The house of my birth
How many places have you lived over the course of your life? Here’s my list:
Wheaton College
~Branchville, NJ, born at home on Wantage Ave, on one of the coldest days on record.
~Wheaton College, Illinois, dorm for two years, private house for two.
~Winfield IL, our first together apartment, one baby.
~Pasadena CA, seminary years, two houses, a miscarriage (another child to meet in heaven), followed by another baby.
~Boston MA, Jim’s folks’ elegant house on Brimmer Street for three months.
~730 Broadway, Haverhill MA—parsonage, 10 years, final baby.
~Herb Webster, just up the street, two months while house building.
~25 Liberty St, Haverhill—53 years in the house we built with our own 10 hands—eight grandchildren, five great-grands.
~And NOW we’re moving to our final home—Assisted Living, Apartment 230 at Benchmark’s Greystone Farm in Salem, NH.
How life has changed over 90 years—both physically and spiritually! I went to Sunday school as soon as I could sit in a chair, and one of the first books I was able to read ended with an invitation to accept Jesus, to which I said, “OF COURSE!” Other key transitions came as a teenager, but Wheaton College laid the foundation for a life of
caring and serving my Lord.
Somewhere in my latter years, my focus switched from self to others, and I found joy in hugging everyone in sight. Now in assisted living, I’ll have a new batch of hug recipients.
A good read!
In my early years, my focus was on horses (a big draw), but that shifted to music (organ and choir), then to writing (articles, short stories, six published novels), and currently to blogging. A full and interesting life. Now we’re having to deal with 53 years of household clutter—giving away or tossing most of it. My word of advice: Don’t wait till you’re 90 before starting that process!
My final move is still to come—date unknown but destination clear. The meaning and purpose of my life will become known, and LOVE will be my watchword.
My house count is 11 + 1. What’s yours?
Please tell me your stories, either below or on egus@me.com
Best of luck with this big move, Aunt Eleanor! I know God will both bless you and use you as a blessing in this new chapter!
Ellie ,
Dare I say your hugs and fellowship cemented my foundational growth in Christ!
Virtual Hugs being sent back dear, tender friend.
Charlie
Good memories, a life well-lived!
I know you’re packing & cleaning up, but I have another Chosen book, #4, to send you!
How soon do you move?
(16 homes for me 😳)
I have lived in 18 homes, and I may have missed a few! Haha! We are praying for you and Jim. This is a big transition for you but I know you will be used by the Lord to bring love and healing into those around you. Thank you for being transparent and living a life of service to the King! Look forward to the day we all stand together worshiping Him face to face but until then we press on towards that mark! Much love ❤️
My mother (age 101) loves her new assisted living home! New friends, chapel, vegetable and flower garden, dining room, laundry done, room cleaned, pulls the string for help when she falls… she says “What’s not to like?! ” Personally…I can hardly wait. Enjoy! God’s abundant blessings on you both. You win on the number of homes, too. Wonderful history.
I’m so excited to call you neighbor!!! You’ll see me for sure!❤️
I am in awe of your commitment to not leave baggage for others. I have had to go through my parents things, and the things they took from my grandparents house into boxes that were never opened. I could just dump things but I have found so many treasures! Thank you for doing that!
I applaud you, Kate, for taking time to look for treasures! I can only hope my kids will do that. : )
Ellie, I hope this transition goes smoothy for you and Jim! Moving from your beloved house on Liberty Street will be a huge job in itself. I’m sure you will have some help with that. (When I did this over five years ago now, my children and friends helped a lot. I could not have done it by myself.) Love you both so much!
Ah Ellie, thank you for not leaving us out of this transition, but including us in your lives…we are praying for energy, wisdom and REST for you each day! When you are settled you’ll have so many blessed memories and new reasons to live! Much love, Marcia
Ellie, I wish you all the best in this transition. I too have waited way to long for getting rid of stuff. I’m hanging on to my current home by the skin of my teeth and the joy of home ownership is waning. The law of entropy is closing in. Finally I have begun to face reality that I need Christ more than ever to plot the final course for me.
Born in Waltham, MA, upper Moody St next to the city dump, but soon moved to Hamblin Rd, border with W. Newton, went to Whittemore School. At age12, moved to the Highlands, Dale St. Then college (Houghton). Then Seminary (Gordon), married living in Manchester, and Beverly Farms (North Shore, MA). Three years as pastor, Limerick, ME. In Costa Rica, 3 years in San Pedro (6 months in Tileran). A year in Mexico City. On furloughs, lived in Hull, Hanover, Braintree (South Shore, MA). For my master`s degree, lived in Springfield (Springield College). But in 1968, moved to a house in Escazú (just west of San José, Costa Rica). Been in that house ever since. Working hard on downsizing, giving away as many books as I can. Hardest to part with are the commentaries. (Just bought 4 more!!!??) And cleaning out the boxes and boxes of folders – some are like cutting off an arm. The house has been a gift of God for ministry; old (built pure wood in 1950), but spacious – for guests, for meetings, and courses, and even works as a week-end camp (good back yard). A place of memories for four daughters. Way too much that still must be given or thrown away. Emotionally I could not part with this house. Jim and Ellie, I feel the pain of this move. May God give you the strength you need, not just physical. Bob
Not counting, but moving for health reasons, also.
I hear you on the STUFF! Take care, Ellie.
Hi, Ellie! Born in a small town in western Pennsylvania, where I spent my first 18 years. Moved to Massachusetts for college and never left. have lived in seven places (spread across 6 different towns) here in The Bay State. Planning on just one more after retirement.
Mercifully, Dad and his two brothers survived World War II, returned home to Keene, New Hampshire and built Cape Cod houses because they are easily expandable to accommodate their ultimately huge families. Dad died in 1988 and we kept Mom in that house for the next 30 years. In my mind, that raucous house will always be home to me.
Clark and I bought a $35,000 dump in Bradford where we learned all of our house flipping skills. It is now a beautiful three family home.
Next, to a single-family Victorian hoarder house in Groveland, which to my eyes had nothing but potential. We raised our family there for 21 years, then downsized to a small ranch in Atkinson.
Our years of flipping houses taught me that everything I need to outfit a kitchen fits into one tub, so our next move should be an easy one.
We have reservations in a small church cemetery overlooking a beautiful harbor on Prince Edward Island. I am designing the headstone to remind people that heaven can be on earth. Looking forward to seeing you all at our final destination where all our earthly problems will be left behind!
Very true, Ellie & Jim, transitions come in life. We’ll not be in this world permanently. Although we shift from house to house, which is good, there is a permanent transition that Christ pledged. “I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am’. John 14:3. I have not lived in many houses as you have, but I thank God for the over 90 years that He has granted to you and Jim graciously. Even in assisted care, you will live to tell of God’s faithfulness and love over the years you have lived. You will sing,pray and praise God there until He tarries back to take you home. We love you Ellie & Jim.
Ebenezer.