A bunch of news (and some olds)

Electrical Inspection-
We got approval on our rough electrical inspection on the very first try a few weeks ago. This is a very big deal that I sense many of you had been praying for. I had intended to post a picture of the signed permit, but I'm a slacker and never did download the pics. Our good friend Buddy Hines did a great job getting us ready for that, so big thanks to him.

Plumbing Progress-
The plumbing effort continues.

Dad and Mr. Jerry have been here again since last Friday and left for home today. We worked through last weekend and got the remaining attic items pretty much wrapped up. The gas lines were tested earlier this week and withstood the pressure so that is very good news. The remaining rough plumbing will hopefully get wrapped up early next week so we can get to sheetrock. We still will need a permit and official inspection approval on this work as well, so please be praying that both would be provided. Also, please pray that the remaining work would proceed swiftly so that Dad and Jerry can get back to their normal lives. Also, big, big thanks to their families for allowing them to be away to help get us over this hurdle.

Mortgage payoff-
I wrote here last week that we had received the checks from the insurance company that would payoff our debt on our previous mortgage. We FedExed the checks and appropriate documentation on Friday. We got confirmation on Monday that Chase had received the package and got word yesterday that everything had been processed and that we no longer have debt on the old place. So, the deal is done. We own that piece of dirt, steps and debris outright now. WOO HOO! (that is real excitement, not sarcasm in case anyone is wondering)

Leave of Absence-
Next to the mortgage payoff, this is really some of the biggest news for us of late. We have been praying and thinking for a while now about me taking some time off from my consulting work with The Structure Group. The people at TSG are fantastic and everyone there has been beyond flexible, very understanding and remarkably generous with Holly and I as we seek to put our life back together. But with the renovation ongoing and all the challenges of life after Katrina, I have been sensing a need/calling to take some time off. This hopefully will allow us to make some significant progress on the house (i.e. get it liveable and us moved in) and to do some real soul-searching and reflection on what our vocational calling is and where that might take us (or leave us). My leave starts today (I am currently at the airport waiting for my last flight home for a while) and will continue for a few months (at least).

So please pray that we would be refreshed by this time off from weekly travel, that Holly and I would grow more and more unified to one another in Christ, that the renovations would be completed very quickly and that God would grant us clarity and wisdom as to what sort of work we will return to once this time is over. Despite how generously God has provided for us thus far, we still have some trepidations about the financial implications of me not working (well not having an income) for a while. So please pray that God would continue to provide and that He would extinguish our doubt and give us peace and confidence in His provision.

Thanks.

B