It's hard to even start this blog post, as I'm still teary and still overwhelmed with all that has transpired over the last month or so.
Most of you would know/remember some of our journey the last 6 years. Buying our first home, only to lose it to a short sale 1.5 years later when Tyler was laid-off and I was unexpectedly let go from my job. This started a very long recovery process with our credit and we spent the last 5 years renting in Texas and here in KC. Which - of course - has it's perks. You're not responsible (theoretically, ha) for any major problems with rentals, but the downside is of course, that you're basically throwing money away each month and never feeling completely settled.
So, in April of 2013, we put an offer in on a house and were so excited when it was accepted.
But then in June, once again, our dreams fell through. For unknown reasons that we still don't know to this day, but yet believe that HIS plan is perfect. HIS plan, friends... not our own.
I always had a hard time 'claiming' Kansas City as home because, when you rent, you're really not tied down anywhere. When you don't have a home to sell, you can essentially pick up and move at any given moment.
It was right around this time last year, when I heard so clearly from the Lord that we were going to be Kansas City'ians, not Iowans, like I always thought.
When I finally realized that THIS PLACE (earth) is not our home, it changed everything. It brought a sense of contentment that I'll never understand about our circumstances. Man, we were sooooo close to the interstate, the school district wasn't great, and that rental was a big chunk of junk, honestly. But something transformed in my heart and mind when I began longing for more of heaven, and less of earth. The deepest sense of contentment that came straight from HIM brought us so much peace and joy in the mundane and disappointments of what had happened in the previous 6 years.
It was in August of this year when we started talking with a realtor, and the first sentence of our email to him read: "We really need a Realtor who is ok with us taking a year to find a place, and being patient while we wait to find the right home. We're not in ANY hurry to buy." He was the perfect Christian guy for us, as he never pressured us to go see anything. He also had eyes of steel for 'troubled' homes and told us up front that he'd never let us buy anything that he wouldn't let his daughter buy. Perfect.
In September we looked at a few houses and even made an offer on two separate homes that we thought would be the right fit. The Lord clearly slammed those doors shut, and while we were temporarily discouraged, we had to trust that the right one would come at the right time.
September 30th we made an offer on a home that had just been listed that day. I really had my heart set on a traditional 2 story layout, instead of a split like we so commonly see in this area. Also on my wishlist: a cul-de-sac, plenty of living space, a good layout for entertaining, and a good school district. This one had ALL my wishes, plus more. Before we put an offer in, we found out that there were 4 other offers on the table - the first day it was on the market! We almost backed out without even making an offer, afraid of disappointment, but decided to just give them our best. I remember going to bed that night and listening to Tyler pray "Lord, would YOUR will be done, and not our own." We knew our offer was less than others, but also trusted in HIS big and perfect plan.
The following day, by a complete act of God, the sellers actually chose us. We later found out that they are also believers, and had raised their 2 boys in this home from the day it was built. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say this wasn't a coincidence.
:)
And so it all began... selling of junk, packing, and moving. And on November 4th, we became homeowners again.
Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow.
Our move went so smooth thanks to so many friends and family that came and just loved us so well over the week and weekend. If you could only see the tears dripping out of my eyes as I type this ....
November 6th we were able to move in to our new home, and our first order of business was to dedicate this place back to HIM.
It's not ours, it's yours, Jesus.
Have your way here.
Use us in this place, in this neighborhood, for your kingdom.
Holy Spirit... you are welcome here. Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere. Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for... to be overcome by your presence, Lord.
Even to this day, it's hard to explain the way I feel.
I'm just so grateful.
For a transition with Jaxon's school that went smoother than I could have dreamed. For amazing neighbors that have welcomed us with open arms. For the location - smack dab in the middle of our friends, church, and Tyler's work.
And really, just for this home. Not with earthly "it's so beautiful and I'm obsessed" materialistic eyes, but rather with this overwhelming sense of gratitude for HIS goodness and faithfulness to us. We feel so undeserving, yet grateful.
We're so excited to see this next chapter of our lives unfold. And one of the coolest things that recently happened... our sellers actually came over the day after we moved in to meet us. (!!!) When we were talking, they told us they prayed for us in the garage as they were leaving, that we would have more happy days than sad days in this home.
Man, what a priceless gift we've been blessed with. From Him and Him alone.
