Guess What????

This is a picture of Claudette who lives in Cazale, Haiti. She is recovering from severe burns suffered as a result of falling into a fire. Rachel drew the picture that Claudette is holding and we scanned and e-mailed it. Amazing the joy that a simple thing like a picture can bring! Please be praying for this precious angel as she still has a LONG way to go in her recovery. One of her big challenges wil be learning to walk again. OK...on to our BIG NEWS of the day...

The blueprints for our new house arrived in the mail today!!!! Woohoo!!!! It is far beyond our wildest dreams and expectations. :-) LOTS more room for hospitality and ministry. Bring it on, Lord...we're preparing the soil for whatever You desire to plant and harvest for the Kingdom through us and this new home.

Was able to get a much needed perm today. My hairdresser is one of the dearest ladies ever...so caring and interested in her client's lives, not just doing their hair. As I put on my coat to walk out the door, she sweetly handed me a gift certificate for the total cost of TWO more perms!

Rachel and Faith got to spend the day being loved on by the Gambills. Nathan had another day of work with Brian. Drew had a date with Emily and Jon had the privilege of hanging out with his mama and Granny all by himself.

Mark received a beautiful little scrapbook filled with Scripture, notes of concern, encouraging words and many thoughtful gift cards from the corporate staff of OPRS. We are so blessed that he has the privilege of working for such a wonderful company. In addition, the staff and residents that he works with at WTC have loved us sacrificially in so many different ways.

"The steps of the godly are ordered by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives."

Psalm 37:23 NLT

Resting in Him knowing that He has all the details under His very capable control,

Chris for all the Crew

What To Say...

"...do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." Matt. 19b & 20 Early this morning, we met with our attorney friend who is lovingly shepherding us through this process of working with insurance. She talked with us for a bit and then led us in prayer before going with us to meet the Cause and Origin Investigator called in by our insurance. He began by introducing himself and then told us that he would be interviewing both me and Mark separately. Mark went first and was questioned for 30 minutes! Then it was my turn. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the investigator was very personable and easy to talk to. He asked LOTS of questions, but also just let me tell the story from my perspective. When he had finished interviewing both of us, he then began examining the site in detail and took LOTS of pictures along the way. He started with the least damaged area of the house...the fireplace and garage...and worked his way to the most damaged area of the house...the center of the basement. After about 3 hours of work, he was able to tell us A)that he had ruled out both me and Mark as suspects, B) the fire had started in the center of the basement in the area of the downstairs stove/furnace which were back to back with each other (only a wall separating them), C) the fireplace and anything in it had absolutely NOTHING to do with the fire and D) he could not rule out a possible electrical or furnace problem as the cause in addition to propane. All in all, the investigator was on site for 5.5 hours today! The next step is that the investigator will be in touch with the adjuster who will then determine, based on the investigator's report, whether there is enough evidence to pursue subrogation against the propane company OR whether the insurance company will just choose to eat the expense of the loss themselves. If the insurance company chooses to pursue subrogation, more intense investigation of the site will be required which could take weeks. If not, we should be free to start searching and clearing the site later this week. Please pray that the insurance company will have wisdom and that Truth will be revealed on all fronts. By His grace, Chris

Such a Fun Day!!!

One of my favorite activities all day long...8:30A to 5:30P...a consignment AUCTION fundraiser for Clearcreek Township Fire Department!!! Oh, how I do love auctions! :-) What a blessing to contribute to one of the fire departments that responded to our fire two weeks ago and gave their all on our behalf!!! Was able to get many, many nice things that we will be able to enjoy both now and in our new home.

Watched a family movie and laughed 'til we nearly had tears running down our face. Laughter is definitely healing. :-) Enjoyed another delicious supper prepared by someone from our church that we are just beginning to know. We are getting VERY spoiled!

Basking in the warmth of His grace,

Chris for all the crew

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

End of Week Two

Seems very hard to believe that we've now been on this unexpected journey for two whole weeks. The rental house is really beginning to seem like home and we are truly settling in.

Received a very special gift from the Lord today...I had e-mailed the Midwest Homeschool Convention about being able to go to the exhibit hall for even 1 day just to connect with various vendors, pick up catalogs and look at curriculum in the hopes that my memory would be jogged and I could begin compiling the list of what we lost for insurance. Within a short time, one of the coordinators e-mailed me back and asked me to contact her ASAP. Come to find out, a Canadian family who had hoped to come suddenly needed to change plans and wanted to transfer their registration to another family. They had a full conference registration which included all 3 days for 4 people, the Worldview Teen Track AND tickets to see both Tim Hawkins and the Duggar family!!!! Woohoo!!! We are SO excited!!! My mom & I, along with Nathan and Faith, will be heading to Cincinnati on Thursday afternoon. Can't wait!!!

Was asked by The Homeschool Foundation to write a little summary of some of what we've been learning through all this. They published it on their facebook page today. Here's the heart of what I sent to them:

Every day we are asked by multiple people how we are doing. And every day we tell them we are doing very well by His grace and through His strength He is all sufficient to meet our every need. There are all three principles from the teachings of Elisabeth Elliot that have been instrumental in our healing and adjustment to this new normal.

1) DO THE NEXT THING - From the time that we first got the call about the fire until now, our days have been packed with more tasks than we could ever begin to complete. Reminding ourselves to just do the next thing has been very freeing.

2) IN ACCEPTANCE LIETH PEACE - Multiple times each day, items come to mind that were lost in the fire and can never be replaced ... my wedding dress, baby books, every snapshot from almost 23 years of marriage, heirloom Christmas ornaments, love letters and the list could go on endlessly. As we choose to accept these things that cannot be changed, the peace that passes all understanding encompasses us.

3) EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE OF OUR LIVES, WHEN OFFERED UP TO HIM, BECOMES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A GATEWAY TO JOY. As the hurtful menories surface and painful moments come, we simply say, "Jesus, I am offering this up to You." The joy that Jesus gives IS NOT dependent on our circumstances.

"Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing." Nehemiah 13:2b We have been truly blessed in these last 14 days of the new normal.

By His grace,

Chris

Amazing Discovery

We hit upon a gold mine today in the form of a place called the Waste Not Center. It is located on Fisher Rd. in Columbus and is open every Thursday from 2P - 6P as well as every second Saturday from 9A - 11:30A. This is the description from their website: "The Waste Not Center receives donations from individuals and businesses that would otherwise be discarded and makes them available to teachers, artists and non-profit organizations at no charge other than a small membership fee." A 2 year membership for me as a homeschool teacher was only $50. I am free to go any time the doors are open and take as much as I want. This is what I came away with today...all for FREE!!!!
1) ceramic dish with lid
2) 2 figurines
3) cardboard dollhouse
4) 7 egg cartons
5) 1 floral arrangement
6) 1 ice cube tray
7) 2 divided trays
8) 1 divided plate
9) 1 plastic ice cream bucket with lid
10) 2 ceramic coffee mugs
11) 1 Thomas Train floor puzzle
12) lg. piece of material
13) sm. stained glass frame
14) 1 drink bottle with lid
15) sm. calculator
16) embroidery hoop
17) travel coffee mug
18) kitchen tongs
19) wooden wallhanging to hold keys
20) wooden picture frame
21) sm. bottle brush
22) Bible cover
23) sm. game
24) Farm & Ranch Living magazine
25) 2 c. paper clips
26) Philadelphia Cream Cheese Cheesecake Cookbook
27) Insects Do the Strangest Things - book
28) Mrs. Mike - book
29) Roget's II The New Thesaurus
30) Volumes 7,8,9,12,15,17,18 & 19 of Golden Book Encyclopedia
31) Pippi Longstocking - book
32) Miss Pickerel Goes Undercover - book
33) Roget's New Pocket Thesaurus in Dictionary Form
34) Frightful's Mountain - book
35) After Many Days - book
36) counted cross stitch pattern
37) The New Read Aloud Handbook
38) Scholastic Children's Dictionary
39) Highlights for Children - magazine
40) greenery arrangement

Thus I leave you with this Scripture for the evening: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20 & 21

Oh Happy Day!...Scoops is now open!!!

Yes, you read that right...yummy deliciousness is available once again at Scoops! And now I live right around the corner from that wonderful place. How cool is that?!?!?! Ice cream...here we come. :-)

Put together a bookcase today to help with organization of toys, games and books. Rearranged the living room a bit. Got a little bit of laundry done. Stopped by Big Lots once again and found a handy dandy little tool kit to use around the house.

Nathan and Brian got started on the new portable chicken coop...can't wait for them to get it finished so we can bring a few of the best hens over here to the rental porperty. There's just nothing like fresh eggs!!!

Planning to check out a place called Waste Not Center tomorrow. For a small membership fee, you can go any time the doors are open and take whatever you would like for FREE! Many of the things are designed for teachers so we are hoping to be able to start replenishing our homeschool resources. Check it out at www.wastenotcenter.org (I think.)

From the Word: "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 He is revealing much to us in these days of the many ways that He is working for our good in and through the experience of the fire. Praise His Name!

By His grace,

Chris for all the crew

Another Love Gift from Jesus

I worked on preparing bills to mail whilst the little boys painted wooden helicopter parts. Note to self: better to spread a huge drop cloth when little boys paint than to rely on a simple paper grocery bag to contain the mess. Nathan worked with Brian again all day and Rachel went with Emily to learn a little Spanish and help clean house.

Mom graciously came over yet again and took Faith, Drew and Jon to lunch at McDonald's with time at the PlayPlace afterwards. So fun for them and gave me a chance to run several errands.

Found a bird feeding station at Aldi's that I had spotted in their weekly ad. Also picked up some more seed packets for 10 cents each at Sutherlands and a couple more raised bed kits at Big Lots. I just have to be able to grow something even if it isn't my regular garden this year. :-)

But the big find of the day for me was at Tractor Supply! Just 2 days before the fire, I had purchased a wall hanging which read, "Children are God's flower buds just waiting to open." I placed it on the wall right beside our front door so that anyone coming into our home would know how we feel about each child's potential. Guess what I found at the Circleville store today??? You guessed it...that very plaque!!! It was the only one like it left. Jesus saved it just for me. :-)

I leave you with this nugget from His Word: "Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance."

By His grace,

Chris