Doors, Windows, Walls, Stairs and Hallways

While I was in Texas with some friends, my dad sent me a text of the first wall that went up in our new home.  It was our entry way wall....."how fitting" he said in his text. I was so excited to know I was going to come home to some real progress and be able to walk through our home, imagining where furniture will go, where to hang the family portraits, and all the future memories that will take place in this house the Lord is providing for us.

First Wall, Friday, May 2nd

I have been thinking a lot lately about how I tend to "wait" for the next thing in order to serve the Lord fully or even imagine that I will be a better mother and wife in this new home.  As if homeschooling will be smoother, dishes will be easier to do, I will be singing as I do the laundry, my boys will suddenly stop competing about EVERYTHING, and I will never burn food again.  Isn't that ridiculous?  I have spent a good portion of my life in anticipation for a place of true "arrival".  Well, guess what?  I am still waiting!  Although, I am extremely excited about this home and what it means for our entire family, I have been learning quite a few valuable lessons in the process:

•  To be faithful in the little things.  Luke 16:10 says "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."  I have been guilty of saying "when the house is done, I will have more people over" or "when this project is over, I will have more time to be helpful".  It is true, we are in a season that is very hectic and crazy, but God can still use me in the process and I need to have the right heart, right here in the present.
• I have to resign to being flexible with my schedule.  Sometimes I have had to literally drop everything to run an errand, pay for lumber (that won't be delivered until I run that check), and a number of other things.  I have had to remember that my boys are being a little yanked around at times and they have been absolute troopers.  I am blessed with a rowdy bunch, but they are good boys and have been incredible help during this project.  It has truly been a "family affair".

My Boys Washing my Van for a road trip to Portland Airport

• This is a precious time being roommates with my folks.  In the new house, they will have their own space and we won't have to share a kitchen, dining room, laundry room and living room.  We will have more room to spread out which sounds good sometimes, but these will be cherished memories.  Living quarters are tight, but I am enjoying the togetherness (of course I can't speak for everyone else)!