I’m finding its getting a little bit harder to write about what’s going on within the Into the Light Ministry Home. We’re getting closer each week to completing the renovations but we still have a ways to go.

This is a home with a a nice size yard, partial privacy fence, a couple of large trees that need to be removed. The one in the back yard is rotted and really needs to be removed and one in the front yard has all these little balls that cover the yard and driveway (Sweet Gum tree?) and are a danger to anyone who steps on them. Its like trying to walk across a yard full of marbles and since safety is a large factor, that tree’s gotta’ go!

Inside we still have sliding glass doors to replace, an attic with little if any insulation, cabinet doors that have now been hung but need to be adjusted, front steps and a walk way that is yet to be done, (the rest of the concrete edging to be finished for the front flower garden once the steps are installed) A shower door that has to be replaced, a vanity that needs to be replaced, and – okay, I think you get the picture. We are getting closer, I think.

With the heat wave we are having, as I have said before, I want to make sure all the new plants stay healthy and happy. I went this morning and to my chagrin found my hose strung out to the back yard. It was partially rolled on the hose roller-upper —-with a nice hole ripped in it!

When Gerri showed up early in the morning to finish up the laundry she found a river flowing to the street. Someone from the day before left the outside water running and with a nozzle on the hose the pressure built so great that it burst a hole in the hose.

I was not a happy camper! So today, in 95 degree heat, I was trying to fix the hose so I could water. Flex Tape, I learned rather quickly, does not work on hoses. Long story short, 2 trips back and forth from my house to the ministry house (14 miles one way) and another trip to Home Depot, I was finally able to water and replace the hose with the hole in it.

Hot, sweaty, and tired, I came home. And yes, it took me a couple of hours to cool down, in more ways than just from the heat. I must tell you that there’s more going on than just a hole in a hose that causes me to limit what I feel comfortable writing. I’m finding myself getting more frustrated, anxious, and sleeping less which makes it more difficult to write about what’s happening. Starting a new ministry isn’t all its cracked up to be.

I’ll be praying about writing only once a week instead of twice. We’re getting closer to starting on the administration type things that have to be put in place before we can bring any women into the home. Once the renovations are done then we have to furnish the home and get our “ducks in a row” regarding rules, regulations, do’s and don’t’s, jobs, etc. etc, etc.

Will the Lord continue to help me write these posts or is it best to cut back?

Stay tuned, and I’ll let you know.

Blessings to you.

Into the Light Ministry

http://www.intothelightga.com

For most of last week we were sweltering from above normal temperatures for this time of year and from what I understand we, in Georgia, are not alone. Saturday evening I drove over to the ministry home to water the plants and found a couple of the Azalea’s wilting, oh so thirsty even though I water regularly.

Looking at the sad bushes as I poured water on them and the other plants I thought about how we, as Christians, can also become wilted in our faith. So much evil in this world and the only way we can become “watered” is by going to the Holy “well;” Jesus and His word, for the “Living Water” to sustain us.

Walking into the home my spirit wilted just a little more. I was so hoping to see the living room cleared of all the outdoor patio furniture but there it sat. Looking down the hallway I see some of the mattresses and box springs, each piece a full 18 inches deep, all stacked neatly in a bedroom on top of one of the “Psych. beds”. (Yes, the 2 beds are still there.) “Do they even make sheets that will fit?” was my thought as I turned my attention to going back outside to roll up the 100 foot hose before leaving.

Pastor came today and finished the cabinet doors and painted the cabinets to match the doors. That wasn’t planned originally but after painting the doors, the paint was a different shade of white than the pure white of the cabinets. I don’t know at this point if he was able to hang the doors back up today or not, but I sure hope the dishes and kitchen ware are paint free.

Gerri is busy finishing up washing the blankets and sheets. Holy cow are there a mess of both! She’s spent 3 whole days just washing all that stuff. After all of that work she examined what she’d washed —– and wilted!

The sheets, most of them, and a couple of blankets, are ending up at the Animal Shelter near us. Many of the sheets have big bleach splotches from whomever donated them originally. Some of the blankets were so yucky we didn’t even want to wash them and ended up in the trash, and a couple that were kind of okay went to keep the fur babies warm.

I’ll be going back this evening to “drown” the plants. We’re expecting 101-102 temperatures for the next 2 days and then 90’s and I’m determined to not let those plants wilt in this heat wave.

What will I find when I return? Will the plants be okay and patio furniture gone?

See ya’ next time for the answer.

Blessings to you;

Into the Light Ministry

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

Boy howdy has He ever, and in more ways than one. We spent Tuesday at the ministry house working, and thank you Lord for air conditioning. Gerri was scrubbing cabinets down, the outside of them was covered in grease and grime. Having taken my step ladder she was able to reach the upper parts that she couldn’t reach the day before.

I donned my hat and sweat band and finally got after the cement edging blocks that have been stacked in the front yard where I was told they’d be moved and weren’t. Hoping none were stolen (praise God none were) I began moving them into the carport out of sight. After attempting to put some in the wheel barrel that was left behind I had to resort to carrying one at a time due to a very flat tire on the wheel barrel, and all in 95 degree heat with a heat index of 105.

Thankfully pastor showed up and helped me move the remainder blocks. I’m proud of him, he didn’t get on me for doing, “what you shouldn’t do!” He’s learning. 🙂 Once we finished I helped him load the back of his pick-up with the kitchen cabinet doors that he was going to spray paint a second coat on in the shade in the back yard. A truck full is easier than lugging 2 at a time around to the back of the house.

How he stayed out in that heat the rest of the day is beyond me. I had to go inside several times before he arrived just to cool down and then back to carrying one block at a time across the yard.

Gerri and I sorted through the bags of blankets and bedding that was left behind and she began washing piles of it. By the time the first load was in the dryer and another started washing I was pooping out fast from only 3 hours sleep the night before and the heat and humidity, plus I was hungry.

She turned the washer and dryer off and we came home, had a bite to eat and she went back to do more laundry and I went to bed. She came home about 5:00 with wonderful news as she drug herself over to the couch. She was pooped!

A visitor came that had never seen the home before and when she saw the outdoor patio furniture in the living room she immediately stated, “I want that furniture! “You do realize that is patio furniture?” “Oh yes! It’s perfect for my patio and I love it!” She knows pastor and told him the same thing.

Gerri is washing and drying more of the stacks of bedding today. I’m staying home and out of the heat. It about did me in yesterday. In checking the sheets she’d washed she discovered they do not fit the mattresses.These mattresses and box springs are really, really thick! The sheets only go down the sides by half.

Now what do we do with a bunch of non-fitting sheets?

Will we finally be able to get rid of the patio furniture and get real living room furniture?

Tune in next time to find out.

Blessings to you,

Into the Light Ministry

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

It is very hot here today and after a sleepless night I stayed home to stay out of this heat. We’re close to 95 degrees with the heat index between 101 and 105. That’s too much for this “elderly” lady, so Gerri went to the ministry home without me this morning to begin washing the blankets that were left behind.

Pastor had left to go see a woman that is called “Granny.” She is over a home similar to what we are doing and has been doing it for 30 + years. What a valuable source of information she has to help us get started and succeed. It was a long drive since her combined 3 homes are on the South Carolina border and from Gainesville, Ga. to there? Oh yeah, that’s a long drive.

When Pastor returned he was almost giddy with all he learned. Gerri filled me in on some of what he reported but I’ll need to hear the full story at another time. While he was gone there was another volunteer at the house and the washer and dryer had not been put back in place as yet so Gerri was able to clean both of them inside and out.

Once finished with that she moved on to cleaning the outside of the kitchen cabinets while Mr. volunteer was putting the base coat on the cabinet doors. They were so yucky that we had to take all the doors off and strip them. So those should be ready to paint hopefully tomorrow or maybe next week. There are a lot of them since drawers are included.

The refrigerator has been turned on and now cold drinks can be enjoyed while working. A bathroom sink was freed up from a huge ball of hair that was down in the drain and a light fixture installed in the hallway.

Its nice to be able to give you a positive update and with the info. pastor gleaned from “Granny” to be able to look forward to a more positive means of helping these women. Having already tested and tried rules, regulations, and boundaries in place, knowing what works and what doesn’t work, what to look for, etc. is absolutely an asset to any ministry such as this.

As I’ve stated early on, this is new to pastor and even though I led support groups for 14 years and had the Angel Ministry and then Elah Ministry for several years, there is much with this ministry that is new to me, also.

The one thing I do know is, that I for one, will follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit in every step. That is the only way the support groups, individual ministry, and all that my ministry did was through seeking the Holy Spirit for advice, what He wanted taught, purchased, who came to me for ministry, and who He sent to move in with me, etc.

This is a learning process for both pastor and I, but with the Holy Spirit’s guidance we can do it and do it as the Lord wishes it to be done, if we seek Him and listen to Him. Tomorrow the washer and dryer will be back in their “cubby hole” and we’ll be there in the morning to start doing laundry.

Will there be more good news?

See ya’ next time and blessings to you.

Into the Light Ministry

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

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