simply homemaker

Hello dear friends!

It has truly been ages (almost two months) since I last wrote you, and wow, I can’t believe it has been that long. So much life has happened, and I want to take a moment today to give an update to everyone who is following.

5 Key Things Happened Since We Last Spoke.

1. I feel more and more at home in Florida.

I never thought I would say this, but I’m starting to feel more at home in Florida.

My driver license (finally) arrived, I installed a new shower head today, and I missed my sweet house when I was away for Labor Day weekend.

Despite not being so much of a Disney person in my 20s, I already went to Epcot and Disney Springs twice. I go to my dance classes three times a week, and show up at my barre studio twice a week ideally. I know all the people who work at the desks in my office. I made all the coffee for the church service last week by myself. And I am slowly but surely planning for a Friendsgiving before I leave for Fort Worth.

I wanted to move the first month I set foot here. I am not really a palm tree and beach person. But, as I faithfully pursue Jesus in the things He has placed in front of me, He made it clearer why He moved me here.

2. I started school again!

Ok, this is my big update! Since we last talked, I have decided to resume my studies at Dallas Theological Seminary.

I’m taking systematic theology this semester, they are asking us to read 6 books, and I cannot be more excited.

Why seminary now, you wonder? Well, I started my first class way back in spring 2023, but a boy and a job layoff completely distracted me, and I had to take a leave of absence for 2 years. The Lord used it for my good and His glory, leading me into ministry and allowing me to have the most amazing adventures and friendships.

When I started my job in ministry, I found out that they will pay for half of the tuition at my seminary. And, the first class back is free.

We were also going through the book of Joshua at work during that time. In Joshua 2, after crossing the Jordan, the Israelites encountered Jericho almost immediately. It wasn’t smooth sailing. It was hard and grueling and confusing to walk into something hard right after arriving at what you know is God’s will.

And the devotional that day wrecked me. I went home and ended my leave of absence the next day. So, after 2.5 months of break (aka graduating and moving to a brand new city and starting a brand new job), I am a student again!

3. I am still making home, but have so little time to write.

I cook and bake as much as I used to do. I host candle painting nights. I have friends over. I just have so little time between all that is going on to write.

So, the homemaking series is on the back burner. But I know that this season is giving me even more materials for this book.

I guess I would rather be making home than writing about it right now, if that makes sense.

4. I am trying many new things, as well.

This season, I am in three Bible studies that I love.

I am meeting with a dear friend for coffee and another friend for a walk every two weeks.

I am writing down 1000 things I am thankful for this year.

I am writing a children’s book with my little friend Joanna.

I am making new recipes, meeting new people, and dreaming new dreams. So, the blog will take a back-burner position in the coming season. Not because I have nothing to write about, but for the exact opposite reason. I’m in a season of just living life. And to be honest, you and I both know that I was entering this season. I’m no longer traveling to a new country every weekend. Life looks like a new grocery store every weekend now, and I just need to live this stationary, rhythmic, uneventful life for a little while.

To everything there is a season, remember?

5. I am fully surrendered to the Lord.

It took so much wrestling for the past three months, but the other side of wrestling is immense peace and confidence that I am in what I call my Psalm 23 season. Green pastures and still waters. God’s promise.

I visited a friend in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest recently. And during that trip, I felt the Lord asking me to surrender everything in the grandiosity of mountains and His undeniable glory.

So I did, and the Lord opened up more ministry opportunities than ever before!

He has given me new energy and a new jolt. He has breathed a fresh season into me, and I am rejuvenated, with a perspective centered on Him this season: what He wants, how He wants it, at the time He decides that it is right.

I have heard from some posts recently that fall might as well be the new January, and I must agree to a level. I love wearing brown, and cozying up in my blanket with my journal, and packing boots and jackets in my suitcase to go see family and friends.

Thank you, Jesus, for the fall in North America. Thank you for the holiday season.

It is such a gift. You are such a gift. Thank you for walking with me.

Love,

Tram