June 22, 2012

This post just couldn't wait until Monday.  We are officially in ESCROW on a home that found us when we weren't even looking.  You see, fifteen years ago, my twenty-one year old self, at the urging of my parents bought this home.

It was a few blocks away from my University where I was finishing up my credential, and in a great little neighborhood where I felt safe, which was extremely important to a young girl moving out on her own.  The other deal sealer:  I could afford it. . .on my own.  I didn't need a room mate; I didn't need a co-signer.  I could truly call this baby mine.

There was a lot of growing up in this house. A long term relationship that came to a crushing end; friendships destroyed and mended in large part due to said relationship... and meeting the man God had intended for me to share my life with all along.  And together we built this.

Through hard work, sweat and tears we conspired to take what the little house offered and make it enough to fit what are now our four children.  Each of the three youngest were brought home here, and  I miscarried our first born love here--in this space.  What the home may have lacked in space we made up with love.  Plenty of entertaining has gone on in this home, celebrating life and family and all things precious to us.

 Two years ago, we happened upon a house that had more space, RV parking, and an attached three car garage.  It was on a quiet street and all of a sudden we could visualize our children growing up there.  God had other plans, so we stayed put and decided there was great contentment in what we had created and we worked earnestly to upgrade hardwood floors throughout, granite countertops, and fresh paint.  And all was good with our little world again.  Our perfect space.

About two months ago, while picking up the baby from Grandma's I saw people moving from a house.  This was a house I played in often with two of my best buddies growing up.  It was a house I knew extremely well.  And I just knew it was part of God's plan for us.  It had only been a little while ago that I realized my parent's home was not going to be an option for us.  I grew up wanting one day to raise my kids in that house, in that neighborhood, except their house didn't have the four bedrooms, nor the RV parking. . .so it was no longer a viable option. But then God gifted us this.

 A couple houses down.  Same cul-de-sac.  Gated pool.  Large lot.  I never thought this would happen when we weren't even looking.  Obviously, God had other plans.  We are in escrow, my friends. Escrow.  Summer threw us a curve ball and it is still sinking in.  We are moving. Next stop:  my old stomping grounds.  Kids in tow. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.--Jeremiah 29:11

Now comes the tough part.  Do we sell the home we have made home for the past fifteen years or do we rent it out.  I'm all for selling, but my husband has a different idea. Thoughts?  Ideas? Suggestions?