Today is the day. We make it official tonight; the house will be under contract and we will move out June 1st. Things are moving very fast right now and I am getting a little apprehensive.
One thing I did not expect is my emotions. I never would have guessed I would be sad to leave this house. But there are moments of grief when I think about leaving. This was our first house, so maybe the sentiment still needs to wear off. Mostly the sadness is for my Mom...she loves me! what can I say?.... and she loves my kids just as much. Pray for her; this will be a big transition for her.
Those feelings are nothing compared to the excitement and joy and relief and encouragement and other 'good words' I can't think of right now. This has completely been a God whirlwind. I cannot sing a worship song without getting all choked up about how God has been so good to us. If I start to sing 'Mighty To Save' by Hillsong, I lose it. God has been so intentional about the happenings in our life, I am proud to call myself a follower of Christ and these moments validate that God's primary relationship with Believers is his Fatherhood. He is the best kind of father to have. Thanks Dad!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Carolina on my Mind
HE DID IT! HE DID IT! God brought a family to buy our house! We had a great meal with the Vasil family and they loved the house the moment that they saw it. They will be signing a lease-to-purchase contract and will buy the house in a year.
So we are on our way, Greenville! We move out of here June 1st and finish raising support. We are hoping to be in Greenville by late August or September. This has been an amazing roller coaster ride but we are so happy that it worked out this way. We get to use our house as a ministry, and God took this extra time to draw me closer to Him. Things really begin to move fast now.
Thanks for all of your prayers. Continue praying for our support and transition decisions. We need wisdom more than ever.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Concert Tonight!
Our small group is going on a road trip to Victory Church in Lakeland to see Steven Curtis Chapman. Live in concert tonight! Cessie and I are so excited and know that we will "get our praise on." We need this time with God, not to mourn but to celebrate his goodness. He is Good and His mercy endures forever!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Don't Worry Be Happy...d ddd d dddd Don't Worry
I can choose to complain or I can choose to comply. It is up to me how I deal with our current housing circumstances. Comply is just another optimistic term I am using for perseverance in our time of trouble. But, these 'sucky' circumstances have caused me to revisit a long pondered biblical issue.
What is Good?
Typically I would define good as something that produces a positive result or consequence. Like selling our house to get money to get out of debt and finally get us to where God has called us, namely, Greenville! Or to win a law suit over the mortgage company, who has strung us along for the past 4 months promising relief from our HIGH mortgage payment, only to find out, from a lawyer, that we have no case!...breathe...breathe...Okay, so I am a little miffed about the mortgage situation.
Nonetheless, we are where we are. The house is now off the market so we can refinance and access some cash to upgrade the kitchen and master bath, making the house more marketable. Again, so what is Good? What good can this situation possibly produce...and in my typical fake Christian, plastic smile, gritting my teeth...I would say "God is good." All the while, discouraged, dejected and spiritually dead.
But that is not where I am. I know so many Pastors who fake their way through pain and frustration in their faith, so they can lOOk like they've got it all together, and if you know me, you know that is not me.
I am truly hopeful. God is clear about what is good. "Good is to be defined in relationship to the will and being of God. Good is what glorifies Him, fulfills His will, and conforms to His nature." (pg.450 Erikkson)
Romans 8:28-29
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
I know, cliche' verse...but it is true, especially when you understand that this is not a guarantee to have everything easy but to have God's perspective of the whole story of your life, not just the here and now.
God works out good for those who are using their circumstances to draw closer to, and become like, His Son. Good results/consequences (especially temporary ones)don't define God's will or nature, but can be a positive result of His will and nature working. The cross is a perfect example of momentary suffering for the overall welfare of mankind. Though it is heart wrenching to remember "The Lord's Supper" or images of "The Passion" movie, Christ's crucifixion was very necessary.
So I lean on this verse time and time again..."For our LIGHT and MOMENTARY troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" 2Cor. 4:17 (The eternal glory is deepening your relationship with The Father God).
What is Good?
Typically I would define good as something that produces a positive result or consequence. Like selling our house to get money to get out of debt and finally get us to where God has called us, namely, Greenville! Or to win a law suit over the mortgage company, who has strung us along for the past 4 months promising relief from our HIGH mortgage payment, only to find out, from a lawyer, that we have no case!...breathe...breathe...Okay, so I am a little miffed about the mortgage situation.
Nonetheless, we are where we are. The house is now off the market so we can refinance and access some cash to upgrade the kitchen and master bath, making the house more marketable. Again, so what is Good? What good can this situation possibly produce...and in my typical fake Christian, plastic smile, gritting my teeth...I would say "God is good." All the while, discouraged, dejected and spiritually dead.
But that is not where I am. I know so many Pastors who fake their way through pain and frustration in their faith, so they can lOOk like they've got it all together, and if you know me, you know that is not me.
I am truly hopeful. God is clear about what is good. "Good is to be defined in relationship to the will and being of God. Good is what glorifies Him, fulfills His will, and conforms to His nature." (pg.450 Erikkson)
Romans 8:28-29
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
I know, cliche' verse...but it is true, especially when you understand that this is not a guarantee to have everything easy but to have God's perspective of the whole story of your life, not just the here and now.
God works out good for those who are using their circumstances to draw closer to, and become like, His Son. Good results/consequences (especially temporary ones)don't define God's will or nature, but can be a positive result of His will and nature working. The cross is a perfect example of momentary suffering for the overall welfare of mankind. Though it is heart wrenching to remember "The Lord's Supper" or images of "The Passion" movie, Christ's crucifixion was very necessary.
So I lean on this verse time and time again..."For our LIGHT and MOMENTARY troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" 2Cor. 4:17 (The eternal glory is deepening your relationship with The Father God).
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
People have been praying.
You've been praying for us. I know. I just know it. The wheels are starting to turn, small things are beginning to happen. I have 3 legitimate, financial opportunities in front of me right now, and none are linked so I could do all 3 very easily and dig us out of this house mess at least temporarily.
I am also working on a deal that could get us a buyer. They dont know it yet, and the circumstances are so crazily coincidental that it has to be a God thing. So keep praying!
I try not to over think things and plan beyond God's Will, but it is not easy. I just need to stay on my knees and take things for what they are. Cautious but Confident. God will be victorious!
I am also working on a deal that could get us a buyer. They dont know it yet, and the circumstances are so crazily coincidental that it has to be a God thing. So keep praying!
I try not to over think things and plan beyond God's Will, but it is not easy. I just need to stay on my knees and take things for what they are. Cautious but Confident. God will be victorious!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Stop the bleeding!
As most of you know, we've been trying to sell our house for many months. Many of you also know that part of the reason for that is because our mortgage adjusted back in September and we've been making almost double the payment since then, causing much grief as we have saved our credit, yet put ourselves in some depressing credit card debt.
Anyway, back in December, we were able to begin the process of readjusting our mortgage and we were so thankful because it was going to bring the payment back down to the original price. Well, it's been several months and we got a call yesterday that the process is complete and that it was not going to be at all what they told us back in December; instead they are only reducing our current payment about $50!!! We're so upset and disappointed and kinda don't know what to do from here. It is currently $1034 and we were told it would be $595, now they are offering $959. What a ripoff!
We prayed out of desperation, asking God to somehow do a miracle, because we cannot continue to afford this home at that price. Just after we prayed, our realtor called us to let us know some people who'd seen the house before wanted to come back today (fri) morning to see it again. We NEED them to buy the house! Please pray that they are the ones we've been praying for, the ones we know God already has picked out to make our house their new home. They'll be walking through at 10am....if you remember at that time, can you please pray for everything to work out? Thanks so much!!!!
Anyway, back in December, we were able to begin the process of readjusting our mortgage and we were so thankful because it was going to bring the payment back down to the original price. Well, it's been several months and we got a call yesterday that the process is complete and that it was not going to be at all what they told us back in December; instead they are only reducing our current payment about $50!!! We're so upset and disappointed and kinda don't know what to do from here. It is currently $1034 and we were told it would be $595, now they are offering $959. What a ripoff!
We prayed out of desperation, asking God to somehow do a miracle, because we cannot continue to afford this home at that price. Just after we prayed, our realtor called us to let us know some people who'd seen the house before wanted to come back today (fri) morning to see it again. We NEED them to buy the house! Please pray that they are the ones we've been praying for, the ones we know God already has picked out to make our house their new home. They'll be walking through at 10am....if you remember at that time, can you please pray for everything to work out? Thanks so much!!!!
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