10 Greatest Memories on Lemming Street
As we wait on the official word from our bank on the “short sale” of our home, I have mixed emotions about the impending move. Laura and I have been married over 17 years, and we’ve lived 8 years in this house – the longest stay at any of place we’ve owned/lived in. I’ve been reflecting on the wonderful experiences we’ve had on Lemming St. Here are 10 of the most prominent in my mind…
- Baptizing our kids and some friends in our backyard.
It’s amazing to think that Emerson was 8 months old, and Waverly was four when we moved into this home. Both of them love God and have chosen to follow Jesus. Last year, we planned a baptism in our backyard for several members of our house church, and our kids were ready to take that step. What a beautiful experience to be with both our kids on that day.
. - Helping multiple people choose to follow Jesus for the first time.
As a follower of Jesus, there is not much more powerful than helping other people begin to take that step of faith to follow Jesus as well. To watch neighbors, friends, and our kids take that step, it has been wonderful. The tears, the smiles, the transformation…I can’t wait to experience that in our next home.
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- Hosting numerous Welcome Desserts where newcomers at our church got plugged into community.
When I was a pastor, we would host a dessert at our home about every quarter in order to welcome new people to the church. They would meet leaders, hear the vision of the church, and ask questions. Outside of Sunday morning, this was my favorite event we put together, because it’s where so many people got connected in relationships and took a next step toward involvement.
. - Meeting, connecting with, praying for, and serving our neighbors.
Over the past 8 years, I married a couple on our street and facilitated the memorial service of a dear woman. We’ve physically served multiple neighbors by working on their property and home. We’ve prayed for (and with) multiple neighbors on multiple occasions. We’ve crossed multiple ethnic/socio-economic barriers including attending the memorial service for a neighbor’s son who was gunned down around the corner. We’ve been stretched farther than I believed was possible, and it has been a privilege (and to our own benefit).
. - Receiving the physical help of numerous friends on our home.
Before we even moved in, I had several friends helping with our home (Doug Berry, Jon Gaw, Luke Mysse). Over the years, different people would join me on projects (and more often than not, it was the other way around – me joining them on ‘my’ projects (Jerry Stout, Dave Thomas, James Harrington, Jim Plante, Joe Calderon, and more). I’m extremely thankful for the role that each person played by generously investing in our family by working in and on our home.
. - Reconciling with Laura and moving back home three years ago after a 6 months absence.
The biggest mistake (that word doesn’t even come close to encompassing my choice) I’ve ever made was leaving my wife and kids for another woman. During my 6 month absence, I learned so much about myself, love, family, and ministry (and way more over the past three years). After a great deal of forgiveness, grace, and therapy, Laura and I reconciled, and I moved back home three years ago this month. My first night back at home in our bed was incredibly powerful. Grace beyond words.
- Adopting our dog, Lexie, from the kennel and bringing her home.
After moving back home, we began talking about the possibility of getting a dog. We looked and looked at the local kennel on numerous occasions. We finally found an incredible dog who has become an incredible addition to the family. We all love her so much (even though she licks constantly)…actually, I think I love her the most.
. - Hosting a house church for two years.
After moving back home, we tried out several churches and ended up starting a house church with a few friends. Over the course of two years, our little gathering became a ‘hospital’ for all of us in one way or another. I couldn’t believe how jacked up we all were…including our own family. It was a wonderful season, and I’m so glad we invested the time and energy to start and host it.
. - Decorating our home on a regular basis over the past three years.
For years, our home was rather sparsely decorated…very little on the walls…or anywhere else. I liked it that way, but I knew that things needed to change when I moved back home. Laura had always wanted family photos everywhere, so I started framing and hanging my own photography of our family. Laura unleashed me to express my creativity throughout our home, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the creative outlet. Things change every month or so, and I’m always bringing some piece of junk to turn it into decor.
. - Working from home for the past three years.
After working 70+ hours a week for years, I now run my own business out of our home. I love not having an office – just a two-car ‘finished’ garage (and more often than not just the dining room table). I’m thankful that I don’t have a single employee – just contractors who I cherish. I thought I would die working from home, but I’ve loved it. I set my own schedule, and God seems to provide for our family in the most amazing ways. I’m not sure what the future holds for my vocation, but I have appreciated the flexibility of working within this home the last three years.
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I’ve always connected with the physical spaces in which I find myself. There can be something so powerful (even spiritual) about the environments we choose to create. Although I’ll deeply miss what we’ve created on Lemming Street, I look forward to the next house that our family can turn into a home.
