A year ago I didn't see how it could actually happen.
How were we going to wade through the nearly impossible, and not very church friendly, county red tape and regulations to get the permits to build, much less raise the money to build a church without borrowing money?
Today, we had our first service in our new building.
(Maybe I'll get some photos up of our building next week.)
How did the miracle happen?
One day at a time.
Every obstacle we faced with the county, our church prayed, and God moved it out of the way, one way or another.
The money?
We paid as we went along, and somehow God provided.
He provided through our people giving money, volunteers giving time and their skills to help with the building, and even donations of services by outside companies.
And now, the Hubs and I are rejoicing and resting for a few days in a wee little cottage at the beach, after a very wonderful and wearying year.
Thank you, God, for Your wild, wonderful, faith stretching, miracle!
************************
I’ve taken the Joy Dare.
I’m counting one thousand thanks in one year.
I hunt for thanksgiving using the prompts Ann gives us each month.
If you are interested in joining in, click the link above or at the bottom of this post.
I continue to count my thanks
piling up gratitude day by day
in my little black journal…
#2268-#2288
3 gifts yellow-
-pineapple popsicles
-3 year old granddaughter's blonde hair
-youngest granddaughter in her yellow flowered sundress
a gift cool-
-cool mornings
a gift warm-
-warm afternoons
a gift sun-soaked-
-almost 50 days without rain, something to savor and remember as we head into the coming months of Oregon drizzle
3 gifts autumn-
-the first signs of the leaves on the trees turning colors
-new crops of ripe apples
-acorns falling from the oaks
3 gifts growing-
-our four grand babies, ages 9,8, 3 and 9 months…they're all growing too fast!
-our church, our son-in-law's church
-more teachers stepping up to teach in kid's ministry at church
3 gifts given-
-money for the well in Homabenase, Ghana
-an encouraging word
-a phone call
a gift made-
-a yummy cup of hot cocoa made by the Hubs for me
a gift masked-
-tests that become testimonies
a gift marveled-
-moving into our new church building
3 gifts framed-
-photos of my three daughters hanging in the stairwell
-photos of the grandkids hanging in the spare room, (aka the grandkids room)
-ink drawings done by an old friend
Gratefully yours,
Elizabeth
I always like to see what your praises are. This morning I was reading in Psalm 119 and in verse 164 it says- Seven times a day do I praise thee because of they righteous judgments.It seemed that the writer made a very conscious effort to give thanks and in a deliberate way and time. Much like the joy dare I thought.
ReplyDeleteWhat a joyous celebration you must have had in your new building. And what a testimony to the greatness of our God! Trust your time away is refreshing.
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
Remembering the times of 'red tape' prayers and rejoicing to see that you are finally in your own building. Have a good rest, my friend. We just returned from a short time at the Oregon Coast. Came home refreshed but longing to go back soon!
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
Another week of amazing gifts!! My family and I have been to the spot in your photo a few times. :)
ReplyDeletesweet list...and a great testimony of God’s faithfulness when we are patient enough to let HIm bring His Glory in His time....blessings~
ReplyDeleteI love how He does the impossible, reminding us that He is all powerful. What a testimony of what He can do. Enjoy your time of rest! www.toshowthemjesus.com
ReplyDeleteWow that is awesome, our church would love to have a building we are outgrowing our warehouse in Wilsonville.
ReplyDelete