I can't sleep ...
There is this sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach, at the back of my throat, in the depths of my heart. I feel awful, scared, ... faithless.
Erin, as I have mentioned several times lately, has been extremely in touch spiritually ... sharing Bible stories with friends she meets at the park, restaurant workers, at church ... picking out lonely hearts and seeking to ease the pain ... praying lots of prayers throughout the day and at bedtime (although sometimes it seems as if those are sometimes stall tactics, but what can you do? "Sorry, kid, no more prayers."?).
Tonight was different. On our way home, Erin was thankful for the stars, as she often is, and started saying like, "Is that Jesus' star? It's the brightest one. That must be where Baby Jesus is, and Mary and Joseph too. I want to go there, and be with Jesus." Nothing worrisome here, infact, very sweet, if off a bit theologically. As the trip progressed, things got a bit more serious, and she began asking more questions. We were listening to her Veggie Tales Worship Songs tape, and when the intro for the song In the Secret came on, it spurred a traumatic response in Erin ...
"... there's a place where we can hear God's voice ... it's a secret place ..." (kids on tape)
"Mommy, did you know there's a secret place we can go to hear God's voice? I wish I knew that place. I try and try and can't ever hear God, mommy. Why can't I hear His voice? I want to see Him and know Him." (I realize the last few phrases are from the song ... "I want to know you, I want to hear Your voice, I want to know You more. I want to touch You, I want to see Your face, I want to know You more.")
I tried to explain that we don't always hear God's voice, as in a physical sound or words, but that we know He hears our prayers and answers them, He gives us peace, and creates a beautiful world for us to enjoy and take care of as well as we can. Of course, I'm feeling very "out of my league" trying to explain this to her fairly literal mind in very abstract terms. The part that got me was when she started crying, no, sobbing, because she couldn't hear God talking to her. She kept spitting out phrases like, "There's so much I want to talk to Him about ..." "Why can't I hear Him?" "Why can't I be in Heaven too?" This continued all the way to the house, up the stairs, and through bedtime preparations (yes, she was exhausted from an early morning, and no nap). I pulled her onto my lap, and tried to comfort her, but she would not be comforted. During prayer time, she cried again, asking God if she could be in heaven and why her wishes (to be in heaven with Him and Jesus) had not been granted. Still distraught, she finally ended, and laid down to sleep. By this time, Avery was really hungry, so I moved to the rocker to feed her, which brought more distress to Erin, who enjoys me snuggling her at bedtime. She finally calmed down, and went to sleep, looking crumpled and defeated, but relaxed.
Now, why am I such a mess? "People say" (whoever "they" are) that sometimes people are more spiritually aware as they near death. They make closure with family/friends, take care of financial issues, wait for the "ok" from their family before breathing their last ... I can't help but wonder as I think about the last few weeks with Erin. The thing that tears me up, is that she seemed so unhappy in this place, and longed for intimate communion with her God ... and I had to fight the urge to try and dissuade her from that, because for her wish of being in heaven to come true, means that I lose my little girl.
That being said, I am reminded of several things ... 1. When Erin was born, actually, before she was born, we dedicated her to God, taking the view that she is a precious gift to us from our Father, on loan until His timing says different. 2. "Better is one day in Your courts than 1000 days anywhere else" 3. The song sung at her dedication service by a dear friend and his two daughters, I Can Only Imagine. 4. Sunday morning in our livingroom/kitchen ... David and I were running through music for worship service that afternoon, and were singing Blessed Be Your Name, one of Erin's favorite songs (on the Veggie Tales Worship Songs CD), and she drug a chair out from the table, stood up on it, her arm around me, bellowing out all the lyrics at the TOP of her voice.
How can I be so selfish, and want to keep anyone here, much less, my own child, when we, as the creations of the Holy God, will have the amazing (such a lame word choice, but what else is there?) joy of worshipping Him without end in the courts of Heaven? As the song says, "Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for You, Jesus, or in awe of You be still?" If you've ever met Erin, you will probably smile at this, and guess, as I, that she'll be dancing in His presence. Why am I not dancing myself, because my almost 4 year old longs to be in the presence of the Most High ... she looks at others through His eyes, follows the leading of His Spirit, and shows the compassion of His Son -- okay, maybe that's a proud mama talking, (if you've read many of the "Erin" blog entries, you'll know that she's no angel, and is very good at disobeying, hurting others' feelings, and being a general pill at times!) but every since Erin has had a personality, I feel God has used her as His vessel, creating opportunities in her life for ministry to others.
I still have yet to say exactly why I am sitting her snivelling and diverting tears away from the keyboard ... I guess, to come out and say it, I am afraid of losing my child. Just typing those words brings a flood of silent sobs to my throat, and a fresh stream of tears to my cheeks. I cannot imagine the feeling of going into her room and finding her cold and lifeless. I cannot imagine the pain of choosing a funeral home or picking clothes for her for the last time. I cannot imagine going into the girls' room to take her things out ... calling the relatives ... driving past a park full of kids playing without mine ... explaining to her baby sister in later years that her sister is with Jesus ... which is where she belongs ... we all do, it's where He desires us to be.
I said earlier that I felt faithless. I guess that is not completely true. Faith is what is keeping me from running down there every 10 seconds to check if she's still breating (I've only checked on her twice, and I was in there to lay Avery down both times), or laying down to hold her while she sleeps. I know she rests in His arms, as she has every night since they placed her in our arms at the hospital, and will every night until He really does take her home. I know He has had her days numbered from the beginning of time, as are mine and yours. It's funny, because just today she and I were talking about something that happened before David and I even met, and she asked where she was. I told her that she wasn't born yet, and was just a dream in God's eyes. Her eyes shone, and she said with awe, "I was a dream in God's eyes?!"
Yes, my beautiful, loving, ornery, mischeivous, stubborn, confident, amazingly faith-filled child, you were, and He is loving watching you grow in all matters -- he probably thinks it's hilarious to watch you make streamers out of toilet paper to decorate my room, mix up "cakes" out of salt and milk, and pick up that darn dead bird that keeps resurfacing in the backyard because you're curious. I will too, someday, I guess. No matter what happens this night, or tomorrow, or the day after that, I guess this is His way of reminding me what a precious gift He has given us.
This blog entry isn't meant for you, it was for me. Sorry for run-on sentences, bad punctuation, 500 links to song lyrics, and all the rest -- I don't care, it was raw, and I had to sort through my feelings. Throughout the course of this evening(morning), I gave Erin back to God ... maybe I have an inkling of the feeling Abraham had as he led his son toward the sacrifical altar, before the ram appeared. I am going to go kiss my children and go back to bed now.
Thank You, Father, for the gift of my beautiful girls. They are so precious to me, and I know even more precious to You. I know I have been selfish, and I want to lay them at Your feet, knowing that if You choose to bring one or both to You at any time, they will rest with You, in Your perfect arms of love, as you cradle our other baby. What a blessing, to know we have nothing to fear when we're safe in Your arms. Good night, Father. Thank you for holding me in Your arms, loving me, comforting my heart, and calming my fears. Good night.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Wrong, Again.
Well, I had my butt kicked spiritually yesterday by my nearly four year old ...
After spending the morning worshipping with another faith community, Faith Journey, Sunday morning, we went out to eat at Red Robin for lunch. We had a large party, and it was very loud. The hostess keeps a stash of helium balloons for the kids at the front desk, which was right next to us, and Erin had been eyeing a green one for the entire meal -- a long time for her! She was bored, full of spaghetti, and ready to have her balloon, so I took her over to get one (I thought we were getting close to leaving at this point -- I was wrong). While she danced about with her new green friend, I was getting Avery settled, and trying to move our little family toward the car ... our church in Lawrence was starting in an hour, and we hadn't gotten the music together yet. While my back was turned, Erin noticed a girl sitting outside smoking, and she turned to me, excited to the point of bouncing, and said, "Momma, can I go outside with that lady with the smoke?"
My first instinct was to say "No" immediately, but I wanted to find the root of her curiosity (I know, I should really give up that dream!), so I said in a kind of "put out" sort of way, "Now why in the world would you want to do that?"
She looked at me, with eyes filled with that look of "Duh, mom", and said, "Well, she's sitting all by herself, and I didn't want her to be lonely."
Wow -- that one hit me right in the heart. Tears sprung to my eyes, as I beheld Jesus in the eyes of my daughter. I smiled at her and shook my head yes, and she ran out the door. I was a bit concerned, as the parking lot was right there, so I kind of hurried after her, cutting off a woman who was also heading outdoors. I apologized, and explained that my daughter had just run outside to keep a girl company that looked lonely to her. The woman stopped and thought about what I said, while holding the door for me, and then said, "Wow, how old is she?" I told her, and she just shook her head in amazement.
When I got outside, Erin was sitting next to the girl, happily holding her balloon, swinging her feet, and smiling at her soon-to-be friend. I watched, as Erin scooted closer to her and complimented her shirt (it had sequins on it). The girl looked at Erin kind of strangely, and kept looking at her lap. She told Erin she liked her dress. Erin proceeded to thank her and tell her that her mom had got it at a garage sale (Thanks, Erin!), and just continued beaming at this woman. I noticed then, that the girl was looking at her lap because she was holding her cell phone and as she brought it close to her face, I realized that she had an ear piece in, and was just talking into the actual phone. I held my hand out to Erin and told her that we needed to let the woman finish her phone call, and that she wasn't lonely because she was talking to a friend on her phone. Erin smiled, hollered out a goodbye, and headed back into the air conditioning.
The girl, still looking confused, made eye contact with me. I quickly explained that Erin had seen her from inside and was afraid she was lonely, so wanted to come keep her company so she wouldn't be alone. The girl's face melted and she smiled at me. I smiled and walked back inside, fearful of where Erin's next adventure might lead without supervision. However, as I was opening the door, I heard the girl comment to her phone friend, "Oh wow, I was out having a smoke, and this little girl saw me from inside and came to keep me company because she didn't want me to be lonely..."
The tone of her voice said more than the words, and I had to stop again to evaluate what had just transpired. Once again, my daughter saw a need, came up with a way to meet the need, and executed it, in spite of my efforts to detain her. All I saw was a girl smoking (I HATE the smell of smoke and how it permeates everything from hair to clothes to your purse!), but Erin saw her through Jesus' eyes, and took a moment to share love with her. Where did Jesus hang out ... the docks, wells, the temple, with sick people, and among the masses (who probably smelled worse than a little smoke). Where am I hanging out???
As we pursue God's plan for us in Lawrence, KS, growing His kingdom, and sharing His love, I was convicted that I have so far to go. May we all take a lesson from Erin, and learn to follow Him with immediate action and love ... faith like a child.
After spending the morning worshipping with another faith community, Faith Journey, Sunday morning, we went out to eat at Red Robin for lunch. We had a large party, and it was very loud. The hostess keeps a stash of helium balloons for the kids at the front desk, which was right next to us, and Erin had been eyeing a green one for the entire meal -- a long time for her! She was bored, full of spaghetti, and ready to have her balloon, so I took her over to get one (I thought we were getting close to leaving at this point -- I was wrong). While she danced about with her new green friend, I was getting Avery settled, and trying to move our little family toward the car ... our church in Lawrence was starting in an hour, and we hadn't gotten the music together yet. While my back was turned, Erin noticed a girl sitting outside smoking, and she turned to me, excited to the point of bouncing, and said, "Momma, can I go outside with that lady with the smoke?"
My first instinct was to say "No" immediately, but I wanted to find the root of her curiosity (I know, I should really give up that dream!), so I said in a kind of "put out" sort of way, "Now why in the world would you want to do that?"
She looked at me, with eyes filled with that look of "Duh, mom", and said, "Well, she's sitting all by herself, and I didn't want her to be lonely."
Wow -- that one hit me right in the heart. Tears sprung to my eyes, as I beheld Jesus in the eyes of my daughter. I smiled at her and shook my head yes, and she ran out the door. I was a bit concerned, as the parking lot was right there, so I kind of hurried after her, cutting off a woman who was also heading outdoors. I apologized, and explained that my daughter had just run outside to keep a girl company that looked lonely to her. The woman stopped and thought about what I said, while holding the door for me, and then said, "Wow, how old is she?" I told her, and she just shook her head in amazement.
When I got outside, Erin was sitting next to the girl, happily holding her balloon, swinging her feet, and smiling at her soon-to-be friend. I watched, as Erin scooted closer to her and complimented her shirt (it had sequins on it). The girl looked at Erin kind of strangely, and kept looking at her lap. She told Erin she liked her dress. Erin proceeded to thank her and tell her that her mom had got it at a garage sale (Thanks, Erin!), and just continued beaming at this woman. I noticed then, that the girl was looking at her lap because she was holding her cell phone and as she brought it close to her face, I realized that she had an ear piece in, and was just talking into the actual phone. I held my hand out to Erin and told her that we needed to let the woman finish her phone call, and that she wasn't lonely because she was talking to a friend on her phone. Erin smiled, hollered out a goodbye, and headed back into the air conditioning.
The girl, still looking confused, made eye contact with me. I quickly explained that Erin had seen her from inside and was afraid she was lonely, so wanted to come keep her company so she wouldn't be alone. The girl's face melted and she smiled at me. I smiled and walked back inside, fearful of where Erin's next adventure might lead without supervision. However, as I was opening the door, I heard the girl comment to her phone friend, "Oh wow, I was out having a smoke, and this little girl saw me from inside and came to keep me company because she didn't want me to be lonely..."
The tone of her voice said more than the words, and I had to stop again to evaluate what had just transpired. Once again, my daughter saw a need, came up with a way to meet the need, and executed it, in spite of my efforts to detain her. All I saw was a girl smoking (I HATE the smell of smoke and how it permeates everything from hair to clothes to your purse!), but Erin saw her through Jesus' eyes, and took a moment to share love with her. Where did Jesus hang out ... the docks, wells, the temple, with sick people, and among the masses (who probably smelled worse than a little smoke). Where am I hanging out???
As we pursue God's plan for us in Lawrence, KS, growing His kingdom, and sharing His love, I was convicted that I have so far to go. May we all take a lesson from Erin, and learn to follow Him with immediate action and love ... faith like a child.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
No? Now that's funny!
Who could say "no" to this face?
Avery Layne ... 3 1/2 months
Avery Layne ... 3 1/2 monthsDaddy hasn't got a chance!
Gotta love baby grins!
Newest Erin-isms
Some new words from Erin:
"road canschection" ... road construction
"Blessed be Your glorious soufflet" ... "Blessed by Your glorious name" (Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman)
"compilot" ... billfold (I think she was confusing/combining "compact" and "palm pilot" -- two other things found in my purse)
"pullsherry see-ening" ... poultry seasoning
As always, it's a joy (and sometimes, a hoot!) to converse with my daughter!
Friday, July 14, 2006
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Mary, Mary
We ran across the blog of some of our friends from our time in Emporia ... Chad and Angel, directors of our college ministry group during part of our college days. Their ministry in Tuscon, AZ seems somewhat similar to our ministry in Lawrence. I was captivated by one of their passions. Please read about it. I don't know that our ministry is ready for this yet, as we are kind of spread thin the way it is, but who am I to decide that?! I think this wold be a really special way to get immersed in the community. I can only imagine the hurt and pain that is living here. Let us pray that we would respond to His calling, even if it is against societal "norms" (in Christian circles, anyway), and seems so very far out of any box or comfort zone we have ever experienced ... OR ... if it is a place we have been, and removed ourselves from, that we are not afraid to be in and not of that very place.
Eek!
Remember the tale of Little Miss Muffet? Well, we had a similar experience here today, with a little variation ...
I was on the phone with Jill, my Mary Kay director today, discussing my team and how we were doing on our goals for the month. Erin, who was particularly needing to be right with me for most of the day, was at my elbow, asking every 20 seconds if she could talk to Jill.
During one of the 20 second intervals, she yells out, "Mom, there's a spider on my shorts!" I turned to look, and sure enough, there was a small black spider dancing illusively around on my daughter's purple shorts. Wanting to relieve her of this impending trauma, I leand over in my rolly chair to bat the arachnid from her little quivering leg. I was successful, however, just as I saw the spider drop to the floor and went to reach for it with my (bare - eww!) foot, I felt a loose feeling under me, and was powerless to do anything to prevent the chair from rolling backwards out from under me.
The trip to the floor was quick, yet felt as if it were in slow motion. My tush hit the protective floor mat, and I rolled up to make sure Avery (who was eating happily throughout the whole ordeal) was okay. She was, just looked a little bemused, and smiled at me anyway. I started to giggle, but was interrupted by the shrill squeaks of my firstborn, who was jumping around in a "potty dance"esque way, pointing at the floor mat.
"Mom, you didn't kill it yet, it's next to you, right beside you!!!"
"Where? I don't see it."
(Voice even higher pitched, and with even quicker, breathier delivery) "Mom, it's under your butt! You're squishing it with your butt!"
Now, by this point in time, I realize that the situation is fairly hysterical, and also realize that I am still "talking" to Jill. All is quiet on her end, and all I can say is "Oh my." We quickly finished our talk, and after hanging up the phone, having a big laugh out loud, I turned to Erin, who was still standing in the same spot, looking at me in a horrified way. She then kind of pointed to me and said, "Mom, that spider is still on your butt."
Needless to say, I "brushed myself off" and had another side splitting round of laughter. Yep, another day in the Rahija household. Don't you wish you were here?!
I was on the phone with Jill, my Mary Kay director today, discussing my team and how we were doing on our goals for the month. Erin, who was particularly needing to be right with me for most of the day, was at my elbow, asking every 20 seconds if she could talk to Jill.
During one of the 20 second intervals, she yells out, "Mom, there's a spider on my shorts!" I turned to look, and sure enough, there was a small black spider dancing illusively around on my daughter's purple shorts. Wanting to relieve her of this impending trauma, I leand over in my rolly chair to bat the arachnid from her little quivering leg. I was successful, however, just as I saw the spider drop to the floor and went to reach for it with my (bare - eww!) foot, I felt a loose feeling under me, and was powerless to do anything to prevent the chair from rolling backwards out from under me.
The trip to the floor was quick, yet felt as if it were in slow motion. My tush hit the protective floor mat, and I rolled up to make sure Avery (who was eating happily throughout the whole ordeal) was okay. She was, just looked a little bemused, and smiled at me anyway. I started to giggle, but was interrupted by the shrill squeaks of my firstborn, who was jumping around in a "potty dance"esque way, pointing at the floor mat.
"Mom, you didn't kill it yet, it's next to you, right beside you!!!"
"Where? I don't see it."
(Voice even higher pitched, and with even quicker, breathier delivery) "Mom, it's under your butt! You're squishing it with your butt!"
Now, by this point in time, I realize that the situation is fairly hysterical, and also realize that I am still "talking" to Jill. All is quiet on her end, and all I can say is "Oh my." We quickly finished our talk, and after hanging up the phone, having a big laugh out loud, I turned to Erin, who was still standing in the same spot, looking at me in a horrified way. She then kind of pointed to me and said, "Mom, that spider is still on your butt."
Needless to say, I "brushed myself off" and had another side splitting round of laughter. Yep, another day in the Rahija household. Don't you wish you were here?!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Shu Shu's Sheet
This morning, as I was checking my email, Erin popped into the office and said to me ...
"Mama, in my room, all the animals are going to listen to a song, but only the animals who have clothes on can listen to it."
"Oh, that sounds like a good idea."
"Yeah, but Mom, there's a problem. Shu Shu (one of her stuffed toys, a rabbit) really wants to hear the song."
"Okay. Does she need to get dressed?"
"Yes, but I have tried and tried to put some of my shirts on her, but they won't fit. So I need to cut off some of my sheet for her to wear. Where are the blue handled scissors?"
"Whoa ... why do you need to cut off part of your sheet?"
"Mom, I just told you, my shirts won't fit Shu Shu -- they're too big and fall off of her!"
"Well, have you tried some of your doll clothes?"
"No, Mama, they won't work. She just wants the sheet. Where are the scissors? That's just what I needed to get from here." (translation: If you hadn't have been in here, mom, I would have been happily snipping out a sheet tunic for Shu Shu right now.)
"Okay, well, I can see that Shu Shu is too little for your big girl clothes (the rabbit is about 8 inches long, and probably 4 inches wide), so how about some of Avery's clothes? They're much smaller, and might work nicely?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Why not?"
"Well, mom, I don't really like Avery's clothes, especially her shirts."
"Well, we aren't going to cut up the sheets today, so you'll need to find a shirt of Avery's, or Shu Shu will just have to listen to the song another time."
"Ohhh, okayyy."
Erin dashed out of the room (I was careful to note the position of the blue handled scissors!) and came back a few moments later with Shu Shu and a yellow onsie of Avery's. We worked together to put it on Shu Shu, and snapped it, and held her up to survey our work. She did look quite cute, even Erin had to admit... and, Shu Shu was eligible to attend the concert :)
All I can say is, whew, I'm glad I checked my email this morning!
"Mama, in my room, all the animals are going to listen to a song, but only the animals who have clothes on can listen to it."
"Oh, that sounds like a good idea."
"Yeah, but Mom, there's a problem. Shu Shu (one of her stuffed toys, a rabbit) really wants to hear the song."
"Okay. Does she need to get dressed?"
"Yes, but I have tried and tried to put some of my shirts on her, but they won't fit. So I need to cut off some of my sheet for her to wear. Where are the blue handled scissors?"
"Whoa ... why do you need to cut off part of your sheet?"
"Mom, I just told you, my shirts won't fit Shu Shu -- they're too big and fall off of her!"
"Well, have you tried some of your doll clothes?"
"No, Mama, they won't work. She just wants the sheet. Where are the scissors? That's just what I needed to get from here." (translation: If you hadn't have been in here, mom, I would have been happily snipping out a sheet tunic for Shu Shu right now.)
"Okay, well, I can see that Shu Shu is too little for your big girl clothes (the rabbit is about 8 inches long, and probably 4 inches wide), so how about some of Avery's clothes? They're much smaller, and might work nicely?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Why not?"
"Well, mom, I don't really like Avery's clothes, especially her shirts."
"Well, we aren't going to cut up the sheets today, so you'll need to find a shirt of Avery's, or Shu Shu will just have to listen to the song another time."
"Ohhh, okayyy."
Erin dashed out of the room (I was careful to note the position of the blue handled scissors!) and came back a few moments later with Shu Shu and a yellow onsie of Avery's. We worked together to put it on Shu Shu, and snapped it, and held her up to survey our work. She did look quite cute, even Erin had to admit... and, Shu Shu was eligible to attend the concert :)
All I can say is, whew, I'm glad I checked my email this morning!
Welcome William!
Our good friends Jeff and Valerie have a new addition to their family! We are so excited that Baby William has arrived, and it looks as if everyone is healthy -- tired mama, proud papa, and pink, sleeping baby! Congrats on a beautiful little boy -- we won't call him beautiful later, but something more manly, like handsome or dashing :) For now, though, as he can't protest, he's beautiful!
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Together again!
While David is downstairs writing an embarrassing blog about something I blurted out in a discussion about Johnny Cash and music in general ... I'd like to take a moment to share that Erin is home! She had a great time at the farm, and came home equipped with an even more prominent farmer's tan, a farm hat, and cat scratches across her lip (But she caught 'im!). She had a great time, and now is home to terrorize her little sister again (who is, yelling at me from her crib presently, so I shall close and rescue her from the monsters in her crib). We are together again!
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Toilet Humor
In response to David's post, I was reading the Men's Restroom Survival Guide, or whatever it's called and noticed one rule that should apply in both the men's and women's restroom ... noise reduction. I posted a response on his blog, then remembered an article I saw on the Lawrence Journal World today, Solicitor nabbed; toilet explodes. Now, this caught my attention, and upon reading it, I realized that the two phrases were not connected, but some of the online responses to this "Crime Blotter" were amusing.
Anyway, isn't it sad how bathroom humor always makes us snicker?
Anyway, isn't it sad how bathroom humor always makes us snicker?
Generosity
We've been a part of of several amazing acts of generosity over the past few weeks. Our church is partnering with Faith Church (Sean's other church) for a fundraising garage sale the first weekend in August. We are two small congregations, and were a bit unsure of how many items we'd have to actually sell. I decided to post a wanted ad on freecycle to see if anyone had things left over from their own garage sale or items they didn't want to drag along in a move, or just things they wanted out of their storage shed or garage.
I thought we might get a few responses with a few items ... I don't know why I try to limit God's giving ... we have had responses from 10-15 individuals who have given us trailers full of items for our sale ... furniture, freezer (full of food we will use for the ministry center!), clothing, toys, exercise equipment, books, and the list goes on ... I continue to receive emails from people who would like to donate. Faith Church has an annex building that is fairly large, and from what I hear, we have filled almost half of the building with items that have been donated. The church members have not even begun bringing their items yet.
It has also been neat to be able to be in the community and meeting these people. For many, this has been a great service to them, and they have thanked us for coming to take away the things that were cluttering up their home, or things they didn't want to haul to a landfill. For a special story semi-related to this, check out David's Blog. All I can continue to say, is WOW. Community.
I thought we might get a few responses with a few items ... I don't know why I try to limit God's giving ... we have had responses from 10-15 individuals who have given us trailers full of items for our sale ... furniture, freezer (full of food we will use for the ministry center!), clothing, toys, exercise equipment, books, and the list goes on ... I continue to receive emails from people who would like to donate. Faith Church has an annex building that is fairly large, and from what I hear, we have filled almost half of the building with items that have been donated. The church members have not even begun bringing their items yet.
It has also been neat to be able to be in the community and meeting these people. For many, this has been a great service to them, and they have thanked us for coming to take away the things that were cluttering up their home, or things they didn't want to haul to a landfill. For a special story semi-related to this, check out David's Blog. All I can continue to say, is WOW. Community.
Quiet Times
Shhh ... it's very, very quiet here! Erin is visiting Grandpa and Grandma G ("Derstenkorn") for a short week, and it's been so very quiet in our house!
Avery has found her voice, though, and has been talking up a storm ... poor David, he'll have to live with three chatterboxes! I love my little girl, just enjoying some time to think, do a bit of cleaning, and getting to know our baby a bit better!
I'm sure we'll have some "Tales from the Farm" to post later this week!
Avery has found her voice, though, and has been talking up a storm ... poor David, he'll have to live with three chatterboxes! I love my little girl, just enjoying some time to think, do a bit of cleaning, and getting to know our baby a bit better!
I'm sure we'll have some "Tales from the Farm" to post later this week!
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