More Than a Roof!

Our good friends had been in a month long contest to win a free roof.  On the last night to vote, I was watching closely as they were neck and neck with another contestant the whole time.  As our husbands had their accountability group and headed to dinner at 6:30, the Pummel's were down by about 40.  The guys all made it home by 10 (they cut it short) to be home with us ladies to watch the final votes roll in.  As they were at dinner we were updating them.  The votes kept coming and the Pummels were taking the lead!  It was so exciting!!!  Some of us were on facebook begging our friends that were online to vote!  Yep, I was stalking my friends that were online asking them to vote.  How "lame" is what I told them.  I was so excited that they were so close, I was doing anything to get an extra vote!  The Pummels took a great lead during the last hour!  They won the roof!  How awesome?!

Here is what she had to say about the contest!

Good Morning!

I have a LOT to share with all of you about the great goodness of God in providing a roof for us. First of all, I want to thank all of you for your support in the voting process. Like I shared on Facebook, I estimated that about 300 of the votes came directly from the people that James and I know on facebook. The other 75% of the votes came from our extended web of family and friends! We felt an outpouring of love and support from all of you in God's warm embrace. It was amazing! (If you read to the VERY bottom I will update you on the process, but I have some very important stuff to share first).

This roof is a huge blessing. James has been "chasing leaks" in our garage for a while now and they only seem to be getting bigger, much to our dismay. During this contest, I prayed hard to God. I knew that He would hear my prayer, but I also knew that it was His choice how to answer it. Here's sort of how it went:

"Dear God,

You know our hearts, you know our thoughts, and you know our house. We need this roof, but you know our needs better than we do. I pray that if it is your will that we would win the roof. But, I know that you also know the needs of the others and if it is your will I pray that they get the roof. We will love and honor you either way. We trust that you have a plan for our future and we want to live within your good and perfect plan. Amen." 

How amazing! We are proof that God answers prayer. In addition to our prayer, God has decided to keep on giving and he is using his people to do so. The Eguchi family who came in 2nd will also be getting a roof - and they needed one just as much as we did. See this post from Lifetime Roofing:

"Hey everyone,
Jill Baeder and Kristin Stocker had a great idea of allowing everyone who wants to see Ashton get a roof to donate $5 in to a bank account and we would match it to help them get a roof. What do y'all think?"

Lifetime has since started a bank account for anyone to contribute to that would like to support the Eguchis in getting a new roof. They are going to match the contributions. I will continue to pray for the Eguchi family that God will answer prayer and provide them with the exact monetary amount that is needed to complete their project. It's so exciting!

Are you still with me? The story goes on... I love how God is speaking to us and continuing to reveal himself to us through all of this. It's much more than a roof!

One of my friends at work commented to me, "You worked really hard for that roof!" I wasn't sure how to respond, but gave an unsure "Yeah, I did". As I thought about her comment throughout my day I thought - yeah, I did work hard for it. There was a lot of strategy involved and it was a long process of thinking about new ways to get people on board and voting. But, I thought, even though I "worked hard" it doesn't change the fact that I did NOT earn it. No matter how hard I worked, it didn't change the fact that I still did NOT deserve it in any way. As I thought about the amazing blessing of this roof that God gave us I couldn't help but think about the even bigger blessing of salvation. The connection between these two have become very tangible for me over the past week. Here's how: 

God has blessed me with the gift of salvation - he saved my soul from an eternity in hell. I was a sinner and deserved every consequence of that sin, but God rescued me from my sin and set me free. I did not earn this in any way, neither did I deserve it, but he offered it and I accepted it in its entirety. Just like our roof, we worked hard to patch the leaks, but the water still seeped through. The roof wasn't perfect. It was flawed and no matter how hard we worked, it was going to stay that way. We gave this HUGE problem to God and asked him to solve it for us. We had faith and trusted Him that He would answer us. It is exactly the same with salvation. Our sin is too big for us to handle. No matter how hard we work or how many good things we do it does not change the fact that we are flawed and imperfect. God can change. I put my faith and trust in Him. He saved me and gave me eternal life. Just as he is changing our earthy home, He has a home prepared for me in Heaven!

Just because this is SO fun, here's a message from my cousin Megan. God gave her and her family a roof too!

From Megan:

Congrats on the new roof! God is good! We actually had God provide a new roof for us too. We knew we needed one, and I just committed to praying for a new roof every day. I didn't know how God would provide it, but I just asked him to. That summer we had a bad hail storm and our insurance paid for us to get a new roof. I was blown away by God's goodness. It's awesome that you're giving God the glory for your roof too. Enjoy!!

Now, for the FINALE of this story. My dearest friend, Nicki was online all night on the last day of the contest instant messaging any of her friends that got online to facebook and asking them to vote for us. She decided to ask her friend, who she hadn't spoke to in a while if he would vote. This is awesome for at least two reasons. #1 I love how it's obviously a little uncomfortable for Nicki to be asking a friend from long ago to vote for our roof, but because she is so kind and generous, she does it for us anyway. #2 because she is able to share the Gospel with him and offer him the gift of TRUE HOPE!

From Nicki

Hey! This is totally lame and not my thing, but I see that you may be online. My friends are in a contest to win a free roof. It ends tonight and they are within just a few votes to win. They would be so thankful if you voted! Directions are on my page or I can copy them here if you are interested. THANKS!!!

Lol @ "lame". I can help out for sure! It would be my pleasure.

It really is lame. I'm sitting here stalking my fb friends begging them to vote!

ha

how are you?

Ok i voted!

Awesome! Thank you!

I am well thank you. struggling a bit with the family situation and stuff like that

i am so happy for you and remember knowing that you would be an amazing mom! i am so happy for you (and luke of course).

well thank you!

Anything I can pray for you with the family situation? I always love when you post pics of the girls!

I can't believe how big they are!

Yes i would feel your prayer. Just pray that my situation turns out so that the girls are not affected in any negative way not having me around like i believe i should be.

i want them so bad nicki.

I can't even imagine. I find comfort knowing that God already knows the outcome. His plans for us are good, even when we don't understand.

thank you hearing that means so much. i have started on my journey with god just recently. i know he has always been with me but i have in the past left him out of my life.

your words just gave me so much comfort. thank you .

I've been noticing your posts and wondering.

I can't imagine my life without God in it!

Just the comfort in His promises. Knowing that He is the only one that won't let me down. EVER!

yes it has been beautiful. i do believe in that. day to day is a struggle so this helps.

and i hope your friends get their roof!!!

Thanks so much!

I'll be praying for you! And your sweet girls!

thank you.. i think of you guys often. i need your prayers. also i am excited to see his outcome for me. i feel the closest to god than i ever have been. its hard for me to say and talk about it. so thank you for this.

Of course! If you have questions or need some encouragement, I'm happy to chat!

Here is my favorite verse. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

I realized once I put my trust in Him I had this major peace.

I was always trying to do things on my own and my ways sucked. haha

When I trusted Him to lead me things fell into place

Not saying it's always easy, because it's not.

But knowing I can trust His plans is freeing!

i like this. it seems so clear but can be so complicated sometimes.

Yep. Here's another "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

Faith in what we don't understand!

And really the Gospel is so much more clear than what many people try to make it.

Have faith that Jesus died for our sins and resurrected 3 days later and you are granted salvation.

Repent and believe. Bam!

bam!! lol..

haha

Nothing better than knowing you'll be in Heaven.

love it.

That's all that matters. All our pain and suffering here is temporary

but necessary

Yep!

If we don't see our sin, we don't see our need for Jesus.

interesting.

i need him.

me too! so very badly!

i cant wait for sunday.

cool are you going to church?

yes.

i took the girls last week too. it was fun.

awesome!

zac loves it!

what church is it?

how long have you been going?

its called The Meeting Place.

interestingly enough i went there for a bit about 20 years ago (more like 17) i stopped going then i more recently started again.

cool

tell me to stop if i'm asking too many questions

so i have been back since september.

i'm just so excited

always about this stuff

what made you go back

no its totally ok...i llike it

something was missing .

and i didnt know it was god that was missing since i feel he has always been with me.

i broke up with my girlfriend that i was seeing for about a year. and really needed to look after chris.

we are back together. and i am finding it hard to talk about this with her.

oh man it really is the hardest thing to talk about

with people that don't get it

don't understand

or think they have all they need

she is punjabi too.

i struggle talking with my family the most

they are mormon

oh i see.

so hard!!

i bet

but so important

i ahvent really tried to talk to her about it.

pray first

and during

and after

haha

lol

totally

when you pray...how do you do it?

I ask God to speak through me because i get so emotional

i just talk to God like he's my friend

Dear God, and I lay it all out

no holding back

he knows my heart anyway

he knows if i'm scared hurt angry frustrated happy etc

i personally don't say thee and thou because that's not how i talk to my friends

and lately i have heard to thank him in advance for hearing and answering my prayers

awesome right

he does hear us and he will answer us

whether its how we want him to answer us or not

aha...i get that. makes sense. he knows me more than anyone.

his way is the best way

yep

he knows our hearts before we even speak to him

and that is faith right?

right

I'll pray for her too

For example...

Dear God, Thank you so much for this chat! Thank you that he is openly speaking about you. That he is seeking you and your will for Him. I pray that you will help him to speak to his girlfriend. That you would prepare her heart before he speaks to her and that she would listen with an open heart without getting defensive, which is so easy to do. I pray that you would make it clear to both of them the gift you have for them. Thank you for Jesus! That He died on the cross to pay for our many, many sins. He lived a perfect life so that we could spend eternity in Heaven. Thank you! I pray that they would seek you together. Even when it's hard! Thank you for hearing us and answering our prayers. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

wow. i just felt like the three of us just had a talk (you me and god) what a feeling. so why wouldnt i want to serve god since he is here for me. even though i may not understand his actions i will accept them and believe that there is an outcome that is meant for me.

you are the best NIcki! hugs. to you and your family.

totally not me! this was all God!

I just asked you to vote for a roof and look what God did!

My prayer is that God will use me to share what He has blessed me with!

Why keep his good news a secret!

i am going to sleep well tonight and i am looking forward to tomorrow

Me too! Thanks for the chat!

thanks you too... do it again sometime please.

You got it!

Update on the roof:

We met with Parker and his partner from Lifetime Roofing yesterday. They provided a quote for us. Per the rules of the contest they will contribute up to $8,000 toward our roof. 

The current quote is at about $7,500. 

Lifetime Roofing will be putting a 'recovery board' atop our current roof which will seal the current roof and allow them to put a hi-performance PVC membrane on top of it. They said that the structure of our roof is still in very good shape and so they don't need to rip off the current roof and put a new one on, but they could if we want. This PVC membrane is supposed to last for a very long time, about 60 years. They said that it's more durable than shingles and comes with a lifetime warranty. It's also fire proof and will basically just melt if it catches on fire, but not spread flames. If it incurs any damage, it can be easily patched. We won't be adding any more pitch to the roof, because their company does not do framing and that would put us well over the $8,000 allowance. 

As for the roof over the garage, they will add a little pitch to the completely flat surface so that water runs off and doesn't pool on top. They will also connect the garage roof and house roof so to create some continuity and a good flow. 

Per our request, they are also going to extend the roofline in the back to extend over a stairwell that we have that goes down into the crawlspace below our house. This is great because the french drain down there is essentially clogged from years and years of debris. It will also create a small covered patio off of the master bedroom. We will have a contractor come and put in some support beams to support the outer edge of the roof. 

We have also asked them about installing sky lights in our living room. It doesn't have any built in lighting right now, but is lit by lamps. This will bring in a lot more natural light and open up the small space. The addition of the skylights will likely take our quote right up to $8,000! 

LR plans on starting on our roof within the next couple months, after the snow lets up a bit and it gets a little warmer. Yay!

In God's Grace,

James and Mary Beth

P.S. Please share this update with any of your friends and family that are curious about our roof!