We just recently returned from Tennessee where we were helping one of our daughters set up her new home.  We were all excited and full of hope when we left Oregon.  We had spent weeks researching and ordering things that would be delivered after we got there.  She was starting from scratch, so there was a lot to do.  It was so exciting to look at Pinterest together and plan furniture and décor.  It is unbelievable how many things you have to supply to set up a new home when you have almost nothing.

We had planned to stay for two weeks to help buy furniture, unpack deliveries, do a few upgrades, and hang pictures.  But, of course, things rarely go as planned.  When we got there, there were more things to do to upgrade the house than we expected from the photos.  The back splash needed to be replaced, two new light fixtures, new exhaust fans in the bathrooms, cabinet door handles, bathroom faucets, closet storage racks needed to be re-configured, the washer/dryer closet was too shallow for the new appliances so it needed to be reconfigured, the lawn was a disaster. . .

We had maids come and clean completely when we first got there.  Then the painter pointed out the big cracks in the ceilings of two rooms, but he knew a great plaster guy who could fix it at a good price.  What we didn’t count on, was the plaster dust that would filter through the whole house.  Now we had to clean everything again!

The painter also  discovered mold in the ductwork when he removed the vents – not unusual for Tennessee.  So we had to hire a company to come clean the ducts.  While they were there, we had them clean the dryer duct, which was not working well.

It turned out to be very difficult to find furniture that didn’t have to be ordered 6-12 weeks out.  We spent days searching through every furniture store we could find.  Bed frames and end tables had to be assembled with very poor directions.  Home Depot became a regular stop almost every day for project supplies.

When we went to put shelf paper in the kitchen cabinets, we discovered that they were particle board shelves, which had gotten wet, and they were all pebbly.  So Mark sanded them down.  Now, there was dust everywhere, and we had to clean everything once again.  Arrg!

When you are tired and overwhelmed, it’s easy to get discouraged and wonder if you made a huge mistake.  But God showed up several times, connecting us with helpful neighbors, and the exact service providers that we needed in amazing ways – just the right people at the right time.  In the midst of our exhaustion, the God of hope showed up and gave us the reassurance that He was with us and we were doing exactly what we were suppose to be doing.

Two weeks turned into three.  Another daughter who had joined us, and was a huge help, had to return home.  Three weeks turned into four, working from early to late every day.  Almost every project expanded from a simple task to some re-do or extended project.  Our exhaustion increased, and every day we prayed for God’s strength just to make it through the day.  And when we thought we couldn’t go on, He gave us the strength and grace to continue.  We could not have done it without God’s grace.

Now we are home trying to recover.  Whew!  What a whirlwind.  But the result is a beautiful home where our daughter can start a new season of her life with fresh hope.

Jeremiah 29:11  ‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I am so grateful that He never leaves us without hope, even in difficult seasons.