"Who can endure such emptiness?

Unrighteous anger - anger that leads us away from God - sucks the last vestige of hope from our hearts. We stop caring, stop feeling. We commit a silent suicide of the soul, and sullen despair moves in like a terrible damp fog, deadening our heart to the hope that we will ever be rescued, redeemed, and happy again.

God will not stand for this.

He is intolerant of despair.

He will not permit our puny shields of unrighteous anger to stall Him. And so He encroaches, presumes, invades, and infringes. He tears aside the curtains of despondency and throws open locked doors. He hits the light switch in our dark hearts. He pierces our complacency and boldly intrudes into our self-pity, brashly calling it what it is and challenging us to leave it behind.

He does it occasionally by heaping on trouble."

-from A Lifetime of Wisdom by Joni Eareckson Tada

How deep the Father's love for us,

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the chosen One,

Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

~Words by Stuart Townend~

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Seth, Micah, and Kenton took a "break" from the week's work to climb Pioneer Peak last Saturday. After starting the 15 mile hike at 7:30 am, they summited the 6300+ foot peak with 10 friends and made it down in time for dinner (at McDonalds.) :)

Matthew takes a break from the climb.

Six of the group–including Micah, Sandie, and Luke–tried to reach the North Peak of Pioneer (the actual, but technical, summit) yet had to turn back due to time constraints.

Sandie, with the South Peak as a magnificent backdrop.

After reaching the south summit, some of us headed down to a ridge, where we began our attempt at the north peak.

The rugged north peak in sight.

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On Monday, work resumed at the site... however, we are still waiting for several windows that have been delayed for nearly a week. Because the windows have not arrived on time, we have not been able to finish building the remaining second-story walls.

The stairs out the back door of the garage were built quickly, due to Duncan's expertise.

The stairs – complete.

The best time of any work day... lunch. :)

Enjoying a temporary respite from the otherwise incessant rain.

Micah takes a turn using the radial arm saw.

The walls lay ready for the windows to arrive...

Work continued despite the steady rain.

One wall was raised today... the first for the second story of the house!

A view of the house from the second story of the garage.

The front porch gradually begins to take shape...

Psalm 9:9-10

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.

Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Clark levels the ground and brings the earth over the blue board at the base of the foundation until every side of the house looks smooth.

The view from the living room to the garage

Elsie Jane under the walkway

The concrete is poured into the sonotubes which will provide support for the porch.

Having Mr. Carl assign him the job of nailing in the earthquake strips on the walkway proved to be a big encouragement for Wynn.

Wynn and Psalm after the job is completed. The rip stick next to them was a very special gift from Christopher, their new friend. Unbeknownst to me Wynn was riding it on the 2nd level of the garage before any of the walls were up.

It looks as though Kenton and Micah are tired of working - Watch out for falling objects Mr. Carl - they may use any excuse for a break.

Wynn won't be left out of the action.

Kenton and Seth at the saw

Sharing a good laugh with Duncan and Clark

At work in the garage.

Roger prepares to build the stairs.

These stairs lead to the unfinished area above the garage.

Marlyn and Jean and Bruce come by for a quick visit.

Micah atop the floor joists above the garage

The higher up the building goes, the better the view for photos.

Building the west wall of the garage second story.

The raising of the wall as seen from the outside.

Now watching the process from the inside.

Dave, Tracy, and Elsie Jane

Next, the southern wall goes up - as seen from outside.

Now - an inside perspective.

Everyone lends a hand or two.

The last wall to be elevated so far is the northern wall on the second story of the garage.

The upper story of the garage.

Until the windows arrive, the fourth wall will remain horizontal.