It has been a long time since, I blogged on our website. There has certainly been much happening and the summer has been very busy. Just yesterday, I put on my “To Do List” to add a blog to our website. Later in the day, I received an email asking about the utility situation and stating that they had been checking our blog for updates.
Before I address the utility situation, let me tell you about our great God. Recently, I was reviewing the answered prayers in my prayer journal and I was overwhelmed at God’s goodness. We had an outstanding summer, with many specific answers to prayer.
One of those specific answers to prayer is in regard to our lake. For a long time, I had been praying that we could get a “No Hazard” classification for our lake. Being of little faith, I finally took that off my prayer list because it seemed impossible. In fact, we were very concerned that the DEP could have ruled our lake as a “High Hazard” lake. After our downstream neighbor signed a restricted covenant on his dwelling/storage shed, the DEP ruled our lake as a “No Hazard” lake. That is a huge blessing and a great answer to prayer.
We thought we were on the final easy permit to install utilities on the property. In fact, we are totally approved to install water and electricity, but we have a few hoops before we get our final sewage permit. Because the excavation is in the same area, it is not practical to install the water and electricity until we have the sewage approval.
When we submitted the final approval for the sewage, we received a requirement that the Pa Historical and Museum Commission would make a determination if we would be required to do an archeological survey to search for Indian relics. We submitted the paperwork asking for a variance on the survey. The time limit for them to give us an answer has expired and I still have not heard. I called the PHMC, but I still do not have an answer. Before resubmitting the final permit for the utilities, we need this document from the PHMC. Finally today when I called the PHMC, they told me the document went in the mail yesterday. Apparently the document states that they are requesting an archeological survey. In our situation, however, they do not have the authority to require us to do the survey. After we submit the document to the DEP, the DEP will make the final determination concerning the survey. The representative at the PHMC thought it was likely that the DEP would not require us to do the survey.
Although the lack of this permit is a bit of a dark cloud, we are encouraged in the Lord. The sun and dark clouds in the picture show God’s beautiful handiwork. God continues to paint a beautiful picture here at Servant’s Heart. Thank you for your continued interest in SHCM.
