Do you believe God is still in the business of Miracles? This Girl Does!
In conversations with State Farm, we discovered the furnace repair would not be covered if it is deemed a mechanical failure. An outside source must be cited. The claim would cover the repair of the broken pipes only if the plumbing estimate exceeded our deductible.
The plumbing repair estimate came in $16 less than the deductible.
The HVAC team estimate to repair and/or replace the furnace was just a few thousand dollars {sarcasm}.
Looks like nothing will be covered. All out of pocket expense.
THEN.
The neighbor casually mentions to Mike there was a power outage the week of these happenings.
I call Laclede Electric. A tree branch broke a line!
I submit all invoices and Laclede outage report to State Farm. Say more prayers.
They cover it. They covered all repair expenses in conjunction with our deductible!!
The insurance adjuster actually told me with his own words, "Typically in a situation like this, we require the tree to hit a line on your personal property. But we're going to proceed in this claim to help you all out." To which I replied, "That is because God just answered our prayers. We needed this help and I am SO THANKFUL!!" To which he replied, "Um, yes, well that's good." HA!! Hahahaha!!
Woo! I'm feeling the hugs straight from Heaven.
THEN.
The Same Afternoon - a text from the realtor:
"Say some prayers, I have had several calls on your house this week. Will be showing a few times in the next several days."
No one has looked/called/inquired/cared a diddly squat about our house listing since, oh I can't remember. Months!!
I was able to escape from work a while yesterday, ran down there and made sure everything was perfect, check! Called the plumber with the terrific news and got on his calendar to start the repairs.
THEN.
Today I got another text from the realtor:
"I had another call on your house this morning wanting to look at 11:30"
Can you even stand it?!! I'm just over the moon with joy and praise. I've told anyone standing still for more than one minute and two ears about this MIRACLE.
Seriously. That Happened.
Praise be to God in the Highest. I will praise HIM no matter what happens.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
These are the Days of my Life
Titled appropriately as The House continues to produce Soap Opera dramatic cliffhangers worthy of the Golden Globes (or whatever awards show does daytime TV; I have no idea).
Mike went to check on everything this past Sunday. In this episode, no heat and busted water lines. The water lines broke underground, under the giant concrete porch to be exact. He opened the well house to find water spraying out and several inches all around the ground. He sends me a text at church, "We have a major leak! From pump to house." That is all I got from him until about an hour later. The cell phone coverage is not terrific in the woods. As I kept reminding this to myself over and over again waiting on more information, I could only think of the worst possible scenario. I started crying. A few more texts arrived. A brief conversation. I was supposed to call the insurance company to start a claim, call the plumber, relay information I wasn't entirely clear on. I just cried, most of the day.
But God put a song in my heart.
You Never Let Go by Matt Redman
Even though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle
Of the storms of this life
I won't turn back, I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming
For the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth
Yes, I can see a light that is coming
For the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You
Still I will praise You
I did my best to keep on praising. And when I thought through the promises in the song, I'd cry a little more knowing and acknowledging He is in control.
This is where we Praise and Don't Pout:
The plumber was able to have a conversation with Mike about the pipes with bad cell phone coverage on a Sunday afternoon. The plumber was encouraging and let us know we are not alone. He had 11 other calls on broken water pipes that week. We had taken all proper precautions necessary. The weather just got way too cold, too fast and heated back up, making all matters worse. There was nothing else we could have done to prevent it.
Mike was sensible in the crisis and took care of taking photos, turning off breakers and draining the rest of the water lines.
As far as we know, there is no terrible interior water damage. It's all outside, underground.
Mike found a fruit bar for Beau to eat in the truck. He had not packed food. It was supposed to be a 30min trip, turned into 4 hours.
Beau had the best day ever running around in the woods.
As it is, this turned into a Two-Part episode.
In Part II. I call the HVAC service and let them know The House once again had no heat and PS... the pipes burst. A technician called me Monday afternoon to confirm the furnace had totally failed. It needs to be replaced. In the event we don't replace the furnace, the repair alone is $1150. BUT, get ready for the awesome news = this may be rolled into the insurance claim. It makes perfect sense.
This is where I started giggling. Of course we need to replace the furnace!! How fitting. How timely. Now we can market The House for sale with brand new water lines, pressure tank relocated into the basement and new furnace. You know what that says to me? Wait for it.... SOLD!!
I'm hopeful. Please pray for us that we can provide and claim all the perfect information for a seamless insurance claim and fast repair.
Until the next time, These are the Days of my Life.
Mike went to check on everything this past Sunday. In this episode, no heat and busted water lines. The water lines broke underground, under the giant concrete porch to be exact. He opened the well house to find water spraying out and several inches all around the ground. He sends me a text at church, "We have a major leak! From pump to house." That is all I got from him until about an hour later. The cell phone coverage is not terrific in the woods. As I kept reminding this to myself over and over again waiting on more information, I could only think of the worst possible scenario. I started crying. A few more texts arrived. A brief conversation. I was supposed to call the insurance company to start a claim, call the plumber, relay information I wasn't entirely clear on. I just cried, most of the day.
But God put a song in my heart.
You Never Let Go by Matt Redman
Even though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle
Of the storms of this life
I won't turn back, I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming
For the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth
Yes, I can see a light that is coming
For the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You
Still I will praise You
I did my best to keep on praising. And when I thought through the promises in the song, I'd cry a little more knowing and acknowledging He is in control.
This is where we Praise and Don't Pout:
The plumber was able to have a conversation with Mike about the pipes with bad cell phone coverage on a Sunday afternoon. The plumber was encouraging and let us know we are not alone. He had 11 other calls on broken water pipes that week. We had taken all proper precautions necessary. The weather just got way too cold, too fast and heated back up, making all matters worse. There was nothing else we could have done to prevent it.
Mike was sensible in the crisis and took care of taking photos, turning off breakers and draining the rest of the water lines.
As far as we know, there is no terrible interior water damage. It's all outside, underground.
Mike found a fruit bar for Beau to eat in the truck. He had not packed food. It was supposed to be a 30min trip, turned into 4 hours.
Beau had the best day ever running around in the woods.
As it is, this turned into a Two-Part episode.
In Part II. I call the HVAC service and let them know The House once again had no heat and PS... the pipes burst. A technician called me Monday afternoon to confirm the furnace had totally failed. It needs to be replaced. In the event we don't replace the furnace, the repair alone is $1150. BUT, get ready for the awesome news = this may be rolled into the insurance claim. It makes perfect sense.
This is where I started giggling. Of course we need to replace the furnace!! How fitting. How timely. Now we can market The House for sale with brand new water lines, pressure tank relocated into the basement and new furnace. You know what that says to me? Wait for it.... SOLD!!
I'm hopeful. Please pray for us that we can provide and claim all the perfect information for a seamless insurance claim and fast repair.
Until the next time, These are the Days of my Life.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Lessons from Toddlers
GOALS. We work hard to encourage and facilitate positive behavior in our children. Good manners, kind words, forgiving hearts, helping hands, love and respect one another. We do our best to teach them and guide them to ultimately be amazing adults, honoring the Lord and serving others.
REALITY. I've been told a time or two they do not listen to me. They do not do what I ask of them the 1st time. They respond snarky and sassy. They roll their eyes. They can be sneaky and my precious children have told lies.
CONFESSION: I am not the Greatest Parent Ever. I fail in 100% consistency. Occasionally, I struggle with self control when the littles deliberately disobey. They can make me super mad.
Some days, our family rocks it out with awesomeness. Some days are terrible. The terrible tears at me something fierce. Raising babies is a war against the native sinful nature of humans. I read once, "The ultimate goal of a toddler is to rule the universe". But I have HOPE because I am NOT ALONE. I have the village of amazing family plus friends and God in my Navy.
REVELATION: As I'm trying so hard to teach THEM, these children are also teaching ME.
These are a few of my favorite lessons.
Hear the music and dance. We dance a little jig while waiting in a line, or walking down the aisles. I think hearing the music (that could be easily be tuned out) helps us to seek the positive in any situation - from the mundane boredom of running errands all the way to a dreaded scary medical diagnosis. We must seek and listen to the positive. It is always there, even if in the background.
Eye Spy. It gets us through those times we need to hold still and be quiet for a little bit. I see details I would have otherwise missed. From quirky details tucked on shelves at restaurants to the seven freckles on Beau's nose. Details are easy to breeze through AND easy to see. Snow reminds me of details. Every snowflake is different. The newly falling snow highlights the most beautiful details on the tree limbs and all of nature. I hear God telling me, I care about the details of you too, Carrie Diane Baker Crews. Comfort at it's finest.
Priorities and Excuses. I am guilty of claiming those easy to accept excuses too often... I'm busy sweetheart; Just a minute, I'll hold you in a minute. We need to ____ first. Eww, I hate it about me. In previous posts I've filled us in on my Crackheadedness... the drive to get 3 million things done in a limited time frame. There are times to put it down and there are times for the littles to learn to be patient. I tell them, "Look at my hands, are they busy right now? I can ____ when I'm not driving across town in the snow." It is a lesson for both of us to be receptive to the situation. She needs to understand I cannot help her with a handstand when I'm cooking fudge on the stove and I need to remember I can put down the laundry and tape the ripped page in a book. The key is finding the sweet spot of helping each other. The key is also prioritizing and listening for the Holy Spirit. Sometimes that voice stops you in your tracks and sometimes it's full speed ahead on the God's Will Train.
Downtime. We are a family on the go. But I have learned (from the children and Mike) they need/want/must have/require downtime with us rocking in our chairs or snuggled together in their beds reading before nigh-night time. This downtime just puts so much more peace in our house. When we get home late and things are just off; woo it's no bueno. There is an intimacy of family just being next to one another and God needs/wants/must have/requires AND IS WORTHY of your time as well.
Forgiving. When they get in trouble, they reach for a hug right away. I can see their chocolate truffle eyes searching and needing forgiveness in mine. I do my best to say the words, "I forgive you. Let's try again." We talk about God's grace. The babies are so quick to forgive, they want to move on, get over it. Put that in your back pocket. It is a good way to roll.
Helpful: What Our Kids Really Hear When We Yell And then there's this to read: The Important Thing About Yelling Good stuff.
So these are things I'm learning and working on lately. Goals are good. Reality is a cousin of Missouri weather. Unpredictable. I'm going to keep on trucking, even though my 4-wheel drive isn't working.
REALITY. I've been told a time or two they do not listen to me. They do not do what I ask of them the 1st time. They respond snarky and sassy. They roll their eyes. They can be sneaky and my precious children have told lies.
CONFESSION: I am not the Greatest Parent Ever. I fail in 100% consistency. Occasionally, I struggle with self control when the littles deliberately disobey. They can make me super mad.
Some days, our family rocks it out with awesomeness. Some days are terrible. The terrible tears at me something fierce. Raising babies is a war against the native sinful nature of humans. I read once, "The ultimate goal of a toddler is to rule the universe". But I have HOPE because I am NOT ALONE. I have the village of amazing family plus friends and God in my Navy.
REVELATION: As I'm trying so hard to teach THEM, these children are also teaching ME.
These are a few of my favorite lessons.
Hear the music and dance. We dance a little jig while waiting in a line, or walking down the aisles. I think hearing the music (that could be easily be tuned out) helps us to seek the positive in any situation - from the mundane boredom of running errands all the way to a dreaded scary medical diagnosis. We must seek and listen to the positive. It is always there, even if in the background.
Eye Spy. It gets us through those times we need to hold still and be quiet for a little bit. I see details I would have otherwise missed. From quirky details tucked on shelves at restaurants to the seven freckles on Beau's nose. Details are easy to breeze through AND easy to see. Snow reminds me of details. Every snowflake is different. The newly falling snow highlights the most beautiful details on the tree limbs and all of nature. I hear God telling me, I care about the details of you too, Carrie Diane Baker Crews. Comfort at it's finest.
Priorities and Excuses. I am guilty of claiming those easy to accept excuses too often... I'm busy sweetheart; Just a minute, I'll hold you in a minute. We need to ____ first. Eww, I hate it about me. In previous posts I've filled us in on my Crackheadedness... the drive to get 3 million things done in a limited time frame. There are times to put it down and there are times for the littles to learn to be patient. I tell them, "Look at my hands, are they busy right now? I can ____ when I'm not driving across town in the snow." It is a lesson for both of us to be receptive to the situation. She needs to understand I cannot help her with a handstand when I'm cooking fudge on the stove and I need to remember I can put down the laundry and tape the ripped page in a book. The key is finding the sweet spot of helping each other. The key is also prioritizing and listening for the Holy Spirit. Sometimes that voice stops you in your tracks and sometimes it's full speed ahead on the God's Will Train.
Downtime. We are a family on the go. But I have learned (from the children and Mike) they need/want/must have/require downtime with us rocking in our chairs or snuggled together in their beds reading before nigh-night time. This downtime just puts so much more peace in our house. When we get home late and things are just off; woo it's no bueno. There is an intimacy of family just being next to one another and God needs/wants/must have/requires AND IS WORTHY of your time as well.
Forgiving. When they get in trouble, they reach for a hug right away. I can see their chocolate truffle eyes searching and needing forgiveness in mine. I do my best to say the words, "I forgive you. Let's try again." We talk about God's grace. The babies are so quick to forgive, they want to move on, get over it. Put that in your back pocket. It is a good way to roll.
Helpful: What Our Kids Really Hear When We Yell And then there's this to read: The Important Thing About Yelling Good stuff.
So these are things I'm learning and working on lately. Goals are good. Reality is a cousin of Missouri weather. Unpredictable. I'm going to keep on trucking, even though my 4-wheel drive isn't working.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
The House.
The house that is teaching me, refining me, priming me for awesome. The house that has not sold, the house that is a burden, the house that God has a purpose and plan was quite a cast member in a Soap Opera yesterday.
The weather forecast several inches of snow with negative lows. We allocated 2 hours of time to work and get back before the storm was supposed to start. 4.5 hours. Four and a half hours of finding problem after problem in the duration of this episode. A nice Arctic blast greeted our cheeks in opening the front door. It was colder inside the house than outside, a nice balmy 30 something degrees. We could literally see our breath. Mike activated MacGyver mode trouble-shooting the thermostat, water lines and furnace. I started... changing light bulbs. Right? I knew from his eyebrows I needed to stay out of the way for a minute. He quickly discovered the problem surpassed our skills and tools. I immediately thought we should call the HVAC service. Mike reminded me it was Saturday evening and the house is in the middle of nowhere. I encouraged him to call, God whispered it to me. The repair man not only returned the call within an hour, he was ready to come on out to the house. Hallelujah. He replaced a gas valve and it was done. Triple Hallelujah. Trusting His voice.
Meanwhile I started scrubbing the shower with steel wool and insane chemicals. I forgot my rubber gloves. I messed up, tried to turn the water on, something was frozen, a seal broke and the shower head started dripping water on me as I was scrubbing. In a 30 degree house. The water leaking just got worse and all over the floor so I had to run to town for a shower rod and curtain. Frustrated. Mad. As my hands were stinging with the chemicals, steel wool and freezing cold a thought occurred to me. Scrubbing this terrible shower is just like the sin in our life. I was working so hard to clean it, it was gross and miserable. But. When we come into His presence, ask for forgiveness for this sin....
Praise God for the blood of Jesus!! There are pieces of me and my sin that look just like that nasty hard water and soap scum stained shower, but His Grace is enough. It covers me, my grime, my shame and seeing it all in that stupid shower was a perfect glimpse of a perfect promise.
We worked hard and managed to complete many jobs, but there is more to do. The carpet is trashed, it has to be replaced. The walls and ceiling need to be repainted. I need to hold a bake sale and donate plasma to raise funds. I'm overwhelmed looking at Lowe's and Home Depot for pricing, products and where in the tar-nation to even begin.
But this is where I stop and choose to Praise and Not Pout.
We got to the house in perfect timing to have the heat fixed for the cold weather.
The HVAC man. The fix.
The pipes did not burst.
The well pump did not freeze.
The shower revelation.
The problems are fixable.
He held off the terrible weather, we traveled home safe.
The delicious fried gas station dinner I shared with my problem solving husband.
The problem solving husbands' calm voice to get focused on a plan rather than the crisis.
We have friends and family committed to helping, encouraging and praying.
The more we have to wait, the more we have to finance, the more excited I am to see God's plan. Am I also weary? yes. Am I giving up? Never. God cares for the sparrows, He cares when our heater is broken and sends help in time of need. God cares for you too.
The weather forecast several inches of snow with negative lows. We allocated 2 hours of time to work and get back before the storm was supposed to start. 4.5 hours. Four and a half hours of finding problem after problem in the duration of this episode. A nice Arctic blast greeted our cheeks in opening the front door. It was colder inside the house than outside, a nice balmy 30 something degrees. We could literally see our breath. Mike activated MacGyver mode trouble-shooting the thermostat, water lines and furnace. I started... changing light bulbs. Right? I knew from his eyebrows I needed to stay out of the way for a minute. He quickly discovered the problem surpassed our skills and tools. I immediately thought we should call the HVAC service. Mike reminded me it was Saturday evening and the house is in the middle of nowhere. I encouraged him to call, God whispered it to me. The repair man not only returned the call within an hour, he was ready to come on out to the house. Hallelujah. He replaced a gas valve and it was done. Triple Hallelujah. Trusting His voice.
Meanwhile I started scrubbing the shower with steel wool and insane chemicals. I forgot my rubber gloves. I messed up, tried to turn the water on, something was frozen, a seal broke and the shower head started dripping water on me as I was scrubbing. In a 30 degree house. The water leaking just got worse and all over the floor so I had to run to town for a shower rod and curtain. Frustrated. Mad. As my hands were stinging with the chemicals, steel wool and freezing cold a thought occurred to me. Scrubbing this terrible shower is just like the sin in our life. I was working so hard to clean it, it was gross and miserable. But. When we come into His presence, ask for forgiveness for this sin....
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Praise God for the blood of Jesus!! There are pieces of me and my sin that look just like that nasty hard water and soap scum stained shower, but His Grace is enough. It covers me, my grime, my shame and seeing it all in that stupid shower was a perfect glimpse of a perfect promise.
We worked hard and managed to complete many jobs, but there is more to do. The carpet is trashed, it has to be replaced. The walls and ceiling need to be repainted. I need to hold a bake sale and donate plasma to raise funds. I'm overwhelmed looking at Lowe's and Home Depot for pricing, products and where in the tar-nation to even begin.
But this is where I stop and choose to Praise and Not Pout.
We got to the house in perfect timing to have the heat fixed for the cold weather.
The HVAC man. The fix.
The pipes did not burst.
The well pump did not freeze.
The shower revelation.
The problems are fixable.
He held off the terrible weather, we traveled home safe.
The delicious fried gas station dinner I shared with my problem solving husband.
The problem solving husbands' calm voice to get focused on a plan rather than the crisis.
We have friends and family committed to helping, encouraging and praying.
The more we have to wait, the more we have to finance, the more excited I am to see God's plan. Am I also weary? yes. Am I giving up? Never. God cares for the sparrows, He cares when our heater is broken and sends help in time of need. God cares for you too.
Christmas 2013
 |
| Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. Decorating. Santa Sack. |
 |
| Gingerbread House! |
 |
| Silver Dollar City aka The Christmas Story |
 |
| Grandparents from near and far came to celebrate Christmas, Birthdays and be in the Ridgekids Christmas Program audience. Blessed. |
 |
| Christmas Eve |
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| By far, favorite moment of 2013 Christmas. All their idea. Love them. |
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| Bubble Gum and Books!! |
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| Big help. |
 |
| nom nom nom |
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| I sort of have a thing for these beauties. |
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