Value

What really matters? It sure isn't stuff. Going through these past two years has been a lesson in just that. The night of the flood, I kept reminding myself that it was just temporal. We lost alot, and it really wasn't the stuff that was the issue, not so much the loss, but the wedding through it all. It was the clean up, the chaos, the incredible mess that lay before us that was overwhelming and brought tears. How would we ever do this, I had no idea, but we did.

We did. We tore out walls, floors, looked inside spaces that were just gross. Water bugs falling out of the ceiling, rats running under the couch, oen walls and floors meant all kinds of critters, mold, and more mold, wet insulation, warped paneling...pretty nasty.

And cars...we sure went through the cars. To count we have gone through 6 vehicles and are in two new ones. That wasn't all flood mind you, three were wrecked. Nonetheless, it is the first time in our life that we have owned two really dependable vehicles. I am loving it, but lest I forget what is really important, God gives us opportunity to share them, and we do. We remember the other days, the ones when we didn't have a good vehicle. We remember the days when we were solo. There didn't seem to be any help in sight, but God hadn't abandon us. He brought us through and He provided.

We are nearing the end of this adventure. We are taking the walls out of the last room that has to be done. It has been just over two years. The walls have dried out and so has the insulation, but the mold is there. The outside of the house looks pretty rough and neglected being as so much of our attention has gone into the inside. I guess we really aren't nearing the end...just the end of a phase, but my what we have gained.

We have grown as people, as a couple, and as Christians. We understand what it means to rely on God and trust what we can't see. So little phases us. We just know God has it, and no matter what it looks like, we just know...it isn't about us, it is about God. There is peace in that. God has so provided our every need. We have more income than we have ever had. We are able to share our resources, our time, and our ability and really....that is the best part of the adventure. Another need...not a blink...what matters, what is of greatest value? It isn't stuff. It is sharing with others what God has given to us, and when we do, we get to give back to God, and when we do, He keeps giving. That is value.

Really?

Has it really been a month since I have had anything to say? There are times in our life when silence is the way to go, and since G0d knows that I don't tend to "be still" without some prompting, He prompts!
School let out....me with big plans for what I was going to accomplish this summer....and then it began....the doctor's visits. I ended the school year with a horrid sinus infection, and at the same time had contracted poison ivy. Nearly a month later, three rounds of steroids, and lots of antibiotics, benadryl, and antihistamines, I think I might be on the way back up. I sure hope so because this is NO way to spend my very short summer.

Steve and I are back at work on the house. We are finally in the house (at least for the moment) by ourselves and can work at our own pace. We brought over our stuff from storage and have begun weeding through that. I am amazed at what we have that I am not sure why we do! Needless to say, the goodwill pile has been growing.
The guest room and office are such a mess as we work through this stuff. This morning I decided I had had enough of the living room lack of order and since I had unpacked some things that went in there, decided to clean it. What fun I had cleaning it and "moving in." After two years, I am getting to decorate a little, and I am thrilled!


The rooms aren't the same anymore. The color schemes are different. What we like is different than it was back then, so we ponder over what to keep and what to ditch. In this latest treasure hunt, I discovered the church made of Popsicle sticks that Daniel made, my Spanish keepsakes that literally came from Spain, my mantel clock from Italy, and my welcome plate made of solid copper straight from Turkey. Those are priceless items and definitely keepers, but where to put them???
The church went back in its original spot on the book shelf behind the couch. The clock went back in the living room pretty much where it was preflood, and the rest, hmmm...I am thinking my "blue" room (Katherine picked out the color before she got married because it was her room) might be my Spanish room. Blue isn't much of a Spanish color but it just might work.
I love going through this stuff, not because the stuff has any real inherent value-it doesn't- but it represents moments in our life together. I look at that little church and remember Daniel deciding he wanted to make it, so he did. He designed it, built it, and painted it. It is no doubt one of my most treasured possessions. (You really have to see it to appreciate it!). I look at that clock and remember when Steve was TDY to Italy. Everytime he went TDY, he brought something back, hence the welcome plate, the shepherd lamps, the clock, the puzzle box, the mink blankets.

I am pretty sure that we are getting to the best part of this remodel!

Not quite done yet. We started taking the walls down in the last room last night, and emptied out the vanity in the main bathroom so we could get started on that. Lots of details left but we are getting there....and....when we do.....we will need a new hobby!