THE WALL

I apologize for not writing a blog last couple of weeks. The reason is that I am involved in a project that is huge. I knew going in that scraping and painting the six foot cement wall… surrounding my back yard- would be a large undertaking. But after almost three weeks of scraping and puttying and painting…and realizing that we are still have the inside of the WALL to do…a better description of this project would be… enormous!…gigantic!…Crazy and insane!

Have you ever started a home improvement project that lasted a lot longer than you ever imagined? It has also been hard on my husband and I physically. Our hands and feet hurt, along with our backs and shoulders. We found that we could work a few days and then we would have to rest a few days. We have been taking aspirin and etc… pretty much every day. My hands are so sore, that it is hard for me to type. We learned after the first couple days that we should only work on the WALL 8-9 hours a day…not 12. We also treated ourselves to pizza and burgers. We would watch a movie at night as we soaked our feet and rested from our days endeavors.

The Neighbors came by to praise, encourage, empathize, pity, and thank the Lord that they do not have a WALL around their house like ours. The neighbors also gave us plenty of advice…which was a little annoying. I had to bite my tongue a couple of times. But with all their good intentions…none of them grabbed a scraper and offered to suffer along with us. We didn’t expect anyone to volunteer…but it sure would have been welcomed.

So we are nearing the final preparations before the primer goes on the North WALL, and we are feeling relieved and happy. But it has been a long three weeks, and like I said…we have to start working on the inside WALL… next. After both the inside and outside WALLS are primed…then the final step is to paint it with a thick elastic type paint. So as you can see…I have at least a week of the WALL to go! So why am I telling you this story?

I have learned a lot working on the WALL. I have had quite a few conversations with God as I have spent hours at a time…scrapping. I have been reminded about what it takes to be successful in your life with goals and PROJECTS! There were many times that I wished I hadn’t started the WALL. We had originally received bids for someone else to tackle the WALL. But then I lost my job, didn’t have the extra money, and had a ton of time on my hands. I had already been out of work for a month with looking and applying for jobs. When August started…I knew that I desperately needed an all consuming project that would make me feel valuable.

I had started the WALL for all the right reasons. And believe me…the WALL was way over due. The neighbors have had an “eyesore”, for far too long. The WALL is looking better. The kicker is that in a couple of years…it will have to be done again. So I will be able to enjoy a good looking WALL for maybe a year and then it will start to show signs of Oregon weather once again. I am hoping at this time that I will never have to scrap and paint the WALL again. But who knows? We don’t have guarantees in this life.

Being the positive person that I am…I must find all the good I can in my situation. I appreciate all the time I was able to scrap and pray. We have had really great weather during this time and I have an amazing tan. A couple who suffers through a huge project together…stays together? Sigh…I can only hope. It has shown me just how strong I am, even though my body took a beating. I’m not sure folks over 50 should do projects like the WALL. I am also proud of our determination to do the best job possible. Home ownership is a big undertaking and it is expected to have home repairs continually. This is all part of taking care of the Blessings the Lord gives to us. Right? The neighbors have stopped and introduced themselves to us. I have lived here over 9 years and the WALL has brought them to come by and talk to us.

I was reminded of the verse in the Bible…Philippians 2:14-15 ” Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights of the world.”

Sometimes in the beginning we make decisions and behave in ways, only to have the purpose and reasons take us in a totally different direction than we expected. As I finish the WALL…I need to remember that I may be the light for someone who is searching. And I do… know the WAY. Blessing to you.