The Restoration Project

Last week, I shared with you a powerful analogy that one of you had given about our crises situations, and how it seemed like an earthquake had nearly destroyed our "house".  Yet, you believed that we would be able to rebuild because of the Foundation that we had built over the past 30 years.


I need to tell you that the Lord truly used that analogy to give us hope.  Yes. He. Did.  The Lord used it as a prophetic vision for us ... something that we could picture ... something that we could talk about ... something that we could hold on to ... something that we could use to look forward ... to set goals ...




For the past couple of months, I have been dreading this past weekend.  Sunday was our 29th anniversary, and I truly did not see that we had anything to celebrate.


For the past couple of weeks, Jim has mentioned several times that he wanted to "get away and play" for our anniversary.  Sadly, I had no desire to "get away" or to "play" with my husband.  There was too much hurt ... too much pain ... and not nearly enough conversation and communication the past several months.  I couldn't imagine going away to "play" and pretending that everything was fine.  As you know, I am not a Fairytale type of person (pretending life is all butterflies and daisies).




Then ... the LORD worked.


Last week, Carissa & Hosanna bought us a gift card to my favorite Italian restaurant and just plain informed me that Dad and I needed to go out to dinner ... and they would watch the kids.


Okay.


What can I really say when a gift card is handed to me and I'm told to go out?


So, Jim and I went out to eat on Thursday evening.


We talked.


We ate.


We talked.


We ate.


We talked.


We drove to the waterfront.


We talked.


We walked.


We held hands.


We talked.


We walked.


We talked.


We kissed.


We talked.




And ... it was GOOD.






Now ... I was ready to plan a time away ... to play.


We couldn't make any plans in advance because we didn't know the Big Kids' work schedules.  But, when they found out that they weren't working on Sunday, I got right down to making some plans.


Jim and I snuck away for a quick 24 hours.  We didn't go very far from home.  But ... we had FUN together.  Yes. We. Did.


We stayed at a hotel.  
(Thank You, Jesus, for the extra painting jobs!)


We sat in the hot tub.


We went shopping in a little town we'd never visited before, that is FILLED with Antique Shops.


We found the "perfect" old window frame that I've been looking for for 3 years (for a photography project).


We went to another little town on the waterfront, and walked down to the beach.


We sat in the sun.


We talked about FUN stuff.


We dreamed together.


We watched the ferry boats.
(which has, this year, brought up HARD memories,
 but I was able to enjoy it this time)


Yes.


Jim and I had more FUN together than we have had in 2 very long years.


We are filled with HOPE for our future.


We are ready to move forward with our REBUILDING project (even though we know it will take a lot of hard work to get where it needs to be).


We are PRAISING JESUS for the work that HE has already done.




Thank YOU for all of your prayers!!!




I just want you all to know ...

I LOVE MY HUSBAND!!!

"Happy 29th Anniversary, Jim.

Let's make the next 30 years

even better than the last."