Will it ever be done?

I must admit that this is a question I had for many days these past few weeks. I have had to practice my patience A LOT. Even as I speak, I am sitting on my deck as a man is using a circular saw to cut wood maybe 3 feet from me. It's quite loud and dust is flying in my eyes. I've just been trying to not let it get to me, all this action going on, and not feeling like I have a home really. I think that I've been holding up pretty well all things considering, and now, four weeks later, I can see that end coming soon.
God has been testing my faith a whole bunch in various situations that I won't go into here. But just the fact that I can strengthen that faith through these experiences is a wonderful thing. I am counting my blessings, even though the "human" thing to do is harp on what I lack. So many verses have just been hitting me lately in a sporadic way. I'll just be sitting there and a verse will pop into my mind, and I am just amazed at how perfect God's word is.
I'm glad that the kitchen is coming together. I'm excited to cook again after this hiatus in a new kitchen! I'm thankful that I am blessed enough to have all this. Wow. I hope I use these blessings well.

Home is where the heart is...

I am beginning to understand this phrase more and more with this renovation. Patrick and I have been pretty much confined to our bedroom for living, and I kind of feel displaced with the rest of the house. Although I see everything coming together, I just end up hiding in the bedroom most of the day while the workers are here. It is so exciting but also nerve racking at the same time. I think I'll be excited when it's all over and goes off without a hitch. I pray that neighbors aren't upset by all the banging and stuff, but most seem pretty supportive. I keep hearing stories of neighbors getting complaints, and building inspectors coming to their houses and stuff. This makes me nervous.
Satan is trying to steal my joy. He wants me to worry and not enjoy this process. He wants me not to thank God for this blessing and smooth sailing so far. He wants me to try to take matters into my own hands and not trust God. But Satan is going to lose. I have God on my side. I know that God is taking care of us, and He's made this all possible. Why wouldn't he honor our faithfulness? Satan, you're fighting a losing battle. I have the love of Jesus in my heart, and you can try all you want, but I'm not going to give into you! Even if things don't turn out exactly as I want them to, I'm going to keep on loving the Lord and I'm going to trust Him , knowing He knows what's best for me. How wonderful is that? I don't care what happens, because I am not afraid. Jesus suffered so much, and any pain I've had in my life is nothing compared to that. How silly we humans are, don't you think?
My home is wonderful, and it will look great, but it's not as wonderful as the love I have in my heart because of God. Now that's a place to call home!

Never a dull moment

Wow, it's been a while. I guess I've been too busy living my life to document it. It's been an eventful rollercoaster the past few months, with triumphs, and tragedies. I guess the thing I'm learning most is that God's in even the most small details. God's mercy and love is endless. Jesus is the only way to true happiness, strength and healing.
I'm glad the school year is over. I certainly was tested by God this year, with co-workers and with hardships and general stress. I wouldn't have chosen this as a way to make me stronger, but I guess God knew I could handle it, and He was always there whenever I felt like giving up.
We are working on our home this summer. It's been five years since we bought it, and we decided it was better to fix it up rather than move somewhere else. Our home is small but quaint and we have grown to love it. Dream home? No way. But it's what God gave us, so we're thankful.
Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. Patrick and I will be celebrating 7 years of marriage. I find it strange that it's been so long. I still remember our wedding day like it was yesterday. I'm so thankful that Patrick is healthy, although I still worry about him. Once again, God's been in it all, making us a stronger couple, and stretching us farther than we ever thought we could go. But through it all, all the laughter and tears, all those highs and lows, we always remember that we're in it together.
There are many other things, things that are too much to write here. Those who know me, know about those things, and have prayed for me lots in the past couple of months. I appreciate those prayers. They continue to impact me, bringing me hope in times of despair and keeping me going on that path that God wants me on, even though I really don't want to be there.
God is everywhere. He's in the huge stuff, in the details, even in those dark, secret places where you think things are hidden. I love that I can count on my Savior to always be there, even when I think I can do it on my own.