We moved to Apple Valley about 9 months ago from the coast. We were in a small ward (church congregation)with people of very humble circumstances. People live in modest homes, drive ordinary cars and some are even downright poor. My hubby and I in our rental home with our teacher's salary, were definitely middle class.
Now we are in a very upscale ward. Let's just say that out of the 4 sisters that I visit teach, not one has a home worth under $200,000. Some homes are downright mansions massing over 3,000 sf with a family of 4 living in it. I have been awestruck. Our home is nice, but it is small by comparison only 1700 sf. We have now gone from middle class to blue collar.
Enter Enrichment Night, that once-a-quarter meeting that all of the sisters attend. This quarter's meeting was a Service Auction which was going to be held at the church, but alas the gym floors were being redone and reaked of polyeurothaine. So the event was moved to one of the sister's house who's husband is a dentist, AKA RICH! They live in a beautiful home with a beautiful view of the valley and above all else, an indoor swimming pool! That's right -- not just a pool, but an indoor one. How many homes do you come across like that? The meeting was held outside right next door to the pool and it was hard to concentrate without thinking "Man, I'd love to jump in the water right now!"
Don't worry, I'm not struggling with the 10th commandment. It is just different to be in a ward with such affluence after coming from a ward with so much need. It has caused me to ponder why do some people have so much and others so little? Why are we in the States blessed with such abundance while people in other countries struggle to live day to day? And have we gone overboard with what we see as necessary home sizes and furnishings? In 1952 when my home was built, it was spacious and roomy at 1700 sf. Now it is considered small, modest or even cramped with most homes reaching well over 2,000. I love my home and I am grateful, but as I look around me I wonder, How much is too much?
11 comments:
I wonder the same thing, actually I was talking to a friend of mine from T.C. yesterday about this. Not that we've ever been in the situation to choose a huge house with every convenience known to man, but I hope that if/when we get to that status we'll still choose humbler settings and do better things with our money.
I was wondering about this a couple months ago and posted about it. My ward friend Sariah had a spoiled test on her blog, and I took it (I'm so not spoiled) and it got me thinking: this is kind of shallow. I remember asking that exact question (how much is too much?).
Shelly, I hoped the same thing, and mostly still do, but then I found that castle blueprints website... Oh man. Not that I'll ever be able to afford a 22,000 sf castle with 12 bedrooms, but wouldn't it be fun? Dreaming about it always makes my "money conscience" kick in. :)
We have a wide range of income levels in our ward, too. A former VT partner had 3 homes. Her six kids had all grown and left home, no grandkids yet, not working and yet she was one of the busiest people I have ever known. Even though she had hired cleaning help she spent her life taking care of the homes and their other stuff. That is definitely too much! However, I also know they used their money to bless a lot of needy people, as well.
As you can imagine, our little branch is very, very poor. I too spend a lot of time wondering about differences and why we are born where we are into certain circumstances. I don't have any answers yet, I just try to be grateful for what I have and to share what I can with others.
Hmmm. This rich dentist's last name wouldn't be Merrill would it?
Cuz boy that would be a small world moment for me.
Just curious. And I know what you mean by wondering just how much is too much. We live in a ward where we have extremely wealthy members, and then there are those that live in the trailer park down in the little valley. It's such an enormous difference and it's sometimes difficult to reconcile in my head.
I reccomend reading Sis. Beck's talk from the last General Conference. She points out that we all have equal access to the eternal and lasting blessings of the Lord through the covenants we make.
Things are just things. They make our lives comfortable and are certinly a blessing, but they aren't eternal. I think that that principle answers part of the question of how much is too much. One can be materialistic even if they have very little. No matter how much (or little) we have, are we willing to give it up at anytime? How much value does it really hold to us?
you raise a good ? something we need to think on more
An indoor pool is not too much...unless it has a 20 ft water slide
That'd be too much
It's interesting to see differences in wards. Sounds like a nice enrichment night though!
I just try and be grateful for the things that I have, and try not to concentrate on what other people have that I don't.
Pamela: No the dentist name wasn't Merrill. I did know a podiatrist by the name of Merrill once!
Anonymous: You raise some good points. That is so true that we can't be tied to our things. Only the eternal matters.
And just to make sure it's clear, I would never wish for a huge house for myself. I wouldn't want to clean it! :)
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