I’ve trotted down those stairs thousands of times. The slapping of my feet against the stained concrete floor is a daily ritual, and it’s hard to imagine a time when there wasn’t that dimmer switch right around the corner.
In March 2007 we began the process of finishing our basement. From the framing, to the electric, and even the drywall, we did everything ourselves. Kelly had a hand in every board, every sheet of drywall, every single piece of hardware in that basement. I helped quite a bit too. Of course, that was only possible with the much-needed and very much appreciated guidance/assistance of our incredible friends and family who had different areas of expertise within the construction field.
We knew going in to it that this project would be a lot of work. However, we were certainly not prepared for the adventure that awaited us. There’s a lot of our own blood, sweat, and tears in that basement. Yet it represents so much more than simply the labor we put into it. It’s been eight years and I still cannot think back to that season of our lives without facing the wave of emotions we went through during the five months that we spent finishing our basement.
At the start of the project, we were both working full-time for the same insurance company. We were feeling pretty confident about the outlook of Kel’s career and had been talking about me quitting my job to stay home for a while. At that point we had decided late that spring would be a good time for me to give my two weeks notice.
Our intent in finishing the basement was to create a studio space and office for the photography business, as well as a little additional living space for us to enjoy.
We continued to work full-time during the day, and in the basement in our free time. A couple months into it, we had decided that I should keep my full-time job through the summer as the extra income would be nice. We set a goal for me to officially take the leap of leaving behind the second “secure” office job in September. That is significant because…
June rolled around. We had just completed the insulation and still had a long ways to go before the basement would be complete. There was that infamous conversation one Sunday afternoon. My husband and I talked about how something in our lives just didn’t feel quite right. We felt God telling us we weren’t where He wanted us (you can find the rest of that story here) and before we knew it, we were both counting down the remaining days of being employed.
Long story, short – and how it relates to our basement is – as of July when we received our official notices, we had 60 days before the layoff was official. The company granted us that window to go out and find new jobs before our current positions were terminated. Basically, it was like we had two months of “paid-vacation” (before our severance). In hind-sight, we realize that was an enormous blessing, and one that was unheard of at that! That summer, though, was anything but a relaxing getaway. We literally worked on our basement round the clock. We pushed until we couldn’t push any more, collapsed for a few hours, and then got up and started again. For an expert, the tasks shouldn’t require the amount of time it took. But for us newbies, who had no clue what we were doing, there was a huge learning curve, and each step proved a more difficult and tedious process than we anticipated.
We did our best to make the most of our situation. I think having the basement to focus on was the only thing keeping us sane while the days of receiving a paycheck quickly dwindled. In the midst of all those hours in the basement, Kelly applied for jobs, interviewed, and worked a part-time retail job for the little extra income it provided. This was the early stage of the economy collapse, so a replacement job (one that would be enough for both of us to live off of) wasn’t easy to come by.
As the end of August approached, we began to recognize that there was a chance we weren’t finishing our basement for ourselves after all. If Kelly didn’t find a job soon, we’d likely be selling our house. Either way, the basement would need to be complete. So we kept at it day after day. Hoping that one day we’d be able to enjoy the space we were working so diligently on.
Eventually it was September. And just like we planned, only not at all like we planned, I went to my office job for the very last time. We were finally done with the basement and officially both unemployed, other than Kel’s piddly part-time job.
Our severances ended up being taxed as though they were bonuses – which meant we were left with a lot less than we had been planning on. The bills (aka money going out) exceeded the money we had coming in, and Kel hadn’t been offered a job. In fact, we got to the point where there was no longer enough to cover our next house payment. So we had another one of those conversations. It was time to start looking for jobs in other locations. Time to let go of this house.
By no coincidence, it was once again the very. next. day. that Kel got the call… a job offer at an office within about 5 minutes of 1644. It’s funny how one can thank God for His provision, and at the same time question why He took so long. Yet even though we don’t always understand it, God’s timing is perfect. I believe, had it happened any sooner, we just may have thought that was because we did something great. We may have missed the opportunity to learn something.
If you’ve been following the rest of our story, you may have realized by now that all of this was happening at the same time that we were facing other devastating heartache and disappointments in our marriage. Those lessons learned in trust and patience have been some of the most painful. So much so, that sometimes we assume we’ve already mastered them. As a result, it is almost easier to get frustrated when we once again find ourselves facing opportunity for growth. Haven’t I already learned this lesson? Why can’t it be easy this time? Why can’t I get my way just this once?!
Lately it feels as though we confronted with our lack of patience on a daily basis. We may have surrendered some of the whats in our life, but we still cling to our desire over the whens.
A few weeks ago, we were introduced to this song by Michael W. Smith, and considering how fitting it is for us right now, it has been on repeat ever since.
What a great reminder…
There is beauty in our tears
And You meet us in our mourning
With a love that casts out fear
You are working in our waiting
You’re sanctifying us
When beyond our understanding
You’re teaching us to trustYour plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You’re with us in the fire and the flood
You’re faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us.
– Michael W. Smith
