They will rebuild the ancient ruins;
they will restore formerly deserted places;
they will renew ruined cities,
places deserted in generations past. – Isaiah 61:4
Among many other activities over the weekend, Rebekah and I managed to spend quite a bit of time in the “new” house. Not much has happened this past week in terms of stuff I can actually see, so mostly this was an exercise in imagination (Rebekah is a lot better at this than I am).
Yes, there were guys under the house dealing with the foundation. And, yes, the electrician has been getting a lot done. And we know there are windows on order for the former sleeping porch. Plus our rental house is slowly being overrun by boxes containing lights and chandeliers and fixtures and fans and – yes – even the kitchen sink. But, while Rebekah sees all the progress and the potential with beautiful clarity, it is not always that easy for me.
My study is going to be amazing!
She is walking around with a tape-measure along with a room-by-room list of the furniture we will be bringing. I am wondering when they will be getting all the old toilets out of my study!
My study is, by the way, an amazing space. It’s right off the entry hall, boasts twelve-foot ceilings and has tall windows on three walls. This will be my ultimate writing mecca.
“That gas line’s gotta go!”
The challenge is getting everything in the right order – and keeping communication lines open. Kitchen cabinets have to wait for the electrical work; the electrician can’t finish till the wall is framed out behind the refrigerator and he knows exactly where the island will be; cabinet guy can’t do his final measurements until the drywall is in; meanwhile the plumber goes ahead and puts in pipes without looking at the plans. And that’s just the kitchen!
The good news is that Rebekah and I are not in a hurry. Sure we’re excited about moving in one day, but the last thing we want is for anyone to feel pressured. We respect the workers, we admire their skills, and we want to see them enjoying their work, doing their best.
Besides, there is still way more for us to do over in Wake Forest.
Aaron, who is running the project, is extremely patient, good natured about everything and a joy to work with. Just don’t expect to receive your “Open House” invitation any time soon!
This is DEREK MAUL, reporting from our hopes and dreams in Tarboro, “The Crossroads of Western Civilization,”
You should be giving your house away to the “newcomers”.
That’s a novel idea! Who did you have in mind? I think we will be putting the house to work instead, reinvesting in the local economy.