Photo by: Karina Mora
It’s crazy to think it’s been 18 months since moving into the firehouse. We’ve been doing a project at a time as we continue to self fund the renovations. We came to have a strong conviction over the summer, that since we live here, and personally own the building, for the sake of transparency and accountability that we would DIY, and hire out the renovations with our personal funds. Our goal is to only live here 2-3 years, which means we are halfway to our goal, as we develop the non profit. While that is still the desire, we have our hands open for it that’s not the case, and we have to live here longer.
I’ll be honest that this is a goal that at times feels impossible to me. In the beginning of 2019, my husband, Jeremy, stepped out of his full time job to go after his calling, which is leading people through a raw worship experience. This year has been a year of leaning in and trusting God for provision, not just over The Firehouse Dream, but for us personally too! To see how God has connected Jeremy week by week, month by month has been insane. To see provision come through beyond physical dollars has been nothing but God. I share all this because I long for those who have followed our journey from the start, or if you are new here, that you would see that if God is working and moving through our yes and obedience, He can do it for you too!!!
I won’t lie though….we’ve hit lots of up’s and down’s with the journey. Between a shady contractor, to our inspections changing with new and more work to do, and more. Through it all though, we’ve been clinging onto God, knowing that He has us, and that the firehouse belongs to the kingdom. Our time frame may not be His time frame, and so we wait patiently….
However, in the meantime, I have continued to foster deeper relationships with other community members, organizers, and nonprofits, like: PP4H, Best of Proviso, Township, Trustee Cup Productions, Dream Chasers, and more. I truly believe there is power in numbers, and in collaboration. There’s also been others here doing the hard work for years, even decades….and so I’m here to honor and partner with them.
And lastly…which I think this is what I’m most excited for….I’ve also have become the photo club sponsor at Proviso East. I just met with some of the students yesterday (Dec. 18th, 2019) as we planned and dreamed up what the rest of the school year could look like. My goal is to continue to listen, and build trust, as I begin to teach them how to see and control light.
So friends, this is the latest update with where we are at, and I’m beyond excited for all that 2020 will bring us!
