Home - It's Where Your Heart Is - And Your Wallpaper ISN'T!

"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."             Psalms 23:6

We have had a HUGE chunk of God's love and goodness over the many years of our lives, and although we know we will eventually have an eternal home, while we are here on earth we must have a space to occupy which forms the framework of the lifework God has created us to do.  For so many years (about 33 of them) that "space" has been the home in which we raised our children, also known as, "Too much wallpaper, Mom; It looks like Elmer's Pancake House!"  Who doesn't love a dining room with walls like this:
                                         

"Fruit of the Spirit" Wallpaper

But alas, we had to sell it.  3500 square feet included six bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, LOTS of wallpaper, AND an inground swimming pool trampoline!  But . . . none of that was revealed in the real estate description:  “Lovely larger home” . . . “bonus room” . . . “fresh paint and carpet throughout.” (We had to remove ALL the wallpaper - and BTW, they lied when they said it is “strippable!”) . . .  And after it no longer looked like my home, the house sold - and for an appallingly small amount of money.  But, I have become OK with this because . . Africa.  Although our dwelling here is FAR more than adequate, I believe I am in the beginning stages of learning to live more modestly and with less.*  And taking a cue from the realty profession, here are some homes in Africa, described using  "realtor-speak" (starting with our current residence):

"Lovely attached home in gated and guarded community. Tin roof outside and in.  Open concept gives spacious feel to this popular 'tiny home.'  Master suite with upgrades, including pink and blue toilet, seasonal hot water,  and mosquito netting for queen-size bed. Wall-to-wall concrete throughout, with plenty of floor ventilation, allows seasonal critters continual access.  An animal lovers delight!  Appliances include newer stainless steel refrigerator and microwave, and vintage stove. Moderate HOA dues include dual-function community pool/hot tub (March to September), and multiple fireplaces throughout the community. 

Open Concept

Community Fireplaces

Vintage Stove

Compound Pool/Hot Tub
(If you get enough children to run one direction around the pool,  you can bask in the illusion of  a jetted spa.)

Venturing out of the "gated community" will allow you to view further residences in the area, which, I have to admit, have far fewer amenities than I am used to, however a realtor might still showcase their best feature(s) using phrases like these:

Straw Walls

"Newer studio with (very) open layout.  Solar access throughout.  Has 'zero bathroom option'."

A Window to the World - or Africa - or Your Outside Wall

"With fresh stucco - OK, mud and bricks - throughout, this compact dwelling includes a view."

Bedroom

"Lovely one-bedroom home". . .  OK . . . "Lovely,  one-room home with bed - for sitting, eating, AND sleeping.  Create close family with this charmer!"

Sheep and Goats

"Multiple-function dwelling features large, user-friendly entry.  Easy access available for wheel chair or herd of goats.   Surpasses ADA requirements." 

With all these housing options here, let me just say, "It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood!"  The sun always shines and there are always children playing . . . or following . . . or wanting you to take a photo so they can see what they look like!

Neighbourhood Children

*So . . . about the "modest living, and with less" . . .  I had hoped that in the process of living away from the western world, I would gain some clarity about how we should go about finding a place to live, but I believe that is not as important as finding a purpose for the rest of my life.  I know enough about myself to believe I can make a "nest" wherever God puts me, and I gained some ideas about both the "purpose" and the "nest."  I like "nice" as much - or even more - than the next person (OK, I get ridiculously jealous over beautiful homes),  but I always return (mentally) to what I really believe:  "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."  (Matthew 8:20 - on the cost of following Jesus, meaning that one cannot depend on a "pre-planned" life, let alone dwelling.)  Unfortunately, foxholes and nests in southern California seem to increase by $100,000 for every bedroom added - AFTER a base price!!!  Perhaps we shall be following Jesus to North Dakota . . .