A Broader View

An efficient way to construct a house is commonly to

1. buy some building plans
2. hire a contractor
3. watch it go up
4. move in. 

We don't seem to be doing it that way and it means that our lives are in a bit of an uproar.
Then again, if I step back, I am glad for our process. Here are a few of the reasons why, in order of increasing gratefulness:

1. M built houses for a year with Habitat, but through this process, we both have learned so much that we never knew before- skills and information that we can share with others
2. We get to handle the materials that will form our house. We know the cost, the value, the trash, the chemicals, the clean-up, the time it takes. 
3. We even know the mistakes that go into a house and we make choices along the way to accept them and incorporate them into our life, instead of getting disgruntled with an imperfect product.
4. We will be able to care for the place well because M did all the design from scratch and knows every inch of the place (literally) by heart.
5. We chose materials based on longevity and environmental value.
6. Many, many people will be able to say that they helped to build our house- how rich we are!
7. This season is a very motivating crucible for our marriage, from which we can already see buds, if not fruit.

28 June 2016. From the top of this wall will start the roof.