Fire Recovery Update - Feb 15, 2023

It’s been a very busy week – so busy that it took us a few extra days to get this update done!

The adrenaline has worn off. Really what that means is that we are tired, sore and feeling the weight of the project before us. What it also means is that we’ve been a little more short with each other, having to respect each other’s limitations with grace, telling each other we love each other, reassuring the children of their safety, wiping a few more tears, sleeping a little better, settling in to a new routine and trying to keep the kid’s lives are normal as possible.

Weight does not necessarily mean bad, but can also mean responsibility. Sometimes added weight makes us stronger, like if you were to go to the gym every day and slowly adding weight to a machine to increase strength. Typically we wouldn’t choose to add too much weight too quickly, but in this case, we didn’t have a choice. So weight it is and we will be stronger physically, spiritually, emotionally and business-wise for it.

We’re thankful to stand on truth and in no way believe this trial is in vain, and we know that day by day, the Lord will equip us with what we need.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”

2 Corinthians 4: 7-10

This week we have made some giant steps forward towards getting a new office space set up and taking and shipping orders for customers. This would not have been possible to do with peace of mind without your many prayers, words of encouragement and donations.

This week, we have:

Ordered many seeds, envelopes, books, shipping materials, printers, computers etc. to replace the items burned in the fire.
Received as a GIFT a large box of new T-shirts from the lovely company we work with (King Screen in Roanoke VA. Check them out!)
Slowly began to clean safe parts of the shop with the help of friends and often overzealous children.
Purchased a 12×24 shed to use as the new office for the business.
Graded the spot for the shed, have gravel delivered and spread on the shed location and parking area.
Shed was delivered and set on Wednesday.
With a gift of laminate flooring from a good friend, Lydia (our oldest daughter) with the help of a friend installed the floor in the shed. It ended up being EXACTLY enough – there was literally not a usable piece to spare!
Electric wiring was run during the weekend.
Had a trench dug for electrical to the shed by some guys who providentially were here on Saturday to trench for work the electric company hired them for. No waiting, no asking, no renting equipment. God put them here at the right place and time without us doing anything. Our God is so good!
Received help from a few friends, perfectly suited for the jobs that needed to be done. Friends that are flexible, strong, bring their gifts with them and a willing spirit. It’s been a blessing to watch.

As we continue to do the work before us, we would covet your prayers for endurance and joy in the process. We want to create new and better habits, run a better business, serve our customers faithfully, love our children and family well, graciously and humbly accept the help offered, and give God the glory every step of the way.

Lord, remove our pride, make us humble, overtake us with your presence so that others may see your works and what you have done. Amen.