Warning: Construction Zone Ahead

Demolition and Remodeling is taking place in our home right now.

Cory ripped off the drop ceiling tiles that remained downstairs. He gave himself a corneal abrasion in the process, praise God that his eye didn't get infected and the antibiotic drops from the hospital helped his eye to heal.

We bought more tape and mud, screws, air vents, wood for the box frame for the air ducts, and drywall. The drywall is up and all that needs to be done now for the ceiling to be complete is 3 times of mud-ding and sanding. Then I can paint!

Things aren't coming together with this project the way that we had hoped they would. It certainly isn't on track to be done by Thanksgiving. But Cory and I have been praying for clarity on our priorities. While it pains me a little to say that there is a really good chance it won't be done by my deadline it will get done when it gets done. We have a roof over our head, we have family coming over and we're going to have a great time with - or without - a finished ceiling.

It's hard to understand God's timing. We have this ceiling project most of the way done. Now, the clutch in the Tuscon needs to be replaced, we've been quoted upwards of $700! We have a van that we were given, but last winter the brake line broke and we didn't worry about repairing it because we had another vehicle. So, now, my poor husband is spreading himself between working, trying to get the ceiling done, wondering which vehicle to fix first. He bought tools and such to repair the brake line himself, but he needs daylight to do it. Last week he had to be in another city an hour away from 8 - 5 for training, so he couldn't work on the vehicles at all last week. We just keep praying for God to show us His way, and ask that you would pray for us, too.


Walls are continuing to come down emotionally, as well. I have had so many convictions come through reading, praying, worshipping, talking to God and really putting myself in the moment and thinking about how things come out of my mouth. There were thoughts and feelings I had that I didn't think Cory would appreciate or understand. Before I knew it, I was building up walls around myself. It was high-time I was honest with him. About where he stood and where I thought he should stand. About where I stand and where I should. About what God wants out of me, him, our marriage. We're learning. We're trying to help each other. But more importantly, we're on the same page. We long to grow in our love of each other, and our love for God. We've sought out a strong Christian couple in our church who we can share with, learn from, pray with. A couple who can help us learn to grow our faith and our marriage into more than we ever thought it could be.

Cory and I are so blessed by our church family. We love our small group members! We have "couple" friends that we get together with on a regular basis for dinner & game night. We'll all bring a dish or drinks and meet at a couple's house and play games and fellowship for a couple of hours. It's good to be around them! We've been blessed to make quite a few friends in the church. We even had our pictures done a couple of days ago by a fellow church-goer. She did a phenomenal job and we are so pleased. We're looking forward to making Christmas gifts with some of them for our families.

I've had hours to sit and read books, which is something I relish. I love to read. I love the written word. I've been reading Karen Kingsbury and finished 2 of her series. I am waiting to get the last book the third series I am trying to finish. The most helpful book that I have read recently though is The Power of A Praying Wife. I've recommended it to several of my friends. It was such a blessing, even when I was so convicted over things I'd been neglecting to do!

I'm keeping busy crocheting things right now. Our church is participating in a Share-A-Christmas program and this month at the ladies' meeting we learned (I helped teach) how to crochet a scarf. We're all going to add our crocheted scarves into the things that are being donated/bought for the program. It was nice to get my crocheting back out, it had been awhile.

Oh! Meet the newest addition to our family, Bella. She is 8 months old.

Those of you who were hoping Bella was a baby, please keep hoping and praying for us. God's promise to me didn't say we would never have children, He simply told me I needed to find a way to be content with or without them. We've reached contentment. But we're still trying, and waiting. The adoption avenue seems to get more narrow as we are still being held up by "higher powers" (namely the IRS).

I am so grateful that even in the midst of storms trying to assault us, God is amazing. He provides. He answers prayer. He is showing himself to be faithful, unwavering, and loving. He has poured so many blessings on us. As I recount them, and remember how faithful He has been, how true to His promises to me - I am awed. Starstruck almost. My mouth is agape and my eyes are filled with wonder.

Father, your love amazes me. You cause me to hold my breath when I look at where You have brought us over the past year. You have proven yourself stronger than my greatest weaknesses. You helped me release the pain I had been carrying. You filled the void that has been in my heart and soul for years with love, laughter, and great friends. Your mercies are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord. Thank you for making my life so full, and showing me what laid past the horizon I buried myself behind. You turned all of my pain into something so beautiful. Your fires purified so much of the "old self" that needed to be put to rest. Thanks God!