by blessedmomof10
christina -
Thank you for sharing! Being content with what I have is something that is difficult for me! When I married and quit working to be a mommy it was sooo hard.... I was used to working for what I needed..... to this day 14 yrs later my independent spirit is something I still struggle with... your post "hit home". Thank you!
~gloria