Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Keeping Our Heads Above Water - Chapter 2

December 29, 2015


When Chuck brought this ugly green canoe home many years ago, I thought he had lost his mind. We would NEVER use it and it would just take up space in the boathouse until he grew tired of stepping over it, I declared at the time.


Well, I was wrong.  It's been used many times....once by a neighbor boy who mounted a trolling motor on it so he didn't have to actually row.....by our son using it as a gondola to cruise around the lake....and now, as our means of transportation from our car to the house.



This canoe has been good to us.  And this week, it earned every penny Chuck payed for it so long ago.  It was a means of moving essentials out of the house....carting Mark the general contractor to the front door.....transporting dehumidifying fans our brother-in-law drove 3 hours to bring us....the list goes on.....and on......and on.



And it canoed us to a house this morning with very little water in it.  Yesterday a half foot of water....today...mere inches.  God is SO amazing!  The cleanup began and neighbors like Becky sweeping the debris of pine cones and mulch from inside the house so Larry could use the shop vac to vacuum them up, made my heart smile for how fortunate we were to have friends like Becky and Larry who love us.


Honestly friends, I have never felt more blessed than I feel today!  Your comments, phone calls, texts and visits mean more to us than I could ever tell you. I have read every single one of them and am simply amazed at the love going on here.  I only hope I am there for you when you need me like you were there for me when I needed you.  Lord, please remind me to be a servant to others as they have been to me.


Chuck's garage is still holding the worst of it.....and we still have one room that is not quite dry yet, but all in all, I have no complaints.  We have donated labor coming tomorrow by members of our church and community to tear out the sheetrock and others bringing dinner for us tomorrow night...just as they have every night this week.


And during the darkest part of Sunday night, when the winds were blowing their hardest and the rains were pouring into our shelter, I recalled this scripture in Genesis: "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good." (Genesis 50:20) and I knew....I KNEW....there was something much bigger going on here than dirty water entering our home.  

Yes....we are truly blessed.......indeed!










17 comments:

gastlysmom said...

Prayers continue for you friend. The love of the Mount Vernon people is a special love, and so glad they can pay YOU back for your love, your words of wisdom, and your always smiley face.
Hugs, Julie

Nancy Craig said...

Stuff is stuff but you will rebuild a place of greater love - your attitude is teaching us all- luv u

Elease Hubbell said...

Liz, I believe we will be able to get out of Panther Creek today. What can Jerry and I do to help you and Chuck?

Jen Etheridge said...

Sending love and hugs from me, the girls and Troy today as a new day begins!

Anonymous said...

Life is amazing God is GOOD. Friends are priceless. Everyone working n showing Gods love. praying for u.

Aunt Brenda said...

Thinking of you as the day starts....love you! Sending hugs!

Carla Riddle said...

So sorry for what happened to your home but so impressed with your faith and amazing attitude with all that has happened. I'm praying for you and all those in your community.

Brenda said...

Our God " How Great Thou Art!"

Denise said...

Love you Liz, so glad to see your progress and all the help by such wonderful friends and family, your positive attitude through all of this is SUCH an inspiration to me !

Steve Borth said...

Thanks for keeping us informed. I am blessed by your attitude in facing such a terrible situation and pray for a quick recovery and that you can soon relax in your beautiful home once again.

Cherie said...

Lots of work ahead...but so glad u have help and the water is leaving!

Liz Etheridge-Sekerke said...

Praying all will be back to normal for you soon

Pat Sayers said...

We are so blessed! The lake came within inches and started to recede. So after 4 hours in designer waders and thigh high water, the boats are all secured again. Prayers to my neighbors who lost everything but what is truly important - friends, family, and mostly importantly FAITH! Liz Calloway Etheridge you are an inspiration to all. I am so blessed to call you my friend

Cheryl said...

It is amazing how God uses terrible situations for His glory - and uses sweet people like my friend Liz Calloway Etheridge to remind us of His greatness

Jackie Stemple said...

Even though we are in Ben Bend on a vacation, we are praying for you and Chuck and all of people and pets dealing with the flooding at our beautiful lake. Take care. We love you guys and hope for the quick recovery that is needed.

Jackie

Kitty said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sherrie said...

My dear Liz,

My niece is visiting and she asked me what I was doing at 6:30am this morning. I told her I was reading your blog "Keeping our heads above Water." She looked intrigued.

I went on to describe how you were going through something most people would consider a disaster, but you were thanking God through it. You were counting your blessings. You were holding your head up and applying scriptures to your life.

She smiled, I smiled and I thought about the subtitle of my book, "the first ingredient of a miracle is an impossible situation." Thank you for showing me how to apply this to my life.

Sherrie