Good Bones. Needs TLC. Lots of Potential.

Good bones, needs TLC and had lots of potential, that was the criteria we needed when looking for a home. This week was the anniversary of when we first went to look at our house. It was not even on the market and how we came to own this house is a story all its own, but it starts long before we ever even knew this house existed.

*Rewind tape sound*

January 2021

I’ve never been one to seek out a “word” for the new year. But the New Year rolled around, and I really felt like “care” was the theme for the year. Specifically, caring for my family. I just felt that word being pressed into my spirit. Coming off an international move and a global pandemic, we could definitely use some extra TLC.

Summer 2021

In the wake of the pandemic, many people’s lives and livelihoods were changed. Our family, like many, was thrust into a holding pattern. All our best laid plans were just hovering waiting for the go ahead to land.  We had spent months deliberating whether we should continue the path we were on, moving to Nicaragua and working with a sustainable farm and camp, or if we should choose a new path with more roots for our family.

Oron and I both agreed that we needed more stability and roots, but we were not yet certain what that might look like. After much prayer, talking, more praying and more talking we made a decision to make some adjustments to our plan. We decided to base stateside, which meant finding a home.

The Search Begins

We had looked at several homes, but we couldn’t compete in the market where “list price” really meant “starting bid”. Oron and I really wanted a historic home, but it needed to be in need of some significant TLC for us to afford it. We had both grown up watching This Old House, and we’ve always planned to buy an older home to restore. The market was insane, and homes were going well above asking, well out of our price range.

We found a 1960s ranch and although not really what we wanted, we thought “this could be good”. It was not our style, but it was move in ready. Nice yard, a wee bit of curb appeal, so we put in an offer. After two weeks of negotiating, we thought we were good to go but then in a whirlwind turn of events, the sellers pulled the house from the market altogether. We were disappointed but truly a bit relieved. We didn’t love the house it’s just the first one that had not gone into a crazy bidding war minutes after hitting the market.

BUT THEN, on the exact same night, at the exact.same.moment that I was on the phone with our realtor while she was telling us the 1960s ranch was off the market, my brother-in-law was on the phone in the kitchen. He was speaking to his mom, and she was asking if Oron and I would like to take a look at her sister’s house. It wasn’t on the market yet, but she was looking to sell. Of course, we said yes.

Trick or Treat 2021

Real quick, before we get to the fun part. Have you ever been in a desert? Or a wilderness?

Like…a lot of hard circumstances and a lot of unmet expectations? And then that season runs on for months-or years? Maybe you have felt like you cannot endure one more disappointment, not one more negative pregnancy test, not one more tragic ultrasound. Perhaps the unrelenting waves of grief and loss have shoved you under again and you are fighting to get back to the surface. Maybe you used to have a lot of dreams in your heart, but you can’t seem to find them anymore. You can remember a time when your soul was on fire, but the words and ideas won’t come. Survival mode accidently became a way of life.

And maybe in the midst of your long season you’ve also lived some beautiful moments. You’ve got friends and family who have held you and helped you endure. You know God is there, and He’s faithful…. but you’re tired.

I’m not trying to put a damper on this fun little fixer upper story. I’m just trying to communicate the weariness that we held in our souls as we wandered up the damp, leaf strew sidewalks on our way to check out this house. Life had been beautiful, but really hard for quite some time.

Resume story*

 We came to look at this house on the evening of our town’s trick or treat.

All the lights were on, sidewalks were glistening with reflection from the streetlights because, in case you’re unfamiliar with Ohio, it usually rains on trick or treat night no matter what city you live in. We count ourselves lucky if it does not snow. A brisk breeze was shaking some of the bright red leaves off the Maple tree out front. Little trick or treaters toddling along with their bags of candy. A slight whiff of skunk in the air. (Foreshadowing, stay tuned.)

As I walked up the steps, tears began to stream down my face because I knew God had set this little craftsman style bungalow aside for us. It was my very own “This Old House” dream home on a quiet little street with a beautiful maple out front. This beauty was not on the market where it would have gotten snatched up immediately by an out of state buyer looking for rental properties but tucked away waiting for the right time for us and the right time for the seller. We did not even know how much the seller was asking, but I knew it was going to be ours.

I think its okay to make decisions scared. I don’t think you always get an overwhelming peace about every decision. Some decisions are just, necessary for life decisions.

But when we stepped in the house that night, I just knew it was going to be ours.

When we walked into the house, we walked into an actual foyer/ designated entry. This was absolutely a make or break for me. I cannot stand it when a main entry door is directly into a living space. Personal preference but that was a deal breaker for several houses we had looked at prior.

We knew any century home that we wanted was going to need some TLC. And its best that we went into it with that assumption because it has been a labor of love.

Good bones, needs some TLC has lots of potential. That was what we were hoping for, and God gave it to us. And I stood in the living room that very first night I could feel, ever so slightly, those dreams that laid dormant for so long begin to stir.

It occured to me while writing this, that could become our family motto: Good bones, needs some TLC, lots of potential. Maybe I will make us some shirts for Christmas or something.

We’ve got good bones. We’ve weathered some storms, been through some stuff and we are still standing. But we are in a season of needing a little bit extra care. Intentional time together, good meals, more sleep, outdoors, friends, church, counseling and grace upon grace. We have lots of potential. Potential to build our dreams and I hope our family. To enjoy our lives, bring Glory to God and rest in Him. He is the answer for all the weary souls.

I think it is so cool that God really pressed “care” on my heart so many months before we had any idea that our lives would drastically change. I received it like I was supposed to do more. But in the last year God has been continually showing me His care and deep love for my family and me. He wants to care for us.

Maybe a little house that needs a ton of work is not your drink of water in the desert.

But keep praying, keep believing.

If you need me, I will be scraping wallpaper and priming avocado green painted trim in our little fixer upper with good bones and lots of potential.

-Lauren

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.