It is hard to believe that we have been in our new home for four
weeks! We are finally starting to feel settled and like we are “home” and not
just renting a condo for a week of vacation:)
This journey started back in November when we sold our
townhome and (after looking at the very limited housing inventory) we decided
to build. We picked a builder, a plan, a lot, signed some papers, wrote some
checks and then we were told that our house would be ready about the middle of
April. Yay!
Mike and I were super excited to be building our “1st”
family home! In the past 11+ years we have owned two other homes (a condo and a
townhome); this one will actually make our 3rd. Each home has been
special to us for different reasons. But I think this home will be extra
special because we built it for “the family.” We are now located in a very family
friendly neighborhood. We are in a community with great schools. And we finally
have a real yard (with grass and everything:) for the girls (and dog) to play.
Most of all, this home will be extra special because it will
be the first home the girls remember growing up.
Since this is our “1st” home and we are building
it from the ground up I wanted to do something special. Something that would put
our own stamp on the home and I am not talking about granite counter tops or
tiled showers. I wanted something with meaning, and then it came to me… let’s
do a “house blessing”. My parents did this when they were renovating their home
and I had seen a few people do this via Pinterest and I loved the idea.
The House Blessings that I have seen before have mostly consisted of people writing scripture, prayers, sayings etc. on the studs of the home. My original plan was
to pick one scripture for each area/room of the home. That would equal about 23
scriptures...completely doable! So I started my search for the perfect
scriptures for our home. I kept finding scripture after scripture after
scripture and before I knew it I had a list of over 100 of the most perfect and
amazing scriptures. WAIT. WHAT? I was now looking at a list of 100+ scriptures
that I had to narrow down to about 23. I started picking and choosing, and
slowly the list started to shrink but I had done all the editing I could do. It
is really hard to edit out the Word of God!!! The scriptures that remained on
the paper were just too perfect to dismiss. So I did a quick tally and I
realized I would now have to find a place in the house for the 80
scriptures that remained. Each scripture was then assigned to a specific room
and place in the home.
The next Saturday we grabbed several sharpies, loaded up the
family and headed to put our mark on what was soon to be the new Organ Family
home. We ended up writing half of the scriptures on that Saturday and came back
the following weekend to finish writing the others. I wanted this to be a pleasant
family experience and with two little ones I found it necessary to split our
memory making into two different days. After all we were writing close to 100
verses in the middle of winter…
(Prepare yourselves; this is going to be a long post.)
I have included a list of the 80+ scriptures we used throughout
the house along with a few pictures to document the day.
Main Entryway:
As for me and
my house we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 (Over Front Door)
Do not forget to entertain
strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing
it. Hebrews13:2 (Hall Floor)
 |
| Numbers 6:24-26 |
The Lord bless you and keep you, The Lord make his face
to shine upon you and be gracious to you, The Lord turn his face toward you and
give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 (Entry Floor)
The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over
your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and
forevermore. Psalm 121:6-8 (Wall)
 |
| Deuteronomy 28:6 |
You will be blessed when you go in and blessed when you go out. Deuteronomy 28:6 (Over Door to Garage)
Hallways:
 |
| Proverbs 22:6 |
Train up a child the way he should go…even when he is old he will not
depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (Bedroom Hall)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live,
but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2:20 (Bedroom Hall)
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 (Main Hall)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present you requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (Main Hall)
Living Room:
For I know the plans I have for
you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope for a
future. Jeremiah 29:11 (Floor)
And these words
that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them
diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,
and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You
shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy
6:6-9 (Floor)
 |
| Matthew 22:37 |
Love the Lord your God with
all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37 (Floor)
Love one another. John 13:34 (wall)
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 (wall)
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant
in prayer.
Romans 12:12 (wall)
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled
with joy.
Psalm 126:3 (wall)
 |
| McKinley wanted to "write" on the walls too. |
Kitchen:
Jesus said,
“Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of
the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.” John 4:13 (Island Floor)
And he humbled you and let you
hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers
know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but
man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy
8:3 (Floor)
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,
but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 12:12 (wall)
 |
| Galatians 5:22 |
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…Galatians 5:22 (wall)
Prayer: Give food to the
hungry, o lord, and hunger for you to those that have food. As you satisfy the
needs of each of us, make us mindful of the need of others. –unknown (wall)
Pantry:
“It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but
on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4
Dining/Breakfast
Area:
Come Lord Jesus, be our guest,
our morning joy, our evening rest. And with our daily bread, and part, bring
peace and joy to every heart.
Mealtime Prayer (Floor)
For wherever two or three come
together in my name, there am I with them. Mathew 18:20 (wall)
Do not forget to entertain
strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing
it. Hebrews13:2 (wall)
 |
| Matthew 6:11 |
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Matthew 6:11 (wall)
Master Bedroom:
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will
give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and
humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-30 (Floor)
Be still and
know that I am God…Psalm 46:10 (Over Door)
I am my beloved’s
and my beloved is mine. Song of Solomon
6:3 (Above Bed)
Be completely
humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every
effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians
4:2-3 (Above Bed)
The heart of her
husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and
not evil all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:11-12 (Wall)
 |
| Psalm 4:8 |
I will lie down
and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm
4:8 (Wall)
Love is patient, love is kind. 1 Corinthians 13:4 (Wall)
Master Closet:
Is not life more than food, and the body more than
clothing? …But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these
things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:25-33
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Colossians 3:12
Master Bath:
Cleanse me …
and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7 (Wall)
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man
looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel
16:7 (Michelle’s Mirror)
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart. Proverbs
15:30 (Mike’s Mirror)
McKinley’s
& Mia’s Bedrooms:
 |
| Mia in her room sitting next to Jeremiah 29:11 |
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,
plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 (Floor)
Don’t let anyone look down on
you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in
life, in love, in faith, and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 (wall)
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14 (wall)
 |
| McKinley in her room standing next to Philippians 4:13 |
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (wall)
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O
Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 (wall)
Closets:
She is clothed with strength and dignity… Proverbs
31:25
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one
another. 1 Peter 5:5
McKinley’s
& Mia’s Bathroom:
Cleanse me … and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be
whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7 (Over the tub)
 |
| Writing 1 Peter 3:3-4 in the girls bathroom. |
It is not fancy hair, gold jewelry or fine clothes that
should make you beautiful. No, your beauty should come from within you- the
beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. This beauty will never disappear and is
worth much to God. 1 Peter 3:3-4 (Mirror)
Playroom:
Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget
your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old. Ecclesiastes 12:1
-3 (Floor)
 |
| John 13:34 |
Love one another. John 13:34 (wall)
Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 (wall)
A happy heart makes the face cheerful. Proverbs 15:13 (wall)
Love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22 (wall)
Stairway:
 |
| McKinley helping Daddy write Psalm 119:165 |
Great peace have they who love God’s law, and nothing can make them
stumble. Psalm 119:165
Guest Bedroom:
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will
give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and
humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-30 (Floor)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John
3:16 (wall)
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him. Psalm 37:7 (wall)
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (wall)
Upstairs Bath:
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant
in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Bonus Room:
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled
with joy.
Psalm 126:3 (Floor)
Attic Entry:
So store up your treasures in Heaven; for where your treasure is, there
your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21
Office/Study:
 |
| Colossians 3:23 |
Whatever you
do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Colossians
3:23
Lord, you establish peace for
us; all that we have accomplished, you have done for us. Isaiah 26:12
I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be
content.
Philippians 4:11
Drop Zone:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John
3:16
Half Bath:
Love the lord you god with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your mind. Matthew
22:37
Every good and
perfect gift is from above. James 1:17
Utility/Laundry:
 |
| Philippians 2:14 |
Do everything without arguing
or complaining. Philippians 2:14
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.
Philippians
4:8
Garage:
In front of the two cars:
 |
| Mike writing Joshua 1:9 |
Do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with
you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go…Genesis
28:15
Over the main garage door:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans
8:38-39
Back Patio:
 |
| Ecclesiastes 8:15 |
So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is
better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will
accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the
sun. Ecclesiastes 8:15
Be still and know that I am God…Psalm 46:10
After we successfully covered this home in scripture, I took
a moment to reflect on “what now”. So, I have picked these beautiful, meaningful and
appropriate verses but they were soon going to be covered with drywall, tile,
hardwood & carpet. Is that it? Will I have spent all this time searching
for and writing these perfect verses, only for them to be forgotten once they
are no longer able to be seen?
I didn’t want that to happen so I decided to set what seems
like a very unrealistic goal, especially at this moment in my life. I am
determined (to at least try) to memorize each scripture and the spot where it
is written in the home.
Now back to present time, four weeks in our new home and I
have not (yet) memorized a single verse that is written but it is definitely on
my to-do list! I am so happy we took the time to do this little “house
blessing.”
I want to end this post by saying how GRATEFUL we are to
have a roof over our heads, food on our table, love in our hearts and the
freedom to worship our God! And my prayer is that not only are we able to use
this home to nurture and grow our sweet little family but I pray we are also able
to use this home to BLESS others. Whether it be by opening the doors to others for meals,
providing someone a place to stay or by simply inviting our crazy life group
over for an evening of doing whatever it is that we do:)
Whew, you still with me? I told you that was going to be
long!
