Last week I asked if you’d be interested in seeing the messy middle of our kitchen remodel–instead of just the pretty before and afters. The response was overwhelmingly positive. So today I’ve got all the dirty details for you. I’ll try not to be too wordy and let the photos speak for themselves.
Before We Even Started
Sept 13-Oct 25, 2019
When we bought Acorn House, we knew a kitchen remodel was in our future. However, the “plan” was to wait to remodel until after we’d renovated the second floor (which had been turned into apartments in the 1950’s.) The idea was that the kitchen was functional–if not practical and using the space well. The bedrooms, and entire second floor were unlivable. We would address that first–and get our bedroom moved out of the laundry room.
Then, one October day I heard a crash in the kitchen during nap time and all our plans changed. The cabinets had fallen off the wall. (Read all about it here.) Now a kitchen redo (which would also touch the living room and dining room) was priority.
During this time God showed me how to loosen my grip on “my plans.” He taught me to be flexible and hopeful, even when things get toppled upside down.
Planning A Better Kitchen
Oct 30-Dec 1, 2019
We hadn’t anticipated renovating the kitchen so soon, so we didn’t have plans drawn up or ready. And, in all the years we’ve worked on old houses, we’ve never created a kitchen from scratch.
Even though we were anxious to get a better, functional, safer, intact kitchen built–we didn’t want to rush it. We looked at all (and I do mean all) of our cabinet options. We sat down with lots of reps. I looked at books and drew our plan to scale on the walls. Derek ran numbers. We discussed and prayed over how we could best steward our time, money and skills–while balancing work and family. You can read all about our cabinet buying options and process here. (Our cabinets are from Medallion, ordered from Minot Lumber & Hardware.)
During this time, God showed to live, thrive and be joyful without excess. What we had in the kitchen was sparse, but we ate dinner as a family and had peace that we weren’t rushing the process.
Demolition
Dec 19-Dec 20, 2019
By the time we actually started cutting into walls and tearing things apart it was Christmas time. (We waited to start demo until closer to the time cabinets would arrive.)
I cut rough openings in the drywall one afternoon while Gideon’s favorite babysitter was at the house with us. (We could never have completed this project without her help to supervise Gideon while I did big, messy work.) I’ll never forget how excited he was to see me peek through the walls as the pieces fell away.
Removing the walls exposed an unexpected duct running through a section of wall we had planned to open. That would need to be moved.
This ushered in a very dirty portion of the project. Drywall dust was everywhere. No matter how much I swept and moped and wiped, things were chronically dusty.
During this time, God showed me that decor and glitz is not what makes Christmas special. Christmas 2019 didn’t look how I had imagined, but it was plenty sweet and special. We made cookies. Friends came for dinner. We put up decorations and soaked in the season. Without the pressure of having a “perfect” home for the holiday, our hearts were more fully aligned with the True Reason to celebrate.
Floors and Ducting
Jan 6-Jan 15, 2020
Next there was a bit of waiting to do. Waiting for cabinets to arrive. Waiting for an HVAC contractor to come move the duct. But that was okay, because we were busy enjoying Christmas.
As soon as we returned from holiday travel we got back to work. I took out the tile flooring. Although it was in good shape, we knew it was wise to extend hard flooring into the carpeted dining room while we remodeled.
Once the flooring was out, we needed to level some very uneven spaces. Derek and I did this during nap time one day. This season of the project was really hard. There was a week or two when we had nothing in the kitchen. I used the uprooted dishwasher as my old counter space. The water was turned off. So to clean up, I did dishes upstairs in the old apartment kitchen–which also doubled as our workshop.
During this time, God taught me about perseverance. He taught me to be joyful, even happy while the heart of our home was in chaos. I learned about teamwork in marriage and taking things step by step.
Header, Drywall, and Cabinets
Jan 18-Jan 29, 2020
There was a weird time when our new cabinets were in, but we hadn’t yet removed the wall that would open up a peninsula. This was nice because we could use some of the cabinets. But once the duct was moved, we had to move the cabinets to finish opening the wall.
Derek and I took Gideon to his babysitter’s house and spent an afternoon building a header to support the load bearing wall between the kitchen and dining room. After the wall was open, we tackled hanging drywall. Then I took over taping, texturing and painting.
Once lower cabinets were all in place, Derek started hanging the uppers, and the countertops were fitted.
During this section of the project we found out Derek would be leaving the country with little notice. We worked hard to get as much done before he left as possible.
During this time, God taught me to keep moving, ask for help and savor time together.
Floors
Feb 7-Feb 12
With Derek gone, I was a bit overwhelmed with what still needed to be done. I started by laying part of the kitchen floor. Then I leveled the dining room floor (which included a lot of prep work). Once the floor was leveled, I continued laying flooring.
Gideon enjoyed all the time I spent on the floor. This was a fun project to work on together. But I do distinctly remember talking to Derek on the phone and bursting into tears while laying flooring. I was overwhelmed and bitter that he needed to be gone.
During this time, God taught me to let go of bitterness and instead, focus on the task at hand. I was caught up in the “poor me’s”, but God wanted me to live in joy–despite the circumstances.
Counters and Finishes
Feb 14-Mar 12
Why did these finishes take so long? Well, shortly after the countertops arrived, I discovered I was pregnant.
This was one more overwhelming news. Exciting, but also overwhelming. I’m not at expert at carrying babies, but with my first pregnancy I had about a week between a positive test and feeling completely sick.
A friend helped (read: did it all) hang the pass through cabinet above the peninsula and crown molding.
With things mostly put back together I hosted a 2nd birthday party for Gideon. My parents arrived shortly after and helped with finishing touches. While I rested and tried to keep my food down, my dad installed handles, a new sink and molding. My mom watched Gideon and spent every evening helping me unload boxes of kitchen supplies I hadn’t seen since leaving our last home in June 2019.
Having my kitchen finally unpacked felt so luxurious. During this time, God taught me to move forward during difficult seasons and appreciate friends and family more deeply. He taught me all things are in His hands, and all gifts are from Him.
Finished {pretty much}
March 15, 2020
Even after the “finishing touches” were in place, there was still some waiting to do. The appliance garage arrived the wrong size, so it took weeks to get a new one. Once it did arrive, it didn’t have finished, white sides. We waited again.
Eventually it all came together. And by the time Derek returned the kitchen remodel chapter was closed.
This wasn’t a quick turn around. From the start, it was well thought out. And time consuming. Tackling projects this way isn’t for everyone. I get it. But for us, it works. (For side by side before and after photos see here.)
Derek and I both work. I care for our son during the day. We cherish time with friends and are dedicated to prioritizing ministry, fellowship and connection above projects. It was so hard living with the heart of our home torn up for so long. But this really was a sweet season, spent working together, learning together and growing closer to God through the process.
Minot Monday is made possible through a partnership with BeLOCAL Minot. BeLOCAL helps you discover local favorites in your new hometown. Basically, it’s a great guide to living like a local and quickly getting adjusted to our town. Check them out if you haven’t. Today, I’m telling you all about the Denbigh Experimental Forest–a new gem we’ve just discovered!
I love hiking. I’ll just start by telling you that. When Derek and I vacation, we typically plan around national parks and hikes. While Minot is not a hiking mecca, I’m always on the lookout and excited to find and share fun trails. Today I’ve got a good one.
Also, here’s a pro tip on how I discover so many great things in Minot: I talk to people. People are friendly–and not put off by a stranger striking up a conversation with them. I do this a lot on playgrounds with other parents who have littles playing near Gideon. Recently, this exact tactic lead to small talk with someone who transplanted to Minot from Germany. I learned that we share a love for hiking, and he told me about the Denbigh Experimental Forest.
And now…I’ll tell you.
Getting to the Denbigh Experimental Forest
The Denbigh Experimental Forest is just east of Granville, ND. It’s about a 40 minute drive from town to get there. But by North Dakota standards, that’s pretty darn close. Just take US-2 east out of town and follow it past Granville. Then you’ll see a sign for the forest. We used GPS to get out there and had no issues finding it. (Map here.)
The forest was planted in 1931 as part of a relief project to protect the area from dust storms and create jobs during the Depression. Since then the area has been used for research and still produces more than a million seedlings each year. (More history here.)
Hiking Denbigh Experimental Forest
What I really want to tell you about the Denbigh Experimental Forest is that it’s awesome. Totally a hidden gem near Minot that you need to check out.
There’s a really fun trail. It’s not a very long. In total, the trail is 5K, just over 3 miles. But it runs through a forest and prairie. There is lots of shade. It’s bike friendly, pet friendly, and appropriate for little hikers too.
We hiked with Gideon, and he insisted on walking (running) most of the trail himself. We weren’t sure how he’d do, so we brought along our jogging stroller. While we didn’t end up using it much, it wasn’t too hard to push along the trail–so if you need to bring a little one in a stroller you’ll be good to go. (A jogging stroller or something terrain-friendly is a must. An umbrella stroller will not do well.)
The grass does get high in places, so be sure to take bug spray to ward off ticks. (More on North Dakota ticks here.)
If you haven’t been, you should go. Take advantage of this great adventure, right in our back yard. For my other favorite walks (in town) check out this post. For more, see these BeLOCAL listing on parks and day/weekend trips.
Thrive, Share and Join the Community
And remember–I do a round up of what’s going on in Minot each Monday evening on my Instagram stories. So be sure to follow along there. For more intentionally positive living join our community on Facebook and Instagram.
Today is the day. I’ve been putting this off because in my mind, the perfect time to share a big before and after post is once everything is done, complete, decorated and looking perfect.
But that’s not going to happen for a while yet. And I’ve already been sitting on a nearly finished project for months now. Eventually, they will be art on the walls. Someday, the ceiling fan will get an upgrade. Once things slow down (maybe never), I’ll have a prettier shelving unit in the dining room.
It’s time to show you.
But first, an Oscar-style thank you speech to everyone who made this day possible:
So many of you cheered me on through this major project. I cannot thank you enough. And I know a lot of you feel invested–because you kept up with the progress daily through my Instagram stories. The virtual hugs and pats on the back kept me going. Especially when Derek was out of country for months and I needed to continue work with only a toddler in tow. Especially once I found out I was pregnant and felt nauseous around the clock, but still had lots to do.
I also owe a big thanks to Derek (obviously). He sets us up for success in any project we take on. He makes sure I can move forward when he’s gone. Thank you’s to friends in Minot who watched Gideon while I worked, and helped with heavy lifting and installation. Thank you to my parents for getting me through the finishing touches (and unpacking all my kitchen goods into the new space). And thanks to Gideon, for being the world’s best subcontractor.
Okay. Enough of that. Let’s get going.
Acorn House Kitchen Remodel
When we first moved in to Acorn House (you can see the full “before” tour here), the kitchen was completely closed off from the rest of the house. Although we are not advocates of creating totally open floor plans in old homes, this one needed better flow. The living room and dining rooms are modest in size, but opening up the kitchen a bit has made all the rooms feel bigger.
Acorn House has five bedrooms. It’s ideal for a family. Opening up walls to give better sight lines to where littles might be playing was particularly important to us. This way, a parent in the kitchen can easily see the shenanigans happening in the living room. All without needing to leave the stove.
The whole process for the kitchen remodel was jump-started after the great cabinet crash of 2019. The bank of cabinets on this side of the kitchen fell off the wall. The second photo shows how we regrouped after the fall. (All about the crash here.)
Sink and Fridge
We were able to keep the sink and dishwasher in their original locations. The refrigerator was also moved to this wall. This gave us space for a corner cabinet and peninsula work space. I was originally concerned about the lack of counter space over here, but it’s proven to be plenty.
We’re in love (and so is everyone else) with the scalloped backsplash. I try to keep the counters clear–but the coffee and coffee maker are always in use, and always at the ready.
The Peninsula
When we started, the doorway to the kitchen was 32″ wide. We raised the opening height. Then opened the wall to accommodate a peninsula and “pass through” cabinet to the dining room.
I am so happy with how this space turned out. It’s a dream to have a large area for prep. Especially since it can be accessed from both sides.
The mixer is stored in the countertop appliance garage and the peninsula is the perfect space for baking. Gideon likes to help with that. Or play play-doh while I cook and unload the dishwasher. This little space brings us all together.
Our Realistic Remodel Approach
Whenever we take on a remodel or renovation, we approach it with a “preservation mindset.” I ask questions. What was fitting for this style of architecture when it was built? How can we make this space work for modern life, while respecting it’s past? Without making this space a time-capsule, how can we stay true to it’s roots?
Not every house is meant to have a farm house kitchen. Or a boho living room. And that’s okay.
We also approach projects from a realistic perspective. What can we take on? How can we best steward the gifts God has given us? (Time, money, skills, relationships, etc are all taken into account.) We are realistic about what we can afford, what is practical and what the house can sustain.
There are a few things left to do. Like art on those blank dining room walls and that missing piece of baseboard (which will come after living room carpet is installed.) But the space has been totally transform and God has inspired my heart in great ways through this process.
Thanks again for being part of the journey. I love you all dearly.
For more projects, intentional + positive living, and the daily practice of seeing the world through a Christ-centered lens–join me on Instagram and Facebook. If you were inspired, or just loved this post–please remember to share it!
Minot Monday is made possible through a partnership with BeLOCAL Minot. BeLOCAL is a guide to living like a local and finding the best of what our town has to offer. Today we’re exploring the Minot public pool at Roosevelt Park. Here’s more on parks and summer fun from BeLOCAL.
Happy Minot Monday, everyone! This week is going to be blazing hot, so I thought it would be fun to go to one of my favorite places in town: the pool! I’m a huge fan of the Minot public pool at Roosevelt Park.
Yes, this is the same Roosevelt Park with the zoo and a good playground and walking trail. It’s a good park.
If you live in town, the pool is close by. (Probably a drive of 15 minutes or less.) The Minot public pool is convenient, clean and affordable. If you haven’t been yet, you should definitely go.
If you leave the pool I believe you can return later in the day for no charge.
Minot Public Pool Pro Tips
Evenings are generally less crowded
Weekdays are less crowded than weekends
Crowds tend to thin out at dinner time (5-7pm)
Monday & Wednesday evenings are family swim. Admission is $12 for the whole crew.
Life Jackets are available for rent at the front desk
Bring a ball or small toy to play with in the kiddie pool if your little isn’t big enough to be independent on the slide or confident in the water features.
What’s It Like?
I love that the pool and locker rooms are kept clean. Never once have I gone and felt icky about getting in the water. The kiddie pool is amazing and always sparkling clean.
The Kiddie Pool
Speaking of the kiddie pool…it’s great. Let me tell you more. It’s gated off, so little ones can’t accidentally wander away to the main pool. There are two sections to the kiddie pool.
One is a zero entry (meaning you can walk into it gradually without a step or ladder.) This section also has a small “froggie” slide and a larger water slide structure with water features all over it.
The other section is a gated off wading/splashing pool. There are no water features here or water spraying over head. Just a calm pool for play.
There are a couple chairs, but not many. Expect to hold your “place” on the deck with your bag or towel. This is usually fine because parents are typically close by their children to supervise them–not sitting on the sides. There’s a nice canopy for shade and shady spots can be found at the perimeter of the kiddie pool near the locker rooms.
Also, I’m not sure snacks are actually allowed (definitely not in the water!) but no one has ever stopped me from snacking on the deck.
Supervision in the Kiddie Pool
Our experience at the kiddie pool has been overwhelmingly positive. But, please keep a close eye on your littles. Most parents are great about this. But on busy days things can get a little crazy.
There are lifeguards on duty, but some things go unchecked, depending on who’s on duty. For example, kids often try to climb up the water slide. There is always a lifeguard near the end of the slide, but sometimes they don’t say anything–or they wait quite a while before addressing the issue. Meanwhile a long line of antsy kids has accumulated at the top of the slide, waiting for a climber to get off.
Most life guards are super young. So I get that they are on unfamiliar territory when giving instruction to a 2 year old that doesn’t want to listen. Overall, they do a great job. Just keep an eye on your kiddos and help them follow the pool rules to keep everyone safe.
The Main Pool
The main pool is (obviously) much larger than the kiddie pool and geared toward older children and adults. The water is deeper, with deep ends for diving board use and water slides. There are lots of lounge chairs on the deck, but not much shade to be had.
Usually, there are four water slides feeding into the main pool. Three are short “tube” slides that drop you into the middle of the pool. One is very long and high. This one is my favorite, but this summer it’s under construction and out of use.
Again, no snacks allowed in the water, but no one has ever stopped me from having a snack on the deck. So bring something to munch on and plan to stay a while.
Go Swimming
The Minot public pool at Roosevelt Park is just another way to enjoy North Dakota’s glorious summer season. For more on the pool, check out the pool’s website. If you are looking for more local fun, be sure to check out BeLOCAL.
For more tips on living in Minot or just to gather with a community of awesome people striving to live with intentional positivity–join me on Instagram or Facebook.
Today I’m sharing an everyday devotional about trusting God in the mess of our lives. I’ve learned over and over that things usually look worse before they look better–and trusting God in the mess is safe. Read along as I tell you a story from everyday life and weave a lesson about God’s grace and truth into it.
Last week I spent an afternoon sanding down the hardwood floors in our soon-to-be master bedroom. I almost didn’t want to start. Most of the floor was in pretty good shape. There were some places where leaky windows had left water damage, or years of foot traffic had worn away the finish completely, leaving bare, exposed wood.
It was a shame sand the nice places. The only thing that propelled me into action was having faith that, in the end, the finished product would look better. What looked “kind of okay” would be breathtaking.
This brings me around to a truth that I’ve learned after working on lots of old houses:
Things Nearly Always Look Worse Before They Look Better.
Pinterest is flooded with beautiful Before & After photos. I love looking at B&A pictures. They’re addictive to me, but often, these images leave out an important look into the middle.
There’s a difficult season in the middle of any project–where things look worse than when you started. Even if you know what you are doing is necessary and will be great when its done, it’s inevitable that things will look like a hotter mess as you start to improve than when you started.
I’ve had “middle moments” when I started to wonder if things were really that bad to begin with. Yes, kitchen cabinets that are intact would be nice. But when prepping dinner means using a dismantled dishwasher as your only counter space, and cleanup means hauling all the dirty dishes upstairs to a decrepit 1950’s apartment kitchen–it’s easy to start thinking things would be better if we’d never started this project.
It’s not just home improvement projects that this holds true for. Think about reorganizing, unpacking, or sorting excess. The mess always gets bigger before it comes into a new, better state.
Israel’s Middle Moment | Trusting God in the Mess
Back to sanding the floor.
As I let the sander do its worst to a mostly-okay floor, my mind drifted off to Pentateuch chapters, still fresh in my mind from the 90 Day Bible Reading Challenge.
How many times did the Israelites rail against Moses, asking him why he’d led them out of Egypt to “die in the wilderness”? Why he’d brought them away from Egypt, where:
“We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic, but now our appetite is gone.”
Yes, they were slaves. Sure, they were belittled, treated less-than, and strictly limited on how they could worship the God they knew to be true. Of course, it wasn’t ideal. But in the heat of the desert, in the midst of that “middle moment” where they’d been didn’t look so bad.
As a modern reader, it’s easy for me to judge Israel. I mentally scold them for not trusting God in the mess. I easily shame them for having weak faith and faltering. Isn’t it obvious? God has something much bigger and better planned. Why don’t they just hush up and eat the manna? Cool your jets, God is doing something huge and wonderful for you–just give Him a hot second.
It’s easy to take that stance when we know the ending. And not just the ending of that journey, when they really do reach the land flowing with milk and honey. We understand that all the law and the prophets and the wandering lead to reconciliation to God for all people, through the sacrifice of Jesus–His perfect, holy son.
We’re blessed to have a more complete picture. Israel, however, was living the “middle moment.”
Fear in the Middle Moments
As I sanded the floor down I felt great empathy for these people. For them, Egypt was the only home they’d ever known. Slavery was the only lifestyle they’d ever lived. It might have even seemed “basically okay.” Walking away took guts.
Like taking a sander to a floor that was basically okay.
What if I take the finish off and the new stain looks crummy? How will I fix it if I just make it worse?
What if we left Egypt–and all we’ll ever know now is dry, dusty wilderness and wandering?
What if we threw away an unpleasant, but stable existence only to watch our children die out here?
How will we ever live with ourselves if there is no promised land and this whole journey has been wasted?
The floor looked more ragged and dingy while I sanded. The once clean room was covered in dust.
Things nearly always look worse before they look better.
Intentionally Take Heart in Your Middle Moments
Friends, let’s be encouraged by the generations before us. Maybe you are about to jump into something that will shake up your world. You know it needs to happen, but you’re nervous. Plaster this truth on the walls of your heart: Things may look worse before they look better. But God is the author of beauty and redeems even the biggest messes.
Maybe you are in a “middle moment.” Some corner of your life is in total disarray. You want to put things back, but it’s too late. You’ve walked out of Egypt. You’ve turned the sander on the floor. Keep moving forward. God will lead you out. Intentionally reminder yourself: Things look worse before they look better. God is bringing something good from this mess. (Get more encouragement from the Moving Forward in Hard Times series.)
Maybe you are lucky enough to have walked through the “middle moment” and come to the promised land. Hold on to the clarity you have. Do not praise your own strength or effort. Remember, what God brought you through. Continue to seek the ways He worked through that season, continue to praise Him. Write it out. Remember what He has done. Recall it often. Do not make the same mistake as the Israelites.
They stopped talking about it. They stopped teaching their children about that hard season in the wilderness. Eventually, it was a vague, distant tale. And again, a hard season crept upon them, another trial. Another “middle moment.”
No matter where you are, or what you are facing, remember that things may look worse before they look better. But, when we walk with God, we can trust that we are being led toward a finished product, a destination far better than where we started.
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Join the community on Instagram and Facebook to connect with me and others who aim to live intentionally and see the world through a Christ-Centered lens. I share photos, more everyday stories, practical encouragement for living out your faith and getting excited about God’s Word. Also be sure to head to the Resource Library to find an ever-growing collection of Bible Study resources, created with YOU in mind!
If you are reading through the Bible, plan to, or have read it–you know that reading Old Testament law can be tricky (or nap inducing). Today I’m excited to share a few ways you can refresh your mindset toward the law. (You can get a couple reading plans here, or read about my love for chronological reading and the 90 day reading challenge.)
Reading Old Testament law is hard. It can be hard to comprehend and appreciate. Even harder to understand how it ties into the New Testament, modern church and our faith walk as “post-resurrection” believers.
I get it. I’ve been there–trying to keep my eyes open while reading Old Testament law, or simply letting my eyes move over chapters describing the sacrifices expected at feasts. It can be really, really hard.
Along the way I learned a few things that changed my mindset about these sections of Scripture. These things changed me. Not only could I read them and stay awake, but I came to like them. If you aren’t as big of a geek as me, like may be going a bit far. But I believe we can all come to a place of understanding and appreciation.
Refreshing Your Mindset For the Law + Free Study Guide!
Today I’m sharing seven points that shifted my mind and altered my attitude toward the “drier” sections of the Old Testament. I’ve also turned these points into a FREE printable study guide. You can get it over in the resource library or at the bottom of this post.
A Fresh Take on Reading Old Testament Law
God Is Speaking
Years ago someone encouraged me while I was struggling through the laws and details of the Pentateuch. She said, “I think those books are really cool. I mean, most of the just a record of God Himself speaking.”
I’d never thought of that before. These sections of text are dense with God’s direct communication to His people. It’s reading God’s actual words, to actual people!
God is Equipping a New Nation
After leaving Egypt, Israel was to become a new nation of its own. This was a huge undertaking, but God did not expect them to take it on alone. He didn’t expect them to figure it out on their own or make it up as they went along or copy other nations. Instead, He painstakingly told them everything they needed to know about living as a nation of their own, God’s chosen people.
The Law Assures Us That God Will Provide a Framework to Live Holy Lives in Any Culture
The laws in the Bible reflect in large measure the way ancient societies were structured. God’s revelation speaks into that context. The laws in the Bible do not seek to restructure society, but to affect how people live and think in the societal structure they have...The laws of the Bible seek to transform how people live in whatever sort of society they find themselves. No societal structure is flawless; it is always subject to the nature of the people who are part of it…
Consequently, when we look at the laws of the Bible, we are not looking for the picture of a perfect society nor should we think that God is endorsing such a society. We will find that the shape of Israelite society is often very much like those of her neighbors, but we should be attentive to the ways that the Bible goes further to protect the rights and dignity of those who might be vulnerable. In this way the Bible can pioneer new moral ground even while being situated in the familiar social structures of the ancient world…
While Biblical laws describe a society very much rooted in the ancient world, God calls his people to higher standards. The areas of commonality do not suggest that the Bible has borrowed from the legal literature of the ancient world; only that God addressed their society as it was, but sought to show them a pathway to holy living within that framework.
“Ancient Laws, Scripture and Modern Issues” Zondervan’s Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
How comforting that God will provide a way for us to live holy lives within the framework of any culture or societal structure!
The Law Reveals God’s Heart
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of specifics laid out in the Law. But the law reveals God’s unchanging heart. Here are a few things the law reveals about God’s character:
While other Near Eastern cultures believed that gods relied on humans to serve them, it’s clear the God of Israel does not need the provision of humans. His desire is a relationship with man, not servants.
God does not expect perfection. Rather, His desire is our heart, trust and devotion. The law draws a clear line between those with appropriate and inappropriate heart posture. Our heart, not our actions or wealth have always been more important to God.
The law reveals God’s desire to show the world what it looks like to be in relationship with Him.
Jesus Valued the Law
References to the law are found throughout Scripture. This alone makes a general understanding of Biblical law relevant to us. Even more, Jesus valued the law and understood it. In Matthew 5:17-18 he says,
Do not think that I’ve come to abolish the Law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
A friend who is well versed in OT law recently told me that understanding the different categories of law helped her appreciate the laws overall. There are three types of laws laid out in Scripture: Ceremonial, Civil and Moral Laws.
Ceremonial laws aren’t observed anymore because the temple is no longer standing and many were prophetic and fulfilled in Jesus’ coming and atonement for our sins.
Civil laws were specific to life in Israel and in that time and culture.
Moral laws can still be applied today and are seen in teachings/letters sent to the early Church in the New Testament.
Atonement is Messy and Personal
Old Testament law clearly shows us that the atonement we desperately need to bridge the gap between us and God is messy. Atonement is personal, messy and serious. The law points to our need for a more lasting solution. The gap between us and God is wide and we are need a redeemer to help us: Jesus.
Reading Old Testament Law
I hope one or two of these will help refresh your mindset about reading Old Testament Law. If you are joining in on the 90 Day Bible Reading Challenge, you may have already passed through the thickest part of books of the law–but there is still plenty left. Remember, the law is quoted over and over throughout Scripture. Having a basic understanding (original readers would have had a deep understanding) will help you better understand the rest of the Bible.
Grab the FREE Old Testament Law Study Guide: 7 ways to refresh your mindset about the law
Enjoy the 90 Day Plan!
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Happy Minot Monday! Minot Monday is made possible through a partnership with BeLOCAL Minot. Today we’re talking about kid’s music classes in Minot at Children’s Music Academy. For more league and activity ideas check out BeLOCAL’s listings here.
It’s my absolute pleasure to bring businesses, activities, organizations and Minot fun of all kinds to your attention. You know I love life here, but there’s definitely a learning curve if you’re new in town–or a transplant. Sometimes you can live here for a few years and still not know everything our town has to offer. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to a wonderful resource in Minot: The Children’s Music Academy.
I sat down with CMA owner, Terri Aldrich to learn about the Academy. Then, Gideon and I were able to sit in on a class (even though he’s still a little too young). The Children’s Music Academy is exactly what it sounds like: musical training for children. But there are a few things that set CMA apart from basic piano lessons. If you are looking for a way to begin exposing your little to music, maybe you’ll discover that this is a great fit for you and your littles.
Classes take place in a group setting, focused on learning together, socializing and having fun.
There are four courses offered plus a “Master’s Course” for graduates. Courses are age based and run from 3.5 years old through 4th grade. For course descriptions see here.
CMA’s curriculum is multi-dimensional and teaches keyboard, singing, theory, ear training, composition, ensemble playing, guitar and recorder.
CMA believes in and supports private lessons, but also understands these may be best for older students with a longer attention span and an understanding of the basics.
Research has proven that “music affects virtually every aspect of development …” from math and reading to emotional expression. For more on the benefits of music for children, see here.
This is Something to do With Your Child
This might be my favorite part of CMA. Unlike other activities that require a parent to wait after the child is dropped off, classes here are interactive for both child and parent. This is something you can do with your child. The parent learns alongside the child and can help them in their training.
Now, don’t get me wrong–I appreciate activities (see other leagues and activities in town here) that let the parent watch while the child learns. (Sometimes we need an hour to talk to other parents or drink a cup of coffee.) But CMA is unique in that as a parent you’ll understand everything your child is learning. This is an activity you’ll bond through and look forward to doing together.
Classes Are Based on Age, Not Skill Level
Another thing that makes Children’s Music Academy so attractive is that classes are based on age, not skill level. Each course begins with the basics–even if a child has previously taken lessons, or is more advanced. This ensures that no one is left behind, or feels left out. And, it means that an older child with no experience will never be in the uncomfortable situation of sitting in a class with much younger kids.
Age based classes tailor curriculum to teach kids in a way they are able to comprehend. In the Pre Junior class this means lots of short activities (because their attention span isn’t very long) and activities that don’t require reading.
Students Learn Theory That Prepares Them For A Future in Music
From the very beginning–even in the youngest groups, CMA starts teaching music fundamentals and theory. In the Pre Junior class that meant stories that illustrated the difference between low notes and high notes, drumming simple rhythms that mimicked croaking frogs (“frogs” was the theme of the week) and reading a rhythm depicted in pictures. Big frogs are a long croak, little frogs are a two beat rib-bit.
I really like that the focus isn’t solely on learning the piano or another single instrument. Rather they learn fundamentals that will transfer as a student grows and chooses which instrument they’d like to play.
Kid’s Music Classes in Minot
We had a great time at our Pre Junior class. Gideon played the piano and drum. He socialized with other kids. We listened to stories and made a quick craft and played games. Going in, I wasn’t so sure how CMA would actually teach the fundamentals of music to children so young. However, after class I saw that by teaching at a level they understand, children can begin to grasp musical foundations. It’s really cool.
If you’re looking for kid’s music classes in Minot, I encourage you to check it out. Children’s Music Academy is a great resource and we are lucky to have it in our community. You can contact CMA for more information or specific class dates, times and registration.
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Minot Monday is made possible through a partnership with BeLOCAL Minot. BeLOCAL helps those new to town live and thrive like a local. Today, I’m exploring the lesser known playgrounds in Minot. These are perfect places to play while social distancing may still be a concern.
Happy Minot Monday, everyone! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: there’s nothing quite like a North Dakota summer. This is the perfect time to get out and enjoy the amazing weather and soak up all the fresh air you can handle. We all know it comes to an end sooner or later. But let’s not talk about that right now. There’ll be time to discuss sub-zero temperatures again in the fall.
Life in Minot is an exercise of intentionality. There’s a lot going on and a lot to do, but you’ve gotta be intentional about finding in and taking part. And, about finding people who can fill you in on the stuff you might be missing if you’re a transplant to Practically Canada.
That’s where I come in.
When I first moved to Minot I heard about the “big two” parks. Oak Park and Roosevelt Park. If you are new-ish, chances are you are familiar with the “big two.” (Side note, that’s a name I made up for them.)
Sometimes, especially since social distancing has become a concern, it’s nice to sneak off to a place less crowded and lesser known. I’ve had the internal struggle myself. Do I let Gideon play on the playground? Are there too many kids here? Should we just stay home and play in our weed patch yard?
Today I’m sharing six fun playgrounds in Minot to avoid big crowds. This is a great list to save and explore–especially if you are stuck in a rut of hanging at the same park day after day. I love our parks department, but their website is a little lacking when it comes to good photos of our playgrounds. Hopefully this will help you find a fun place to play!
Polaris Park
The playground at Polaris Park is fun for all ages, but especially older kiddos who can climb confidently. I love that this playground has “balance” features (things that wiggle under foot) to challenge and grow their skills. In addition to the playground, there’s a good disc gold course and a picnic shelter nearby.
Riverside Park
Riverside Park is tucked away in a northwest neighborhood. It’s small and very quiet. It’s playground is simple, but very nice. I’ve never (ever) seen a crowd here. Besides the playground, there are tennis and basketball courts and a picnic shelter.
South Hill Complex
The South Hill Complex is an awesome hidden gem when it comes to playgrounds. This playground is way fun and unique in that its got a sand base (instead of mulch.) The playground here is big and appropriate for a wide age range. All the playgrounds are fun for bigger kids, but this one definitely gets my stamp of approval as a fun place for preschoolers to play too.
In addition to the main playground, the complex has a great system of paved paths–perfect for bikes (or learning to bike) or roller blades. And it’s got another, smaller, hidden playground!
And if you want to extend your walk, you can meander into the grounds of Rosehill Cemetery. I know recommending a stroll through the cemetery sounds weird, but it’s a thing. It’s got great paths and folks use it as a walking and biking trail all the time.
Bread of Life Community Playground
Okay, friends. This Minot playground isn’t even on the parks department list. So you know it’s a well kept secret. And you’re welcome.
At Bread of Life Lutheran Church there’s a really nice community playground. It’s never crowded. It’s clean and right next to a nice subdivision. Parking is easy and close in the church lot and there’s a nice picnic shelter nearby.
Radio City Park
Because Radio City also boasts a splash pad, this playground can get a bit full. But on cooler days or when we aren’t at the height of splash pad season, this is a nice, quiet playground to visit. There are several play structures and this is another one that is fun for preschoolers as well as older kids.
In addition to the playground, there’s a picnic shelter (a bit far from the playground though) and a splash pad.
Hammond Park
Hammond Park’s is most known for its tennis courts, but it’s also got a nice playground tucked away. Again, this one is surrounded by neighborhoods and tends to be very quiet. It’s main playground has tall structures, good for climbing and bigger kids.
Dale Brown Courts
Also at Hammond Park, but a bit of a walk away are the Dale Brown Basketball Courts. Near the courts is a second playground. This one is geared toward younger children. I’d actually say of all our playgrounds, this is the best one for Pre-K play. Everything is sized well for little climbers and sliders.
Enjoy the Playgrounds in Minot
I hope you’ll get out and enjoy these lesser used playgrounds in Minot. Another great thing about living here is that you are always within a couple minutes of a great play space for the littles. Get intentional about finding fun this summer. Have a great Minot Monday!
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