Blizzard Juno

Last week I spent my time at the new ReStore instead of the construction sites. The grand opening of the store is in a few days and I wanted to be there to help out any way I could before it opened. For those of you who don't know what the ReStore is, it is a retail store run by our Habitat affiliate that sells furniture, and all of the proceeds go toward Habitat homes. Many Habitat affiliates have ReStores, including us, and we are moving ours to a much larger location.

On one of the days, I was there cleaning chotchkies to put out and a lady arrived who was there to volunteer. We started chatting and one thing led to another and she asked my if I was saved. I told her that I was. She asked me for the story of my walk with God and emphasized her curiosity about whether I had an experience that made me a believer. I told her that I was raised in the church and that so far, I have always believed in God's existence and that I have never had one single experience that made me believe. She kept looking at me, so I continued by telling her that my belief has never wavered because of a bunch of small things instead of one large thing. I told her about times when I have been on a hike and found a waterfall deep in the woods, and as I stood at the foot of the water fall, getting mist sprayed on me, I knew. I just knew that He was there.

This is just one example of a small, faith affirming moment that has happened in my life. These moments are often accompanied by goosebumps on my arms and a flutter in my stomach as I get "the feeling" (I honestly don't know what else to call it). I would describe "the feeling" as the re-realization that someone greater than me made the world and everything in it, and that he is loving, and so mighty, and so dazzling brilliant. I get this feeling every time I look at the stars, whenever it stand at the edge of the ocean, and every time a watch a butterfly go by. They tend to sneak up on me, but each time I get "the feeling" I am able to recognize what it is and I get so ecstatic whenever it does.

As I talked to her, I didn't get too gushy on the topic (I mean, I didn't want to freak her out!) and believe me, I can. I left it at that and continued to wipe off old china. She then told me all about her life, which was hard to listen to. She has had a truly hard life; one that is hard for me to even imagine living. There seemed to be a long list of horrors throughout her life including everything from her father losing his mind and thinking she was LITERALLY the devil and constantly abusing her in numerous, unspeakable ways to her substance abuse and having a kid at a very young age and having him taken away from her. As the story of her life went on, I realized that I was talking to a true survivor.

When she got to the part of her life when she went to church for the first time with her grandmother, she was crying. She said, "I was afraid to go to church because I thought that the building would burn down if I set foot in it." I was close to tears myself but couldn't help but giggle along with her as she said this. Her story ends with her slowly coming to know God and trust in Him. Even though her struggles still follow her, she told me that she is so happy now because she finds her strength through God and knows that all thing are possible through him. Her faith warmed my heart and honestly, impressed me. She has been through so much in her life and was able to move on through her faith. She is another person from my time here that I will never forget.

As I'm sure you all know, Blizzard Juno came through the North East this week. We didn't get as much snow as they were predicting, but we did get enough to make everything look totally gorgeous. A few times, I have found myself walking out of a building and un-expectantly walking into snow fall. Each of these times I have gotten "the feeling". I couldn't help but take a second and stand there to notice each little flake as it gently floats down to the ground to join it's friends. It's just one of those little things that is so dang lovely that I have this overwhelming feeling of love and confidence in God's presence. I thought of the volunteer at the ReStore as I watched those little flakes fall. I hope that wherever she was when Blizzard Juno hit, she felt the love that I felt from that little moment.

A picture I took in front of the house today. 

Round Two!

I am back in New Jersey! YAY! I had a lovely time while I was home for the holidays. I was able to see all of my family, friends, and spend some quality time with my cat, all of which was such a blessing. I had a great birthday with my family and my best friend. My mom surprised me with tickets to the Off Broadway production of Jersey Boy (which was amazing). I also had a great time celebrating some good friend's birthdays. We had a great Thanksgiving and an AMAZING Christmas. The whole family was at our house and we ate great food, had great conversations and watched some great movies! Then we went to the Bay Area for New Years and saw fireworks in San Francisco on New Year's eve! We followed it up with more time with friends and family up until the day I had to leave. This time home was unforgettable.  

I flew into NJ on Wednesday, which was a long day of travel. I went from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Nashville before I finally made in to Newark, NJ. On my travels I met a splendid young man named Nate. Nate is probably the most talkative person I have ever met, and is painfully aware of his talkativeness. I got the feeling that he had been told many times in his life that he talks too much. At first I thought that he was just going to talk about video games for the entire FIVE HOUR FLIGHT from Los Angeles to Nashville. But the more I talked to him, the more I realized that Nate was a boy with many interests, all of which he wanted to talk about. Nate isn't only interested in video games, but he is also interested in philosophy, science, and the future... among other things. When we landed, Nate helped me get my bag from the over head storage compartment. As he handed me my bag, he told me that he appreciated me listening to him and letting him watch Harry Potter with me. He said that most people tell him that he talks too much but that it was refreshing being around someone who let him talk. As we walked off the plane together, I realized that I felt a little sorry for Nate. No one should have to feel self conscious about being themselves. Sadly, it is something that almost everyone has to go through. It may seem weird that I am spending so much time talking about a kid who I knew for a few hours, but Nate is still part of my story. As I said in a past blog post, everyone you meet has the power to impact you in some way. I see it all the time with the volunteers who I work with every week at Habitat. 

Speaking of Habitat, I am SO excited to go back! Monday will be my first day back and I can't wait to see all of my friends in the office and on the construction sites. Thank goodness for Facebook because it has made it possible for me to keep up with the progress that has been made on the houses that I had been working on before I left. The Costanza family has moved into their home since I left, which is amazing. It feels like just yesterday I was standing in the footers of her not yet built home, pumping water so that the foundation could be built. Now she is all moved in! Amazing. Barbara Durchaks's home was just a skeleton when I left and now it has been lifted, the sheetrock is up, the siding is almost done and the add on looks amazing!!! 

What it looked like before I left. 

What it looks like now!

I am SO looking forward to seeing it in person, walking through it (without having to have a face mask on!) and giving Barbara a hug! It is just too amazing. Again, this is why I am here. This is what is important. Getting these lovely people a home. Can't wait for round two of this great adventure I am on. There are so many more people to meet, houses to be built, memories to be made and lessons to learn. Glad you all are here to go along on the ride with me :)