Over at The Purple Cellar, Lydia Brownback posted some really excellent thoughts and practical advice for hospitality.
Romans 12:13: "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality"
1 Peter 4:9: "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling."
Ch-ch-check it out!
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
3.04.2009
9.11.2008
8.13.2008
The Never-Ending Trim Story
How long does it take to trim my lawn? Apparently 3 days.
Monday night – I mow the lawn and get ready to trim and thought I had the batteries charged, but alas they’re dead.
Tuesday night – batteries are charged, am happily trimming, then all of a sudden the spool/line falls out. Cannot fix. Run to Lowe’s for replacement spool. Too dark to finish trimming. Too many shadows.
What would take an hour at most has turned into 3 hours over the course of 3 nights. Will tonight be the conclusion of this story? Stay tuned…
Monday night – I mow the lawn and get ready to trim and thought I had the batteries charged, but alas they’re dead.
Tuesday night – batteries are charged, am happily trimming, then all of a sudden the spool/line falls out. Cannot fix. Run to Lowe’s for replacement spool. Too dark to finish trimming. Too many shadows.
What would take an hour at most has turned into 3 hours over the course of 3 nights. Will tonight be the conclusion of this story? Stay tuned…
4.14.2008
1 year
Well folks, this month I celebrate 1 year of buying and moving into my first house. This past year flew by. Below you'll find a list of posts during that time.
http://stanknrankn.blogspot.com/search/label/home
I just looked through them and it brought back many fun and exciting/nervous memories. Looking back on the year, God has been kind and providing abundantly and answering prayers for using this house, I hope, for His plan and His glory.
The passage below I was reading that time and I thought it would be good to review and remember God's faithfulness.
Psalm 31:19-34
Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you
and worked for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of the children of mankind!
In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men;
you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.
Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was in a besieged city.
I had said in my alarm,“I am cut off from your sight.”
But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
when I cried to you for help.
Love the Lord, all you his saints!
The Lord preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!
http://stanknrankn.blogspot.com/search/label/home
I just looked through them and it brought back many fun and exciting/nervous memories. Looking back on the year, God has been kind and providing abundantly and answering prayers for using this house, I hope, for His plan and His glory.
The passage below I was reading that time and I thought it would be good to review and remember God's faithfulness.
Psalm 31:19-34
Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you
and worked for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of the children of mankind!
In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men;
you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.
Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was in a besieged city.
I had said in my alarm,“I am cut off from your sight.”
But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
when I cried to you for help.
Love the Lord, all you his saints!
The Lord preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!
7.27.2007
3 months and counting...
So today, it's my 3 month anniversary of buying my house. It went by so fast.
As you can see from the updated pictures below, I have been decorating and doing some upkeep. I don't know about you, but everytime I see the before and after pictures of my backyard, I am amazed by the transformation. My backyard was not in good shape before and now, it's green and thriving (which reminds me I think I need to mow this weekend. :) )
I have been pleasantly surprised by the blessing of having the house. Concerns I had 3 months ago are not concerns right now. For example, I was concerned about on street parking and so far I have not had any problems with on street parking. I think all the neighbors have this unspoken rule about parking in their 'own spot' even though it's public parking. Parallel parking has been challenging at first but I think I am getting used to it. I also had concerns about neighbors and my neighbors are great! They are always looking out for me, even more than I realize sometimes. As for living in the 'city,' it's been great. I don't consider myself living quite in the city, but it's close enough for me.
Also, a similar house in the block next to mine sold for almost $30K more than my house. Granted I think the kitchen was redone and the appliances were newer, but it gave me encouragement that I bought in a really good neighborhood.
The more and more I spend time in the house, the more I'm amazed how God had this house set apart for me and how it's been like a perfect fit for me.
Everything with the house is not quite done, but it will be fun and exciting as things come together.
Toodles!
P.S. Yes, I need to schedule an open house or something for people to visit...maybe in the fall...
As you can see from the updated pictures below, I have been decorating and doing some upkeep. I don't know about you, but everytime I see the before and after pictures of my backyard, I am amazed by the transformation. My backyard was not in good shape before and now, it's green and thriving (which reminds me I think I need to mow this weekend. :) )
I have been pleasantly surprised by the blessing of having the house. Concerns I had 3 months ago are not concerns right now. For example, I was concerned about on street parking and so far I have not had any problems with on street parking. I think all the neighbors have this unspoken rule about parking in their 'own spot' even though it's public parking. Parallel parking has been challenging at first but I think I am getting used to it. I also had concerns about neighbors and my neighbors are great! They are always looking out for me, even more than I realize sometimes. As for living in the 'city,' it's been great. I don't consider myself living quite in the city, but it's close enough for me.
Also, a similar house in the block next to mine sold for almost $30K more than my house. Granted I think the kitchen was redone and the appliances were newer, but it gave me encouragement that I bought in a really good neighborhood.
The more and more I spend time in the house, the more I'm amazed how God had this house set apart for me and how it's been like a perfect fit for me.
Everything with the house is not quite done, but it will be fun and exciting as things come together.
Toodles!
P.S. Yes, I need to schedule an open house or something for people to visit...maybe in the fall...
7.25.2007
7.20.2007
Homey Squared
Just wanted to give an update with my home to all my homies out there! (That's where the homey squared part comes in in the title!)
I've been having fun with decorating it and it's coming together better as my home than I thought. See I do not have vision for things. I can't look ahead to things. I am more detailed oriented than vision oriented. So when faced with a house with all sorts of rooms and different colored paint and hardwood floors, I have to admit, I was feeling uneasy about decorating it and making it into a home. But as I said things are coming together and I am pleasantly surprised at the outcome. I've come across some way super cool and cheap ideas for decorating that I hope to put to good use.
And what are these ideas? Well, you'll have to tune it to find out!
Toodles!
I've been having fun with decorating it and it's coming together better as my home than I thought. See I do not have vision for things. I can't look ahead to things. I am more detailed oriented than vision oriented. So when faced with a house with all sorts of rooms and different colored paint and hardwood floors, I have to admit, I was feeling uneasy about decorating it and making it into a home. But as I said things are coming together and I am pleasantly surprised at the outcome. I've come across some way super cool and cheap ideas for decorating that I hope to put to good use.
And what are these ideas? Well, you'll have to tune it to find out!
Toodles!
7.05.2007
Sunflowers
Got some sunflowers last week at Central Market.
I love how they contrast with my dining room wall color! Enjoy!
5.01.2007
Settled!
I know I didn't post this weekend because things have been so crazy! Friday I signed (30 signatures, 34 initials for those taking bets out there) the paperwork and got the keys! And then I promptly waited in my empty house for the gas man to come. Even though there were some bumps along the way on Friday, God was faithful once again to provide and prove once again he is sovereign.
One of the small stories from Friday is that I got to meet the seller and I recognized him as someone who went to MU the same time I did! That was kind of cool.
A big thanks to Lisa for going with me to settlement and distracting me amongst all the craziness even though she had a very busy week and was getting sick.
Look for pictures of before and after of the house in next couple of posts!
Toodles!
One of the small stories from Friday is that I got to meet the seller and I recognized him as someone who went to MU the same time I did! That was kind of cool.
A big thanks to Lisa for going with me to settlement and distracting me amongst all the craziness even though she had a very busy week and was getting sick.
Look for pictures of before and after of the house in next couple of posts!
Toodles!
4.26.2007
21 hours, 33 minutes, 45 seconds
That's what my countdown was at when I decided to post my last post before I become...(dun dun dun) a homeowner....
right now I'm nervous, excited, nervous...
I did breathe a huge sigh of relief when I got the letter yesterday from LHOP with the dollar amount of closing costs they are helping with. Cha-ching!
Well nothing else to report, except that I'll be posting pics of the next two weeks with painting, cleaning, moving, etc. Continue to keep checking in and keep those comments rolling!
Toodles!
right now I'm nervous, excited, nervous...
I did breathe a huge sigh of relief when I got the letter yesterday from LHOP with the dollar amount of closing costs they are helping with. Cha-ching!
Well nothing else to report, except that I'll be posting pics of the next two weeks with painting, cleaning, moving, etc. Continue to keep checking in and keep those comments rolling!
Toodles!
4.25.2007
Memories
As I have been going from room to room packing up my apartment, many memories fill my head of the 6 years I've lived there. Many happy memories, many cherished memories, many grace overflowing memories. I will share one of my favorite below, but can I ask for everyone who reads this to post their favorite or most memorable time at my apartment?
My aim in this is not to boast that my place was the place to be, but to remember and reflect on God's kindness and goodness to me in that apartment and to take that with me to my new place. My hope is that the good work that God has done in the apartment would translate to the new house. Just because I am going to a new place with new challenges doesn't mean God will be any less faithful or good. God never changes even though things around us always will. So please post your favorite memory and before I close, I'll post mine.
While I was a member, the ladies of the young adult care group would meet at my apartment twice a month. One of my favorite memories was when we were divided into groups and had to perform skits with whatever props we had. We could make up the skit to be whatever we wanted, but we had to use all the props. I remember very distinctly the skit I was in because it was so much fun and also hilarious. I also like doing impromptu skits too! I don't think I remember seeing Cynthia laugh so hard and so much! The two people in my skit that I remember was Kara Miller and Ann Gatchell. I think we decided to do an updated version of the book of Ruth. Kara played Boaz, I played Naomi and Ann played Ruth. We decided that most of the skit would revolve around Naomi "counseling" Ruth about how to get Boaz's attention. Ann and I didn't have any lines - we just decided to adlib it - which was the best part I think. I can't remember all the lines or the props, which is probably good for Ann and mine's sake, but I do remember it was the best time I had with the ladies in the caregroup. We laughed so hard and so long.
Toodles!
My aim in this is not to boast that my place was the place to be, but to remember and reflect on God's kindness and goodness to me in that apartment and to take that with me to my new place. My hope is that the good work that God has done in the apartment would translate to the new house. Just because I am going to a new place with new challenges doesn't mean God will be any less faithful or good. God never changes even though things around us always will. So please post your favorite memory and before I close, I'll post mine.
While I was a member, the ladies of the young adult care group would meet at my apartment twice a month. One of my favorite memories was when we were divided into groups and had to perform skits with whatever props we had. We could make up the skit to be whatever we wanted, but we had to use all the props. I remember very distinctly the skit I was in because it was so much fun and also hilarious. I also like doing impromptu skits too! I don't think I remember seeing Cynthia laugh so hard and so much! The two people in my skit that I remember was Kara Miller and Ann Gatchell. I think we decided to do an updated version of the book of Ruth. Kara played Boaz, I played Naomi and Ann played Ruth. We decided that most of the skit would revolve around Naomi "counseling" Ruth about how to get Boaz's attention. Ann and I didn't have any lines - we just decided to adlib it - which was the best part I think. I can't remember all the lines or the props, which is probably good for Ann and mine's sake, but I do remember it was the best time I had with the ladies in the caregroup. We laughed so hard and so long.
Toodles!
4.16.2007
Home Sweet Home
Hello everyone! I've been wanting to write this post for sometime and I've finally got the brief time and brief brain power to write it.
The past couple of weeks as I've been thinking about the layout of my new house and all the details in it, from paint colors to furniture arrangement, I've been trying to maintain a perspective of making the house into a home. What I mean is that I have some ideas and some goals in mind for my future home.
And so these are my goals. Would you consider joining in prayer for these goals as well as if you have any words of wisdom, would you pass them along? Thanks in advance.
My future home:
1. Would be a place of rest, rejuvenation and peace for all who enter.
2. Would be a place where grace, forgiveness, mercy and compassion happen daily.
3. Would be a place where guests will find Jesus Christ as Lord of the home.
4. Would be a place of hospitality and biblical fellowship.
5. Would be a place where the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ shines brightly to neighbors.
Toodles!
4.13.2007
Colors or Colours for you Brits out there...
So last night, I met with Dan and Julie Garner to help pick out paint colors for my house. Julie made a fabulous meal (hehehe)and Jude provided entertainment as usual.
Pretty much the night can be summarized in this conversation that I had with Dan about 20 times:
Sara: I'm so excited about this color!
Dan: That's great....yeah I like it too Sara.
Just imagine that conversation happening about every 10 minutes...thanks Dan for being patient with me and for helping me choose colors. I REALLY am excited about the colors!
And in case you're wondering, I'm not revealing the colors here because you'll have to come see it for yourself when it's all done! But you can leave a comment and guess what colors they will be...(hehehe)
Toodles!
Pretty much the night can be summarized in this conversation that I had with Dan about 20 times:
Sara: I'm so excited about this color!
Dan: That's great....yeah I like it too Sara.
Just imagine that conversation happening about every 10 minutes...thanks Dan for being patient with me and for helping me choose colors. I REALLY am excited about the colors!
And in case you're wondering, I'm not revealing the colors here because you'll have to come see it for yourself when it's all done! But you can leave a comment and guess what colors they will be...(hehehe)
Toodles!
4.09.2007
Moving Advice
Sometimes I think the blog Solofemininity was made specifically only for me in mind and this recent post about moving advice and myself moving less than a month away proves my point. I hope something like this happens for me...
Toodles!
Toodles!
3.09.2007
>>>House Update<<<
Hello everyone! Just wanted to give an update on the house front. Earlier I had posted about the house inspection. Since the house inspection I had been waiting to hear back from the seller on some things I had asked for due to what was found in the inspection report. Before I called the agent to let them know of my thoughts, I got this email that the seller wanted to move the settlement date up and needed to know what my decision was. So, I called a trusted advisor and let him know of the situation and I came up with a game plan for my call to the agent. I was nervous, because negotiating is an area of weakness for me. So I called and the agent and I discussed some options and the seller and I came to a new agreement with a different settlement date! Overall, I think this works out better for me and things won't be rushed while I'm getting the house ready and leaving my current rental apartment.
So, settlement date is now April 27th! which is exactly 7 weeks from today! Yikes! It's going to be here before you know it! So if you're reading this entry wondering what you can do to help, see the following sections below and let me know what area you can help with.
Cleaning new house (Tracy - I have a floor with your name on it!)
Painting new house (this is going to be fun!)
Cleaning old apt. (Julie - get that Dyson ready! We'll test the power of the purple on my old carpets! Also if someone has a carpet cleaner, please let me know!)
Providing boxes for packing things
Help with packing
Moving things - large and small
Helping with organizing moving day
I don't know when these things will take place, but I wanted to start recruiting the troops! As soon as I get handle on scheduling, I will let you know!
And lastly, here's a pic of me in front of my new house! The house inspector made me get in the picture which I was kind of embarrassed to, but now I'm glad he did it!
3.07.2007
My Weak Faith
So the house inspection was this past Monday and while there were not alot of surprises, the reality of being a homeowner became more real to me afterwards. Not surprising, my faith for new things began to waver. Could I really do this as a single woman with no experience in owning a home before? Thoughts like this filled my head and thankfully God quickly showed me how my focus turned from Him to me. Of course I as a single woman with no experience in owning a home before could not do this, but God can. God is infinite, omnipotent, faithful, true, and all-wise. I am not. He parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could flee from Pharoah's army to the promised land, surely he can keep me safe from all troubles until he calls me home. God's been faithful to single women before me...I am not an exception in this case.
Lord, forgive me for wavering faith, for lack of faith in You with this house...Lord help my faith by showing yourself strong and true once again...Even though you've have proven yourself strong and true thousands of times before and I should know better by now, that is only my arrogance speaking lies...I am a weak and feeble creature that needs you daily, moment by moment to remind me of your grace and mercy...Lord help me to keep my eyes on you...
Lord, forgive me for wavering faith, for lack of faith in You with this house...Lord help my faith by showing yourself strong and true once again...Even though you've have proven yourself strong and true thousands of times before and I should know better by now, that is only my arrogance speaking lies...I am a weak and feeble creature that needs you daily, moment by moment to remind me of your grace and mercy...Lord help me to keep my eyes on you...
2.28.2007
Offer on a House!
Hello everyone!
Just wanted to let you know that last night the seller and I came to agree on an offer for the house I had been looking at and very interested in for the past couple of weeks!!! The address is 316 Prospect Street in Lancaster city. Here's where it is on google maps. Click here.
Settlement date is set for May 15th so clear your calendars! (FYI - it's also 3 days before my birthday - so consider it a birthday gift! I am already giving myself a gift in the form of a mortgage! Yay! :-) )
Thank you to everyone for their prayers and encouragement to me. I could not have done this alone and it's still not over! Please pray for peace and for everything to go well. I have experienced abundant grace from God through this whole process and I know that it is his grace that will carry me through.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I also want to especially thank and honor my all-star team who have been part of this in one way or another along the way and came together last Saturday to look over and give their input - Glenn and Diana Hughes for their care, guidance and support, Lisa Evans - who introduced me to open houses, but more importantly also a source of encouragement and a testimony to God's faithfulness and provision to single women and last but not least, Stephen Smith for his professional skills in looking at the house and for his words of encouragement.
Toodles!
Just wanted to let you know that last night the seller and I came to agree on an offer for the house I had been looking at and very interested in for the past couple of weeks!!! The address is 316 Prospect Street in Lancaster city. Here's where it is on google maps. Click here.
Settlement date is set for May 15th so clear your calendars! (FYI - it's also 3 days before my birthday - so consider it a birthday gift! I am already giving myself a gift in the form of a mortgage! Yay! :-) )
Thank you to everyone for their prayers and encouragement to me. I could not have done this alone and it's still not over! Please pray for peace and for everything to go well. I have experienced abundant grace from God through this whole process and I know that it is his grace that will carry me through.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I also want to especially thank and honor my all-star team who have been part of this in one way or another along the way and came together last Saturday to look over and give their input - Glenn and Diana Hughes for their care, guidance and support, Lisa Evans - who introduced me to open houses, but more importantly also a source of encouragement and a testimony to God's faithfulness and provision to single women and last but not least, Stephen Smith for his professional skills in looking at the house and for his words of encouragement.
Toodles!
2.09.2007
How abundant is your goodness...
The ESV website has a feature that sends you an email every day in a year with the intent to read the Bible throughout the year. In the email it gives you an OT passage, a passage from Psalms and Proverbs and a passage from the NT. I like this service because it also gives you the option of listening to the passages as well. Lately, I've been following along the Psalms section of it and today's passage was timely and reminding me of God's goodness and his steadfast love towards me.
Psalm 31:19-34
Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you
and worked for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of the children of mankind!
In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men;
you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.
Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was in a besieged city.
I had said in my alarm,“I am cut off from your sight.”
But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
when I cried to you for help.
Love the Lord, all you his saints!
The Lord preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!
This past week, some new developments occurred with house buying that I needed to remind myself that these new developments were not new to God and they are all part of His plan.
The good news is I'm preapproved! So one part is done. I just need to find an agent and a house! The good part about finding a house is there has been alot of houses in the area I am looking to move into that have come up on the market.
Please continue to pray for wisdom for decisions I have to make and for favorable relationships with everyone involved.
Toodles!
Psalm 31:19-34
Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
which you have stored up for those who fear you
and worked for those who take refuge in you,
in the sight of the children of mankind!
In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men;
you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.
Blessed be the Lord,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was in a besieged city.
I had said in my alarm,“I am cut off from your sight.”
But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
when I cried to you for help.
Love the Lord, all you his saints!
The Lord preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!
This past week, some new developments occurred with house buying that I needed to remind myself that these new developments were not new to God and they are all part of His plan.
The good news is I'm preapproved! So one part is done. I just need to find an agent and a house! The good part about finding a house is there has been alot of houses in the area I am looking to move into that have come up on the market.
Please continue to pray for wisdom for decisions I have to make and for favorable relationships with everyone involved.
Toodles!
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