fabric
chairs
tables
benches
spruce trees
coffee times
and cheques in the mail!
What do all of those things have in common? Well - all of these things represent life at 5839 Henderson during the month of October AND we are not done yet!!
Life is moving along. Alvin and I are in the house. It is feeling more and more like our house, and until we actually begin to have retreaters come - we can use the whole house for ourselves! Well - actually, we are not using the upstairs, since our "personal suite" is in the basement. However, we are enjoying the dining room, and the kitchen space, the great room - etc which are all on the main floor of the house.
We have NOT set a date to open yet. We ARE still working at finishing up many many things. Sometimes it feels like we are close - and then we just begin to look around! If Alvin was retired and just around to do the finishing - then it would be a full time job in itself. However - he is still working at the firehall, so is doing this finishing in his off time.
The girls and I (my decor team consists of my two daughters, Ashley and Leah, and Audrey who is a friend of Ashley's and NOW a friend of mine, and of the ministry). I am loving many things about working together on this project. One of the things that I do not take for granted is the fact that God has included my whole family in this ~ right from the start, the kids were in the know. And they were supportive. However I can not say how much they have come to be a huge part of this vision that God has entrusted to me first, and then to Alvin and the kids! I thank God for that.
So October has been full of coffee visits - and many drop in visits here at 5839. We have invited people to feel free to stop by and if we are home - I will gladly put the coffee pot on. Since I just finished my permanent part-time job, I will be home more often! But there is lots to do!
At the beginning of the month, I met with Jan Regehr from Pineridge Hollow (if you have never been there - you have to go - start off by going for a meal or just for coffee, visit the gift shop and check out the furniture!) www.pineridgehollow.com
Jan is an amazing person to work with - and so helpful to the girls and I. I am serious - I am sure that I had the "deer caught in the headlights" look when I walked in there! But we had fun picking out fabric, taking them home - picking out styles of chairs - and then I went back and placed the order.
Jan has been so supportive, so generous, and so knowledgeable.
THEN I ordered our table and chairs and bench from Urban Barn. I wanted a reclaimed wood - harvest style table. Which means that we will have to find a home for our used china cabinet. (If you want to buy a china cabinet in good shape - let us know).
And then, we had to go and get some trees - which proved to be a bigger affair than we had thought. But a few hours later - and then some planting time on top of that - they are all in the yard - and hopefully will continue to thrive after the winter puts them to sleep for a while!
There have been many pots of coffee shared around the table. I have had the great joy of sharing the call to this ministry with may women and men alike. God just continues to make my hair tingle on my arms when I think of all He has done - and how He continues to work and go before us. Alvin and I know without a shadow of a doubt that this project - is way bigger than anything we could dream or build. It is all because of God speaking it to us. I am thankful - but continue to stand in awe of what He is doing - and how just when we think we have nothing left to give - He continues to give strength and energy!
And - then there have been cheques. In the past month, I have been blessed to receive three cheques out of the blue - all for the ministry. A friend once told me that I just need to be faithful in what God has called us to - and to share the vision - and that God will move people to give. Sometimes when I think of the whole vision - it can be pretty overwhelming. But God is obviously putting WOMEN REFRESHED AT THE WELL on other people's hearts too! I praise Him for that.
So we continue on. If you would drive up tomorrow - you would notice that the big semi trailer that we had our belongings housed in - is gone. (YES!) And the yard is starting to look neater and tidier. You would notice that trees are planted along the driveway - the grass is growing - and there are Blue Spruce planted along the part of the house that faces South. You would see that there is a muddy drive way (hoping it will dry up a bit so that we can get the hot tub delivered soon). Inside - things are coming together. Leah, my daughter in law just came and organized my kitchen. I asked her if she would want to do that, as I know that she loves to organize - and she graciously came. I thought it would take her forever - but she left just before midnight - and things looked wonderful. I continue to leave the postit notes on so that I can get used to where things are - and then, I will take them off.
We are moving forward - one day at a time. Alvin wakes up and asks God what it is he should focus on for the day. Often the journey can seem overwhelming - but God is giving grace! We are thankful. There is still lots to be done - but we are beginning to see that there is an end that is slowing coming into sight!! An end - that will soon bring about a new beginning!
Here are some pics!
Leah's pick for the winter room |
Audrey and Ashley at Pineridge Hollow |
fabrics come home |
for the library chairs - picked the one on the left (as you see the pic) |
Ashley's pic for the AUTUMN Room |
The one on the right (as you look at the picture) is the one Audrey chose for the SUMMER room |
We love this one for the SANCTUARY |
a bird's eye view from the upper story |
Leah in the midst of organizing my kitchen! |
I can't explain the peace I felt during this evening - and when she left! I loved that she was willing to organize for me. |
Sunsets are just always so beautiful |
at the tree farm |
picking our trees out |
the first one gets dug |
securing the 4 trees for the ride home |
more fill more leveling more burme making soon there will also be a hot tub! |
We continue to covet your prayers for Alvin and I - and our family - as we continue to work around the house - and as we continue to finish many jobs that need to be done! Alvin and I are also looking forward to the arrival of our 4th little Grandbaby - with the due date being November 8th - this little one can come any time!! We can hardly wait - and it will mean we will have to take a rest from the work at 5839 to do some more Poppa and Granny Time! (This is Ashley and Michael's first baby!) We appreciate your prayers for a safe arrival!
Thank you for taking time to host us this past week and give us such a personal and inspiring tour. Thank you for the yummy scones and coffee time! Blessings as you continue putting the remaining details together. Your ministry will bless many; you already bless those who visit. Thank you, Joy!
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