Category Archives: House Hunting

Nov1

DAY 305

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Sometimes you have to stay still, to move forward.

Sometimes you have to stay still, to move forward.

My brain did not sleep properly last night, it has somehow managed to function today (to my surprise), but I am honestly not sure what has transpired for most of this day. Despite my not so stellar brain function the day was not without its golden nugget. To explain today I need to remind you of yesterday, I wrote about the Realtor that called my landlord to tell her we were thinking about moving (usurping our desire to tell her ourselves), totally blindsiding her. Today I spent a great portion of the day thinking about suggestions that my landlord made (or at least I think that’s what I did…brain asleep). The community we are planning on moving to provides no in-home amenities. Currently we don’t pay for water or cable. Secondly we’d be moving from a house to a townhouse. Lastly but most importantly financially where we live is a GREAT deal. In fact paying what we pay, to live where we live is literally a miracle of God. I genuinely love where we live and feel totally at peace here, The thought of moving has me completely stressed. It makes more sense to stay than to leave, a point of view that my whole family has come to. It was fun to look at houses, but that’s all they were, houses, where we are now is HOME. Here’s what I learned, had we not taken the step forward we would never have learned that we are where we are supposed to be. Had we not stepped out we would have forever thought (wrongly so) that the grass on the other side was greener. On this journey sometimes moving forward will show us that we are right where we’re meant to be. Ironically we have to move in order to realize this truth. Remaining doesn’t mean we have settled it merely means that for this portion of the journey, this is where we will grow the most. Sometimes staying right where you are, is the same as moving forward.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

So what am I thankful for today? HOME.

Oct27

DAY 300

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Our lives are meant to be a sweet smelling aroma, refreshing those around us. (Picture by Lisa R.)

Our lives are meant to be a sweet smelling aroma, refreshing those around us.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Wow only sixty-five more days till this year ends. What a year it has been filled with changes, growing, and learning. The last three hundred days have been blessed, beautiful and at times brutal. Today was a day of learning, God used this day to gently remind me of where my mind should be. I don’t know about you all, but sometimes I forget that I am not lead by my mind, but that I can choose what I think about. It is not the situations in life that shapes and defines us, but how we choose to interpret them. Today Pastor Doug reminded me of this very important truth. This was one of the very reasons I started this blog, I wanted to have a mind set different from the one I had held to so stringently for all the years prior (the one that left me feeling sad, empty, and defeated). Today as Pastor Doug was speaking I realized that while I had made great strides, I still had areas of fear. I trust and believe God (I genuinely do), but I still haven’t been able to let go a 100%. I will give an example we are house hunting, I know that we need to move, but I am afraid to commit because, “What if I don’t get accepted”. What if I am not good enough? I know it is stupid, but the thought is there. Today God gently reminded me that I can’t trust halfway it is ALL or nothing. I can’t trust Him for somethings and not trust Him for others. Trust and belief need to be a 100%. Even if I am rejected I have to believe that it was for my good. On this journey you have to fail to become strong, and you have to fall in order to get up. Failure and falling are not meant to keep us down they are meant to build us up, if we view them as tools in God’s capable hands.

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

So what am I thankful for today? That my failures have made me stronger, and falling has taught me how to STAND.

Oct25

DAY 298

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The beauty of life is this: there is a reason for everything. (Picture by Lisa R.)

The beauty of life is this: there is a reason for everything.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Still house hunting. Today the Realtor sent properties for me to look at and decide which I want to see. Did I mention, she’s really good? I have yet to walk into a house and say, “Eeewww, I hate this.” Today as I was perusing the pictures that were sent (again I like everything, perhaps I need higher standards), I started to think about what I was looking for, and why I was looking for it. I love the community that I live in. I love the house, the neighborhood, I even on certain occasions like the neighbors :). But moving is a necessity right now because my mom was finally blessed with a job (YAY), but it is a little bit of a drive from where we live now. My brother also works in that area so moving will only inconvenience, me. It dawned on me that I have changed a lot, I use to hate being inconvenienced. No, that’s not it…I hated change.  Lately, as I am getting older, I understand that change is not a necessary evil, it’s just necessary. Can you imagine being 10 years old, FOREVER?! Or if at thirty we had the same thoughts, principals, and goals as when we were 5 (although ballerina firefighter, is still a goal 🙂 ). What would life look like now? All growth whether it be for the good or the bad requires the “growee” to change (yup made a new word). As I sit in the room that I love I realize I won’t be here for much longer, and while there is a certain amount of sadness at that thought. There is joy because we are moving forward and walking toward our goals. We are growing…UP.

“When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things” (1 Corinthians 13:11).

So what am I thankful for today? Growth and good change.

 

Oct3

DAY 276

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On the journey it is okay to ask for what you really want. But be okay if the answer is no.

On the journey it is okay to ask for what you really want. But be okay if the answer is no.

Further adventures in house hunting. First let me start by saying, our Realtor, ROCKS! She is wicked cool. I am so thankful we found her, she has manage to make one of the most stressful situation a person can go through, fun and humorous. God has used her to show me that He wants to bless us, that He has good things in store. But here is something else I have learned on this house hunting journey: It’s okay to ask for what you really want. This is a phenomenal discovery for me, because I never wanted to presume on God’s grace, or love. I am always (genuinely) happy with what I am blessed with. I have learned to be grateful for what I have (even when it is not much). As we have been looking for a new home to live in, I at many points thought about settling for something that was less than what I really desired. One day as I sat contemplating, I was reminded of Jeremiah 29:11, God as a plan for me (for us) one that will bless and prosper me (not necessarily monetarily), one that will meet all the desires of my heart. It was almost as if God said, “Why are you settling, when I have the very best in store for you?” I think we do this a lot to God, limit His power, not because we don’t trust that He can do what He said, but because we don’t want to over step our boundaries. I am learning it is okay to ask. But if the answer is no, we need to know, it is no, because it is the best thing for us.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

So what am I thankful for today? Asking without fear.

Sep28

DAY 271

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Somtimes we are meant to just, WAIT.

Somtimes we are meant to just, WAIT.

We went house hunting today. We need to move closer to Fort Lauderdale for several reasons. As we spent the day perusing different homes, it dawned on me the parallel between house hunting and this journey. There were homes that were awesome on the outside, but dirty and unlivable on the inside. The opposite also was true, there were houses that looked dirty and dingy on the outside, but the insides were beautiful and serene. Other homes were beautiful both inside and out, but missed one vital component. This journey is a lot like that. Sometimes the exterior is beautiful, and we’re ready to jump into a relationship or a situation based solely on the “cover”. Only to find out that the inside is empty, hallow, and dirty. Sometimes the “cover” is not aesthetically pleasing, so we stay away , but upon further examination we find the contents to be exactly what we needed. Then there are times when the inside and the outside are great, but there is no “closet” space. No place for us to lay things down and put them away. Today I fell in love with a house that was beautiful inside and out, but it had no closet space (hence the analogy). we wanted to put an offer immediately (it was that beautiful, we all immediately loved it), but I felt the need to wait in my spirit. After praying and talking it through with my family we decided to hold off a bit. The lesson: If the situation, relationship, or house does not have everything that you NEED (notice I did not say want…this house had everything I wanted), then WAIT. God promised to supply ALL our needs, and He also said that ALL His promises are YES. He will do what He promised.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

So what am I thankful for today? Learning to wait.