One Thousand Gifts

I am currently reading (when I have time) "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live fully Right Where You Are" by Ann Voskamp. It had great reviews and her blog is so inspiring, I thought I'd give it a try. She writes very poetically and imaginatively but now that I'm several chapters in, I'm loving it! It really helps you think about your life, your view of your life and of God. As you could imagine, it's about being thankful but really it is about much more. Here's an excerpt of what I read today: "Joy is the realest reality, the fullest life, and joy is always given, never grasped. God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy... Don't disdain the small. The whole of life-even the hard-is made up of the minute parts, and if I miss the infinite-smials, I miss the whole... There is a way to live the big of giving thanks in all things. It is this: to give thanks in this one small thing. The moments will add up." I have many things in my life for which I am thankful but I often neglect those small things, like the sweet smiles my daughter gives, the smell of coffee on a Saturday morning and a glass door that beams in beautiful sunlight. How often do I thank Him for our glass door?!? I dare say, I never have! And I love it so much!!! I think this book (more so the God who inspired it to be written) just might change my world. I highly recommend it! Happy Saturday friends!!! Bethany PS - I decided to give up Facebook for lent :) I spend way too much time on there!! So, if you think I've fallen off the face of the earth, prob not. Just email or msg me!

Renovation Take 2

Things have been progressing nicely at the house. It's amazing how much goes into renovating a 50+ year old house when you want to take down walls, create new rooms and essentially an entire new floor :-)

Walls are down on the main floor and the roof is almost ready to come off on the second floor to "create" our second level. Matthew and I spent some of our weekend picking out appliances. Let me just tell you, they ain't cheap people!!!! As if anything in this project is but geeze, they can be expensive. However, thanks to my savvy hubby who loves to find deals online we were able to save some money and come in just at (ok, a tad over) budget ;-) yay us!!

At church this past Sunday our pastor spoke on Deuteronomy 6, specifically verses 4-9. I so encourage you to read it!!  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+6%3A4-9&version=NIV

I was so inspired and encourage by this passage, particularly as we move our family and, God willing, grow our family in this new home. I so plan on writing this verse on the doorposts of our new home :-) I pray, with all my heart and soul and might that we always love Him first and foremost, teach and impress this on our children, and make this verse the mainstay of our home.

Will you do the same with me for that precious family of yours?

Love to all! All is Grace!!

Bethany

P.S. Here are some updated reno pics :-) Enjoy!!

Remember this pic? Looking from family into new kitchen. 3 of those walls you see (straight ahead, far left and left corner) all came down!

Here it is all opened up!!! (No, under the stairs will not be open to basement all the time :-)

Better view looking from hall entry way. Kitchen all the way in the back, looking directly at family room

Looking the opposite direction, now you are standing in the kitchen looking out

So glad we are opening up the staircase! The one below leads to our full basement :-)

I know it is hard to see now, but this will be a half bath

This is a portion of the upstairs that will eventually be a study/bedroom....Give me a few months, you'll see!

Ry's future bedroom (or a full playroom - I'm still debating that one)

Ry and I in the new upstairs

Ever-present Peace

"My Peace is like a shaft of golden Light shining on you continuously. During days of bright sunshine, it might blend in with your surroundings. On darker days, my peace stands out in sharp contrast to your circumstances. See times of darkness as opportunities for My Light to shine is transcendent splendor. I am training you to practice Peace that overpowers darkness. Collaborate with Me on this. Do not grow weary and do not lose heart, for I am always with you."  (John 1:4-5; Hebrews 12:3; Isaiah 40: 29-31)

~Jesus Calling

By Sarah Young

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PN-BMHi5L8

May your Saturday be full of His Peace and Love!

 

Demo Continued.... Kitchen!

Round one of demolition pics!!! We started with the kitchen. Man, that was fun! :-) I LOVED tearing out some out-dated cabinets and appliances. So, the pics actually don't look that bad but let me just tell you....THEY WERE!!! And it felt so cramped and enclosed. 

So, in the second picture that wall you see....coming out! We are planning on opening everything up so that one big room encompasses both our family/den area and kitchen, with an island separating them.  You can see in the demolition pics how much more open it will feel!! I'm so excited!!! 

Ok, so here's where I need your help. I want input about design ideas. I love so many different styles, feels, etc that I am OVERWHELMED by all the options. So, either comment below or, most of you know me personally :-), so send me a message and let me know your thoughts! Seriously, want opinions people!!!

Oh, and I threw in some pics of Matthew and I as well. :-)

Promise, cabinets were old and hideous :-)

Wall with fridge coming down

So much pretty light :-)

Crazy that is the same kitchen, huh?

This is the wall with the fridge, looking in from the den area. Imagine a big island!

Bye-bye walls and old insulation!

So much fun with this man :-)

 Option1

Option2

Option3

Option 3 (different view)

Option 4

Option5

None of the above options are in any particular order and I'm not sharing which is mine and Matthew's current "favorite" but would love to know your thoughts about all of them! 

Thanks friends! 

Bethany

Our New Home

As many of you know, Matthew and I have been blessed beyond measure this past week. Back in November, we stumbled across an older home located in the Augusta Circle Neighborhood of Greenville. This area has been one of our favorites since moving here 4yrs ago. This past Tuesday we finally closed on the property and are hoping to call it home late April or early May. Honestly, when first saw the house I thought, "no way!". Haha, I guess God had other plans. We prayed, sought advice and wisdom over the past few months and 100% feel this is so right for our family. God has so unbelievably blessed our lives over the past few months, and it is ONLY because of Him that this entire project is possible. We are so humbled and thankful!

We have been praying quite a bit about our future, where to practice, where to put down roots and raise our family, etc.  Honestly, up until this past fall I truly thought we would move back to TN or go somewhere completely different. I even prayed about international opportunities. However, God laid upon our hearts this place, starting our careers here and raising our family here. We love it so much! We love the city and have dear friends here who honestly, I don't think I could live away from :-)

As we continued to pray, that is when we stumbled across this house.  It is an older home but in great condition (esp when you consider it was build in 1950). It was actually built by a contractor and he, along with his family, are the only ones who have lived there! It has great bones and is on the most amazing street!

We are in love!! Now, with true love comes great labor :-) And that, along with some TLC, is what this house needs. I hope to keep you all updated as we continue through this process of renovating, updating and planning our future here. Meyers Dr, get ready....The Bessom's are moving in!!!

Here are a few pics of the house in its current condition. More to come as the transformation proceeds!!

Love to all and, as always, All is Grace!!

Front View (circular driveway)

Back Yard

Up Close, Front