First off let me tell you how much I love comments! Both Emily and Brooke commented on my last post. It is good to hear from other moms out there who have special needs kids or other moms who are striving to raise their kids to the glory of God. This mothering thing is tough and we need to stick together to support one another and lift eachother up in prayer!

This last week brought some interesting trials to our home. We had a flood in our town. Our town normally floods each year but this one was close to the 100 year flood level. Our home is in the flood plain. Fortunately our main living space is raised about 2 plus feet from ground level so it'd have to flood really bad for our main living space to get water. We do have an entry and large sunroom/playroom and our garage and shops at the normal building level though, and all of those areas got hit with water. We had about 8 inches of water in our garage which also is in the process of being converted to a homeschool room, two bedrooms and a bathroom, plus with stairs to additional bedrooms. We also had about 3 inches in our entry and sunroom/playroom. Fortunately we got most everything up in time, including our freezer and dryer. The biggest loss was the furnance which is under our home and the duct work.

All of this is a blessing though. Our home is old and we are slowly remodeling it. We wanted to replace our furnance anyhow, so now insurance will help us with that. Fortunately we have wood heat too so we are using that as our primary heat now. Its working out fine and I love having the fire lit. Its so cozy and comforting.

We got all the ruined rugs up and what other things were ruined, mainly some old furniture, all thrown out. I bleached all the floors and now we just need to put things back in place. I'm hoping that will be complete over the next 2 days so that we can start cleaning up the shops and outside. Its messy out there!

Even with all of this extra trouble we are reminded that God uses all things for His purpose. The flood reminds us who is really in charge. God is the ultimate power and controller of our world. A flood is a good reminder of that. A flood also reminds us to be thankful for what really counts: our families, our salvation, God's provision. The stuff that is ruined is just stuff and replaceable. I don't say that lightly as I lost some precious things to me about 5 years ago in a fire. I nearly lost one of my children to that fire as well. It was an extremely emotional and trying thing to go through. Even so, God used it for good just like He is using this flood for good.

My kids did okay with the flood. They have missed having their play area and I'm looking forward to having that back for them. They were all asleep during the rising water which I was very thankful for. I fear it would have really scared them.

This week we are trying to get back to normal. My son Noah has the chicken pox so he'll have no outside therapy this week. That is a bummer for him but its nice to have him home all the time too.

I'll close reminding all of us to be thankful for what we have. We are so blessed in this country. Thank you Lord for using all situations for your glory and good.

Blessings - Janelle

• Post A Comment! • Send to a Friend!

Posted by Emily

Sorry to hear about the flooding, but thank God it wasn't worse for you! And like you said, it is good that you can get a new furnace that you needed with the insurance, it is nice the way it all works out like that. Hope your son feels better and that ya'll had a good thanksgiving despite the flooding.

• Permanent Link

Posted by pokemom

My child is not a special needs child but, he is special all the same. I have enjoyed homeschooling these past few years. He has changed so much this year in his views on life. He is 15 now. He has became to close to us and God. He is polite, greatful, and knows what he wants to do with his life after school is over. I am so thankful to have the skills and time to homeschool him. He was so lost in public school. You have a nice blog and I have enjoyed reading it...
Robin

• Permanent Link