My Sister and Brother-in-Law are headed to Peru with a team of folks from Fellowship Bible Church to teach kids on another continent how to worship God. They held E-Camp this summer for our church and it was one of the most amazing and profound things that I have ever witnessed in my life. Watching kids learn to worship God in such a profound manner, then leading the church in that worship brought tears to my eyes.
You can follow their progress here: http://e-camp-fellowship.blogspot.com/ They will post as they can and will tell their story as they progress through the next 10 days.
Josh
President of Fatherly Duties
JandA Corp
Friday, September 18, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Witness
As time rolls on and I am daily more entrenched in my new life - the life of a stay at home mom, I tend to feel frustrated. Not to say that I am not happy, I LOVE being at home. No, my frustration is more at myself. I feel the weight of the to-do list and yet most days it is a minor miracle that I get into the shower before 5pm. Somehow I just can't accomplish in a week half of what I used to in a single day.
And then I come across moments where I am reminded of what it is that I do all day. I had one of those this afternoon. I laid Noah down on the floor so I could do something really quickly and as I glanced back over my shoulder, there he lay.
Head up, resting on his elbows, eyes alert. A picture made even more perfect by that little bit of drool dripping from his lip. I could not help but turn back and revel in how big he is getting, how strong he is becoming, and how fast he is growing. And then he puked all over the place....
So what is it that I do all day?
I am a witness.
A witness to the growth and development of this precious, amazing little boy. To his smiles, his coos, his burps, his cries, his dirty diapers, and yes being a witness also means cleaning up his puke. I have the honor of seeing him every minute of every day - except for the few times El Presidente and I get a movie night.
I am also a witness to my husband. I get to see Josh sacrifice his time to support his family, I see him wrestle with the how to become the man he wants to be, I see him adore his son, and I get to see how much he loves me.
Most importantly, I am a witness for God and how immeasurable He is. There are no perfect words to describe His faithfulness, His love for me, His unfathomable plan for my life. He has this unstoppable way of bringing me to my knees in praise - by force in allowing a truck to hit my house, in awe as I watch the son He made and gave to me, and in joy as I see how He is growing and softening the heart of my husband.
Today I was reminded of what I do and Who I work for. It was Him who gave me Josh and Noah to love and to lift up. This phase of my life wont last forever and I bet there will be a time when I long for quiet days like today. So what if all the little things fall by the wayside, I am doing my job.
The Momma
And then I come across moments where I am reminded of what it is that I do all day. I had one of those this afternoon. I laid Noah down on the floor so I could do something really quickly and as I glanced back over my shoulder, there he lay.
Head up, resting on his elbows, eyes alert. A picture made even more perfect by that little bit of drool dripping from his lip. I could not help but turn back and revel in how big he is getting, how strong he is becoming, and how fast he is growing. And then he puked all over the place....So what is it that I do all day?
I am a witness.
A witness to the growth and development of this precious, amazing little boy. To his smiles, his coos, his burps, his cries, his dirty diapers, and yes being a witness also means cleaning up his puke. I have the honor of seeing him every minute of every day - except for the few times El Presidente and I get a movie night.
I am also a witness to my husband. I get to see Josh sacrifice his time to support his family, I see him wrestle with the how to become the man he wants to be, I see him adore his son, and I get to see how much he loves me.
Most importantly, I am a witness for God and how immeasurable He is. There are no perfect words to describe His faithfulness, His love for me, His unfathomable plan for my life. He has this unstoppable way of bringing me to my knees in praise - by force in allowing a truck to hit my house, in awe as I watch the son He made and gave to me, and in joy as I see how He is growing and softening the heart of my husband.
Today I was reminded of what I do and Who I work for. It was Him who gave me Josh and Noah to love and to lift up. This phase of my life wont last forever and I bet there will be a time when I long for quiet days like today. So what if all the little things fall by the wayside, I am doing my job.
The Momma
Meet Melvin Cornknuckle.
He's me....or rather the name I've given to my sin nature. I was having a conversation the other day with The Momma, and I was relaying to her how some days I won, and how some days my sin nature won whilst dealing with work matters. Some days I feel lazy and let my sin nature take over and I am not productive. Some days I win..and I still feel unproductive.
So while ironing my shirt for my part time job at the de-pot, I relayed that I was going to name my sin nature Melvin. It's a name that doesn't conjure up anything scary or threatening. It's a name apt to my sin nature because it/he sneaks in smooth like, whispers innocent things in my ear...and whala...day goes to crap.
It's amazing to me that although I know Christ has beaten sin....I still feel trapped by it daily. I feel set in stupid routines that go counter to everything I could be if I just let go of those things that I shackle myself in everyday. How foolish is it to get out of bed...and gladly hop into shackles that you don't need? Honestly? Yet every morning I get up...look down at the dirty dingy things like they are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn...slip them on, and walk out the door.
So from here on out I will be writing down in my day planner who won that day. Me or melvin. Here's the sad part....melvin has lost already...I just give him the field to play on. So on the days that he win's..it's my stubborn born-in sin nature that didn't trust God that day for the work He has already done.
Josh
President of Fatherly Duties
Assistant Slayer of Melvin
JandA Corp
So while ironing my shirt for my part time job at the de-pot, I relayed that I was going to name my sin nature Melvin. It's a name that doesn't conjure up anything scary or threatening. It's a name apt to my sin nature because it/he sneaks in smooth like, whispers innocent things in my ear...and whala...day goes to crap.
It's amazing to me that although I know Christ has beaten sin....I still feel trapped by it daily. I feel set in stupid routines that go counter to everything I could be if I just let go of those things that I shackle myself in everyday. How foolish is it to get out of bed...and gladly hop into shackles that you don't need? Honestly? Yet every morning I get up...look down at the dirty dingy things like they are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn...slip them on, and walk out the door.
So from here on out I will be writing down in my day planner who won that day. Me or melvin. Here's the sad part....melvin has lost already...I just give him the field to play on. So on the days that he win's..it's my stubborn born-in sin nature that didn't trust God that day for the work He has already done.
Josh
President of Fatherly Duties
Assistant Slayer of Melvin
JandA Corp
Friday, September 4, 2009
Episodes 3-5: Trenches, Scaffolding, Rubble & Dirt
Episode 3:
They began excavation on the house last Saturday (I know, I know I need to update more often) and there is giant trench around the entire side and curving around both edges.
The view from the back of the house...
Standing at the top of the trench....
Episode 4: No progress was made on the house Monday and Tuesday. When I went by on Wednesday morning the entire cinder block portion of the wall had been removed leaving my basement open to the air. I had to grab something really quickly from the house so I didn't take any pictures.
Episode 5: By the time I drove by later that evening it was already bricked up. Its amazing how fast they work. I guess when they are paying for the repairs its a little more motivating. These pictures are from today when we went to pick out brick to fill in where they wont be able to use the ones they removed from the house.
It is so wonderful to see progress being made. Soon we will be home - sleeping in our own beds, with our things in their rightful places. Maybe, just maybe we will be able to settle down into some sort of rhythm for our new life.
I can't wait for the day.
The Momma
The Momma
They began excavation on the house last Saturday (I know, I know I need to update more often) and there is giant trench around the entire side and curving around both edges.
The view from the back of the house...
Standing at the top of the trench....
Episode 4: No progress was made on the house Monday and Tuesday. When I went by on Wednesday morning the entire cinder block portion of the wall had been removed leaving my basement open to the air. I had to grab something really quickly from the house so I didn't take any pictures.
Episode 5: By the time I drove by later that evening it was already bricked up. Its amazing how fast they work. I guess when they are paying for the repairs its a little more motivating. These pictures are from today when we went to pick out brick to fill in where they wont be able to use the ones they removed from the house.
It is so wonderful to see progress being made. Soon we will be home - sleeping in our own beds, with our things in their rightful places. Maybe, just maybe we will be able to settle down into some sort of rhythm for our new life.
I can't wait for the day.
The Momma
The Momma
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Episode 2
Thursday marked the second day of re-construction on our house. We got there after dark and we could hardly see anything that they had done. We just pointed the camera and let the flash do the work.
Here is the basement where they have punched out some blocks and braced the side of the house in preparation for removing the wall.
The basement was pitch black when we took this picture so this is the first time I have seen this. It took me forever to realize that the different colored blocks are where the stairs were.
Here is the side of the house where they have started to remove the bricks.
You can see the holes where the braces are coming through from the basement.
They are power washing the bricks and saving them to put back on the wall. Here is the nice neat stack.
This is the rubble from the few blocks they have removed.
The next episode: excavation.
But first, here's a peak at a place so horrible, so foul that only adults with nerves of steal and an iron stomach should view....
Are you ready for it?
Be strong....
AAAAAHHHHHH. oh the horror. I can't look. Hide my eyes.
The Momma
Here is the basement where they have punched out some blocks and braced the side of the house in preparation for removing the wall.
The basement was pitch black when we took this picture so this is the first time I have seen this. It took me forever to realize that the different colored blocks are where the stairs were.Here is the side of the house where they have started to remove the bricks.
You can see the holes where the braces are coming through from the basement.
They are power washing the bricks and saving them to put back on the wall. Here is the nice neat stack.
This is the rubble from the few blocks they have removed.
The next episode: excavation.
But first, here's a peak at a place so horrible, so foul that only adults with nerves of steal and an iron stomach should view....
Are you ready for it?
Be strong....
AAAAAHHHHHH. oh the horror. I can't look. Hide my eyes.
The Momma
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Life in the Compound
As I am the only 'outsider' I occasionally get asked what its like living in the Belbeck/Morlan compound.
I do have a little experience in this area. Josh and I lived here for a month three years ago when lightning struck and burned our apartment. And if you had asked me this even two weeks ago, I would have said that I wouldn't do it again. Don't get me wrong, I will always be thankful for the completely unselfish way they opened up their home to us, but we had some rough patches. There were space issues, communication gaps, and relational speed bumps that made it a little tricky at times.
But this time around, it feels different. Admittedly we are only a week and a half into this and there are many more days ahead, but things have changed. This situation is not as stressful, I have grown up a little (I like to think so anyway), there is an extra bathroom (you try living through 11 people sharing two bathrooms and trying to get out of the house at the same time every day), and there are no ants. But I think the two biggest changes are that we have learned to communicate a little better and there is Noah. I literally have to fight off the hoards who want to love on and adore my son. He is the bright spot in all of our days. My in-laws absolutely love having him here 24/7 and I love watching him be adored.
I also am learning to appreciate the little things a lot more. I have two wise Mommas who model daily what a mother should be. I have a sister-in-law who happily displaces her son and his clothing obsession to make my life more comfortable and organized. I have a mother-in-law who does my laundry. I have five sets of little hands willing to help and hold. I have a father-in-law who plays hide and seek with my dog.
So life in the compound continues to be fun, and busy, and loud, and crazy, and tiring, and stressful, and time-crunched, and uplifting, and messy. But I think that's the way God intended life to be. At least that is the way He intended this phase of my life to be. While I miss my home and the quiet routine of my days, I truly enjoy the company of my in-laws. How many people can say that with absolute honesty? And this time around, I enjoy living with them too.
The Momma
I do have a little experience in this area. Josh and I lived here for a month three years ago when lightning struck and burned our apartment. And if you had asked me this even two weeks ago, I would have said that I wouldn't do it again. Don't get me wrong, I will always be thankful for the completely unselfish way they opened up their home to us, but we had some rough patches. There were space issues, communication gaps, and relational speed bumps that made it a little tricky at times.
But this time around, it feels different. Admittedly we are only a week and a half into this and there are many more days ahead, but things have changed. This situation is not as stressful, I have grown up a little (I like to think so anyway), there is an extra bathroom (you try living through 11 people sharing two bathrooms and trying to get out of the house at the same time every day), and there are no ants. But I think the two biggest changes are that we have learned to communicate a little better and there is Noah. I literally have to fight off the hoards who want to love on and adore my son. He is the bright spot in all of our days. My in-laws absolutely love having him here 24/7 and I love watching him be adored.
I also am learning to appreciate the little things a lot more. I have two wise Mommas who model daily what a mother should be. I have a sister-in-law who happily displaces her son and his clothing obsession to make my life more comfortable and organized. I have a mother-in-law who does my laundry. I have five sets of little hands willing to help and hold. I have a father-in-law who plays hide and seek with my dog.
So life in the compound continues to be fun, and busy, and loud, and crazy, and tiring, and stressful, and time-crunched, and uplifting, and messy. But I think that's the way God intended life to be. At least that is the way He intended this phase of my life to be. While I miss my home and the quiet routine of my days, I truly enjoy the company of my in-laws. How many people can say that with absolute honesty? And this time around, I enjoy living with them too.
The Momma
Reconstruction: Episode 1
It has been a week and a half since the truck hit our house. Today, reconstruction finally began. I met Contractor Josh today at 8am to give him a key and a release form to start tearing up our house - apparently he just can't start whacking at my walls willy-nilly, he has to follow procedures and precautions.
I am really impressed with Contractor Josh. He seems to be genuinely out for our best interest. While he was there today, he pointed out our basement door to the handyman and asked him to fix it. The door was not damaged in the accident, it was already messed up when we moved in. He has even thrown a few things into the project that weren't on the house but are the best things for it and will make it better. He has really gone above and beyond in making sure we are taken care of.
Anyway... Today begins the undoing - undoing the electric/wiring on the damaged side of the house...
and removing the broken stairs...
Wow, with the stairs gone, you can really see the damage to the wall.
But first things first, they had to install the port-a-potty. Those guys have their priorities straight.
Even though I consider port-a-potties disgusting and normally avoid them like the Black Plague, I am documenting this whole process and since this was the progress I saw today you get to see it too. But I'll try not to discuss the pot too much...
The dumpster arrived shortly thereafter, followed by the pod to keep our things safe while an entire wall of our house is gone.
During this whole process I was upstairs puttering around. Raleigh Dog decided it was a good time to make a break for it and ran down the broken stairs and slipped out the basement door which I had forgot was open. She's a speedy little sucker. I proceeded to curse her name as I chased her around several of my neighbors yards. Again, it was a cat that saved the day by distracting her enough so I could catch her. This is the third day in a row that she has got loose and the third day in a row that we have caught her because she was cornering a cat. Poor dog, this is the only excitement she gets these days.
Here are my toes after traipsing through dew covered grass, dirt and gravel driveways in really impractical but cute flip flops.
Look how repentant Raleigh Dog is... the little stinker.
Today's adventure in reconstruction is over and while not much visible progress was made, I feel better. My house is on its way to being healed and Raleigh and I got a little exercise too boot. Tomorrow begins another adventure in undoing: removing the brick but even scarier than that - unpacking my basement.
Good luck boys. I am glad its you and not me.
The Momma
Overseer of All Things Construction
I am really impressed with Contractor Josh. He seems to be genuinely out for our best interest. While he was there today, he pointed out our basement door to the handyman and asked him to fix it. The door was not damaged in the accident, it was already messed up when we moved in. He has even thrown a few things into the project that weren't on the house but are the best things for it and will make it better. He has really gone above and beyond in making sure we are taken care of.
Anyway... Today begins the undoing - undoing the electric/wiring on the damaged side of the house...
and removing the broken stairs...
Wow, with the stairs gone, you can really see the damage to the wall.But first things first, they had to install the port-a-potty. Those guys have their priorities straight.
Even though I consider port-a-potties disgusting and normally avoid them like the Black Plague, I am documenting this whole process and since this was the progress I saw today you get to see it too. But I'll try not to discuss the pot too much...
The dumpster arrived shortly thereafter, followed by the pod to keep our things safe while an entire wall of our house is gone.
During this whole process I was upstairs puttering around. Raleigh Dog decided it was a good time to make a break for it and ran down the broken stairs and slipped out the basement door which I had forgot was open. She's a speedy little sucker. I proceeded to curse her name as I chased her around several of my neighbors yards. Again, it was a cat that saved the day by distracting her enough so I could catch her. This is the third day in a row that she has got loose and the third day in a row that we have caught her because she was cornering a cat. Poor dog, this is the only excitement she gets these days.
Here are my toes after traipsing through dew covered grass, dirt and gravel driveways in really impractical but cute flip flops.
Look how repentant Raleigh Dog is... the little stinker.
Today's adventure in reconstruction is over and while not much visible progress was made, I feel better. My house is on its way to being healed and Raleigh and I got a little exercise too boot. Tomorrow begins another adventure in undoing: removing the brick but even scarier than that - unpacking my basement.Good luck boys. I am glad its you and not me.
The Momma
Overseer of All Things Construction
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