We Needed a Home

After several years in the dorm, I realized that with a growing family, we needed a place of our own. We began to look for a home to buy. We had nothing for a down payment, but we looked anyway. We were so discouraged with what we saw that was inexpensive. I remember pouring out my heart to God on the matter. We made little at the school and now we had two children and another on the way. I remember the day when God directed my attention, while standing by the dorm house on the hill to a home across from the school on 30th street. I saw there was a house for sale sign in the yard. It was a very decent 2 bedroom house with a basement and garage on a one acre lot. It was immediately across the street from Central Christian. I think they were asking $12,250, but I still didn't have anything for a down payment. At that time we received a check from Mary's grandma Burkholder for $1500. (I need to say that was out of character for her and she knew nothing of our situation.) It was enough for the down payment and to pay for some of the furniture the homeowners were selling. As I look back I am so grateful for the kind hand of the Lord in providing when we had no might of our own. It was perfect for us. Room for our kids to play and a building for us to raise chickens and across the street from work. God found us a home. Many good memories at 1905 East 30th.

Dorm Ministry

After teaching at Central Christian two years, Mr. Grubbs asked if Mary and I would consider being dorm parents to the girls that came to the school from other communities. I said we would pray about it. When I asked Mary what she thought, she cried. I told her to just ask God what He wanted us to do. After some time that summer, she said it would be OK. That's what I loved about Mary, she so much wanted to please. They moved in the principal's house over a large basement, and were just completing the project when school was scheduled to start. Mary was 8 months pregnant with Roger. What a time to begin a new venture. The girls lived in the basement and in a room over what had been the garage. We had about 12 teenage girls. I thought girls would keep their rooms neat, but I was so wrong. Mary said I told you. At first we tried to keep our place and their place. We soon realized we needed to approach it as their home. They really needed parents. When God began to show us how to minister to the girls, we had a good ministry in their lives. We still have a good relationship with some of those girls. We learned a lot about raising girls. God surely was preparing us. Thank you Mary for being willing to get out of your comfort zone. I know it was not easy with the birth of our firstborn. And a year later Julie was born. It was not easy, but we did see fruit in those 4 years in the girls dorm.

PROGRESS

Tomorrow will mark 8 weeks since the surgery on my knee. Having looked at this experience as God's purpose for good, I want to give a progress report. I am out of the brace most of the time and have been able to walk a mile. I am able to sleep quite comfortably now. I see some good things that are results to this point. I have lost 13 pounds and purpose to keep that down. I am monitoring my blood sugar and am close to where it should be. Mary and I are more consistent on our devotional life and reading through the Bible this year. Those are some tangible things. I am trusting that some of the spiritual results will become evident such as patience, compassion, more zeal for the Lord and more sensitivity to God's Spirit. Though this was a painful experience, I again see that God works all things together for good.