Good News!

We're not going to stop for one minute to focus on the negatives in this tragedy. God is providing for us from all over the place and we are so lifted up in peace and thanksgiving and we're motivated about moving forward. First of all, there we're four jobs in the shop that were being built that are now ashes. We have to complete those but all the builders are completely understanding that they are going to be past the deadline. So many people have offered to let us borrow tools and machinery that we could realistically be up and running on Monday. The only problem is that we have no shop to work in, but we are positive that God will provide that, too. Paul was able to collect some money that was due to us yesterday and even deposit checks for two new jobs! He even got a call from a guy that he had never met that wants us to do his cabinets! Immediate providence. Now we can buy the materials to finish the jobs that were destroyed. The next thing that happened is that Paul called the company that sold us the $9000 software that he uses for the layouts and cut-sheets. They said that we would have to buy all new software because it wasn't covered by fire damage. Later, they called back and said we would only have to pay $250 plus shipping! Amazing! Paul was then able to buy a new laptop that was on sale, so we can start doing new drawings.
Back to the jobs that were destroyed. It was going to be a lot of hassle to go and remeasure and everybody try to remember what they ordered and what they had where because all those drawings were gone just like everything else that was in there. Even the exterior brick walls are gone. I mean, there is nothing left. It's still smoking today and the fire started Thursday night. So, Paul went poking around in the muck that's a foot deep of wet charcoal yesterday afternoon. He went over to his desk that is now melted to the floor with his laptop melted into it, and right next to where his laptop was, is his Bible completely intact and untouched by the fire. I'm telling you, there's nothing left in the whole shop, but his Bible is sitting there and you can read it with only a little water damage. God is showing us that He is in this and is going to take care of us no matter how bad it is. Then Paul took a few steps and slipped on something. When he pulled it out from under a pile of charred wood and soot, it was a ring binder of drawings, measurements, colors and the contract of one of those jobs that was destroyed. This is a huge deal! Then he feels around some more and finds another job book, and another, and another. All four job books for the four jobs that were destroyed! Not old ones, the ones he needs. I can't describe how much was lost (some machines were so new that we haven't even used them yet!), but the only five things that survived were so important. God is so good!
Well, That's what's going on. We're all healthy, we're all safe, God is good and that's all that matters.