It’s hard to know where to begin a post after the last one was about our precious little Susannah Joy. We all have been overwhelmed by the love and prayers of so many people. Nathan and Melanie have received many, many cards, and our family has received quite a few as well, not to mention all the e-mails. The Lord has truly been very gracious to our family as we have walked through the valley of the shadow of death. Nathan and Melanie were able to spend a few days away last weekend, which was a blessed time of healing and rest for both of them. Thank you from all of us for your prayers; we have truly felt them.
Over the last few weeks, the house work has continued. It has been amazing to see it take shape. The framers are beginning to put the rafters up. In the meantime, Dad and Mom are busy making house decisions. Dad is also preparing to start working with the boys on plumbing. A few nights ago, some of us children were over at the house, and we went up to the second floor/attic where we sat and talked. With a cool breeze blowing and the sun setting, it was a nice time to just talk.
Last month, Joseph and John purchased a used Bobcat machine. This has worked out to be such a blessing with the house project. The boys plan to begin their own business with it, and they already had their first job.
We’re excited about the extra space for the ministry. We are totally maxed out in this house. Some of us will be working on compiling Managers of Their Chores books soon with the ChorePack Kits, and even now, boxes of Chore books are stacked in the hallway. We have books out in the shed that don’t fit in the basement.
Thank you again for all your prayers. Our Lord is merciful and gracious.
Sarah for the rest
Joseph working on the house
John working on the house
Honey enjoys walking to the edges and looking over :-)! Notice the Families for Jesus trailers?
We thought this would be a fun photo.
We praise the Lord with you all for the rapid progress on your new home! How exciting! We very much understand how it is to outgrow a house…we still thank the Lord daily for the blessing of our current home here.
We also daily continue to lift you all up before our Heavenly Father in prayer. Often times during the week, the children will ask to watch Susannah Joy’s slide show. You are on our hearts and in our prayers. May you continue to feel the love and comfort of our Lord Jesus.
love,
Jaynee
My hearts still aches for Nathan, Melanie, and the rest of your family. I’m so glad they were able to get away for a time together. May the Lord’s peace and comfort be ever-present and tangible during the journey through this valley.
It is good to see the wonderful progress being made on your construction project. Also, my daughter is waiting with bated (baited?) breath for Spring with the Moodys to come out, though I will refrain from asking, “How much looonger?”, lol. Blessings to you and yours.
I did OK with the photo of Joseph, until I noticed the hammer dangling over the edge… akkk… so close to the edge. Then my knees tingled. Ãœ
Enjoy your time of learning and building. It’ll be over before you know it. Then let the cleaning begin! LOL
THANKS for the update.
Sarah,
Thanks for the update. I have been checking daily and praying that you are all healing.
Jen
Sarah,
I have been thinking about and praying for your whole family. I’m so thankful that Nathan and Melanie were able to get away for some rest and healing. Thank you for taking the time to update the blog.
Your family is such an inspiration to me – such a witness to the strength and loving hand of the Lord. I pray the Lord strengthens you all through this trial with more faith and more desire to serve Him.
May the Lord bless the Maxwell Families…
It’s good to hear from you all again! I have missed the blog.
It is wonderful to hear from you again. We have missed you.
Sarah –
Thank you for the update. My daughter is also very excited about your upcoming new release.
Praising the Lord for His faithfulness in seeing all of you thought this very, very difficult time.
T
Sarah,
It is so good to hear from you again! Our prayers continue for you all, especially Nathan and Melanie. The photos of the new house are great! We anxiously await the arrival of your new book – hope work on it is going well. Thanks for sharing with us.
Stephanie
After viewing the photos of your house project, first I was thinking ‘How DO these people take on such a project — they are amazing!’, and then I also thought ‘Wow, what beautiful smiles they all have — such joy they have in their project!’. Very uplifting.
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Thanks so much for posting Sarah. We have been daily praying for you all. It brought joy to my heart to see the pictures…sometimes a picture relays answered prayer more than words can.
We could use some dirt work down here in TX…I don’t suppose the Bobcat business stretches quite this far? It is always an encouragement seeing your family at work!
In Christ Alone,
Julie
thank you so much for your update. nathen and melanie remain in my prayers as they travel i this dark valley. it is so nice they could get away together for a time of closeness and healing. i don’t know how one ever heals from the loss of a child. i know god is with them.
your home is really coming along. you inspire me with all your hard work. i just painted the entire inside of our home, and i still need to touch up the kitchen–reading your blog and seeing the pictures inspires me to finish it this weekend. thank you.
blessings, mrs. mari