home

April 13, 2018
by mary.campbell.schuh Leave a comment

Living in a Staged 🏡 House

Have you wanted to live in one of those houses that look perfect, like in Fixer Upper or another decorating show? Well, I thought it would be interesting, but I didn’t think it would happen.

Enter: New job, moving to a new state, selling our house, SO in order to help our house sell, our realtor introduced us to a stager that came in last Wednesday and made our house look like a model house! We saw how it looked, and then took off to our new home for a few days. Seeing our home so clean and pretty brought a peace to my mind that I had not had for a while.

Now, how is it living in this beautiful home? Well, it is harder than it looks! Since our house is on the market, we have to make sure everything is all in its exact place that the stager placed it when we leave. It is like living in a hotel. I’m enjoying how beautiful the pillows look on the bed, but it holds me back from just flopping on the bed to rest…it is harder to just live in.

I’m thankful for this experience and that it will help our house sell. I’m thankful we only have to live in this kind of house for a few days and then we can get back to living in a not perfect place.

~Mary Hope

P.S. Thank you for stopping by! I insert affiliate links, such as Amazon, into my posts to share interesting books and products. If you buy something or start a registry, I receive income (at no extra cost to you!), for which I am thankful. So….

— Use this link to shop on Amazon

–shop at my Etsy photo card/notecard/art shop: Trees of Transition Art & Design

–keep on reading this blog.

Thank you again, and peace to you and your family!

~Mary Hope

April 19, 2017
by mary.campbell.schuh Leave a comment

Making a Wall Ours

This week during my spring break I have been able to turn our house into more of our home. My husband stayed home on Monday, and we were able to put more pictures on the wall!

Happy Wednesday, Y’all!

-Mary Hope

May 6, 2016
by mary.campbell.schuh 4 Comments

Misty Mornings and Thoughts on Home Change

This week the mornings have refreshed me more than usual because of the wet, bright, mistiness that has met me as I walked out of my door. A couple days the sun shone brightly on all the new spring greenery, and a couple days the smell of rain and dew hung in the air as the sun fought to shine its brightest. All of these mornings remind me of hope and new beginnings…

My current season of life exudes hope; therefore, this weather met me where with how I was feeling inside: Excited, expectant (about finally being married!), a little sad (my Dad is doing better, but he is not like he used to be), mixed with great hope for the journey ahead.

The weather does help us process life. For example, last weekend my Mom held a huge garage sale to clear out her basement and garage. The first day was overcast, but dry, and dozens of people came to find the treasures. The next day, however, it rained; the rain started with a little sprinkle and progressing to large, steady drops for hours. Because my Mom and brother advertised so well, people STILL showed up and bought more of the things before a junk man took the leftovers away. My Mom repeatedly said, “It helped that is was raining because I’m sort of sad getting rid of all these things. The rain helped…” My Dad is already in Rockford, and my Mom is moving up there soon after she gets the house on the market, so lots of things have been changing. Continue reading →

April 26, 2016
by mary.campbell.schuh 4 Comments

Running to See My Honey and Thoughts on Home

Yesterday summer did a trial run here in the Midwest, and we got 80 degree weather! I finally ran the 3.5 miles from my apartment to Stephen’s place, and I stopped and shot a few photos along the way. The sun slanted its ray across my path at points, many people were outside–mowing or just enjoying being outside after many frozen days. The apple blossoms made me so happy with their snowy grace and lingering scent. Come, run along with me:

Continue reading →

January 8, 2016
by mary.campbell.schuh Leave a comment

On Hold? Just Start Dancing!

Ever have to wait on hold for a long time to figure out some business with an insurance company? Well, I had to do that today; I knew it would be a long wait, so I did some sorting of papers and some push-ups while I had my phone on speaker phone. After 40 minutes I started to worry that it would take hours to get through! The “on hold” music the company had was cheerful and they varied it in a fun way, so it didn’t get boring until I started hearing the first song in the loop again. Continue reading →

September 25, 2015
by mary.campbell.schuh 2 Comments

Some of the Encouragement Around my Apartment

Need a boost? The card on my fridge that says, “You are exactly where you should be, doing exactly what you should be doing.” (From Trader Joe’s Cards), brings relaxation to my mind every time I scan it as I cook or just pass by. Think about it: Those words embrace you where you are at and validate you. Receive the grace in those words!

Here’s another card that releases and pushes you in a freeing way:

Continue reading →

July 12, 2015
by mary.campbell.schuh 2 Comments

Savoring Home

I love how the light floods into my place! The slanting, golden shafts of sunlight make me smile the most. Continue reading →

April 5, 2015
by mary.campbell.schuh 2 Comments

Happy Easter, Dear Friends!

Home means a place to belong, let down, a haven where you be fully yourself. Since last summer I’ve had a chance to have a little home of my own where I decorated it how I wanted it. I’ve grown into a settled-ness that only comes as you know you belong.

As I’m grappling if I’ll stay in this place or move again, I’m reminded that Jesus left his home in heaven to pay for our sin so that we could give up wandering and have a home with him. If I stay focused on receiving belonging and love from Jesus, then I can be at “home” whether I have the place or not.
On this Easter Sunday, know that Jesus rose again to give you a home. Choose to receive that gift!