We’ve had a tough time with deck furniture since we’ve been in Monument. We’ve bought at least three sets, maybe four, in the 17 years we’ve been here. June likes wicker, but so do the squirrels so it’s hard to keep it looking decent for more than a season or two. Last month I was inspired by a Wall Street Journal editorial on lessons learned in Wood Shop in high school: I Came, I Sawed, I Conquered. It’s a fun article – I recommend it. But what caught my eye was in the last paragraph:

Prices for patio furniture are astronomical, and my wife and I figured we could build our own and save thousands of dollars. We found a simple plan and made an outdoor sofa ourselves out of 2x4s. – Mark Naida, Wall Street Journal, April 12, 2023

He’s right about astronomical. Here’s a basic set from CostCo for $3,000. (Not a typo!)

I thought, even I can build something out of 2x4s so I looked online and found a plethora of plans at https://www.ana-white.com/, including a chair, sofa, and table that could be built from 2x4s.

So the first week I built the two chairs, the first out of treated redwood, and it was VERY heavy. My challenge on Saturday was to move them from the garage to the deck. How? I have a furniture dolly, but with small, hard wheels, it wouldn’t have traversed the front yard which was still a bit soggy from snow earlier in the week. I wasn’t sure my hand truck would work. I even considered using the car, but I’m not sure it would fit or that I could have gotten it in there. What to do? I wrote this note in my prayer journal during my time with God:

Big challenge today is to move the chairs to the deck. The heavy one, especially, will be hard.

Praise the Lord. My neighbor had some tree guys over, and they had a giant hand truck: big hand truck, big tires. I asked to borrow it, and the guy said, “If you need someone to help you, let us know.” I got the lighter chair around to the steps going to the deck, but I couldn’t get the chair up the steps. So, I “let him know.” He came over and just picked up that chair and carried it. Then we got the heavier chair and the two of us moved it up the steps together. I told the fellow, “You are an answer to prayer.” He replied, “Glad to be that.”

I assembled the last two pieces on the deck! Here’s the finished product. What do you think? Less than $500 for the materials, and it’s the same basic design as the one from CostCo costing six times more.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4.6, ESV)

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21.22, NIV)