Our House - Long Overdue Video!

Here's the long-awaited 3rd video of work on our house and moving in. We were so grateful for the help we had but truly believe that God was training us up through this process. A lot of things that we thought were lined up fell through, but we had many Christians volunteer their time, skills, and sweat for us as well. Plus, Nick learned that he CAN work with power tools and install a wood-laminate floor! We have learned and lived with a lot over the past few months and have so much left to do! Sabina's 3rd birthday was on moving day, so we shared (store bought!) cupcakes on the porch and got her a special balloon. I have to give a shout-out to the Dykraff family who generously donated carpeting for our bedrooms, as well as Dr. Bob Richardson and family who donated toward the (big project!) flooring. In addition, I have to give a big virtual hug to Rebecca Johnson who brought her homeschooling family over to paint primer- you are an inspiration! I'm just sorry Nick didn't get that on video. We have been so blessed by the outpouring of love and prayers.

Work-in-Progress

This title applies to many areas in our life right now. Yes, our house is STILL a work-in-progress. Our schedule ALWAYS seems to be changing and trying to right itself. Will we ever be organized? Will I ever get the hang of homeschooling? Stay tuned! There is a lot going on. How can there NOT be? I'm working on the little movie of the progress made on the house. It was so nice to get all the Christmas decorations out and make our home beautiful. It wasn't so fun putting it all away. Especially since it was a bit of a rush job to get ready for everyone coming over to celebrate Keliah's 8th birthday a couple weeks ago. I really can't believe she's 8 already! When we first moved to Florida, we LEFT Kansas City on her 3rd birthday. I'd actually kept some little gifts for her to open on the trip, even though we had a party with family the night before. (NEVER attempt a big family party at a crowded Chuck-E-Cheese with only 1 bathroom open after you'd all spent the day packing the UHaul and cleaning! Especially when you are 6-months-pregnant with your 6th child.) The past 5 years have gone by so fast. 2 more family members, exploring beaches, discovering the winding Florida roads, 5 more moves, and serving and growing at the Orlando House of Prayer for half of it! God has been so good. He keeps us steadfast and feeds us breakfast. Hope you join us for the rest of this work-in-progress!

Securing the Doors to life...

Another hard day of work at the new house! I got up early this morning and began to work on getting more primer up on the walls before rushing over to OHOP for our children's set. I was extremely blessed to have Keith and Leonarda help paint the primer upstairs. Both of them worked so hard in getting almost all of the upstairs finished! We got a LOT accomplished today, but this process is so slow it FEELS like we didn't get a lot done.
I find myself occasionally missing family, but today was a little harder than most. It's not just a matter of having people to help out, but having people who share in your joy. And, know how to comfort you in your disappointments even when you're trying hard not to show it. But when you don't have family close by, it's all the more impacting to know that you have good friends. This evening my friends Matt and Carlos took out the entire front door frame. After lots of drilling, sawing, and other brilliant stuff, we now have a secure front door! (We also have a refrigerator!) YAY!
As I watched my 2 good friends fixing the door, I couldn't help but think of the significance of how our relationships are often doorways to life. The friendships we choose can lead us down amazing paths that we might never know if we didn't take the time to care for them.

Thank you, Jesus! (and some of your amazing people)

Things are really moving along with the house. Even though A LOT of things haven't gone according to "plan" (and we can't be too surprised at that) I'm so excited about the changes already made. On Saturday morning, Nick left with Antonio and Rocky to start working at the house. I was planning on joining them an hour or so later after a friend arrived to watch our little ones, however she fell ill during the night and couldn't come. I was disappointed, but Nick assured me that I didn't want to be there. While bagging trash, they'd disturbed something with a smell so foul that he almost lost his breakfast. So, I contented myself with working at home on packing and enjoying some near-quiet since only the 3 little ones were home playing; regular updates made me feel that I was kept in the loop while praying.
I am so excited about all the progress they made! Sorry it's taken so long to get the video up from last Saturday. I have to say a special THANK YOU to Carlos, Jeremy, Juan, Luis, Matt D., Matt P., and of course my boys Antonio, Rocky & Nick. You are all awesome men of God and I am so honored to call you friends.
As I've put my own hand in a few days this week, I know just how hard they all worked and I stand in awe of them! I scrubbed bleach water over some of the walls and started fussing about the blister I was getting. (More of a callous really.) Nick just laughed at me and said it was a good thing I wasn't there on Saturday. I know I'm a girl...

On with the show!

So here we are... the big day! Sure there will be no dumpster today, okay so the construction company that was volunteering to to do all this work and put all this together ended up having some complications and won't be able to help this weekend now, and yes, there is the minor thing of the power company giving us problems with getting power turned on (Thanks Progress Energy) and there will be no power today, yes I'm still not feeling 100%, but you know what? It's ALL in God's hands. We are STILL going to be at the new house, ready to face the mess with whoever happens to join us, ready to tackle this giant and do it with joy. Cause you know what, there are ALWAYS setbacks and excuses as to why NOT to do something, but what I'm beginning to learn is how to focus on all the excuses and reasons as to why TO DO something. Such as the awesome opportunity this house represents for our family, the opportunity to be a witness and blessing to those in the neighborhood, the fact that many people are willing to come together and help us out with this, and most important reason as to why... because we're striving to follow the voice of God. So with that, we ask you for your prayers as we get ready to go and begin the restoration process - no matter how small or insignificant of a dent we might be making. After all the show must go on!!!!

Yes, We have No Appliances...

So yesterday we found out the construction company (name coming soon) who is donating towards this project has been unable to get any assistance towards the appliances. This economy thing is hitting Lowes and Home Depot pretty hard I guess, as they are the ones who have assisted in the past. So that means I guess we just have to start praying in some appliances for the place. In a way I smile, it's just another piece to this interesting tapestry of what God is doing. A week ago the Lord really spoke to Dixie and I that we are not to fret nor worry about how this is coming together but to delight ourselves in all of His provisions and just be ready to move when He says move, speak when He says speak. So I smile at having yet another opportunity to move in faith and be surprised by His goodness.
If you feel led to contribute towards this cause we're setting up a paypal account and also are accepting gift cards for Lowe's and Home Depot. In the meantime I'll start looking for a new Washing Machine and Dryer and reflect on the White Robes awaiting me heaven. :-)

All in God's Hands

After filming our little video of the house last week Antonio and I started to leave when we saw a young second grade boy and kindergarten girl standing alone at the corner of the neighborhood entrance, (straight down from the house) and both of them were crying, alone and clearly scared. It was early release day and their mother had forgotten to come and pick them up. Of course, wouldn't you know it I had left my phone at home that day. So after calming them down we stopped a jogger who had a cell phone on her and happens to be the mother of a boy that both of my sons have played with before! After reaching the wayward mother on the phone we sat and waiting. I was so proud of Antonio as he really engaged with the kids giving me an opportunity to speak and witness a little to the jogger.
40 minutes later as the mother finally pulled up with a quick "Thanks, I was at a friends and forgot..." before quickly speeding away, I couldn't help but reflect on how this house is so much more than 'just a blessing for our family' and not merely another 'move of faith'. It is an assignment from God and an open invitation from Him, for our family to be a witness and example to our own community right here in Ocoee. As we pulled away Antonio so pointedly said, "Wow, I don't think it's just a coincidence that we saw those kids there dad. What would have happened if we weren't there?" I couldn't help but think what WOULD happen if I spent even more time seeking God's voice and following the lead of the Holy Spirit.