New Building ~ Reno in Rewind

This last week has been somewhat of a blur for us as I was scrambling to get photos done, do reveals with clients, create grad cards, place orders and packed before our trip to Port Aransas for the wedding.  The blur didn't stop there.  Some of you may know this already but for those of you that don't, Saturday night (around midnight I think), as Greg and I returned to our room after photographing Breigh and Austin's nuptials on the beach (LOVED it! Photos coming soon) Greg's phone started blowing up.

It would seem that a drunk driver attempted to outrun police, finally coming to rest, upside down, in the corner of our building.  You can read all about the story here.  The driver and passenger were ok (actually got out and tried to evade police, got captured and taken to hospital in handcuffs).  It just happened that one of our employees was headed to Walmart that night and came across the accident as it was unfolding.  He hung around, got photos and verified everyone was safe.  We are definitely super grateful that no one was hurt and that neither of the businesses on either side of us nor the families living behind us were affected.  It would have been devastating to a number of people had any of these things occurred.  In fact, I will most definitely be praising the Lord for this!  I can't imagine how much more horror could have unfolded that night.

However.... here we are.  Our reno is now in rewind.  At first look it didn't seem like it was too terribly bad.  A few busted windows and the two corner walls.  Relatively quick fix, right?  Wrong.  Upon further inspection, our contractor discovered the impact actually moved the ENTIRE structure over by almost two inches.  In the image below you can see where the original spray foam line was located and that the center wall is now moved back several inches from the original position.  The windows catty corner to the impact (my side in the back) were even affected.  All windows are now jarred, movable and nothing is plumb.

We also have reason to believe the impact may have damaged the slab.  It already had some settling cracks (deemed ok via engineer) but because of this, add the impact and we may have an entire slab that is now compromised and unsafe.  If this is the case, they will have to bulldoze the entire thing and start with a brand new slab 😱

Even if the slab is deemed un-compromised, we don't even know if the walls/structure can be moved back into place without major issues.  A structural engineer needs to be called in to evaluate everything.  This is where we are at.  We've been working all week to find someone to get here to look at it.  We are at a stand still.  There is also the issue of $$$.  We don't know where all that will fall but please join us in prayer and believing that it will be covered by someone's insurance.

Although this has been a crazy journey, I know several things for certain...

• 1. He promises to bring good out of the bad for those that love Him.
• 2. He says He cares even more for us than the sparrows and He takes such good care of them they don't even question where their next meal is coming from.
• 3. He still does miracles.
• 4. He loves us, promises to go before us and has not forsaken us.
• 5. He promises to uphold us with His right hand.
• 6. He said that no weapon formed against us will prosper.
• 7. He led us to buy this building so He will see it to fruition.
• 8. He will meet all our needs.

James 1:2-4 tells us to "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

So, we will move ahead, counting it all joy, looking forward to the amazing things He has in store for us.  Yep, a few tears have been shed, but knowing He has our backs and that no one was hurt helps dry them.

Hopefully I will have a better #fixerupperfriday post for you all next week.  Until then, give Him your grief and struggles.  He's got this.  You'll see 💕

His eye is on the sparrow and I know He is watching over me.   ♥   Matthew 10:29-31