October 19, Tuesday - 9:50 p.m.

It is hard to believe that exactly seven months ago today our home burned down.

"God is concerned with growing us up, stretching us, humbling us, accomplishing a deeper work within us. He can do it through illness, through failure, through disappointment. He can do it through unexpected hardship... God uses such times in our lives to accomplish His greater purposes, to prepare us for a work we simply cannot see from our ant-like perspective. The best we can ever have will come from the hand of God - as we follow hard after Him.

Perhaps you are saying, 'I find it hard not to worry about tomorrow. I struggle to enjoy the moment in the midst of its difficulties.' Sometimes life is exceedingly hard; and we have been hit so hard by life that it is difficult to move forward without looking for the next hit. The hardships of life can destroy our ability to trust. If we have a perspective on the big picture, then it's much easier to take life one day at a time. It's much easier to have hope. But if we have lost perspective, we begin to lose hope.

Ahead of us will be hardships, unexpected turns, and setbacks. That is the nature of life. If you are in one of those dark, unexplainable times, cling to this. Look for the roses, for they will come from His hand.

~Life is hard...but God is Good.

~Life is unpredictable...but God is Sovereign.

~Life is unfair...but God is Just.

~Life is short...but God is Eternal.

~from Choices by Mary Farrar

Siding continues.

Mr. Carl uses Kenton's help to put up the frame for the corner window.

The octogon window is framed in the large gable.

Mr. Steve paints a color sample onto the side of the house to assist us in the decision process. Making quick decisions is not our forte, as patient Mr. Carl can confirm.

When a lift was rented for the day, Roger and Duncan were able to accomplish many high-altitude jobs.

One of the tasks was to cover the metal strips with wood trim.

The view from the lift was a sight to behold.

Kenton waited on the ground to tie siding or trim to a rope which was then used to hoist the needed items to Roger up above.

Thanks to Roger the kids had a chance to ride on the lift before it was returned.

Wendy's birthday was celebrated recently with this charming gang of friends and family.

Although the cake said "29", everyone knew better.

Niece Elsie, who also celebrated a birthday this week, gave a beautiful gift of roses.

Doug worked feverishly to meet the extended tax deadline on October 15th. Thankfully the charred tax papers which were found in the burned filing cabinet were sufficiently decipherable to use in the filing process. And though some of our records were burned beyond recognition, most were salvagable.

Installing the octogon window and the remaining windows on the front of the house.

The temporary doors are put in the doorways and the garage door installed. Now with the exception of one window the house is totally enclosed in time for winter.

The support beams for the temporary shelter are finally taken down.

Today is October 11 and it is 9:10 a.m.

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!

I have overcome the world."

~John 16:33~

"So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."

~1 Peter 4:19~

Thankfully the weather has remained conducive to finishing the outside work even though the temperature is not balmy. By Wednesday evening the siding should be complete and then the external painting can begin. Several windows still need to be installed and there is some outside cleanup to be done before snow falls. Plumbing continues inside. (The above photo snapped by Doug on a recent Maui trip may seem quite out of place, however, since Hawaii is what Alaskans dream of during the long, bitter winters in order to keep thawed out mentally, we thought it was appropriate.)

The truck did not get stuck!

Neil and sons and Len help out.

Daniel and Luke lead the autumn bird hunt.

Friend and landlord, Mr. Dave, lends a hand transforming felled trees into winter firewood.

Even little workers get a lot of work done.

Daniel and sons came to help with the cleanup... and to play while the weather is so fair.

The roof is finished!

Duncan and Kenton measure siding.

Roger nails up the custom-measured-and-cut-by-Duncan siding. Last week while Roger was working, his ladder fell resulting in some minor injuries; We are very thankful that he was not hurt more seriously.

Learning from an expert

Wynn is thrilled whenever he is able to work with Roger and Duncan.

The house as it looked last night

Taking time to wave signs with Matthew and Gregory

Celebrating another birthday at the site.

"Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak."

~Isaiah 40:28-29~

Wynn recently saw this rainbow at the site.

We are so thankful that our yard did not have to be destroyed during the rebuilding process.

Mr. Carl and Doug observing the roofers at their work.

Taylor expertly shingles the walkway roof.

Sterling puts the wrap-around shingles on the edge of the gable.

Watching Jimmy at his work mesmerizes Psalm and Wynn.

Roger and Duncan complete the loft framing.

Viewing the loft from the stairs.

The loft as seen from the boys' bedroom

On Friday most of the roofing was completed! The walkway still has a gap at the ridge of the roof where rain can fall inside and we are waiting for the final order of shingles to arrive, but once these issues are dealt with the roof will be finished.

Brook, Mr. Carl, and Doug talk while Psalm tries to escape the camera.

It was wonderful to have Duncan and his son, Taylor, working on the same job again yesterday.

Roger and Duncan performed several jobs on Thursday and Friday besides finishing the construction of the loft. One of them was framing in the corner window.

Another was framing the garage opening for the garage door.

Lastly they framed in the fireplace stack which passes through the boys' bedroom

and the living room .

On Saturday morning at 4 a.m. Doug took three of the boys duck hunting; the above photo shows how Wynn laid out his clothes on Friday night in joyful anticipation of the exciting outing.