Fences

I’ve been thinking a lot about fences lately.  Maybe because we are having our new horse fence installed around the property (for the dogs). But more specifically, I’ve been thinking about fences in my own life.  Moral fences.  A few years ago, I heard a really good sermon series from James MacDonald called “5 Moral Fences” and it helped to carve and change some of my thought patterns.  Last year, Cindy and I made the commitment that we would no longer watch any R rated movies. They really don’t add any value to our lives other than to pollute our minds with sex, violence, and poor moral standards so decided to eliminate them.  Good choice

Spending the holiday week in our new house, we decided to take some down time from moving to watch some movies (and because we no longer have cable TV). We were appalled at what is passing for PG-13.  We watched a couple of my old favorites from my pre-Christian days, The Jerk and A River Runs Through It and even Love Story, although Cindy didn’t manage to stay awake for the last one). Every movie was full of offensive language.  No, not the simple curse word here in there but the big ones…the ones that use our Lord’s name in a dishonoring way.  We turned them off.

I am not a prude and I realize that many, many people cuss.  I hear it all the time.  Yes, even from Christians. (By the way…pi**ed off is a curse word.)  On a side note...someone once suggested a great way to determine if something is a curse word…When her husband used a bad word in the car and defended it, she asked if it would be OK for their 4 year old daughter to say those words from the back seat of the car.  Hmmmmmm...

To use our Lord's name in a way that is anything less than giving to Him the honor and glory that He deserves is offensive to me (and many others I am sure).  Yes, that includes saying “Oh my God!” God deserves our very best and that includes our best language.  Please don’t use His name in an irreverent manner.  He has a lot to say in His word about the use of our words. After all, one of the big 10 (Commandments that is) tells us not to. While it is true that the 10 Commandments in their original form are no longer binding (as we are under the New Covenant), it is also true that God takes the use of His name very seriously. In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus said "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give an account of it in the day of judgment."

So God doesn't have a last name (and you know which one I am referring to) and Jesus Christ is not a curse word. It is the name of our Lord, our God, and our Savior, and He is worthy of praise, honor, and glory.

I realize that I can’t place my personal convictions on others but I can choose what I will and will not allow into my own life.  

Fences.  Keep in mind that they aren’t just for keeping good things contained.  Sometimes, they are for keeping bad things out.

What fences have you established in your own life?

Progress!

Aqua? Really?

OK, so the chartreuse wall in the old house wasn’t enough for me.  My new accent color is Aqua Bay!  I wasn’t sure if I liked it last night right after I painted it but here it is.  Red on one side, aqua on the other.  I’m not sure if it shows up in the picture but it has some teal tones to it so it goes well with the other colors that will be in the room.  Aqua…it’s new, it’s bold, and it’s in our living room!

Top ten things I’ve learned so far about living in the country…

Top ten things I’ve learned so far about living in the country…

1. Well water makes nasty coffee.  No, I won’t get used to it.  It’s nasty. Period.
2. Having a septic system makes one much more aware of what is going in the toilet.  Just saying.
3. It’s quiet.  Very quiet.  (In a good way)
4. There are smells that cannot be identified. (See #2 above)
5. Barn cats are annoying and ALWAYS hungry.  Anyone want a cat?
6. Our dogs LOVE chasing barn cats.
7. The sunrises are incredible!  God is a wonderful artist.
8.  Moles make the yard really squishy when you walk on it.
9. The sound of rain on a barn roof is a beautiful sound.
10.   Hearing gun shots in the country don’t make me as nervous as hearing them in the city.

NOW it's a home!

The house we bought just became a home. It needed a flag.  All homes need a flag. 

We live in the greatest country in the world, yet many people have no grasp on the concept of patriotism. A deep rooted love for my country is part of who I am.  It was instilled in me as a child by my father, Wendell L. Colegrove, WWII Veteran, patriot and lover of our great country. 

As a child, I was taught to respect the flag and to always treat it with honor and dignity. Not necessarily the flag itself, but for what represents and to give honor of those who fought and died for what the flag represents. 

I am grateful that my dad gave to me his patriotic spirit.  That is a part of him I will always have with me.

Update:
A few before and after photos

Morning at the farm.

The first sunny day we've had. This is the view from our front porch. Simply beautiful.

Raisin enjoying the sunrise

Dandelion in winter?

Exploring the back 40

The Red Door

Great Christmas day project. I just couldn't resist. It's amazing what a little color can do. 

First Christmas at the farm.

It was fast and furious.  Merry Christmas everyone.

Coffee Bar Project

OK, so we have a lot of pending projects.  One of those projects is our kitchen coffee bar.  The plan is to build a coffee bar out of the old barn wood we picked up from a local church who tore down an old barn.  Actually, it is the church of the people who sold the house to us.  Kind of a cool connection don’t you think?

Anyway, my vision for this bar is to be about 10 feet long and have a coffee bar and counter to sit and look out the window.  It will incorporate a chalkboard and some really cool wall art. 

The score of the week was these two iron barstools that I got from a thrift store.  $60 for both!  I wanted to paint them turquoise, distress them and then re-upholster with cowhide.  That was until I found out the price of authentic cowhide.  Cha-ching!!!  So….instead, we are going with the original black iron and a really cool rooster print for the seats.  I hope you like them!

For now, we are looking for a tall café table that we can use with the barstools.  That is, until we build the coffee bar.  

Ta-da!

The Big Move!

Our new welcome mat

Well, we did it!  We moved!

It was cold and long and we are weary and tired but we made it to the farm!

Cindy putting up the mailbox (let's see if the kids knock it down).

Some great friends brought us some hot food and we were grateful. God is so good.  He knows exactly what we need when we need it.

We even managed to put up a small tree (on a box). 

Moving is hard work!

The wallpaper is gone!

Let the remodeling begin...

The beginning of the painting frenzy!

Moving Day!

Well, today is the big day.  There is only one word to describe it....Whew!  I'm glad it's over.

We got the keys!

Finally!

Two weeks after closing it's ours!  It seems surreal and we are hoping it feels like home soon.  First things first...we started stripping the wallpaper.










Oh, and our beautiful yard...completely torn up from installing the new septic system.  It's going to be a muddy winter.

To commemorate the day, we planted a tree.  Actually, we dug it up and brought it from our other property.  It is a Japanese Maple which by tradition, promotes good health and longevity. There is a little wisteria vine we brought with us too.

The Road home

Our country road

The dream of moving to a new house started a few years ago and here we are -two city girls moving to the country.  It's been a long process with a lot of hurdles along the way, but here we are. Moving day is five days away.  The sellers aren't moved out yet, the septic system hasn't been installed yet but we know God is in control.  He is always in control.  Through all the stress and frustration we've experienced,
He has been orchestrating this process every step of the way.

We dedicate this blog and this journey and our property to God.  Please join us in praying for what God is going to do with and through this property.  It is all for His glory.

This is our journey.