Time keeps right on flying by. The last week of summer vacation is upon us. I have no idea how it snuck up on us in this way! While our summer did not look anything like we had planned, because we trusted God and were obedient and patient in a seven year wait. . .God brought us to what I like to think of as our "Forever Home."
The story is simple. When I was pregnant with Janessa seven years ago, we began looking for a larger house. My request was simple. It had to have more than we currently have but not so much that it would feel enormous when my babies flew the nest. Ernie and I composed a list. A very thorough, specific list that would serve as our guide over the next seven years. We immediately found and fell in love with a brick house in an area north of us. We put our house on the market in an attempt to purchase it contingent on us selling our home. Unfortunately, they wanted no contingencies. We were out of the running.
Hear me when I say, I feel like God was growing our contentment in ALL circumstances. I truly believe, it's because we didn't get the house that I was able to work sixty percent, then only twenty percent, and now only one day a week from home. Our little house on the corner of our world was enough. Our small house, grew a tight family. Our home hosted many gatherings that were overflowing with life and love. The size did not matter.
However, over the seven years period of time, we would eventually fall out of escrow once; not stand a chance in another; and generally feel a little apprehensive as to why nothing worked out. It was three years ago when we took guardianship of our 12 year old brother in law that I began to sense maybe we really would outgrow this home. His limbs were longer, friends bigger. I began to wonder how we could host teenagers without being relegated to only the upstairs. While I pondered, I didn't worry. The house's location allowed me to hear my son on the PA for Thursdays announcements. I was able to wave from the window as my kindergartener walked to the library on Friday. High school was a mere seven minute walk away. It was all good (for the most part).
And then, while on the first week of summer vacation--away at a beach house in Pismo, we got the text that set a chain of events in action that my mind is still reeling over. Were we interested in the original home we had looked at seven years ago?
Say what? Um, yeah!!! But how is this even possible and let's not get our hopes up because look at all that has happened before. God obviously has wanted us to stay put. Now could be the same thing. . .So, apparently when my aunt passed away a few months ago, we went to my cousin's after the funeral. Low and behold it was right across the street from the house we had wanted. I said, "Oh, we could have been neighbors!!! We loved that house but didn't get it."
Months later that same cousin would be talking to our mutual cousin, our realtor. She mentions the neighbors are moving out of the house Janene and Ernie loved. Our realtor rushes over to talk to the owner to try and orchestrate something before it's put on the market. She asks for us to be given a chance. The owner agrees and shows us the house as soon as we are home from vacation. Father's Day we see it, we offer what they are asking contingent on the appraisal and we are in escrow...on a Sunday. On Father's Day, Ernie's first home purchase. It was glorious really! It was a whirlwind thirty-two days. There was purging and packing that needed to be done. There were good byes that needed to be said. There were God's perfect plans unfolding. 7 years we waited for this house. 7 years. There is so much significance to the number seven.
The number seven is the foundation of God's word.
It doesn't matter how many times I tell this story, or write it. My mind is blown Every. Single. Time. God's ways are so perfect. I believe this house was always His plan for us, hence why we were so drawn to it. Over the years, I can't tell you the number of times we drove by thinking. . .this was the one that got away, yet being content to stay where God put us. Our neighborhood became our mission field. We loved it. We still do. So much in fact we are going to have to let it go. Selling it is the best option simply because we love it so much, we would love to get a family in there who will love it in much the same way.
I thought moving would be incredibly emotional for me. Surprisingly, it's not. Home is where my people are. They are all here with me, so I'm home. I'm happy. I'm content. I'm grateful to God for orchestrating this house buying experience. Truly He is the author of our story and we feel blessed to be a part.
