We had a big blessing here at WillowBridge yesterday! The United Way Day of Caring sent a crew out to do some work on our property, and oh my goodness, how BEAUTIFUL the place looks now!
They sent a crew last year too, and we had the best time working alongside them. We were so excited to find out they were sending the same group again this year, and we had just as much fun! They helped pull weeds in our ivy-covered landscaping, trimmed up all the bushes, turned the mulch, and trimmed and shaped up the trees.
We don't always get to keep up with some of those big-picture projects on a daily basis, so this was an incredible blessing to us. (We also had new siding put on the building a few weeks ago, so it really does look like a whole new place now!) We are thankful for people who are willing to give time out of their day to bless others, and it meant so much to us to be the recipient of those blessings this week.
Yesterday was a big day, because in addition to getting that blessing, one of our tenants hit a big milestone!
When our tenants move in, they all attend a program that helps them with job preparedness, but it also helps them work through personal obstacles that can stand in the way of being able to find and hold a good job. When the students in their program have held a job for a full year, they are invited back to be recognized for their accomplishment. Their names go on a celebration wall, and they have a chance to celebrate in the presence of students just starting out in the program.
Yesterday was celebration day for one of our tenants! She has had her job for a full year and she was recognized for her accomplishment. Sarah and I accompanied her to the celebration and it was a joy for us to watch her bask in the kind words said about her by the people in the program. We were also so proud of her for standing up (voluntarily!) to share words of encouragement with the current students.
So those were good things that happened that blessed us this week.
But it hasn't all been good and easy.
Ryan found out this week that one of his friends and co-workers from the hospital where he used to work passed away from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
It's been almost 25 years to the day since I lost my friend Craig in much the same way, and I have not forgotten the intense pain of that phone call. It's so hard to find out you've lost a friend, isn't it?
The whole staff at the hospital was dear to Ryan. He misses them and the world they shared together every day. He's thankful for each of them. But if you think of that crew this week, will you pray for them? This is the first big loss they've experienced since not being together every day. Grieving from a distance makes it harder for all of them!
In the blessings and the difficulties, we remain grateful for the Lord and how He sustains. He always does!
2 comments:
Congrats to your tennant. So sorry abut Ryan's loss.
And such is LIFE; the good and the hard! Happy for the good things you shared and praying for Ryan and his co-workers!
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