September 28, 2017

Greetings My Friend,

We have worked hard to get the house in order for when the appraiser came by in regards to the refinancing of our home so it would be presented in its best form. I find having a deadline is great incentive to get done those things you tend to put off doing. We have lived in a state of major and minor chaos for 7 years now due to the renovating. The kitchen has been close to being done for 2 years and to be honest trying to find a place for everything when I don't have enough cupboards, even counter space is difficult. Yesterday when I worked in the kitchen though I started to utilize the space I did have and I found myself getting rather creative. Today the kitchen looks a lot better which makes me happy. Throughout the rest of the house storage space is minimal since there are hardly any closets to put things in such as bed blankets, pillows etc. After a major cleaning like this I usually am surprised at how creative I can get and I start to think that God has given us the challenge of renovation to keep our brains active and sharp. I was also able to rest and get back to work so I was able to accomplish what I set out to do. Junior shared with me that getting a mortgage was not his main goal although getting the mortgage away from the bank we have it at would be nice. The main goal was finding out what needs to be done on the house so that it is in shape to sell although we aren't planning on selling it. He needs a guideline so he can finish the house off right. He chose to get a VA loan because he knows they inspect things more fully. Junior also followed the gentleman around and the gentleman was willing to give him pointers for which I am grateful. I sense God has been with us all throughout this process because each time I stop and look back I can see the lessons we have learned, from understanding more about disabilities and how they work for most people. Junior was in his 60's when he started renovating, which was new to him. He always was able to do some remodeling, wiring even some plumbing although renovation is much more so. I learned he can't move at the rate of an able bodied man, must change directions when his back starts acting up so he never works one project at a time. I wanted to see one room completely finished before he started another room. To his credit though he got the inside livable and comfortable. For me the slow process has allowed me to realign my work habits as I learned to deal with my own disability. At first I sat a lot, was in the way if I moved too much so I slept and got the I needed. When the living areas started opening up more I was able to begin cleaning slowly and was the start of my learning to do old things in new ways work style. Today our home is clean I am able to make meals for us and even to bake, put food up. Just as Junior stops to rest, nap, I too am learning to rest for longer periods giving me better energy to do more than my short rest periods. God taught me/us these things and so much more. We still have things that need to be done, more than likely lessons to learn and I am grateful. This house has also opened up opportunities for us to reach out in ministry by providing small jobs we were able to help employ a few people that were out of work, provide a place for some friends who needed to get away and of course rescue unwanted pets. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet