Where have I been?

Oh boy has a lot happened. I last update January 24 it is April in four days. So, What has happened?

I traveled to Lake City a few times to finish transporting and packing things. Most of that was done by February. There were a few times at the end of February and beginning of March that I had to go back to shovel. March 9 was kind of a hard day. I went to town to sign papers for the closing which would be happening the next week. First of all, I was an hour early because I had the time wrong. It worked out fine but still, that’s a bit early.

Then I went back to the house where I had previously dropped my mom at. We packed up the few pieces that were remaining and finished the final cleaning. Walking out of the empty house was hard. That was the last time I was at the house. I still get emotional thinking and talking about it.

It was a fun dream to chase. I made friends, I learned an incredible amount and I got to have this giant adventure. Now what? Now, what do I do? I have to figure out what I am doing now.

My Parent’s Project House

I told you guys last time my folks bought a house last August. It needed a lot of work but we have always wanted to try fixing up an old house so we went for it. Since January maybe December, I have been helping with the house consistently. It has been a full-time job. I love the work so much. It is so cool to see what you can build and design and make out of a pile of supplies. When I can figure out the problem here, I will share the pictures I have taken. At least some of them 🙂

We have learned a lot from this project. You need to have a lot of patience to get things to look right. You can be rushed on a timeline but you need to watch your measurements, sizes, and whatnot very carefully. Houses are wonky and not perfect (which drives me nuts) so you need to fudge things at times (again, drives me nuts).

You need to take days off from the site. Whether it is a day or two a week you need to take time off. Know your body when it is telling you you are exhausted, don’t push through. Sit down and take a break. Whether that is a day of shopping or staying home in a chair or spending time with friends/family. You need to take a break from the site or you will make a lot of mistakes get frustrated real easy and not be able to think through the problems that come up.

We have also learned that supplies right now are hard to come by and really expensive.

Have a budget with wiggle room. Don’t budget so tight that you can’t purchase more ______ because you didn’t plan for mistakes. Try to budget by room, not just the overall project. Know where your budget will be spent and where you can be a little cheaper. This will take trial and error to come up with a formula and answers.

Make a plan. This is huge. Yes, the plan is going to change but you need to have a written plan for yourself, your trades, and your help. Best to have this plan written out, shown in mockups and diagrams. Don’t forget the measurements 🙂

We did not have a written plan so there were times when we were standing around asking what needs to be done, what order will it be done, and so on.

We have learned so much more than just this but we can come back to that.

Moving a Young Sprout

My grandma is moving! We are so excited for her. She has lived alone in a two-story house for so long. There haven’t been any major falls’ that she has told us about but it makes us nervous.

She has been doing such a good job going through her memories, keepsakes, and special objects. It is really hard for her to part with things which I kind of understand but many times have a hard time following her deep connection. She is very sentimental, I am not so much. I try to understand but I think much of the time it is fake understanding because I truly don’t understand.

This week is the big week. Wednesday my folks, aunt, and I are going to grandma’s to finish packing. Friday is the day she moves to her new apartment. I am excited to see it and help her settle in. I am sure she is sad to leave this house, she has been there so long but this new adventure excites her too. She has already made some new friends at her apartment and she will be closer to family.

Bonus, none of us will have to go to the twin cities to see her anymore 🙂

Searching for a New Church Home

This is something I have kept on the down-low. I never really knew how to tell people without being super blunt. I guess I still don’t…

In the last few years especially I have had so many problems and questions and concerns with my denomination. I know they are sinners and they are not perfect. I use to be proud to say what synod I belonged to, now a days, I am not so sure.

For a few months, my best friend and I have been going to different churches, different denominations. Researching the churches and trying to find a new church home. It is so stressful, exhausting, and disheartening at times.

We made a list of what we are looking for in a church and the importance of each item. We have I think, 5 items that are non-negotiable but they seem to be different at churches across the valley.

I will keep this search updated as I learn more and whatnot.

My question to you all is, will you please pray for us? We are enjoying this time together having great conversations but we do want to find our new church home. We know it will take time, and we need to leave it in God’s hands. That it’s His will be done, not ours. Please pray for patience and for strength.

What’s next?

I have started to cringe at this question. It has been asked so many times and I never have an answer. I don’t know what is next. Part of my stress right now is knowing the house is almost done which means I need to start looking for a job soon. I don’t know what to do. There have been tears over this. I don’t want to work because I have to. I don’t need to so I would love to do something I want to learn about, or that I love.
It will come to fruition. All will be ok. God’s hand is at work. There is a reason I am still here. There is a reason for all of this. He is really good at teaching me and letting me know when I should follow a path and when I probably should not…

More updates soon.

May God bless you!