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Psalm 28:7


The LORD is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me,
and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
~Psalm 28:7



Almost six months ago.....Josh and I took a leap of faith. You see.....God placed something on our hearts over the past year....

He whispered ideas in our dreams.
He nudged us at Christian festivals.
He poked our ribs listening to certain messages about the youth.
He brought messages about the importance of preparing the next generation.
He smacked us upside the head when reminding us of our talents and what we are called to do.

....so we could not ignore it any longer.

In this unstable economy and living already on a tight budget, we decided to apply for a refinance and take out a decent amount of equity on our home. It wasn't an easy process.....there were so many stumbling blocks and frustrations along the way.....looking back, we know it was the enemy trying to foil our plan. But we just kept trusting in God and knew that if this was what we were supposed to be doing, it would all work out and the loan would be processed.

.....and it was, and just like God.....we ended up with a lower rate and a higher appraisal on our property.

The day the check cleared......we started this journey. We knew we would have to do pretty much ALL the renovation work ourselves to make every dollar stretch. How thankful we are to have Josh blessed with the wisdom needed for all the construction that was necessary . We give God all the praise for the strength He gave to Josh as he worked 4-6 hours every night after working 8-9 at his "day" job.

Most would have given up when fingers and hands were split/bleeding from the labor, back pain was excruciating, and exhaustion was taking a toll on your physical and emotion self.........but Josh kept his eyes focused on God's goal....and pressed forward.

I could share so much on what we have gone through to bring this project together.....but I think that the photos will prove that "all things are possible with Christ" and we did it. We could have never done this without Him.....and this is all FOR Him!

So now......I present to you.....the future home of Bible study/worship center for our kids and their friends. We converted our two car garage into a 600 sq. foot great room for our family and friends. We have a friend, a youth pastor, who will be joining us for our special nights, getting "down with Jesus" with the teens and preaching the Good News. Of course there will be pizza, video games and bonfires too! We want to continue adding to our "Heaven Hospitality" welcoming list.

Josh also invested in tons of equipment for a recording studio that is located in the adjacent room where he is donating his time/talents to aspiring Christian musicians/bands.

So here it is.....from start to finish.








We are so excited to see what God has planned......we know and trust that God has had His Hand on this since Day One. We trust and believe that the angels will be celebrating, singing, and praising Him along with us!

Have a blessed week~
*~Michelle~*

28 comments:

Debby@Just Breathe said...

What a beautiful story. The room looks wonderful. I pray for that room to be a place where each person who enters it can meet with God personally. Amen

Bill (cycleguy) said...

As I scrolled down the pictures I was blown away Michelle. honestly, at first I thought you were going to talk about homeschooling because that is an awesome sacrifice. But this is like WOW! In my day: Holy Mackerel! I can't find the adjectives to describe my thoughts. God will bless this for sure. now...one question: is he on loan to others? LOL

~*Michelle*~ said...

Thanks!

Ha! Bill....HOLY MACKEREL is from "my" day too!

Funny you mention homeschooling because we have one wall/area that is designated for the desk(s)/computer and bookshelves. (just haven't gotten that finished yet!) And also, we do feel that the privilege of homeschooling is a gift as well!

I think you could work something out with Josh....he is one of those "I have to keep busy" kinda guys! :)

Joyce said...

This is awesome! Can't wait to read Chapter 2 : )

Andrea said...

Yes, indeed HE will bless you now and forever! He will use you in ways you may never know to change lives of young and old.
Hugs, love, and prayers,
andrea

PS: I just need to say...I am blessed to have been brought into friendship with you...another sister in CHRIST! I praise GOD for sharing you with me.

jasonS said...

Just awesome! I love hearing stories of people who hear and feel the direction of God and go for it. What a testimony of miracles! I pray blessings as you reach out, care for, and love on all those coming into your home--in Jesus' name.

Kristina P. said...

Oh, what a great project, Michelle! Congrats!

Kim said...

Good. For. You.

Together We Save said...

Wow - this looks amazing!! Great job.

Heart2Heart said...

Michelle,

Praising God that He has provided the way and the means for you to accomplish this wonderful place to share in fellowship and His love.

I absolutely love it and can't wait to see how many live God blesses with this place.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Karen M. Peterson said...

That is quite a project, Michelle! Congratulations on working together to realize your (and His) vision!

alicia said...

That is so awesome! what an amazing gift you are giving to the next generation!! He will bless you much through this, I am sure!

Beth E. said...

That's awesome, Michelle! I know that God has big plans for your new addition! Looking forward to hearing all about it. :-)

RCUBEs said...

That is so awesome sister! I can't imagine how many lives are going to be blessed by this awesome project you completed! All for Him! Glory to God! I can't sing but I can play my guitar [just simle chords]. I wish I can worship with you :) God bless you all.

Mercedes said...

Well done for following His prompts and for being obedient. Your place looks amazing and I know amazing things will happen there.

God bless you

Mercedes

Sara @ Domestically Challenged said...

what an amazing thing to do, and a huge BLESSING to those kids whose minutes will be spent in that room.

Shark Bait said...

WOW!

Talk about a leap of faith.

<-SB><

christy rose said...

What a transformation and a story that will bring God glory from now until forever! How awesome!!!

Billy Coffey said...

That's just fantastic! WOW!

~*Michelle*~ said...

Man, wouldn't it be awesome to have one big JAM session for Jesus with all of you here with us?!?!?!

OK, invite is officially open-ended!

Angela said...

Your right girl. I NEEDED to read this, I NEEDED this...Thank you thank you thank you. I could just cry when I saw these pics. Well I did get teary eyed. Michelle, your post has filled me with hope for my family and I. You know how we have been in a very hard place these last 20 months. I BELIEVE. I believe God will bring good and our 'dreams' will flourish and come to fruition. Your right, the enemy has tried to bring so much fear and uncertainity, but God in His faithfulness has built me up when I have been cast down in spirit..and this post has built me back up. He KNEW I needed this tonight.

Thank You Jesus for hearing my cries this morning. Thank You for bringing peace and hope into my heart and loving me so graciously.

Mich said...

It looks GREAT!!! Congrats on a job well done. May God bless your efforts and the ministry of the room.

Joshua said...

Hey guys, thanks very much for all the kind words of encourgement and praise, god really does deserve all the credit and glory on this one.
It is not 100% done, we are still adding some finishing touches on the music area, homeschooling area, etc, but last night we all watched TV down there w/a fire going and it was amazing.
A funny thing happened to a day or so, I heard a bunch of commotion and found a few teenager friends that the kids brought home playing xbox and talking and stuff and my vision has been realized!
Other kids are coming there to hang out and soon they are going to hear THE WORD when the music area is done, maybe 2 weeks?
In any case, thanks for the support, but it is really all God that put this in our mids, we were merely listening.
More soon and once the recording studio is up and running, we are going to help Christian artists achieve a dream to record a song or so to share the word, upload on youtube, etc and help them spread God's Glory, one song at a time.
Love to all- Joshua

Tracy said...

This is SO COOL! I'm looking forward to reading future posts about how God is using this place, His Word, the relationships to bring and deepen people in their relationship with Him.

photogr said...

Excellent idea on putting a mat under the drums. Other wise they will be sliding all over the floor.

This is such a grand idea that you and Josh decided with God's help to do this for the kids. Certainly a better place than the kids hanging out on street corners and getting in trouble.

May God bless you forever.

Unknown said...

Joshua and Michelle - PRAISE GOD!

Oh I can't wait to see and hear what God is going to do with the addition! He will bless your obedience and trust in Him!

Homeschooling is a gift and yes even a sacrifice at times.

I posted some of my organizational ideas yesterday on my homeschool blog! You can check it out there.

Blessings and love,
Jill

Heart2Heart said...

Michelle,

I just wanted to take some time and let you know that you are the winner of my book giveaway, for a copy of the book, Green Like God!

Please email me with your mailing information so that I can get a copy of the book out to you in the mail.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

sanjeet said...

This is awesome! Can't wait to read
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