Unexpected Blessings

I've recently received a huge blessing from an unexpected source. Our church, Mosaic, has a partnership with Shepherd's Door, a women's shelter that operates as an arm of the Portland Rescue Mission. Once a month a team from Mosaic runs evening activities for the women and children who are a part of this community. A few months ago, Mosaic made an announcement that they were looking for folks willing to run a shuttle service so women from Shepherd's Door could attend a gathering. We live three minutes from this amazing facility. It wasn't hard to hear the Holy Spirit. I didn't even want to make excuses. I just wanted to obey, knowing that when I obey the Lord, He blesses me in ways that I would miss otherwise. So I signed up. That was in June. Nothing happened. I went to a meeting of other Mosaic folks who are part of the team that ministers at Shepherd's Door once a month. We talked logistics of the shuttle service, and a sign up sheet was created and placed where the women could see it. Still nothing happened. Isn't waiting weird. There were some Sundays when I was sincerely grateful that nobody signed up and others when I just felt bummed. Then last week, I got the call saying there were two women who had signed up and would be ready for pick-up at 8:45am. I buzzed down the road, excited and a little nervous, not quite sure what to expect.
I struggle to put words to this next part of the story because it was so amazing and beautiful. These two ladies, recently homeless and recovering addicts, got into my car and as we drove toward church, one of them began to share a little bit of her story. To God be the glory - He has done great things to bring her through the darkest places humanity offers into His grace through the love of Jesus Christ. I was seriously crying tears of amazement and joy at her story. Did I mention I had known this woman for less than ten minutes? She didn't care and neither did I. Her joy is in her Redeemer and the healing that only He had given her. My joy is in seeing the reality of Jesus Christ in a broken life. It gets more amazing.
We arrived, found seats and worship started. There is something more meaningful about the song lyrics, Our God saves when you are standing next to someone who has experience the worst of life and been rescued by the One True God. All the truths about the God I worship were even more real as I sang His praises with these two women. Tears ran down my face and I was reminded of God's goodness toward me and all others who will humble themselves and turn toward Him. Wanna hear the best part? They came again today. And we sang and praised and cried. We listened to the Word and were edified. I'm getting more out of church because I'm putting more into it. Have you ever heard that before? I had. I am so thankful for the reminder.
After the gathering was over, a friend who is on staff at Mosaic came up and thanked me for bringing the ladies. I smiled and told her what a huge blessing it is for me to do so. And I'm NOT just saying that. It's true. When I give my life (my time, my money, my energy) away for Jesus Christ, I never come back empty handed. He's just like that.

Stuff

Since starting the remodel, about three weeks ago, our treadmill and eliptical have been unavailable for use. I kept thinking I would just stay active by taking the boys on walks or bike rides. Not so much. So when my friend Kim offered me a new workout video I jumped at the chance. Something new and I can use my computer to exercise during nap time in the playroom. Easy. Right? Wrong. Have you ever heard of Jillian Michaels? The term "shred" should have tipped me off. Today was just day 2 and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to walk tomorrow. Same workout as yesterday, just harder because all those muscles were already tired. Did I mention that she's mean?!? Well, she is. The first day I did the workout, Luke was in the room because he was skipping nap. He kept saying, "Why won't she let you rest, Mommy?" LOL! At one point he even said, "Can she see you, Mommy?" Oh dear.

Paul is waking up, so I'll just quickly post some more remodel pictures. I'll try to keep you informed about the house remodel and the "shred". I'm probably not committed enough to actually follow through with 30 days straight of Jillian yelling at me and making me kick my own butt. I need some sort of reward system...Hawaii...maybe just a scrapbook weekend with the girls...hmmm...

Pictures!

Erik uses the Saws-All on the couch. It came with the house, folks. And it will not be in our newly remodeled room. Bye bye, ugly couch.

The Audience for the Couch Sawing Event.

Say goodbye to the orange formica 1960's bar.

In other news, Paul got a harmonica for his birthday and Luke is being allowed to take pictures with our old digital camera. The results are pretty cute.

Luke took this picture of me and I like it. :-)

Eleven Years

Tomorrow Erik and I celebrate our 11th Anniversary. Tuesday evening we ran away from home to enjoy some time alone together at Dave and Lynne's place in Sunriver. It always takes me a few days to slow down. In fact, yesterday I was running coupon deals in Bend. Today I'm not going to do that. :-) I'm thinking that a bike ride to my favorite spot on the river and maybe even a picnic lunch are today's activities.

I am going to post some pictures of our remodel...because I have the time and energy. Besides, I don't have any pictures of us during this trip. I'm not the best at asking strangers to take our picture. Maybe tomorrow night when we go to dinner...

Anyway, here's the remodel.

The Daddy Man rips open the sheet rock in the stair well. This is after he and I removed a TON of fake wood paneling. Seriously. At one point we removed a section only to find another one beneath it. Why?

At the bottom of the stairs, the pocket door to the laundry room begins to take shape. In all my married years, I've NEVER had a door I could close to hide my laundry.

But now I do!! Luke calls this the dirty underwear door. So no one can see our dirty underwear.

This used to be a really ugly closet completely covered in fake wood paneling. You can also see the orange formica-topped bar. We named that room The Cantina, after the wild and crazy bar in the first Star Wars film. It used to have a single door that you opened and closed to get in. No door to the laundry room, but a door to get to the ugliest room ever conceived. I guess I can see the sense in that.

This is standing at the bottom of our basement stairs. My vision has been to create a space that is inviting, rather than scary and confusing. The five foot wide doorway is a HUGE improvement in my estimation. Next post will include pictures of No Bar and Sawed Couch.