Let's Do This!

Fear took hold of my mind in full force yesterday. As we were walking through our future home with the inspector, I was ready to back out of both sales and go back to work full time, just so I could keep my current home. We put so much into this place to make it a home, and I am beginning to realize what it will mean to leave it all behind. But I truly believe staying here is not the direction God is calling our family to go--at least I don't think it is. I must admit I am experiencing much doubt right now. The good thing is, I am reminded that doubt is not a part of God's vocabulary, so I am working on telling said doubt: "You are not invited to this party. It's time for you to take a hike!"

While I am grateful this is all happening quickly to alleviate the discomfort I am feeling in many places, I don't really have time to process things fully. I don't want to make a wrong decision. I have to have faith that God is walking before us, and TRUST that He is not guiding us to a place we don't belong.

This morning, I sit here in the stillness of my home.  It is dark.  The only light is that of my computer screen. I have perused Pinterest, Home Depot, Lowe's, IKEA, and numerous blog sites to get ideas for my concerns with our new home.  My mind is spinning. But in this stillness, I can hear the faint calling of my savior. "Don't worry," He says. "I am taking you here for a reason. To bring you much joy and happiness. I just need for you to rely on my strength to get you through. I will bring you much peace."

Here's a pic of the house we are planning to buy in a few weeks.

And so, my reply is "Let's do this!"
My fear is at bay, right now.  The sun is beginning to make its way across the horizon.  I am ready to take on this day with much gratitude in my heart for all of life's sweet blessings--quiet mornings, amazing sunrises, the anticipation of Christmas, my wonderful family.

So much to be thankful for on this Sunday morning in December.  So much to be thankful for indeed.

God's Grace and a "New" Home

I'm definitely in shell shock. The sale of our home is moving along. And the weekend was spent shopping for a new home. I can't even begin to tell you how AMAZING God is. The spirit is flowing so freely through this whole process.

I am so sad to see that our family's country living experience did not work out as I had thought, but I have learned so much. The first being don't ever depend our my own plans! I'm definitely confused why God sent us here, but I look forward to learning why as our adventure continues to unfold. The one thing I am certain of, is that He is so faithful, and will not let anything happen that He does not see fit. So for those that are wondering if I think the past three and a half years were done in vain, I would say ABSOLUTELY NOT! I am growing and learning in ways I didn't even think were possible. I am so grateful for the ups and downs. Am I ready for a few less downs?  You bet!

We put an offer on a house in town and it was accepted last night. We are now praying that the timing works out that we will only have to rent a moving van once.  It looks like we might be able to "rent" our "new" home for the week or two between the closing date on our current home and the closing date of our "new" home.

All I can say at this point is:  Wow!  Thank you Jesus!

A Whirlwind

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Luke 11:9

I'm sitting here in shock today.  Although I know I shouldn't be.  When I put my trust in God, things happen as they should.

So, the last 6 weeks have been pretty bad around here.  Lots of arguing and miscommunication. Lots of hurt feelings. Lots of tears being shed. But in the end, we all know that it's about Jesus working through each of us to get us where we need to be. And so, we continue on.

Since the decision to put the house on the market was made two weeks ago, it's been pretty much a whirlwind. We've had three families interested in looking at our home.

The first family set up a showing, but then couldn't make it, due to illness.  That was last Saturday.

The second family came to look at our home while we were at church on Sunday. Our home was in their top two choices, but the barn was a bit too small.

The third came out to view the house on Wednesday.  Then on Thursday they came again.  And by Thursday night they had put in an offer. Albeit too low for our liking, our Realtor, Diana, was amazing.  She called their Realtor, AdriAnn, and shared our story.  We've put a lot of sweat and equity into this home over the past 3+ years, and to walk away with nothing didn't quite feel good. Not to mention, we really needed to sale of this home to fund our next home.

On Friday, I had to take Emaleigh to get her wisdom teeth pulled. The call came in while we were waiting for the anethesia to kick in. The buyers had countered back. Only this time they offered full asking price with no help on closing costs.  What?!  Total shock, I tell you.  I wasn't expecting full asking price after the offer that initially came to the table.  But God is good, and I know that His hand is truly in the middle of this pot stirring it up and making everything just right! Naturally, we have accepted their offer.

Now while there are so many things that have happened that can testify to Jesus being here the whole time (even when we've all felt very alone at times), the price that this home sold for is simply Divine Intervention. You see we bought this home as a foreclosure.  So it was pretty cheap.  But after two major renovations, it was no longer that way. And we certainly didn't want to lose money from this experience. So when we decided it was time to sell, I was sitting in my bed pondering how much we needed to put it on the market for, while still being able to have some funds for the next home. I was scared because during the past 3 years nothing in our immediate area has sold for anything close to what we had invested in this home. So to have to list our home for a price even higher seemed unimaginable. Within minutes, Craig came into the room just as a number popped into my head. Out of his mouth came the words, "it would be nice if we could sell our home for..." The exact number I was thinking. Then, within that same hour, Diana had called to let us know that she thought we could list our house for that exact same number.  She wasn't convinced we'd be able to sell it for that much, but she felt confident that we could at least list it for that much. Now what are the chances that 3 people would think of the same number without really communicating about it. And then to actually sell for that EXACT number?  Diving Intervention, I tell you!  Truly Divine. Thank you, Jesus!

So the past week has been a true whirlwind, but I am so grateful for what has happened. I am sad that this part of our story didn't work out how I had anticipated, but I know that God is still in the middle of this pot stirring it up and making everything just right!

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 

Breath

Our house is officially for sale.

This house that we have painstakingly remodeled, added on to, but mostly loved.

This house that I thought would be my forever home. 

It's okay tho. I know that while I crave control to the depth's of my being, God get's the last say so. And while this still may be my forever home, I have to be open to finding out if this is not the plan He has in store.

With all of the pain that is going on right now, I am trying to find joy in what the Lord is bringing to the forefront. I am trying not to analyze my life to death, but I have become the person I am today because I am open to the wisdom that God provides for me each day. 

So often, I sit in the presence of my maker and have a conversation that goes something like this:

me: Where is it that we will be going today? I know Your plans for me are for good.  So I am trying not to fear.  

Him: Good and faithful child...I love that you think of me often.  I smile each time I come to your mind. You certainly don't need to worry, even though you have mastered this ability! (Insert God winking and smiling here...afterall, He did invent humor!) 

me: Okay. But sometimes old habits die hard.

Him: Just trust me to show you the way. Take the necessary steps to find out if I will open a new door or close a door you thought I wanted you to go through. 

me: I'm kind of scared.

Him:  I know. Just allow yourself to be at peace not matter what the situation.

me: I'll try.

Him: That's all I ever ask of you. And by the way, I am confident you will be successful! (Insert another wink and a smile here.)

While I can't say that I am jumping up and down with glee that we are trying to sell our home and move again, I can say that I am filled with a sense of peace that only the Lord can provide.  Each time I find myself flailing about in my head, I stop, take a deep breath, and put my thoughts on Jesus. I remind myself that nothing can be as daunting as what He endured.

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