The Lights Are On Again

My friends and family, I bring you great tidings of my great joy, so that you may celebrate and share in that joy with us.

We are finally home.

Thirteen months ago, our home was laid to waste by a tornadic storm. You shared in that day and the journey that followed through your thoughts, your prayers, your many expressions of kindness and care. More than you may know, you sustained us through the turbulent days that followed. I give you thanks, and I give thanks for you!

We have rebuilt on the same property. Same floor plan, with upgrades (some by choice, some by code). Landscaping will come over the next few weeks. Nevertheless, we are in.

From the front:

Kitchen (please pardon our progress):

Future teen pad (basement - was unfinished in the first version):

Bonus room over garage:

The bunker:

The new deck:

The view:

Thirteen months ago, I wrote on these pages the following:

With respect to my house, the lights cannot come back on. But in the eyes and hearts of those around us these past couple of days, the light is shining. We are in good spirits, all things considered. The Lord is our rock, and our refuge, in this most certain time of trouble. I will praise Him in good times, and bad, and despite our loss, we have been given much.

As I hold my family close, I cannot help but think: I have been, and remain, very, very blessed.

As I walk around this familiar, but new, home, I am humbled by the grace and mercy that has been extended to me by my Father in Heaven. In good times and bad, I will give Him praise, because I can do no other. We have been, and remain, very, very blessed.

The lights are indeed on once again.

In closing, I offer the following reflection. On behalf of my family, I extend to you and yours my deepest thanks for your thoughts, prayers and expressions of kindness over the last year. May the Lord bless you all, and that abundantly.

How long it's been since razing wind
Left mark on heart and home
Up from rubble we stand again, but
Now laid open for all to see
At the close of this starry night.

Our canopy, our sanctuary
Our vista so starkly altered
A void where majestic oaks stood guard
Their whispering leaves can speak no more
The ache that echoes is my lament.

Then to the east, a symphony, what light!
My breath abates, "I scarce can take it in!"
On my knees, my knees, I'm blind and yet I see!

Yes, my heart, we've lost the trees
But behold, what joy! For look!
We have gained the sky!