PREAMBLE

Just through the red door lies a mystical place where live the little-known creatures, the ones the
world looks upon as myth and legend. In this realm, they live and breathe, just the same as you and
I. Journey with me through the red door, to the place of imagination and we will find a new dimension
of reality.
The new day calls out with an invitation from those beyond the door. It is they who wish to meet us
and share their tales!
I hear Grandpa Ansel, a respected elder, greeting the new day, in his usual fashion.
“Hark, nobles ones of the realm!

As Grandpa Ansel sat down at the table, Grandma Elena arrived bearing two plates heaped with
traditional gnome breakfast favorites. Several quail eggs, poached, of course, rested upon slices of
heavy rye bread, all adorned with a sprinkling of herbs. There was a bowl of yoghurt, some cheese
and apple slices, from last fall’s harvest. As she set the plates before Gunder and Ansel she stated,
“You’ll need a big meal before the day’s work. It is hard labor to build a house.
I understand your need for your own space, Gunder, but please know you need not rush. It is a joy to
have you under our tree,” she said.
“Thank you, Elena. For the food and for the bed. you always make me feel comfortable and welcome
here,” uncle Gunder answered.
“Nonsense, Gunder,” Grandpa responded. “You are family and you belong here. You have no idea
how excited I wake up, knowing I get to spend time with you. It’s like our childhood revisited.”
“Then we are very old children, indeed,” chuckled Gunder as he tucked into his sumptuous breakfast.
“We are children at heart, with a lot of experience” Grandpa exclaimed. “Today, as we begin to lay
the foundation for your house, we get to share our knowledge and experience with a group of youth.
They bring the brawn to the task at hand, while we bring the brains.”
“It’s a good thing, Ansel. My brawn is not what it used to be.”
“Gunder, have you figured out what you shall name your house?” Grandma Elena asked.
“Yes. My ancient oak has grown up protecting and housing many birds and critters. It has withstood
many lifetimes of storms and stands like a sentinel, at the edge of Rehoboth. For me, it shall forever

be known as ‘The Fortress,’ and so it shall be known as such. It watches over all who enter through
the red door,” Gunder answered.
“It is a good and noble name, Gunder. It is quite fitting, I think,” Ansel stated. “Now eat up. We’ve a
house to build.”

---

As I entered through the red door, I observed a small army of gnomes, mostly youth, marching the
obscure path I’d recently learned of with Uncle Gunder. The tools they carried told me that
construction was to begin. I followed their trail, anxious to watch the process. As I got to Gunder’s
oak, Grandpa Ansel waved.
“Draw near dear ones. Gather close and hear the wisdom of age, for you have just begun and have
much to learn. Before we break ground, we will dedicate this tree and the ground that has nourished
it,” began Grandpa Ansel. “We stand before our great Creator this day, our hearts filled with gratitude
for this, His creation. We dedicate this tree, the future home of Gunder, to our Creator’s purposes and
plans. We bless this place now, known from hence forth as The Fortress.”
In unison, the workforce raised their right hands in the air and shouted, “Blessing upon The Fortress.”
Having witnessed such a solemn moment, I was then overwhelmed at the speed with which the work
began, but not before a word of wisdom from Grandpa Ansel.
“Today we begin the most important work. Everything we do today will impact the entire future of this
house. Of all the work we do here over the next weeks, this is the work that counts. There is no
space for shoddy workmanship today. Each of you must bring your best effort. Follow my instruction
and that of Gunder and learn the lesson of a lifetime. Commit what you learn to memory and apply it
to your heart. What you learn to do today will grant you stability in every aspect of life. Today you
experience a universal truth.
Today, I speak without levity. Today, I will teach you what may be the most important lesson of your
life. Hear me, heed my words and learn how to live a life that sustains, in a world often shaken.
As we begin to tunnel beneath this tree, we shall shore up the walls and floor with quarried bedrock.
It is slow and heavy work that we do today. The details we practice today will ensure the integrity of
the rest of the build, which will be completed with strong, straight timber. If we do it well, this house
will stand long after Gunder and I have gone on. If you are uncertain of anything, ask one of us what
is best.
Not only is this a day to learn how to build a gnome house, but it is also a lesson on how to build a
life. Both a house, and a life, are only as strong as the foundation on which we construct it. If we
build on dirt, it will shift and be unstable. The rock which we use will stay and stop the dirt from
shifting over time. Think about this truth as you work. As each rock is set in place, think about the
bedrock you wish to lay in your lives. Think on what matters in life and choose each stone with care,
laying it so that it creates a sure foundation. The beautiful detail work of the house comes from the
timber we use, but even that beauty can emerge only if it is founded on the integrity of our sure
foundation. Do the work with love and see the beauty of your care blossom. In so doing, we shall
build The Fortress.”
His speech concluded, Grandpa Ansel turned to Gunder. “The honor of groundbreaking is yours.”
Gunder set his spade and began the work of laying a sure foundation.

References

Matthew 7: 24-27(²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”)