Excellence Awards

Some of you may remember the news letter I posted this past Christmas about all of the changes that happened in our lives the past few years. It's been a journey that started out extremely difficult and now here we are in a totally different space in our lives. At the time we went through the myriad of changes; the job situation, church situation, move, etc. all we could see was what was going on around us. We had only a tiny bit of hope to hold onto - Jesus. He was the only thing keeping us afloat amidst the rejection, hurt, job loss, and trials. We lost everything, and then we were kicked while we were down. Looking back now I can't believe we survived in tact honestly! But we did, and ever since then we have been amazed to see God's faithful love and blessings.

So, fast forward to life now. The other week Ron was nominated for four excellence awards at his work. He got two awards in one category, service, one in excellence, and one in justice. He was the only one in both hospitals, (of hundreds of employees), to get 4 awards! He was also the only one to get awards in three categories! I'm SO proud of him!! It was a truly healing moment for him I believe, mainly because of all of the hurtful things that were spoken over him and the way he was treated in the past. Now the people at his current job love him. They respect him and look to him for answers knowing he is an honest man full of integrity. They don't doubt him or judge him harshly. All of this is a huge confirmation to us that we did the right thing in the decisions we made in the past.

God has provided financially for us as well. Ron has already been given one promotion after he had only worked on the job for a year. Not only that, but we've been showered with amazing gifts we couldn't have afforded - mainly from Ron's co-workers. God gave us a beautiful house, (for a great price), and garden that we've been able restore. I never would have imagined in a million years that we would own a gorgeous historical home like this! If you know me you know I love all things antique, so it's my dream house in every way.

We've also been blessed with new friends. Friends who love us no matter what, who we can trust. They are supportive and loving and have brought much healing into our lives. They're true friends and I'm so grateful for them!

It's been a few years since our lives imploded, and it isn't until recently that I feel the liberty to speak freely about it all. I think part of it is that I was working through everything, sorting through my feelings and pain, my issues. Only now I can see how God has blessed us for the difficult decisions we made when everyone opposed us, and it is extremely healing. All along He spoke to us, guiding us and showing us that we were following Him. I have to say it's all been worth it when I see how much better our lives are now. When I see my husband loving his job and being treated with respect I feel such happiness.

I know all of these blessings in our lives are because of God's grace. I don't say these things to gloat, or to boast, but to show that God is faithful and true to His word. He doesn't leave us hanging, but He restores our lives in amazing ways. Instead of our lives being cursed we've been blessed. Beauty has come from ashes.

We're Alive - A Quick Re-Cap

Dear Blogging World,

My deepest apologies for disappearing for almost a month. There's been way too much going on to keep up with you. Firstly, our construction is officially done - wohooo!! Our house looks fantastic, and I never want to have to do this again. It is well worth it, but quite the process, and has been a part time job for me this past year. Now I almost don't know quite what to do with myself! ;)

Sarah's 6th grade science project took up most of the past week or so. It turned out great and she aced it and may be going to county. Her topic was soil saturation. She has also added another ballet class and she now has 6 dance classes per week. It's hard to keep up with this girl! Ron has been gardening to his heart's content these past few weeks. He put up a fence, made a pond, made another raised bed, and planted seeds. I am a blessed woman! Justin's latest joy is digging holes in the yard with the mini shovel Ron bought him. Our yard is now the holiest yard in the county!

I recently joined a women's international justice group and LOVE it!! We meet monthly to discuss global justice issues. Last week we saw a film on Guatemala's history, and it also discussed a town in Guatemala which grows fair trade coffee as its industry. I get to host next month and can't wait to introduce my topic - more to come on that. I haven't gotten a lick of sewing done lately, (true confessions!), but now that things are mellowed out a bit I plan to get some major headway.

So, that's the month in a nut shell. I hope to be more regular with the posts now!

Here's a few pics of life the past month:

Front shot of our finished home sweet home.

Sarah out at the beach getting a sand sample.

Raised Bed #2 - broccoli and potatoes will grow in this one. Ron gets all of his soil for free now! He found a guy who gets rid of his regularly, wohoo!

Another one of Ron's free scores. A bath tub which he has made into a little pond with a sitting bench. The wood is redwood and he got it for free also from a foundation tear down.

The fence Ron made separating the front yard from the back yard. Now Justin can play safely in the back yard. The kitties have a door they can use to get through the yards too!

Caps to Cap Hatien Project

Today I ran across an amazing opportunity posted one of the blogs I follow, Soulemama. The writer of the blog is partnering with a US agency called Konbit Sande who is working to save lives and improve health care in Northern Haiti. Here are some statistics from this area:

Just 1 in 5 women receives skilled medical care during childbirth.
Haiti has the highest maternal mortality ratio in the Western Hemisphere.
1 in 40 women will die as a result of pregnancy complications, unsafe abortion, or obstetrical emergency.
Twelve percent of children die before the age of 5.

Konbit Sande is assembling safe birthing kits to be donated to birthing women in this area. These kits - consisting of plastic sheeting, hand sanitizer, a sterile piece of string and razor blade, and these newborn baby caps - have the potential to reduce infant and maternal mortality, and give babies a safer, healthier start.

So how can we as crafters help? If you go to this site you can down load a tutorial to sew a simple knit baby cap for these kits. From what I know babies who have low temperatures at birth are at a higher risk for sickness and even death. Making and giving these babies caps could save lives! What an incredible way to use the gift of craft for helping others who are less fortunate than us.

So this crafter is going to do some sewing in the next few weeks for the cause of global justice! Let's use our gift of craft to change the world - one cap at a time!

http://www.soulemama.com/mama_to_mama/

Sing Louder!

Ron sent out a bulletin today on My Space. I thought it was so profound I would post it here:

During World War Two there were churches near the train tracks in many German towns. Trains full of
condemned Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals, and the retarded passed by at all hours of the day, every day. The Sunday service would often be interrupted by the cries of desperation from the boxcars full of those on their way to the gas chambers and death camps. It is reported that as the trains passed and the cries were noticed the organ would strike up a hymn and the people would begin to sing. If the sound from outside overcame them an encouragement to “Sing Louder!” was called out.

I say this not to condemn people of faith for errors of the past, but to recognize that those who have been given much have much required of them.
If one sees an offence to God and Humanity and does nothing then is there any difference from those who honored the call to “Sing Louder!” ?

Be the change that makes a difference in your community.


Ron