Reno continues on the P&B home

Well, were starting to get down to the wire now on the reno. Things are coming together very nicely.
On the weekend my Dad, Tyler's Dad, Uncle Kevin (Tyler's Uncle) and Todd dry walled their back room. They all pitched in and they worked hard. I can't wait to see how everything is going to look once their in.
So as we continue to do some necessary changes I will try to keep up on the pictures. We have less than 6 weeks to go until the wedding so the next little while I may not be blogging as much, but I will try my best because this is a very exciting time and I do want to share as much as I can with you all.
The next big phase is new windows and a bathroom reno!!!!!
I will keep you posted!!!!!!!!

Sweet Fragrance

For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ which exhales unto God…” (Psalm 42:1).

Did you know that your life is a sweet fragrance to God? Think about how a wonderful aroma affects you personally. When it’s springtime and the flowers are blossoming, everything feels new again. The sweet aroma in the air is a sign that the flowers are fresh and alive. It catches your attention! It makes you want to take a deep breath and partake of the wonderful sweet fragrance. God feels the same way about you! He loves wonderful aromas and when you are living your life to please Him, it’s a beautiful fragrance that captures His attention! Just like the aroma in springtime is a sign that the flowers are alive, the aroma of your life is a sign that Christ is alive in you. It is pleasing to the Father! The next time you experience a fresh fragrance, remember that your life is a fragrance unto God. You can rest in knowing that He is pleased with a heart that seeks after Him. As you continue to seek Him, you’ll be that sweet fragrance and you’ll experience His wonderful hand of blessing in every area of your life.

**from Joel Osteen's daily devotional**

The Shack Book Club

excerpt from "The Shack"

Almost as if on cue, a blue jay landed on the kitchen windowsill and began strutting back and forth. Papa reached into a tin on the counter and sliding the window open, offered Mr. Jay a mixture of grains that she must have kept just for that purpose. Without any hesitation, and with a seeming air of humility and thankfulness, the bird walked straight to her hand and began feeding.
"Consider our little friend here," she began. "most birds were created to fly. Being grounded for them is a limitation within their ability to fly, not the other way around." She paused to let Mack think about her statement. "You, on the other hand, were created to be loved. So for you to live as if you were unloved is a limitation, not the other way around.".......
"Living unloved is like clipping a bird's wings and removing its ability to fly. Not something I want for you."
"Mack, pain has a way of clipping our wings and keeping us from being able to fly." She waited a moment, allowing her words to settle. "And if left unresolved for very long, you can almost forget that you were ever created to fly in the first place." (Pg, 97)

What an incredible analogy of how we were meant to live as God's children. How truly we are to live, to be loved and to love. But unfortunately life has sometimes clipped our wings and we don't live up to our full potential of what God has designed for us. Are there things in your life that have been unresolved? Have you forgotten how to fly?

Matt. 6:26 Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father (Papa) feeds them. Are you not much more VALUABLE then they?

Just for FUN

What I was doing 10 years ago:
I was babysitting in my home and I had decided to go back to school to become an esthetician. I went to a private school in Richmond Hill.

Five Snacks I enjoy: (not in any kind of order!)
1. Chocolate
2. chips and dip
3. dorito's
4.Chocolate
5. cracker's & peanut butter

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Pay off debt
2. Buy my husband an Escape (Ford)
3. Go on a family vacation
4. Pay off Ashley and Tyler's house
5. Give a big chunk to the church

Five jobs that I have had:(most recent first)
1. Mommy
2. child care provider in my home
3. Child care assistant at a daycare
4. Esthetician
5. Business owner in my home

Three of my habits:
1. Drink a lot of coffee
2. eat a lot of chocolate
3.watch t.v. more than I should (but not right now because were working on another house)

Bad Habits...
1. worrying
2. checking e-mail (like Holly :) )
3. eat junk food


Five place I have lived:
1. Kemptville, Ontario (where I was born)
2. Peterborough, Ontario
3. Grimsby, Ontario
4. Belleville, Ontario


Five things not many people know about me:
1. Dislike camping, rather hotel it!!!!
2. Not a good organizer
3. Finished my grade 12, 9 years ago
4. Really enjoy working at home, I am a home body.
5. Would love to own a red sport's car!!!!!

Take Refuge in Him

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him” (Psalm 34:8).

Where do you take refuge when the storms of life come? Where do you go for comfort and safety? Some people find it easy to turn to their friends, their job, or even a bowl of ice-cream! There’s nothing wrong with any of those things, but God the Father wants us to turn to Him first. He wants us to take refuge in Him. He longs to protect us and defend us and give us His strength. We serve a good God, and when we take refuge in Him, He will pour out His abundant blessing in our lives. Taste and see that the Lord is good today. Taste and see that His promises are good. When you turn to God, the Bible promises that you will find rest and refuge for your soul. No matter what you may be facing today, come to the Father. He will give you His peace and strength, and you’ll live the blessed life He has prepared for you!

from Today's daily devotion by Joel Osteen.

Pratt/Butcher home--part 2

The front entrance.
Tyler painting the closet!!








YAH!!!
The Kitchen is all painted!!!!








Ashley is hoping she
picked the right colour...
I love it!!!!!



So here are some more pictures of the house. We painted the kitchen and the living room on the weekend. We had a lot of family bonding time. It's amazing how quickly you can paint when there are a lot of hands.










Of course there were coffee breaks in there too......
I have to say Tyler and Ashley are truly blessed, what an awesome opportunity to purchase a house and watch it become their future home.

The Pratt/Butcher Home

The Kitchen!!!







The Dining Room!!!








The Living Room!!!
The Mom's!!!!

I thought I would share with you some pictures of Ashley and Tyler's house. They have been working on it since they took possession a week ago.
The owner before had lived in this house for 48 years and raised her family of 5 kids. Her husband had died years before, so now the house is having a rebirth. They have ripped up carpets and now will start with the painting. New life, new beginnings, new memories ahead.
Pray blessings, and a full house for the future!!!!! (but not to soon......)

Book Club week One

Well I know that I am a little late in posting my thoughts on our Book club. We are reading the book "The Shack" by William Young and it started last Wed night and we will be meeting every other Wed night. We had 11 ladies out and the discussion was so good. The things we got out of the first couple of chapters were amazing.
I asked Maureen if she could right down a few thought on how the evening went and what we got out of it. So here are a few of her thoughts. Thanks, Maureen for your insight.

Nature vs Nurture perhaps will be apparent as we delve deeper.

I also thought and I agree with Julie that Mack was a religious man a pharisee of sorts.

Book smart but not life smart in the sense of a personal relationship with God however Nan was just the opposite her relationship was purely personal.

Her comfort in knowing The Father as Papa kinda like Gary calling God Daddy.

I think Mack loved her way of worshiping but was conditioned as we all may have been growing up.So he clung to her freedom in Christ to get him through the Great sadness.

Stay tuned, I am sure there will be other comments to blog. So if your reading this book but can't make it out to our discussions please feel free to comment at anytime. Look forward to hearing what you get out of this book.

Happy Reading!!!!