The Move

Yesterday was our last Sunday in our old building that we have rented for 10 years.  It was bittersweet.
We have had different landlords as the building changed owners a few times. (It was actually a gym owned by the church next to us - who went through several pastors - before it was sold to the current owner.)  All have been very good to us and we are grateful to God for watching over us during each transition.  Though the 'gym turned sanctuary' has been for sale again for a few years, it was beyond what we could afford.  God has been gracious to lead us to a church building around the corner which is affordable and meets our needs.  We are grateful.  We still await the occupancy permit that is supposed to come this week as the month ends.  Our landlord has said we could stay and use it this Sunday if we need to, but we have already moved everything.
Below are some pictures of our members at work.

My current students signed the tree in my room.

Some of my former students coming back to sign my tree.

Taking pictures of those taking pictures.

Here comes Tommy looking for me.

Molly and Annie

Andrew

Jack

No one wants to leave.

The money counters:  Clint and George.  Jesse and Maggie assisting.

Tommy's old office.

Our empty library.

Our old foyer.  Notice the surviving poinsettias.

Taken as I was leaving an almost empty church parking lot.

See the steeple in the far distance?  That is our new church!
Wow!  Look at our trash!

A Little Wisdom From Hosea To Get Me Through...

My life seems out of my control....at least it does in my head. There are a million things I should be doing - but I am choosing to write on my much neglected blog.  There will always be a 'horizonful' of things to be done, but they are not all mine to do.
However, I can allow them to leave me feeling deflated and over whelmed.   The month of January brings blues for me...I am like a balloon with a tiny hole, slowly running out of holiday zeal and leftover energy.  My house is silent and dusty...a cave for hibernation. This is not good, you know.
A couple of weeks ago, Tommy and I were in a wreck.  The fault was not ours but, boo boos happen either way.  We are thankful no one was really hurt, except my car which will survive after a few weeks in the repair shop.  My air bag and seat belt left bruises, but I am on the mend.  I try not to ask why things happen...well, at least not out loud.  God is sovereign over all and He will always do what is best for me and I find that comforting.

"Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down and he will bind us up."  Hosea 6:1
Everything that happens to me has a purpose.  Sometimes it is hard to see and some things I may never understand, but faith in God and our Lord Jesus sustains me in the rough places.
God would rather have my love than any sacrifice I might hold before Him.  He wants my heart.
"For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."  Hosea 6:6
I lost my mojo, my 'get up and go', my game...for a while.  But with my face toward the Lord and my spirit refreshed, I am up for all He calls me to do.  It is time to get busy.

Church Work Day

The sanctuary

Our new church building needs a few repairs before we can pass inspection for occupancy.  (Aren't you glad that God doesn't require our bodies to be repaired before He takes residence?  Just repentance.)  My mind, body, habits, inadequacies, thoughts...all need an overhaul, and the Lord will help me to make those repairs. The visible and invisible ones.

But...back to the work day.  We met last Saturday and worker bees arrived in droves.  It was a real blessing to see so many happy people ready to break a sweat together. Below are some of the lovely faces at Providence.

David G, Daniel S, and Josh B showing up for work.

Jane in the kitchen

Rachel T and Jennifer P in the storeroom.

Kevin S and Chris G

Julie D watching little ones.

Eric M and Cris S

Hannah S and Cheryl O

Michele G, Cassie G, Tori T, Madi T, Elizabeth (Lizzie) J

David A

Barry W - the astronaut and Elder

Tommy D, Craig S, Bruce S - three Elders

Kristen J running the office that day

Dallen G, Jack J, Layton G, Sam J, Seth W, Joel W

Karen L, Amy J, Betty L, Kimberly S, Susan S

Szilvia A and Shiloh G

Me and Szilvia

Jonah T and Kasie H

Judy L on playground duty

David G and a new found friend

Brett F, our move director

Molly H and Eszter A

My old room.

My new room.  Needs work.

We have another work day coming up and I will be busy with the transformation.  I am glad that God does all the transformation work inside me.  He is the only one who can clean up that mess.