The Courvilles' Blog

New House #7

2011-07-13T20:21:00.001-05:00

Post number 7, Porch Painting day

Latest House Update

2011-06-24T21:13:00.001-05:00

Today we had our rough-in inspection on the framing, pluming, HVAC, and electrical. Thank God, we passed all four areas with minor corrections! Thanks to everyone for the hard work.

To top it off, Amanda and her paint crew got a big dent in the porches and it looks great.

Thank you Jesus for a good day.

House - Part 5

2011-05-06T22:36:00.001-05:00

Today they installed rafters. Uncle Mike had a unique angle to take a picture!

New House - Part 4

2011-05-05T18:38:00.001-05:00

Well, the carpenters have been at it for two days now. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

New House - Part 3

2011-04-30T17:04:00.001-05:00

Today marks another milestone. We have wrecked the forms and completed the play set. The Girls want to give Big Thanks to Nonkie, Paw-paw Jerry, and Uncle Aaron. I want to thank the cutest carpenter - my Amanda!

New House - Part 2

2011-04-27T21:51:00.001-05:00

Praise God!

We prayed for good weather and he delivered this morning. That allowed us to go ahead with the slab work! Mr. Don Veronie's crew real ugly after it and we have a Sure Foundation to show for it.

New House - Part 1

2011-04-23T00:23:00.001-05:00

Since we met with our builder today, Amanda and I thought it would be good to share the story of how we got to this point. For several years, we were thinking of building a house. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the Home God blessed us with in Moss Bluff; we had great neighbors (Shamsies and Thigpens!), a nice community, and a great house. Despite this, we both had thoughts and conversations about building. Four years ago I was just about ready to buy in our new subdivision, then we found out Baby was on the way! Finally, after much prayer, and several months of Amanda and I coming together on it, we bought our land in Sunrise Estates just west of KHS. We signed the papers in Spring of 2010 and got to work.

After mowing the grass a couple of times, we realized we would need a driveway. Jumping the ditch with a tractor or lawnmower wasn't convenient! We called the late Bro. Horace Baggett to help. He lined us up with what we'd need and shortly we had a driveway on the property. Bro Horace also put in some drainage and eventually put in our base house pad. He was a blessing to us.

And he wasn't the only one. Justin Gautreaux helped us with house plans and gave us lots of good advice. Mr. Danny Bell came out to put in our driveway, touched up the house pad, and brought in some soil for our blueberries. Our brothers, parents, and even our sister-in-law have helped with mowing, tree felling, pole setting, babysitting, wiring, pulling vehicles out of the mud, and setting our cornerstone.

As we sit here tonight two miles from our future home we have a lot to be thankful for beyond the house we are building. The changes in our life since we moved have brought Amanda, Faith, Grace and I closer to each other, closer to our families, and closer to our Lord. We've learned, we've considered, we've redecorated and we've grown. So far it's been a little work, some frustration, and a lot of fun. We are excited and a little scared all at once. Still, we know God is working for us in this endeavor and in our lives; we've seen that so clearly already. We hope you'll get to see that here. Sure, we want to keep our friends and family up to speed with the progression, but it's much more important to us to testify to His goodness. Enjoy!

Psalms 127.1: Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it

It's been a while. . .

2011-03-22T23:16:00.001-05:00

Wow!

I haven't posted on our blog since Faith was one week old. She's three and a half now! Since then we've been blessed with Grace Girl, changed jobs, and changed cities. Okay maybe changing cities is overstating a move from Moss Bluff to Kinder, but you get the point. We've been busy! Amanda and I are going to try and do better.

My goal for the next few days, weeks, and months is to chronicle the next big phase in our life; the construction of our new house. Thank God, we should be starting in mid-April. Already, we've been blessed to work with some great people on this job and we know we've got the chance to work with some more as we go. As it stands today, we have a cornerstone, dirt pad, two driveways, the temporary electrical pole and four blueberry bushes all on our "land." Before we get started we will try to post some info on how we got that far.

1 Week

2007-06-30T15:05:00.001-05:00

We've been home for one week! Thank God things are going well. This picture was in the paper today:

Just the Three of Us!

2007-06-23T20:20:00.000-05:00

We've made it home safe and sound! There are so many pictures of Faith that we've put them in a website. Go to this link to view her progress from a little peanut to a little baby. The last eight pictures are from the last few days.

Faith Courville

2007-06-22T12:17:00.000-05:00

Amanda and I are so happy to welcome Faith Elizabeth into our family! Faith was born June 20th at 1:15 p.m. She weighed in at 6 lbs. 5 oz. and 19 1/4" long.

Baby Faith!

2007-06-19T08:55:00.001-05:00

We'll be putting pictures of Faith up as we go at this website. Amanda is on bed-rest until Wednesday; we should have our little girl sometime Wednesday! I can send a quick e-mail out when she gets here.

We appreciate your encouragement and prayers.

Jake, Amanda, and Faith

It's a Girl!

2007-02-15T10:54:00.001-06:00

We just got our of the doctor. I caved in and we now know for sure
that we're expecting Faith Elizabeth. Mom and Faith are doing great.
Praise God!

In Honor of Engineering Week

2007-02-08T16:47:00.001-06:00

I got this in an e-mail. Happy e-week! (Feb 18 – 24):

Part A: Q&A

1Q: When does a person decide to become an engineer?
A: When he realizes he doesn't have the charisma to be an undertaker.

2Q: What do engineers use for birth control?
A: Their personalities.

3Q: How can you tell an extroverted engineer?
A: When he talks to you, he looks at your shoes instead of his own.

4Q: Why did the engineers cross the road?
A: Because they looked in the file and that's what they did last year.

5Q: How do you drive an engineer completely insane?
A: Tie him to a chair, stand in front of him, and fold up a road map the wrong way.

Part B: You might be an Engineer if ...

1. Choosing to buy flowers for your girlfriend or upgrading your RAM is a moral dilemma.

2. You take a cruise so you can go on a personal tour of the engine room.

3. In college you thought Spring Break was metal fatigue failure.

4. The sales people at the local computer store can't answer any of your questions .

5. At an air show you know how fast the skydivers are falling.

6. You bought your wife a new CD-ROM drive for her birthday.

7. You can quote scenes from any Monty Python movie.

8. You can type 70 words per minute but can't read your own handwriting.

9. You comment to your wife/husband that their straight hair is nice and parallel.

10. You sit backwards on the Disneyland rides to see how they do the special effects.

11. You have saved every power cord from all your broken appliances.

12. You have more friends on the Internet than in real life.

13. You know what < http:// > stands for.

14. You look forward to Christmas so you can put the kids' toys together.

15. You see a good design and still have to change it.

16. You spent more on your calculator than you did on your wedding ring.

17. You still own a slide rule and know how to use it.

18. You think that people yawning around you are sleep deprived.

19. You window shop at Radio Shack.

20. Your laptop computer costs more than your car.

21. Your wife/husband hasn't the foggiest idea of what you do at work.

22. You've already calculated how much you make per second.

23. You've tried to repair a $5 radio.

Christmas

2006-12-24T06:29:00.000-06:00

I received this in a newsletter about the NEC that I subscribe to. I've been thinking a lot about it since I read it and wanted to post it. Merry Christmas, Jesus loves you:

To my Christian Brothers and Sisters

The following might be what Christ would like us to understand about His birthday.

Dear children,
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival, although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can and may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list.
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local hot-line, they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

P.S. Don't forget: I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember,

I love you.

Author: Unknown

The Wonder of Pentecost

2006-12-24T06:26:00.000-06:00

My pastor, Bro. White, has posted a great message on "The Wonders of Pentecost." I think you should check it out. It blessed me and it would explain the glory of the Pentecostal experience to you in great detail.

Baby Courville

2006-12-13T15:39:00.000-06:00

Here's a shot of Baby Courville at their ~11 week ultrasound. Unfortunately we couldn't capture all the kicking and moving around! It was amazing! Anyway, thank God that the baby and mom are both doing great!

God's Grace

2006-12-05T20:47:00.000-06:00

After posting the "Ace" entry. I loaded some pictures from the past month. There's a picture of the flood waters on the road by our house over the running boards on my truck. In the 15 months leading up to that, God kept me and my family safe in New Orleans on the eve of Hurricane Katrina. He let us be a shelter and help for my brother and sister in law. He protected Amanda, Ace, and I during and after Rita. He led me to pass my PE exam. He blessed Amanda and I with the little peanut she's carrying. Immediately after that, He kept me through the biggest project I've ever done (which He helped come in under budget and 3 days early). God's been more than good to us. . .

When those flood waters began rising around our house, I panicked. I realized that there was nothing I could do. I was reminded of a verse and song from my youth that we sang when flooding hit Kinder in the late 1980's. Isaiah 43:2 says "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."

Even though it was the hardest thing to do, I began to praise my God early that morning. I told Him how much I loved Him; He gave me peace and strength. For the second time in a year I told Him that I didn't care about the things in this house. I told Him that they were His things anyway. I know God just blessed us and kept those waters down. I know it's not because I'm any better than my neighbors, He just blessed me. But more than the blessing of keeping our house dry, I can never thank Him enough for the peace he brought me in the Holy Ghost. It was truly a peace that passeth all understanding.

Sometimes we just need to remember what he's done for us. . .

Great News!

2006-12-05T20:21:00.000-06:00

God blessed us today by helping Ace to come home! My mother-in-law found him at Amanda's adopted Grandmother's house after a tip from Sis. Wanda.

Ace had run off on October 28th. Apparently he found his way to Mrs. Jackson's house very soon after that. Sis. Wanda works closeby and had noticed a little beagle eating scraps at her boudin shop lately and this morning he responded to his name. Mrs. Stephanie found him this afternoon and he's back at home sleeping in his "Winter House!"

Once again, God has shown us that His promises are Yea, and Amen!

I am Thankful

2006-11-23T18:38:00.000-06:00

On Thanksgiving I thought I should list some of the things I'm thankful for. In no particular order:

My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through Rita, the recent flooding, and everything in between you have been my rock and strong tower.
My wife and the little peanut baby she's carrying ->
Our family - Mom, Dad, Mr. Andy, Mrs. Stephanie, Matt and Tara, Alex, Austin, Luke, and last but not least our grandparents
Our great friends that are too numerous to list; you guys have helped us grow and enjoy life
Our church, Faith Tabernacle and our Pastors Rev. and Mrs. Jimmy White
Our good jobs, homes, and all the possessions that aren't necessary but make life a little more enjoyable
The blessing of living in America, in general, and South Louisiana, in particular. Our contry isn't perfect, but there's no where else I'd rather live. South Louisiana people are the most creative, friendly, helpful, and enjoyable neighbors I could imagine. I'm proud to be staritng our family here.

More Great News

2006-11-09T22:52:00.000-06:00

A little update,
Amanda and I went to the Doctor today and found out that our little peanut is doing great. We even saw and heard the heart beating! The baby is 6 weeks 5 days along, and will be due June 30th, 2007.

Great News

2006-11-07T15:46:00.000-06:00

Amanda and I are pleased to announce that we're expecting our first baby! The baby is "due" June 21, 2007. Mom and baby are doing great and we can't wait to meet the new member of our family.

We'll post and tell how it's going.

Updated Our Site

2006-10-18T19:44:00.000-05:00

Amanda and I are updating our site at www.courville.us. Check it out!

Birthday Crusade

2006-10-17T19:56:00.000-05:00

My beatiful wife got me a chain saw for my birthday! I'm using it to clear our backyard and to rid the world of Tallow Trees. So far I've only cut down 6, but I think the rest of them are worried.

FTPCKinder.org

2006-08-08T18:57:00.000-05:00

The Faith Tabernacle Pentecostal Church Website is officially launched. We're very proud of it and hope that it helps extend Jesus' love to the whole world.

www.FTPCKinder.org

Fiath Tabernacle

2006-06-04T22:49:00.000-05:00

Check out the church website, www.ftpckinder.org! Bro. Mike can even take requests for CD's online; look in the church blog!

God's doing something special for SW LA!

JRC

Updated Site

2006-05-10T19:06:00.000-05:00

The church website is successfully updated and ready for web viewing! Check it out at www.ftpckinder.org!

God Bless!

New Site

2006-03-13T10:46:00.000-06:00

Faith Tabernacle Pentacostal Church in Kinder, LA is online. The website is www.ftpckinder.org. It's in the early stages but will be growing soon!

Back Home - Rita Reflections

2005-10-08T07:20:00.000-05:00

I've finally made it back home. I worked from Sept. 22 - Oct. 1. Took a day off, and worked Oct. 2 - 6. It's obvious that the plant had damage from multiple tornadoes; roofs and walls were missing, cooling towers lost shrouds and fans, and one Hi-line tower fell down. We took the brunt of the storm.

It had to be God's hands holding the roof on the building where we stayed, his hands keeping the walls upright. It really got bad around 23:00 Friday. I went to bed and slept soundly until 02:00 Saturday when we were awakened for some emergency. Soon after that the lights went out as our last unit tripped offline. Powerplants aren't meant to be in the dark. I couldn't sleep after that. The rest of the night was filled with loud banging and the wind howling all of which was loud enough to be heard through the earplugs I was wearing. When the sunlight started filtering through the rain and clouds Saturday morning I was just thankful to be alive.

Psalms 9:10 says "And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee." I can honestly say that I put my trust in Jesus Thursday as I left for the plant. I trusted that he'd keep our home safe and strengthen the preparations we made, I trusted he'd keep Amanda and our little dog Ace safe wherever they went, I trusted he'd keep all the men at work (and me) safe; he was faithful. On Sunday as we headed toward Moss Bluff to check on our houses I had a peace that everything would be alright.

God didn't spare me because I'm living better than others. God didn't damage others homes, or take them completely, as a punishment. The peace that I had was not that I'd have no damage. The peace I had was that God was my provider and strong tower. It was only that he would meet all my needs according to his riches in glory.

Earlier in the year a big change was on the horizon at work that would have really affected Amanda and I. For months I was angry about the change and got mad about it every time it was brought up. One day a friend of mine told me that this change was not a problem but a chance for me to put my trust in God and see that he would provide. That humbled me, changed my view, and got me on my knees.

Through all of this God proved he'll always be my provider, my deliverer, my redeemer, my strong tower, and my ever present help in times of need.

I thank him for that daily.
Jake

Thank God

2005-09-26T23:25:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to take a minute to thank God for keeping us through Hurricane Rita. Jake and I had to be apart due to his job, but God protected us both and continues to do so. Jake, I love you and miss you.
I am amazed at the way that God has proven himself to us already. I think this experience sums it up best:
Jake went to check our house and saw that everything was okay including our new arbor out back. This arbor is well-built but is not anchored into the ground. If you would have seen the damage in our area, you would know that the arbor SHOULD NOT be standing. What God showed me is that He made that arbor stronger than it should be, and that is what He will do for all of us who are working, displaced, and unsure after Hurricane Rita. He will be our strength and the "lifter of our heads." May God bless all of you especially those (including my wonderful husband) who are working to restore life to normal in Southwest Louisiana. --Amanda, Proverbs 3:5&6

Jake - Rita

2005-09-25T21:27:00.000-05:00

I'm okay, have been at the plant since 9/22. On emergency power, Amanda is safe, house is okay, lots of damage around town and at the plant. Our crews worked wonders through the storm. Nelson Station was in the wall of the eye for 4+ hours, never got into the eye. Thank God it was only a 3.

Let all our friends know, please. I don't have their e-mails.

Fear Not

2005-09-21T20:48:00.000-05:00

I think this is comforting as Rita heads in this general direction:

Isaiah 42

1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Sunday Night's Sermon

2005-09-18T22:22:00.000-05:00

A great Sermon tonight @ Faith Tabernacle Pentacostal Church! Rev.
Warren Reed taught on the love of Christ.

1 John 3:1-10
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us,
that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth
us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear
what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be
like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even
as he is pure.
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is
the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in
him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not
seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth
righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth
from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,
that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed
remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of
the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither
he that loveth not his brother.

Courville Opus

2005-09-18T16:38:00.000-05:00

I guess this is post one on the Courville's blog. I don't know what will be here in the future. Since today is Sunday, I guess the first thing to say is Thank God! Don't forget to pray for those in the affected region around New Orleans; they need God's direction. If you need to request prayer, please visit our website & click on the Katrina Prayer List. You can request prayer for anything, not just things related to Katrina.

We hope this finds you well; may God bless you - he already loves you!

Jake & Amanda Courville
www.courville.us

P.S. GEAUX TIGERS - Beat UTK!