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The Home Fire’s A-Going

Posted September 24th, 2008 by Jen in family life, religion, the ranch

“There is no place more delightful than one’s own fireplace.”
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Ancient Roman Writer and Statesman, 106 BC - 43 BC.

our new fireplace

I’m totally delighting in this lovely fire my husband built tonight. The woodbox is full and the house is warm! We are halfway moved into our new house, and hope to have the move completed within a few weeks.

It’s been a long time since I sat in front of a wood fire in my own home. The rented house we’ve been living in for the past two years didn’t have a fireplace; the house we owned for the two years before that had a “fake” natural gas fireplace; our home for the five years prior to that possessed a wood fireplace with a nasty habit of filling the house with smoke every time we dared use it.

Downed juniper trees scatter the property, the victims of our building project. Don’t cry for them, they’re keeping my hearth warm. I love the smell of juniper; we just can’t invite Chuck and Connie over when we’re burning juniper, he’ll turn beet red and break out in hives or something. He’ll have to bring his own pine logs. The rest of you, come in and sit a spell and let us tell you a tale of God’s goodness and merciful provision.

We are not finished, quite. Almost, but not quite. We are trusting God for the working out of some final important pieces, and wouldn’t you know, dear Christian, when that last lap of the marathon is about to kill you, that famous second wind can sustain you, the powerful wind of the comforting, helping Holy Spirit. Someday I’ll get to tell you the story of a little girl who grew up in a dirt-floored shack and now sits before the warm hearth of a mansion, the gift of her Father who loves her. Until then, keep the home fires burning. Blessings.

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15 Responses

  1. Becky September 25th, 2008 at 4:03 am

    Looks so inviting!
    And good luck working through the other important pieces!

  2. SmallWorld September 25th, 2008 at 5:28 am

    Oh, the fireplace sounds lovely! I was just thinking about you yesterday and said a little prayer that all was going well with your transition to school. Sounds as if you are cozy and relaxed!

  3. Kathleen September 25th, 2008 at 7:45 am

    I was thinking we needed a fire last night too. it’s been cool and rainy here. Your rockwork is beautiful! One day I’d love to re-do ours but it will have to wait. Too many other must-do projects are higher up on the list.

  4. Meadowlark September 25th, 2008 at 7:48 am

    What kind of insert is that? We have two fireplaces in our old house, but they’re open and we’d love an insert.

  5. Funkiplanet September 25th, 2008 at 7:58 am

    I love it. I especially needed your insights on finishing the race. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  6. e-Mom September 25th, 2008 at 8:49 am

    Truly a gift of God! I’m pleased to hear you’re half-moved in… and with a full roaring fire going. Congrats!

  7. Jen September 25th, 2008 at 8:56 pm

    Becky, thank you for thinking of me; we’re trusting God.

    SmallWorld, it’s amazing how sitting before a warm fire can melt away all the anxiety that I think will crush me.

    Kathleen, thanks for the compliments, it’s my husband’s good work. The weather is definitely changing and a fire is the perfect remedy.

    Meadowlark, I’ll get back to you, I need to check with my husband on what insert that is. I do know that it rocks! It has an air blower, so with the push of a button, it blows the warm air from the fire throughout the house and heats it beautifully.

    Funkiplanet, it’s a good time to read James Chapter 1. :-)

    e-Mom, truly a gift.

  8. Mrs darling September 25th, 2008 at 11:09 pm

    I grew up with a wood stove and now I’ve had a woodstove in my married home all these 19 years. I cant live without my wood fire. Pretend Im sitting there by the fire with ya cause I am in spirit!

  9. Sandier Pastures September 26th, 2008 at 10:09 am

    Is it that time of the year there? It’s still so hot in Dubai outside!!

    I love fireplaces but right now, I can only dream. :-)

  10. Jen September 27th, 2008 at 10:24 am

    Mrs. D., I know you love your wood stove! I think you’d die without out it! It’s a primal need!!

    Sandier Pastures, Dubai will never have wood stoves in every home, will it?! A large poster of a fireplace on the living room wall may have to make do… But then again, anything is possible in Dubai. I hear you’re trying to manipulate the clouds to make your own rain… :-)

  11. tipper September 27th, 2008 at 1:32 pm

    Thanks for the invite-I love love fireplaces. Wish I had one.

  12. Jen September 28th, 2008 at 2:49 pm

    Hi Tipper, thanks for stopping by! How are your winters? I hope you get a fireplace someday, or maybe a wood stove…

  13. halfmoon girl September 30th, 2008 at 8:41 pm

    I love the time of year when we can start up our woodstove too. We have had it on a few times already. I, too, love the rock work- your husband did a great job. I know all about getting a house finished- pray that everything works out and you are all moved in soon. It must be busy with all the changes in your life! How is teaching going, and how are the kids adjusting?

  14. Veggie Mom October 1st, 2008 at 5:35 pm

    I sure do love the Comforts of home, too. It’s not cold enough for a fire yet, but I’ve been relaxing and taking an occasional bubble bath in the evening…delightful!

  15. Jen October 2nd, 2008 at 1:26 pm

    halfmoon girl, thank you! I appreciate your prayers. Yes, busy is the word. Today, I’m focusing on getting my kitchen unpacked. I was so happy to find my whisk the other day, but I still can’t locate my measuring spoons!

    Teaching is going. Just going. :-) I have an incredible lot on my plate and just trust that soon it will all balance out. The kids are adjusting wonderfully and enjoy school so much.

    Blessings to you, Jane!

    Veggie Mom, for the first time in forever, I’ve been enjoying a nice, long bath, too! It is truly a relaxing comfort.

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