What to do when the Lord gives 8, 9, maybe 10 children and yet clearly keeps us here in our 1400+ square ft, 3 bedroom house?
MAKE IT WORK!
So, that's what we're doing...again.
Over the years we've learned how to bloom where we're planted, make the most of our home and life circumstances, and keep perspective on how a large portion of the world lives...in poverty, hungry, without electricity or clean water. In many countries around the globe, we would be seen as rich for having the amount of space, necessities, and luxuries we DO have. So, we choose to be thankful and realize the things which truly make a home have very little to do with bricks and beams.
"By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;
by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches."
Proverbs 24:3-4
I've written before about our most common question during the course of our first adoption, "Is our house big enough?" Time and again we've landed on our answer, "Yes," and though I've wrestled with this at times, I know the truth is if we were supposed to be somewhere different, we would be. We've always said that money shouldn't be a road block to adding another child to our family and I'm starting to believe space really isn't either. Like the loaves and the fish, somehow God keeps multiplying not only our LOVE for each child, but also the room in our home. He always provides! He is faithful.
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19
"“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life,
what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.
Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Matthew 6:25-33
what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.
Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Matthew 6:25-33
There is great comfort in the promises of Scripture. They remind us never to fret for our needs because our Father God who loves us will always give us what's best for us. In plenty or in less should He will, we can be sure that He is a good God and perfectly able to supply our every need!
Though we find ourselves content in our current home, we are still many people in not so much space. And, considering the timing of when we bought our house it's safe to say we're here...for a while...until the real estate market recovers (if it recovers?). And, we'd like to make the most of it. Literally.
Though we find ourselves content in our current home, we are still many people in not so much space. And, considering the timing of when we bought our house it's safe to say we're here...for a while...until the real estate market recovers (if it recovers?). And, we'd like to make the most of it. Literally.
So, just as we've done before when the Lord has added children to our family, the nesting instincts are kicking in and we're making it work here in our home (a common occurrence I admit). This is not the first time we've made a choice to make the best of our circumstances and I'm confident it won't be the last.
I'm thankful for the home God's chosen for us (for now) and even more thankful for how our children embrace our space and love it here. It encourages me as their mom to see how they appreciate the "coziness". We bunk in and snuggle up and cherish closeness with one another. We also step on toes and seek out quiet corners and learn patience every day. We value both sides of this coin we've been given and we wouldn't want it any other way because we know it's God's best plan for us.
In this American dream world we live in, especially here in Southern California, it can be disheartening to be surrounded by the pursuit of pride. My prayer is that we can embody God's heart for humility by accepting His will for us in this season with gratitude. May we never wish it away, but rather soak in the lessons we're learning.
"But he gives more grace.
Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'”
James 4:6
James 4:6
As we anticipate some pretty big decisions soon, including welcoming another new family member (or 2) into our clan,
we're out to make it work around here and we're having tons of fun in the process!
Here's to documenting our latest space-maximizing project:
This was our landing BEFORE.
We decided to remove our book shelves/storage cabinets, find new spots for our {MANY} books,
and move the existing wall back into our master walk in closet to create a new reading nook and loft area.
(We love nooks!)
Our kids have been just a bit excited about all of this!
Ah yes, home projects are SUPER fun with 8 willing helpers...
Let's just say, I might be married to the most patient guy on the planet!
I can just hear Brodie's voice saying, "Thaaaank yoooou,"
as his eager trusty sidekicks rearrange and hand him one hazardous tool after the next. Oy!
These girls are definitely not afraid to get their hands dirty.
We never did have enough clothing to justify a walk in closet anyway.
The wall goes up! We can start to see the room taking shape.
The loft goes in...let the fun begin!
The upper level is where all of our Legos will be from now on...
up and away where I won't step on them daily. :)
The railing is up, wainscoting too. Now we're starting to see where we're headed.
Who knew this would take so long?! Oh yes, my husband did. What a great sport to do it anyway!
After some deliberation over what to do with the lower level, we decided to go with a built in nook
for reading, snuggles, and movie nights (with balcony seating too!)...almost complete...
We're done! Painting and all (though I might add some more colorful pillows in the future...pillows are expensive!
So, for now we're going with what we already had...and anyway, I always love white.)
It's been great fun. It's been awfully challenging at times. But, all in all, we're so excited we decided to create this new space for our growing family. We've still got our books, but now we have 2 new spaces to hang out and read them in as well...and we've learned so many life lessons in the process (not just about carpentry)!
We're making it work around here, so thankful for all that we have, and on the lookout for creative ways to make the most of our home while we're here. Which corner of the house can we get creative with next?!
THANK YOU, Brodie/Daddy, for your patient, enduring labor of LOVE for our family!
We SOOO appreciate all that you willingly and joyfully do!!
(BEFORE AND AFTER)
"My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places."
Isaiah 32:18
