Those of you that have been keeping up with our blog know that Stephen and I were in the Adirondacks at the end of March to ensure the vacancy of our house. “Ungrateful people tend to turn into hateful people that eventually destroy everything around them”
That being said it took most of three weeks to put the house back in viewable condition. At first we were overwhelmed by the enormous task before us, but as the out pouring of love and support from our brothers and sisters in Christ surrounded us, we were strengthened and what was a seemingly impossible situation became a difficult, but manageable task. I could focus on
the difficulties of cleaning, repairing and painting. I could even mention having to deal with the abandonment of at least two dogs and four cats. I could share how it broke my heart to read nasty notes scribbled on the walls or just how incomprehensible it is that some one would put out their cigarette butts on the window sills of a one hundred and fifty six year old house. But I would rather speak to the way God took this horrible situation and chose through it to reveal to us the wonderful, resilient caring hearts of the Adirondack people. By the way “Grateful people become great people and develop everyone around them” The house went on the market May 1st.
the difficulties of cleaning, repairing and painting. I could even mention having to deal with the abandonment of at least two dogs and four cats. I could share how it broke my heart to read nasty notes scribbled on the walls or just how incomprehensible it is that some one would put out their cigarette butts on the window sills of a one hundred and fifty six year old house. But I would rather speak to the way God took this horrible situation and chose through it to reveal to us the wonderful, resilient caring hearts of the Adirondack people. By the way “Grateful people become great people and develop everyone around them” The house went on the market May 1st.
Even though the condition of the house and grounds were left in an undesirable state, it occurred to us as we went through the process of restoration just how much the Lord had protected us in all of this.
We were blessed with the safe harbor of our dear friends Gerald and Madeline our first night. As we entered their home we were immediately greeted and comforted by the wonderful smell of home baked bread. Madeline is famous in the Adirondacks for her scrumptious cooking and how blessed we are to have her friendship!
We were blessed with the safe harbor of our dear friends Gerald and Madeline our first night. As we entered their home we were immediately greeted and comforted by the wonderful smell of home baked bread. Madeline is famous in the Adirondacks for her scrumptious cooking and how blessed we are to have her friendship!
Others as well came to help each in their own way; the postman from Newcomb came and delivered a ladder for us to use, ours if still at the house had been buried under several feet of snow.
Mary and Dan, our closest neighbors (a few miles down the road), stopped by for a quick hug and again, later in the week to bring a zucchini bread made from home-grown vegetables, picked from their garden the previous summer.
Mary and Dan, our closest neighbors (a few miles down the road), stopped by for a quick hug and again, later in the week to bring a zucchini bread made from home-grown vegetables, picked from their garden the previous summer.
Melody and Carol, how fitting their names, because it is praise that fills our hearts for the tasks they were willing to do in Christian love! Carol took on the nastiness of jobs removing urine and feces soaked carpet and Melody running me here and there and spending her only day off helping me paint! Not to mention helping her dad for days on end cleaning the yard after we were already gone!!!
Madeline and Gerald came day after day as well ,painting and cleaning and hugging. Madeline almost brought me to tears when she left late one evening only to return early the next day with curtains she made for the kitchen! Gerald was gracious as he accepted the task of cleaning up the grounds( long after we were gone) not to mention his willingness to adopt one of the abandoned dogs.
How blessed we were by Randy and Liz, (Liz played violin in the praise band at Grace Fellowship) They spent the day with us painting and painting and sharing, they were wonderful.
How blessed we were by Randy and Liz, (Liz played violin in the praise band at Grace Fellowship) They spent the day with us painting and painting and sharing, they were wonderful.
I have to mention all of the wonderful food and fellowship, from the roasted lamb and homemade apple pie at Pat and Steve’s, to a feast of food, fellowship and down home bluegrass at Madeline’s and Gerald's.
We had a wonderful evening with Liz and Keith and Graham and Randi. Liz made a delicious pot roast and a heavenly concoction of apple souffle. We also enjoyed a warm time of fellowship with Mike (the post man from Newcomb) and his wife Mary and the vegetarian delicacies she prepared!
Stephen and I realize that even though we had to walk through the filth of my brothers choices and the impact they had; not only on the things we possessed ,but on any future relationship as well. We are still ever grateful for the experience. God used it to embrace us through a people we have grown to respect and admire.
Stephen and I realize that even though we had to walk through the filth of my brothers choices and the impact they had; not only on the things we possessed ,but on any future relationship as well. We are still ever grateful for the experience. God used it to embrace us through a people we have grown to respect and admire.
We were deeply blessed as our dear Adirondack brothers and sisters in Christ faithfully loved us in true fellowship, allowing us a rare and treasured glimpse of the very face of God...
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