SOLI DEI GLORIA
Recently, as the outside log & board and batten siding is nearing completion, folks who’ve come by to visit, have made comments like, “very impressive” or “good looking building.” Inspectors and engineers have also commented positively. Several of our contributors, to whom we’ve sent pictures, have spoken about the beauty of the building. When we receive praise like that, we are inclined to feel good about the project and the way it is going - slowly (as in very slowly) but surely.
But then suddenly, we are brought up short, when we realize that whatever has been accomplished so far is solely God’s Doing! He has been the “Driving Force” behind everything. He provided the idea in the first place! He worked the miracles that made it possible for us to proceed. He is the one who put it in the hearts of those who agreed to serve as Board members. He is the one who energized our many volunteers. He is the one who has moved our dedicated supporters to provide the financial resources. He is the one who enables us to keep going - looking to the day when we will open the doors to serve Him.
All of us - managers, board members, contributors, volunteer workers and other ” praying friends” need to be reminded from time to time that The Refuge is God’s Doing in His Time and ultimately, it is for His Glory. Hence the title of this post - “Soli Dei Gloria” For God’s Glory Alone. Let’s go public with this statement, lest at any time, any of us (partners in this venture) are tempted to think that we’ve done it. Sure, in a sense, thanks to all of you who give and help and pray, we have done it - or more properly - are still doing it. But it has only been because God has enabled us to do it.
Now having said all that, it’s important to note that we’re not done yet. We’ve still got a good ways to go. As I write this we are about to get our final “revision” plans which incorporate the many changes that we’ve made as we’ve gone along. This will enable us to complete the roof over the great room so that we are truly “dried in”. It will also mean final approval of our sprinkler system design and then, following that, our mechanical design and permit for our heating, cooling and venting requirements.
Two weeks ago we ordered all the cultured stone (river rock) for the central four fireplaces, which will enable us to get started applying “facia stone” (stone veneer) to this massive structure. For those of you who might be worried about a smoke-filled great room and lobby area, we’ve been “exercising” our two Rumford woodburning fireplaces, and they are working beautifully. Smoke goes up the 30 foot high chimney flues and only heat flows into the room. This past week volunteer Jan Friend and I poured the first of the three concrete slabs for the three stone hearths.
We’re scheduled to pour the others next week. (The in-room fireplaces will not have stone facia hearths but tile instead). We’re especially grateful to Ron Kingham and Dave Gibson who constructed the hearths and helped build the forms for the concrete slabs.
Ron and Cathy Kingham
Dave Gibson helps cut boards.
Then today, thanks to a special “window of opportunity” we ordered the remaining windows for the great room west wall. These windows soar up to the top of the cathedral ceiling in the great room 21 feet above the floor. They form an Eastern Cross with their upper and lower cross beams (already in place). This special order will be ready in 30 days, about the time we hope to have the final great room roof in place. Some dear friends recently gave us a contribution to cover the cost of these eight large windows. We are thankful indeed for their kindness.
Meanwhile the (somewhat) tedious task of cutting out and staining the balcony railing boards (hearts & crosses) and battens for the exterior upper story cedar planking, proceeds apace. Very labor-intensive, but something that volunteers can do well.
Winter has come to The Refuge in force. Because temperatures in this valley tend to run about 4-5 degrees lower than the surrounding area ( such as along Hood Canal) and winter sun only penetrates for 4-5 hours per day, our snow (deposited via 2-3 snowfalls of late, is still on the ground and our driveway (aka as sledding hill) has remained snow-covered (and not accessible for vehicles without chains). Needless to say, the younger set, such as Wesley, Nicholas & Peter Kosierowski had a wonderful time speeding down the hill on sleds and mini-toboggans, not always making every turn. Jerry & Diane Kosierowski worked alongside Robbie and me felling trees and clearing brush. The boys helped too, taking a break from sledding.
Late update: Due to warmer temperatures, wind and rain, most of our snow is now gone. But up on the mountains and hills around us, it is an everpresent reminder that it is, in fact, winter at The Refuge.
Robbie takes a ride with grandson Daniel.
UP-COMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES: On Friday, 25 January, Robbie hosted the first (of what will eventually be many such activities) “cookbook giveaway.” Thanks to a gift from Elaine Davia, The Refuge has so many cookbooks that we can share them with ladies from the valley. Then in February, two groups will be coming to The Refuge; Faith Presbyterian Elders retreat at Duckabush House, and the Whidbey Island OCF Bible Study Group. The latter group will be coming to help us with various projects. They are a fun group to have out here to work.
A NOTE OF THANKS! As many of you know, back in early November, I (Jim) fell asleep at the wheel of The Refuge Van, ran off the road into a ditch and totaled the car. Happily, I walked away without a scratch (praise be to God). But, no more van - what to do? Then some very kind friends donated a 1999 Mercury Villager Van to The Refuge so we would have transportation in carrying out Refuge activities. This was no hand-me-down junker. This was a top of the line vehicle with relatively low mileage. What a Christmas present to The Refuge and to us. We are still thanking God for these generous friends and their timely gift. Here is a picture of the Van with its new owners (Actually The Refuge owns the van).
VOICES FROM THE REFUGE: About the time we get the first of the Tales From The Refuge series published, we plan to also release a CD with Grandpa Edgren reading some of the tales (with the voices) to include the first published tale. If you are interested in receiving such a CD, let us know.
VOLUNTEER WORKERS ALWAYS WELCOME: Since we have plenty of work to do inside the building, as well as much clearing and picking up as a result of winter storms outside, we can use volunteers regardless of the weather. But we do need to know in advance when you are coming and how many of you, so we can plan accordingly.
A group of volunteers move tables and help ‘winterize’ the Refuge.
OUR MAILING LIST: We only mail our newsletters to folks with whom we’ve had contact. We do not take the “blanket marketing” approach to getting the word out. Except for this website and “word of mouth,” we trust God to bring people into our circle of Friends of The Refuge. We do not solicit. So, if you read this blog and want to be included on our mailing list, please let us know and we’ll put you on our list. We encourage folks to read our Statement of Faith before getting involved.
As we mentioned at the beginning of this blog, our purpose is to Glorify God in whatever we do and how we live.
SOLI DEI GLORIA
Robbie & Jim Edgren, Hosts