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.

God is Good!!

The garage sale went so well! Altogether over $600 was earned, with about 85% of that going to Holly. I'll add some pictures in order to convey the magnitude of the sale. I had decided to give our earnings to Erik, partly because the sale fell during his birthday weekend. Yes, he did manual labor on his birthday. I think he deserves a few extra bucks. :-)

The boy clothes bins. All sizes from birth to size 12.

The girl clothes bins. Again, all sizes from birth to size 12.

The hanging girl clothes. Seriously.

The hanging boy clothes.

In addition, our remodel is going beautifully. Erik and I have lots more demolition work to do this week and this coming weekend, part of which will involve emptying a very messy room and tearing apart a 1960's red/orange formica-topped bar. Good times. More pictures in the next post.

So Much Happening

To begin...Erik still has a job! Many know this because I posted it on facebook. My SINCERE apologies to blog followers who were left in the dark for so long. We are thankful to God for His provision and peace throughout the entire process.

And now for the news from Bangsundland this week. We are in the midst of the busiest, craziest week of our lives! We started a pretty major remodel project this past Saturday. It involves modernizing and updating our stairwell and about two-thirds of our basement. If you've been down there, you know the need! The family who lived here before was simply in LOVE with fake wood paneling. It's everywhere. To say nothing of the home made structural features installed by the man of the house, who worked as a police officer for the city for thirty years. Good cop. Bad builder. We have heard our contractor say multiple times, "Huh. That's interesting." This is code for, "That is simply the weirdest way they could have done that." We are so happy to have professionals doing an awesome job for us. They even let us save money by doing a lot of the demolition work! Erik is having a blast ripping things apart. I'm not sure it will be so fun when the time comes to scrape that 1970's popcorn textured sparkly ceiling. Any volunteers?

At the same time as all this, because apparently I need more excitement in my life, I'm hosting a garage sale this weekend. My good friend Holly needed to rid her life of some clutter and experience God's grace and freedom in that area of her life. My garage is going to be the BIGGEST SALE in town this weekend! Come on by! We have books, kids clothes, toys, more books, MORE kids clothes, and some killer knick knacks. :-) I'm so happy to be serving her in this way and I know that God is using me to bless her family. That is the best thing ever!

At this exact moment Dan, The Coolest Electrician Ever, is working hard to rewire our basement while my boys attempt to nap. I don't really care if they do because bedtime comes really early for boys who can't sleep during the day. Harder afternoon? Maybe. Worth it at 7pm when my children pass out. Completely.

Pictures? Um...how about some from the 4th of July! I'll have remodel pictures later...when my husband shows me where the cord for the new camera lives!

Paul shoots the fire hose at the annual block party.

Luke smiles for the camera while checking out the bunnies.

The Fiery Furnace

It's been awhile. I was actually fairly sick for about a month. Then the boys were sick. Luke actually had pneumonia. He's better now. Then Erik was sick. These are my excuses for not blogging. But the good news is I'm back and I actually have something meaningful and important to blog about!

A short preface: Erik and I are studying the book of Daniel together this summer. It's awesomely awesome. We have just finished up Chapter 3, with the famous story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. I love reading things in the Bible that I think I already know. There was SO much to this passage that I had never realized before. Right before the king throws them into the furnace, these three men make an amazing statement. "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:17,18)

About three weeks ago, Erik received an email announcing that on June 15th his company is going to layoff close to one third of the work force. How's that for a fiery furnace? I love the way God speaks through His Word. The God we serve is able to rescue us, but even if He does not, we won't serve false gods or worship other things. God can rescue us from unemployment. That is not the question. The questions are how will we live our lives as we wait and how will we respond if He does not. Will we serve the gods of this culture - worry, anger and fear? Or will we trust fully in our Almighty God? These men had confidence that their God would rescue them from the flames. Our confidence is also sure. We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28) We would rather be obedient and in the center of His plan for our lives than disobedient and making our own way in the world.

Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. I stole that one. :-) But it's true. How can we glorify God as we wait? Trust Him. Love like Jesus loves. Serve others. It's the same stuff we do when we aren't in hard circumstances! Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6,7) I love these verses. Of course we are asking for this cup to pass, if it be God's will. Our Savior didn't desire to suffer the Cross, and He prayed in this way. (Matthew 26:39, 42) But Jesus chose to follow the Father's plan for His life all the way, giving up His life and opening the path to reconciliation with God for us. What a beautiful example! We do not know God's complete plan for our family, but we rejoice in this opportunity to grow in our faith and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ.

"I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation (it's Jesus!), whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Phil 4:12,13)

We believe this! It doesn't matter where God puts us. We will be content. And we will seek to glorify Him.

Mommy is Sick

Oy. I'm sick. I've had a nagging cough and congestion for about a week. Tuesday afternoon I started to run a low-grade fever. Wednesday morning I couldn't go to Bible Study Fellowship because of said fever. Lynne came in the morning to entertain the troops, and my mom came after BSF to take over. My fever was not-so-low-grade this morning, so Erik took a sick day while I called my doctor. She asked me all the usual questions and then surprised me with a diagnosis for a deep sinus infection. The drainage is causing the cough. The infection is causing my dizziness, fever and feelings of exhaustion. I get to take antibiotics now. And rest.

Daddy is in charge. The boys spent the better part of three hours this morning watching Mr. Rogers DVDs. There are worse things they could be doing. One of the DVDs showed Mr. Rogers visiting a pretzel making factory. When Erik ran out the store for milk, yogurt and other essentials, he picked up some pretzels for the boys. He's so cool. Here's a picture of them sitting out back enjoying their treat. Did I mention that the weather is amazingly beautiful? It is. Here's a picture.

Boys and Pretzels