OFFICE "AFTER" PICS

I've had just over 24 hours in my new home office and I've decided it has everything essential ... except heat and music. For now I am content to wrap myself in a blanket and play instrumental hymns on YouTube through my phone. 

I must admit to feeling a bit guilty over this space, first because Melissa doesn't have a similar space in this house (but that will change in time). Even more so, I feel guilty because I have so many friends in Haiti who could never even dream of having any room in a house all to themselves, much less a room this nice.

Maybe it's because I am an introvert, but I believe having a space that is truly yours in some meaningful sense is incredibly important. Ten years ago, before we moved out of this very house to serve in Haiti, I actually set up my stained glass workshop in a closet off our bedroom just to have a place I could call my own. 

It was functional (barely) but not comfortable or beautiful. (And probably not the safest place to operate a soldering iron.) 

I feel incredibly blessed to now have a beautiful space in which to grade homework, read, and write. 

Just now, YouTube is playing "In the Garden", one of my mom's favorite hymns and one she often sang as a solo during worship services over the years. 

I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me

And He talks with me

And He tells me I am His own

And the joy we share as we tarry there

No other has ever known

I will just say that I hope to spend many hours in my space "tarrying" with Jesus in the coming days. For now I will share some "after" pictures before I get any more sentimental tonight. 

It still needs a few finishing touches, but it's 98% finished. Here's the outside entrance to my room:

And the left end of my ten foot countertop:

The mirrored closet door does help the room feel a bit bigger.

Plus, it's got atmosphere!

Once I get into the groove with my new job, I plan to turn one of the upstairs bedrooms into a similar space for Melissa. She is being very patient as she watches me enjoy my new space. ;-)