Jul 31, 2006

Missing in Action!

Okay so I've been checking my bloglines and you know what, everyone seems to be missing in action. I know! Everyone is over at BooMama's surfing the Tour of Homes, I know because that's where I've been. Oh it's so much fun and I've found all sorts of decor ideas.


After living in Croatia for so long I have forgotten how rich Americans are. Some of the homes are mansions compared the the upper class homes here in Croatia. We really are so very spoiled in the states. No wonder most of the world is jealous of America. (please do not send me an e-mail about this, it's true and if you happen to be in a country that isn't for the most part envious of America, then good for you and you fall outside of that most) We, Americans live so luxurious. Some of the homes look like hotels. Don't get me wrong I would love to have my very own suite but there is such a huge difference in the quality of living in the states and in Croatia.


Hey I don't think there is anything wrong with having a really nice home and things, just so they're in their rightful place. Hey after I give my tithes and missions and offerings, if I still have excess then you can count on me having the nicest home that God will allow, but no way I'm going to put my home and things in front of the big picture, the souls of men and the love for a God who gave it all!!!


Oh well I just though I would say that today, don't know why, it was just on my mind.

Oh yea and I don't know why I didn't participate in the Tour of Homes, it would have been neat and I may still do that, we'll see. Better late than never right???

11 comments:

  1. I am going to check it out too :)

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  2. I have enjoyed your blog for a while now. My daughter has always been interested in missionaries, so we found you on the map and are reading about Croatia now. The more she reads, the more respect she has for your work. Thank you for inspiring my daughter!

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  3. I would love to see your home. Yes, I have been missing in action. I don't know why but it has been very busy.

    I understand what you say about America and others being jealous. I just wish people here would appreciate what they have. I am reading a book about the American Revolution and it stood out to me Abigail Adams saying how she hoped future generations would remember and appreciate the great sacrifices they made then. We don't. If we just looked around the world we could see how truly blessed we are.

    Thank you for putting your priorities straight in life! I appreciate what your family is doing!

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  4. You are so right! When I go to the States, I am always shocked by the affluence and luxury that Americans find commonplace.

    Didn't participate in the tour because we had company last week.
    I have a lot of company.
    Maybe next time.......

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  5. It's true. America is a very wealthy country. And it is terribly sad that her citizens tend to be ungrateful and poor stewards. How the Lord wants us to use our wealth and blessings to be a blessing to others! Instead, we tend to use most, if not all, on our "needs"(a.k.a. really just wants, but will call it a need to justify getting it).
    Two Scriptures came to mind:
    "But godliness with contenment is great gain." ~ 1 Timothy 6:6
    "...For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required..." ~ Luke 12:48
    Thank you for that humble perspective.


    By the way, the jumpers that we have been making do not have zippers, but after making this last one and getting it on, I thought that I just may try a zipper next time. *Ü*

    ~ Christina
    HsKubes HomeSchool Haven
    HsKubes Haven for Home
    Christian Military HomeSchool Mamas

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  6. Thank you so much for dropping by. I'm bad on world geography, and will have to check on exactly where Croatia is. Missions is my passion - I thought I would be one, but God led other ways and for years I have been the president of the mission program in our local church and on the district council for many years as well (pretty good run-on sentence, eh?)

    I too was overwhelmed at some of the homes we saw on the tour. We live in a town where many people move from California and use the money they got from selling their small homes out there to build gigantic ones here (I'm not picking on Californians, so don't get mad anyone, it's just a fact of economics here). My house looked a lot better in those little shots than reality! It is really getting worn out. But it's home, almost paid for, and I don't want to start over again. Not to mention I don't want to clean out the basement!

    My brother is an expatriot in England and has lived in Germany/Switzerland and the Philippines. I can remember his wife standing in the cereal aisle in amazement when they came back one year - and England's not a third world nation! I myself am overwhelmed in the toothpaste aisle!

    I love the music that comes up on your blog. I am so low tech!

    I love the pincushions - what a clever idea. I used to sew constantly, but haven't for years since I had to go back to work full time. And my eyes and hands don't let me do all the close work I used to do. Sad.

    You're brave to put your weight loss stats for the world to see. It is a constant struggle for me as well. I need to start again this week!

    Well, this had turned into a blog, not a comment. But I really wanted to connect with you.

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  7. Anonymous4:55 PM

    Hi Tori, thanks for your comment about my "rustic" brick kitchen wall.
    I would personally love to see the corner of the world you are calling home these days. I think it would give beautiful insight and perpective to our materialistic driven society to see how the folks in Croatia are living. I mean this in the purest sense. I think we forget that this is not how it is for everyone! Even I forget that others are living on so much less than I can imagine. And we live paycheck to paycheck so I can't imagine what it's like for folks with tonnes of money!

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  8. I only got a chance to check out about 3 or 4 homes. I know what you mean. When my beloved and daughter came back from Peru, he said he felt like selling all our things(what, I don't know, our house is furniture-less right now, lol) and sending money over there. When I saw the pictures, it left me speechless. Where we live people are very well off. We have bulk pick up every 3 months, and people throw out brand new things, sofas, etc., because they were "tired" of it. It's amazing and sad at the same time.

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  9. Yes, we are spoiled. We are so incredibly blessed. I am thankful beyond words to live in America. You are very strong & brave to be a missionary. I admire what you are doing.

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  10. Oh my, I couldn't agree with you more!!! I grew up in a VERY large southern city and now I live in a tiny town that doesn't even have a stop light. It was CULTURE SHOCK moving here, but I have adjusted and MUCH prefer this way of life over the city lifestyle I grew up in. While where I am now is still probably much nicer than homes in other countries, I still have learned how spoiled we are here in the USA. Thank you for the reminder to look upward and not at our "stuff". :)

    His,
    Mrs. U

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  11. I'm waiting to see your home pics! I'm slowly making my way through the home tours!

    You are so right about Americans. It's because of the trusty credit cards! Soooo many people are in debt way over their heads! I occasionally listen to a Christian money show (Dave Ramsey) and it is astonishing how far in debt people are!!!

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