How Great Is Our God

There's an old song that keeps playing in my mind...

Thank you, for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave.

Truly, I am a life - we are lives - touched by the generosity of strangers. People who don't even know us, reaching out to us as we rebuild, rebuy, re-establish.

Tonight I sat opening cards, sorting through singles and loose change, gift cards and even checks...all donated by proceeds collected from our neighbors. You see, Saturday, May 7th was the annual Russell Springs neighborhood yard sale. Neighbor after neighbor donated proceeds, hosted bake sales, and even took up collections to help us rebuild. Rallying behind was one neighbor in particular, whom I simply can't thank enough for how she reached out. We're just unbelievably blessed. All the while the song "How Great is Our God" playing in the background.

Another phone call came today with the donation of a mattress and box spring. Tonight we looked at two rental houses. Looking for a temporary place to stay as we wait to rebuild.

Lots of people are asking about the update. As for insurance, we know the estimate was turned in for the first floor/brick and main structure to remain and be cleaned and the top floor rebuilt. We know that quote was within a few thousand dollars of the full amount that we're allowed for a full rebuild, so we're still praying for that to be the final outcome.

We also know that everything INSIDE was declared a total loss (belongings/possessions) and the inventory list is still growing. Everyday I see something, remember something, forget something...I have a typed running list of 17 pages thus far...and it's not even close to being done. I admit, this has probably been one of the most taxing and emotional parts.

We will get to change the plans inside - to some extent. We also have coverage to help us rent a property while the rebuild happens. So...I'm getting a whole new education in insurance!

As we continue to go day by day through this journey, things change rapidly. I'm grateful for home cooked meals - my office has been providing those daily. I'm thankful for friends, family, neighbors and a community who's reached out to us. I'm mindful of my little boy who keeps asking "Fix my house! Get me a new house!" It's still hard to explain to a 3-year exactly what's going on. He doesn't get that a band-aid isn't going to fix it. Tonight he was grateful to just come "home" to Nana's, have a bubble bath and enjoy his new Geo Trax.

He was so sweet and content to enjoy his "chippy chips and dippy dip" and "chocky milk." I'm so thankful for the little things that can bring such comfort.

And so I say, Thank you for giving to the Lord. We are LIVES changed by your generosity!