It has been an interesting and a sometimes wrenching experience that has brought us new levels of humility , the blessing of recognizing true priorities, and opportunities to exercise faith. Just when we get to the edge of sanity and despair, when no solution seems possible...in those very moments we witness the miracle of the promise that the Lord "will not leave [us] comfortless" and he comes to us in many ways. Many of those tender mercies of the Lord are performed by you, our family and friends. We have started to "consider the lilies" and "behold the fowls of the air" (I'm pretty good at that!) and see that Lord feeds and clothes them and so to feeds and clothes us.
We are a family that is far from perfect, but we strive to seek first the kingdom of God, knowing that the Lord will fulfill his promise to "prove [him] now herewith". This is our witness that the windows of heaven do indeed open and pour out blessings upon us.
Family and friends, knowingly and unknowingly, have been the Lord's angels in helping us in very touching ways. Here are some of the many recent examples of miracles for which we are eternally grateful:
Friends and family randomly providing food items and clothing.
Friends inviting us on outdoor adventures and to their cabin for a weekend of fun.
Friends that brought horses to our doorstep fulfilling the greatest birthday wish of a little girl to ride them.
Friends inviting us out of the blue to swim in their pool.
Strangers willing to stop and offer assistance to my wife and kids when the car was broken down on the side of the highway after we hit a deer.
A brother that took my family to dinner on my daughter's birthday when I could not afford to do so.
Family that brought a nice dinner and the opportunity for my two oldest to learn how to enjoy shooting guns.
The miracle of unexpected insurance and tax reimbursements showing up in the mail just at the moment of greatest need.
Talks and lessons at church that buoy me up and recharge the spiritual batteries.
A friend and father that have provided me some employment which has kept us in our home.
New landscaping contracts obtained by timing that most would consider luck, but I consider providence.
Friends who took another one of our birthday daughters for pizza and arcade games.
A brother who way overpaid me to help with a project at his home.
A father that secretly had my brother pay me his share of the labor, even though the physical labor took its toll on him.
Financially, we are not out of the woods yet, but we are filled with hope at the prospects on the horizon. Thank you all for your help in fulfilling the Lord's promises. We love you!
