What is the Delight House? *Update*

“You are kind of like Noah”, he said.
In January of 2014, a contractor looked me in the eye and said those very words. They rang in my ears and were fundamental in the beginning stages of what I had no idea would be such a transforming journey of a home that has become so dear to my heart. Just as Noah built the ark for the animals as a place of refuge, this little home that is nestled in the heart of a cherry orchard is going to be an “ark”—a place that provides protection and safety. . . a place to bring healing from the past and hope for the future.

People have stopped me and asked me “what exactly is the Delight House?” And I want to say “It’s been the biggest leap of faith since I’m really…not sure.” But in all reality, it is one of those times in my life that I knew that if I didn’t do it, I would be disobedient to what God had asked me to do.

As I took step by step over the past TWO YEARS from getting the electrical & paperwork signed over to Delight in January of 2014 to where we are currently, the vision of what I anticipated from the beginning is even more beautiful and amazing than I could have humanly dreamed. And my heart is truly eager with anticipation to watch God’s plans continue to develop and come to fruition in this adorable little home.
First of all, I believe the house may be used for a Delight girl or two to live there during a transition time in her life—for a time when she has no clear direction for the next stage or what God is calling her to. Ideally, this home would be a place for her to come and rest and seek God’s will. My prayer is that I may be able to personally mentor her and invest in her life. Maybe she’d get a job at Starbucks or our cute local bakery as well as working on her own photography or graphic design business!

Secondly, I am so excited to host weekly gatherings for the ladies in our community. I have come to love and care so much for the ladies who lost their homes to the fires in July of 2014. It is my prayer this home will be used as a place of community, a place to come together and share stories around a warm meal and laugh and cry and grow together.

However, the main purpose of the house will be for Delight Intensives. Delight Intensives will typically be 3 nights/ 4 days with a specific topic or theme. We have seven focus groups in Delight that we call Delight Intensives. . . photography/cinematography, graphic design, theater/dance, writing/blogging, culinary arts, singing/songwriting, fashion/interior design. Leaders will come and lead five to eight girls at a time. It will be a time where there is focus on a specific area such as marketing and branding, getting your website done in a weekend, learning knife skills in the kitchen, how to write your story, etc. We have so many exciting thoughts and ideas and can’t wait to share them with you. I love the fact that these will be very small and intimate times so that girls will have individual and intentional attention. One of my biggest dreams is to share in worship with these girls, go for walks in the blossoming orchards, plan stylized sessions and grow closer to Jesus together! Our first workshop we held in September was “focused” on wedding photography! Our workshop in November was called Delight & {Be Brave} where we focused on our relationship with Jesus.

Another dream for the house is to have it open and available for leaders in the industry…or husbands and wives who just need to get away & have some quiet time together. I see leadership as being a very lonely place to be at times where the demands are never-ending and where time away together to find a place to renew & re-connect is vital. Even though John and I have only been married for 24 years, we have a lot of life-experience and would love nothing more than to invest in other couples lives.

God has so faithfully provided so abundantly. Somedays I am still in awe. Today as I was making beds and cleaning for the upcoming photography intensive this week, I just prayed over each room as I was in it. Praying for hope and healing for each person who comes. Praying that God would mightily be glorified through this precious home. It has been so very apparent that this house is HIS and He has beautiful plans for the future of this home, and we couldn’t be more excited!! Building a home blindly and taking a leap of faith can be a bit nerve-wracking & exhausting, but even after a very long two year process, it has become more and more apparent that God has really special things planned. We still have quite a few needs: insulation, the prayer room, roof repair, front porch & little odd jobs! We also have monthly expenses: internet, electrical, rent! We also have property taxes & many other expenses throughout the year. The reality is we can’t do it without support. We want to thank everyone who has loved, supported and encouraged us throughout this process. We are so grateful! If you feel led to help complete this home in 2016 or help with monthly expenses, you can donate HERE!

Will you please join me in prayer over the Delight House and the future? Most of all, will you join me in thanking and praising Jesus for this amazing home!