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Tiny House Tuesday // With A Little Help From My Friend

I mean, how hard could it be to install a metal roof?

We were convinced it wouldn’t be that hard⏤even with a roof that points to the sky like an arrow. Brian calls it a 14/12 pitch. I call it crazy steep.

Over the last several weeks, we’d framed, lifted beefy plywood via sheer willpower, and purchased more nails than groceries. Laying galvanized metal on top of twelve weeks of work felt like tucking a toddler into bed. The exhaustion was behind us, and now all we wanted to do was have a little fun.

 

Tiny House Roof Cap

 

But the roof cap was a party pooper.

 

This eighteen-foot-long piece of metal shaped like a pop-up tent was the last piece to apply to the roof and the toughest. Brian tried traipsing up the slick metal with the supposed “right” shoes but they turned out to be all wrong. We needed a professional.

 

But he wasn’t the friend.

 

That would be Shana. She is the person who “happened” to mention how she’d just had metal roof work done on her barn. I’d never seen Brian jot down information as fast as I did that Sunday morning.

 

But here’s the best part.

 

One issue stood between us and sanity: convincing this busy roofer to take time to do our small job. So when he called saying he could fit us in the following Friday afternoon we were surprised. Turns out, the roofer had Shana down for that time to finish up her barn.

 

But she gave up her slot for us.

 

What made her sacrifice even more special was that we’ve only known Shana for a short period of time. Something like this might be expected from a seasoned friend, but for someone to do it simply because she knew we had a need made it feel like a hug from above. It’s true, isn’t it?

 

Sacrifice is at the heart of friendship.

 

I fail miserably at sacrificing for others more often than I’d like to admit, but I’m thankful God never disappoints. He gave up⏤sacrificed⏤His Son so that we could experience the joy of being in relationship with Him for an eternity (beginning now!) and Jesus laid His life low so that we, in turn, could be lifted to this new life.

No friendship compares to the friend we have in Jesus. No one loves us as He does⏤no one possibly could.

 

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

“We measure the love and friendship of Jesus by the price he paid for us.” -John Piper

 

Mustard Seed

Sacrifice and friendship go hand-in-hand.

 

Welcome to the Tiny House on the Hill // Because Mustard Seed Moments Matter

Tiny House

I never saw it coming⏤this dream becoming a reality.

Only months ago, while enjoying breakfast with dad at Panera, I shared a story from the internet of a teenager who built his own tiny house. My excitement must’ve been contagious because he inspired me to get started on my own tiny space. The best part was his willingness to come help whenever possible.

And then there was my hubby, who sacrificially set aside his hard-earned bonus and a ton of hours, for both the planning and building of this tiny beaut.

With plans in hand, Brian and I trudged up the hill one brisk March morning. I quickly learned that the term weekend warriors is code for slow and steady. Currently, we’re about halfway finished, but the Victorian tiny house above is our end goal.

 

So you might wonder why the NEW site design is launching before she’s finished.

 

I suppose I could have waited for the final step {say, the propping of my favorite books on the antique mantel} but I decided not to for two reasons:

 

  • Joy is in the journey. What if we waited to celebrate the birth of a baby until his arrival? The gender reveals, baby showers and shopping would move to the back burner. No way. Let the celebration begin! I appreciate all the excitement you’ve shared over this tiny house journey and I can’t imagine doing it without you.
  • Most importantly, the foundation of this blog is built on Someone much bigger than a tiny structure built by man.

 

What Are Mustard Seed Moments and Why Do They Matter?

 

Like you, I marvel at the unique ways God uses seemingly insignificant moments in our daily lives to draw us closer to Him. While we may or may not ever encounter a burning bush moment, we encounter small ones every day. Like a word aptly spoken, a glass of water, a simple hug, or a gathering of two or three for prayer. Remember, it was a single tear from a baby that moved the heart of Pharaoh’s daughter. (Exodus 2:6) Nothing⏤absolutely nothing⏤is too small for God to grow for His glory.

 

 

Few things this side of heaven inspire and spur us on more than recognizing the power of our own mustard seed moments. Share on X

 

And that, my friend, is the underlying purpose of this community. Together, we will continue to share creative ways to connect with God, inspire creativity in daily life, and invite meaningful reflection on the small but marvel-worthy moments God places on our paths.

 

What Happens When the Tiny House on the Hill is Complete?

 

The future is an exciting one! Here are some plans in the making:

  • First and foremost, I plan to dedicate the house to the Lord with a prayer gathering of friends surrounding the Tiny House on the Hill. Want to join the circle of prayer? You’ll have that opportunity closer to completion. {Thank you!}
  • Depending on the season, an Open House opportunity might arise. This may or may not coincide with the prayer gathering.
  • I’ll take subscribers on a private behind-the-scenes tour. *love this community*
  • Online Bible studies hosted from the house, and hopefully an in-house {tiny} study can happen too.
  • Writers and readers alike can share the {tiny} space for a day.
  • Down the road, a pocket-size podcast just might blossom!
  • And last but not least, a memoir-ish book is also in the works based on our Tiny House on the Hill experience. The number of people who’ve shared interest in this journey overwhelms me. {Thank you!}

 

Some might argue that, without a kitchen, this Tiny House on the Hill doesn’t meet the requirements to be called a “house.” Perhaps this is true for architects, but not for us dreamers. We know that the true definition of a house isn’t confined to walls, floors, and kitchen sinks.

 

A house is where our soul feels at home to explore, create, and simply be.

 

Make yourself at home here in the Tiny House on the Hill.

 

 

 

  • Join our {tiny} community and receive A Monthly Letter from the Tiny House on the Hill. Here, you’ll find words that inspire and encourage, along with behind-the-scenes pictures and videos of the tiny house’s progress. And the monthly giveaway isn’t so bad either. *wink* In addition to the Monthly Letter, all new subscribers will receive a free seasonal gift highlighted in the sidebar. Simply add your email to the subscriber box, also located in the sidebar. You can unsubscribe at any time.

 

Celebration

Each Tuesday through October 16th, watch for a NEW giveaway posted here. To enter each week, simply share the post with your friends and social sphere of influence. TAG me on each share and you’ll receive a vote for each share. {Subscribers, you’ll receive a bonus point for each share!}

Facebook: Tag me!

Instagram: Follow me.

Twitter: @cathysbaker

Launch Giveaway

Launch Giveaway Starbucks

Starbucks Giveaway

“Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.”
Izaak Walton

 

{A special thanks to my favorite techie, Susan Stilwell of Fistbump Media, who made this re-design possible. She can make even the dullest of stars shine.}

Tiny House Tuesday // Framed Glory {& An Exciting Announcement!}

Tiny House Tuesday

There it was in all its glory.

One moment, I’m handing Brian tools and the next, I catch sight of the glorious sky framed for a private viewing.

 

Sky Framed in Glory

 

Working on the tiny house this summer has offered moments of both victory and defeat. At times, it’s easy to become bombarded by the details of the build. A break is needed and mine is taken in the doorway-to-be because mountain breezes have a way of making a person feel at ease.

But tiny frames of glory do too.

Like the bright violet patch I discovered behind the house that flooded my mind of grandmother’s backyard all those years ago. Or the day we saw a fawn run across the yard, not so far from where we stood. And then there was the bee that thought he was a hummingbird. Turns out it’s an uncommon sort of bumbler that’s found only in particular regions. We never know what we’ll see while working on our tiny house on the hill.

These days, we’re busy nailing down mega sheets of plywood in preparation for the metal roofing. One by one, the sheets slowly obscure the framed sky which I’ve grown to love over the months.

 

Yes, the sky is wide open and hard to miss when you step outside, and yet, there’s something about having it framed in all its glory that makes one pause to take notice.

 

It makes me wonder how often I go about my day missing God’s framed moments of glory.

 

Yes, stop and smell the roses, but for goodness sake, let’s not stop there.

“…to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord…”

Psalm 27:4 NIV

 

What’s one beautiful sight the Lord has framed for you this week?

Exciting News about the New Blog with Tiny House design

Next Tuesday, September 18th, I am scheduled to re-launch the blog with:

  • A NEW title (Hint: If you enjoy Tiny House Tuesday I think you’re gonna LOVE it!)
  • A NEW image
  • A NEW gift for subscribers
  • A NEW monthly letter

If you’re wondering what will stay the same, I will prayerfully continue to:

  • SHARE creative ways to connect with God and others
  • INSPIRE creativity in daily life
  • INVITE meaningful reflection on the small {seemingly insignificant} moments when God makes Himself known

Join me next Tuesday to celebrate the re-design! There will be {tiny} fun giveaways and a NEW gift for subscribers. And if you happen to be as excited as I am, I’d love your help in sharing it! {Thank you}

Tiny House Tuesday // Cut it Out!

Tiny House Tuesday

 

The windows, that is.

 

I couldn’t imagine a more exciting moment on our tiny house journey than when the walls were raised. But I was wrong.

Seeing “windows” punch through solid walls brought out the inner cheerleader in me (and I do mean inner!) I shouted as if it were the last lap of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s career. Oh, you didn’t know I was a closet NASCAR fan? I watch it from my air-conditioned, non-smoky, fuel-free den with a frappe in one hand and a book in the other. I am a fan nonetheless.

But I digress.

It’s one thing to measure, draw, and pluck a plumb line in all the right places. It’s a whole other baby to catch sight of toppling wood chunks the size of windows.

My favorite window, all 8′ x 4′ of it, will sit to the left of the front porch. The desk will run its length to make way for mountain views and guest writers. Here, Brian finished cutting one of the back windows in the reading nook. Next up, the desk window.

 

 

And now, the desk window view, seen from the inside out.

 

 

The windows that will sit to the right of the porch are tall and slender, giving a nod to the windows of yesteryear. It is a Victorian tiny house, after all. {Not pictured}

The three back windows will be larger, giving readers a plentiful place to perch as they turn their pages.

Tiny House Back Windows

Minus one tiny corner gap that was soon covered.

The newly cut “windows” allow the warmth that was once tightly held within the walls to flow outwardly.

 

“…in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippian 2:3b-4

 

First, we look up but then we look out.

All we have⏤health, home, family, spiritual gifts, talents, ministry⏤are to be released, not clutched within the walls of our wants.

I {often} have to ask God to cut through my selfish tendencies that hinder my ability to see those He places on my path.

Is there anything hindering our ability to see⏤really see⏤others?

 

Tiny House Tuesday // The Walls We Build

Tiny House Tuesday

 

The tiny house sat flat on the hill.

It sat this way for a few months. We didn’t want to rush the foundation and who could forget the tropical monsoons that blew through our area in May?

 

But then came June and with it, the first wall.
Tiny House Wall One

With one hefty hoist, the tiny house began to take shape in all of its 9′ x 16′ glory.

 

Then came the second wall and with it, the first corner of the house.

Tiny House Wall Two

 

This is the corner where I’d planned to place the mini-fridge and above it, the mini K-cup coffee machine. But it quickly became evident that this corner would give just enough room for the kids to climb the ladder to their loft, and no more. It’s funny how space seems so much larger on graph paper than in real life.

 

A week later, the third wall and with it, my 8′ window facing the mountains.

Tiny House Wall Three

 

This hoist was the heaviest of all because of the bracing required for that size window. Thank goodness for our neighbor who was kind enough to come over and help.

 

And finally, the day came. The fourth wall was put into place, and with it, a dream began taking the shape of reality.

Tiny House Wall Four

 

Sometimes our circumstances can feel like walls. They close in, suffocating the very life from our lungs, not to mention the peace from our mind. At every turn, we’re reminded of the what if’s, the could be’s, and the plan B’s. It’s often when we feel surrounded with no way out that we look in the one direction where our circumstances don’t cloud our vision: Up.

 

To you, I lift up my eyes, to you whose throne is in heaven.  Psalm 123:1

 

I recently had back-to-back situations where I felt enclosed by my circumstances. In the first situation I was completely helpless. I’d done all I could do to fix a situation but the results were out of my control. After a day of pure panic, I finally looked up. And what came down was a strong sense of security, strength, and peace. Being assured of God’s love and presence allowed me to not only scale the wall of circumstances but to also tear them down.

 

Are there circumstances in your life that feel like they’re closing in? Lift up your eyes, my friend!

 

 

 

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