I talked with pastor and as usual his schedule is packed. We had the guest pastor speaking for Pentecost Sunday and pastor also had a funeral last week and another this week along with meetings and all the other pastoral duties. So only a small amount has been accomplished this week as far as the renovations are concerned.

But…

I learned that if we decide to go with cement style front steps and use cinder blocks he has been offered the blocks free. What we’re talking about is using cinder blocks to form the steps and then the blocks are covered with regular cement to hold everything together.

Now we need to find someone who knows how to do that and if, since cement is supposedly in short supply, we can get someone to donate the cement and the labor, that would be a huge blessing. I am very familiar with mixing cement and pouring, leveling, etc. but pastor is a man, God bless him, that does not believe women should do “men’s work.” Grrrrrr Plus I don’t know how to do what we’re considering doing so I won’t push it. 🙂

We also have someone that will soon be installing the shower door replacement, and someone to paint the cabinet doors that have been taken down in the kitchen. The two bathrooms have been painted now so we can get in there and get those cleaned and hopefully install a new vanity in the master bath.

Are you ready for the big drum roll?

Taaaa daaaa – The Biggest blessing, (to me) is the “psych. beds” are leaving! Praise God and hallelujah. Someone has donated 6 brand new box springs and 6 brand new thick mattresses that are too thick for the beds. They come almost to the top of the metal headboards on the two beds we have. Which means new beds!

We’re not sure right now what we’ll do with the 2 beds but we will either sell them or donate them to another ministry that would be thrilled to get them, or maybe a homeless shelter or a family that needs them. I’m sure the Lord will tell us where they can go to be a blessing.

Please pray we are led by the Lord to new beds that are NOT metal beds!

Did we get the washer and dryer moved? I forgot to ask after hearing about the mattresses and box springs.

More good news coming next time. So stick around. See ya.

Blessing to you.

Into the Light Ministry

To donate and more info: http://www.intothelightga.com

Ain’t it the truth! I don’t know how they do it, the angels that is, (I’m no angel!) but they seem to guide us, guard us, and even step in to give us a helping hand without our even knowing it. That’s been my kind of week.

I had the idea that Saturday morning I would go to the ministry home and water the plants and then haul the rest of the edging blocks into the carport and get them out of the front yard where any passer-by might take the notion to add some to his own garden for free.

But when I woke up Saturday morning I suddenly felt that I have neglected my own yard for way too long while working at the ministry home. Now I don’t know if it was an angel or the Holy Spirit that put the gabash to my original plan or not, but I found myself having 26 bags of Cypress mulch loaded into the back of my SUV at Home Depot.

That took care of the biggest part of Saturday for me. Donning my sweat band, my Acapulco hat, jeans, and a top that would allow me a little suntan I got to work. And I worked all day. I have several large flower gardens around my home and 26 bags of mulch covers only about half of what I need to cover. With a sunburn I finally finished and only 25 more bags will finish the job for this year.

Having said all that is getting around to telling you that I haven’t spoken with pastor about what he has accomplished today, if he was working at the house. I did notice the broken down old riding mower that was in the back yard has disappeared the last time I was there. I know not where it disappeared to but good riddance.

The washer and dryer were still in the middle of the floor my last trip over to water but other than that, I haven’t a clue what all he has accomplished since my last visit. I know he’s been busy and I have been tied up with various appointments also. Sunday we had a guest pastor for Pentecost Sunday so there was no chance of any conversation with pastor.

I wonder what I will find in the next few days after the rain goes away. Yeah, we’re predicted rain the next 3 days, so no trips to go water flowers or to finish my task of mulching my own gardens.

Will the washer and dryer be back in their closet and ready to use? I hope so.

Blessings to you and see ya’ next time.

Into the Light Ministry

To donate: http://www.intothelightga.com

It seems as though the renovations are taking forever to get get done but as I’ve stated before, any time a new ministry is started that involves a home, office, or whatever it takes time to get the repairs and changes done.

We’ve made much progress and yet there’s more to do. I just came back from watering the flower garden. We are having 90 degree heat and rain has been sparse this week. Walking into the home I stopped just inside the door.

Holy cow! It reminded me of when we had just started. The washing machine and dryer is sitting in the middle of the floor, a long piece of equipment that cuts the trim corners stretches along a side of the room, a huge box filled with trash is among the scattered outdoor furniture that will be used as living room furniture, and the door-less cabinets are exposing the dishes we have put away. The counter tops are loaded with this, that, and the other. I won’t even attempt to try to clean up that mess.

Seeing the washer and dryer in the middle of the floor gave me hope though and I soon discovered the laundry room has been painted and its ceiling has been finished. Yay. Now maybe we can reinstall the washer and dryer and get the left behind blankets, sheets, etc. that we originally found piled in black bags in the laundry room, washed and put away.

Walking into the master bedroom I see the other “psych. bed” has been put together and graces one corner of the room. The shower door still needs to be installed, but all in due time. One of the wire basket towers is sitting near a wall. I was assured there will be a dresser and/or chest of drawer in each bedroom.

I’m pleased to see more has been accomplished even though the living room and kitchen area looks like a hurricane hit it. That’s to be expected. We’re moving forward and that’s what counts.

After watering the plants I cleaned up a bunch of trash left in the carport and headed for home. Sunday, when I see pastor I will learn what else he accomplished while there this past Tuesday. I did see a ladder by the old shed and noticed an air hose roll up thing was gone that was attached to the shed.

Is that an indication that the old shed will start being torn down now?

See ya’ next time.

Blessings to you.

Into the Light Ministry

To donate: http://www.intothelightga.com

This has been a tough week for all of us I think. Today is Memorial Day as I write this and we honor those who gave everything that we all can live in freedom here within the United States of America. I’ve been thinking of the families of those who sacrificed their very lives for us. It also reminds me of how Christ sacrificed His very life on the cross to set us free from the penalty of our sins.

My mind is also in turmoil in trying to comprehend how an 18 year old boy can walk into a school loaded down with thousands of rounds of ammunition with the sole evil intend of murdering as many young children as he can. I just cannot comprehend anger, hatred, and evil such as that. An evil heart is what kills; not a knife, rocks, ropes, poisons, or guns.

Its been a week of grieving all those who have lost their lives; some for the love of country, and others who died because of a demonic lust for blood. My heart hurts for all the families and my prayers are with them. Life continues and we pray, we grieve, and we try to make sense of all that is happening in this crazy mixed up world.

Some of us become more determined to help others that have experienced evil first hand. That’s what our Into the Light Home is about. This week has been a time of mixed emotions but our work has continued. Mr. Handyman came and when I went to the house today to water the newly planted flower garden I found the refrigerator water line has been installed and the frig. is ready to be filled, (after its plugged in and needed.) The stove is working beautifully, and the dishwasher has also been fully installed waiting for the first load of dirty dishes.

New bathroom (over the mirror) lights have been installed in both bathrooms and even in the shower in the main bath. Boy those rooms are bright now! A shower door has been donated and will soon be replacing the old broken one.

In talking with Pastor I learned there is little insulation in the attic so we’re going to have to have that insulated, we still have the sliding glass doors to replace, and windows replaced, but we’re getting there. I’m waiting on a decision about cement steps to the front door or wooden steps. I prefer cement due to the home being brick and no maintenance. But it isn’t my decision.

Pastor will be spending the day doing whatever he has planned and for me, I’ll be kicking back for a bit. Well, maybe I’ll go plant the Rose of Sharon’s in the back yard. I need to get those in the ground pretty soon.

I hope you all have had a safe Memorial Day holiday and have remembered, our freedom did not come easy or free.

Blessings to you.

Into the Light Ministry

To donate: http://www.intothelightga.com

Praise be to God the rain has held off for at least the first part of the day and I’m taking full advantage of it. The shovels and tools are loaded and I’m off to finish what I started Saturday. With just a short distance from the front corner to the end of the house corner it shouldn’t take long to complete the largest section of the flower garden edging.

I needed to be at the ministry house by 9:00 to meet the handyman. Pastor may get tied up so I arrived at 8:30 and just as I was taking the shovels out Mr. handyman pulled in. I’m glad I got there early. Soon after pastor pulled up and while they discussed what needed to be done I got busy playing in the mud.

I was right, it didn’t take me long and the ground being softened by the rain certainly helped in digging and moving dirt around.

Once I finished, pastor and I had the talk we needed to have. No, after our discussion, we are not compromising our dream. We agree on 97% of what we are doing and what we want to do. With more than one person making decisions there will be disagreements but they can be worked out. My main concern now is about the furnishings and of course men see differently on those kinds of decisions than women. Men are happy with an apple crate, a T.V., and a sleeping bag. Women NOT! (you know I’m right. ha ha)

I confess, the one question survey I posted really surprised me! I expected the women to chime in with, “Oh yuck! Outdoor furniture as living room furniture? No way!” The men basically said, “If its comfortable, that’s fine.” (which this is not!) Next time I’ll think a little longer before doing a survey. ha ha

Anyway, things are going more smoothly. By the end of this day the gas stove will be connected (it was before I left), the dishwasher was being set up for installing, and the water line (hopefully) will be completed to the frig. ice maker. Pastor was working on replacing a bathroom door that looked like someone had kicked a hole in.

Pastor and I both agree we’re on the last stretch of the renovations. We’re seeing the end of the tunnel and no, it isn’t the trains headlight. We’ll begin to focus a little more on the furnishings now. Rather than have hodge-podge donations brought in, we’d much rather have the “green back” donations so we can purchase what we feel the ladies are worthy of having; a nicely furnished home that they can be proud to call home for the year they will be there.

I ain’t proud – We need the money to purchase what we need. Please prayerfully consider whatever the Lord leads you to give.

Pastors favorite – M-I-L-L-I-O-N would be nice. 🙂

To donate: http://www.intothelightga.com And it is tax deductible.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

The work clothes are washed and ready for next time. Will the front steps be installed? Will I get to finish the rest of the front garden edging? Then what?

Blessings to you and see ya’ next time.

Into the Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

More has been done as pastor spent two days working and praise God he had a volunteer to help. When I arrived Friday afternoon to wait for the edging blocks. (Don’t you hate those 4 hour windows these companies give to arrive?) I walked through the house and saw a new light hanging over where the kitchen table will be, some new ceiling fans, the laundry room ceiling has been replaced but not quite finished, and entering a bedroom there are some tower kind of wire baskets sitting near the bottom of the closet. Hopefully they are not to replace a dresser or chest of drawers, is my thought.

A metal twin bed has been put together and another still in the box on the floor. Gazing at the bed a past image enters my mind and I’m seeing beds lined along the walls of a ward in the mental psych hospital in Phoenix, Arizona where I was employed while working my way through college. Shaking my head to dispel the mental image, I hear a truck outside and tear out the door to accept the edging blocks as the driver steps out of the truck.

Pastor and I need a meeting. Medal beds, a tower of wire baskets in the closet, and outdoor patio furniture in a living room is not what our original vision included. These women deserve better. Making one more trip through the house to make sure I saw what I thought I saw, I left with mixed emotions after the driver pulled away, but happy to see the flat of cement edging blocks.

Saturday morning I arrived early with my work clothes on, my sweat band and hat, a cooler with plenty of water and a small lunch. I knew this was going to take a while. Retrieving the shovels and tools from the back of my car, I’m ready to start the job that I’ve been waiting to do for several weeks.

The morning is cool and I’ve worked in the shade but by the time three hours have passed, with a couple of breaks to rest and hydrate, the sun is beginning to shine on the area I’m working on and its getting hot and I’m getting tired.

Standing back to see what I’ve accomplished I’m amazed. This old gal has succeeded in placing a double high edging the entire length, from where the front steps will be, to the end of the house. I only have about 5-6 feet more to go but the sun has gotten hot and I’ve decided to quit for now.

Looking at my watch while my belly growls, I think its time to rest the old body, eat my sandwich and chips, and drink that cold root beer I brought with me. I’ve done enough for today but boy does it look nice!

We’re expecting rain for a few days so I’ll be back when the rain stops and I have a chance to finish the job…..in the mud.

How long will that take? Hopefully not as long as the weather prediction says.

And please pray for the Lord’s direction for the furnishings for this home.

Blessings to you;

Into the Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

THIS IS ASHLEY CLARE VIEW NUVELLA OUTDOOR PATIO FURNITURE SET.

WOULD YOU PLACE THIS IN YOUR HOME AS LIVING ROOM FURNITURE?

Yes?

No?

You may answer in the comment section.

Thank you and blessings to you.

Into the Light Ministry

To donate or more info: http://www.intothelightga.com

As stated in the last post pastor and 5 volunteers accomplished quite a lot yet there is still more to be done. There was some caulking that needed to be finished, and was, as well as several other needs taken care of. When I arrived pastor had another man volunteering to help him.

I wonder if maybe some of the men may be reading this because I had stated before how pastor was having to do everything himself and “that just ain’t right.” Suddenly he is getting the help he needs and if the men aren’t reading this then it must be the Lord telling them to get off their duffs and give pastor a hand, and they are! Thank you guys and thank you Lord.

Walking up to the carport, pastor and the man are talking about some measurements for the laundry room ceiling. That is one of those repairs that has been left to be done and apparently today is the day to get it done.

I have a dear lady friend that came to visit for a few days from out of town and she is always faithful to help me with whatever project I’m working on, which in this case, as you know, is the flower garden in the front of the ministry home.

We got the mulch straightened out and I planted the 2 Hosta’s that needed to get in the dirt. They look perfect in the spots I put them, after we were able to fill in a good portion of the area that pastor wanted fill dirt for. Digging holes and using that dirt is a blessing. I always use black dirt in the new holes for newly planted plants.

We were then able to make a clearing for the walkway. (mulch had covered the whole area) It still needs to be leveled but I had several square cement pavers under my deck at home that I no longer need and brought them with us. I lined those up to see what they would look like. We’ve decided to use those with pea gravel/rocks around them as the walk way for now. We still need to have the steps to the front door made. So I’m having to work around that.

Pastor and the other man were busy inside. I asked him to come outside to see what I had done and showed him while explaining the next steps. I explained the edger blocks are next, then I’ll level for the walkway, then we’ll do the gravel. (Lord, please don’t let some kind hearted man want to get gravel and spread it before I can get these next steps done in order)

Once pastor approved of the work done and agreed to the plans for the next step my friend and I left before my handy man arrived. I haven’t talked to pastor so I can’t report on whether the gas stove is now connected or if the water line to the refrigerator ice maker has been installed or what else was done. Pastor and the other man were going to be there working all day so I’m sure much was accomplished. I’ll have an update on everything by the week-end and will be sharing that with you next time.

I am so grateful for the help pastor is getting and the work that is being done. He’s really hoping to have 90-95% of the inside renovations done by June. That’s a pretty big dream but hey, the Lord says dream big.

I’ll be there tomorrow afternoon for the delivery of the cement edge blocks and the forecast is still rain! Not just Saturday, but Sunday and Monday, too.

Will I get my project done by June? We’ll see.

Blessings to you.

Into the Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

Yesterday pastor had volunteers at the ministry house helping and they accomplished quite a lot. When I met with pastor this morning he was upbeat and grateful for the work that had been done.

The outside of the home, as you may have noticed from the picture I posted, needed a good cleaning. One of the men pressure washed yesterday and it really looks nice now. While he was washing the outside men were putting up ceiling fans, a new attic drop down stair unit now replaces the dangerous old ones, light switches and electric sockets have been fixed or replaced, and the molding and trim is finished except for a little caulking here and there.

I was approached after church by a couple and was told they were going to Home Depot to buy several bags of mulch for the front flower garden. Gerri and I met them there and I showed them what I wanted and they proceeded to buy them as we left. They said they would deliver them to the house for when I’m ready to put it down.

This morning when I arrived they had not only bought the mulch, but had spread the mulch too, “to save Sue that much work.” Gerri was shocked when I told her because she thought “She’ll blow a gasket!” But I didn’t. I think it was a nice gesture BUT, I need to undo what was mistakenly done, like covering the entire area that pastor was going to fill in with dirt and covering where the walkway will be. No big deal because I’ll be going today to just move the mulch to another area where it’s needed. I’ll now be able to plant the Hosta’s I have that are beginning to fade due to out growing their pots and maybe even plant a couple more Rose of Sharon in the back yard that I have in a pot of dirt.

That nice wooden bird house I bought now has two big holes in the bottom where cottin’ pickin’ carpenter bees got to it. They sure didn’t waste any time! So I’ll be making repairs on that. What really thrills me, besides the work inside that is being accomplished, and even more being done today, is that the cement edging blocks are ordered and will be delivered Friday afternoon. Thank you Lord we didn’t try to load them on pastor’s pick-up and wrestle with that job.

The handy man is coming today so hopefully we’ll have the gas stove hooked up and in position and the water line for the refrigerator ice maker, well that may take some time due to where it has to come from to where it has to go. We’ll see.

Things have really picked up again and if we can keep this kind of pace it will be time to start with the administration part of the ministry, but we aren’t there yet.

Will I get to finally start playing in the dirt again with putting the cement edging blocks down on Saturday ….or will the 60% chance for rain keep me grumbling at home?

See ya’ next time.

Blessings to you,

Into the Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

Not being an early bird, as the saying goes, I woke early and was up and out the door within thirty minutes. Today was an important day. We were expecting a delivery and I needed to be there early. Arriving, pastor was already at the ministry house working inside.

We walked through some of the rooms and he told me about a list he has made of what he wants to get done. Pointing to the broken shower door he explains someone has exactly what we need, the size, frame and all, and is willing to donate it. Hallelujah. After having to replace mine and how expensive it was, that is a real blessing.

He also told me he has five men coming later this week to help him install the ceiling fans, clean duct and heating covers, finish (hopefully) the trim and base boards, and a number of other items that need to be done. A window repairman is scheduled to come look at what needs to be done about some windows and using my landscaper to cut and weed eat the yard. He’s offered to do it free as his contribution to the ministry. Yet another blessing.

Walking around the back yard I pointed out where I plan to plant the other Rose of Sharon bushes and as we walked on the other side of the old storage shed, that we plan to tear down, pastor points out a large hole. “We have a big ground hog in residence and it looks like he’s made another hole.” I chuckled because Gerri and I have seen him several times out the kitchen window while working in the kitchen. I wanted to name him but once the old storage shed is torn down he’ll be moving on. He has his home under it.

I felt more encouraged as we talked and as we stood at the front flower bed I explained my plans for how I will use the edger blocks for the flower garden. He totally surprised me when he said, “Call me Monday morning and I’ll meet you at Home Depot and we’ll get the blocks you need.” Praise God and hallelujah. Now I am encouraged! 🙂

Just as I started to do a little dance the delivery truck arrived. While pastor was talking with them I went to the side of the house to get the hose to water all the flowers. It was not as I had left it! Instead of neatly rolled to make it easy to stretch to where I need it, it was an absolute tangled mess where someone (I’m sure I know who) had just thrown it helter skelter and the next several minutes was spent untangling the mess. Grrrr A hose roller upper thing will be bought next trip to Home Depot!

We checked the manufacturers numbers to make sure we were receiving the cherished items we had ordered and paid for and now sitting in the kitchen is a brand new side by side refrigerator, a brand new dish washer, and a brand new gas 5 burner stove. Oh they look soooo pretty, especially after seeing the old ones.

They are not yet installed because we need to run a water line for the refrigerator ice maker, get a gas cut off safety thingy that was not present, and pastor will install the dishwasher. But the good news is he is willing to hire someone who can do the gas hookups and water line as well as other jobs we need done. And I know just the man! (My handy man)

So after fighting so much frustration these past weeks I am pleased to say, things are really looking up for this week and next. I’ll be playing in the dirt once again, more will have been completed inside the house, and I can still do a happy dance.

Oh, and hopefully the tiny kittens hiding behind the shed will find a happy home.

Blessings to you.

Into the Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com