Category Archives: SOWER Projects 2018

Some Clarification

After yesterday’s post about what I’ve been doing lately, I got asked the following question from a SOWER we’d worked with several years ago –
What are you doing with a fully furnished house? Is this your own home wherever your home is? And are you downsizing your rig? Are you preparing to retire?

So – since some of you who drop in here occasionally might have some of the same questions, here is my reply that sorta-kinda describes what these last months have been all about!

Hello! We are in ‘transition’ mode these days! We purchased a house in the sweet RV community behind the SOWER office in Lindale as we prepare for the inevitable ‘what’s next’ stage of our life! But while we’re on our way to retiring from being active SOWERs, we aren’t there yet! Our faithful rig is 22+ years old, and we think she’s ready for retirement even if we are not! So it’s a shift in ministry focus – but praying that the LORD will still use us wherever we might be!

And so this NEW adventure continues…

But what are YOU doing?

While Gary’s been busy making trips to Lowes and renovating sewing rooms and building workspaces and redesigning walkways, I’ve been trying to figure out the interior of the house. Some of my angst comes from the fact that this sweet little house came completely furnished. Not just furniture (and there was a lot of that), but it also came with linens, towels, a fully outfitted kitchen, cleaning supplies, soaps, shampoos…you name it, and it was probably here! I do believe that if we had just come with our clothes, we wouldn’t have had to do anything but go grocery shopping to live here quite comfortably.  But of course, we also had a motorhome that was full (and I mean 20 years of stuff full) of our life. It’s been hard for me to figure out how to mesh these two dwellings. Even now, after almost four months, I’m still trying to remember where I put something….or maybe it’s still in the rig?

So for the last couple of weeks, I’ve been trying to bring SOMETHING (or maybe many things) in from the rig, and then find a home for it (them) each day.  Now, it might just be the earrings I wanted to wear that day, but it’s something!

And speaking of earrings – I cut down my earring solution from a couple of years ago to fit in my new space,

and let Amazon help me find a solution for my necklaces.

These are small things, but figuring these small things out has helped me get moving on this transition.

 

Today I brought in my box of Kosher salt.
It’s in the cupboard next to the sugar and flour.
No judging, please!
=)

I wonder what I’ll find to bring in tomorrow…

Steph

But what is Dad going to do? Part I

Any time that we would talk about life “after SOWERs”, our kids would ask – “But what is Dad going to do?” Let’s face it – SOWERs is a perfect fit for Gary. He gets to work on a variety of projects, and even if that month’s assignment isn’t his most favorite type of project, he never complains – “You can do anything for three weeks!” he’d say. And it was a perfect fit for me too! I got to meet new people, see different areas of the country, watch God working in so many different ways, and as an added bonus – I had a very small house to keep clean! We always had at least a week off each month, a free place to park, and work that was (mostly) geared to our aging bones! Win-Win-Win.
But we knew it wasn’t forever. And the kids were concerned. I think they knew I’d be able to fill my days with computer work, sewing, and reading (and napping?), but Dad’s happy place is building, fixing, and helping (and maybe a bit of napping too?). Well, I’m happy to report that our Little Lindale House has been a pretty perfect fit for both of us! On the one hand, it’s in great shape! It’s keeping me busy just trying to figure out where things are going to go inside (I think I’ve finally got the peanut butter in its forever home), and Gary is busy with some improvements on the outside!
His first project was the shed!
This was pretty much how we found my side –
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and despite finding termites and all of the fun stuff that went along with that –
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I’m happy to report my “Studio” is mostly outfitted and ready to go!
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I haven’t moved all my sewing from Lizzie to its new spot yet – but I’m sure I’ll be tackling those UFO’s (UnFinished Objects) soon! No excuses now!
When Gary needed a break from the sewing room project, he’d work on his side – The Workshop! It also was pretty full when we moved in –
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but pictures taken today show that he’s been busy channeling his organizational alter-ego!
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(Now that I’m looking at His side – I’m kinda embarrassed about the general disarray on my side! All in good time, I suppose!)
Of course, that just scratches the surface of the “What’s Dad going to do?” answer. But this is long enough, so I’ll save that for Part II!
Stay warm my friends – it’s crazy cold here in Texas, so I know many of you are in a deep freeze! Thanks for stopping by!
Steph

Sabbath Rest – Joy Has Dawned

And here we are – the final Sunday before Christmas Day! Hopefully amid all of the hurry and hustle of these next few days, you’ll find the time to reflect on this miraculous gift – Jesus. Son of God, Son of Man.

Not with fanfares from above,
Not with scenes of glory,
But a humble gift of love—
Jesus born of Mary.

Joy has dawned upon the world,
Promised from creation—
God’s salvation now unfurled,
Hope for ev’ry nation.
Not with fanfares from above,
Not with scenes of glory,
But a humble gift of love—
Jesus born of Mary.

Sounds of wonder fill the sky
With the songs of angels
As the mighty Prince of Life
Shelters in a stable.
Hands that set each star in place,
Shaped the earth in darkness,
Cling now to a mother’s breast,
Vuln’rable and helpless.

Shepherds bow before the Lamb,
Gazing at the glory;
Gifts of men from distant lands
Prophesy the story.
Gold—a King is born today,
Incense—God is with us,
Myrrh—His death will make a way,
And by His blood He’ll win us.

Son of Adam, Son of heaven,
Given as a ransom;
Reconciling God and man,
Christ, our mighty champion!
What a Savior! What a Friend!
What a glorious myst’ry!
Once a babe in Bethlehem,
Now the Lord of hist’ry.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing,
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo
Gloria, in excelsis Deo

WORDS AND MUSIC BY KEITH GETTY & STUART TOWNEND