Updates: Floors and Cabinets

Wow...It's getting exciting at the LV house! The wood floors have been installed in the front part of the house. The back part of the house is keeping the original floors. We stained the floors a dark color in order for the stains on the original floor to not be seen. The color of the floor really warms up the space. Everyone who comes in says "I really love the floors." :)'


DG & Dat came last weekend to help install the Kitchen cabinets and pick out paint colors. Ricky, Carrie & Little Bit are here this week helping us paint the cabinets. Here's the way the kitchen looks after the cabinets are installed.


I told you it's getting exiting! People who saw the house in the original condition are now coming in and are amazed. I think there were a few moments of doubt not knowing if we could ever get it to feel so cozy but it looks like we are getting there!

Now we have the cabinets to finish painting, then the trim which includes installing baseboards, painting the walls, installing the counter tops, and building Morgan's loft bed. After that, we'll move to painting the outside of the house (yippee....we get to paint the brick!!!!) and are considering installing a picket fence in the front yard to keep the puppies & kiddo's out of the street.

Fresh Manna | Why Pray |

I'm 33 years old and I think I've probably had my entire prayer life wrong. God has been opening my eyes…yes, I have been blind but now I see. I've read this scripture what seems like a thousand times and I seem to always stop mid sentence "You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it…" [John 14:13] In all honesty, I stop there because I'm really not confident in that statement. I've been stuck on those words going "Really God? Are you sure about that? Was that a promise just for them or does it apply to me too?" Then I came across this story that made that scripture come alive for me…

Rick was born in 1962 to Dick and Judy Hoyt. As a result of oxygen deprivation to Rick's brain at the time of his birth, Rick was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. Dick and Judy were advised to institutionalize Rick because there was no chance of him recovering, and little hope for Rick to live a "normal" life. In the spring of 1977, Rick told his father that he wanted to participate in a 5-mile benefit run for a Lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. Far from being a long-distance runner, Dick agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair and they finished all 5 miles, coming in next to last. That night, Rick told his father, "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped." This realization was just the beginning of what would become over 1,000 races completed, including marathons, duathlons and triathlons (6 of them being Ironman competitions). Also adding to their list of achievements, Dick and Rick biked and ran across the U.S. in 1992, completing a full 3,735 miles in 45 days.

Before continuing to read, watch the video..

I know this is one of those "duh" moment but it hit me, I've been so focused on wrestling with the first part of the verse that I've missed the ENTIRE point "…so that the Son can bring glory to the Father." [John 14:13] I am like Rick, who can't do it without the Abba Father…My Daddy; I need his strength to get me through. Because I am His child, all I have to do is ask. There's no power in my request, in fact, it shows my perfect weakness. Yet, at that moment, I've asked My Daddy to step and and help me because I acknowledge that I'm insufficient. Because of my request, He will push, and run, and swim, and carry, and strain behind me to help me finish the race. And in the end, everyone who is standing there watching will see the love of the father being poured out for His child and that is what demands the focus and the glory. Isn't it humbling to know that God CHOOSES the weak and the frail to spread His glory so that He will receive all the honor and praise!!!!!!

Now when I pray, I'll be asking myself how will this request bring GLORY to my father's name. I'm at peace knowing that If another answer (different that my heart's desires) will bring more glory to God, I need to lay at Jesus feet and honestly say let your will be done. Although this is life changing way to evaluate my prayers I sit here and chuckle because of the simplicity. It's been right infront of me the entire time! :) "He who has ears, let him hear." [Matthew 11:15]

Note: Thank you Laureen for sharing this video on FB it was exactly what I needed today!

Updates: Cabinets

Since Owen has put so much time into the cabinets, I thought they should get a special post of their own! Here goes...

Master Bath

Laundry Room

Above Desk

Kitchen

Dad & Owen created a genius drying rack to hang the cabinet doors....

Painting Cabinet Doors

.....More Doors

Updates: Humpty Dumpty

It seems like we're heading downhill now in regards to the construction. We've addressed all the plumbing, electrical, and foundation repairs so now it's time to put Humpty Dumpty back together again!

The sub-floor, drywall, and tile has been installed....

Before Grout

After Grout

The cabinets are in the process of being installed and there ARE A LOT OF THEM! Geesh!

Storing Them (Before Install)

See there are A LOT of them!

Here's my cute, new front door...

Here's the hardwood being installed...

Blending the new into the hallway

Almost done!

Oh Me of Little Faith...

My family goes to a church in the Nashville area where the members are writing blog post each day. First read the following blog, then I'll explain why I titled mine "Oh Me of Little Faith."

Here's the blog from the Community Church...

I AM is with Us

Key Passage: Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I AM with you; do not be dismayed, for I AM your God. I will strengthen you and help you and uphold you with my righteous right hand.

For the Community Art Show, I had an idea to look for the letters I AM in nature and photograph them. A friend suggested that I ask God himself to show me the letters. Why would God do that for me? Yet, the idea intrigued me. I wanted Him to reveal Himself to me. Just for me. So, I prayed and asked Him to show me the letters for I AM. I didn’t know what to look for or where to look. I kept my camera with me. One day, while driving, I saw a huge lower case “i,” clear as day in the clouds. I pulled over and snapped the photo. I was stunned. No way. In the sky? For me?

About a month later while driving, I saw a lower case “m” in the clouds! I was thrilled! So every day, I looked up at the sky. Where was my A? Nothing. Weeks passed and I began to doubt. Was it just a coincidence? One day something caught my eye; high in the sky, was my “A”! I had tears in my eyes because I knew God had done that for me! There was NO doubt. I had asked God for letters, but I think He knew what I was really asking was, “Are you there, God?” And he answered, “I AM!”

I pray that these photographs will remind you that the Great I AM is with you! He will strengthen you and help you and uphold you; all you have to do is look up!

Kelley Goodman
Kelley lives in Goodlettsville with her husband Ron and three children, enjoys being
an artist and is currently completing her Masters at Trevecca in Elementary Education.

Note from Casey: Because I know the person did not make up this story or edit the photos, I sat there thinking "Oh ME of little faith!" How much do I miss out on just because I don't BELIEVE that I'll see it? I mean seriously...have you ever seen an "m" in the sky? Have you ASKED to see an "m" or better yet...do you BELIEVE the God in heaven, who created the earth, who raises the dead, who says seek me and you will find me would be willing to put an "m" in the sky simply because you need proof the HE ALONE is the I AM.

How do you need God to show you He is the I AM? Are you willing to step out of faith and ask?

...this I love.

Today there was a memorial service for a man with Downs Syndrome who went to The Village Church. I had only met him once but I remembered him because of the pure joy that filled his heart as he worshiped in the row in front of me. The was the prayer he had written, "Through the years we may always be together...Jesus knows me, this I love." How simple. How powerful.

I'm thankful for his example and it reminded me of this scripture, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Let it snow

It's been beautiful here in Alabama with our record amount of snow. First it snowed ON Christmas Day, then a few weeks later the storehouses of snow opened again. This time it measured 8.9 inches at the airport. In the past several years, we've had a light dusting but never enough to make snowballs or really even build a snowman. This year it's a different story...

(playing in the snow)

As I watched the early morning snow falling I came across this scripture: "God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone he has made may know his work, he stops all people from their labor." Job 37:5-7

Since this was such a wonderful sight, we took advantage of the time together as a family. We spent from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm just playing. Our day began with preparing for the epic snowball battle: complete with snow built barriers and a wheel barrel of snow balls. The competition was between us and our neighbors.

(preparing for battle)

(prepared!)

(epic showdown)

Then we created the biggest snowman ever! It measured 10'6" tall & was built IN our street! When we were done, other neighbors walked dogs down or drove thier family over just to take a picture in front of the snowman. Of course, the kids helped for about 15 minutes and the remaining three hours Owen, Brad (our neighbor), and myself finished what we had started. A few neighbors even came over to help: carving the waist or hoisting the massive head to the top. The funny thing is this is the first snowman I've ever built!

(Starting the Snowman)

(The finished product)

(His cute face)

(Our friends built a snow truck)

I think it was one of my most favorite days ever! I hope you enjoy the pictures.

~ Casey

PS: Morgan wasn't a huge fan of the snow day. She spent most of her time looking like this... I think she's more at home when on a beach. :)

(Morgan crying)

(oh look, here's another picture of Mo)