Perfectly Imperfect

I found this photo on Houzz recently, and I was drawn to the paint colors that were used.

The way they flow from room to room even though the colors vary.

The white trim ties it all together beautifully.

These paint colors remind me of what we used in our Dear old House.

 

Contemporary Hall design by Burlington Architect Smith & Vansant Architects PC
(click on photo for Houzz post or on the architect information for that site.)

 

I have a story to tell you.

 

When we sold our DOH, it was on a lease-to-own agreement for 1 year.

To shorten this part of the story, it didn't work out, and we have the house back.

I really don't mind, because I wasn't done with it yet

and it wasn't done with us.

 

No, we haven't moved back nor will we, but we are doing a bit of sprucing up,

getting it ready to sell again. Lauren has been putting in countless hours of repair,

redoing and repainting. I have joined him when I can.

 

Last weekend, we were there and the sun was shining in to each room,

bringing the warmth and light that has always been one of the best features

of this house. I was painting doors with the traditional white paint that is used on all

 of the trim and doors, a job that can be a bit tedious, to be sure.

 

But as I was painting, noticing each little chip and scrape, the worn hinges and the patina of the brass doorknobs and plates, it came to me;

 

This old house is becoming

perfectly imperfect.

 

In the years we have had it, we did our best to revive it and give it back its personality,

removing that which did not belong in a 1908 house, at least as far as its basic design and layout. We made her into a warm, sunny home, and now we are finishing her the best we can. Lauren has repainted some rooms in the colors we had used, similar to the house in the photo above.

We changed a few colors to give her a fresh face in rooms that needed it.

 

I told Lauren that the house wasn't done with him, that it wanted him to put a few more finishing touches on her, to make her more 
 perfectly imperfect.

 

This Dear Old House is quite plain in her design, but the old hardwood floors,

wavy windows and wide trim and baseboards have a story we hope will always be told,

to a new family who sees her for the beauty she has.

 

One of my favorite Bible verses is Philippians 1:6; it is one of the first verses

God gave me when I came to Christ. It reminds me that I am not finished,

that he is not done with me yet, that He is continuing to do a good work in me

so that on the day Christ comes, I will be ready and complete.

 

Until then, I am perfectly imperfect.

As we all are.

… He who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion
until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Benjamin Carson's Amazing Speech at the National Prayer Breakfast

This was a wonderful speech. If you don't have time to watch the whole speech, start at about minute 18. I caught the last hour of a movie on Dr. Benjamin Carson's life this week, (Gifted Hands) and it was wonderful. What a humble, godly man.

God's Help is Like the Mountain Switchbacks

We live about 60 miles from Red Lodge, MT, which sits at the base of the beautiful Beartooth Mountains. It is a true western town with a mix of all types of outdoor activities: skiing, camping, rodeos, hiking, fishing, and lots more. It is billed as "The Gateway to Yellowstone Park via the Beartooth Highway." Indeed, it is a beautiful drive through this part of Montana up to the summit  into Wyoming and over to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone Park.

 

Red Lodge, MT

 

The photo above shows the setting of Red Lodge, with a rodeo parade taking place.
There are lots of fun shops, eateries, and Bed and Breakfast Inns I love to visit.

 

But the real pull to Red Lodge are the Beartooths, and it is well worth the 
drive up the switchbacks of the Beartooth Highway.

These as just a few of the pictures I found on the Beartooth Highway website.

 

 

 

The highway is closed in the winter months for obvious reasons,
and this photo shows it in the spring after the roads are plowed...

 Beartooth Highway
 

 

I have never driven the switchbacks myself,
 but I do enjoy being a passenger and taking in the view.
Many people travel this highway every year, by car, RV, motorcycle, bicycle, or,

 in the case of the annual Peaks to Prairie Adventure Race, 
participants run from the pass at the summit to Red Lodge (about 9 miles),
and then bike another leg and then boat to Billings.

At least the running is downhill!

 

But when we are at the base of the mountain, the Beartooths seem to be overwhelmingly difficult to drive over without the help of switchbacks. The road climbs slowly and it turns one direction to the opposite direction, making the climb easier to do. This "switchbacking" makes the climb not only easier, but the views are fantastic, with each turn a new, awe-inspiring view of the mountains.

 

If I were to walk the Beartooth Highway, it would be an arduous task, and I am sure I would want to give up before reaching the peak.

 

Life seems like that sometimes.

 

The "mountains" we climb may not be the Beartooths,

but they may be overwhelming at times.

These mountains may be as mundane as

a week's laundry to do,

a test to study for,

or the pile of paperwork on a desk.

Or, these mountains may be so big

that we cannot see the peak because of the clouds,

the summit where we may claim victory seems out of reach

due to difficulties and hardships such as;

illness,

divorce,

the death of a loved one,

and overwhelming financial problems,

just to name a few.

 

But God, in His infinite wisdom, knows we cannot climb these mountains

without His help. He will lead us up these mountains as the switchbacks

lead travelers up the Beartooth Highway.

He will provide the way through His word.

 

When I worked at one of the elementary schools in our former town,

I would be sure to drive a couple of blocks out of the way so that I could

see the distant mountains. This view would refresh me and remind me of this scripture:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
    He who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, He who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    He will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121:1-8 

(photo)

 

Dreaming for spring...

The calendar says February...

 

and the days have been going back and forth from

 cold and snowy to warming up in the forties.

 

My heart and mind wander to thoughts of spring,

too early,

but enjoyable just the same.

 

I am sharing a little spring color from photos

I found on Pinterest...

 

Enjoy!