Russ had a great meeting with the contractor Saturday morning. They looked at our barn and the storage space Russ is planning to create. They decided more structural support is necessary, which means more planning is needed before we can jump in.
Saturday night we had a long dinner with our friends Rick and Beth. Three hours were devoted to a good, hard look at our finances. In some ways we are in good shape, and we can tolerate some debt, but likely not the amount we would need to take on the large remodel we want. Oh, the balance of “wants” and “needs”.
Rick asked us where we want to live in ten years, and then twenty. We would love to live right here in this house, unless the Lord has a different plan. He asked how many kids we thought might be living at home in ten years. Now there’s a tricky question – who knows what God might do? We talked about our vision for how we want our home to serve our family, and others in need of a home.
Clearly, the most pressing need is for one bedroom with a bathroom for Dimples, which could be accomplished with a garage remodel – this would also mean a need for alternative storage. The barn loft is a possibility, a large shed is also an option.
Another idea we’ve been tossing around would be to build a barn/shop with an apartment over it. Our big boys could move out there; it could also be used for older kids coming home to visit, and for other guests or people in need. I dream of having a place for a teen mom and her baby – wouldn’t that be great? Then we could convert the boys’ bedroom into a space for Dimples, or maybe even two small bedrooms.
I am not a numbers person, but I even wonder if we could swing those two projects, which would give us a shop/barn for storage, tools, the tractor, etc. As well as bedrooms, space for the older boys, a playroom, and some of our other “wants”.
Overall, I’m thankful to have a realistic perspective on our finances and the options we have. We’ll see what the Lord has in mind; thankfully, I think we’re getting closer to knowing His will.
Here are a few books that I would like to read as we work through our plans. I read the first one awhile ago, but it’s the book on remodeling that really interests me. I’m sure the plans are all intended for smaller families, and ones without special needs kids, but the principles may still be helpful.
Have you read any of these? Are there any books you would recommend?
Once again, thank you for all of the great comments; I can’t tell you how much I appreciate hearing from you. Please keep the comments coming – this conversation is very helpful.
If you’re catching up, you may want to read the previous Home posts:
Home: Debt, Faith, and Blessing
Lisa
Hey Lisa my husband is an architect and does renovations mostly. If you all would have some questions or needs ideas he'd love to help consult with you. http://www.me-architects.com
Sounds exciting!
Chris
Thank you, Chris! How did I not know that? Once we figure out what we are going to do, it would be great to have him give us recommendations.
We haven't done any remodeling because we built our house (moved in 8 years ago, but we're still building it around us lol). But it sounds like fun and a worry all at once. Except worry is a waste of time and energy.
I was just thinking of a book I read a while back (The Cross and the Switchblade, or maybe it was the sequel) but David put out his speaking requests on pieces of card and asked God which ones he was to go to. I'm wondering if you couldn't do the same. Once you've done the preparation (and it sounds like you have), then you have the options and the costings. Maybe write each option on a piece of paper and put them all out on the table and ask God, "Which one?" Making decisions this big with your finances and where you will be in the future is best done by someone who actually knows the answers to what is in your future! It sounds simple, but at least then your only real worry is figuring out if you're listening to God and at least your focus is in the right place!
That is a beautiful idea – thank you. I'm so excited to finally be getting close to a decision. You are so right that worry wastes time.
In your last post you mentioned doing a donate button. I hope you do that so that we can support this goal. Or you can shoot me an email and I’ll paypal you something small. We just finished studying about George Muller and it changed our perspective about so many things. So you ask the Lord to provide and we’ll be his servants in helping make things happen!
Thank you, Angela; I appreciate the encouragement.
I agree with Angela- as I suggested in your first post! If you are uncomfortable with the idea of a donate button another alternative might be to just set up a private agreement with those individuals who approach you about helping?
I understand that this is a very personal decision and hope that I am not being pushy with my suggestions. One thing us readers have in common is a tremendous respect for you and whatever decisions you make.
Sara, I was talking with Russ about it tonight and I'm rolling it around in my mind. Maybe I could do a "Build a Room for Dimples" campaign… We'll see.
I love this idea Lisa!!
I do, too!
I work with foster kids in TX and have been lurking around your blog since I heard you speak at an Empowered to Connect conference last year. I am deeply challenged by your persistence and your faith in adoption of kids from hard places. So often I wish I could channel your skill, passion, insight, persistence, and ultimately your faith to prospective adoptive families for my toughest kids. But I know you guys can't do what you do without Jesus, which is the greatest testimony of this blog. I am reminded to pray for more of Him for those kiddoes. Would love to support you guys in continuing to serve Dimples.
You are so right, Erin, we could do none of this on our own. I'm glad you've been following since ETC – that's nice to know. Thanks for the encouragement about the "donate" button.
Lisa – we would certainly contribute something if you had a campaign!! We haven't even brought our little one home yet and you have helped me so much!! Love you and remember that God can do infinitely more than we can ever hope or imagine!!
Thank you, Mavis, you are a blessing to me.
Thankful you have a step in the right direction. Praying the Lord brings it all together smoothly! (and quickly! :)
Thank you – I'm ready for an answer, preferably an audible voice from the Lord :-)
I agree that it would be great if your readers had a way to contribute toward a campaign like this. The Lord could lead people to pray or give, or both. I know I'd love to contribute something. It wouldn't be much, but if many gave a little…how awesome it could be. :) (I know the Lord will give you wisdom in this decision. I know it's different when you're on the receiving or asking end. But there is great blessing for the giver too!) :)
Michelle, I appreciate your encouraging words. I'll be sure to let you all know.
Your housing dilemma hits home with me. :) We have only four children…the oldest three we brought home from Russia. Our oldest, a girl, of course has her own room…as there are three boys following. Our second has RAD, and thus has his own room. That takes up the bedrooms in our house minus ours, of course. :) We're in the process of making our upstairs bathroom into a bedroom for child #3….who has such serious non-sleeping issues that he really can't share a room unless we don't want anyone to sleep. Our fourth was a surprise biological child!! God's ways are mysterious. :) He is now 7 months old and still sleeping in our bedroom. When our third child gets moved to the bathroom-turned-bedroom, our fourth will take the floor bed in the living room. :) It's working. For now. Not sure what we'll do if God decides to bless us with more little ones!! Praying for you and your family. Not only on the housing end but also about Dimples. How well I know what havoc one child can wreak on the rest. Blessings to you~
Jody, thank you for sharing so much of your family's needs. We had no idea this would be an issue when we brought our children home, and I'm guessing you didn't either. One of the key factors needed by adoptive parents is flexibility – and I think you are doing quite well.
Lisa, I have been thinking about this since first reading your post. I keep having this nudging to tell you to "put your pride aside and allow others to help be the hands and feet of Jesus (with donations)." Which, honestly, I don't like to use the word "pride"–but that is what that nudging (God?) keeps telling me to tell you ;-) And then I got to the comments and saw others are saying the same thing! LOL! Maybe we are being the "audible voice from the Lord" you are seeking? I don't know. I do know I would contribute and love the idea of "build a room for Dimples" but think it needs to be expanded to "build a home expansion/add-on for Dimples and her family." People could contribute to "buy" certain things like "a wall" "1/4 carpet for one room" or "lightswitches"–something for every budget! Don't underestimate the power of God to use His people to help you. Think big! "All things work together for those who love the lord" Blessings! Ann
Ann, you are making me cry. Good words, my friend. I'll share them with Russ. If we do this, we need to give some thought to the right way to accomplish it – the technical aspects, the wording of how to explain it, etc. I never thought pride was a problem for me…until I did a Bible study with a friend and was SO convicted. The Lord just keep peeling so many things away. Blessings to you.