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The Journey to A Dream House

by | Dec 7, 2013 | Decorating Inspiration

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The Journey to A Dream House

Today I took some time to reflect back and count my blessings. Sometimes we need to look back at our story in order to see how far we’ve come! And I think it helps to hear other people’s stories of patience in the journey of creating a home. Especially this time of year when all the homes seem to look so put together, festive and even perfect! Sometimes it takes years and many challenges to get it that way.

I thought perhaps today I’d share my “waiting for my dream house” story with you. This story may be new to you so pull up a chair, grab your hot chocolate and I’ll share my tales of the last six years with you, in a very abbreviated form. Of course, the tale of our journey really began much longer than six years ago, but we don’t have that long to tell stories today, heheh, so we’ll start our story in the year 2008.

If you’ve been following along with me at The Inspired Room for awhile, I bet you’ll be as surprised as I am how many years have gone by and probably have forgotten the details anyway, so I’ll tell the story again :-).

The Journey to A Dream House

My, so much can happen in six years. At the end of 2008, after a long stressful FULL YEAR of unemployment and uncertainty of what would happen next, my husband and I packed up and left our old house in Portland right after Christmas and drove off into a blizzard (literally) towards our new rental home in a city where we knew no one.

The Journey to A Dream House

My eight year old son cried all the way to our new house because cars were spinning out of control all around us in the blinding snowstorm on the highway. He wanted to turn back, but by then we were already half way there. It was a stressful three hour drive, but it was symbolic, I think. Moving toward the unknown when you can’t see what is in front of you is risky and scary, but turning back isn’t always an option.

It’s an adventure, heading off toward the unknown.

The Journey to A Dream House

Our house in Portland would go up for sale at the beginning of January 2009. We were basically broke and had left everything we knew to start a new church three hours away from friends and family. We were so grateful (scared and excited!) that my husband had this opportunity and knew it was the right thing to do (and I was excited for the adventure!), but still the move didn’t come easily.

Not only did we leave a place we loved, the only city our family had ever called home, but we left our teenaged middle daughter with grandparents and friends to finish out her last year of high school — without us. It was a hard season.

The Journey to A Dream House

And that hard season was followed by a pretty challenging year in our new house. Our Portland house took over nine months to sell. We had only some random furniture here  (we left the rest for staging purposes) and since we were renting, we pretty much had to leave the new house as it was (swine pink walls and all), since we had no guarantees that we would ever be able to buy it and our lease agreement was a short term deal. Had this house been a long term rental arrangement, we probably would’ve gone ahead and made at least some changes!

It isn’t easy being a home blogger and not be able to do much to your house because you are in limbo! It’s a wonder my blog continued to grow, but perhaps there are many of you out there who can relate because you have waited in limbo, too. Working on our house was not really a priority right then, so we had to wait.

We paid the mortgage on that house back home AND lived in the rental house (now our home) here and tried to keep up with both lives. That was soooo stressful! To top things off, I had emergency surgery about four weeks before our church opened its doors and more bills piled up. We basically worked our tails off to keep our heads (barely) above water and everything else afloat!

The Journey to A Dream House

Meanwhile, we were not only working hard to start up the church (another long story of patience in the journey) but I was still working hard as a blogger all that time! Several years ago you didn’t get paid much if anything to be a blogger (I’ve been blogging for over seven years now, so I certainly paid my dues without earning enough for a cup of coffee!), and it seemed like everything we did was all a labor of love (which is nice, but doesn’t always pay the bills, haha).

Of course, there were many other setbacks, challenges and stressful events along the way. Mine have been minor compared to many things people face, but we all have our own set of issues.

The Journey to A Dream House

Our house finally sold in October of 2009 (that was a long exhausting story in itself!) and we were able to finally buy the home we had rented. We almost walked away from this house because it really wasn’t our favorite. We were very close to buying something else and moving once again, but it was easier to buy this house and stay than to start over with another move. And while we prefer older houses, we definitely wanted to stick with a newer house this time.

It wasn’t what we would consider our dream house or our favorite style or setting or location, but for many practical and financial reasons, this would be our home and we would find contentment in that.

The Journey to A Dream House

We didn’t have much money or time to improve or change much for the first few years of owning our home since we were busy with the church and just trying to pay the bills, but we worked with what we had until we had the opportunity to make more updates.

Fast forward to today, many long years later, we’ve been here in this house for five years, the longest we’ve ever lived in any of our six houses during our many years of married life and raising kids. That seems so strange to us, how we ended up choosing a home for practical reasons and ended up staying here the longest!

While this might not have been our chosen dream house, one of my dreams has always been to find one house we could live in for years and keep improving until we loved every inch of it.

So, in a long round about kind of way, I guess this house has turned into kind of a dream come true for me. It didn’t start out as a “dream house,” but it is an opportunity to create a home I love.

The grass is always greener where you water it, right? 

The Journey to A Dream House

Bit by bit over the five years we’ve been here, that is what we’ve been doing!

One project at a time, learning to love our house more.

We’ve completed a few bigger projects in the past year, but mostly smaller ones over the years. Whatever we could do with the time and money we had! It was slow going, but worth taking our time to end up with a house we would really love.

The Journey to A Dream House

Exactly one year ago this week, almost exactly four years after we moved in, we were finally completing a long-awaited kitchen remodel – what a blessing that kitchen has been to me this past year! I know it is just an updated kitchen and might not be that big of a deal in the grand scheme of life or on the scale of some people’s remodels or homes, but it really means a lot to me since it took so many years of waiting and working hard to get here. I’m sure many people have waited longer, but this is just my story.

While the past years have been challenging (physically, emotionally and financially stressful at times!) in both the journey to starting a church from scratch and at the same time slowly creating our home, I think we are so much more grateful for our life and home today, not because it is perfect, but because the journey wasn’t perfect. But here we are!

So, embrace your house journey! It takes time to get to where you are going!

I’ve learned about finding contentment along the way to a “dream house,” in all the twists and turns of every season.

The Journey to A Dream House

I’m excited to start a brand new year in this house, the one we have.

Our house still not perfect in every way, we have much more to do, but it is our home. How long we will stay, I don’t know. There are many places I’d rather live or other houses I would love more, I am sure, but I know we are enjoying our home more and more the longer we stay. We are content in this house, and that is such a great feeling! I have so many more projects in my mind for this house, I’m pretty excited to see how our home and life will evolve in the upcoming year.

Right after Christmas I will round up the projects we completed in this house over the past year (sheesh, and maybe even one giant before and after post of all the projects in the whole house, that would be fun!) and then I’ll start dreaming of next year.

Of course, I am well aware that life has its twists and turns so the journey will continue perhaps in other directions, in spite of my dreams! You don’t really “arrive” you just keep going on in the journey. But for now, I’m just enjoying every moment of this season right now, in this house, sitting by the fire and taking some time to breathe! It was a long six years to get here, ha ha, and I’m ready to put my feet up and sip some egg nog for a bit!

Thanks for coming along with me in this long journey of creating a home!

I hope you are finding contentment in the season you are in.

PS. My friend Jen has her own story of waiting 17 years for her dream porch! Go see her gorgeous porch! When you get there be sure you click back and read the backstory on it, I think if you are in limbo or on a budget you’ll be encouraged by her story!

 

77 Comments

  1. Lauri McIntosh

    What an amazing story. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  2. Sharon

    I find that bloggers are so generous with sharing their stories, I don’t know one person who hasn’t been effected by this economy. It’s not just the photos that keep your readers coming back for more. It’s the soul of the subject. You share yourself, and people can relate.
    Side note, your kitchen looks wonderful! I’m a new reader and will be following you.
    Happy Holidays,
    Sharon

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Hi Sharon, I’m glad you are here. Welcome! Yes, bloggers are wonderful about sharing their stories! It is always so inspiring to know how far people have come and their stories, so we can really see the heart behind their homes.

      Reply
  3. Brooke

    Thank you for sharing this with us. I always find myself fighting a greedy and consumeristic attitude this time of year, and you are right…dreams take time and God uses the waiting to refine us and change our desires into His. I’m so happy that you had a dream realized with your kitchen, it’s stunning!

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Thanks Brooke! And what you say is so true. My idea of a dream house has definitely evolved over the years as I’ve had to wait for things :-)….God is patient like that.

      Reply
  4. Lisa Bivona

    Thanks so much for this story. There is truly more to our lives, than
    our perfect dream home. I’m still waiting for mine, but right now other
    things are much more important.

    Lisa

    Reply
  5. Janine Vallence

    Thankyou for sharing, I too have moved family and home from a big city to a beach retreat and share my own story @ http://mybeachretreat.wordpress.com/ Its wonderful to hear others speak of their journeys, as none of them are easy and they make us be who we are as we search for what makes us happy in life. Looking forward to reading your other stories, and by the way – your kitchen is just amazing! I am trying to blog my story and would love tips on how to earn income from it, so far I havent had any luck that way but love writing anyway.

    Reply
  6. Jill @Still Keeping On The Narrow Way

    Thanks for sharing your story, Melissa. It was lovely to see again the huge transformation your home has gone through. Out in blog land it’s easy to think that people are snapping their fingers and their dream home appears. Thanks for reminding us that it’s a process and that any home is what you make it.

    Reply
  7. Lisa

    Melissa, it has been such a pleasure to watch you make this house into a home that you truly love and that works for your family over the past few years. I know I am not alone in saying this, but yours is the very first blog I started following back when you were in your Portland house, and reading your posts truly made me excited to start over again when we decided to downsize our house and our life. We bought a fixer upper and are into our fourth year, with miles to go before we call this our “dream home”, but even though we are living with some not-so-beautiful elements in this house, it’s been so rewarding to work on it. THANK YOU for inspiring me, not only with your home projects but also your attitude about finding contentment and your encouragement to others. I so appreciate you and your wonderful blog and wish you and your family happiness together wherever you call home!

    Reply
  8. Amber at the French Pressed home

    Oh Melissa, I know your story all too well. Somehow that magical year of 2008 brings back tons of emotion. Our move from CA to AL (this year in July) was the best thing we have ever done. It took us a while to get back on our feet before we could escape the wrath of CA. Although “we picked” where we are, somehow we still have to wonder, how did we end up here? I finally learned (the hard way) that once you give up on trying to navigate your path and let Him do it for you, it all falls into place and he puts you right where you are meant to be. Even though our teen daughter did not want to leave the comforts of her friends, she has done nothing but flourish here. Our HOME being exactly what we dream of, will take some time. After being in a rental where you cannot put even a lick of paint on the wall, I will take the not-so-pretty of this house and make it beautiful. YOU have given me faith that, although slow in progress, it will finally be what we want one day. Thanks for sharing your story. <3

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Yes, I totally agree on the giving up the navigating…everything changes when we let go and let God! It is slow going sometimes, but it is wonderful to look back and see his faithfulness to us in so many ways and all the blessings we find along the way. XO

      Reply
  9. Linda@Creekside

    We don’t have to look far to see how truly blessed we are to simply have shelter and warmth and food on the table. It’s good to speak our gratitude to each other and to the One who has blessed us so lavishly. Thanks for sharing your journey of hope, hard work, and stick-to-it-tive-ness, Melissa.

    Reply
  10. Jenny@EvolutionofStyle

    Thanks so much for sharing your journey. Life most definitely is a journey, isn’t it? We’ve been in our current hom three years now, and I remember the stress and hassle that came with it. My mom told me, “Bloom where you’re planted,” and it’s so true.

    Reply
  11. Vee

    Though I have been reading from the beginning, it was wonderful to read this review and marvel at all The Lord has brought you through, including pet loss and pets regained and a family summer home that was sold and so much more. Perhaps I am getting it now….those swine colored walls represented all that was “wrong.” So much has been set to rights!

    Reply
  12. Maureen

    Beautiful post full of wisdom and hope.

    Reply
  13. Korie

    Thank you for sharing this journey. I too left a home that was perfect for us in Florida and moved back to our roots in RI to start all over in a home that needed SO MUCH WORK!!!! Seriously, blogs like yours have been what’s gotten me through the last 2 years. From adding wood floors, to painting over every room and every inch of dark 80’s wood trim and doors….I too am slowly starting to love our new home. But the panic and uncertainty in the beginning was HARD!!! Seriously.. brass fixtures… red velvet carpet… and crying children that missed their friends… no bueno!!! Sometimes, I get frustrated that we have been in this house over a year and all my projects are not complete… Thanks for the perspective… it does indeed take time. A kitchen reno is in our future too…but for now, I am just going to appreciate what we have. Everyone has a story, sometimes we need to look back to see indeed how far we have come. Happy Holidays Melissa!!!

    Reply
  14. Marisa

    Melissa that was a beautiful story. I have such admiration for all that you’ve gone through. God had a plan for you – and here you are. The story is so very inspiring!! A house is simply a house. It is the love of the people inside that make it a home and you’ve obviously done that. We left a beautiful home that we built in the country and downsized. Right now we live in a small ranch and I’m trying to figure out how to make it homey while trying to start my own blog. I love your posts they always make me feel better.

    Reply
  15. Jackie

    Boy, can I relate! It’s nice to know there are others in the same boat rowing toward our final destination of dream home…I too am in a rental, after living in a fancy 4,500 sf home. It’s an adjustment for sure. But building a business is not for the faint of heart. My hat is off to you for crafting a lovely blog & creating a charming place to call home.

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      No, it sure isn’t for the faint of heart! :-)

      Thank you so much, hope you keep rowing along toward the goal! :-)

      Reply
  16. Midwestgirly

    You made my morning. As I sit frustrated in my half done kitchen that we have been planning for over a year. It was to be completed this week but wasn’t due to things not fitting and a dishwasher not delivered and the sink leaks. He won’t be back till after Christmas. We have three other rooms in progress and life is in shambles around us. But God is good and we are learning and changing ourselves along the way. I can always find others going through more difficult times to compare my troubles to and it help me to be grateful. Thanks for your story. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    Reply
  17. Renee Brooke

    Oh my…we need to talk. Remember I told you I am also married to a pastor…we turned leadership of our Portland church plant over last year and also was a year unemployed. Left everything we knew as a family and our beautiful Portland home and moved across country to Florida. AND, left my 17 year old son behind to live with church family to finish his senior year! Let’s talk. :)

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Well, yes, we sure do! We have lots in common, that’s amazing! Let’s talk! My email is theinspiredroom @ gmail.com

      Reply
  18. Colleen

    So I have been reading your blog intermittently since 2009 or 2010, when I first learned more about blogs and all they have to offer. Despite reading and enjoying your posts, and even getting an answer back on the subway tile in the kitchen in your Portland home (thanx!), I had no idea you were under any type of stress beyond needing to sell your previous home in a sluggish (i’m being kind here) housing market and transitioning to a new community d/t your husband’s new job. Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful story of real life and allowing yourself to make your love for your home a priority despite an obvious need to budget during a nationwide recession. You certainly sounded happier than you probably felt… I think this is your best post!

    Reply
  19. peggy

    Thank you–what a beautiful story–an inspiration to us all.

    Reply
  20. Sharon

    This journey has been your Biblical “season of sifting.” My husband and I began our own “season” in December 2007. We moved from a city we had called home for 30 years. We moved into our new home in our new city…without our old home having sold–but having been for sale for 5 months. In August 2008 my husband lost his job (at age 64). It’s a little un-nerving to own two homes in different cities and have no income. But God had a plan…lean on Him and realize (finally) that we are NOT in control. Our old home sold after 17 months on the market (at a loss), but we survived…flourished even. My husband retired and spends his days volunteering in the technical area of our church. We are truly blessed…as are you!

    Reply
  21. Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm

    Thank you for writing a portion of your story; it’s quite timely for my situation. Just returned home yesterday from looking at a farm for sale; it’s not my dream house (not even close) but I carry my happy with me and it will be just fine IF that’s where God wants me. My contentment is huge, my happy small but that’s to do with Dave’s death 2 years ago. I am so ready for a change and choose to trust God to put my feet on the path He has ordered for me.
    Honesty and transparency are in short supply; God bless you for your faithfulness.

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Blessings back to you, Sandra. I cannot imagine your situation and pray you’ll find just where God is leading you in your new chapter of life. A change can so good for our hearts. Hugs to you, sweet lady.

      Reply
  22. Teri

    Thanks for sharing this —I am new to your site so I was not aware of the whole story. Your story is truly inspiring to us all. God bless you and your family!

    Reply
  23. Sharon B.

    What an inspiring story! You have turned your house into a beautiful home. It is gorgeous but it’s also warm and inviting. The grass is greener where you water it indeed! Thank you for a great read on this Sunday morning. Sharon

    Reply
  24. Jennifer

    What a great story and gorgeous house! Thanks so much for sharing and for being an inspiration to so many people. xx

    Reply
  25. Jo @ To a Pretty Life

    Oh, I can definitely relate to the feeling of loving something the more you do to it! I still miss our last house and its postage-stamp shady backyard. This duplex has quite a few challenges (mostly space-related: four people in a poorly-designed 1200sqft isn’t really working). But I am almost starting to get attached to it, after 5 years of living here. After the Christmas decorations come down, I plan to give each room an overhaul, getting rid of things we don’t use, or boxing up those I can’t part with. That should help us make better use of what space we do have. If only my husband would let me paint the kitchen cabinets!

    Reply
    • Jo @ To a Pretty Life

      Oh, and your home looks positively gorgeous, with that bright and beautiful kitchen!

      Reply
  26. Sharleen

    Your story is a testament to the promise that God will provide for your needs, NOT necessarily your wants. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  27. Dianne

    Melissa, I don’t usually post comments on blogs, but so many of your posts have resonated with me, so it’s time to let you know! You really are an inspiration. I love your home and enjoy reading about your projects. And I enjoy Jack’s Blog as well. Every photo on it warms my heart as we lost our OES this summer after 15 years. Jack reminds me a lot of her.Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2014!

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Thank you Dianne, I appreciate that you took the time to post a comment. I’m so glad you are here reading and that you enjoy Jack, too :-) ….I’m happy to share him and Lily and all their antics because I know they bring smiles and laughs to people! Take care.

      Reply
  28. Pamela

    What a beautiful, encouraging story. My home is in a constant state of change. But it is the only home that we have owned and it is my favorite. I love it and really hope that we can live the rest of our lives here. God had truly blessed us.
    *Smiles*

    Reply
  29. Allison

    Thank you, thank you, thank you for this post. My husband and I bought and moved into a house we love 2 months ago; there’s so much I want to to do it, but we just don’t have the money right now, so we are still sitting on just a futon in the living room with paint swatches on all the walls. It’s a hard lesson in patience. It’s so good to read that people like you with beautiful homes are also familiar with the “hurry up and wait” feeling. I can’t wait to look back in 5 years; hopefully our house will have come just as far as yours. Thanks for the blessing today, I really needed it!

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      You are welcome, thank you for coming by and the sweet comment. I hope you enjoy every moment of the journey in your new home. I remember seeing many paint splotches on our walls over the years and wished we could hurry things along, too! One improvement at a time, but you’ll get there! xo

      Reply
  30. Tina

    Great story-Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  31. Karen Schravemade

    Beautiful and inspiring – thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
  32. Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle

    What a great story! God blessed us with this house 13 years ago, and it has transformed into our home. Not a dream home, but our home. There are still things that I would love to change, but we have also been able to make several changes along the way. Your home is beautiful! Merry Christmas! Melissa

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Thank you, Merry Christmas to you. I think 13 years in a house would be quite nice, we’ll see if we get to stay here that long! :-)

      Reply
  33. Richella Parham

    Wow, Melissa. I can’t believe it’s been five years! I’m so proud and happy for you to have moved beyond the swine walls builder-grade cabinets and everything else into a space that you love–without ever having actually moved! I love your story, and I’m glad you shared it. It reminds me of one of my favorite Eugene Peterson books–have you read A Long Obedience in the Same Direction?

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      I have not read that book but I’m going to have to find it! Thanks Richella, thanks so much lovely lady. You are a blessing.

      Reply
  34. Melinda

    Love your story and your home. Could you share the colors you picked? Tile choice and grout in particular? They are gorgeous!!

    Reply
  35. Sarah

    An amazing and uplifting story. God is good isn’t he? Love your blog| keep up all your hard work.
    Sarah

    Reply
  36. Carolina

    I just loved this post, the best ever. Thank you for sharing it with us! Very inspired! Best,

    Reply
  37. Melanie

    I can relate to your story in many ways. My husband and I are returning to our house in Florida after being away on a project for two years in California. It’s a 10 year old spec house with no personality in its bones. We bought it out of desperation, which is never a good idea. We had hoped to begin making changes upon our return such as- pull up the carpets and put down hardwood floors. Then eventually (as our budget would allow) we wanted to add crown molding (it doesn’t even have it around the windows), built in bookcases, a gas fireplace, kitchen redo, and add a half bath. But with the uncertainty of my husband’s job, we won’t begin making any of those changes. Two different families lived in our house (at different times) while we were gone – rent free and they took care of the yard and pool. It helped them out and it helped us. But with that said, it’s received a lot of wear and tear. I’m disappointed that I’ll have to live with the worn out and stained carpets, the cheap countertops, the lack of personality the bones of the house has, but I’m determined to make it home. I’m hoping I can find some reasonable area rugs to put over the “beyond repair” carpets until we can put down hardwoods. And paint and window coverings always go a long way. It won’t be my dream home, but after two job losses in our 32 years of marriage, we want to be wise financially. Thank you for sharing your story, it spoke to me. Before reading it, I have felt envious of your home’s beauty and maybe even resentful that I can’t have it too. Yet, I know from experience that “things” don’t make me happy- only finding all I need in Christ does. Thanks again for sharing! And I’m so happy for you that you have a beautiful home!

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Thank you, Melanie. I loved reading your story. I’m sure you’ll find a way to make that house a home! PS I remember how happy I was when I got new sisal rugs to cover our stained carpet … :-) they made me feel like I could live with the wall to wall carpet a little bit longer! And you are right, paint will go a long way. We don’t have molding on our upstairs bedroom windows, so curtains help a lot! :-)

      Reply
  38. Livia Drennan

    Such an inspiring story. Tank you for sharing this beautiful journey and perfect home!

    Reply
  39. Pamala

    I am so blessed to have found you and learn more about you. Please continue to write and I will continue to read. I think we have several similar circumstances in our lives. By the way, your home is lovely. You are doing an excellent job, to be admired.

    Reply
  40. Melinda@ Love Melinda

    I loved reading your story! What a great journey you’ve been on. And a lovely house!

    Reply
  41. Jenny

    Thank you Melissa for sharing your story. It took a great deal of courage to make such a move especially having to leave one child behind. I enjoy checking in with you every day and seeing the many wonderful changes you have made to your home over the years. We are celebrating our first Christmas in our new home but our house journey did not come without a great deal of struggle and sacrifice. Knowing this makes me appreciate it even more and enjoy every day I get to spend here.

    Reply
  42. Diane | An Extraordinary Day

    I think it was the fall of 2009 when I first started reading your blog. Throughout time I have caught bits and pieces of your journey…but I appreciate reading it in its entirety. Life is hard….why do we think that we shouldn’t have challenges and hurdles along the way? But we do. You seem to have navigated your challenges in an amazingly graceful way. I commend you for your persistence and optimism. Just look at where you are now. May you continue to find contentment and may God’s hand of favor and blessing be yours in abundance in the new year.

    We are now 11 months into a second bout of unemployment for my husband. If I think about it too much I could have a panic attack. But…God is faithful to give us his peace when we trust him….even if it’s just for the next 10 minutes. ;) I am so looking forward to this leg of the journey being over and moving into our own home.

    Through my challenges, I have enjoyed seeing the good things happening in your life, Melissa. It’s inspiring and gives me hope.

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Ugh, those years of unemployment stink. I’m so sorry, I know how you feel in not wanting to think about it too much lest you panic… haha. That is probably why it was good for me to have a blog, it kept me focused on the positive things I could do in the mean time! But I have no doubt good things are coming your way, Diane! Good things!

      Reply
  43. Amy Galaz

    Melissa thank you so much for this posting. For the last year my son and I have been homeless, and have lived in 5 places. All year I’ve been believing God for a “cozy home” for my son and I. One that would be just his and mine, one where we could have peace and joy and eventually a puppy!! The last place we lived was in a homeless shelter. During that time many people prayed for us and I believed for a miracle. I also believed God would close any doors that were not His will, and open the opportunities that were His will. I applied for an apartment, but someone else got it. I was given an opportunity to live in a lower level in a home of a couple in our church. We would have each a bedroom, a living room, a bathroom and a refrigerator with some space for food and a table to eat. The kitchen we would have to share. At first I said no because I believed God had something better for us, but then realized it was our only option so that was where God wanted us. So now I believe that our next home will be our dream home, that we are still on our journey to that home, and it will all have been worth it. Your blog for me is confirmation that my son and I are on a journey to our dream home as well. And that what we have been believing for is right around the corner and will be better than anything we could have ever imagined.
    Thank you for your inspiration in your determination, your faith and positive outlook. God is certainly using your journey to inspire other’s journeys.
    God Bless

    Reply
  44. Loribeth

    What a great inspiration. It’s wonderful to see the struggles you’ve overcome. I know how tough unemployment can be. My husband and I were both unemployed at the same time for a long time. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  45. Sandy J.

    What an amazing journey you and your family have been on. God always restores what has been taken. Humility always comes before honor. I’ve been a widow now for three years and yes many changes have come along with that for me and my kids aka big kids. Being on this earth I feel its all about learning and teaching each other. God does have a master plan and its just being patient enough to wait for it. Wonderful posting. Blessings :O)

    Reply
  46. Mer

    I love this post so much, and it’s so timely for me. My husband and I are in the process of buying our first home, and we’re super nervous about everything going through. We’ve been in a 700 sf apartment for the past three years, and we’re so ready to have a place of our own to care for and decorate, but we keep ourselves from getting overly excited because we’re worried about it all falling through (having our very own place–with elbow room–almost seems too good to be true!). Your message about this all being a journey and loving the place you’re in as you get to where you’re going is so true, and such a great reminder. Thank you, and Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  47. victoria

    Melissa,
    Thanks so much for sharing your amazing testimony! What an inspiration especially at this time of the year when we can all get so caught up in the frenzie of the season and forget where we came from and where we are going. It is truly remarkable the path that God will lead us down if we just trust in him. God Bless. Victoria

    Reply
  48. Autumn Swindoll

    Hi Melissa! I’ve just recently discovered your blog, and fell in love with it, in large part because of your emphasis on patience the contentment with where you are. My husband and I just moved across the country into our first home this past February – quadrupling our square footage after spending our first years of marriage in tiny southern California apartments. It’s wonderful to imagine the possibilities for this house! I knew all along that it would be a slow process, but that reality really sank in shortly after our move when we realized that we wouldn’t be able to get maternity medical coverage in our insurance. Since we wanted to have a few more kids within the next couple years, we knew that would become our primary financial focus, leaving home improvements until after the huge expenses of having babies, and maybe even for a few more years after that until I return to more regular work. We’re now expecting our second baby, and are tightening our belts as much as possible to save for it! Well, not so much my literal belt. ;) So, we have lovely expanses of wood floor with no rugs to make them comfy, several walls with no art, and one room that’s entirely empty altogether. This season of waiting often feels like it corresponds with other significant aspects of waiting in my life – waiting for healing; waiting for growth and understanding. Sometimes the slowness and waiting are miserable, but other times they are exhilarating, because they remind me that I am living an unfolding story, and that I will come out of waiting having grown and changed from the way I am today. So much goodness tends to happen amidst waiting. (I suppose Advent is a good time of year to be reflecting on this!) I’m glad to have found your blog, because your writing reminds me of all this – and gives me some lovely decorating ideas to tuck away for when the waiting is over. :-) Thanks for sharing your story!

    Reply
  49. Shannon [Our Home Notebook]

    Thanks so much for sharing your story. I love your thoughts on contentment and waiting and making home where you are. It is such a journey but even though it can be hard it’s filled with such blessing. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  50. Amanda

    Thank you so much for your story. I am a strong believer in God and believe that God sent me to your website for me to read this story. I have been married for 3 years. When we first got married we were living in a house my husband bought before we got married in sunny Florida. Last year my husband announced that he wanted to be promoted and we had to move to Rhode Island into a 1 bedroom apartment. We have been here a year and I often find myself feeling sorry and missing my house. I had become resentful of my husband and really was getting inpatient. Hearing your story reminded me that we go through seasons in our life and that if we are faithful and don’t grow weary doing well that God is faithful to His promises and will give us the desires of heart. Thank you again for sharing this… you have blessed me more than you know!

    Reply
  51. Doreen Grace

    You have a special way of making everything around your home seem very personalized, so it’s really neat to see how you’ve turned your new house into a home that reflects your uniqueness. (I especially love the way you decorated your front porch… it’s like something straight out of a fairy tale!)

    Reply
  52. Ashley Busse

    Loved reading your story. I identified so much with it! We just moved into a new home after living for years (with two kids and a dog) in an 800 square foot home with no way to imagine ever getting out from under that mortgage (after the housing bubble burst)! But God has blessed us far beyond our limited imaginations, and I truly appreciate our new home– our “grown-up home”– and am just loving making it ours– finally!

    Reply
  53. Lorri

    I’m not sure if I’ve read this blog before, but this post meant a great deal to me. I am in Limbo myself right now.

    Reply
  54. tara

    I love your story, Melissa.
    It’s been so cool to watch the journey from my computer screen.

    I started reading blogs for the first time in 2008, and yours was one of the first ones I came across.

    The whole time I was reading this post, I kept thinking about how amazing it was that you continued to be a wonderful home blogger, while you waited to sell the house and make this one more you.

    Reply
  55. Tracy

    Great story! Thanks for sharing. As the saying goes, things come to those who wait!. Oh, how true that is!.

    Reply
  56. Emily

    Wow, thanks for sharing! I can relate to so much of this right now! I’m a new mom blogger, in “living limbo,” and we are helping plant a church in Beaverton, OR! Seeing your light at the end of the tunnel gives me encouragement and hope for ours!

    Reply
  57. Voula

    I have just read your story about changing house, being in limbo, and finally feeling content even though it is not your dream home. This resonates with me on a few levels! Have lived in two different houses for the last 14 years and neither has felt like home. The frustration has finally built up and finally, this year, I have cracked AND decided it’s time for a change…for us, there are a lot of unknowns – the housing market in Australia is very overpriced and prices go up quickly, so we could sell and find that we can’t afford to buy again…another risk is we want to stay close to kids’ school, older child finishes high school in a year and half so I am praying the disruption to her life will be minimal. There are so many things about the future that terrify me, however, at least I have mentally arrived at the conclusion that this home is not for me anymore, it has been a very painful process…Thanks for sharing your story!

    Reply

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