From My Shasta Home

May felt especially long to me this year, packed with changes, emotions, and more than a few challenges. I’m relieved June is only a couple of days away. There’s something comforting about turning the calendar page and stepping into a fresh beginning. I’ve always loved fresh beginnings.

Looking back, May was a month of transition for me. I’ve shared before that adapting to change doesn’t come naturally to me, yet this month seemed determined to push me right into it.

I began the month still writing on my old blog. Truthfully, I loved that blog. It was familiar, comfortable, and filled with a sweet community that meant so much to me. Leaving it wasn’t easy. But after so many inconsistencies and frustrations, I finally realized I could no longer depend on Blogger the way I needed to if I truly wanted to keep writing consistently. Most haven’t experienced the issues I have, but I did and needed to take action.

What I’ll miss most are the people.

I know others who have left platforms before and mourned the community they left behind. I understand that now. Yet even with the sadness, I still feel peace about rebuilding. Deep down, I’ve long felt that God wanted me to have a broader place to share my writing. Not to write a book because that’s never really been my dream, but simply to speak honestly about life, faith, mistakes, lessons, and grace.

The older I get, the more I realize God wastes nothing.

Even the seasons I’m ashamed of. Even the times I failed badly. Somehow, in His mercy, He can still use those things for His glory. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God…” (Romans 8:28).

And honestly, I have no idea what God plans to do with me next, but I’m learning that perhaps I don’t always need to know. After all, He is in charge of my Life. Proverbs reminds me, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Sometimes the best thing we can do is simply remain willing.

Another change this month has been happening right here at home.

I started reorganizing the house, and if you’ve ever tackled a big organizing project, you know things always look worse before they look better. That’s exactly the stage I’m in right now. Boxes everywhere, stacks to sort through, and donation piles growing steadily by the day. I’ve already donated several boxes of things I no longer need, and strangely enough, letting go has felt good.

I’ve also noticed my tastes changing lately, especially when it comes to clothing.

These days, I find myself reaching for comfortable dresses and skirts more often. Nothing fancy, just comfortable, cool, things that feel more like me in this season of life. I still have my shorts, capris, painting clothes, gardening clothes, and my “sick at home and don’t bother me” comfy clothes. Come on… I can’t be the only one with different categories of clothes for every version of life.

But something shifted recently when I was shopping for the Gala.

Now, let me just say, I am not a mall shopper. There’s something about mall air that makes me instantly sleepy, and usually, I wander around unable to find a single thing I like. But this time, I walked into one store, and suddenly the sales associate practically adopted me. I usually don’t want help, but this time, I took her up on it – on helping style me for the Gala, not like I was trying to dress twenty years younger, but as the mature woman I am now. I told her what I wanted and did not want. And told her to surprise me.

She did a wonderful job.

I ended up buying the outfit they picked out, and I absolutely loved it. Before I left, they told me that if I call a day ahead, they’ll help pull outfits and style things for me at no extra charge. I haven’t taken them up on it yet, but maybe I will sometime in June, Lord willing. And the clothes are affordable!

This season I am in is partly about rediscovering little pieces of who I used to be while also becoming who I am now.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away…” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

So yes, May stretched me.

New blog. New routines. New perspectives. A house in upheaval. Closets changing. Even my thinking is changing a bit, too.

But that’s not always a bad thing.

Our Heavenly Father is always rebuilding us if we’re willing.

Wishing everyone a fantastic weekend ahead! As we wrap up May, let’s take a moment to express our gratitude for all the good it brought us. Here’s to June and the exciting possibilities it holds!