ELMER ON HOW TO LIVE A SIMPLER LIFE

A few weeks ago, there were two auctions in Marilyn's town.  One was an auction at the home of a couple that Marilyn knew that had passed on.  The other was a farm machinery auction. So we called a driver so John, Bishop Eli and I could go to the auctions.  We went to the house auction first where we ran into Marilyn, Bob, and Bishop Zacharia. Eli and I went to New Orleans with Bishop Zacharia and Bob in Bob's motor home.  I think Anna wanted Bishop Eli to go along with me so I didn't spend too much money.  You see I collect train sets.  The reason Bishop Zacharia was there is because he does, too.  So when the train sets came up, we both bid.  Bishop Zacharia got one and I got the other.  Bob was going to both auctions so he told our driver he would take us all home so our driver wouldn't have to come back again.

The house auction was kind of hard on Marilyn as one of them was one of her school teachers and later became friends.  Their son was also there having sort of a hard time watching all the items his parents had go.

Someone asked me how they could live the simple life.  The people that had passed on had both been teachers and traveled a lot.  At this auction, as in many auctions, you see all that people have collected throughout their lives.  Here it is all going up for sale.  The worked so hard to get, pay for it, travel for it and it was all going.

Now in this post, I can't tell all the advice because I do collect trains.  I couldn't have one as a child as our family couldn't afford it and even if they had the money - there was no room for it.  So after our children had most moved from the house, I told Anna I wanted to buy a train set as I never had one as a child.  She said to go ahead.  Well one set, led to another, led to another and so on.  So you see, I am not the best to give advice.

One way to live a simple life is took around your house.  Do you have your attic full of items you will never use?  How about the basement?  Throughout the house are the items just collecting dust, clothes you don't wear, things you never use - maybe you should ger rid of some of them.  You could hold a garage sale or yard sale.  The money might help pay some bills or if you don't need the money give it to your church or a charity.  Now, if you have a collection, I am not telling you to get rid of that - just items you don't use.

Can up plant fruit and vegetables in a garden rather than buying them in the store?  It makes you feel real good when you sit down to a meal and know that your grew part of it.  If you have never had a garden before, I would start just on a few vegetables or fruit that you like.  Don't start with a great big one until you see how you like it.  With your own garden you will also know what is used in it.  It will also help you save on the grocery bill.

A couple of days ago was in the 60's.  I was plowing in the field and Anna was inside baking.  After lunch I asked Anna to go for a walk with me. She agreed with me and went.  We looked at the birds that had come north.  We talked about a couple of things.  Some of it we just walked.  We only walked for about a half hour.  When we got back home, Anna went back to her baking and I went back plowing.  It was just a time for us alone together to enjoy the Spring.  Now I know you can't take time off your place of employment, but when you get a chance just take time.  Sometimes in the evening we just sit on the porch.  Sometimes we get in the buggy and go into town for an ice cream cone.  Sometimes we work in the garden together.  Time when we can just be together.  Take time for yourselves.

The most important thing is to put the Lord first.  Anna and I like to pray in the morning together, but that doesn't always happen.  Sometimes one of us awakes before the other.  So we pray by ourselves.  But at meal time we pray together - just a small prayer.  Sometimes I read a short passage from the Bible.  Before we go to bed at night our family has Bible reading and prayer.  When Anna and I get into our room, we sometimes continue especially if something is bothering one of us or we know someone that needs prayer or we just think of something we should pray over.  Sometimes we just thank the Lord for all He has done for us.  It's just Anna and I praying to the Lord together.

I hope I helped you to live the simple way of life.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer