Desire vs. Content

House Update: Kevin and I were preapproved for a mortage on April 4th.  As of April 22nd, we do not have a house.  The nice lady has not gotten back to us about her home, so we have to move forward.  We have three houses to look at this weekend.  Our mortgage broker said he needs two days to create the sales contract.  I have a feeling we will be signing our sales contract on April 30th!

Since Kevin and I got married, we have been living in the duplex that he has lived in since 1992.  Our landlord is wonderful and has NEVER raised the rent. Ever!  We have 3 bedrooms, 1 3/4 baths and an unfinished basement that is liveable.  We are content.  There are several things that we would like to update around here to make day to day living much easier.

We I got divorced 3 1/2 years ago I made three goals that I called my "Divorce Goals".

1. Buy a mini-van - did this in May of 2007
2. Take the kids to Disneyland - did this Spring Break 2009
3. Buy a House (only unfinished goal)

Kevin and I have been discussing the house thing for about a year.  My parents sold their house last fall and we considered buying it, but I just didn't feel it was the right thing to do.  I really feel like God has been working on me to be content with my life.  I am somewhat of a perfectionist and I always want things to be better.  The house could be cleaner, the kids to get better grades, my students should be learning more.  You get the picture.  So last fall I put the idea of buying a house on the back burner.

Now Kevin and I have an opportunity to buy a house that has become the desire of my heart and I have really felt God's hand in this.  I mentioned to a co-worker that we were considering buying a house this Spring and she told me about a house that a friend of her's is going to sell, but it wasn't on the market yet.  So I drove by and it is exactly in the neighborhood I want to live and I loved the look of the outside.  I knocked on the door and met the nice woman.  Her husband and her are the original owners, back in 1962 and her husband passed away last year.  She let me look at the house last Friday.  It's not perfect, but it feels like home.

Right now we are waiting to see how much she wants for it, what the actual square footage, is and what the mortgage company is going to say we can afford.  We have the down payment and she knows we want to utilize the $8,000 first time homebuyers credit.  I have been praying for her because I know this is a big step.  She raised her family in this home and has lived here almost 50 years!

I am really hoping that a decision is made by sometime during spring break.  I am content where I am and if we decide to stay in the duplex, we are going to make a few changes to utilize the space much better.  My desire though, is to buy this home and finish my goals!  I would love to have the 5-year plan done in less than 4.  My master's degree will be done in August and I can start a new chapter of my life.  I can't wait to see what God has in store...

Venting

Proverbs 29:11 A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.

Ironically I read this verse not 5 minutes after receiving a work e-mail that usually would require LOTS of venting.  Thank you Lord for your timing. 

Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego asnwer and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer in this matter."

I think these verses are going to NEED to be my seasonal life verses right now.  Feel free to borrow them if you need to too!

Strength and Love

I have added Cale's Recovery as a blog I am following.  You can read his story from the Tri-City Herald today. His wife Kathleen grew up at the church I attend and graduated from one of the high schools I teach at.

Please keep Cale and Kathleen in your prayers.  The most urgent need right now is Kathleen needs a car to borrow in Greenville, North Carolina for a couple of weeks.

Cale was originally not expected to live and now he is fight very hard.  God is being glorified through this sweet couple.  There is a beautiful picture of Kathleen kissing Cale's hand.  He is currently in a coma and they have no idea when he will wake up from it.

Don't Worry Now!

When you feel like you are all alone
Just like your best friend up and gone
Don't worry now
Don't worry now
I've been there yeah, I know how it feels
To wonder if love is even real
Don't worry now
Don't worry now
It's gonna be ok
                   ~Britt Nicole

I sang this chorus to my daughter the other day as I held her like a baby and she sobbed over some feelings she was having about her father. I suspect there will be many chances to repeat this memory.

First post of 2010

Whether you say "Two Thousand and ten" or "twenty-ten", 2010 is here!  Can you believe we are 3 weeks into it today?  Wow, where has the time gone?  Well, I actually know the answer to this for me.  I teach in two buildings and we are just about done with finals.  I have also started a new Master's class and it is kicking me in the rearend REALLY HARD!  This class is a research class, so that means LOTS of writing; something I really dislike.

So for the next 8 months there is no "New Year's Resolutions" or great bible studies for me, although I am excited to lead a "Secret Keeper Girl" bible study for mom's and daughter's this fall.  But for now, it is just me and my classes.  I am half way there.  I am so thankful these classes are only 6 weeks long.  By week 5 I really start to drag and half the time end up skipping the assignment.  I really need to stop this, so I guess that will be my goal for 2010...

My heart has been filled with love for those who are grieving.  I know too many people in the last few months who have lost beloved family members.  My family has been touched by those who are grieving and we want those families to know we love them, pray for them daily, and are thankful all of them will have the opportunity to spend eternity with them.  One mom in particular I pray every morning she will have the strength to get up for the day.  That's it, but I know it is the first hard decision she makes EVERY day.

I have learned to be more thankful and accept imperfection.  I am thankful I have everything in my life.  I don't like everything, but I am learning to be content with the things that God provides.  After all, he didn't ASK my opinion.

Don't forget to go over to Rachel's Writings today and wish Rachel a Happy Birthday!  I hope all of you have a wonderful rest of January.  I am sure I won't be posting anytime soon.  See you in February...