Pam Builds a House

June 3, 1983 – Midwest, USA

After I read Miss Clarkson’s book on singleness (see the previous post) and saw how she enjoyed owning her small lakeside cottage, I began asking the Lord if I should buy a house and put down roots here. I have never met a single woman who bought a house, but I started looking a couple months ago with a realtor and reading books from the library. One of my friends suggested I build a house instead and told me about a new neighborhood in my price range about 5 miles from the hospital. The mortgage would only be slightly more than the rent I pay now, and I would be able to acquire equity over time. I looked at the model home, liked one of the floor plans, and applied for a mortgage. Today is the deadline for approval. The banker just called me and said the bank gave me the green light to proceed. I asked the Lord to block the approval if He didn’t want me to go forward.

June 10 – Today I chose all my finishes – siding, flooring, carpet, cabinets, etc. in about an hour. The builder said I made decisions more quickly than he had ever met, probably because I don’t need to discuss anything with a spouse. I told him I learned to make quick decisions when I worked in labor and delivery. Sometimes this is good, but sometimes I need to learn to slow down and wait on God.

I’m enjoying my new job in Staff Development. I make rounds on the nurses in orientation on the various hospital units at the beginning of the shift around midnight. All the orientees have had 4-6 weeks orientation on day shift, and then complete their final 2 weeks on evening or night shift. If they do not meet their weekly goals, we can extend their orientation on rare occasions or end their employment. So far, that hasn’t happened.

I teach in-services between 2-3 a.m. on the various units, eat lunch with the supervisors, write policies, and make second rounds about 5 a.m. If I become drowsy around 4 a.m., I walk the halls to wake me up. I miss my coworkers in Labor and Delivery and stop by and chat if they are having a slow night. I have also become a certified CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) instructor, so I will start re-certification sessions soon. Each nurse has to renew their CPR every 2 years.

My back feels much better, and it is nice to have weekends off, spend time with my friends, and attend church every Sunday. It is such a joy to help my friend teach children’s Bible Club in her neighborhood. I didn’t think I would be able to return to Bible camp this summer as a counselor because that is our busiest time to orient all the new graduate nurses. But my coworkers told our director they would cover for me, so she said I could go.

December 1983

My house is finally finished. Originally, they said it would be done in October, but it was delayed for 5 weeks. Someone told me it always takes longer and costs more than the builder initially tells you but today I moved in. I’m exhausted but so thankful to own a home of my own. The only mistake I made in my color choices was the green trim. I agree with my brother-in-law that it looks like a John Deere tractor. I will have a mud yard all winter, but in the spring they will plant my tree, bushes, and lay the sod.

God blessed me in reading tonight:

…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15

(A virtuous woman) looks well to the ways of her household. Proverbs 31:27

(Jesus said) Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:1-2

Dear Lord, Thank You so much for giving me this little home. I pray You will use it for Your glory and honor, that I would be of good hospitality, and always hold it with an open hand to You. Help me to be a good steward of this home. Thank You for my eternal home in heaven that you are preparing for me. Amen.

June 1984

I went to bed one morning in March after working all night. When I awoke, I looked out the window and saw green grass, a shade tree, and bushes. No more mud yard. Yeah!

I had the green trim painted white which makes the house look so much bigger. I also decided to buy a Cocker Spaniel puppy and named him Sandy. He’s lots of fun, company, and quite a bit of work. I forgot how much puppies like to chew. So far he chewed a huge hole in my new carpeting and another hole in the seat of my new recliner. I can’t take these things with me, so I have to relax and keep trying to train him. I think the Lord will use him to teach me patience.

I enjoyed staying in this little home for the next 8 years until I moved to New England. I was thrilled that it had increased in value by 50% when I sold it, so it was a good investment. I also began and taught a Bible Club for the neighborhood children, many of whom were from Japan. I had sweet fellowship with missionaries I hosted who visited my church. My home became my oasis after working all day and gave me a quiet place to study God’s precious word.

Since then, I have owned 5 other homes. I built another house in New England, totally remodeled a home built in 1957, and built another home in the south for retirement. Sometimes I become frustrated with builders and contractors, but the Lord always helps me as I lean hard on Him.