Saturday, April 4, 2009

Busy Times

It's been a busy several weeks for us. We have been working hard to get the house ready to sell and the items on the to-do list have slowly been crossed off with great relief. We've painted rooms, replaced baseboards, painted ceilings, gutted the utility room and refinished it, and power washed the house. We've placed flowering plants outside the front door to increase curb appeal. We've packed away most of our personal pictures and mementos to make our home as neutral as possible, and we had someone come in and do a deep cleaning.

The house listed Wednesday, and we had our first potential buyer come see it yesterday evening. The only problem was that Nathan has been sick with a viral fever since Tuesday night, and I had to get him out of the house for about an hour when he wasn't feeling very well. He didn't complain and luckily the virus was on it's last legs, so all went well. Apparently the buyer just purchased the house next door, and he was looking at this one for his brother who has a wife and two children. How cool would that be to live next door to your brother or sister. It would be a dream come true for me!

We have someone else coming to see the house Sunday afternoon, so we'll see how all of this goes. When we started getting calls the day after we listed, I started getting anxious. What if someone offers what we're asking and we have to be out by May? What if we can't find a place in Tulsa? What if, what if, what if??!!! Do you know how ridiculous I felt after my brief moment of stress and speculation? Do you have any idea how faithful God has been to us during this time of change and upheaval?

My friend Kellye suggested that I write down all of the ways that God has been faithful during this time so that the next time I get discouraged I could look back and remember all that He has done for me. For instance:
  • Trevor's company has a relocation package that is reminiscent of the eighties. All expenses paid from closing costs to providing a moving company to pack us up, move us and then unpack us when we get there. We have had very little stress regarding the financial side of this move, and that is a blessing.
  • We found a Nine Marks church online that we plan to visit and that looks like it will be a good fit for our family.
  • We already have friends and contacts in Oklahoma because of business Trevor has conducted there.
  • The schools where we are planning to move are very good, and Gracie will begin Kindergarten there. He has given Nathan a peaceful spirit about this whole move and he is looking forward to starting third grade in a new place. Oh, and they will be in the same building for the first three years, which will be helpful in terms of getting them to school on time!
  • The Monday before we listed the house, our neighbor had a landscaping company come out and clean his yard. Not much of a blessing until you realize that his backyard was still covered in debris from Hurricane Ike. Let me do the math for you...that was over 7 months ago. Just let your imagination run with that image.
  • I have two job interviews when Trevor and I fly to Tulsa in May to look for housing. One is a PRN position (ideal) and the other is a full time (I'm not going to turn down a job!). Our goal is for me to stay home with the kids, and this PRN position would allow that.
  • We have a dear friend who is listing our home for us and taking care of all the details. Not having to worry about any of that stuff has been such a blessing, and we know that her business dealings are filtered through a Christian worldview.

I have been praying for weeks now that God will make the path broad and easy to see with regard to this move, and He has been more than faithful to us. Every decision seems to have a clear direction, and so many doors have been opened. When I have my "what if" moments, I just remember His faithfulness, and that He is in control of this whole situation.

Trevor is in China this week, so any offers made on the house will have to wait until he gets home. He arrived safely this morning in Shanghai, and we were able to talk to him before he passed out in his hotel room! I'm so glad that it's only one week instead of two this time, but he's going to have a hard time adjusting to the time change with such a short turnaround. He'll get home the night before Easter around midnight, so we'll be doing Easter morning alone this year! My parents will be here though, and it will be fun to cook with my mom one last time in the kitchen. This will definitely be a meal for the china and crystal!

13 comments:

luvmy4sons said...

Wow, you are busy, but it is so nice to see God's hand in it all! That is a good idea to record His faithfulness as you go! My son will spend his entire sophomore year of college in Shanghai...it is nice to hear people go there and come back! It terrifies me a little. Praying for your move and all that entails and your hubby's safe travel back home! Sorry about the scare...I was just in so much pain.

TammieFay said...

One of my favorite practices is rehearsing God's faithfulness in my life. It keeps the "vain imaginations" at bay! What an exciting time for your family!

Mocha with Linda said...

My laptop's been on the blink and my husband just got it back up this morning while I was out.

I love seeing how the details are falling into place. You have been a busy gal!

So Trevor will get home from China just in time to eat on the china! LOL

And isn't it funny how we do all that great stuff to the house just to sell it!

Kate said...

We'll be praying for the PRN job.

Kate

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

God is good! It is such a blessing to see how his hand is in all of your plans! Thanks for the encouragement!

Rachel said...

It is amazing how He takes cares of all the details...even the smallest ones! I wish I could help you out somehow!

Jill said...

I believe we will too be using our china, the girls asked why we only save it for company....so I decided I wanted them to feel special enough to use it. Thanks for writing down the places He has met you...it is encouraging to all of us voyeurs as well.

Alana said...

Wow, you guys have been busy!

I know when we sold our house/bought our new it was one of our biggest tests of faith in our marriage to date! But it all turned out perfectly...God is faithful!

Love you!

A Stone Gatherer said...

Sounds like everything is coming together really great! Have a wonderful Easter! My husband won't be with us for Easter either, but his is because this friday he has Hernia surgery! If you would, please pray for a speedy recovery!

Anonymous said...

Wishing you many blessings and a glorious day!!

Crystal said...

What an exciting time for you all! I love your list. I think I'll sit down tonight after the kids are in bed and do that. I know it would help me to look back at it and add too it when I get discouraged about our current situation. I will be praying for the job situation for you too. What a blessing it would be for you to be home with the kids!

Andrea said...

I love that you made that list -- you have a very smart friend!

Yes, God is indeed faithful! Blessings to you as you go through this whole transition.

xo

Xandra@Heart-of-Service said...

Hmmmm...I wish I could read that last comment!

Xandra