We have power! Last Wednesday, PG&E and the electrician finished the project. It feels too good to be true, but indeed, when I flip a switch, the lights turn on.

It’s a temporary fix: they still need to change out our transformer, which will take some time. But thankfully we were able to come to this compromise: they turned on limited power to the house as long as we don’t have an AC unit. Given the weather has already begun cooling down, we figured we’ll be just fine.

Dad and Jake finished the porches this week too. We still have to get them inspected, and still have the driveway to complete, but once that’s finished we can get the house cleared for occupancy.

In the waiting periods between big tasks, we’ve been installing baseboards, assembling IKEA furniture, and moving small items into their places. Mom and Dad got Michael a Nugget play couch for Christmas and gave it to him early to keep him occupied while we work on the house. He absolutely loves it.

Despite all our unforeseen roadblocks, we’re hoping we’ll be moved in by the first week of October. We are all tired, but it feels like we’re on the very last lap of a huge race, nearing the finish line.

We had some much needed rain this week as well, and with the dark clouds came a glorious and vibrant double rainbow. We stood outside in the golden sunshine and the falling rain, getting absolutely soaked (but I think the pictures made it worth it).

Both the rain and the rainbow felt like a breath of fresh air after the stagnant heat and barrenness of summer. It’s a tad ironic: summer is usually associated with fruitfulness and life, but for us personally, it’s been a summer of grief and death. As we head into autumn and gardeners prepare their gardens for overwintering, I envision us sinking into rest as the earth does the same.

And as we leave this summer behind us, I am grateful: the light in the midst of the storm and the presence of the rainbow felt like poignant and visible reminders of God’s faithfulness and love for us. He will not spare us from the storm, but He will walk through it with us.