Sold

On March 24th it was official, the sale of our house that is. It was rather, what shall I say, anti-climactic. I was never quite convinced that it was going to happen and didn't even believe it until the money was in our checking account. I kept thinking something would go wrong.

We put our house up FOR SALE in September (as most of you know) and had been begging the Lord for months and months to sell it in the "terrible" market. David and I were both commuting to Denver (since January) and it was putting somewhat of a strain on our marriage. I needed to be in Denver to do my job and he needed to be in Denver to be able to minister effectively. We essentially felt trapped and unable to go forward in the new calling He had placed on our lives.

Truthfully there were times when I felt like the Lord was mocking us because it all didn't make sense. Especially when our next door neighbor put her house up for sale, when there were houses identical to ours in worse condition that sold for more money, when foreclosures went on the market for SO CHEAP! Then there were all the weekends we spent looking for houses up in Denver to buy so that when ours sold we would have somewhere to move and each house that we were even remotely interested in sold (yes, in this market).

We kept pleading with God to show us what to do and then a miracle happened that allowed us to rent up here in Denver while our house was still on the market within our budget. So we found a great condo in Parker and moved on Valentine's Day.

Then, the next week a lady put an offer on our town home! Not even kidding...the next week!

Of course at that point, I was moved, already unpacked and had accepted that we were going to be renting. I had made peace with the fact that the Lord would take care of us (He already had). I had let go and trusted without stress, without fear, without worry and that is when it happened.

Now I don't think that is the "formula" for getting God to do what I wanted but I must say that I did learn a lot through the 6 months. The biggest lesson I learned was that what I treasured most wasn't that God sold the house but that He stayed by me through the trial and He taught me valuable truths about Himself and my relationship with him. Now, I have a greater understanding of how He communicates with me and my relationship with Him is better for that experience as hard as it was for me at times.

That is the short story about the "house" and what happened. I thought I would need a house to make a home...I thought "that" was the next step for us. But truthfully, I am content in our condo--I like the location, I like the layout, I like the people we rent from and most importantly, David and I can do what the Lord has called us to do.

Thank you to everyone who stood with us during this time and offered up prayers and encouragement on our behalf. You were all such a blessing!

I am waiting for the walls in our condo to be painted to post pictures of our new place...more to come soon.

Finding the one...

I know many of you ladies are out there still trying to find the "one."
Oh how I sympathize.

While I have already found my man, I too am looking still looking for the "one."
And by the one, I am referring to the person that eventually will buy our townhome.

Let me explain:

You: wait for potential suiters to pursue you
I: wait for potential buyers to schedule showings

You: buy a new outfit, do your hair just right, paint your nails, and pray that it will be your last, first date
I: paint the walls, shampoo the carpet, dust, mop and pray that this will be the last, first showing

You: go out to the movies or a nice resturaunt or a concert or to Starbucks
I: grab Turbo and stratigically park my car behind a tree down the street. Then I lower my seat low enough not to be seen but high enough to spy on the prospective buyer

You: return home and process the good and the bad from the date
I: return home and check all my booby traps to see if they looked behind the shower curtain or in the laundry room or in the dishwasher (all clues to see if they were interested)

You: (assuming you like the guy) wait by the phone for him to call
I: wait by the phone for an offer

He: may not have felt the same, or already have a girlfriend, or just want to be friends, or....
They: may want the parking space a little closer, or the laundry room a little bigger, or the price a little lower, or one less stair, or one more bathroom, or....

Then my friends, we must start the cycle all over again.
Just to find THE ONE

Have faith girls...

Someday your prince and my buyer WILL come!

House Shopping

Last Saturday we went shopping for our new house! We still need our townhome to sell but we wanted to check out some houses in Denver so we would know what we wanted. It was quite the experience seeing how some people choose to live and show their houses. Trash everywhere, beat up walls, crazy colors and then they want you to pay 270,000! No way!

Here are two of our favorite houses. The first one is my FAVORITE! I am such a porch girl--love them, need them! Just imagine white rocking chairs, hot chai tea, a blanket (depending where you live) and a great book ...perfect! The garage is in the back of the house (which I love) and it is brand new (fun!). The second one is in a better part of town, has a good layout, and is very clean (even though it has been lived in it). We don't really need a three car garage but it is the same price as the other house so we won't complain. Both houses have 3 bedrooms so there will be plenty of room for our friends to visit (hint! hint!).

1.)Porch House


2.) Great-Area House


I know you can't judge a book by it's cover but which one is your favorite? Would you like either of them?

Random Ramblings

• Today we had our second official showing of the house (in the week that it has been on the market). God is so faithful! The first guy didn't like the laundry room location which happens to be next to the bathroom. I wish I could correct him because it is more of a laundry closet than room. However, I can understand and this is the kind of market where you can be picky... I plan to be picky myself. :)

• I am really enjoying the fact that the house must be "show ready" at any time. This is the type of environment where my perfectionist tendencies are truly able to shine! Therefore my husband must also go along with it (all in the name of a quick sale of course...) and allow me to complain about any crumb he drops on the kitchen floor. I know, I should enjoy it while it lasts.

• My friend Heather is interviewing for a job at Donor Alliance (where I work) and I am SO excited. She is such a sweet, genuine person. I love her heart for others and look forward to spending more time around her.

• I have several names for my dog: Turbo (his actual name), Turbinator (his superhero name), Turb (don't mistake this one for TURD...), Turby (given to him by my sister-in-law Lori), poochy-poo (in a baby voice, of course).

• I absolutely love this new Crystal Light that we got yesterday. I tried it at my friend Cassie's house and I practically drank the whole pitcher. I got some at Wal-mart (yes I shop there, I am a woman on a budget!) and I am addicted. You should know that my addictions come in phases. I absolutely love something, then consume it whenever and wherever possible until I never want to see it again. We shall see how long this love with Crystal Light Strawberry-Orange-Banana lasts!

• I am going to go do my wifely duties now...laundry, emptying the dishwasher, taking a nap with Turbo (shh, don't tell David) and playing some Mario Cart (another addiction I can't seem to shake. Maybe I should read a book instead of shooting flying turtles at Luigi and Mario...na!)

Our BIG news...

WE ARE MOVING!

Today our house officially went on the market and now the waiting begins and praying continues.

It feels like we have arrived since much of the last month has centered on getting the house sell-ready. We have been interviewing realtors, fixing our bathtub, cleaning the carpet, painting, cleaning, painting, going to Home Depot, painting, going back to Home Depot, getting cracks fixed, painting, PRAYING and cleaning. David and I are ready to get back into the rhythm of life but we know that this is just the beginning of the moving process. :)

About 6 months ago, the Lord starting moving in David's heart about joining FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) full time. Translation: he would retire from teaching (hey now, he taught for 4 years...that's a loooooog time people, ha!) and go into their school of sports ministry (really an internship) for 1 year then to be hired on staff. The great part about this is that he needed to complete a 3 month internship this past summer and FCA worked perfectly for this. Well, to make a long story short, David and I truly felt the Lord's leading about all of this and he applied.

FCA is pretty saturated down here in the Springs and there is a great need in South Denver. You guessed it...that's where we are headed. It has been a leap of faith but with each leap I feel the arms of a strong Savior holding us up. The great thing about FCA is that it is full-time ministry. Therefore, we call upon those that we know, those that have been called to be Kings to support ministry and in turn make it financially possible for us to live this life. So many of you have supported us, again, a testimony to the faithfulness of the Lord. Thank you!

One other blessing has been my job. Donor Alliance is based out of Denver (coincidence, I think not) and they were amazingly wonderful in making a position for me up there. When our house sells, I will be able to transition to an Organ Recovery Coordinator, which is a very nice promotion for a nurse like me. I give all the credit to the Lord because David and I have been believing for a miracle like this for months. David told me countless times to keep believing for the Lord to open the door and He did.

Now I have more faith to believe for the sale of our home. There are 3 others for sale just like ours in our complex and we all know about the economy. However, God has told us to move, He has opened doors, and I look forward to the post I will write when He sells our home.

Patiently waiting....on day 1.