There's always a price to pay

Well, the apartment search continues. I thought that I had found one tonight, but every instinct in me is screaming NO!!! Why??? Becuause the price may just be to high. I'm not talking about the monatary price, no that's price is quite ideal. There's another price to be paid that may be just to much, and that price is the cost of my own peace.

I've work hard to let my armor down over the past few years, to not walk around with my defenses up all the time. And you know what? I like it. Scratch that, love it! It's very liberating to not have to be on guard all the time. To know that the people that encompass my life are trust worthy and that my friends are not just friends, but family. But if I choose this new place to call "home" all that could be in jeapordy. I REALLY don't want to have to move again until I get married.

Moving is a hassle, and I don't want to move again after this unless I know that there is a purpose to it. For example: 1) I get married. Now there's a purpose I can get behind. Moving is very necessary in order to estabish a family and home together; 2) My future husband is a missionary. Now I don't know that to be a fact because there is no one in my life at this point, but moving would definitely be necessary in order to GO to the people that the Lord has called him, and really us, to; 3) The Lord provides me with a job somewhere else in the world (this is also not in the cards at this point), but again neccessary because I would have to move to work. Right now I just feel like a vagabond, moving just to move, and I hate that feeling. If I wanted that feeling to persist I would still be in the Navy letting them drag me every which way they desired. I like the feeling of staying put, having a community to go to and knowing what to expect. I'm a person that likes rules, and knowing what the expectations are and rising to the occasion to meet them. I do well with a clearly defined purpose and moving from place to place randomly impedes upon that.

There's always a price to pay for that thing that you want, but at what cost? For me, for now, that's a cost that seems just to high.

#19 on my list, Read 15 new books (#7)

Why a book on manners? What are manners? Why do we need to concern ourselves with proper etiquette? What priority do we need to place on all the above? "Manners" is defined as our way of acting, our social conduct. Etiquette is the use of good manners. Having good manners and observing the rules of etiquette need not be a burden. It is simply caring about one another's feelings and comfort. It stems from common sense and thoughtfulness. The reason for this book is that it might become a quick reference for those many occasions in which you might have a question as to the right thing to do or say or wear. May your motivation to do the right thing come from a desire to "walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing" (Col. 1:10).

This was a really easy read for book #7 on my list, which was nice considering how busy I've been lately. It was a real blessing to receive from my friend Trish. Her daughter was initially looking at it and she didn't know if they had anymore and so I asked Trish if she knew, as she was purchasing it. She said it was the only one, but then said if I wanted it I could have it, on her. With the stipulation that I DO read it. Well the other day I got the chance as I was waiting for a friend at Starbucks.

Initially I thought there would be more explanation behind the rules, but when you think about it good manners never need any real explanation. You either have them or you don't.

Some of the rules, I thought, were just common sense. Like, A wise Christian woman does not eavesdrop. However, most of these rules, like when walking with a man, it is a womans place to be on the inside of the walk, have pretty much died off in society so it's nice to have a reference to have handy (my dad tought me that rule on one of our father daughter dates when I was 16). And how do I know it's dead, because I've had to tell guys about that rule and the've looked at me like I'm crazy.

Some of the chapters and corresponding rules

1. In the Home
~ The conscientious Christian woman will not allow the slits on her dress to rise higher than the bottom of her knee.
The list of traditional anniversary gifts was also neat.

2. In the House of God
~ The children of a thoughtful Christian woman are not to be found running through the church (this is a huge pet peeve of mine when I see it).

3. In the Market Place
~ The womans escort is to be seated to her left.
One that wasn't mentioned, and my Dad also taught me, is that a man is to be seated facing the door, when sitting in a restaurant.

4. House-Trained
~ Children should not be allowed to interrupt others while they are conversing (another pet peeve).

5. Time for Tea
~ Never extend the ring or pinkie finger while drinking a cup of tea.
I also enjoyed seeing the steeping time for different teas.

If I ever have a daughter it will be a good teaching tool. Of course I'm going to have to learn and practice most of these myself since example really is the best tool in teaching children how to operate in society. Anyway, it's a good book for those who are interested in what the rules of polite society are, or those who really want to put it into practice. If you're interested you can get it through Sword of the Lord Publishers (and yes here's the link for it). They also have one for young men. I'm thinking Christmas presents for next year. Dad, Nancy, what do you think?