Christmas week

As you all know I had hoped to be in the house by now. But we know that isn't happening. God's timing is perfect... I was reminded of that yesterday during the sermon at church. Thanks Dan! 

Progress has been happening this week. Thank you friends for keeping me in the loop with photos. As you can see from the photos, or maybe not. The road has been cut, the sewer dug,and connected, the water line is being worked on, the gas line dug, the pvc pipes ran in the basement, and hot water tank connected. 

What is next? The furnace and the water and gas connection.Keep sending me those photos, friends. Keep praying

~~~If you have any questions or would like my information on volunteering for this house, you can contact me directly and I will pass your name on to the main office. I can be reached jmlisanby@gmail.com or 716-939-0837 ( call or text) ~~~

Please remember this is written by me, as our families personal journey. This is not an official Habitat for Humanity blog. Any questions of volunteering for the North Tonawanda or Niagara Falls job sites, please call the office at 716-285-2877. You can also follow the facebook page at Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity, or www.niagarahabitat.org  

Faith- Not seeing is Believing

This past week hasn't been real great, but we were reminded today how much people care. We attend a growing church in North Tonawanda, Renewal Church of NT, & after service we were blessed by that extended family. I had mentioned to a few gals that we didn't have a tree or decorations, since all our decorations are in the storage unit and there is really no room in the rental for a tree or lights. But you see this little tree (less than a foot tall) is perfect. It has decorations from several families, reminding us that we are being thought of and prayed for all over.  THANK YOU ALL!! 

I was also reminded that we have ups and downs in our lives and that is perfectly NORMAL. Late last week, I posted here about being "Disappointed", & a few people seemed shocked that I would blog about that. When I started this blog, I mentioned that it was my family's journey, and that it is. No journey is complete without some ups and downs, right ? I also know that we meet so many people along life's journey. The journey of this house, my family has been blessed. I found that Habitat for Humanity is filled with some amazing people. I have meet most the board members, the office staff, and so many volunteers. I am honestly not sure where I would be without the help of each and everyone of them. When a family becomes a partner with Habitat, the family is agreeing to do 500 "sweat equity hours", right now we are just over 700 hours, saying Thank You, doesn't seem like enough. 

So for tonight, I rest! I rest, knowing that God is in control of it all. I rest, knowing that I have the support of great family and friends. I rest, knowing that the professionals know their jobs. I rest, knowing that the local Habitat for Humanity is doing the best for this house. I rest, knowing that when the time is right we will be living in that house. 

There was several ornaments on our "little" tree, that have so much meaning; from the "blue basket from Colombia" to the LSU heart, from the Lego Boba Fett to silver star on top, from the blinky lights to the silver crystal ball, from the little faith star to the gold ball - with a sweet message on it, each one as special as the family they come from. I looked up that message, Philippians 4:12-13, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

I ask each of you for one thing, keep praying for all that have been part of this project, and all that will be part of it. Thank you! 

~~~If you have any questions or would like my information on volunteering for this house, you can contact me directly and I will pass your name on to the main office. I can be reached jmlisanby@gmail.com or 716-939-0837 ( call or text) ~~~

Please remember this is written by me, as our families personal journey. This is not an official Habitat for Humanity blog. Any questions of volunteering for the North Tonawanda or Niagara Falls job sites, please call the office at 716-285-2877. You can also follow the facebook page at Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity, or www.niagarahabitat.org  

Disappointed

The thought of being "home" for Christmas, seems so simple. Yet, for my family we will not be in the new house. We are not thrilled with this plan but we are accepting it. God knows the plan, we do not, and I know that my timelines don't help with stress. As I have shared before my stress level is higher than ever and my body isn't happy, my MITO symptoms are flared, and the snow/weather isn't helping that. So, for now we wait. We are still waiting on the sewer to be dug, but the escavator in the front yard is aa sign that it will happen soon.

I have purchased stockings to hang, for santa. I had made plan to do a "Jesse" tree with Jesse this year, but it is very difficult when he isn't even in the Christmas spirit, I am trying everything I know. His dissapointment is showing daily. No decorations, no tree, no room for any either. The rental is covered with packed boxes, the decorations are all in the middle of the storage unit, and the new house isn't ready.  Please pray for us, just a Momma being selfish and wanting her little boys Christmas to be special. 

As of right now, Thursday afternoon, there will be no work on Saturday. if that changes, I will post to this blog. 

~~~If you have any questions or would like my information on volunteering for this house, you can contact me directly and I will pass your name on to the main office. I can be reached jmlisanby@gmail.com or 716-939-0837 ( call or text) ~~~

Please remember this is written by me, as our families personal journey. This is not an official Habitat for Humanity blog. Any questions of volunteering for the North Tonawanda or Niagara Falls job sites, please call the office at 716-285-2877. You can also follow the facebook page at Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity, or www.niagarahabitat.org  

God is good! All the time!

I have not blogged much, for those who have seen me know that my mood has been in the pits. It has been very discouraging, depressing and just plain "blah". I have has many ask me what the news has been only to not be prepared to watch me crumble in tears. The emotions, I am not used to, I am usually a "strong" person. I know that I have preached some on this blog and I am "new" to that also, never really was vocal about my faith. So, anyways, God has had me on my knees, having lots of conversations with him, asking him why aren't we in the new house, why do we have to waste so much money on the rental, why is the cost of the storage unit continuing to go up, why is my thermostat set at 75 and we are still chilly at night, why am i cooking dinner in the microwave and the toaster oven, why am I carting laundry to friends houses to wash, why, why, why? But Jesse reminds me just about everyday, "MOM! God is providing for us!!" God is providing for everything we need.  God is good! All the time!! 

A week ago, we all celebrated Thanksgiving, we were blessed to have time with Jesse's fathers family, and dinner with the Langworthy Family. Jesse was able to play with his cousins, and brothers, and his friends. Jesse and John made connections with each other, what a pair! I felt so much love from all. We were blessed. Some of you aren't from WNY, and aren't used to this crazy weather we are having, but on Thursday night, as we were driving home, I stopped for gas, I looked at the gps and saw that it had routed me over the Grand Island Bridge ( $1 toll )- I glanced in my wallet and saw that I didn't have the $1, so I went the non toll way. When we got home, I had several messages, from friends who knew I was on the road, asking for reassurances that I made it home ok. You see, there was a 56 car accident on the Grand Island Bridge. I truly believe that not have a $1 in my wallet was a God thing, not a coincidence. Praying for all those who were involved in that accident, and I believe that all injuries were minor. God is good! All the time! 

I have been reminded that I gave this house to God a long time ago, and I keep putting a time limit on it. Well, how many times will it take for me to learn ? We are all sinners, and he continues to forgive us, as long as we ask him in sincerity.  So, this is HIS HOUSE, I am blessed to be moving into it. When ? I am not sure. I am excited to see what HE does with it. December is the month that we celebrate the birth of Christ! I have always loved decorating with my kids, making pillows, wrapping presents, and remembering to celebrate the reason of the season! So far this month, we have not decorated, everything is in storage, I have not made any pillows, my sewing machine and all the supplies are in storage, wrapping presents, you guessed it, all in storage. Celebrating the birth of Christ started on November 30th at Resound at Renewal Church of NT.  But somethings ARE happening at the house. I am excited to see progress. We are still waiting on the sewer/water/gas connection, but while we wait. Inside and out work has been done. I will pray and wait on God's timing for the sewer to be connected. I am not sure what will happen in the next few days or weeks, but I do know that it is bigger than me. 

Markings on the driveway

Gasline markings

Back hallway

Dining Room

Living room

Hallway

Jeremy's room

My Room 

Kitchen

Whats he looking at ?

Closet lights

Skidsteer

Driveway

Driveway

Driveway

More machines

Driveway

Driveway

Driveway

~~~If you have any questions or would like my information on volunteering for this house, you can contact me directly and I will pass your name on to the main office. I can be reached jmlisanby@gmail.com or 716-939-0837 ( call or text) ~~~

Please remember this is written by me, as our families personal journey. This is not an official Habitat for Humanity blog. Any questions of volunteering for the North Tonawanda or Niagara Falls job sites, please call the office at 716-285-2877. You can also follow the facebook page at Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity, or www.niagarahabitat.org 

Nothing new

Been over a week and there has been nothing done at the house. I disappointed. I am upset. I am suppose to be preparing for the first holiday meal in the new house. Right now I am not even sure if we will be in by Christmas. I have cried more than I care to admit.

It seems that the sewer is the major hold up. Once the sewer is connected, then the furnace, water, cabinets, floorings, bathrooms, kitchen cabinets, and electricity can all be finished. 

We are still in the rental with an increased rent by $50 a month, and 90% of our stuff is packed. The storage unit has increased the fees, we started storing items in there a year a go. Our decorations for the holidays are all in the middle of that storage unit, not that there is room for them in the rental anyways. Even my sewing machine is in the storage unit, I am not sure if my kids will be getting their annual pillows from me, but I am going to try to start a new tradition with Jesse this year, called the "Jesse Tree". 

As I just read over this, I can only see it is getting more and more complaining, and that isn't what I want for this blog, but I couldn't not update all my friends who read this. I have been told that there "maybe" work on Saturday, and for that I need someone willing to bring lunch. I also need some volunteers to be on stand by if I get the word that there will be work. Please continue to pray for the house, the workers, their families, & for all the details to be worked out.

~~~If you have any questions or would like my information on volunteering for this house, you can contact me directly and I will pass your name on to the main office. I can be reached jmlisanby@gmail.com or 716-939-0837 ( call or text) ~~~

Please remember this is written by me, as our families personal journey. This is not an official Habitat for Humanity blog. Any questions of volunteering for the North Tonawanda or Niagara Falls job sites, please call the office at 716-285-2877. You can also follow the facebook page at Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity, or www.niagarahabitat.org 

Mid November- No sewer connection still

So many months ago, the sewer line was supposed to be connected, but it didn't happen. Now we are are still waiting, the latest reason for delay was there was a water main break somewhere in NT. I just want it done, yesterday. I know here I go again, putting a time line on this house, but I am just not enjoying the fact that I would be spending another winter in this rental. As Jesse reminds me, it is a roof over our heads, and yes God has provided for us, I want so badly to say BUT...... but that's not part of the plan. This house has not every been like any other plan, like any other Habitat for Humanity house, or even anything I would think possible. There is work being done on the inside, but there is also delays for work to continue because the sewer isn't connected. The jobs inside that have been done are all the interior doors are hung, all the trim     (except a few small areas) are done around the doors and windows, the backer board is laid in the kitchen, both bathrooms, and both entryways, the nail holes in the trim is all filled in, and there is clean up done on the house many times over. The fans/ light fixtures at the house have been tagged for the rooms they belong in- waiting for me to go clean them up. On the outside of the house, the curb for the driveway has been cut! 

Cut Curb

Trimmed closet doors 

So what is left to do... so much more that I can imagine. When does it look like we will be in the house ? No one knows. I will TRY to take it one day at a time, taking the good with the bad. Trying to be thankful in the moment, a year ago this house had not been even started. Will there be work this 
weekend? YES!! Do we need help? YES !! What will we be doing ? Painting trim, doors, touch up, and lots of other stuff. Will we need lunch? YES, who can I count on to bring lunch for us ? Will it be warmer ? According to the weather reports, MUCH WARMER!! While many of you are from WNY, I know that some who read this are from other states, I am living very close to the Canadian boarder, in Niagara Falls, NY. Buffalo is about 20 minutes from me, and they got many FEET of snow, we on the other hand got many FLURRIES of snow. 

At Rental 

At new house

 We are living in a small bubble, tonight I am thankful that I am not in the area that has much snow and no power. I am thankful that I have no family that is stuck on the interstate or in an airport, or out in this weather. I am praying for those who are. So for tonight, I will stop complaining about no sewer, take humor in the new "washer" that I was given tonight, and pray for those who need so much. 

~~~If you have any questions or would like my information on volunteering for this house, you can contact me directly and I will pass your name on to the main office. I can be reached jmlisanby@gmail.com or 716-939-0837 ( call or text) ~~~

Please remember this is written by me, as our families personal journey. This is not an official Habitat for Humanity blog. Any questions of volunteering for the North Tonawanda or Niagara Falls job sites, please call the office at 716-285-2877. You can also follow the facebook page at Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity, or www.niagarahabitat.org 

A little bit of encouragement

Just a few pictures to share.......thankful for the little things 

~~~If you have any questions or would like my information on volunteering for this house, you can contact me directly and I will pass your name on to the main office. I can be reached jmlisanby@gmail.com or 716-939-0837 ( call or text) ~~~

Please remember this is written by me, as our families personal journey. This is not an official Habitat for Humanity blog. Any questions of volunteering for the North Tonawanda or Niagara Falls job sites, please call the office at 716-285-2877. You can also follow the facebook page at Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity, or www.niagarahabitat.org 

Another weekend......

Another weekend has passed, this is the 60th post to this blog and over 5000 views, in about 7 months, the timetable isn't mine. I have said that before. This is God's project not mine. By this time I am sure many of you are sick of hearing that, but there is no other explanation. Yes, many earthly reason for the delays, the city of NT, the workers, the volunteers, the weather, the vacations of others, and the list can continue, but as Jesse said so well," we are covered! " We truly believe that God has provided the roof over our heads, and so until the timing is right, we will stay in the rental, the hovel, the protection from the storms. 

Yesterday, there was quite the crew at the house 7-8 from St Vincent, 4-5 from Centerpoint, a few from NU (& NW), and Jeremy, plus the Habitat folks. I had planned not to stay, Jesse needed the time with me, and the work at at house can happen without me.  I know that the doors were moved from the living room to the rooms where they will be hung, and the trim was moved so it wasn't blocking the hallway. The painting was completed, all the edging in, the ceilings, the walls, with the exception of the back hallway.  The one area is a tough spot.  The entire house was swept and shop vacced & all the windows cleaned yet again. 

Doors

Trim

The tile that was ordered on Wednesday was paid for and picked up on Thursday, that is a story that won't get published, I just have to add that to the crazy files. The tile guy did deliver it to the house on Thursday night, only for him to remind us all that he needed the area cleared for him to do his work. 

Hardibacker

Tiles

So many people continue to ask me what the plan is and what still needs to be done. Well, I can only share what I know. I have been told that the doors will be hung Tuesday morning, & the hardibacker will be placed on Tuesday sometime late morning, early afternoon. I have been told for the last several weeks that the sewer was going to be connected, which it hasn't, but I am being assured that it will be done soon. The tile, cannot be laid until the furnace comes in. The furnace doesn't come in until the sewer is connected. The toilets, sinks, and appliances can't come in until the water is on, and that can't happen until the sewer is connected. The rug and cabinets will be one of the last things. Oh and the electric, well, when the workers come back by to do the rest of the work, we will have a little better lighting. 

I will take it like the rest of my life, I have little control over it, one thing at a time. I will be thankful that this much has been done and pray we are in sometime soon. I would be very excited if it was before the end of the month, but we all know what happens when I make the timelines.  

It is not late on Sunday night but I know that our 3 day weekend( since Jesse was home on Friday), just turned into a 5 day weekend. 

PSA: If your child is sick, keep them home. A simple virus or cold isn't so simple to many. 

Praying we have a dryer, and calmer night tonight. Tomorrow he will be home since he had a fever this morning, and no school on Tuesday for Veterans Day. 

3am 

~~~If you have any questions or would like my information on volunteering for this house, you can contact me directly and I will pass your name on to the main office. I can be reached jmlisanby@gmail.com or 716-939-0837 ( call or text) ~~~

Please remember this is written by me, as our families personal journey. This is not an official Habitat for Humanity blog. Any questions of volunteering for the North Tonawanda or Niagara Falls job sites, please call the office at 716-285-2877. You can also follow the facebook page at Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity, or www.niagarahabitat.org