Unless the Lord...

"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain."
-Psalm 127:1

It has been so amazing to see what the Lord has done here at the Hedgepeth House! We have seen three phases completed. It really is awesome. We continue to rejoice in this project that the Lord has started, and is sure to finish.

During this last phase, we found ourselves sitting livingroom after dinner, sharing with one another. The passion in Bill is absolutely contagious! He was sharing with Lyle and Chris about the project. He shared something like this...

This is not about building a house for the Hedgepeths. This is about building the Kingdom of God. That is not just a large familyroom, that is a room that will host people from the nations, training them to go the the Nations! That apartment for Jackson is not just an apartment, it is a place that provides security for both Jackson and his parents. It allows Todd and Vickie to do what God has called them to do...without worry for Jackson.

This whole project is bigger than we can imagine. The impact that this will have on the eternity cannot be measured at this time. Thank you for being a part of it.

Bill went on to tell the guys that their talents are gifts from the Lord. They are really good at what they do. (Bill did say that these guys are as good as it gets! They did an amazing job!)

Todd and I are just so grateful that they came to "share" their gifts.

I've reflected a bit more on that night. What are the gifts that I have that I just see as "things that I do," that are really placed in me by Creator God?

God has given each of us gifts...gifts of organization, creativity, good with numbers, people person, carpentry, entertaining, etc., etc..

Gifts are things that we find coming more easily to us, not something we force ourselves into. When I am expressing my "gifts", it really is a gift to myself as well as others, right? I am using it to bring joy to God and others, and I find I am refreshed and energized at the same time. When I have to force it, it comes with a load of stress. (I hear the words of the Psalmist, "Unless the Lord builds the house (gives the gift)".)

With this project, we have seen the Lord's favor. People have been sharing their gifts of finances, talents and friendship. Inspections have gone well. We are so thankful. We are having fun with this...excited to see the next thing that God is going to do with the project.

We are currently waiting on a variance from the city. We meet with them mid August. We have the walls up, floors done. Phase IV will be the second floor interior wall and the raising of the roof. So far, our three phases have added up to 7 working days! Whew!

...unless the Lord builds the house.