Welcome…

I’m not sure how to make keep this from being the most boring Journey Plan ever. I’m still journaling and formalizing my thoughts on this 2nd quarter/new season–which should tell you something because it’s 2/3rds over. (Some seasons are like this.) It might be boring if you’re not constantly fixing up your home like me. I promise I’ll get back to the exciting stuff soon.

House Fix Journey: Mainly a list of my upcoming home remodel projects, but there are couple reasons this qualifies as a journey.

• I’m not a “handyman.” I’ve gotten better over the last couple years, but like the majority of men I know, I feel insecure when doing these sorts of “macho guy stuff.” So I anticipate uncovering some stuff as I take on challenges I’m resistant to doing.
• I don’t have resources. So in addition to lacking the know-how and confidence you can add a shoestring budget and less than zero time. This should get exciting!

What it is:

History–My wife and I bought our first home in 2015. It was a fixer-upper on a busy street, surrounded by rentals and apartments but the market was hot and we were lucky to get it. We’d already moved a couple times in the two years we’d been married.

We fixed it up. We fixed it up good. We overspent and then my job became unstable. The stress on our marriage made us list the house we’d only just made our own. My friends called us and begged us not to. Everyone said we were crazy, but it worked. We made good money on the sale and took a giant step toward complete debt freedom.

I wanted to just keep flipping from that point, but we weren’t eager to go back into a situation that strained our marriage. Our relationship is more important, even if we end up living out of trash can.

A few months later we bought a house in a better location, smaller, newer, but still on a busy street (I guess we have a type). We’ve been here almost two years, which seems crazy. The previous owner had a number of rentals which he sold off to retire after the market recovered. It was fixed up already…sort of.

The reality is that the repairs weren’t done that well and the longer we live here the longer the list of things that need to be done or redone. I’m unprepared but ready to start with the strength I have and trust God for the rest.

The List So far:

• Build a shed 
• Build a fire pit
• Build storage into the garage
• Replace kitchen sink
• Wall mount the TV
• Water heater replacement. (99% done )
• New Windows in bedrooms, and new sliding glass door.
• Hang house numbers and no soliciting sign & flag pole holder
• Burn pile of yard Debris (caught up but more coming soon.)
• Pea gravel and step stone the bare ground – 90% done
• Yard work-trimming trees, etc.
• Replace the Fence (4 sides)
• Paint the Shed & Run power to it
• Recover floors in both bathrooms
• Replace master bath countertop
• Rip out the deck and pour a concrete patio

More to come…

What I’m hoping God will do (heal/counsel/war/walk) with me

I’ll be hitting a number of things I don’t know how to do. I know that God will father me in learning as I go. This should speak to my identity I think.

God is looking to restore His image in me as a provider for my family. I’m excited to see how He provides.

God is also looking to upgrade my rest. He wants to be my rest (for my whole family). So I think taking on this series of projects even though we’re stretched for time right now will be good.

The steps I think we’ll take toward it

I already replaced the water heater. It went well.

We ended up deciding to pay a subcontractor to replace the windows. That’s going to be an expense but we need it done soon for insulation and soundproofing. They are supposed to come this week.

More steps to come.

Any resources I’m leaning on God to help with

God’s got to come through with help on finances, time, and energy.

Specific places I predict challenge (prayer requests)

More to Come

Estimated Start Date: Underway.

Pics!