fabric, chairs, tables, benches, spruce trees,coffee times, and cheques in the mail

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!