I really want......

I really want $10,000
I really want to go to the wine depot and buy their $7.99 trick or treat special (like 10 of them)
I really want to sit on a couch
I really want to low light my hair black
I really want to buy some clothes
I really want to eat meat (Renee and I fasting it until we get into the house)
I really want a bag of dark chocolates and but will settle for my rice cake and peanut butter
I really want play all day with no regrets
I really don't want to pack the apartment
I really need NOTHING

Some Progress this week

I have been painting the door that was put in over the weekend. It matches our barn red siding on the 3rd floor.
Anaya says "oh that is a really really painted door. I yike the red"




















Our roughed in stairs.
















Curtis took everything out of the bathroom to fix the floor. He's glad he removed the tub to fix the wall behind because there was quite a bit of wet sawdust insulation to be removed.  We also hired a plumber this week to help out as Curtis is a bit confused by that part.







We'll be moving in with Ramsey and Kristen Tripp this weekend.  Thank Goodness they offered.  Not sure what we would be doing.   It still is all very overwhelming and stressful for the family.  I would certainly like to know what God is doing, maybe it's better that I don't.

As a family we still find joy in the little things.  Like the ladybugs that we are finding in the apartment.

We have one more birthday to finish out the year.  That is supposed to be happening on Sunday but we have indefinitely postponed it.  I'm pretty sure Anaya won't know the difference as long as she gets her Strawberry Shortcake birthday.

Thanks you all for your prayers.  I'm feeling them.  

Barbara's 11th Birthday at Grafton Notch with the other Roundy clan

2010-10-09

This is the song that never ends it goes on and on ........

Last Saturday Matt Clark came to help Curtis on the house.  They put in the front and back doors which was totally cool.  Ethan Russell showed up as a surprise and he did some sheathing and siding I think. We're starting to get some of the holes closed up. 

Not a minute too soon as yesterday we heard from the landlord that we have to be out of here by Sunday.  Apparently, he has the whole building rented out for Monday.  Yeah, right..... Can you sense my frustration????  Some friends of our's from church (who have 5 kids) have opened up their home to us so thankfully we're not out in the cold but still the timing couldn't be more raunchier.  

Today some other friends from church are helping with the plumbing.  It's raining so Curtis is working on the house today.  

Please pray, we have tons left to do and our stress is running high while our energy is running low.  Curtis' back is really paining him lately and school for the older 3 is revving up.  Lots going on with us without this house disaster so we could really use prayer covering. Thanks !

Food Bank - another step in my journey of being missional and poor.

Okay, so we are not "poor" in light of the world. But we are struggling. Today as I was walking through the forbidden world of Walmart, in disbelief of myself that I would stoop to shopping in a place that treats the world so poorly, I couldn't even bring myself to pay their prices -- I had the thought of the food bank. . (after all I really need a haircut - BAD) I am spending money on food that should be spent on bills or our house afterall, and my food stamp supplement did decrease.

So, me being the courageous person that I am. I strapped the two littles in their carseats and made my journey back onto the Russell street connecter and over to Bates str. (just for your information, if you are planning on being poor... which most of us don't... pick a city with good human services. It is a must. Lewiston is one of those cities)

As I entered Sisters of Charity I was greeted by a toothless man about 10-15 years my junior with his son that of whom he would like to get custody. He informed me of the procedures and furthered explained that the "somalians" are taking all of our benefits and get checks for $1500 twice a month. Not sure if this is true or not but nonetheless I engaged in the conversation with him. I was then ushered into a booth for my enrollment into this once a month free food program. At this time a Somali woman registered me. (ironic I thought) She looked rather surprised that I had 5 children and possibly still a husband. She seemed pleasant enough but in questioning me I could tell that she too has become jaded by all of us on welfare and trying to get a little extra. By the end of our interview I think I may have won her over. It is worth going again just see all these people and form relationships. After all, you never know who God is going to bring in your path and for what reason.

As for the man with his son, I have seen him around town and have talked to him in the past. Although, I don't think he recognized me. I hope that if he is a decent guy he does get custody, or at least more visitation with his son.

My banana box of food was so heavy. I carried it up two flights of stairs and thought my back was breaking. And, believe it or not the food bank had many gluten free options that I would never have bought in the grocery store. Thank-you God. I was in walmart thinking I should get some flour and prayed that their would be some free GF flour somewhere and the Lord heard my pitiful cry and gave me what I wanted even though it was not necessity.

I just saw this on my friends facebook and thought I 'd post it.  It goes along a little with the conversation I had today at the food bank.
http://jimbaumer.posterous.com/countering-somali-myths-with-facts-in-l-a

Decision Made...

Well we made our decision.  We found a pellet stove for a decent price.  Hope it all works okay.  It was a bit of a compromise.  There was a really nice one we wanted but couldn't justify the expense.  Actually, no justification involved it would of meant stealing to get it this week.  Oh well, God willing and the creek won't rise it won't be a pain for Curtis to get working and things will run smoothly.  My suburban is getting inspected today.  Hopefully it won't be anymore than he said, and maybe less.  

Wish I had more amazing news to share but I don't.  Rather discouraged this week.  Still in a two bedroom and not much progress to report except for a drainage ditch that Curtis put in over the weekend. 

I think I will start reading Psalms.  Thinking God may have some stuff in there for me.  Peace Out!

Decisions, Decisions......

It's warm today but not for long!  We are in the middle of trying to decide how we are going to heat this puppy.  If you've followed along at all you remember that we needed to put in the extra posts. Well, that kinda messed with our chimney placement big time!  Curtis and I have spent hours trying to figure this chimney thing out and alas, this is Maine,  and we don't  have many more hours left to think about it.

Curtis came home with an idea the other day that I think may work--No chimney.   For the price of  the materials for the chimney we could possibly buy a used pellet stove and pellets for the winter.   So, we have been endlessly looking. (for 48 hours) for a used pellet stove that works.

So, my friends once again, I'm asking for you to pray that God will show favor on us again and give us the heat that we need this winter.  Along with a kitchen to cook in, plumbing and lots of other things.  It's amazing how happy one is when necessities get met in strange ways. Living downtown here in Lewiston has definitely changed my perspective on needs and wants.