Fix 'Er Up - Kristin Sterk

Ah…

I hate cliches, but I am going to use one: GOD IS SO GOOD. I believe God always works everything for the good – it’s sometimes hard to see the “good” that is supposed to come out of something, but God has promptly responded with showing us the “good” in all this. Truly, we are so overwhelmed with God’s goodness! I plan on blogging way more about this eventually, but the conference head honchos, have been absolutely INCREDIBLE. We had to go up and talk about what happened last night on the mainstage and honestly, it’s hard. We sat on a comfy couch right by the front stage, with all the drinks and snacks we wanted. It was so overwhelming and we felt so undeserving b/c we knew what the people of Henryville are dealing with. But honestly, it’s just their way of showing us that they care about us and love us – we cannot say thank you enough! My eyes were so red last night from little tears because I was just so overwhelmed by their goodness to us. Last night, as we sat on that comfy couch, it was the first time all weekend that we felt at peace. We breathed a sigh of just being able to “be.” To let go as much as we could, of what happened. We were able to concentrate on the worship for the first time and also listen to the speaker with a ready heart. Before, our hearts were just too heavy – it’s still hard to watch the news, knowing that people are still suffering and realizing how much God protected us. Sheesh, typing this is going to make me cry again!

One of the biggest blessings yesterday was having our friends Adam and Lindsey Van Lente come to help us. They drove 3 HOURS, to come and help us, from Columbus, Ohio. They even picked up all the supplies so that we didn’t have to take our vehicle full of glass, out. They took basically their whole day, drove to Louisville, to work. Again, overwhelming that people would do that for us. We will never be able to repay them for their kindness, support, and laughter they gave to us. It felt so good to laugh again. To have fun. To just “let go.” To know our vehicle was getting “fixed” and we didn’t have to worry about that part of it anymore. To see familiar faces and to see FRIENDS. It was just amazing. They have such kind hearts and we are so thankful to God for them!

They were able to bring a shop vac for us to vacuum up all the glass (and there was PLENTY of it), plastic, cardboard, duct tape, and all the tools it would take to accomplish what we needed. They thought it all through so well! It was amazing.

Adam trying to get all the glass from out of the windows

Blessed to call them friends! What a gift they are to us!

So we cleared what we could out of the windows, but of course glass was coming from everywhere, so we had to vacuum the parking garage floor too. Lindsey was smart though and got a broom and dust pan from the hotel, which was a huge help

Adam cutting cardboard to fit the window

Working on patching the window

Doesn’t that look amazing? It is “tinted” and the tape “matches” our car!

Trying to make a new sunroof…

At the conference’s morning session, an analogy that was being given, used these little mirrors. Dan looked at them and said “hey, I could use that for my mirror!” Sure enough, we now have a little mirror!

I know, a little redneck, but hey, we’ll take what we can get!

It was almost hard to see Adam and Lindsey go because we wanted to just keep thanking them! Again, thank you everyone for your prayers – they are felt and we appreciate them more than words can express. This conference will definitely be one that we will never forget. Usually Dan and I go to separate seminars, but this year, I just can’t. Usually I am so outgoing, but I feel introverted this weekend – wierd, I know! I am just too emotional yet because the people of Henryville, I just can’t get out of my mind. God has used this conference to change us in ways we didn’t expect! We are still learning SO much and we are SO thankful we are here to still enjoy it, but God is teaching us more than we could’ve ever imagined. So thanks again to everyone who has offered to help us and make sure we are okay. It means more than we can express. Each comment and word of encouragement, is appreciated!