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If I’ve been quiet on the home build updates, it’s that there’s just nothing to update yet! We are still waiting. On what you may ask? Well, it seems like everything truthfully. We’re waiting to get finalized plans back so we can get things going. Then we’ll be waiting on permits, to get on our builder’s schedule…all the things.
When I announced we were building a house back in October, I didn’t think we’d still be waiting 6-7 months later. But that’s just the way that it is. I thought I was a semi-decent patient person before, but I guess God wanted to work on this character trait in me even more. 😉
Though to be fair, if you read this sneak peek of the house post, then you’ll know that I felt like the exterior was missing some pizzazz and character. So part of the wait is that we’re having the home designer add in some European details. So that one is on me!
And even though waiting with so many unknowns can be frustrating, I’d rather spend 2-3 more months tweaking plans than spending years living in a house with regrets. Rushing through things rarely gives the outcome you desire!
Not only that, but I’ve been learning to appreciate what I have right now. When I’m so focused on what I don’t have or what I wish I had, it greatly affects my mood in a negative way.
But when I think about the things I’m thankful for in our current house (even if it’s not the “dream”), I become so much more positive and thankful for what God has given us.
Related: 21 Life-Transforming Ways I’m Simplifying My Life & Becoming More Thankful
And even though we aren’t exactly where we want to be yet, I can be excited for the idea of it in the future, while still being grateful for where I am.
Back in the fall, I said I wanted to photograph the land every season, and here you can see how our wooded acres look in the winter.
I’m still pinching myself that it’s ours!
Now for some fall & winter comparisons:
This season has brought a lot of life changes. We’ve been experiencing leaving what’s comfortable to step into a season of unknowns and delays.
As we get ready to sell our home, the exhaustion of projects, taking care of kids, and packing all at once has set in. No, more than just set in. Coming in with a wrecking ball sounds more accurate. But I came across this quote that resonated with me.
Don’t give up what you want most for what you want now
Neal A. Maxwell
Right now I would like to stop painting so the blisters on my hand can heal. I would like to wake up and not think about the million things left on our to-do list to get ready. Right now I’d like my clothes to be where they’re meant to be, instead of boxed up in the storage room.
But what I want most is to take my hot cup of coffee into our (future) sunroom and watch the sunrise over the woods. I want to deep soak in our freestanding tub because taking baths is a nightly ritual for me. What I want most is to sit in our private backyard on our patio and watch our boys throw rocks at trees, soaking in a life of adventure.
Giving up what you want now for what you want most means you have to embrace a life of discomfort for while. But it will be worth it.
By the way, don’t hear me say that I have it worse than anyone else. I know that in comparison to the world, my “problems” don’t really look like problems at all. This perspective helps me see that I’m incredibly blessed.
Though taking into perspective what other people are going through makes my heart swell (with both sadness and gratefulness), it doesn’t take away what feels real to us right now.
And though right now we may find ourselves embracing the unknowns, what’s comforting is that we’re not alone.
I’ll leave you with some song lyrics from a moving song that’s been on repeat lately:
I will praise you on the mountain
Hillsong Highlands (Song Of Ascent)
And I will praise you when the mountains in my way
You’re the summit where my feet are
So I will praise You in the valleys all the same
No less God within the shadows
No less faithful when the night leads me astray
Song by Hillsong UNITED
Catch Up: We’re Building a Home!
