It is amazing to think over the last 12 months. We started searching for housing in Cleveland on-line as soon as we felt God wanted us to start a church plant there. We toured the new construction next to the Cleveland Clinic and wondered if that was what God had in mind for our family. As we continued traveling and the economy changed, options opened up that we could not have afforded in 2005 when we headed out on deputation. We also placed our children in the public school in 2005 which, since it was God's plan for us, worked well for our family. As we put on paper lists of amenities that we thought would make a house a home and a place that could be used for ministry we prayed, searched, talked to real estate agents, drove the neighborhoods, and asked advice from anyone we thought might know how to encourage us to do the right thing.
We have lived in our house for three months so far and we are so thankful for the path that we have journeyed. The children have adjusted amazingly well in their new schools, continue to receive good report cards, are beginning to develop friendships in their new community, and had a great Thanksgiving with grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousin, in their new house. We have done some Christmas decorating but we haven't decided where to put the Christmas tree when it's time. Drew and Ken have birthdays coming up and they had fun shopping on Black Friday. There was a great sale on desktop computers and we were able to replace the one that had gotten a fatal virus back in August.
Ken went for training for his temporary holiday position with UPS today. He'll be a driver assistant for the month of December. It should be interesting. Renee starts helping Derek's teacher tomorrow as a once-a-week volunteer. Mrs. Baca is not a believer so please pray for her to come to Christ. We still meet as a team on Wednesdays and get together as often as our schedules will allow. Saturday night was a big celebration downtown with the 50 foot Christmas tree lighting ceremony, a carriage parade, and fireworks. We had fun meeting the Taylors and watching the festivities together. Sunday morning we attended a church in the Cleveland area that a friend of a friend pastors. He was very encouraging and excited about the church plant in Cleveland. His congregation has been praying for God to work in the city.
One interesting opportunity to meet people has been through finding furniture and supplies on craigslist. I have a 15 year old jacket that I wore to look at a desk that I had seen on craigslist. It has BJU embroidered on the front. As I stepped into the house the woman said, "BJU! We use their homeschool materials." We plan to get together after the holidays. A family from Pennsylvania was coming for care at the Cleveland Clinic so we ramped up the search for a sofa bed for the basement. I checked the craigslist postings in the morning and then checked again around lunchtime. There was a posting that read, "An apartment full of furniture." The photos looked promising and I emailed the seller. We made arrangements to look at the furniture the next day (the day that the folks were coming from PA). When we arrived a sweet young lady and a two year old answered the door. She showed us to the garage where the furniture was stored. As we talked she said that she had just moved to Cleveland from LA. I asked some questions about the furniture and she said, "let me wake up Louis, he'll know." I said, "Does he work nights?" She said that he plays football for the Browns and he got home late from the game. When he came down and I asked if he could help Ken load the furniture into the trailer the answer was a "duh, yeah." While they were making everything fit (a sofa bed, loveseat, lazyboy chair, a coffee table, two end tables, and two lamps) I continued to talk to Lacey. I felt at ease to share the gospel with her and gave her a Gideon New Testament (orange for the Browns :) ) a Bridge tract, and a tract with Ken's testimony. She received it happily and said that she was a believer and had not yet found a church here in Cleveland. When we got home and put the furniture in place I emailed her, thanked her, and told her about a MOPS group that meets close to her home. She was very positive in her reply. I hope to continue a relationship with her.
The Lepleys came out that night from Pennsylvania for a heart procedure. Five family members stayed in our home Tuesday night and Larry's procedure took place on Wednesday morning. Ken took the family to the Clinic, helped them park and stayed at the hospital with them all day. There were some complications but by 6 pm he was in his room. The family returned to our house for a quick supper and headed back to Pennsylvania to be home for work the next day. The next morning Ken and I prepared to visit Larry but before we could get out the door the daughter called from PA saying that the Clinic called and Larry was able to go home that morning. She was panicked because originally he was supposed to stay for two nights. Ken decided to rent a car and take Larry all the way back to PA so that Larry could be home and so that his family would not have to drive all the way back to Ohio again. As soon as Ken got home from PA we headed to Michigan for our weekend meeting. The back-to-back weekends in Michigan went well. Hopefully the poor economy will not prohibit them from taking us on.
Renee's dad came out for Thanksgiving and helped install a phone jack and a few switches. It was great to spend time with family for the holiday. We have much for which to thank God this Thanksgiving. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
The Skill Set is Increasing
It has been awhile since I wrote on this blog. The reasons are numerous. Last week we had two meetings is New York - both were in sweet, country churches that were excited about what God has called us to in Cleveland. This past Saturday and Sunday a supporting church had us in for an update and for a fun harvest party. They always make things special for our children and the marshmallow fight was a highlight again this year!
The house projects continue to stretch our skills and teach us alot about remodeling. Ken tackled the basement ceiling that had been soaked from a leak in the bathtub prior to our purchasing the house. Installing drywall overhead is definately challenging! He did a great job and only if you inspect closely would you know that the section had been replaced.
The most challenging job was attempted yesterday. Before we purchased the house we planned to install a wood-burning fireplace insert. Not only to improve the efficiency of the fireplace but also to conserve on heating costs since we are ministering in a long-winter area. We searched online for months to see what our best options would be. While in Michigan for a recent meeting we talked to someone about a wood-burning furnace. Ken's brother-in-law also had recently installed one in his house. We investigated and discovered that our basement was set up nicely for a supplementary wood-burning furnace. We gathered the necessary materials, including a stainless steel chimney flue insert. We, by God's grace, safely slid the 400 lb. furnace down the basement stairs and put it in position. Yesterday, Ken crawled out onto the roof and prepared to insert the 6 inch diameter stainless flue liner. He quickly discovered that the terra cotta liner had shifted and would not let the 30 foot, corrugated, supposedly flexible, tube down the chimney. We had hired a HVAC guy to remove the old gas lines that were next to the new furnace and he was present when the big silver snake rolled off the roof. I thought that Ken had rolled off the roof and ran out calling, "Ken, Ken!" Bill, the HVAC guy, was at his van and dryly said, "He didn't fall off the roof." Bill finished his work and made an appointment to come back another day to clean the furnace. He left and while Ken was considering options and checking things out in the basement he realized that the pilot had gone out on the water heater since Bill had re-lit it after turning the gas back on. Ken called Bill and Bill said that he'd be back after he finished the job he had gone to. He returned later that afternoon and re-lit the pilot and decided that Ken really needed help with the chimney flue liner. He stayed till after 8pm guiding Ken through the process of holding the terra cotta out of the way, shaping the tube so that it would slide down the flue easier, and knocking out a 2 1/2' x 3' hole in the basement wall so that they could grab the tube and attach it at the bottom. Bill worked at cleaning the furnace while Ken was doing parts of the project that he could do alone. After they had the liner in place and all Ken needed to do was fix the basement wall the next day, Bill packed up his tools and Ken asked what we owed him. He said that all we owed him was the cost of the cleaning! We gave him that amount plus a generous tip and were so grateful for his help.
We are amazed at another neat provision from our Heavenly Father of help, wisdom, and supplies! This week on craigslist there was a carpet warehouse that was clearing out. Any roll of various lengths was $50. We had gotten estimates to carpet the basement as high as $1500. Ken and I went and there were only a few rolls left that were long enough to do our basement. The one that we chose is a nice commercial carpet. We are so excited! Natalie, our teammate, also found three rolls that will work in their house.
We praise the Lord that the Taylors finally have heat in their house. Their inspected furnace failed the first time they turned it on. It was weeks of getting estimates and trying to be good stewards of their resources. Yesterday the installer got the furnace running and will work at installing duct-work as time allows.
The most exciting update to add to this blog is that for the past two Wednesday nights we have gotten together as a team for a meal, devotions, and prayer. These are the first official meetings of the Cleveland church plant. It is sweet to see the children praying for their new friends and neighbors to come to Christ. We hope to be able to invite others to this weekly get together as we make contacts.
Ken had contacted a bicycle messenger company last November and let them know why we were coming to Cleveland. In June he filled out an application for the job and they told him that when he moved to the city to give them a call. They were pretty positive about him getting the position. When Ken called they said, "call next Wednesday." Ken did and he was given the runaround. His emails have not been returned either. We know that God knows exactly what is best for us. He knows our needs and knows how we will best get to know the city and make contacts with people. Ken applied for another bike courier position on Tuesday of this week. And he has put out an application at UPS. We'll see what happens.
The house projects continue to stretch our skills and teach us alot about remodeling. Ken tackled the basement ceiling that had been soaked from a leak in the bathtub prior to our purchasing the house. Installing drywall overhead is definately challenging! He did a great job and only if you inspect closely would you know that the section had been replaced.
The most challenging job was attempted yesterday. Before we purchased the house we planned to install a wood-burning fireplace insert. Not only to improve the efficiency of the fireplace but also to conserve on heating costs since we are ministering in a long-winter area. We searched online for months to see what our best options would be. While in Michigan for a recent meeting we talked to someone about a wood-burning furnace. Ken's brother-in-law also had recently installed one in his house. We investigated and discovered that our basement was set up nicely for a supplementary wood-burning furnace. We gathered the necessary materials, including a stainless steel chimney flue insert. We, by God's grace, safely slid the 400 lb. furnace down the basement stairs and put it in position. Yesterday, Ken crawled out onto the roof and prepared to insert the 6 inch diameter stainless flue liner. He quickly discovered that the terra cotta liner had shifted and would not let the 30 foot, corrugated, supposedly flexible, tube down the chimney. We had hired a HVAC guy to remove the old gas lines that were next to the new furnace and he was present when the big silver snake rolled off the roof. I thought that Ken had rolled off the roof and ran out calling, "Ken, Ken!" Bill, the HVAC guy, was at his van and dryly said, "He didn't fall off the roof." Bill finished his work and made an appointment to come back another day to clean the furnace. He left and while Ken was considering options and checking things out in the basement he realized that the pilot had gone out on the water heater since Bill had re-lit it after turning the gas back on. Ken called Bill and Bill said that he'd be back after he finished the job he had gone to. He returned later that afternoon and re-lit the pilot and decided that Ken really needed help with the chimney flue liner. He stayed till after 8pm guiding Ken through the process of holding the terra cotta out of the way, shaping the tube so that it would slide down the flue easier, and knocking out a 2 1/2' x 3' hole in the basement wall so that they could grab the tube and attach it at the bottom. Bill worked at cleaning the furnace while Ken was doing parts of the project that he could do alone. After they had the liner in place and all Ken needed to do was fix the basement wall the next day, Bill packed up his tools and Ken asked what we owed him. He said that all we owed him was the cost of the cleaning! We gave him that amount plus a generous tip and were so grateful for his help.
We are amazed at another neat provision from our Heavenly Father of help, wisdom, and supplies! This week on craigslist there was a carpet warehouse that was clearing out. Any roll of various lengths was $50. We had gotten estimates to carpet the basement as high as $1500. Ken and I went and there were only a few rolls left that were long enough to do our basement. The one that we chose is a nice commercial carpet. We are so excited! Natalie, our teammate, also found three rolls that will work in their house.
We praise the Lord that the Taylors finally have heat in their house. Their inspected furnace failed the first time they turned it on. It was weeks of getting estimates and trying to be good stewards of their resources. Yesterday the installer got the furnace running and will work at installing duct-work as time allows.
The most exciting update to add to this blog is that for the past two Wednesday nights we have gotten together as a team for a meal, devotions, and prayer. These are the first official meetings of the Cleveland church plant. It is sweet to see the children praying for their new friends and neighbors to come to Christ. We hope to be able to invite others to this weekly get together as we make contacts.
Ken had contacted a bicycle messenger company last November and let them know why we were coming to Cleveland. In June he filled out an application for the job and they told him that when he moved to the city to give them a call. They were pretty positive about him getting the position. When Ken called they said, "call next Wednesday." Ken did and he was given the runaround. His emails have not been returned either. We know that God knows exactly what is best for us. He knows our needs and knows how we will best get to know the city and make contacts with people. Ken applied for another bike courier position on Tuesday of this week. And he has put out an application at UPS. We'll see what happens.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Getting There
Last Monday was my 39th birthday. I was a little retrospective and had a desire for a little adventure. My goal was to ride the bus to the Westside Market and hopefully have a chance to present the gospel to someone. I prepared my purse with a New Testament and tracts. The bus schedule didn't fit with the kids' school pick-up schedule so I drove instead. The Market is an amazing place! English is a second language for many of the vendors. As you walk past their booths they are hawking their goods in loud voices. It was a cacophony for the senses with smells of produce and fresh meats, crowds pushing on every side, vendors with every accent shouting, all colors of the rainbow in the goods being sold, and samples of foods from every part of the globe available to taste. I was sad to have to leave to pick up the kids without having an opportunity to talk one-on-one with anyone.
Kelly asked to spend some time in Cedarville with friends for her upcoming birthday. We headed down Wednesday after school. We were able to visit many friends in the short time that we were there. Thursday night Ken's dad, sister, and nephew brought Ken home from Michigan. We thought they might enjoy the Market. On their way back to Michigan on Friday morning we took them there. It was a little overwhelming for them too at first. Coy bought bananas from the first guy who hollered to him. They headed home with bags of bacon, apples, grapes, and other neat treasures from Cleveland's Westside Market. I was encouraged on this second visit that people actually initiated conversations with me! I was interviewed in the parking lot by a reporter for the Wall Street Journal. He was polite as we told him about our hopes for starting a downtown church. And a little later a vendor who was selling cucumbers to us told us in broken english all about the meaning of the cross he was wearing on his necklace. It is so exciting to see God at work!
Saturday, Jeff Coward and two college students from his Sunday school class in the Columbus area came and helped us get our garage in shape. They scraped, painted, and repaired rotten drywall. It is really nice in there now and ready for winter. Jeff is a good friend who went to high school and college with us. His wife, Susan, was my college roommate. It was great to see him again.
On Saturday night Ken did a benefit auction for Bill Taylor's school. They raised more than $10,000 for the school!
Kelly asked to spend some time in Cedarville with friends for her upcoming birthday. We headed down Wednesday after school. We were able to visit many friends in the short time that we were there. Thursday night Ken's dad, sister, and nephew brought Ken home from Michigan. We thought they might enjoy the Market. On their way back to Michigan on Friday morning we took them there. It was a little overwhelming for them too at first. Coy bought bananas from the first guy who hollered to him. They headed home with bags of bacon, apples, grapes, and other neat treasures from Cleveland's Westside Market. I was encouraged on this second visit that people actually initiated conversations with me! I was interviewed in the parking lot by a reporter for the Wall Street Journal. He was polite as we told him about our hopes for starting a downtown church. And a little later a vendor who was selling cucumbers to us told us in broken english all about the meaning of the cross he was wearing on his necklace. It is so exciting to see God at work!
Saturday, Jeff Coward and two college students from his Sunday school class in the Columbus area came and helped us get our garage in shape. They scraped, painted, and repaired rotten drywall. It is really nice in there now and ready for winter. Jeff is a good friend who went to high school and college with us. His wife, Susan, was my college roommate. It was great to see him again.
On Saturday night Ken did a benefit auction for Bill Taylor's school. They raised more than $10,000 for the school!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Progress
Things are coming along in the house. One of our supporting churches requested information for possibly helping us with a project. The following is the email that I sent them regarding our basement:
We are so amazed at God's provision, protection, and positioning throughout this moving process. As I look back over the past few weeks there is no doubt that God has amazingly taken care of us. To look ahead and say that we have everything figured out for this church plant would be not only a lie but also would be foolish. Even the simplist detail of moving and purchasing a house rarely went according to the plans that we had formulated. However, we have seen that God's way is and always will be the best.
One aspect of ministry that we feel burdened to do here in Cleveland is to minister to people who are coming to Cleveland to receive treatment at the Cleveland Clinic. Whether for their initial appointments to help them navigate the hospital or to house family members if the treatment time is extended. We have, in the short time that we have lived in the city, already had an opportunity to help a family from Pennsylvania that came to the Cleveland Clinic for a second opinion. The man's sister is a friend of a friend. He had a procedure done in Pennsylvania that caused complications with his feet. The doctors in PA said that they didn't have any more options other than amputation. His daughter called us and asked for help. We put them up in our home (all six Dockerys slept in one bedroom so that the father, son, and daughter could each have a private space). We gave them a nice breakfast and Ken went to the hospital with them to help them navigate traffic, construction, parking garages, and the maze of buildings in which he had appointments. They received good news and returned to PA tired but encouraged.
One project that we feel would make our home more comfortable for people who come to Cleveland for treatment at the Cleveland Clinic would be to make an apartment-like space in the basement that would be more private. The basement is currently partially finished. The walls have wainscoting and 1/3 of the floor in the main part is tiled. The old carpet has been removed. There was a leak in the upstairs bathroom that ruined a 10' area of the ceiling (the leak has been repaired). There is a new toilet and a small vanity in a closet-like space.
We would like to:
carpet a 25' x 14' area - about $900 installed
put in a shower enclosure - about $900 installed
frame in the bathroom - about $300
put in a kitchenette - small refrigerator $200, small counter and sink $400
furnish the area with a bed, dresser, couch, table, chairs, etc. - with second-hand furniture we could probably make it cozy for about $1,300
fix the ceiling - we have the materials on hand from some of the other projects
paint the ceiling and upper part of the walls - we have the materials on hand
The total for these listed items is $4,000
A friend from high school and Renee's roommate from college are married and live in Columbus, Ohio. They hope to come in October with some friends from their church and help with some small projects.
I am finding that to locate matching tile to replace the five broken pieces elusive. I contacted a guy that had them on Craigslist and have played tag with meeting up with him to get it. Also, the window treatments are taking quite a bit of time to choose and install. I have to keep reminding myself that it doesn't all have to be done today.
Ken and Bill are in Michigan for some missions' conferences. It will be a good break for both of them to not have to focus on settling into new homes.
Today was Sunday. The kids and I visited a church about 40 minutes away. Church is such a huge part of our lives that to go and not know anyone but not be ministering was a little bit of a downer. We are looking forward to loving and serving the body of believers that God gives us here in Cleveland. Our neighbor girl came over and played with the kids tonight so that helped us not feel so lonely. Our prayer is that we will do what God wants us to do, when He wants us to do it.
We are so amazed at God's provision, protection, and positioning throughout this moving process. As I look back over the past few weeks there is no doubt that God has amazingly taken care of us. To look ahead and say that we have everything figured out for this church plant would be not only a lie but also would be foolish. Even the simplist detail of moving and purchasing a house rarely went according to the plans that we had formulated. However, we have seen that God's way is and always will be the best.
One aspect of ministry that we feel burdened to do here in Cleveland is to minister to people who are coming to Cleveland to receive treatment at the Cleveland Clinic. Whether for their initial appointments to help them navigate the hospital or to house family members if the treatment time is extended. We have, in the short time that we have lived in the city, already had an opportunity to help a family from Pennsylvania that came to the Cleveland Clinic for a second opinion. The man's sister is a friend of a friend. He had a procedure done in Pennsylvania that caused complications with his feet. The doctors in PA said that they didn't have any more options other than amputation. His daughter called us and asked for help. We put them up in our home (all six Dockerys slept in one bedroom so that the father, son, and daughter could each have a private space). We gave them a nice breakfast and Ken went to the hospital with them to help them navigate traffic, construction, parking garages, and the maze of buildings in which he had appointments. They received good news and returned to PA tired but encouraged.
One project that we feel would make our home more comfortable for people who come to Cleveland for treatment at the Cleveland Clinic would be to make an apartment-like space in the basement that would be more private. The basement is currently partially finished. The walls have wainscoting and 1/3 of the floor in the main part is tiled. The old carpet has been removed. There was a leak in the upstairs bathroom that ruined a 10' area of the ceiling (the leak has been repaired). There is a new toilet and a small vanity in a closet-like space.
We would like to:
carpet a 25' x 14' area - about $900 installed
put in a shower enclosure - about $900 installed
frame in the bathroom - about $300
put in a kitchenette - small refrigerator $200, small counter and sink $400
furnish the area with a bed, dresser, couch, table, chairs, etc. - with second-hand furniture we could probably make it cozy for about $1,300
fix the ceiling - we have the materials on hand from some of the other projects
paint the ceiling and upper part of the walls - we have the materials on hand
The total for these listed items is $4,000
A friend from high school and Renee's roommate from college are married and live in Columbus, Ohio. They hope to come in October with some friends from their church and help with some small projects.
I am finding that to locate matching tile to replace the five broken pieces elusive. I contacted a guy that had them on Craigslist and have played tag with meeting up with him to get it. Also, the window treatments are taking quite a bit of time to choose and install. I have to keep reminding myself that it doesn't all have to be done today.
Ken and Bill are in Michigan for some missions' conferences. It will be a good break for both of them to not have to focus on settling into new homes.
Today was Sunday. The kids and I visited a church about 40 minutes away. Church is such a huge part of our lives that to go and not know anyone but not be ministering was a little bit of a downer. We are looking forward to loving and serving the body of believers that God gives us here in Cleveland. Our neighbor girl came over and played with the kids tonight so that helped us not feel so lonely. Our prayer is that we will do what God wants us to do, when He wants us to do it.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Surprise
The big project this week was on the back of the house, the sun room. We hope to eventually put siding on it but for now we were going to paint it. We noticed a board that was rotten so we pulled it off to replace it - we were told later never to do that just cover it!:) When we pulled it off we saw that water had gotten in there over the years and most of the wall had rotted. When Ken was done removing the rotten wood the neighbor wandered over and looked at windows hanging practically in mid-air. He was a little worried about what was going to happen. But, before the night was over Ken had the wall rebuilt. Today he spent probably 7 hours caulking the windows etc. so the new wood won't rot. We hope to be able to paint it early next week.
Last night we helped the Taylors take a load from their Medina house to their Cleveland house. It was a late night but it is great to be working together as a team even on projects like moving. We were supposed to have been in Michigan for a mission's conference this weekend but the church had a split recently and cancelled the conference. Ken will go next week to Michigan for two other mission's conferences, the kids and I will keep the school routine going during the week and go up for the weekend.
After these long meetings Ken hopes to start his part-time job. This will supplement our income until we raise about 20% more support. He also likes to be able to meet people and learn about this new-to-us territory. We are feeling more and more settled each day. Hopefully soon all of our waking hours will not be consumed by construction projects and we will be able to start meeting people. The basement is the last big project that we hope to do before October. It has been neat to see God help us with either providing people, supplies, furnishings, or wisdom to do all of these projects. We are so grateful.
Please pray for Derek. This past week he cried in Sunday School at Grace so the teacher came to get me. On Monday, the school nurse called and said that Derek was crying and complaining of a stomachache and had a slight fever. I brought him home for the day and had him rest. The next two days he cried most of the day. His teacher - who looks alot like Julie Sheridan - does a great job keeping me aware of how he's doing. She said that Friday went much better. I think that being back at Grace last Sunday was pretty hard for him to digest. I believe that he'll do fine and make good friends here. We were just so spoiled to have so many great friends in Cedarville.
Last night we helped the Taylors take a load from their Medina house to their Cleveland house. It was a late night but it is great to be working together as a team even on projects like moving. We were supposed to have been in Michigan for a mission's conference this weekend but the church had a split recently and cancelled the conference. Ken will go next week to Michigan for two other mission's conferences, the kids and I will keep the school routine going during the week and go up for the weekend.
After these long meetings Ken hopes to start his part-time job. This will supplement our income until we raise about 20% more support. He also likes to be able to meet people and learn about this new-to-us territory. We are feeling more and more settled each day. Hopefully soon all of our waking hours will not be consumed by construction projects and we will be able to start meeting people. The basement is the last big project that we hope to do before October. It has been neat to see God help us with either providing people, supplies, furnishings, or wisdom to do all of these projects. We are so grateful.
Please pray for Derek. This past week he cried in Sunday School at Grace so the teacher came to get me. On Monday, the school nurse called and said that Derek was crying and complaining of a stomachache and had a slight fever. I brought him home for the day and had him rest. The next two days he cried most of the day. His teacher - who looks alot like Julie Sheridan - does a great job keeping me aware of how he's doing. She said that Friday went much better. I think that being back at Grace last Sunday was pretty hard for him to digest. I believe that he'll do fine and make good friends here. We were just so spoiled to have so many great friends in Cedarville.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Ike - "I will return"
It was fun to be back in Cedarville, although we all said that it felt good to be home tonight too - God is good! We were sorry to have missed the service at Grace tonight because the remnant of hurricane Ike blew through Cedarville and left the town without electricity. We are glad to be home. By the time we left Cedarville we knew that we needed gas. We hoped that Springfield would have power - they did - right until it was our turn to pump. I saw the lights go out in the station and then people staring at the pump, checking the nozzle and then trying to figure out what had happened. We looked at the intersection and the traffic signals had also gone out. We tried to go north on 72 a little and see if anyone had power up that way. No one did. With a quickly breathed prayer of "God please help us" we headed out on 70 to see who would have power. At rt 54 (?) we pulled into a station that had lights and a long line and filled up. We also stopped for a bathroom at our regular stop at rt 42 and they had attendants out at the road with cardboard signs reading, "Closed, no electricity!" I didn't watch every exit along the way but we pulled onto at least four more exits between Columbus and Cleveland that didn't have electricity or gas. We realize how dependent and spoiled we are and what a blessing it is to live in this country where it is a rare occasion to have to think about availability of gas and electricity.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Apologies
I have honestly tried and have seemingly wasted precious time attempting to take photos from one place on the computer to this blog page. I guess the time is not really wasted if I remember the 101 things that do not work! It has to be so simple that I am missing it by a small function.
Anyway, I'll update you on the week. Saturday we picked up two tables, a desk, some chairs, and other furniture. We got home before 5 pm and Ken got busy setting everything up. It is so nice to sit at a real table to eat together! We headed to Oberlin, Ohio for our Sunday morning meeting. The folks were so sweet and almost as soon as Natalie and I walked in the door Fran whisked us off to the missionary cupboard where we could stock up on some of our supplies. We enjoyed a nice meal after the service and got to get better acquainted with the people.
Sunday evening my parents, Becky, my sister, and her little one, Alex came. We enjoyed some homemade pizza together and talked about the projects that needed done. Monday morning after the kids headed to school my dad and Ken got to work replacing light switches, outlets, and other old wiring. They also worked on making sure the furnace was clean and ready for winter. I so appreciate the hard work they did while they were here. It was just a bonus added on to getting to see them.
Tuesday morning they wrapped up a few projects and headed to Tennessee. We got busy getting ready for the next round of visitors. George, Crissy, and Steven Boyer came on their way to a quartet convention in Tennessee. We loved spending time with them and appreciated their taking us out to eat at Yours Truly.
Wednesday morning the Boyers headed out and we began getting ready for the next round of visitors! Ken painted the boy's room and I did laundry and some shopping for the house. I found some good deals on rugs, towels, and curtains. By early evening the Lepley's from central Pennsylvania arrived. They were tired from their trip but in good spirits. Larry, Tony, and Theresa came for a second opinion at the Cleveland Clinic. Larry has some serious health issues and is hoping the Clinic can help. Ken took them over there this morning and helped them navigate the parking and maze of buildings to get to his appointments.
We are so thankful for all of the wonderful help, gifts of furniture and supplies, and opportunities to minister that have come our way. We head to Cedarville tomorrow afternoon to prepare for a charity bike ride that Ken is helping and for a farewell to our friends in Cedarville.
God's grace has truly been sufficient for these last few weeks and we are confident that it will continue to be.
Anyway, I'll update you on the week. Saturday we picked up two tables, a desk, some chairs, and other furniture. We got home before 5 pm and Ken got busy setting everything up. It is so nice to sit at a real table to eat together! We headed to Oberlin, Ohio for our Sunday morning meeting. The folks were so sweet and almost as soon as Natalie and I walked in the door Fran whisked us off to the missionary cupboard where we could stock up on some of our supplies. We enjoyed a nice meal after the service and got to get better acquainted with the people.
Sunday evening my parents, Becky, my sister, and her little one, Alex came. We enjoyed some homemade pizza together and talked about the projects that needed done. Monday morning after the kids headed to school my dad and Ken got to work replacing light switches, outlets, and other old wiring. They also worked on making sure the furnace was clean and ready for winter. I so appreciate the hard work they did while they were here. It was just a bonus added on to getting to see them.
Tuesday morning they wrapped up a few projects and headed to Tennessee. We got busy getting ready for the next round of visitors. George, Crissy, and Steven Boyer came on their way to a quartet convention in Tennessee. We loved spending time with them and appreciated their taking us out to eat at Yours Truly.
Wednesday morning the Boyers headed out and we began getting ready for the next round of visitors! Ken painted the boy's room and I did laundry and some shopping for the house. I found some good deals on rugs, towels, and curtains. By early evening the Lepley's from central Pennsylvania arrived. They were tired from their trip but in good spirits. Larry, Tony, and Theresa came for a second opinion at the Cleveland Clinic. Larry has some serious health issues and is hoping the Clinic can help. Ken took them over there this morning and helped them navigate the parking and maze of buildings to get to his appointments.
We are so thankful for all of the wonderful help, gifts of furniture and supplies, and opportunities to minister that have come our way. We head to Cedarville tomorrow afternoon to prepare for a charity bike ride that Ken is helping and for a farewell to our friends in Cedarville.
God's grace has truly been sufficient for these last few weeks and we are confident that it will continue to be.
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