We’re Here and It’s Getting There

black home area rug
Photo by Kelly Lacy on Pexels.com

Praise the Lord progress has been made since I wrote “Under Construction”. After working on cars all day, covered in grease and sweat, Nathan would drive out to the house and spend hours beating tile for very little reward. Beating/ripping up/removing tile is the most difficult work I have ever done in my life and an experience I will NOT repeat!!!!

While the house was out of commission, Nathan and I stayed with my dad. I have to give my dad a public, “thank you!” for allowing us to stay with him for six weeks! When I gave the leasing office notice that we would be moving out, I never dreamed that we would end up staying with my dad! While I LOVE my dad, I have not lived with my dad for over 30 years (my folks separated when I was six, divorced when I was twelve and I will be thirty nine next month just to give y’all some context!).

As many of you know, my mom lives in Florida. On June 29, 2020 my mom arrived in Pennsylvania. So now my mom, Nathan and I are staying at my dad’s house, talk about strange!! (This is where I have to thank God that my parents are able to get along. I did not appreciate this when I was younger.) At this point Nathan and I have been with my dad for a month and all of us are ready for our departure.

On July 11, 2020 Nathan, mom and I were finally able to move in! While many projects have been completed, there are still more projects and deliveries scheduled for the Fall. There is one project that needs to be scheduled for next Spring. In all honesty, authenticity and transparency, this is the project that eats at me because I want it done now or at least in this calendar year.  How sad/selfish/entitled on my part! No wonder the Lord said to Jeremiah, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ‘I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds'” (Jer 17:9-10 ESV).

God has made a way for me with this house in ways that I cannot even begin to describe. The fact that I have any agitation about waiting for a patio is horrific! My attitude reminds me of a quote by John Hartley, “Greed prevents a person from enjoying what he has, for it drives one to spend all one’s energy on getting more” (Leviticus, 1992, p. 445). Greed causes discontentment and dissatisfaction. Left uncheck greed can cause one’s heart and mind to become desperately sick.

I want my eyes focused on our Triune God, the Gift Giver and not the gifts He gives. In all honesty, the gifts are meaningless without the Giver! How quickly I can forget this. Praise God for His conviction and for giving us the ability to self-reflect!

Lord God, forgive us for the times that our focus is not where it should be! Lord, forgive me, forgive us for all the times that we do not give You the thanks and praise You deserve. Thank You Lord God for all the things that You have done for us over these past few months. Lord God, now more than ever may we seek to align our hearts with Yours. Father God, thank You for this reader. Thank You for allowing this reader to journey with me and for not giving up on me when I mess up! Lord God, I do not know what greed, discontentment or a disquieted spirit looks like for this reader; however, I ask that they will humbly and sincerely allow You to prune any area that is hindering their walk with You. Lord God, confession is good for the soul! Thank You Lord for all the object lessons that You have given me with this house that correlates to the life of faith. Lord, reveal to us our hidden sins.  May we never take Your forgiveness, mercy and grace for granted. Lead us and teach us. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

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Blue Collar Theologian

My name is Mandy Sweigart-Quinn, I live in Lancaster, PA and I am a “Blue Collar Theologian.” I love Jesus! I am passionate about His Word (The Holy Bible)! I come alive when I can encourage others in their walk with Jesus (whether by writing or speaking). As a “Blue Collar Theologian” it is my aim to live/practice/work out my Christian hope with sincerity, authenticity and genuineness. As a “Blue Collar Theologian,” I strive to meet people right where they are (“Incarnational Theology”). I graduated in May 2019 from Capital Seminary and Graduate School with a Master's in Biblical Studies. I am a passionate, excited and enthusiastic person! I love flowers, sports and sunsets. Since January 2, 2018 I have had the privilege of being married to Nathan.

52 thoughts on “We’re Here and It’s Getting There”

  1. The power of GOD. Stranger than fiction may it seems but that is the power of GOD, Mandy! Also, what a timing reading and commenting and my background music in this list is Les Miserables’ bring him home. Yehey! I’m very happy for you, Mandy!!! 😄😄😄😄 Thank you for my long awaited article from you and the lessons and insights that you shared; GOD is happy as you rediscover and reflect on Him while in the finishing touches stage of your home. I appreciated your honesty! Ironic that my comment is short after all the anticipation but I’m lost for words and very much happy for you! 😄😄😄😄😄😄 Blessings to your new home, you, and your entire family!

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    1. Kent, you are AMAZING! I am so thankful for your kindness, friendship and prayers! I am praying for you always, brother! God’s ways and timing are not ours! I am so thankful for the friendship that God has forged through WordPress as we live in different areas, time zones etc. Please know that you are welcome anytime! I cannot wait when I get to write my blog called, “Welcome Home” and give you a picture tour. You are an inspiration to me, Kent. In my mind I hear your voice, I hear your laughter and even more than that, I hear your heart for our Triune God! Thank you brother again for all the ways that you encourage me! Love and blessings to you and your household!!!

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      1. Mandy, you really are fast on the keyboard!😆 I’m still speechless and trying to consolidate my thoughts.😅 I’m happy for both of you, not only in the interior designing (and HGTV) realm but also reflecting on GOD along the way as the house project tasks intensifies. Tiles are hard to extract especially if it was placed firmly and you can’t just sledge it; increasing your patience “stamina.” True, everything is in His time just like the song of the same title. Similarly, I really appreciate it also my friend! Thank you very much for your prayers and invitation. We will pray for the cure and vaccine. While still reading, I can’t imagine how many words per minute you encoded. 😃 Yes, I’m looking for the HGTV, rather M&N VHT or Mandy and Nathan Virtual Home Tour. Thank you, Mandy!😃😃 That is what we should do as Christians, especially in these times. We keep the light on and the salt palatable even when we are already assured of GOD’s saving grace. After all, Mandy, this is kind of the best Christian community I had in years. My laughter.😆😅 Thank you too! 😄

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      2. Hey, Brother! I didn’t want to keep you from slumber so I figured I would write you back once I saw your post! For better or worse I have always been a fast typer. In grade school we had the Apple II GS computers and a game called type to learn. I LOVED that game! It challenged me to learn to type fast and to recognize quickly when I did not hit the right key! The M&N VHT will be a real thing! I absolutely love this! I will email you the tour!! I am praying that by Christmas everything but the patio will be done. I am eagerly awaiting my new couch and window treatments. It is getting dark here earlier and it will be nice to have privacy!! I am SO glad our Triune God is allowing us to be in community together. Nathan says, “Good Morning, Kent!” Have a great day!!

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      3. Good evening there, Mandy! My estimate for your speed is 80 wpm. Yes, adding the surprised factor also, that would be a 100. 😄 It is rare to see people type that fast unless they aced it when they were kids and I’m right, Mandy, you did start early. Mostly, I do my WP responses and readings on my phone and typing sometimes in “fat thumbs” makes it slower and typing the wrong adjacent letter. My “the” sometimes is tje and I have to correct it. It is like tiptoeing in a minefield and suddenly💥and do it again. 😆 M&N VHT is like a show on HGTV. GOD willing, it will be completed at that time (bar patio) and the feeling of it is done on a cup of choco. We are coffee drinkers right, Mandy. 😉 Yes, we all see each other’s digital footprint sharing the Gospel; makes it one community. Please give my regards to Nathan and your mom! Blessings to all of you! 😄

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  2. Wonderful prayer, Mandy, and I’m glad things are shaping up home-wise. Regarding your parents, I too have a great relationship with my ex-wife, so it isn’t all too strange. We have been divorced for 34 years, and whenever I visit New Mexico, I stay with her and her husband (they have been married for 31 years).

    It’s great when exes can have peace!

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  3. Hi Mandy, my wife and I have attacked numerous house projects over the years and if ever there was a testimony for God’s grace, doing renovations has to be at the top of the list. Bravo to your Dad for filling a need. You will have to get Nathan to give us his insight on what transpired, if it is anything like my wife and I, we seem to have totally different recollections of what happened and who did what, but I digress. Glad to see you are almost there. God is indeed good. Blessings!

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    1. Bruce, you and Peggy are a people after me and Nathan‘s heart! When Nathan hears the word project his eyebrows raise and I know he is getting ready to shout, “NO! No more!” I have said the same thing to people if you want to test your marriage move and if you want to learn about yourself even more, renovate. Nathan is SO thankful that my mom’s here so that she can go to the master bathroom appointments, window treatment appointments, furniture stores etc. Nathan would have lived on subflooring, I said, well no I shouted, “I am not staying here! You can stay here alone!!” Like you, Nathan is retired military. The fact that there was a floor at all was a luxury to him. Nathan would definitely say that I did more work and moved faster than than he ever thought I would or could (he even gave me that compliment to my face!!). To be completely honest, there were numerous times when I thought of you and Peggy and wandered if these issues ever happened to y’all? You have NO idea how much the Lord has used you to encourage me today!!! I am smiling so much my cheeks hurt! Thank you, Papa Bruce!!

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  4. Hi Mandy. I admire your honesty sister in this blog post. It is a sneaky situation that we can face easily, and lose sight of God’s Ways in our life. But praise the Lord sister, you saw it and dealt with it. The end is in sight my friend! May God continue to bless you and your family today.

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  7. Mandy, thanks for sharing the challenges of preparing your house. Makes my current project of painting 1/4 of the house look like sitting on the couch watching Christian documentaries. That was great of your Dad to help out! Lord help you and Nathan to complete the remaining projects.

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    1. Hey, Tom! If I was closer to your part of NY I would truly help you paint! I am glad that you didn’t have to go super high up in the air. I was genuinely concerned about that! Documentaries have been the only thing keeping us sane!!! What are you and Corinne going to watch next?!

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      1. Thanks, Mandy! I’m glad the house isn’t two stories! I’d have to hire somebody. I do appreciate a good documentary, but I’m usually reading a book after 8:30 and Corinne starts watching her shows (like “Last Man Standing”). Let me know if you find another good doc. I appreciate your alerting me to AG2 at Amazon.

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      1. Been absent from writing last week, and this week. Going through some things all at once, which includes a death in my family & our dog being seriously ill. Just been in the bottom of the canyon and unable to climb out.

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      2. Alan, this may sound really strange, but I have felt your heaviness. I have been praying for you to see God’s light. Not to put sanctions or burdens on your writing but if I didn’t see anything from you this week I was going to try and find a way to contact you to see if you were ok. I hope that doesn’t sound weird! I genuinely value you and please know that I am genuinely praying for God’s comfort to fuel you for the race.

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  10. Hi Mandy. I love your writing and honesty. You’ve got a lot going on. I agree that it’s quite easy to get caught up in what God gives and forget about Him, the Giver. May we always pursue the Giver first and not just what He gives. God bless you friend, with the house projects and everything!

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  11. Hi, Mandy! I have been playing catch up today. I am so glad to read of the progress and most definitely understand, having been here with our own home. Frankly, we are almost always still there in the land of projects. Not sure if it will be encouraging or dismaying, but I will tell you we finally got our house painted….seven years after we moved into its very weathered gray self. 😏 I cannot say I was always the model of patience. And, as I survey my home that is a far cry from its beginnings yet still full of projects, I still find my days I struggle on that point. Though being married to a handyman and watching all the work it takes, not to mention all the unexpected issues that can crop up, the waiting for the right time, the right weather, I am learning. God has a way of stretching. Thank you, as always, for sharing so honestly, my beautiful friend. Continued prayers as you keep walking this construction journey. 😊

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  13. Sermon went well I believe! I feel you concerning the preaching…it feels on my side as a preacher there’s so many that come to our church that want light sermons and not use to expository….and of course that want sound exposition are the ones that stay. Seems that tells me that most churches out there are probably not going into the Word. Wished there were more Mandys and Nathans out there. Praying for God to guide you

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    1. Thank you for your prayers! I think so often of how serious baptism was for the early church. Today, people can be baptized at any time with very little knowledge of the Christian faith. I truly believe that Jesus and His Word are being sacrificed on the altar of cultural relativity and that is HORRIBLE. We do NOT need to do anything to make Jesus and His Good News anymore hip! Seriously, Jesus came down to earth from Heaven, took on flesh, dwelled among us, taught and showed us how to live, He paid the penalty for ours sins by taking our place on the cross, was crucified, died, rose again seated at the right hand of God the Father, reconciling believers/chosen/elect to the Father for His Glory. Our sins are forgiven by Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God the Father. Truly that is Good News! 4 ways to a better mindset fails in comparison to Christ authentically preached. I have been asked if I would start a church. I confess, I have thought about it, but I will not. Jim, I do NOT know where to plug in that is both opening to new people and that expounds Scripture. In my area it seems it is either inviting and topical or expounding and closed (frozen chosen…I am not a fan of that term but didn’t know how to state it in writing!). Again, thank you for your prayers. I have been struggling with this for a LONG time! All I know is there is NO perfect church this side of Heaven! Love and blessings to you, Nancy and your girls!

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      1. Wow much you shared there. Our church is more of the stagnant church that loves to go deep though I try so hard to evangelize and we often have members move since it’s a young group. It’s so hard!!!

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      2. I am sorry if I offended you! I am a VERY passionate and enthusiastic person. I write like I talk. I often lamented this same issue in my Seminary discussion posts. I am thankful for you and the ministry God has given you!!!

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    1. I was thinking on writing on Psalm 29 for my blog; however, I can write it for yours. Psalm 29 has the most ANE background than all the Psalms. I don’t know if that is something you’re interested in?! I will email it to you first so you can read it and let me know you think!

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  16. The county have rented for 40 something years an alley way parking to Grace. Seems they just stopped the rent. It does affect the seminary slightly since student park there during the week

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    1. Great, thank you! I have to say, I have been listening to your Hallel sermons. AMAZING! I LOVE your passion and enthusiasm! You sound pretty much what I had in my mind which is a good thing!! This may sound really strange but Nathan and I were talking and we would totally zoom church with y’all. I know we are in PA however if the local body isn’t meeting I mean couldn’t our presence still be an encouragement to y’all online? Again, I hope that doesn’t sound weird/strange!

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