Hello....

....from wet Iowa!

I am SO sorry for my lack of posting! I do realize that it has almost been 2 weeks since I last posted....I haven't been keeping up very well lately. But things are gradually getting back to normal around our household - although I know the work is just beginning for some families who were hit by the flood.

We are very slowly getting our new house in order....we finally have the dining room and living room how we want it. Yay! Everything else is coming along - our goal is to have it done by tomorrow....which may be a lofty goal, but it is a goal.

It's gradually starting to hit home a little more about how much we lost - as we are unpacking, we notice things that are gone or are not the same as before. Today, we had to go through all of our piano music - that was not fun. We lost a lot of music that we use when we travel and just use for fun. But, thankfully, we were able to salvage more than I had originally thought we would be able to - some of what we lost can be replaced - when that will happen is still up in the air.

Our old house is coming along, as well. The basement is being bleached and cleaned out, and the items that we were able to salvage from our garages will be hosed down and bleached, hopefully, tomorrow. Progress is being made!

All of us are so exausted....we have been on the go for a month straight. Last Sunday, we had a wonderful break from it all as some friends (who happen to be friends of not only us, but also our pastor and his family) came up and we got to hang out with them all day! We spent the afternoon and after church Sunday night playing ultimate frisbee, croquet, and spoons! It was a wonderfully relaxing day - it was great to get away from it all.

Hopefully our internet on our normal computer will be up soon - for right now, we are using Dad's laptop - which makes it hard to post pictures and to look at your blogs. But I will try to post more often!

God has been so good throughout this whole ordeal! I have two verses I would like to share that have helped me throughout this time.

"Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord." ~ Psalm 31:24

"But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;" ~ Isaiah 43:1-3a

I think I could use a shout-out from all of my friends right about now! Also, a lot of you who have blogs aren't saved on my dad's favorites, which makes it hard to find your blog. Please leave a comment so that it makes it easier for me to find it. So please leave a comment! I would love to hear from anyone who is reading this! :-)