When will it end?  We began a ‘little’ summer project two weeks ago - installing an egress window in a basement bedroom (I’ve never used this term before moving to Boulder, but its a big basement window that allows for escape in case of a fire, or late night Taco Bell runs).   Here we are two weeks later and only a little closer to completion.

It all started with a mini-excavator rental (actually it started before that, but the fun part started here).  This was the easy and fun part.  Everyone should get to dig with one of these.  Then I put my strong sons in the hole for a little hand digging to finish it out. (if they hadn’t gone to camp they could have had fun with the excavator also.  Oh well)

Now for the really fun part.  Cutting through an 8 inch thick foundation wall.  How does one do that?  Call the professionals you say?  Not so quick.  With a chain saw!  Yes, a chain saw. Don’t worry, its made for cutting concrete.  Well, on the first cut the chain broke.  Then the wait began.  After almost 2 weeks waiting for a new chain I gave in and called in the professionals.  He came yesterday to take care of this issue  and after looking over the job declared “I can’t do it”.  Of course.

So what does one do then?  One relies on a friend who locates a little known rental place that has a - concrete chain saw.  And three hours and gallons and gallons and gallons and gallons of water later your hole will be cut.

So this morning I contemplate the next phase - getting a 6 foot by 4 foot piece of 8 inch thick concrete out of the hole - and greeting whatever new issue threatens our inner peace and tranquility.

This is the very brief version, but its been a great example of the proverb:

“If its not one thing, its another.”

I haven’t found this in the Bible yet, but all truth is God’s truth and this seems to be true.  But praise God for concrete chain saws, friends who can find one, mini excavators, Christian Challenge directors who live down the street who are installing windows also and can split the cost, strong sons, and lovingkindness that is new every morning.  And that last one is in the Bible and is a truth to rest on.

Our CU team in South Asia has sent back a good report.  In the last week 8 new believers have joined our Family and several others are close.  Please pray for them as they are over their honeymoon period and adjusting.  Also as they begin to disciple their new brothers and sisters and continue to make the word of God fully known.

I hope no one has been holding their breath in eager expectation for the next blog. If so and you are reading this, you might want to contact Guinness Book. I not sure, but I think you might have done something big.

As for us, we haven’t been holding our breath, but doing what we do after school ends: a wedding, a two-week road trip family vacation (a little longer than usual, but what a great time.  And when is the last time you ate fresh grouper throat just pulled from the Gulf?), starting some projects that we can’t do in the fuller flow of ministry (an egress window in a basement bedroom is the big one now), sending off summer teams, and starting up summer ministry.

We have a team of 7 in South Asia for the summer.  Please be praying for them as they are sowing a lot of seed and helping with some church planting.  They are also way hotter than they are used to in Colorado, so pray they can maintain good attitudes amidst the oppressive heat and spiritual climate.

There are also 9 at a training program in Denver.  They are working full time jobs during the week and involved with small groups,  training, and service during the evenings and weekends.  The entire group spent a Saturday at our house and the Pruett’s house working on various projects.  The goal was to wear them out and that we did.  This is a valuable part of training as it displays character which students have.  You can see who works hard and who hardly works.  You can also teach some good skills and show what hard work looks like.  Three small groups even came back the next week for more glorious hard work.

We also just added a hamster to the family.  Pretty exciting.

In all things Christ.