This Old House

On June 15 we became owners of a very old Queen Anne home in downtown Zeeland. We prayed for almost a year for our home in Caledonia to sell, and it finally did...God did it! We initially thought that we needed to build a new home and market it in the Parade of Home tour for our business, but, we have always been drawn to the older homes of East Central Ave. and this is where God lead us. He opened the door to this home, giving us our heart's desire, and allowing us to still market our business through the Historic Home Tours in the future when it is complete. Once again, God continues to allow us to experience His finger in our lives.

This home is much more than just a good street to market our business...I find myself rather nostalgic sitting on the front porch, hearing the church bells, the school marching band, picturing our kids watching the Parades that will pass by our house, the dog walkers, walking in town to the little resturaunts, library, or parks. It is the city...house upon house upon house. And yet, there is something so simple and peaceful about being there. It was once our heart's desire to live on a big piece of property with lots of land, we had it...and nothing felt peaceful or right about it. Our desires have changed as we worked to move into this little city. Simplifying, loving our many neighbors, blessing them...it may not look good to many, but, to us, we have landed on a place that finally feels like home...

Well, almost home. We aren't living here yet. There is lots of work ahead of us. John, Greg, and many of my nephews worked very hard last week....yes, and it had to be one of the hottest weeks of summer! Gutting, tearing down plaster, old flooring, insulation, walls...they have been very busy. But, we aren't getting rid of everything. There are a few treasures to keep, like the old registers, and tub...

...this great sliding glass door...


Many things we hope to restore, while mixing in the new. The kitchen definitely had to go...all of it, down to the ground. There's my hard working man, tearing it out!

And the upstairs was in really rough shape, not even insulated. So, they had to tear it right down to the studs...

We have many more hours of hard work...starting from the inside and working our way out. We have been blessed to be living in a condo with a pool, so, we have found time to relax and play! Isabel and Silas absolutely love being there. They like to think they help...and actually Isabel has been a little worker when she wants to be! But, Silas has more fun playing with his buckets and water squirters in the back yard...

...and playing with our new neighbor friends (below is our new neighbor next door, Abbi).

And Isabel likes finding toads, picking flowers, and making wishes!

Oh Izzy, I pray you and Silas (and your future brother(s) or sister(s)) have many great memories in our "new" old house. Just like the Nykamp family did before us! Oh, God, may we bless your name in this old house, on East Central, and where ever else you have us go! Let's hope it's an adventure back to Colombia soon!