Farewell

The words of my husband...

A very dear friend of ours, Katie, died last night. Her condition of recurring tumors had required several very long and painful surgeries and therapies over the last four years that resulted in her face being severely disfigured and caused other health complications. She was a very strong-willed person, tenacious and unrelenting in her battle.

She leaves a dedicated and loving husband, Jeff. They married just this past year after nearly 7 years in a relationship. He has been with her through it all, every step of the way, sacrificing much.

We must "count the cost" before becoming a Christian. Katie was a Christian and I know she was challenged in her faith many times, wondering why she was going through such an ordeal.
C.S. Lewis wonderfully stated his belief that the Lord says to us, "Make no mistake, if you let Me, I will make you perfect. The moment you put yourself into My hands, that is what you are in for. Nothing less, or other, than that. You have free will, and if you choose, you can push Me away. But if you do not push Me away, understand that I am going to see the job through. Whatever suffering it may cost you in your earthly life, whatever inconceivable purification it may cost you after death, whatever it cost Me, I will never rest, not let you rest, until you are literally perfect - until my Father can say without reservation that He is well pleased with you, as He said He was pleased with Me. This I can do and will do. But I will do nothing less."
Katie finally surrendered her body last night and I believe her heart was wholly surrendered to Our Lord. Today, and for eternity, I have faith that Katie is now perfect and that God is well pleased.

Please pray for Jeff and their families.

Piecing together a new home

The new house is finally starting to feel like home. After a rocky start of many frustations... including a queen size bed that didn't fit up the stairwell, a couch with the same problem, a refrigerator that didn't fit in the kitchen, it is finally coming together.

I came to realize that even my best laid plans never work out. I found myself living in a house that felt foreign to me. Living in a place that was in shambles. I was humbled. I grew patience. God used this house to teach me many things.

Last week, the new refrigerator arrived - and the old one (by 2 months) was finally removed from the dining room and sent to its new home in the basement. The new one is happy in its new found home in the kitchen.

The painting is finally coming to a close on the first floor. The new furniture is being delivered today! I found a home for the red sofa that would not fit upstairs. Everything came together - in ways that were better than I ever expected. We are still sleeping on the full-size, guest bed in the guest room because we haven't taken the time to go purchase the king-size bed (with two twin box springs that will fit upstairs).

I can't wait to post some before & after pictures. The difference is stunning. My father-in-law has been here most every evening for the past month to make it all come together. What a selfless, sweet & giving man - who will work for food & a Killian's!

Tomorrow, the small group will reconvene in the new home - with 4 new members!! We are very excited to start "Five Love Languages" and return to the fellowship that I dearly missed.

A Life in Balance

I attended a work/life balance conference today where Dr. Kathleen Hall was a keynote speaker (www.drkathleenhall.com). At first, I felt some of the things she was sharing were a bit shallow... however, as she continued on, her words really resonated with me.

I know she was speaking for a corporate engagement ... but, I felt her descriptions of "happiness" were very shallow. As she talked further, I believe she even felt that her definitions were lacking. She later admitted to being a Christian - even being a chaplain at a hospital and a minister at a large church for some time. As she continued to speak, it started to all fit together.

I haven't yet read her book, A Life in Balance, but, hearing her speak has motivated me to go out and get a copy straight away! Amazon, here I come!!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0814473342/qid=1134413833/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-8813171-6503231?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

Our 2nd House!

A year of seconds for us... and not the kind that measure time... well, kind of. Oh, nevermind.

So, mid-way through our second year of marriage, we have bought our second house! We are super excited - and have no clue how we plan to use all 4 bedrooms! See pic below!! More to come...

The stress comes in trying to rent our current, cute, adorable home!