As our building fund decreased to nearly nothing, and our fall ministry and activities increased, we began to think perhaps we were going to spend another winter without making any progress on the lodge. But, we are so close to being able to finish! As we prayed about the situation and patiently waited for something, we both became content with letting the progress go in God's timing, not our own. This is something that we have had to do over and over and over since we started.
Well, recently a dear soul called and said they had a check for us, could we stop by. Not only was it enough to make the few final necessities, like sheet rock on the bathroom walls, countertop in
the kitchen, and some wiring and septic fixtures, but it looks as though we will be able to purchase a cistern, pump, and all we need to have RUNNING WATER.Brian has been making calls about what pump to use on our 600 foot well with our solar power system. Then we took a trip to town to look at poly cisterns and see what all that entails. The pump has been ordered and arrived a few days ago, and the pump guy is scheduled to come out next week.
So, as we look forward to celebrating Christmas this week, we have more than a few things to be thankful for. We are still amazed that we are able to build this big, wonderful house, without a bank mortgage, on our modest income and growing family. It is nothing short of a miracle really, which is the whole reason we named our home Providence Lodge.
As the snow has been falling, we imagine how cozy and romantic it will be to observe the winter stillness from within the rustic walls, a cup of our favorite tea ("Preacher's Passion"**) in hand, and little munchkins snuggled in all around us, but alas, we will be happily content with our little parsonage until that momentous day arrives. As with waiting for a baby to be born, it is always NOT my timing, but as God wills, and what a wonderful lesson to learn to sit it out with a rejoicing heart.May you be encouraged as you read this, of what a great, good, loving God we serve, and be thankful for all the good things He blesses you with each and every day. Merry Christmas!
** Preacher's Passion tea: 1 part of each of the following: chamomile, oat straw, passion flower, peppermint. Each herb calms a specific system within your body, making for a very relaxing, de-stressing drink, and it tastes really good. We encourage our children to drink LOTS of it. ;-)
We got the recipe from THE BULK HERB CO, where we also guy the herbs to make it, 1/2 lb. of each makes a huge batch that lasts (even us) for months.
Dear Julianne,
ReplyDeleteMy friend, Heather(cattle rancher's helpmate and mother of 4 wee ranchers from Benge) sent me your blog link and I just finished reading it. It was a blessing to me.
My father built our log house with a one parent income and no bank mortgage also. My mother raised 9 children. So I really could appreciate your life.
I am 63 and was barren until I received three children from the Lord at age 56. My husband was 63 at that time and he did not hesitate. When people would shake their heads at us and comment that we were too old for this sort of thing he would retort "it's a good thing that Abraham didn't have that response when G-d gave him and Sarah Isaac."
We live in Eastern Washinton on I-90. If you would permit us to visit you sometime, Heather and I would love it. We have another friend, Mandy, who has 9 children. All three of us are homeschooling mom's. Mandy lives in Spokane Valley, WA.
Keep up the good work, sister!
Christine
miriamb@centurytel.net