How We Got to the Kalona Coffee House

When we last updated this blog of ours the hammers were flying, 

fresh drywall was perched in the dining room and finding the perfect paint colors topped the list of TO DO items.

We thought a nine month road tour certainly whittled away rough spots in each of us. And then... we met our house! We love our house. We know the Lord put us here in answer to SO many precious prayers of dear friends.

And just like worthwhile friendships require quality time, unconditional love and grace abundant when imperfections abound...so does our house. :)

Because the Lord loves us and continues to refine us in unexpected ways, 

He has allowed this to be the homeschooling project of the CENTURY in what feels like the coldest state in America during the busiest season of the year! 

But as only He can do, He has faithfully provided for our every need once again.

 Just about the time it got FREEZING and we had to winterize (and move out of!) the bus, a very kind man agreed to rent his sweet little farmhouse to us month by month until we finish. 

SO! Warm are we,with too many delicious things coming out of the oven, favorite friends just over the hill, and peace in our hearts that God is always at work behind the (somewhat random) scenes. 

From this angle things look pretty good! :)

From this angle things look...promising. :) Fixing the kitchen ceiling.

One of the supply corners. :)

Living room wall demolition. Stage one. 

Stage two. Thank you, Charlie!

Stage three. All GONE! 

Wahoooo for bright RED floors!

Crockett and Chapman working in the side yard. 

Love the influx of vehicles, people and projects!

Third dumpster FILLED!

If ever we cannot locate our dear Crosby our best bet is up a tree! :)

 Somethings just need to add up.

Now they do.

Crosby helping watch a little friend.

Decided a few extras would be fun, and 9 children under 10 makes for A LOT of interesting.
So happy we got to have these little people with us for a few days. 

Crockett gets 25 cents per mouse and recommends Kirkland Signature 
Peanut Butter so as not to eliminate rodents with more sophisticated palettes. :)

Our truck showed up from Idaho right before the ice and snow! Praise the Lord!

Daddy had lunch on the lawn with the semi-truck driver who delivered the truck.
 He was a very kind Christian man and they had a great visit. 

With the help of coffee and way too many quesadillas, our friend 
Dave and Charlie head up day and night excavation and rebuilding.
We are most thankful for their diligence and sense of humor!

Celebrating! Crockett turned 11 and got to try a locally made Whoopie Pie!

Looks like a committee of something. Ha!

Yummy apples at StringTown, our new favorite Amish store. 

Lina and Cass took a little road trip down to Texas 
with friends for the National Bible Bee. 

One of our favorites! Listening to so many Scripture passages was such an inspiration.

Moments powered by coffee are so much better!

Singing led by this sweet family.

Progress continues on the homefront.

Many hands make FUN work! :)

Little's favorite game is called "Life on the Farm". We do hope to try life on the farm in real life soon! :) 

Daddy and Lina on a date in Fairfield.

Newest escape route. Please do not try this at home. :) 

Will we miss dumpsters when this season is over? Hmmm.

Due to lack of power in rather key places we advanced to crockpots on the porch. 
We now have four and LOVE them like friends. :)

 Lots of happy dinners in the bus.

Never a dull moment! These three keep things hoppin'. Sometimes they even look angelic.

Another wall going down.

FYI: this is THE place to get good life skills! Consider yourself invited. :)

The future Bowers dining hall. :) 

Daddy and Carver out for dinner and supplies.

Happy Birthday Izzie with our sweet Gini! 
Can't believe our BABY is really six!

If you've never had the privilege of a Costco run with
Carolina trust me...you are missing out!

Crockett's only criteria is all mice or rats must be fresh. Skeletons do not count.

But these do! Wahooooo!

Late night demolition. Fueled by gluten free rice bread and leafy green smoothies.

Somewhere along the way an unidentified brother hacked into the water pipes.
Christian plugging the leak (more like hydrant) in the basement. :)

Energy ball party in the bus. Not that we need more energy. Really. :)

Trench digging for power lines!

Ended our wild and wooly November with several amazing family walks!

Walking and freezing continued.

Truly wonderful time of thanksgiving at this yummy restaurant
recounting ALL that God has done.
We are SO blessed beyond measure by His faithfulness to each of us,
and it was a privilege to gather the Bowers round and have sweet fellowship together.

In early December the Lord provided this cozy spot for us.
We are VERY happy to be here for hot chocolate, Challah bread, twinkle lights, and all things warm and winterish. Our neighbors are almost all Amish and we love to see them pass by with their horses and buggies.

Absolutely beautiful. Isn't the Lord so GOOD!!? 

 And this...is how we got to The Kalona Coffee House!
All set to blog away from here and do AGENDA business until house projects are done. 
"Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air, it shines in the light.""Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end. Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend."