A labor of love transforms the home of a family who has experienced difficult times
May 6, 2013
1620
Debbi Hoxworth had two days to do whatever she wanted. Comfort Inn had given her two nights of lodging where she and her kids could hang out, swim and order in. The team at Eighteen 76 Salon and Spa provided her with a mini-makeover, complete with a haircut, style, manicure and pedicure. But what did she really want to do? Hop into her car, take a quick trip to her neighborhood and sneak a peek at her own house.
It took great willpower for me not to drive by to see what was happening there, Hoxworth said.
Thats because on Friday, April 26, what Hoxworths neighbors later described as an army of people swarmed the Millersburg familys home, doing much-needed renovation, restoration and redecoration.
For Hoxworth, it all started with a phone call from Kim Miller. Miller had nominated Hoxworth for a home makeover by Barb Chalmers and the Blessing Design Team, a group of area folks who gather to transform living spaces for families dealing with difficult circumstances, and the Hoxworths had been chosen. In February 2012, Hoxworth lost her husband, Jason Hoxworth, to cancer of the bile duct. The home makeover, Hoxworth said, has brought joyful memories into a house that has seen some challenging ones.
Hoxworth met with Chalmers, creator of the Blessing Design Team, to discuss ideas.
She was super excited and I was crazy stunned, Hoxworth said. I didnt know anything about the group, didnt know any of the people. It was definitely an experience in expanding my friendships.
Hoxworth left all of the design decisions to Chalmers because thats where shes gifted and Im not.
Two years ago, I would have been nervous, Hoxworth said, because I was a very planned individual. But because of everything weve been through in the last few years, Ive learned that planning can sometimes cut out opportunities.
Flexibility, she said, is very important to her.
Planning to a T is not something I do now, Hoxworth said, and probably never will again.
Hoxworth did, however, have one request--leave the deer head in the living room.
It was the first deer my 14-year-old son, Jake, had shot, a nice-sized buck, Hoxworth said, explaining how a group of local people had it mounted in time for Jason Hoxworth to see it before he died. I told Barb it might not go along with the rest of the decorating plans, but to please leave it exactly where it is.
Not only did the team leave the buck, they used it as inspiration for the earth-tones of the family room, which was given new paint, window treatments and furniture. New carpet was installed, thanks to Active Chiropractic. Photos and scripture verses were artfully displayed on the walls.
Another major focus was Hoxworths bedroom. Though she hadnt given any other color preferences, the one she told Chalmers she didnt like was blue.
I walked into her bedroom, Chalmers said, and it was blue. She told me Jason had really wanted that color, and Debbi was glad she had done it, but now she wanted it gone.
In its place, the Blessing Design Team created a striped theme of soft gray, white and cheerful yellow. Chalmers perused thousands of comforters online before settling on one, gray and white and splashed with huge yellow flowers.
That is just Debbi, Chalmers said, so bright and cheerful.
When Hoxworth and her four children, Jake (14), Blaine (11), Bailee (5), and Reid (4), returned home for the reveal on Saturday evening, they could hardly believe their eyes. The army of people had included dozens of folks who scrubbed and organized, painted and planted. Some pressure-washed the house and deck, others planted an herb garden beside the house, and still others attended to every little detail, like washing the dogs house and painting the cats dish stand. Robert and Jo Deutschle of Gorilla Painting donated extra time and materials to staining the deck, swingset and outdoor furniture and painting the childrens bedroom. True Value of Millersburg donated materials. One person cashed her paycheck and bought new bedding for the kids. A young man paid for mulch. A group of young adults gave up their Friday evening to pitch in. Swingset seats were donated, the kitchen was painted, Rebecca Miller of Rebeccas Bistro in Walnut Creek provided meals for the crew and the family. And even groceries were provided as the result of team member Lena Schlabach enthusiastically sharing during a trip to the store for supplies. A stranger handed Schlabach cash for the project.
It was crazy. Thats all I can say, Chalmers said. It was crazy. People just gave. More than half of the projects werent even planned.
I seriously cannot believe how much they accomplished in that short period of time, Hoxworth said. Every single person who was part of it, either us on the receiving end or the people on the giving end, was blown away by how it came together. God came in and blew the top off of this.
They did a great job of incorporating our love for family and the Lord into this house, Hoxworth said. As an example, she mentioned one unusual item that now hangs in the family room--a framed turtle shell. The day Jason Hoxworth died, Debbi Hoxworth struggled to find the words to explain to her children that their dad had left this life. Inside their preschool, the children were examining an empty turtle shell. It became the perfect teaching tool to help them understand that the body their father left that day was just a shell he no longer needed. Now, she said, it serves as a reminder of his freedom.
Its more than a decoration, she said. Its significant to us.
Chalmers believes God chose the right person for the team to bless this time around.
The first time I met Debbi, I left feeling completely encouraged, Chalmers said. She has been a real encouragement in my life, and Ive watched her encourage so many people.
We are unbelievably thankful, Hoxworth said. I want to personally thank the people and businesses involved, but it was such a giant group, there may be things I never fully know about.
Hoxworth is overjoyed that she can share the beauty of the house with everyone who visits.
We feel so incredibly blessed.
Visit the Blessing Design Team on Facebook or at blessingdesign.blogspot.com for photos of this and past projects as well as upcoming events.
