One year ago, exactly today, we moved from our house of almost 20 years to a house built with much hard work and prayer. It was about four years ago, when it was clear the Titus2 ministry had outgrown our home, and Joseph and John said, “We’ll build you a house, Dad!”
It took two and a half years of hard work building the house. Christopher bought our previous house. We took that money, lots of sweat equity and some more funds that the Lord provided to build it.
We took thousands of pictures, so for the sake of time, I wasn’t able to pick as many as I would have liked to, but here’s a chronicle of the journey of building it. Remember, you can click into any picture to make it bigger.
The Lord protected us every step of the way! There were many times throughout the process, Dad was seeking the Lord when things looked impossible. Jesus always gave the direction Daddy needed.
“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain” (Psalms 127:1).
“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste” (Isaiah 28:16).
“Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am” (Psalms 39:4).
“In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury” (Proverbs 14:23).
“A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast…” (Proverbs 12:10)
“And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers…” (Malachi 4:6).
Truly, many times of sweet fellowship were had!
“Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate” (Psalms 127:4-5).
“And there ye shall eat before the Lord your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the Lord thy God hath blessed thee” (Deuteronomy 12:7).
“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38)
The whole goal of the house was to allow the ministry to have the room it needed so we could be used of the Lord to equip, exhort, and encourage families in our Savior! Truly, we’ve seen Him do that over and over again. This was just a tool in His Hands! We sometimes wonder how the ministry fit in our old house. The Lord must have multiplied our space like the widow’s mite.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalms 133:1).
“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme” (1 Peter 2:13).
If you want to read a few blog posts on our move, please see the posts from March 2009.
Sarah for all the family
“Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35).
Wow! I can’t believe that was a year ago already! Time flies! 😉 Our family met you soon before your work began on the new house I believe. 🙂 It was very interesting to see you all working together to build it. 🙂 I was surprised at how much you could do on your own, instead of having someone else do it! But what a great way to work together as a family! 😉
Thank you for sharing all the pictures Sarah! 😀 It was very enjoyable to look through the entire process like this. 🙂
Blessings to you all!
~Miss Rachel~
p.s. – Continuing to keep Melanie, Nathan, Abbi, and the baby in our prayers! 🙂
Thank you so much for this post! Is beautiful the way you put it together, pictures and scriptures. I got encourage, we are moving, the realtor wanted me to just throw my stuff away, begin fixing the house and get going. I decided to have a yard sale, and take it slowly, I want the kids to learn from it. I see that many things get done really fast and I was questioning my decision, but I read in your post “two and a half years” and I’m encourage to take my time let the kids learn from it. Any way, you always encourage me! Thank you!
Hi!
You all did a great job! It’s such a nice bonus to have a sewing room isn’t it?
God bless!
Dear Maxwell Family,
I love your home and I just can’t express enough how much your family’s example has blessed our lives.
We have been without the ‘beast’ since shortly after we came to your conference in the Atlanta area the end of January last year. I can’t say enough how much of a difference it has made in our lives.
Our Bible Time is more involved and much more regular. (we still fail some days but 99% of the time we have it).
The Lord worked and answered our prayers in so many ways. HE provided the way for us to give up our ministries (teaching sunday school, extra activities, being on the board of a homeschool group and much more that we were ‘trapped’ in) so we could focus more on our family and Him.
Thank you so much for your witness and your encouragement!!
Many blessings,
Vania
p.s.
The reason we haven’t commented in awhile is because since November we have been preparing to move, have moved and are now settling in and unpacking. 🙂 You have always remained in our prayers and never far from our thoughts either!!!
>>>>>>>>>>
Your walk in the Lord Jesus has encouraged us.
Steve
Thank you for sharing these pictures showing the process of your home-building. What a huge job, but how wonderful your family worked together and the Lord blessed your efforts. It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since you moved – – the days seem to go quickly! ~ I’m keeping you all in my prayers as you continue serving our Lord.
Hugs from Georgia, Patti M. 🙂
Hello Maxwells,
I cannot believe its been a year already….another reminder of how time gets by us so quickly. Hope all is well with your family and especially with Melanie.
How about a photo or two of your home after it was finished?
Marie
Has it really been 4 years. I have been with your blog since about the time the house began, or you had just acquired the land. It’s been a wonderful journey to watch you all build your home, and thank you for sharing your lives with so many.
blessings, Mrs. Mari