This has been an absolute miracle to watch unfold as I drive by everyday. First I have to say that Liisa is one of the most pure, kind, compassionate, creative, genuine woman I have ever met. To say I love and adore her would be an understatement. Nick and Liisa are among those who have had to move out of their home and into a rental. The economy has been a bear cat for them. Not many a day has passed where I have looked at some of these families and wondered how much more they could take. I have been literally watching the story of Job in some circumstances.
But amazing Liisa has just taken things to a whole new level. Everytime I have visited with her, she has been positive and had an upbeat attitude. She has looked forward to bigger and better things for their store. They do not have insurance. They do not have income with this place closed and her working day and night with the cleanup effort slows down her Realtor work. With no clue where the money will come from to rebuild, they just keep cleaning up and carrying on.
She told me that she really has to stay away from negative people who think they cannot do this or that because it weighs her down and brings her to tears. As long as she keeps focused on the good, she is fine. She said, “I have to continually stay in a place of gratitude all day everyday. Gratitude for all these things and the blessings we are receiving is helping so much. And there is much to be grateful for.”
She is right. There has not been a day that I have passed by that I have not seen people working there– inside and out. Lightfoot’s across the street brought dumpsters in for them the first few days and had them rotated so often that the place stayed clean as it could be under the circumstances. One day I stopped, several subcontractors had stopped in and were measuring and donating many things to help them rebuild. I cannot even imagine how many thousands of dollars will be donated to help them (as well as the other families).
Something struck me in listening to Liisa. Since I teach and understand the “Universal Laws” like the law of Attraction (it’s all over my blog here), I could see clearly how they were all working in Liisa’s behalf. The gratitude and positive thinking were literally drawing people to her, bringing the very things she needed at the moment. I know they have a long way to go, but I can guarantee that the very things they need will keep showing up at “just the right time.” It is not by coincidence. The Lord orchestrates perfectly when we live His laws perfectly. He wants us to be abundant and joyful. Gratitude is the key to bringing it all to you while still remaining humble. And Liisa does this to perfection.
I cannot wait to see the “new and improved” Dutchman’s/Cravings. I know a vast amount of good is headed their way. I know they are people I will always want to be around because they lift me to a higher plain.
In every place I visited wishing to give help or hope or comfort, I came away with far more. They have been lifting me, giving me hope, showing me what endurance, courage, and true Christ-like love is all about. From the homeowners to the volunteers, my life has been flooded with love!
From the distant cousin of Liisa’s that just “shows up” at exactly the right time with the abilities needed at that moment, to the Latino Club that held a fundraiser right at their place to raise money to rebuild Dutchman’s, to the hundreds of volunteers, family, and friends that have labored, this has been one big miracle to watch evolve.
As if Liisa’s not amazing enough, she took the time to put together this unbeliveable video that speaks much more than I can put into words. The music itself bespeaks the emotion of it all– the joy, the sorrow, the laughter, the blessings.
Click HERE to watch this work of art and love.