Furnishing A Dream

I’m back in Gainesville!!  Wah.. I know. Crazy. I’ve given a bit more info on that in my latest newsletter. Let me know if you’d like to be added to that email list. I send newsletters every couple of months. Also, I’ll blog more specifics about my job soon!

So… for a while now I’ve been dreaming about what I would like my life to look like. In lots of ways. Things that matter to me; things that I want to fight for. 

One thing I haven’t had in a long time is a nice, decently clean and comfortable home. I know that sounds funny but seriously, it’s been a while. I also haven’t had a space to just come home and retreat in. I’ve lived with large groups of people with high turnover. That is great for a season.. and the Lord knows that I’ll move back towards that if/when He leads me too. I do long for and love that community but right now, I am so interested in building something else: 

Low and Slow

This is a lifestyle that Heidi Baker, a missionary I greatly respect, has adopted for herself and her ministry. The premise is to be postured low- at the feet of Jesus. And to remain there. Enjoying Him and being enjoyed by Him. To minister from a place of rest… a place of overflow- which can only happen as we are filled up in Him. From that place, we slowly move outwardly as He leads and in His ways. 

To often in ministry we can become overworked and burnt out. That is what so quickly leads to missionary turnover rates. 

But I’m interested in the long haul. I know that unless I am bathing in His love for me and falling more and more in love with Him in response, my ministry and life will suffer. I want Him. I miss Him. One of the things I miss the most about Guatemala was the quietness of the morning.. up before all my roommates to grab my coffee and blanket and sit outside watching the sunrise over the volcano. Sweetest time with Him:) 

Hospitality

This word has new meaning for me. A few months ago the Lord and I began a conversation about what it looks like to host His presence. I want my heart to be ever gazing at Him welcoming Him for whatever He purposes. I want to give Him deep and full permission. I also want to love others in that way. I want to “host” them in my heart (I want to listen well, I want to love deeply and fully.. I want to fight for others to be seen and known). 

In that same way I have had a dream of having a home that is saturated in peace and worship. A place where His presence is felt. A place of rest for anyone who might come and partake. A river so to speak to come and drink deeply from. 

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So that is my heartbeat for this apartment that I am working to establish. It’s a little bigger than I can really afford but I really wanted to have a spare room for whomever the Lord chooses to send. I really believe that He will send people who He longs to encounter. I have this same dream for a home I want to establish overseas at some point. So this season is sort of practice:) 

Wanna help?

Of course there is totally no obligation on any of this. I’m actually having a ton of fun working my tail off trying to afford the few things I need. Strangely I have a very specific vision of how I want to furnish and decorate. It won’t be crazy.. and I don’t care to have a lot of stuff.. just enough to feel like home. 

Things I need:

• dinning chairs (6)- i don’t care if they don’t match. I am using an old farmhouse type table that is closer to an expresso though it does have some mahogany undertones 
• a desk chair- really a dinning chair type is fine. I prefer fixed chairs as opposed to wheels; and I’d love an armchair if possible:) 
• tupperware… hilarious right? It doesn’t matter the size or shape or whatever. 
• drapes: I’m not sure on color yet.. the space that it will be in will have a purple accent wall (think royalty) and dark furniture accents. The adjacent room (dinning and in the same eye space) will have a light gray accent wall
• large curtain rod 
• queen size metal bed frame- I’m gonna build the headboard with scrap wood:)
• a sofa and chair/loveseat. I’m really hoping for something in a lighter color. It will go against the purple wall:) 
• A couple of outdoor patio chairs

Let me know if you want to be a part in any way! And please pray!! I just know that I know that the Lord is giving me this opportunity both to bless me deeply and to be a blessing to others. Pray with me for Him to be seen and known in this space! 

Also, and I just feel like I’m supposed to throw this out there, but if you want to give a small amount financially to help me with this dream it would be a fun little “fund” to help host others well. Let me know if you’re interested:)