Better.

At 11:00 a.m. this Wednesday morning, the 7th day of September, we are putting an offer on the 2nd street house. Kendal is chill, and I am both excited and scared. This is so different from what we thought we wanted. Yet, we feel content at the idea of it all, the change of ministry, the change of a different part of town, the change of lifestyle.

We feel confident that the Lord is leading us into this home.

Monday, as we were driving home from our counseling time in Portland, we were talking about the house and the words, "For the Better" came to my mind. I don't know if it was because somehow our new youth group logo was somehow seeping through (which I had only heard a couple times a few weeks ago), or if it is part of a season we are going to be stepping into...I hope so.

Kendal talked to our lender yesterday and said that the loan we wanted to pursue wouldn't make sense for us, but she had something better, better, just as the Lord would want for us, yes, something better.

I know when we found our Kari Place home, it was more than what I thought I could ever have, God knew it was for our "better."

I have trusted all along that He would give us a home that suited us, I also had a feeling that He would give me more than I thought I could imagine, just like Kari Place, and here it is...something better.

Please, once again, I ask you to pray, pray that the financial stuff would work out for our "better."

Please pray for future inspections, that they would come out in a more positive way than we anticipate.

That this transition and possible upgrading would go smoothly.

Please pray that God's love, provision and sovereignty would be seen throughout this process by those that doubt. That they too would recognize something, someone, bigger and BETTER is at work.

But mostly, please Thank Jesus for this.

We've Decided

We are making a move, not the move, but one that takes a step closer to getting a home. 180 s. 2nd street is calling our name. Even more importantly, Jesus is drawing us to it. I don't know why exactly, but we can't deny the pull.

My dream for a house was an acre of land (at least) and a place to grow my pumpkins. I wanted a cozy place off the main roads, tucked back, more fortress like.

Funny. The place we are looking at is at a busy intersection on a main thoroughfare across the street from the Library, Catholic church, an open park and I can see Ixtapa, all from the front window. It sits on .25 of an acre, but a lot of that is house. Sure I can find a place to grow some pumpkins, just a smaller scale dream.

We feel that our ministry as a family is turning into something new. New is scary, but exciting! We are trusting that Jesus is leading us into this new home, ministry, openness, more community, more vulnerability and it is only He that can make me *comfortable* with this move. This something New.

This looks like it will be a long wait as we have a special loan to get and before we can start the work on that, we have to come up with 3.5% down. I am not seeing that chunk of change laying around...so...yes, it may be a while.

We are thinking of selling our Nissan. Our beloved, faithful Nissan. It has been a charmer for almost 12 years now! I also need to buckle down as much as I can with the couponing world. I am pretty good at it, just fell out of practice. That certainly could save us a couple hundred a month. Then there is the business of jewelry. If I could get my hinney in gear and make new pieces 4 out of our 7 day week, I could really start to bring in some cash. Not a ton, but you know, something.

Anyways, we are excited, we trust that God is in control of this whole entire situation and we will just wait on Him to open each door. Please pray for us as we start this next adventure.

"Eucharisteo-thanksgiving-always precedes the miracle." Ann Voskamp. This sentence is ringing in my ears as we take these first steps, it is resinating through my body, deeper into my soul. I want to place it at the forefront of my mind and more importantly at the forefront of my heart. I want to walk this path, adventure of buying this home, with full gratitude. He has provided all things, from the sell of our former home to providing the Wheeler house, to seeing us through to the place He has chosen. We will praise Him everyday for His grace, His sovereignty, and His ridiculous love for us. We are thankful!