What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow. ~ Martin Luther

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Here, at last.



I moved all the furniture out of buttercream room.

I swept. Twice.

I mopped and smudged the dirt around. I mopped and smudged LESS dirt around.

I hauled in the table and put it together, found some chairs that I could reach, put groceries in the itty bitty portable storage unit and chilled 2 quarts of milk in a borrowed electric cooler.

The floor was as clean as I could get it, considering the windtunnel of construction dust we are in, our bed and a shared twin mattress were in designated locations-we were finally ready. It didn't feel real, though, until the beds were clothed in their cotton nightclothes-pillows thumped and plumped...then, ONLY then, did we KNOW we were FINALLY starting our lives one night at a time, in our new home. The first night-the starting gate of a brand new beginning. When the sheets were made, it was real.

When the strawberry cheesecake candle was lit atop two coffee filter "doilies" and some garden flowers plunked into an old mason jar centered the freshly polished table, THEN and only then, was it welcoming. Beautiful. Exciting. Then, it was home.

Corynn thrilled at being here. Excitedly she begged for more and more chores to help out. Wash the windowsills, gather garbage. Decide where you would like your bed. Wash the counters, table. Excitement made manifest.

Andrew was in his element, picking up the ample scrap sticks lying about and using them in ways only a boy could think up. At one point, he started shouting "Ders! Derrs!", pointing out the window. I didn't know what he was saying at first, but I entertained the notion of looking. I saw nothing for a long moment, though my boy jumped up and down in excitement. Only when he said "Derrs! Barn!" did I look over near the chicken house and see specks of deer through the lilac leaves. They moved and we watched, a mother and her young one. What an exciting thing for him to have noticed all on his own. He was very proud and beamed when I said "GOOD EYE, Panda!"

We all shared the excitement in waiting for Papa to return from work, and when he did, we all relished being with one another-eating together, alone, for the first time in a LONG time.

That night it stormed. Torrential rains beat upon the newly laid steel roof and I laid in bed, listening to the clanging protests, unaccustom to such noise. The naked windows had no curtains to block the flashes of white lightening just outside their panes and the freshly painted walls shook right down to the foundation as the thunder rippled across the sky. My thoughts rose as my unseeing eyes blinked in the night, thoughts to and for my boy-the boy who gets so frightened of storms, who reminds himself over and over "God made rain, God made rain" in effort to persuade himself calm. I thought how terribly scary it could be for this boy to wake in an unfamiliar home, surrounded by the deep squares of black made by box shadows and my fears for him kept me awake. Wondering when the cry would come.

I waited and waited...but one never rose. Eventually, out of disbelief, I scurried to their room only to find a contented, peaceful face on both my children. Being in their house calmed them as much as it did me.



I am a changed person. I love our home and find such joy in it, even amongst the scattered nails, boards, and smell of varnish. It doesn't matter that we are living a pioneer life, with everything in one room. It doesn't matter that my "kitchen workspace" is about the size of a small suitcase, or that hot water is a luxury that we have not yet been afforded. We haven't even noticed that we have no toys for the children to play with, or that showers must be borrowed for the time being. I am so thankful to be here. SO thankful indeed.

Corynn can almost always be found sitting, writing in her notebook. Somehow it is just more fun to do this on a bed that sits flat on the floor, or at a table that she had never sat at (a $12.00 find just before we moved...)

Andrew is always found with a stick. And with a dirty face and hands.

Matt works hard as ever during the day, but holds me just a bit closer each night as we lie in our own bed, in our own room. Together.

Life is oh so good.



Thanks to Matt's efforts this evening, I am able to finally share my thoughts AND photos-to record this changing time of our lives. Now, it is much easier to look forward to doing so.

Because...

we have made it.

We are Home.
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16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rebecca,
I am thanking God over and over again as I read your post tonight. God is so GOOD! I am sooooo happy for you all. Home is a wonderful place to be. Our whole family sends you and your family our love. Please tell them we say "hi".

Tracy said...

BEAUTIFUL! Your one room home, and your attitude! Congratulations!

Andie said...

It looks and sounds absolutely wonderful! Congratulations on your new home! Now, if I were only closer I'd bring you a house-warming gift. Possibly some banana bread or a plate of yummy cookies....but since we're not closer I'll just send you this big SMILE and a prayer of thankfulness!
Enjoy!
Blessings-Andie

Debbie in CA : ) said...

How how wonderful to hear the sparkle in your "voice." Home is a precious blessing, it has nothing to do with amenities and space. Your children's gentle slumber says it all. "He maketh me to lie down ..." thanks for sharing the joyful news. I can't wait to hear/see it all unfold in His will and way and your special style. : )

Mrs. Hurzeler said...

I am so happy for you. God is just wondrous with the blessings He has for us. After the rental house, finally your own wonderful delicious house! Maybe you could start reading the Little House on the Prairie books with Corynn so that she can appreciate how it was for people back in the older days. God Bless. I hope you have peaceful rests, and wonderful memories in your sweet home.

Terri said...

Wonderful! You sound very happy and I'm so pleased that you are in your home.

Mom2fur said...

Here's to many, many happy years in your new home! It looks like a beautiful place. I love those big windows!
That picture of your daughter on the bed is priceless. And Panda sure has good eyesight, spotting those deers from so far away. I wonder what other awesome things he'll see through those windows?
The storm must have been something to see, especially knowing you were safe inside. It just sounds so cozy and homey!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the tour....I knew you would make it a "home" regardless of the circumstances.

Blessings,
Crystal in Pahrump
P.S. There has to be a book written in the future....you have such a gift for painting a picture with words.

Grandma Bibby said...

Congratulations on making it into your home. It looks simply grand!! I am thrilled for you.

Victoria said...

It's absolutely beautiful! I'm so happy for all of you. Your home is made even lovelier by the joy that is obviously a part of it!

Mandie said...

Congratulations!!!!

We are so happy you've found your perfect home! I love the place but especially those to die for hardwood floors! You will make the place gorgeous in no time!

Much, much love to the 5 of you!

A Happy Wife said...

Rebecca,

I am so happy for you!!! And, of course, you have everything "just-so" already to make your family feel right at home. I know how frustrating it is not to have your own place...hubby and I are realizing this now, although family and friends have been so good to take us in during our "homeless period!" I eagerly await the day (still months off...) when I can fluff my own "nest" and feel that I'm at home. Read your comment on my blog...it'll so fun to keep up with each other now!

Warmly,
Kris Zerby

Liana said...

that room - although shared by all your belongings at the time...looks BEAUTIFUL.

congratulations on being home! it's lovely.

Anonymous said...

Yay!! I am so glad you are HOME! Everything looks so pretty!

Kimberly

Anonymous said...

I adore the picture of the bed and the table at night. It is so simple, yet so harmonious.

Abigail said...

This space is lovely! As work on the house progresses, debris recedes, and more space appears, I know you'll make the rest just as nice.