Tuesday, May 19, 2009

{ Project: Redeem-a-Home }

So we bought a house over the weekend.
A house that was being auctioned off, just inside the courthouse steps...
While I sat in the car with the kids praying so hard for God's will in all of it, remembering how I had told David an hour before something to the effect of " I want this house..." then later thinking it through and getting scared, not having been able to walk through it, and realizing how dangerous it could be for me to want something that might not be God's best. Asking that He would please control and bless the outcome.
All David had to say is: " one dollar more." and it was ours.
I will never forget the phone call from him, the one where he said, " well, I bought you a house." Both of us sweating, shaking grinning and in shock.
I squeal and hurt his ears I am sure, when he told me the amount he had to pay and how it was so much less than we thought we might have to give for it.
We were flying high. And so beyond thankful.

The next day we drove up to the house with nervous excitement to see it for the very first time. Our hearts took a dive after seeing the condition it was in.
It was worse than we had hoped.
There was an air of devastation about the house, as we surveyed the sad remnants of the lives that had been there before us.
I cannot begin to describe either the condition the previous owners left the house in or the amount of stuff they left behind.
It was overwhelming .
We began to doubt ourselves and wondered if we had made a huge mistake.
Until we prayed over this house asking that the Lord would cleanse it and fill it with His presence.
Then we started envisioning what it could be...and began to see it finished instead of it's current state of desolation .
Sure it's going to be a lot, a lot of work but we are young and strong and able.
And it's going to make the process all that more rewarding in the end.


The positives started stacking up fast:

We are 3 1/2 instead of 7 hours away from our families, 1 1/2 instead of 5 1/2 hours away from our best friends and only 15 min from this precious friend's door step.
We met and already know that we like the next door neighbors...and they were so encouraging.
There are three gorgeous parks within walking distance of our house...
I have always wanted to live in a neighborhood where the houses were old and restored.
We are now going to have room for more family and friends and there is nothing I love more than having people in our home and the promise of laughter filled rooms, and cooking up dinner for them. My philosophy is " the more the merrier. " Praying so hard that Jesus love will be felt within the walls of our home.

So every day our excitement grows.


re·demp·tion - n.
1. The act of redeeming or the condition of having been redeemed.
2. Recovery of something pawned or mortgaged.
3. Deliverance upon payment of ransom; rescue.
4. Christianity Salvation from sin through Jesus's sacrifice.




And that, dear ones is what Project Redeem-a-Home is all about.

17 comments:

Leslie said...

praying with all my might that this home would be redeemed beyond your wildess dreams, love it Chelle you know that... and so exciting to follow this journey.

Leslie said...

ohhh and have worship in the living room! :)

Aunt Tea said...

bless you! i have a feeling we are going to enjoy your project from here in blogland.

it looks fabulous and big.

Jacy said...

Amazing Chelle! Just imply amazing! The house is so gorgeous, I am sure that the two of you will turn it into a tapestry of beauty and I am just even more sure that in the end, not only will it be twice as rewarding, but that it will be filled with all those lovely things and the presence of Jesus all around. What a very exciting journey dear friend!
loves to you!!!

Connie said...

The Lord gave me a verse for you and your new house this morning when I woke up...

Phi 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things (about your house that) are.... lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

The blemishes will just fade away, as you restore your house to it's former glory, and fill it up with joy and laughter and Praises to God!
Mom

Aminta said...

So very lovely.
I pray for so many things in these days for you.
1. That your home be a testamony to your life in Christ.
2. That your joy may be full.
You know how I feel about old houses. When they end up in a sad condition.... Neglected and shameful, I am deviated. Think of what the builder made and intended. Your home is a beautiful reminder or the lord god and his intention for us and how we need to treat the vessel he gave us to house our souls.
You are amazing. And your home is a beautiful empty shell waiting for your loving hands.
I am so excited to be able to be a part of this!
Please do rest!!!!
X's & o's,min

Wendi@EveryDayMiracles said...

We know much about "house redeeming", but I must say that I never thought about it quite the way you explained it and I just love what you had to say. Your perspectives help me as I try to be patient with our process of "redemption". :)

Very exciting Chelle! I love the way the outside of the house looks. SO big and inviting.

Andi Mae said...

I've been waiting and watching for this post all week! I am so excited for you guys and your amazing lovely house. I can't wait to see all the ways you make it yours over the coming years. And oh, my. I still am in shock and insanely giddy that you are moving HERE!! All I can say is God is so very good...

Love you so much!

Deborah said...

When you said that about being young, strong, and able, a picture of Gramps and Grannie working on the log house flashed through my mind! You can do it!!!

Cottage Mommy said...

WHAT? You are moving to MY neck of the woods? I am shocked and so excited! Now I finally need to meet Andi AND you! WHEN are you moving and WHERE is this house located? You can email me that info if you don't want to post it here....the house is gorgeous by the way...looks so big and I love the style! I'm sure you will do wonders with it!

Lisa said...

it is beautiful - now, and once you put "your touch" on it!!!

your life must feel like a dream these last couple of weeks - one huge excitment after another! And I for one, could not be happier for you!!!

btw - I think this house screams red front door, just like the one you have now

Jenny said...

I'm a friend of Andi's and I just wanted to say that I can't wait to meet you! Congratulations on the purchase of your new home. It's wonderful!

On Second Street said...

it looks like a treasure waiting to be uncovered! Can't wait to hear more about it.

~beautyandjoy~ said...

CHELLE!!! I love this for you! Last night I was thinking of the same scripture Connie wrote for you and then when I opened this post it was the first thing that came to my mind again! You are going to make this home beam with loveliness and beauty and the fact that you are 15 minutes from Andi is so, so, so wonderful. That is a true gift. I am so happy for you. xo

Misha

Amy's Blah, Blah, Blogging said...

It's a beautiful home that you will surely make even more beautiful!

have a lovely said...

oh what a precious place!!! and it will most surely be beautiful once its filled with your precious family, endless laughter, and the sweet moments of everyday! sounds like your renovation with prayer before you can even get your hands on it ... is exactly what it needs as you prepare your heart to move into it and it into you!!! so very excited for you!!

Linda said...

Looks like a lovely place. I know that Andi is more than "excited" that you and her will be so close geographically now! This is so cool!!!