![\"Joy's](\"https:\/\/fullmeasureofjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Joys-Doll-House-065m.jpg\")
<\/a>Originally I was going to call this group of blog posts, \u201cWhat I Learned from God While Building a Doll House.\u201d I liked this title, but the more I thought about it, the more I believe it\u2019s more than just what I\u2019ve learned. I have been given the opportunity to relate the building of this doll house with what God desires for each of us and for what he desires in our homes.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
We first got the idea of building a doll house for our granddaughter when she saw a doll house in a toy store and was mesmerized by it. We thought it would be a fun and exciting process, so we began our journey.<\/p>\n
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We started at the hobby shop. Standing in front of half a dozen fully built houses was inspiring. We decided upon one and asked to see it closer. The store manager lifted it off the shelf and we inspected it. Yes, this was the perfect house for Joy.<\/p>\n
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Along the wall were accessories: furniture, knick knacks, fireplaces, flooring, wall paper, lights\u2026the list could go on, but you understand. Then the manager asked if we were thinking of adding electric for the house to have lights. \u201cOf course,\u201d we said. \u201cI quit before I got to that point,\u201d replied the manager. \u201cIt\u2019s a lot more work than most people realize. I hope you\u2019re giving yourself plenty of time to complete this project,\u201d he added. It was at that point we began to understand the enormous task we had thought to undertake.<\/p>\n
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We purchased the house kit and a few accessories and left the hobby shop with our heads spinning.<\/p>\n
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Think a moment about the creation of the world, the universe, and man. Can you imagine what Jesus and the Holy Spirit thought when God said, \u201cLet us make mankind in our image, in our likeness\u2026\u201d<\/i> (Genesis 1:26). Were there questions? Maybe opposition? Probably not. They all agreed to the plan. And I\u2019m sure they didn\u2019t have the overwhelming feeling Mason and I had at this undertaking, but none the less, they knew what it meant. What it would cost. Rejection, pain, inconsiderate words and actions on man\u2019s part, and death.<\/p>\n
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Oh yes, creation was the beginning of the fall, but there\u2019s so much more! Through the resurrection of Jesus, we have the opportunity to accept the grace offered by God and along with it, the hope for a future with God for eternity.<\/p>\n
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That first step into God\u2019s grace may seem daunting, almost impossible. And on our own, it is. We can only understand His forgiveness when we allow Him to take it on. And through His love and strength, we are able to overcome any \u201ctrouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword\u2026In all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.\u201d<\/i> (Romans 8:35, 37 \u2013 NIV)With Him on our side, we have nothing to fear.<\/p>\n
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This is the first part of many chapters in this story. Enjoy the process and the finished project. We did and still are.<\/p>\n
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Grace and peace be yours in abundance,<\/p>\n
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Donna<\/p>\n
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