Tuesday, December 04, 2007

The Nostalgia Meme

I’ve been tagged by Chappyswife to do a nostalgia meme. What is that you ask? I’m to tell you what I was doing ten, twenty and thirty years ago. I’m 46 years old and I hope I can remember that far back. I have trouble remembering what I ate for lunch the day before, but let’s give it a go.

Ten years ago it was 1997 and we were living in West Virginia. Tom and I were church planters. It was the first time we done such a thing and it was difficult. West Virginia was a hard place for us but we learned so much by being there. The lessons learned helped us to pastor the church God sent to us now. Just because something is difficult doesn’t make it bad (at the time you couldn’t have convenience me of that). During those hard days I often cried out to God, “Did you send me here to die.” Yes he did, but in a good way. I died to my flesh and learned to love people when it wasn’t easy to love them. I learned so much about who I was in Him and it helped me to grow as a person. The great thing is that I know I’m still evolving and I’m still learning.

Twenty years ago it was 1987 and I was 26 years old with two small children living in New York. When we started to have kids we made the decision for me to stay home. It wasn’t an easy decision because I had a good job. It was only a job to me and not a career. I only missed the paycheck to be honest. I never regretted it for an instant. I’m grateful for the times our families helped us out financially. God always knew when things were a bit tight and somehow someone gave us what we needed to pay the bills. I loved being a mom. I loved taking care of the kids and Tom. I was one of those overly prepared moms that took almost the whole nursery with me when we traveled. I was comfortable being that anal. I’m very grateful I was able to stay home with the kids until they started school.

Thirty years ago it was 1977 and I was 16 years old. What I didn’t know was that in a couple of months (February 11, 1978) my life would change forever. I would start to date the man I would eventually marry. The funny thing about that was I never thought I would fall in love so young. I remember having a conversation with my best friend. I told her I didn’t want to get married until I was about 25 years old. I paused for about a minute. I then said, “Something inside of me tells me that by the time I’m 18, I’ll be engaged and by the time I’m 19, I’ll be married.” That was exactly what happened. He’s a good man and I’m still passionately in love.

If anyone of you would like to do this meme, consider yourself tagged. Let me know so I can check out your answers.

© Nadine Z. 2007

19 comments:

Art said...

That's great Nadine. You've had such a variety of experiences. I always love to read more! I may do this meme.

palmtreefanatic said...

that is so neat to read this about you, thanks for sharing!

Shadraq said...

Hmm..But what did you have for lunch 10 minutes ago?

Scarlet said...

Great flashback and I didn't know you also lived in NY...what part??

I may give this one a try. It's an interesting meme, especially for those of us who've lived a little. ;)

Keshi said...

A sweet walk down the memory lane Nadine! Very nice!

Keshi.

Dawn said...

That's a fun meme. I enjoyed learning more about you.

Knitwit said...

Nice getting to know you a little better. I love being home with our kids also.

Cheri said...

How neat to have lived in so many different places. I've never lived more than an hours drive from my birthplace.

Jen(n) said...

It's great to know God will provide even when you can't see how! You have awesome kids!

Shawna said...

I am so jealous that you know the exact date that you started to date your future husband. I wish I would have written that one down - although our first date didn't go too well!

I thought this was a fun meme to do and a fun one to read. I am glad you did it!

Cheryl said...

It is interesting to see the road God leads us light up before our eyes.

I was one of those gals who did NOT get married until I was 28. I thought I would not marry and then in an instant, everything changed when I met my husband. Still married and loving it 26 years later.

KAYLEE said...

great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ann(ie) said...

FUN meme...I think I might do it tomorrow.

a woman who is said...

You are a blessed woman!

all over the map said...

You could say it a hundred times over but I always like to hear how you loved being a mom to your young kiddos and how GOd has worked in your life. I feel like I'm in the place in my life now where I'm needing to die in many ways and I am learning to love when it's not easy.
xo

Tammy said...

I loved finding out more about you...
amazing that your heart told you that you would meet your true love so young!

I've been tagged for this one too and plan to do it soon...:)

Deb said...

That is cool I'll have to think about that one and try it.

Demara said...

That's very interesting Nadine! You waited a while too before you had kids. So cool!

~Crystal~ said...

Oh! What a fun meme! I may have to do this one too.