Organ Donation

Remember how we used to sleep on the stage?  Well, the kids were the first to move their quarters to the basement.  We moved them down there before the heat of summer set in.

And I loved having the entire nave as a bedroom.  It might have been a little weird for our guests to walk into our master bedroom, and all the cats may have started pa-dumping across the floor and around the furniture just as we were ready to get serious about falling asleep, and it may have been hard to fall asleep in an 88-degree room, but I really liked it up there.

Only something really great would entice me to give up that spot.

A couple weeks before my birthday we received word that a family had moved away from their home, leaving behind an organ.  Yes, they were offering to be an organ donor.

The perfect birthday gift, and perfect for the birthday budget!  I'd often dreamed of owning our own church organ ever since we'd moved into our own church building.  And so my darling, wonderful husband man, with a lot of help from some really kind men, loaded it into and out of the van, hauled it up the stairs, and into its new home.

I'm not an organist, but I'd like to play well enough for congregational singing.  Mastering some good organ literature wouldn't hurt, either!  I just wish I could dedicate more time to practicing.  *sigh*

A funny thing about Pipes: she, of all the cats, has been the most interested in befriending the organist.  How sweet that she's so aptly named!

Home is where...

February 21

...the living room furniture is. Thanks for leaving your couch and chairs for us, Randy and Tamara!

the weekend of February 21

...the birthday party is accompanied by music and lots of friends. Thanks for celebrating Paul's 40th with us, everyone!

March 14

...the water gets hot. Thank you, James and Mr. Bausch! And Mike and Elizabeth!

March 18

...hands are washed, teeth are brushed, and basic needs are met. Thanks, Love, for being so happy with the yellow floor! Working together is a delight.

March 25

...the past is exchanged for the future. So many thanks to those who helped pack, lift, and provide food for moving day!

March 25

...a hot shower awaits. Thanks again, Dad and Paul.

March 26 and following

...finishing touches can wait a little longer. Thanks to anyone who puts up with the rough edges!

April 11

...the garden grows. Thanks, Patsy and kids, for helping us uproot the old plants to make room for the new!

April 11

...we air our clean laundry. Thanks, Becki, for letting me teach music in exchange for clean clothes!

Yes, this is home. By the grace of God, through the labor of our hands, and encouraged by the kindness of those who love us, we are carving out a place for ourselves, bit by bit. We thank God for the riches He bestows on us.

A Place to Call Home

You've met the parents; now take a look at the little nest that Carol and Dave have feathered for when they're in town. It gives you an idea of how rough it is down in the basement, and you will see how resourceful they are: the bed consists of an air mattress resting on three courses of plastic storage bins plus backerboard of some kind to stabilize it all. Nice, isn't it?




Back in January they stayed out at The Nest even though we had to return to Chicago for a few days. They blessed us so much with their work on our behalf.

Here they are patching up the floor which Paul had to tear up for the new drain. They, too, are a gift that keeps on giving. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

A Hole in the Floor

Do you remember when I said that the prospect of taking out the toilet unnerved me somewhat? I had so little to fear. After writing this, we received two different offers from friends of ours who own their own camping potties and who wanted to loan us this primitive convenience. Thanks so much, Norma and Lori!

We picked up Lori and Kevin's porta potty at their son's homeschool graduation party on New Year's Day, and this is Paul trying to figure it out.



It worked so well. We are so grateful!

Meet the Parents

This is Dave. He's Paul's dad. He's most recently been living and working as a missionary in the beautiful, sunny island of Guam, but is now on sabbatical in the icy cold of the North American continent. Catching him with his hot tea while standing in front of the woodstove was just too perfect to pass up.




This is Carol. I wish I had a better picture for these introductions, but she's Paul's mom and Dave's uber-dedicated wife. I think she's catching up on emails while the kids are doing their schoolwork.

We've had the pleasure of having Dave and Carol stay with us while they lend experience and assistance on the work we've had to do in the bathroom. What a blessing for us to have them join us in our work, our family worship, and in our fun. If it weren't for them, I don't think we would yet know how happy Happy Hour at Steak-N-Shake could be.

The Gift of Service That Just Keeps Giving

I don't remember us ever really asking for Kevin's help. He just brings John and starts to work. And he keeps coming back to work.

Sometimes he brings his wife, and then I don't work. I don't plan it that way; it just happens like that.

House Warming: Water Heating

I don't know where to begin.

Our friend Mike, along with his electrician dad and strong son, arrived this morning to lend a hand. Things progressed along as expected: Paul received some good information about our current situation, and he received some helpful feedback regarding our plans for the new electrical service.

But we couldn't have been prepared for what happened next. Mike informed Paul that he had brought us something that had been lying around his house. He'd been tripping over it and needed to get it out of the way. What was this trifle of a matter? A 50-gallon gas water heater!

I have never experienced such a house warming gift. It warms the water, and it warms my very full heart. Thank you so very, very much, Mike and Elizabeth. We are so blessed by your kindness and generosity, and we're so honored to be considered your friends.