Has it really been a full year? It seriously seems like yesterday that Benjamin and I signed the papers, and our realtor handed us the keys to our first home. 
I remember the feelings so well - excitement, anxiousness, nervousness - all blanketed by a unexpected assurance that God had worked everything out for us to be able to purchase a home. Throughout the process, we prayed for his protection and His will. Despite a few twists and turns, it was clear that His plan was unfolding.
The realization quickly set in that God had given us something that married couples of our age spend years working towards. So, why had He? With blessing comes responsibility. We wanted to be good stewards of what we had been given, so we brainstormed ways we could use our home for His glory.
We adopted an open door policy and started having people over regularly. I can not even count how many parties, ministry meetings, weekend guests, hang out sessions with close friends, and times of discipleship have taken place in our simple "nest." Each one of them has been a blessing to us and cause us to be so thankful that God provided a place for fellowship of this kind. While using our home to unite His Body has been almost effortless, venturing out to the lost in our neighborhood has been more of a daunting task. Small talk with our neighbors is easy, but really getting to know them has been a slow process. We are slowly developing relationships with a few different families, all of which seem to be unbelievers. Both of us have made a point to spend as much time outside as possible, in hopes of catching a conversation with one of them as they come and go. While I love being outdoors, whether it be reading a book on the front porch or planting in my flower garden, it seems as though not many others do. "Plan B" was to go to them, offering homemade goodies on various holidays. This plan did not exactly turn out to be successful either. Plan C? And as I'm typing this, I'm struck with my pride, self-reliance, and lack of faith. Who's plan am I relying on anyway? I do this often; I try to take things into my own hands when I'm not seeing results. Just as God's plan for our first house worked out, His plan for our relationship with our neighbors will be worked out. Yes, it may not "work out" exactly how I would have wanted, but I pray that I will rest in the promise of Romans 8:28 that He works everything together for good. Whatever His definition of "good" is in this situations, I will trust Him. And now, I will get back to the theme of this blog - design. If you are anything like me, you love before and after shots. I love seeing a truly amazing transformation. While a room transformation will never compare to one of the soul, I still love the symbolism and parrallel. Below are many of the transformations that have been taking place in our "nest" over the past year. Enjoy!
Downstairs: Before
Downstairs: After (a work in progress) 
living room. 
dining room. 
A refinished vanity decorated with old family pictures.
And, a few more of my favorite places throughout the house...
my read-write-Bible study nook.
tv room. 
master bedroom. and yes, benjamin did insist on a king size.
xoxo,
Caroline
