Where I've Been

I never know the paths that God

has for my family and me,

but lately...

 we are learning

how to walk by

FAITH!

It all started back in November, when God

answered some heart felt prayers

and led us to this beautiful cottage.

The month of December was spent

applying for financing and we closed

on this place on December 15th.

We spent the next month

knee deep in paint

changing the interior from

this....

to...

this!

And from this...

to...

this!

(for more before and afters see

The Cottage- Part 1

The Cottage- Part 2

The Cottage- Part 3)

All this in time, to move the in-laws

into the cottage mid January!

About a year ago,

I sensed God opening my heart to downsizing

from our 5000sq ft home...

to something smaller,

allowing us to be or almost be debt free.

Wayne and I started praying for unity

and started to explore our options.

Our ideal wish list included:

a home with character

walking distance from school

walking distance from town

walking distance to parks

an inviting yard

... to name a few!

We toured several different places

but either the places we saw

weren't set up for our lifestyle,

were one room too small,

or we did not feel

God's open door.

This home came closest to our wish list,

but for reason's, we could not understand

at the time...,

God did not open this door either.

One evening, I was driving down a back

street in our little "downtown"

and saw a sign in front of a home

announcing an Interiors Auction.

Thru God's prompting...

I drove Wayne by the house later that week.

By this time, the auction had already taken

place and the auction sign was already removed.

Once again, God prompted me to

investigate if the home was for sale.

Now, I must confess.... I tried to pass this

phone call off to Wayne.

All I kept saying to myself...

these owners are going to think I'm crazy

"Excuse me but is this home for sale?"

As it turned out, later that week I passed by the home

on Sunday and there

was a car parked in front of the home.

I continued on, until that "Prompting Voice" in my head

screamed "go back and ask".

I steeled my nerve and approached

the front door and knocked.

A sweet older lady answered the door,

and I asked...

"Excuse me but is this house for sale?"

Yes....

Yes, the lady who answered the door

was the neighbor and relative.

By that evening both the neighbor

and the auctioneer/ listing agent

had called our house

and an appointment had been set

to tour the home on Tuesday.

Not even two weeks later,

we had put an offer in on the home

and were stunned to hear it was accepted!

We spent January and up till

last week dealing with the financing.
Once again, God has opened more doors.

Even two weeks ago,
due to an error on the banks part,
we were told our loan

was denied.

God is teaching me that He is in control, and

I have little to no control over anything.

But, only because He opens doors..

Wayne and I closed on our new home

on Thursday!

(I just love the new key Wayne made for me!)

Our New Home

The Provision at West Bay

The wish list was exceeded in so many ways!

Our new home is in town!

It is within walking distance from

school, the community center, parks,

great local restaurants, even our church!

Not only does it fit our desired size requirement,

but God has blessed us with a beautiful

property surrounding the home!

We have 1.65 acres with

a beautiful orchard.

At the rear of the property run a wonderful creek!

Another lesson that I'm learning...

God's blessings sometimes take work on our part!

Wait till you see the inside!

Major gut job!

Enough posts to keep me busy for the year!

Now we just need to get 

 this house sold!

We spent two weeks preparing our current home for market.

I hope to be sharing some photos with you soon!

So for those wondering were I've been...

knee deep in homes,

showings,

runny noses

renovations

and clinging to God!

I'm looking forward to sharing befores

and afters of our new place.