Believing in God!!!! 61 Days

I have enlarged this photo ( taken by Michele- Thank you) .... normally all the photos on here are "small" but I believe in a BIG GOD & this is a BIG request. I am requesting prayer, not that I don't believe that God is hearing me, but because God tells us to share our requests with others. I know that this has been a long journey, but one that He isn't done with yet. He has changed our lives, He has used us to show His plan, He has blessed us beyond words, and He isn't done yet. The title of this entry has meaning to it; 61 days till we have to be completely moved OUT of the house we are renting in the falls, 61 days till we need to be completely moved IN, 61 days till the end of rental houses, 61 days till we can say that we are living IN the house that GOD has provided for OUR FAMILY!! This house belongs to HIM, I will state that now, and as often as I need to.          ( sometimes I need a reminder, so I am giving anyone who reads this full permission to remind me ) I THANK HIM for all that he has done and will do. 

 HE HAS PROVIDED!!

 GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!! 

So, now unto this request.... or should I say many requests, but they are all tied together.  I believe that God has great plans for my family- the entire family. Please join us as we present these needs/desires before him. 

* We need money for the closing costs... about $1500-$2000  ( my lawyer will be taking the case at no cost to me) 
* We need money for the appliances.. at one time ( two different people from Habitat) told me that the cost of these would be wrapped into the mortgage, but that is not the case..... about $1500- $1800 ( this would cover the washer/dryer., dishwasher, and microwave hood) 
* We need help with the remaining building of the house ( drywall will probably start this coming Saturday) 
* We need someone to provide lunches for the Saturday workdays. ( this can be as simple as pizza, or hot dogs in the crock pot) Thanks Annemarie 
* We would like someone to provide bottled water and possible coffee in the mornings ( Tim Hortons in just a block from the house) 
* We need help with the move- Probably mid to late October ( from Lasalle to NT, from storage in NT to the new house) 
* We need help getting the donated furniture & items from 4 different areas, around the time of the move 
* We need help with the open house/house dedication with the unbirthday celebration 
* We need to finish the "thirty-one" fundraiser!  Only 21 squares to sell and then someone is going to win $200 worth of wonderful thirty-one products. 



~~~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 

Showered with LOVE

House rules

Last Friday night I was blessed with a group of friends that came together to give me a linen shower. My sweet friend, Adina organize the shower at Amherst Baptist Church, and in the end I had lots of friends joining me for several hours of fun and fellowship. The photos are of a few of the items, that my family received. Also have several things that have been ordered and will be shipped to our place. I feel very spoiled & loved. 

Pencil drawing

Vinyl wall hanging

Handcrafted 

Norwex items

Pots & pans 

Cooking utensils 

Emmet Blanket

Jean-Marie and I 

Ellie

Adina, Christa, and Susie

Laura, Rosie, Darcy, Sarah, & Annemarie

Darcy, Annemarie, Sarah & Caleb

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 

5 Hours + 8 volunteers= 27.5 hours !!!!!

How in the world does 5 hours + 8 volunteers= 27.5 hours ? By coming together, when they have an hour or so to spare and working to help with the Habitat for Humanity house. Just for bringing lunch the volunteer, Adina, was granted 2 volunteer hours, how cool is that??

 Also had Davey's Tree Service come and grind the stumps, thank you Ryan! 

For a family to receive the proper "sweat equity" for a house, the family must put in 250 hours, and family and friends can put in another 250 hours, totally 500 hours. So far, we have, with the help of family and friends logged 455.5 hours!! We are getting closer!! 

THANK YOU TO ALL THAT HAVE COME HELP WITH THIS HOUSE! 

MaryAnn & Dick 

Adina- pounding 5 pegs ( representing her kids)

MaryAnn pounding pegs

Annemarie clearing weeds

Yesterday the work that was done; stapling of insulation, clearing weeds, redoing some insulation, pounding pegs off basement walls, cleaning up, grinding stumps, and sharing friendship and fellowship. I meet several neighbors also. That is a gift for sure, with the last two house we have lived in this year, I have meet one neighbor at each, but not very friendly, but at the new place, I have meet several on all sides, and it is so refreshing to see. If you have any questions or would like more 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 

Annemarie feeling very sore

Dan & Dick Stapling

Ceiling insulation

By the end of the day, we both needed some time with nothing happening. Dinner & housework waited, Jesse needed Mommy time. 

Snuggle time

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 

End of another week..... can YOU help us ?

For those who have been on this journey with us, another delay seems the norm.  I am flustered and tired, emotionally and physically. The timeline has changed so many times, all depending on who you talk to about it. We were suppose to be in before school starts, but that will not be the case, it is looking more like October move in, as much as I do not like that, I am thankful for a roof over our heads. I will be going to talk to the school district on Monday. I went by today and snapped a few photos, of some of the work that has been done. The insulation is all in for the walls, the ceiling is about half done. Please continue to pray for the volunteers, the families, and the staff of the local Habitat for Humanity. 

The current needs for help are yard work ( branches & weed trimming), stapling of insulation for the ceiling, clean up of somethings in the basement, and lunches. I will know more after tomorrows work day. 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 

Kitchen

Jeremy's room

My bedroom

Jesse's bedroom

Basement tub

Hot water tank


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 

Blessings of help! Can YOU help ?

Today I was blessed by some wonderful friends. 

Michele & John who offered to let Jesse come play with L J for a while, and Corrina who met me at the house to just move some branches. Over a two hour period we moved all the branches from the four trees that were taken down recently and lots of the other branches from previous trees. We had lots of wonderful fellowship, shared some laughs and got some wonderful exercise.  We also found three orphan squash plants, one that was bearing fruit. This was a blessing and a gift for me. I thank God for all the blessings, and I have found "signs" of peace all over this property and I feel this is just another sign for me to see and share. ( we had a farm garden growing up as well as one at Maw & Paw Paw's house). Thanks God!! 

Branch piles

Branch piles

Corrina & I 

Squash 

More squash

Then I had called the gentleman about the cabinets for the kitchen and bathrooms. He had an appointment opening so since I was in the area, I figured I would go by and check it out. I had Jesse with me so we made it quick. I think it was easy choices, but of course the final can be veto by the "higher-ups". THe first choice I made was the color of the cupboards, Honey Oak it was. The first photo is the door with the two floor tiles on top, the light is the kitchen floor and the darker is the bathroom floors. The next photo is the bathroom floor tile and the color of the vanity top. The next one is the kitchen floor tile and the color of the countertops. Of course the next the carpet, shades of grey, will be the carpet from living room throughout the hall and to each of the bedrooms. The next was the knobs and pulls that I could pick from, for now I picked the stainless knobs, I can change those easy with the seasons, if I wanted. 

Honey Oak doors

Bathroom floor tile & Travertine 

Kitchen floor tile & Milano Quartz

Rug

Top Stainless knobs

Normally this "shopping" would be done with a person from the local office, but like I have said before this is not the normal habitat house. So now I have to wait to see if any of these items will be vetoed. Wait and see. 

Please remember there is still two fundraisers going on to help with the cost of the appliances. There is also a Linen shower given in my honor this coming Friday, so if you want an invite please let me know ASAP! 

Also remember we still need YOUR HELP, just let me know when you are available. Lots to do !! We are on a deadline here!! 

This is what we got to do this afternoon to celebrate a wonderfully sunshiney day. 

Jesse by the Niagara River

Jesse and I 

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 

Can YOU help my family ??????

Over the past several years, as I have talked to my friends about the Habitat for Humanity house & I have had lots of people agree to help. 

I recently said I am not beyond begging. So now I NEED YOU! 

So HOW can you help my family??? 

* Pray for the workers and the families of the workers

* Let me know a day and time that you are available 

*Be willing to work- and you don't have to have ANY SKILLS

*Provide lunch and drinks on work days ( 10-12 people)

*Provide plastic ware, paper towels, paper plates

*Help with yard work yard, branches, high weeds, grass, & trim work

* Participate in one of the fundraisers

* Ask your church groups, men's or women's groups if someone wants to help 

*Help with design & decoration of a Lego themed bedroom

* Help with childcare ( so others can volunteer)

* Be willing to be on site but keep an eye on Jesse, the only child allowed onsite, because it will be his house

* Help with move from rental & storage

* Pick up donated items in Lasalle, Kenmore & NT to take to the house 

So what happened today ? We had a handful of volunteers show up and I am so thankful for them. I learned how to staple ceiling insulation, and it is something I can do, but not something I can keep my balance doing. I am thankful for those who stepped up and helped with that job. I learned the difference between R13 and R 38 and where each goes. I learned how to cut around outlets and boards. I learned to use the spare pieces all around, so we waste none. I learned that Jesse is fascinated with frog of all sizes and he can work just as hard as some adults. There is still so much left to do just to finish the insulation. 

For those that don't know there is a deadline here.

 Jesse was driven to school all of last year by me from Lasalle to NT, even in that nasty weather, and I would do it again this year- but the school district is stirring the pot. 

He has also never had a birthday party with friends, which I promised him he could have as soon as we were in the new house but with the delays of the last year and half & the patience of a six year old, I am sure all you parents can relate.

 We are currently living in a one bedroom house in Lasalle and the current landlord wants me out ASAP. 

Finally, we need to be settled, we have moved twice in the last year and we need to be in "our home". 

Can YOU help us ?? Please! 

Frog caught

Baby Frog

Stapling ceiling insulation

Break from ceiling work

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 

Week of inspections & decisions

As most of my friends know, I am not good with waiting. It has been a rough road and I am beginning to see that it will be ending this fall( at least we will be living in the house this fall). At the house it seems little was done, but I know that the inspections and paper book is a necessary delay in building a house. As of right now, if my choices don't get vetoed, are the colors of the tile, and the areas that will be used in. The "rusty sand" tile will be used in both bathroom. The light sand tile will be used in the entry ways for both doors. Finally, the lightest one with the grey "dirty" streaks is for the kitchen and dining room. So now we wait till it is time to install, my friend is willing to do the installation free. :-) 

What a huge blessing!!

Bathrooms

Entryways

Kitchen/ diningroom

I was contacted on Thursday and told that I would need a lawyer for the closing of the house. Feels good to have a lawyer and also that the closing is close enough that I need one. :-) 

Stopping by the house today, we discovered that the living room is full of insulation. R-13 and R-38 ment nothing to me before today, but I now know this is what will insulate the entire house. I have been told that this will be a project for this Saturday, along with the cleanup of the four trees that were taken down two weeks ago. Please let me know if you are able to help us out at all tomorrow morning 9-12pm. Thanks. 

Insulation

Insulation & Jesse

Treasure from Jesse
( put it on the rock for a picture and a flying insect decided to stop for some nectar)

As for as the fundraisers are going for the appliance fund there is several ways to help out if you want. There is a couple ways- Thirty-One bags and Mary Kay products. 

Thirty-One bags you have a chance to win a $200 shopping spree- the squares are $5 each.  There is only 25 squares left. When all numbers are sold, the consultant will randomly draw a number/ winner. The numbers that are currently left are 16,36,38,41,

51,53,56,58,60,61,71,72,74,76,82,83,86,87,90,91,92,94,95,97,& 98  

$200 shopping spree


Mary Kay Fundraiser has been set up on facebook as an event. You can access that at Mary Kay Fundraiser .


Lately I have been really listening to lots of music... this is one song that keeps coming up daily, and it fits my life. God has been using music to help me through this week.
(this is the website that I got it from http://www.klove.com/music/artists/francesca-battistelli/ )

• 
  

  This Is The Stuff

  Francesca Battistelli

  from the album Hundred More Years
  

  Buy on Amazon | iTunes

   Play sample

  I lost my keys 
  In the great unknown 
  And call me please 
  'Cause I can't find my phone 
  
  This is the stuff that drives me crazy. 
  This is the stuff that's getting to me lately. 
  In the middle of my little mess 
  I forget how big I'm blessed 
  
  This is the stuff that gets under my skin 
  But I've got to trust You know exactly what You're doing 
  Might not be what I might choose 
  But this is the stuff you use 
  
  45 in a 35 
  Sirens and fines 
  While I'm running behind 
  
  This is the stuff that drives me crazy 
  This is the stuff that's getting to me lately 
  In the middle of my little mess 
  I forget how big I'm blessed 
  
  This is the stuff that gets under my skin 
  But I've gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing 
  Might not be what I might choose but this is the stuff You use 
  
  So break me of impatience 
  Conquer my frustrations 
  I've got a new appreciation 
  It's not the end of the world 
  
  This is the stuff that drives me crazy. 
  This is the stuff 
  Someone save me 
  In the middle of little my mess 
  I forget how big I'm blessed 
  
  This is the stuff that gets under my skin 
  And I've gotta trust you know exactly what You're doing 
  Might not be what I would choose but this is the stuff You use 
  
  This is the stuff You use

 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