OK. How much is this going to cost?

"And those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell." Isaiah 58:12

The week before last, Eric received a call from our realtor suggesting we replace the roof on the house. We were not entirely surprised. The existing roof was already two layers thick and we figured it would come up in the inspection, anyway. Here's just one way God has chosen to display His magnificent coordination of events.

Two days after the realtor called, Eric and I hit the road headed for KS. Eric was moving and I was tagging along for the ride intending to fly back. Just one hour north of Wichita KS (2 1/2 days later), I called my brother Michael to feel him out about roofing our house. He's a framing contractor in KS so we were confident in his knowledge and ability. It just so happened (ha, ha) that work was slow for Michael. He stated he could fly to Seattle that day, if need be. What? That same day? OK. What about the next day when I'm flying back? Yes. Fantastic!!! Eric and I would look at available flights and call him back. In the meantime, Michael called a buddy of his living 1400 miles from KS to see if he could help. This buddy (Brian) used to be on Michael's framing crew before moving. Guess where Brian lives now? Only 1 1/2 hours from our house in Seattle!!!!! So, long story short, Michael and Brian are on my roof right now nailing down new shingles. If anyone chalks any of this up to coincidence, you'll have a fierce argument with me.
Here's a photo of the four of us kids. Poor Michael: the youngest and the only boy! (I'm in the middle.)
This is Michael and his sweetie, Jessica. They've been married just a little over a year. She was very practical in the matter stating, "I don't care if he goes as long as he's making money." However, they miss each other terribly. She wants him to come home and he's ready to go home. Completely understandable and expected. Just a few more days, newlyweds.

Simple solution

"In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, 'HOLY TO THE LORD.' And the cooking pots in the Lord's house will be like the bowls before the altar." Zechariah 14:20
OK...here's the scenario. Three kids who can't go outside because the house is getting a new roof + chocolate chips & sugars & oatmeal that need to be used + cookie sheets that are already packed = using the skillet to make cookies! It worked perfectly!! The kids thought it was a novel idea and kept calling it a cookie cake. Plus, it added just a bit more seasoning to the skillet.

PS - The three kids belong to a friend helping my brother re-roof the house, 1 yr/3 yrs/8 yrs. Quite a handful since I only had one child of my own and he will be 21 this year. They really behaved very well, but I'm just not used to it. When they left last night, I stayed awake two more hours just to enjoy the peace & quiet!

Dancing, dancing, and more dancing!

"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness." Psalm 30:11
Even though the girls are gone now, this photo is perfect to describe how God is working throughout our move. Every time we come up against a dilemma, He gives us the kind of answer that takes our breath away! Solutions we would have never imagined come to fruition so quickly!!

I know I said I was going to share realtor-suggested changes, but phooey on that idea. You've all been through a move so there won't be any surprises. Instead, I'm going to share the incredible solutions God has brought our way.

One being the previous post. We knew the goats needed a new home, but really hadn't thought too much about it yet. Then, this man from Boeing needed a remedy for all the brambles on his property. God put the two of us together and - voile! A perfect match!! His children absolutely love playing with the goats and the goats are having the time of their lives. Now, who could have put that together so quickly? Only Him!!

Stay tuned for the next unimaginable solution!

Good Night, Ladies!

"And the man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field..." Genesis 2:20a

Alpha

Bravo

This afternoon we said good-bye to these sweet ladies. A man Eric worked with thought they could conquer 2 1/2 acres infested with brambles. Since the goats love berries, it was a perfect match. But what made it even better is that this man has two children (2 yrs & 4 yrs). How perfect is that? All four kids will have an excellent time!!

Note: As long as we've had these ladies, I've tried to get a good close-up. Wouldn't you know they'd wait until the day they leave to stand still. :-)

On the road...again!

"Now the Lord said to Abram [Eric], 'Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father's house [Wichita KS], to the land which I will show you [Seattle WA].'...So Abram [Eric] went forth as the Lord had spoken to him; and Lot [Paula] went with him." Genesis 12:1, 4a

That was
May 2006.
We sold the house,
the farm land,
and relocated.

Let's fast forward
to December 2007.






"Then the Lord said to Jacob [Eric], 'Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives [Wichita KS], and I will be with you.' Then Jacob [Eric] sent and called Rachel [Paula] and Leah [yeah, right!] to his flock in the field." Genesis 31:3

Notice the
red stars
didn't change?

Exactly!

We're
moving back
to the same town and
will be closer
to my son
and our extended families!!


Eric will travel back and forth for the first 90 days, then be there permanently. I will stay until the house sells (however long that takes). Of course, we are praying for a quick sale, but the market is definitely favoring the buyer right now. It's comforting to know He already knows how it all plays out.

The blog will stay current until we move. Once settled, I plan to start a new one or change the existing. Can't exactly use the same title once we leave the NW!! Stay tuned for realtor-suggested changes on our property! One hint: all the trees are staying. :)

Hills of iron & copper

"...a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper." Deuteronomy 8:9

This is the one of the final two drains along the patio drainage system. Above you'll see the rock frame around the grate which was brought up 1-2" higher to avoid weight from other rocks. We chose rocks with irregular shapes to contour the drain pipe. Extra weight on top affects the grade of the slope; hence, defeating the purpose of even having a drain!

After a few more rocks (large and small), it's finished. Compared to the other drains, this rock area is quite a bit larger. We did this because we are not expanding the patio this far and the drain was so close to the house & retaining wall. It reminds me of a dry creek bed. Our intent is to plant grass around it.

Where did we get all the rocks? From the hills, of course! (Actually, from our front yard.) There certainly is no shortage of rocks in the soil. I am convinced you can grow rocks here!!

Dangerous Boys & Daring Girls

Welcome to Kelli's “Show and Tell Friday!” Do you have something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, or a treasured collection. Look around your home for something to share; dig through those boxes in your closet if you have to! Share photos and the story that goes with your special item. Be sure to let her know you've joined the group!!

"And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in the streets." Zechariah 8:5
Both of these books were recently purchased at Sam's Club and quickly became favorites. Each offers a practical, well-rounded education pertaining to each sex: science, math, grammar, games, Scripture, etc. There's even a chapter in the boys' book on girls! Let me share the essential gear suggested in each book.

Boys...
Swiss army knife, compass, handkerchief, box of matches, marble shooter, needle & thread, pencil & paper, small flashlight, magnifying glass, band-aids, fishhooks.

Girls...
Swiss army knife, bandana, rope & twine, journal & pencil with a back-up pen, hair band, bungee cord, flashlight, compass, safety pins, duct tape, deck of cards & a good book, patience.

Even if you don't purchase the books, you should at least run to Sam's a read a bit of it. My bet is you'll end up brining it home! In fact, I purchase two of each: one for our library and one for my niece & nephew!!