Thank you to all who helped

Getting the house ready for Linda and her kids to move in to was really a team effort. It has been so gratifying to me to experience so many people pulling together to work towards a common goal of helping and reaching out to someone (many of them(hadn't met) but many had prayed for.

To all the painters, most from my church family, but also Bill who graciously helped out.

To those who donanted money towards the cost of the paint.

To Ken Fausnaught for taking on the ceiling panel project.

To Mick Fleming for donating mulch, so the yard will also have a face lift.

To Don Kreischer for helping achieve the goal of a new kitchen for the ability to purchase the cabinets at cost and installing them, and the counter top (for which he donated the materials) for free. A new kitchen provides such a face lift!

And to Tom Garvey, of Garvey's Carpet Eporium who donated, and INSTALLED carptet for the entire house. It is truly a new house.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I am proud to live in such a sharing and caring community.

All moved in

It is an exciting time for the Padula family, as they arrived in Danville yesterday from upstate PA.

The house looks great, so I am told, but I haven't been in myself since the new carpeting has been installed. But it is completely repainted, freshly recarpeted, and the new kitchen is being finished up. All that is left is the mulch!

The kids love the colors, and I hope Jake the dog is happy!

Welcome Linda and family to Danville, where I hope the community welcomes you.

Serving as the Body

Wow! It is so wonderful to serve as a part of the body of Christ. And that is what all the volunteers and helpers are doing who are a part of the renovation of this house.

Today Garvey's sent the carpet guy, Al to measure. Al was with Garvey's when they installed the carpet in our house here. And yesterday I got a call from Bill McCloud, and he came to paint. I stayed as long as Al was there, and got almost the entire Master Bedroom primed. In the meantime Bill was working on the Living Room.

And Saturday I have lots of help lined up: John and Derek Jantzi, Mark Lillmars, Amy Swartz, the Printzenhoffs and me and the girls. It will be grand, and I bet we get a TON done.

I need to go back and take some more before pictures. And call CCN.

When the hands and feet of Christ work and serve in coordination, it is a beautiful thing.

The painting will begin!

Painting is about to begin on Linda's house. I think this is really exciting! I stopped by Cole's Hardware who is giving me a price break and put in my order for the first batch of paint, and have help tomorrow and Saturday. Saturday should be a regular party! So we'll see how long it takes to get this house done, and the youth group is adopting Cassie and Steph's rooms. Way cool!

Renovations on the way

I had unbelievably great news this week.

The house does need some cosmetic work: Complete interior painting, new carpet upstairs, but especially down, and new dropped ceiling in the basement.

I was given Ministry Focus time in church last Sunday to provide an opportunity for service within my church family, and had a great response from people willing to paint, donate paint and install ceiling tile.

The carpet is still the biggie.

But Kristen, my friend and realtor, stopped by Tom Garvey's store to tell him about what I am up to. I have known Tom for years, and know he has a strong faith.

Well, I stopped in earlier this week, after Kristen said she had stopped by to give him an update on what I was doing.

It has been a long time since I have seen Tom, and he didn't know I was involved in Ministry. As I was telling him Linda's story, and the story of the house, and helping her to weave a life of new possibility, he and his store manager, Amanda, were listening.

When Tom spoke, his words totally overwhelmed me. "Kathy," he said, "I want to do this house for you." And he paused. "I am going to install new carpet in the entire house, no charge." I couldn't believe my ears. The whole house, upstairs and down, brand new carpet, and they are going to match the colors of the paint for the different rooms.

I am so thankful, and am going to use my big mouth to spread the word about this man's incredible generosity.

This is truly the church in action.

Praise God.

The House is Ours

Today was a very exciting day. I closed on the house that will belong to the Padula family. The house is special for a number of reasons.
It belonged to friends of ours, that actually found the house through me, several years ago when they purchased it.
It is two doors up from our first Danville home in a great neighborhood.
The Padula kids will each have their own bedroom.
Fixing up the home will be a labor of love, lots of love! My church family at CMF is going to help paint and install new ceiling tile to get the house perked up and ready.
I will have to post before and after shots.
God is good.

Interview Response

The airwaves are a powerful mode of communication. I have even heard from friends who don't normally listen to WGRC who tuned in while in the car and heard part of the program!

I also heard from a family who is facing their own struggles, and was grateful to learn about the ministry.

Remember, one person CAN make a difference.