We came home from work on Friday to discover much progress had been made in the kitchen. Actually, there's been a lot of other progress since my last renovation update -- but I've neglected to keep you updated!

So this week's progress:

This is the view from the great room into the kitchen. You can see the trayed ceiling. This used to be a large flourescent light fixture, as shown in this post. We plan to order 4-6 light pendant lighting for that area. Under it is the kitchen island, which holds the oven/stove. The tray was actually completed earlier this summer -- but I didn't share pictures at the time.

The biggest change this week is the faux crown moulding at the very top. As you'll see in the pictures from the old kitchen post, we had 12-inch soffits surrounding everything in the kitchen. We felt that the soffits made the kitchen look very dated. Granted, it was built in the 80's, so it didn't just LOOK outdated, it WAS outdated. But we felt that falsley extending the cabinets to the ceiling with the faux crown moulding would look more updated, and also be one of the easier fixes. The alternative would be to knock out the soffits and potentially raise the cabinets... or leave it open. But I've never been a fan of open-top cabinets, and raising the cabinets seemed an insurmountable (and very costly) task.

This is the view of the pantry (above photo) . Talk about awesome cabinet space, eh? You know those huge spice containers you buy at places like Costco or Sam's club? That's the depth of each shelf. It's so nice, because nothing gets lost or buried in the pantry. It's easy to stay organized -- or at least it would be if I attempted to do so! Anyway, the soffits above this bank of cabinets go into the stairs to the basement. This would have posed a different challenge if we wanted to eliminate the soffit completely -- opening the top really wasn't very possible, because I think it would have opened into the stair well.



And finally, this is the laundry room. It has all the same cabinets as the kitchen (the whole house does), but also has the same soffit. We thought it best to continue that "fix" into the laundry room. These look significantly lighter in the photo than the kitchen cabinets -- rest assured, they all match. The laundry room just happens to be better lit currently, due to the need for the island light in the kitchen. The laundry also has an old fluorescent light box, which we'll replace once we figure out what we want to use instead.

The biggest cabinet project now is to replace all the fixtures. We're not fans of the oak doors, simply out of personal preference for less striation in the wood. However, they're solid wood, and we just couldn't afford to replace them with anything that would be as high quality -- especially because literally we'll have over 100 door pulls to replace, when you consider that every cabinet in the house looks that way! So we'll just replace all of the pulls with something more contemporary, and we'll feel SO much better about our cabinets. We're definitely happy with how our new faux moulding looks! I was hesitant, but it turned out so good.

Lesson learned: trust Jon's design instincts.

I think I was in heaven last night. Singer's heaven that is.

Two of the first Christian groups that I fell in love with were Selah and Avalon. They were together in concert last night. I think I lost my voice!

About 10 years ago, I heard an a capella arrangement of "My Jesus I Love Thee" that I think I wore out. The harmonies were goose-bump inducing. I discovered it was Avalon and have been forever hooked.

Around that same time I discovered a brother and sister singing group, called Selah. My brother and I were always singing duets in church, in choir, etc. So their dynamic struck a chord. While they've had a new (and fabulous) lead female singer for the past 4 years, their history endeared me to them from the start. Again, their harmonies are just incredible.

To see them both...together... live.... HEAVEN! I think I had a perma-grin on my face throughout the concert.

As if that weren't enough....

As Jon and I sat down, not expecting to know anyone, a woman comes up to me and says, "Sarah?" I pride myself on remembering names and faces, and I was desperately wracking my brain for who she was, and feeling absolutely HORRIBLE that I couldn't place her. Then she explained why.

She recognized me from my blog!

That's a new one! Blew me completely away. That has NEVER happened before, and quite honestly, I never really expected it to happen. She's a member of Bloom as well (Hi Pebi!!!) -- that's the Book Club for the Crazy Love book I've been writing about. Just so happens she lives only a few miles from me. Cool, eh? I thought so!

Speaking of Bloom, I also had the opportunity to meet Angie, who's one of the founders of Bloom, and also writes an incredible blog that I discovered a few years ago. She's the wife of Selah's lead singer, and she and her daughters came to the concert. They sat directly across the aisle from us! I felt like a total stalker, but also knew I'd regret it if I didn't at least say SOMETHING. So I thanked her for Bloom. That's really all I intended to say, but she was so sweet and gracious and engaged me in conversation -- certainly not something she had to do.

All in all, it was quite the evening. Todd's words (Selah) moved me to tears of sorrow. Amy's words (Selah) moved me to tears of absolute laughter -- wow is she funny! And their songs moved me to depths of praise. They sang my favorite song: "It is Well with My Soul" -- which as it always does, moved me to tears as well. I'm SO greatful that no matter what storms are around me, it is truly well with my soul. And then the two groups joined together for the finale. Wow! (You've never heard "Testify to Love" like that, I bet! Or "You Raise Me Up" for that matter!)

Have I mentioned that I was in singer's heaven yet? Two of the best harmony-driven groups joining together -- 7 people singing in harmony. I.N.C.R.E.D.I.B.L.E!!!

Yes, I was hoarse when it was done.

And so well worth it!

Jon and I really enjoy movies. We don't even care if they're good or bad -- they just mean relaxation, escape from reality, and potentially even a date.

Movies = good (even if they're not)

So Saturday night, Jon rented a movie. He put it in, and I said, "Oh good, a comedy!"

He responded, "You're kind of comedy, not the funny kind of comedy."

I was puzzled, so he elaborated that it was a romantic comedy. Then he said, "They just add comedy to the end to sucker guys into watching them. They're really not very funny."

I pondered that.

I think he's right! Not that they're NOT funny... but they're funny in an, "Oh yeah, I can relate to that," kinda way. Not a slap your legs and cry tears of laughter funny.

Food for thought.

Chapter 4 was a challenging one for many people to read. I know it was for me. In the preface, Chan assured us that this book would not be painless. This is definitely a chapter he had in mind when he wrote that.

The chapter consists primarily of a checklist of what it means to be lukewarm. I think what’s challenging about this list is that it’s likely we can all relate to every single item on it. At least I know I can. Perhaps (and thankfully) not all of the items at once, but I know this list has certainly convicted me.

Chan’s Profile of the Lukewarm (paraphrased from Chapter 4) – how many can you relate to?

Lukewarm people:

• attend church fairly regularly because that’s what “good Christians” do.


• give money to charity / church as long as it doesn’t impinge on their standard of living.


• choose what is popular over what is right when in conflict; they care more about what others think than what God thinks.


• don't really want to be saved from their sin, they just want to be saved from the penalty of their sin.


• are moved by the stories of people who do radical things for Christ, but assume that this is for “extreme” Christians.


• rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends – anyone who might be uncomfortable.


• judge their morality or “goodness” by comparing themselves to others.


• say they love Jesus, and give Him a part of their life…but just a part, not full control.


• love God, but believe that loving Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is only possible for pastors, missionaries, or radicals.


• love others, but often not as much as themselves; their love is conditional, selective, and often comes with strings attached.


• will serve God and others, but within certain limits.


• are thankful for their luxuries and comforts, but rarely try to give as much as possible.


• do whatever is necessary to keep from feeling guilty.


• play it safe and are slaves to the god of control.


• feel secure because the attend church, were saved, were baptized – are complacent.


• have structured their lives so that they don’t have to live by faith.


• probably drink and swear less than average, but really aren’t that different than your typical unbeliever.

I think the biggest reason we (I) struggled with the list is because we (I) like to believe that we’re (I’m) doing a good job, that we’re (I’m) good people. We (I) like to see hope, to have the happy ending.

But the truth is: we’re (I’m) human.

And because we’re (I’m) human, we (I) fail, we (I) fall short, even our (my) best efforts aren’t good enough. That’s why we (I) need Jesus! Praise God for Jesus!

As I read through Chan’s laundry list, I found myself groaning inwardly at my failures, at my shortcomings. I’d get to one item on the list and say, “hey, that one I’m actually good at,” and have a small little victory party in my head. And that’s my point exactly – we want to be successful. We want to believe we’re good. Or we want to believe we’re not that bad.

When I was in high school I went to an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) basketball camp where one of the speakers warned us not to put other people on a pedestal. No matter how good or holy they may appear to be, a person should not be put on a pedestal.

Why?

Because they’re human. And due to their human-ness, they will fail you. Always. Without question.

That can also be applied to our relationship with God. We’re human. We fail Him. We let Him down. It’s not a matter of “if,” it’s a matter of “when.” Due to our human condition, it will happen – and probably more often than we’d like for it to.

But that’s part of the awesomeness of God. "He’s gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love." (Psalm 145:8) He’s a God of second chances. He knows we’ll fail Him. Though he doesn’t like it, and even hates it, He still loves us. And He loves us with a redeeming love. “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14)

Just as my salvation can’t be achieved by my own merit, once saved, there’s nothing that I can do that will remove me from His grip. “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

Did you read that amazing promise? NOTHING can separate us from the love of God which is only found in Christ Jesus our Lord. NOTHING. And that, my friends, includes my own shortcomings and failures.

In Chapter 4, Chan warns us not to assume that we’re good soil.

I grew up in the rich farmland of South Dakota. Farming has been in my family for generations. The soil on which my family farmed and made their livings is some of the richest, most “good” soil to be found in the world.

However, good soil on its own won’t yield a harvest. Sure, crops might grow for a time, but without constant tending, weeds will overtake the crops. Without proper plowing, even the good soil will become hard and unable to receive seed. Rocks work their way to the surface frequently and must be removed. In other words – good soil requires constant attention, constant nurture in order to remain good.

Chan’s warning didn’t sit well with me at first. But I’ve come to realize that he’s absolutely right. Of my own merit, I would say that I’m pretty rotten soil. But through Jesus Christ, my soil is rich and good.

In my Monday night ladies Bible Study, our leader often says there’s no plateau in our relationship with Jesus Christ. If we’re not moving forward and strengthening it, we’re moving backward and away from Him. To me, this is where the “lukewarm” comes in. It’s an ugly place to be.

Revelation 3:15-17 addresses the lukewarm: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—"

However, God, in His mercy, doesn’t leave us in that hopeless state. He shows us the solution.

The following verses (Rev 3:18-22) continue: “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Lord, I confess to you my lukewarm-ness – it is so easy for me to slip into comfortable mode, to go through the routines of my daily life without giving you control. Lord, please refine me, so that I might be proved genuine (1 Pet 1:7). I thank you for your promise to complete the good work that you’ve begun in me (Phil 1:6). May my heart and my life be as clay in your hands; mold me to your will (Jer 18:6). Amen.

In my last post, I mentioned our "Legacy of Love." I've actually mentioned it in previous posts as well. Both Jon and I have been blessed with a history, a legacy if you will, of strong, long-lasting marriages. At our wedding, we featured 3 generations worth (those who were in attendance) of photos on the back table. Not only is it a Legacy of Love... it's also a Legacy of Faith. And for that, I'm eternally grateful.

A few days ago, I received an invitation in the mail to attend a family reunion. Nothing out of the ordinary right? People have reunions all the time.

However, this reunion was for the descendants of my Great Great Grandparents (Paternal Grandmother's side), Iver and Ingeborg Skaare. It will take place next summer in conjunction with the 125th Anniversary Celebration of Bergen Church. The reason they chose this date and location is because my Great Great Grandparents were founding members of the church.

So I did a little bit of digging.

Bergen Church is a place that I'm very familiar with. I didn't attend there (it was an hour from my home). However, when we'd gather for holidays or other family events with my Dad's side, it was always very central to the conversation. People who gathered at my Grandparents' house were often integrally tied to Bergan Church.

In my digging, I discovered this document detailing the history of Bergan Church. It was amazing to take in the heritage into which I had been born. Certainly a Legacy of Faith had been given long before even my father was a twinkle in anyone's eye. Within this document are many, many names that are personal and familiar to me. I thought they were just friends of my Grandma's, but it turns out many of them were family -- cousins, aunts, uncles. I always enjoyed the family feel at my Grandparent's house, so warm and so welcoming. But I didn't realize just how interwoven family was -- family WERE their friends.

I read about how my Great Great Grandparents were founding members of Bergan Church, how they were one of only a few founding members present at the 45th Anniversary celebration of the church. How heartbreaking it must have been to watch the church burn on December 26, 1934, with the congregation gathered to celebrate Christmas. Yet, from the ashes, my Great Grandfather (Paternal Grandfather's side) was called to be one of those who constructed the new church. So on my Dad's side of the family, this little country church was really the cornerstone of their faith and their life.

I also found this article written by my Great Great Grandmother's brother and shared by one of his descendants. How interesting to discover just how they, and thus my family, ended up in that small town where so much of my heritage is based.

Also uncovered was this article about my Great Great Grandmother. The details surrounding my Great Great Grandparent's wedding was enjoyable to discover. But more than that, I loved reading about how my Great Great Grandmother recalled it with laughter. I love to think that laughter and joy was a prevailing mood and sound found in their house. My Great Great Grandparents were both born in Norway, thus spoke Norwegian in their home. However, they were married by an American priest -- one who spoke only English. So they didn't understand a word of their marriage ceremony! The Norwegian language not only was spoken by them, but also my Great Grandparents, and even my own Grandmother. I recall many stories from my Grandma about growing up speaking Norwegian, being confirmed in Norwegian. My brother and I both went to colleges with strong Norwegian heritage and were able to sing "Beautiful Savior" in Norwegian at my Grandparent's funerals.

What began as an invitation to a family reunion really became a heartwarming discovery of my family history. My family may not have been famous or wealthy, kings or princes, but they knew riches that were immeasurable. Their faith, their family ties, and the Legacy they passed on to future generations...my generation...is something much more "rich" than fortune or fame.

And once again, for that I am grateful.