IT'S BEEN TWO MONTHS!!!!!

Hi everyone!!! Sorry I haven't been back to the blog for awhile. With the boys out of school now, I had to get used to the new schedule!!! The pool has opened here at the apartment, so we have been spending some time there. Logan and Cayden love it!!! I think we'll have two little fish by the end of summer.

GOOD NEWS!!!! John and I decided on a builder. We decided to go with Bruce Stopher out of Harlan, Indiana. He is a smaller builder, and we feel we will get excellent customer service and a more personal touch. He was referred to us by my cousin, who knows of a couple people that Bruce built for. Also, we called a reference who had their house built about a year or so ago. They gave us a hour and a half tour of their home and told us a lot of positive things about Bruce and his crew. John and I felt like it was an answered prayer, because up until now, we just haven't felt without a doubt that we had found the "right" builder for us.

We are waiting for the excavataion crew to have an open slot to come and take down our house. Hopefully, within a week or two. This will be a sad time, because it's the only house the boys know and it's John's and my first home after we got married. A lot of memories took place within those walls. But, again, God has blessed us by saving some of the pictures and home videos we had. There are so many emotions involved. We know God is and will continue to be with us during all these changes, and He will comfort us during the times that are difficult. We are so thankful for His kindness in giving us so many loving and compassionate friends and family.

Once the excavation takes place, the foundation will be assessed to make sure there is no damage, it will be cleaned, the pipes and plumbing will be looked at for problems, and then when Bruce and his guys are ready, they will begin building. At this time, we are planning on keeping the foundation/slab, and building on that the same perimeter of the house. We are planning on making some changes within, depending on measurements and space.

We are trying to look at this experience as a chance for our family to grow closer together, for us to learn to receive, to feel God's love from Him and others, and for us to go forward and serve others as God wants us to.

This year in my Bible Study Fellowship class, we studied Matthew. One of the main points that struck me was when Jesus was calling His disciples to drop everything and follow Him. They did not question, they did not worry, they did not try to grab anything they could before they followed. No, they stopped what they were doing, left their families, left their conveniences, left their life as they knew it, and followed Jesus and trusted Him for all their bodily, spiritual, and emotional needs. I want to be like that. I have a ways to go, but Jesus is worth it!!!! This experience since the fire has been kind of like that with the disciples. God is asking us to leave the life, the home, and the stuff we had to follow Him. To trust Him. To put Him as our focus, and look to Him for our needs, our comfort, and our peace. I know we may trip and stumble along this journey, but God's strong hand will be there to grab onto, to right ourselves, and continue down the road.

Thank you all for how you have touched and blessed our lives. Have a great day!!!

Walk in Love,

Jennifer, John, Logan, and Cayden Lew

THE SIXTH WEEK!!!!

Hi everyone!! It's nice to have a three day weekend this week, isn't it? Today has been a beautiful day so far, and John, the boys, Zoey, and I have enjoyed being outside more.

I have been spending a lot of time going over the personal property list to make sure that the insurance company remembered everything we had in our house and the approximate worth of those things. I have come across (remembered) many things that had sentimental value that are gone, and it is very sad. I had a couple little tubs of things I wanted to keep of Logan and Cayden's in the attic off of our room, and that was one of the hardest hit areas---totally burned. Logan's favorite Pooh and Tigger blanket that he had since he was born, holes and all, clay handprints, and special, original pictures the kids had made at their schools are just a few things that I will miss!

John and some of our friends (Sam, Bryan, Jason, Dave, Mike) and my mom (Emily) came to the house yesterday to help take out some of the furniture items that could be cleaned up a little and donated to The Mustard Seed. We appreciate everyone's help and time, as this was very important to John and I. We hope that someone will be able to get some use out of the furniture.
I was also at the house yesterday to deweed our mulched areas. It was really starting to look unkempt. It was kind of theraputic to do something "normal" at the house, and to put my time toward making it look nicer. Next, I'd like to trim the bushes----Depending on how long it takes to get the quotes back, I just might have time to do it!

John took me out for an awesome Birthday supper at Cork n Cleaver on Wednesday night. It was really great to have some time alone. I felt all grown up again! Thanks to my friend, Krisit, for watching the boys on my birthday and on Saturday while John and I were at the house. You have been such a great help. Thanks also for the birthday presents.

Thanks to Ray and Vivian for the Vera Bradley purse and the weekly planner for my birthday. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated.

We are still waiting on quotes for rebuilding the house. We want things to keep moving, but it feels like it's just not moving fast enough, ya know what we mean? We are trying to stay focused on God and letting His plan unfold. It's tough some times, though.

Cayden has t-ball on Tuesday and Thursday this week, and Friday will be Logan's last day of school.

Hope you all are doing well. Stay safe.

Love you all,

Jennifer, John, Logan, and Cayden

ALMOST FIVE WEEKS!!

Hi everyone!! It's almost been five weeks since the fire----Some days it seems like it was just yesterday and others it seems like it was a long time ago. We are still adjusting to apartment life, but we can't complain. It has been nice and quiet here. No noisy neighbors to speak of. The pool should open in about a week. The kids will love that! Not me so much, though, because that means I have to put on a bathing suit!!! Not a fun thought. Oh well.

Right now, John and I have been meeting with builders and contractors and deciding on our next step. If costs permit, we want to start over. Tear down what is left of the house to the slab and rebuild new. We would probably have to keep the same outline of the house, but we would be able to change some things within. The estimate still is around five months to complete the rebuild---We'll get a better idea once they get started. We are praying for a quote and a builder that will be honest, of good quality, and a reasonable price.

We continue to have so much support and love from all of you!! Our neighbors on Lonesome Oak Court and Trail and Ridge Gap Run are a constant source of encouragement and strength, and we thank you all for that. Thank you to Mike Trump for mowing our grass while we are away. Even though the house doesn't look so good, it's nice to see the yard and flowers greening and growing with Spring's new life.

Thank you to all the Bunco Babes (Karen, Kathy, Lisa, Beth, Katie, Diana, Michelle, Jodi, and Heather) for all the kind cards, best wishes, and gift cards!! It was great to get together last night---Everyone needs to share their recipes!!!

Cayden is having fun in his Huntertown t-ball league. His first game is this Tuesday at 7:15pm.

Logan will start soccer through Parks and Rec. the second week of June. He will practice at the Robinson Chapel on Union Chapel/Tonkel Road.

John and I are trying to get back to exercising and getting into shape.

Zoey still loves playing with her tennis ball and enjoys running after the frisbee when we play in the grassy yard by the apartment. She's our miracle dog, and she's made her way into our bed at night. How can you deny such a cute, lovable face?

We hope you all are doing well. Have a safe, fun Spring!!

God Bless,

Jennifer, John, Logan, and Cayden

THREE WEEKS LATER

Good Morning everyone. Three weeks have passed, and we all are doing pretty well. This weekend, John and I purchased a used Toyota Rav4 to replace the mini van. John did lots of research and the Rav4 is supposed to be a safe, reliable, and fuel efficient vehicle. We are totally indebted to Kristen and JP Snyder for the use of their car while we have been going through this challenging transition. Their kindness and compassion has made life a whole lot easier!! (On a funny note, Cayden has made sure that everyone knows that we are NOT Pittsburg Steelers fans. JP's car has two Pittsburg Steelers stickers in the windows. GO COLTS!!!)

Speaking of Kristen and JP, they left for Missouri on Saturday where JP will have a job as Head Coach of the 8th grade football team. Congratulations, JP!!!! We know you will have a strong, positive impact on those boys. We will miss Kristen (and already do)---She has been a great source of strength, love, and friendship!! Even though they are miles away, we still have them in our hearts and always will. We pray their transition will be smooth, and that they will be blessed in all they do!!

Cayden only has two more days of preschool---graduation will be on Friday at Covenant United Methodist Church on Coldwater Rd. Logan's school goes until the 30th of this month.

Again, I cannot even begin to express our gratitude and appreciation to all of you!!! Your kindness and giving has surpassed anything that John and I would've ever thought possible. It has meant so much to feel your genuine concern. We have felt God's love through all of you.

A couple thanks for now:

*Thank you to Imagine Master Academy for their monetary donations and gift card. (Thanks Allyson for your help!)

*Thank you to Tonja Werling (my cousin and hair stylist) who replaced all our hair products that were lost in the fire. I needed product bad!!

*Thank you to Kelly and Ryan Dear for the gift card, the hot meal, the clothes, and toys for the boys.

*Thank you to Mike & Linda McNeal (Kelly's parents) for their thoughtful monetary donation.

*Thank you to Dawn Thoma for the shirts for Cayden and Logan.

*Thank you to Cedar Canyon school (parents, students, and staff) for all their generous donations of gift cards, monetary donations, and books. We are proud to be part of the Cedar Canyon family!

*Thank you to John's long time friends, Lester and Sue Woo, from New York for the beautiful (and very soft) monogrammed blankets for the boys---they love them!! Also for the gift cards which will be used to replenish some games and toys the boys no longer have.

*Thank you to John's friend, Randy Zimmerman, for the Walmart gift card.

*Thank you to my long time friend, Jodie Fackler, for her friendship and offers for assistance.

*Thank you to John's brother, Ray, and sister-in-law, Vivian, for the Kohl's gift card and emails of encouragement. We miss you guys and appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Next on the agenda is deciding on a contractor and getting the process going for restoring/rebuilding the house. At this time we don't know whether it will be a total rebuild or if they will gut the inside and use the existing frame work. Please pray for us to find the perfect and right contractor that will be honest and do great work. The estimate, at this time, is that we may be able to get back into the house within about 5 months. Thank goodness summer is almost here, so we can keep busy with the boys' activities and be outside.

We hope you all are doing well and are as blessed as we feel we are.

Take Care.

Jennifer, John, Logan, and Cayden

GETTING SETTLED

Hello, everyone. Well, we are on day 5 in our apartment, and we finally have beds!!!! Yae!!! I slept like a baby last night. After a long day of waiting for the delivery guys, we received our beds (the same ones---only, brand new---that we had in the house, yesterday. I know the boys are happy to have their beds, too, because Logan had been complaining of Cayden's snoring.

We don't have much of a routine yet, but we are trying to get there. I take Logan to school in the morning and pick him up in the afternoon, Cayden to preschool M W F, we eat, bathe, and go to bed. Those are the important things that are getting done.

I think the reality of everything has started to hit us harder now. The first two weeks, we were going on adrenaline and concerned most about keeping the boys' lives as normal and stress-free as possible. Now, we are trying to settle into what will be our "home" for the next 5 or whatever months and trying to make it as much "ours" as we can. We are in the process of choosing a contractor, and there are lots of decisions ahead. John and I want to plan some "husband and wife" time every week, if we can, so we may be reaching out for help watching the boys. We all miss our home and life as it was, but we are trying to be open to what God has planned.

My friend, Kristen Snyder, suggested I read Psalm 18. I especially like verses 1-3:
I love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.

We praise God for the continued support, love, and kindness you all have shown us.
Have a Great Day.

Jennifer, John, Logan, and Cayden

A Note from the Baileys...

Kristen, who has been collecting donations and arranging the meal schedule for the Lews, will be moving this weekend. After Thursday (5/1/08), please contact the following people if you would like to help:

* For donations, please contact Lora McNeal at 484-5570.

* To schedule a day to take a meal to the Lews, please call Aileen Mullett at 482-5289.

Thank you for your help!

The Latest News

Hello!

We found an apartment and we will be moving in this weekend. Please look for an e-mail from the Baileys with the address. If you are not on the e-mail list, please leave a comment here and we will get the information to you.


We appreciate everyone's help, thoughts, and prayers. In particular, we would like to thank the following people:

* Sheila Schwartz & Family for the Wal-Mart, Target, and Toys 'R Us gift cards
* Kathleen Jackson for the Applebees and Toys 'R Us gift cards
* Debbie Roberts for the JC Penney gift card
* Nadine DeSanto for the check
* Rebekah, Andy & Family for the three Wal-Mart gift cards
* Discipleship Group - Table of Elizabeth (Sue, Barb, Mary, Glenda, & Malinda) for the Wal-Mart gift card. It was great meeting with you today!

Thanks for your ongoing support. We will continue to keep you updated.
Your friends,
John, Jennifer, Logan & Cayden