So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31

One day soon I plan to stop writing about the progress on our “new” Tarboro home, so that I can wait for the project to be completed, then splash a huge “WOW” article featuring the culmination of nine months work.

But for now please enjoy this second update since our return from Krakow almost two weeks ago. The kitchen cabinets are being painted, some of the trim is about to be installed and a lot of other detail work is under way.

I especially appreciate the thoughtfulness and creativity that Eddie (our main carpenter/everything guy) puts into his work. There is a small set of stairs, for example, that joins Rebekah’s little study to our bedroom. The steps are slightly offset and potentially a launchpad for another broken ankle.

We asked for a banister to serve as a guide. So Eddie, rather than build the clunky wooden structure I imagined, found a discarded iron rail from an old set of outside steps and reworked it into something strong yet aesthetically pleasing that fits wonderfully.

This is the kind of work that we anticipate will bring the whole project together over these last few weeks. The trims, the finishes, the cracked window panes, the fittings, the long list of visuals that typically don’t get the respect and attention they deserve (unless of course something is missed).

Part of me wants to stay away until it is all done but we can’t help ourselves, we are there almost every day.

This is absolutely the most complex and improbable project Rebekah and I have ever attempted in our life together!

Our first house (Pensacola) was a brand new patio-home, built in 1982. Then we moved to a classic 1959 ranch we worked on a little at a time over nine years. Our Brandon home was 18 when we bought it in 1996 and it grew with us to become beyond amazing over time. Maul-Hall Wake Forest was built in 1987 then transformed into a gorgeous home over our eleven-year tenure. Maul-Hall East here in Tarboro is the most ambitious venture yet, with the original heart of the structure dating back circa 1880.

So What?

My take-away from this post is that life well-lived is always a work-in-progress. No matter who we are, where we are, what is going on, or what the future holds we have the opportunity – today and going forward – to make a positive difference.

Personally, I am grateful to be where we are at this particular moment. What we make of it, only tomorrow will tell; all I know is that we are doing our very best – DEREK