Exposed

In order for our Builder to repair a crack (or wound), He has to peel back the layers upon layers that we have used to cover up the mess. -The mess that we have hoped that no one else sees. We all have areas of our lives that we would rather not have exposed. We rationalize that if people think well of us, then maybe we can still be an instrument that God can use. We know and God knows the secrets and the losses that we have grieved.  We even thank God for how presentable we’ve managed to make ourselves seem in spite of it all.  

And then… something happens. We find ourselves traveling a road that we’ve been afraid of traveling for years, perhaps. “Why am I unable to handle this and keep it together?”, we ask. Not only have we been exposed but we can be angry, because it seems like our God is the one who exposed it. 

Friend, God repairs from the original fault line. In the process, however, our faith might even seem insecure, at best.

When hurt is exposed… it is not pretty.  But my Father doesn’t patch with “good enough” intentions. To extend our faith and make it deeper, He reveals and then conceals back up better than we could have in our own strength. I personally, am in a season where so many hurts have been exposed… dealt with… only to need dealt with again. He’s working on me. If you’ve read this far, He’s probably working on you too.  Here is what I know: My faith is not weaker because I’m weak. It is in my weakness that He is made strong. -That’s the stuff that deep Faith is made of.  

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Though you slay me
Yet I will praise you
Though you take from me
I will bless your name
Though you ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who’s all I need

(By Shane & Shane on Job 13)

Pictures:  Before we moved into our home, I patched up this area where there was a crack deep in the wall.  The crack actually descends all the way down to the first story. It was caused by a severe storm, that blew one of the chimneys off the house long before it was our house. I concealed it without truly fixing it. It looked fine for a while, but not even a year later, the crack came back.  These photos were taken today, after I cut through the patching, all the way down to the original crack.  I’m repairing it right this time, I hope. And…. I find lessons in the smallest things!

The “Lellow” House Renovation: Entryway and Stairway

 I have been reserving most work photos and finished work pictures for this space!  Trouble is, I don’t stop moving enough to make time to blog progress, so I’m going to do this based on what is completed.  Juggling two houses, the people in them, and making sure we have underwear (and everything else) to put on each day feels like a major deal! But an illness has me in bed right now.  I’m ok enough to post, albeit during waves of nausea…. Not ok to do any other work!  So what was meant to be blogposts in spread out “as we go” fashion, is about to be just based on what is completed (minus floors).  A good bit of it will be pictures of our tribe working for our memories.

First up:  Entryway and Stairway paint job 

These are some before pictures as well as some photos of some precious folks who gathered to pray with us on November 14, 2021, before we started work.  The original owners loved dark green.  We do to, actually and hunter green was a wedding color for our special day.  We didn’t enjoy how dark it made this room, however, so we chose a light yellow...  photo to follow much later. Yellow, specifically yellow roses, were used in our wedding too!

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We left the textured wallpaper, but Kilzed everything.

Photos with our sweet friends helping us.

Entryway was completed February 2nd!

Stairwell:  Probably the scariest job (to me and normal people) and most dependent on Whitley and his mad mountain goat skills and balance!

I laid down flat on the floor to get this view of how high up that is.

Finished stairwell painting photo taken on February 17th.  

Love from our family to you and yours!

In His Time

I’m so thankful for this day and for this portion of His Body in Colorado City, Texas at First Baptist Church.  A year ago today, you allowed me to have a place to serve and continue to be who He makes from this lump of clay.  I’ve had happy tears off and on today.  I’m humbly grateful for the choir and other musicians I’m privileged to work alongside with and the beautiful congregation we worship with each week.  I love that God knows all of us so intimately that He, in His goodness, saw fit to weave some likeminded partners (I’m talking about you Jerry and Lana, and, in memory, Lori) and families in ministry together.  He’s just so good....

Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”  Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”  Soli Deo Gloria

Part Four: Spring Break 2020

On March 12th we went to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus as well as another beach, Padre Bali Park Beach and Bob Hall Pier.  

Texas State Aquarium

The kiddos loved all of the "touch tanks" provided!

We loved this dolphin show, even more than the one at Sea World.  

Though we had already celebrated David's birthday before we left, it was really fun that his actual 11th birthday was spent at such a fun, beautiful place!

Luke's favorite was the sting rays' touch tank.

I love this photo!

Megalodon mouth model!  How's that for a mouthful? 

Padre Bali Beach and Bob Hall Pier

Though Sarah did not like her first day at the beach, the second day was made much better simply by putting her shoes on.  She reminded us of Isaac when he was her age because he also did not like the feeling of sand on his feet when we took him to the Monahans sand dunes.

Oh Sarah, and her winning cackle-of-a-laugh!!

This may have been the longest moment Andrew has ever been still!

We are safely home now and thank you all for letting us share our pictures with you!  Thank you most of all for prayers for safety for our family!

Love from our family, to you and yours!!!