Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

This has been one of those weeks that would test the patience of a saint. Ken said last weekend that we had a busy one coming up, but he didn’t know the half of it. Monday began with typical outdoor chores. I tended flowers, and he mowed grass. That was the last typical morning we enjoyed. After mowing, he decided it was time to trim our way-out-of-control burning bush. We’d been discussing it for a few weeks, and now it was going to happen. This was a giant of a bush, one that offered lots of privacy to our very exposed back yard, and the bright red of fall made it an outstanding specimen.

Ken first attacked it with electric hedge trimmers, and I grabbed the giant loppers. Soon he took over the loppers, and I began piling the trimmed branches out of our way. After a grueling afternoon of work, we reduced the tree from about twelve feet high and an equal distance in width to less than half its original size. It was too late to take the clippings to the yard waste dumpster, so we got up Tuesday morning and took two pickup loads to dispose of them. We finished our very warm day of work, showered, and decided to go to an estate sale on Wednesday, followed by grocery shopping.

It was an enjoyable day until we returned home. After everything was put away, I settled in to read a while, and Ken came in asking if I’d noticed the bump in the floor at the foot of the refrigerator. I had not seen that before, but we assumed there had been water there, judging by the appearance of the laminate. We checked all around and found no moisture that could be attributed to the refrigerator, but we did call for service. I then went back to reading, and Ken went about his online tool research.

Soon, I headed through the kitchen to the laundry, and as I crossed the space between the two rooms, I felt squishing beneath my feet. There was water under our flooring. We started checking other water sources, and Ken found the culprit. Our water heater had apparently overheated, and the check valve released the very hot water onto the floor. As water will do, it found the path of least resistance…a mini disaster in the making.

Ken shut off the water to the tank and began mopping. Within a few minutes, the squishing ceased, but the damage was done. A new water heater was installed the next morning at the plumber’s recommendation. The old heater had passed the fifteen-year mark, so it seemed best. But then, a restoration specialist came and tested our floors and walls for moisture and discovered lots of it; in a large portion of the kitchen, in the laundry room, and a small part of the living room, which happened to be under the fireplace, and let’s not forget the utility closet where the nasty culprit had sat. The fix…well, as of Sunday evening, our kitchen is completely torn out along with the bottom two feet of drywall. The laundry is torn apart, the fireplace removed from the living room, and all the flooring removed. But none of the repairs can begin until it’s dry and protected from future mold. So, we are “enjoying” the hum of two industrial dehumidifiers and nine high-velocity fans in the affected rooms. There are six more fans under the house. Some of our appliances are in the garage along with boxes of cabinet contents and the disassembled cabinets. Other appliances are scrunched to one side of the living room along with the living room furniture.

….it’s as though He’s reminding me to rest in His complete reliability and competence to execute a good plan on my behalf—perhaps one that will surprise, delight, challenge, and grow me up in Him. (Pray A Word A Day)

We’ve created something of a sanctuary in our primary bedroom. With comfy furniture and the door closed, we can tolerate the noise of the motors. The small bathroom sink is doubling as a kitchen sink. They’re telling us it will take at least two weeks to get most of it back to normal. Meanwhile, we’re having a hot meal out each day and making do with cold food the rest of the time. It tastes good on these hot days.

I’m trying very hard to stay positive, but it’s a battle, if not impossible. I’ve been trying to set aside some time by myself, upon rising in the morning and when falling asleep surrounded by loud noise each evening, to think of all the things I’m grateful for. Some of them are very small and some quite large. The greatest is the presence of Jesus on one side of me and Ken on the other. I very much need both my guys to meet this challenge. As we navigate between the before and after of this most recent journey, I’ll trust them both to be at my side. (Even when I get crabby.)

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13