the renovation process

I have a love/hate thing going with renovations. Love the end result. Love the planning. The dreaming.

The process? Not so much.

It's messy. Hard work. And while we always get off to a great start. Life happens. Construction stalls. Or maybe it just seems to. We're still hard at work. The wiring is slow. Installing the ductwork. The insulation. All that is not glamorous but so essential. It's worth the wait and hard work because the end product just would not be the same without it. Just an empty shell. A film set.

It occurred to me the other day that my life is just like a renovation. Some of the parts I'd rather just not go through. The hard days. The things that seem senseless. The pain and the trials. Just like a renovation, I need to learn more patience.

We've all heard the saying...Please be patient with me... God isn't finished with me yet. How true is that? I know that inside there's still a lot to be done. How about a little more patience. More love. More worship. A million other things too.

What inspired this whole thought process? On Sunday I was listening to some ministry on Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

God has my best interests at heart. Even when I can't see where this is going. He has a plan. A blueprint. And it's far greater than anything I can ever imagine. I can trust Him. How amazing is it that there is a particular plan for me? That God is interested in every aspect of my life?




And so along the way, I still have laundry to do, lessons to learn, a light to shine, love to bestow, a life to live and lumps to be carefully smoothed away by the Master's hand. My Father's hand.

So I'll hold on and trust. I know He'll never let me go. And I know that while the process may not be what I want much of the time, it needs to be done and I'm looking forward to seeing the end result. It's all going to be worth it.

Just a few simple thoughts from a life under construction,

Julia

What I Learned in 2009

Things I learned in 2009....

(OK, some of them were relearned or I have a new appreciation of them)

• Time seems to speed up rather than slow down
• I love digital design
• how to take better photos with Candace Stringham
• the joys of second hand shopping
• to make the most of what I have
  
• I love designing rubber stamps and it was a fabulous experience
• sometimes God closes a door
  
• All work and no play leads to creative burn-out
• Creativity comes back if you change gears for a while
• I hate being a procrastinator
• how to create a digital blinkie
  
• I rediscovered the joy of sewing on fabric
• how to paint old furniture
• to create my own wall art
  
• Good things come to those who wait...I now have a craft room!
• After 20 years of baby mania, I'm more than happy to wait patiently for my grandma years now
• that the teenage years can be the best of times but also the worst of times...six years down and just sixteen more to go! lol the joys of five kids
• kijiji.ca is a cool place to shop
• a new puppy can be more work than a new baby
• that I love to sing but should never hum
• how to make my hubby's 40th memorable
  
• I need a list to stay on track
• I'm becoming more like my mom
• to be a little less shy
• to spend less time on the computer
  
• the book of Daniel is fascinating...I loved the Beth Moore Daniel study, learned and grew so much
• balance is everything
• all good things come to an end
• time does heal all wounds...I can now remember my mom with a smile instead of a tear
• my daughter and I may just end up as close friends as my mom and I were
• "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful" ~ the Nester
• it's good to be creative in a variety of things
• I love DIY home blogs
• I can change my home little by little, step by step
• the most important job God has given me is being a mom
• that my kids will pick up my least desirable traits
  
• having my husband working out of town for seven months is an experience I don't want to repeat
• I can be more independent than I thought
  
• after 20 years of marriage, he's still the one
  
• not to take my blessings for granted
• I have a couple grey hairs
• my children never cease to amaze me
• to be kinder
• to love with abandon
• that I can trust God with every tiny detail of my life
• a couple good friends are a precious gift
• to treasure each moment
• to find the best in difficult days
• to find beauty in the mundane
  
• to take more time to enjoy the wonder God's of creations
• I am blessed
  

I'm looking forward to a wonderful year ahead. I know that God's plan for me is far more thrilling than anything I could ever plan. It's also good to look back and see the path through the past year, learn from my mistakes, be encouraged in the blessings and see the Guiding Hand that helped me through.

Wishing you a year of blessing to come!

Julia
This post links up with Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Night Special

Taking Some Time

Christmas..It's such a beautiful time of year. A very busy time of year too. Today I'm taking a little time out from the hustle and bustle and last minute preparations to think about the beauty of Christmas.




May I never lose sight of the greatest gift of all.

Julia

The Beauty of Christmas Carols

As I sat in church the other night singing Christmas Carols with a group of children, I was impressed with the beauty and truth to be found in the old traditional carols. It's not often that you hear them these days, on the radio or in the stores. Why is Santa Baby the most popular song I seem to hear? This year I'm turning off the radio and turning on some beautiful old carols and remembering the Gift of Christmas.

Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

In searching for the lyrics to enjoy again, I came across this lovely (and free!) little Christmas Carol Printable Booklet from BHG.com Some sweet graphics and 30 traditional songs, most of which include the true meaning of Christmas. I'm planning to print off some copies, gather my family together with some hot chocolate and enjoy a little family time, singing and enjoy each other's company. A beautiful little time out in this very busy season.

Wishing you a beautiful Christmas,

Julia