Monday, December 22, 2014

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

Sunday, December 14, 2014

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!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

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.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

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.