The Homecoming

Hello, Friends!  Another Monday, another snow storm.  Good Grief!  It sure has been a dark and snowy February in the Northeast this year!

In my last post, I mentioned my struggles with S.A.D., or seasonal depression.  Besides supplementing with vitamin D, exercise, and aromatherapy, (with some extra red wine here and there, for medicinal purposes, of course!) I thought I'd try seeing my world through rose-colored glasses...literally...

Read an article about "Chromatherapy", the use of rose, yellow, blue or green tinted glasses to affect mood and energy level.  Thought I'd experiment...Too many "snow days" for me, I guess!

Even my parents, who headed to southern Texas for the winter, STILL experienced the challenges of wintry weather this year, albeit only for about a week.  The poor folks down there just weren't prepared for Jack Frost's left hook, were they?!

That said, I had a SUPER weekend!  

Audrey, Grace's dog, heard her voice as she approached!

Grace, my middle daughter who left us back in September to join YWAM (Youth With A Mission) for 5 months of missions training and experience, returned to us!  In one piece!  With renewed trust and faith in God.  A deeper relationship with Jesus. Heightened compassion for a world in need.  And, I can clearly see, a deeper love and appreciation for home and family...

Having all my children in my home once again, even if only for the day, felt glorious!  Grace shared souvenirs with all of us...and opened her 2020 Christmas gifts.  We gathered around a crowded table for brunch, sharing anecdotes about the goings-on of the last few months...

A middle eastern pastry Grace brought home. Yum! 

Don shared with her the progress he and William have made on the cottage, thus far...

Now fully insulated, the guys can work steadily on the interior.  God-willing, the bedrooms and bathroom will be ready for occupation in about 2 weeks. (The little kitchen may need a tad more time...which I'm not too sad about since I love having my kids gather around my kitchen table for meals, even if only one or two of them!)

Grace has been my bestest hair model and "client" since Day One of my cosmetology journey.  In the last 5+ years, she's swiveled in my chair about every 6 weeks, WITHOUT FAIL!  After 5 months since her last hair service, she couldn't wait to head down to the salon...

September 16, 2020

Before and After:  TLC for missionary hair!

That's one way to grow out a short pixie cut!

We are all so thrilled to have her home!  This week, she will rest and regroup.  Then, she'll pursue work...and, whatever adventure God has next for her...but, hopefully, its right here in southeastern PA for a long while, lol!

More updates on the cottage as they develop.  Let's all pray that warmer temperatures and sunnier skies grace us very soon!

Five months married this weekend!  Aren't our newlyweds adorable...

So Blessed!! 😊