The concept of “living simply” seems a bit impossible when you take it at face value, but I’m realizing now that it means so much more. It isn’t about having minimal things, or minimal living as a whole. It is about choices, the ones we make for the good of ourselves and others. The Lord is obviously the ultimate good choice, but what I’m talking about is the little choices that make up the big picture. Our literal daily existence is based completely on those choices; For instance, I could choose to think “I have a messy living space because of a messy, loud, and extremely active child”. Or, I could make the choice to see the positives: I have a beautiful son, who is using his little imagination to learn and discover the world, his surroundings and having fun while doing so, just as GOD created him to.
Switching your mindset is a huge game changer. You have the power to change how you view things, the peace and joy that come with it is so rewarding. I won’t lie to you, your surroundings will be the exact same as before, you will most definitely still have stressful moments (those are just apart of this journey). But, your reward makes it all worth it. God’s grace is 100% sufficient, especially on our worst days. Being okay with not having everything okay around you is the key, THAT is living in true simplicity! Your words have a lot to do with it. They hold great power and can completely shift everything for either better, or worse. You get to decide which way you want!
Every season of your life has a reason and purpose. I choose to say “I get to have this amazing life!”, even on the days when I don’t feel it, because these moments are temporary, and I know for a fact I’ll miss them when they are gone.
I want you to understand that this is not a guilt thing, because I’ll be honest I’m now in the middle of some of the most stressful and exhausting moments I’ve ever had. That doesn’t make the season I’m in any less fulfilling or joyful. I am literally living my dreams AND I still have moments of unhappiness; that is okay.
What I’m recognizing more and more is the need to be grateful for the now that I’m in. It’s a messy, chaotic, wonderful, beautiful life. I’m choosing to be okay with that. I don’t need things to make me happy, I need what God has given me to be joyful.
The best way to put it honestly, is that I just choose to trust in God and I choose to be okay with whatever He allows to happen. Whether blessing or chaos, because even chaos has it’s own blessings… its a learning experience.
Not one thing that God does is by accident.
Now for a home and garden update! 🙂
Our home is in process of exciting small changes.
In other news, our garden is all closed down for the season and is in need of winter prep.
I also have a really neat announcement for you… I’m sharing my first recipe with you!
My husband calls it my “world famous soup” but I just call it “The Cozy Soup”.
You start by chopping celery, carrots and onion up as finely as you would prefer. then pour all the veggies in a large pot with a pat of butter. Cook on low-medium heat, until softened. Pour in ground turkey sausage. Once cooked through, pour in chicken broth. Chop potatoes to the size you desire and then pour them in as well. Boil everything together until the potatoes are softened. Pour in heavy cream until it reaches a golden color. Now pour in cumin, ground coriander, chili powder, garlic powder and your choice of salt. Stir and serve! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!
1 lb ground turkey sausage (or breakfast sausage wil do)
1 large onion
2-3 Carrots
1 whole bunch of celery
5 or more potatoes (depends on the size and the over all amount you want)
2 teaspoons butter
1/2-1 cup heavy cream (everything is based on personal preference)
1 32 oz carton chicken broth
1 tsp cumin
1-2 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder (if fresh cloves use 2-3)
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp chili powder