Watching From a Distance

 Living a stone's throw from the barn is good for many reasons.  We certainly won't have far to move once it's finished. Sometimes, however, it's nice to get away for a bit and then find that a lot of progress has been made while you were gone.  

Such is the case now as we are away celebrating our soon-to-be 30th wedding anniversary.  When we left a week ago sheetrock and shiplap were complete, masons finished the chimney and fireplaces, and concrete was being poured for our carport as well as our screened porch.  

Thanks to our son and our GC we've received some progress pictures this week and we're excited to see that things are moving right along.  

The five-panel interior doors are being installed, trim is going up, and the screen porch is being framed.

I can hardly wait to see what's completed during the remainder of our trip!

Maybe watching from a distance is the way to go ;)

Bless This House

 As I've shared before, the name for Bethel Farm came from a study I was doing in Genesis when I learned that Bethel means "house of God".  Nothing could be a more fitting description for this beautiful place we've been blessed to live.  It's important to us that we remember that this farm truly is a blessing from The Lord.  With that in mind, this week we set about doing a sort of house blessing/dedication.  

Through the years there are many scriptures that have become especially meaningful to our family.  Some are precepts we seek to follow, some are promises we rely on in difficult times, and some are sentiments of thanksgiving to God. To symbolize the fact that The Lord is the foundation of our home and to acknowledge His blessings over us, we decided to write His words on the framework prior to hanging the drywall. 

We imagine one day when our grandchildren go to remodel they will maybe be able to read some of these verses and be reminded of the foundation of faith on which we have built our family.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6

(Our family verse)

Like A Ton of Bricks

 The last month has been a busy one at Bethel Farm as construction continues to progress. Everyday it seems there is something new completed and more checkmarks on our to-do list.

As I've mentioned before, there are inspections all along the way.  These last several weeks we have passed wall, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and chimney footing inspections as well as having our septic system installed. Up next is the insulation inspection followed by drywall installation.  

The amount of insulation is CRAZY and it has completely changed the sound when you walk in the barn. It definitely sounds more like a house now.

Once the footings were poured for the chimney the masons got busy.  It's amazing to watch these guys work! Brad laughs at me because I'm so mesmerized by the process, but my creative side would love to get in there and learn from them.  

Altogether the chimney will house three fireplaces, two on the lower level (one in the master suite and one outside on the patio) and one on the main level in the great room. 

The firebox in the great room is tall enough that I can stand up in it!

The brick will be covered in a stone facade and a reclaimed wood mantle.

We can hardly wait to have our first fire.

For my part, the last several weeks have involved lots of design decisions, internet orders, furniture orders, cabinet choices, tile choices, lighting choices, etc.  I still have much to do but the list is certainly getting shorter.

Along with all the changes and progress at the barn we have been blessed with one extra special addition to Bethel Farm.

Our first grandchild Callyn Clare Boyles was born May 20 and she definitely rules the roost!