Action!

"Ready, set, GO!" was right. We had no idea what we were in for when we put this house for sale in this market. 

Within 30 minutes of going live the requests for showings started to come in. Within the first hour our Realtor connected with us to get approval for a presentation time and day. Basically, the market is so void of available homes for sale, and enough interest was stirred up over this one, that we were able to write in the contract that on Wednesday, April 12, the sellers (us) would have all offers presented to them at 3:00pm for consideration. 

Since then we have had 30 showings in two days. Frank and Carlos have been at the dog center with Fern. Yuki and the cat have been bumming around with us. We have mostly been at GBASO, our indoor skate place. We have eaten all our meals from restaurants, all our drinks from gas stations, and have only returned home after 9pm to shower, sleep, and be out in the morning again by 9am. 

Today we have less action, because it is our presentation day. We're not sure we won't see a little more than the couple showings scheduled. But we will be gone to Susan's so the house will be available for people. 

Greg is handling the stress really well - mostly of not having a house chosen to buy and move to if this does actually sell today. 

I am not doing the greatest at being content in all circumstances, and have proven to be a spoiled wimp when it comes to the luxuries of having my own home free to use. We've only had to stick it out with some secretary-like work, while doing whatever we want to within reason on account of Yuki and kitty. I really don't do the best under pressure. 

But today is the day! And I'm leaving it all in God's hands. If it's in His timing then we will accept an offer today. if it's not, then we will continue to show - albeit not at such a rigorous, non-stop pace. 

Either way, we are healthy, in good finances, live in an amazing home, have such great friends who love and support us, and above all this, we serve an awesome God who will have His way. 

Thank you, God. Do Your thing. 
In Christ. 
Amen

The Count Down

This morning I have been cleaning, prepping, and staging each room of the house. It is show time! 
We should be listed with an MLS live on the market within hours. 

This week we are committed to being available to stop and walk out at a moment's notice for anyone who wants to see the house. Many homes are selling within days and even hours of their listing. 
It's exciting and emotional at this point. 

If I had any hesitations, this is it. I'm calling my own bluff and pulling out all the stops to prove my intentions. Smaller city house, here we come! 

God, please hold our hearts still and keep our minds at ease. We know You know. All and only You. 
In His name.
Amen  

this just got real

I saw and felt God with me all day yesterday. After having dreams that should have been unsettling, rather to have been at complete peace, even hugging "bad guys" and telling them it would be alright, and waking to the understanding that it was time to start the selling process, things continued to progress in a way that only God could have orchestrated. 

As I shared in the last post, Greg felt led to move forward, and my pre-planned day shaped up to give me time to work on things here, preparing. 

I was blessed in that I did not have the right color paint to touch up the walls around the replaced window in the craft/mud room, and I prayed a added a ridiculous crayola blue to the color I did have - miraculously, this color matched the unique, homemade color I needed, and I was able to use it to touch up the entire room! 

In that same room there is a light that has not worked for 6 years. It comes on once in a great while when we try it, but very rarely. After taking things apart and checking it all to no avail, we've just learned to live without the light. Miraculously, it began to work two days ago. Every single time, from both light switches. Yesterday, when I was sure it is fixed, I asked our guys if they happened to do something with it while they were here. They did not. Praise God for His help. We otherwise would have had to have an electrician here to fix that, like, this weekend! 

There were quite a few other small blessings throughout the day, let alone just feeling and knowing, which hasn't been all that common for me in general. 

This morning it is strange to look around at bare, freshly painted walls. The hallway which used to be a gallery of our memories is just a stark white hallway again. The iron owls who hung in the kitchen are packed away in their moving box. The hanging baskets are gone. Even the chalkboard wall has been painted over. 

Yesterday's work consisted mostly of touch up painting, and tidying things up. Kimmer, our realtor, and I worked hard to get the listing ready. I wrote up the description, which was many characters too long and had to be shortened. Of course. Greg and I read through and signed the agreements, reports, and confirmations to move forward with putting the house on the market. 

Our official listing date will be April 10th. 

And now we have the weekend to enjoy. Greg and I will do a little bit of work outdoors and in the shop; cleaning up, leaf blowing, and cutting a fallen tree in the back. Zeek will go to Uncle Curt's to play with Zach, Sophie, and Elijah. 

Thank You God for making Your presence known to us. Thank You for taking us gently through this process, with time to adjust. Thank You for filling our hearts with peace and understanding, even as we are completely uncertain of the specific details that will pan out. We trust You. We want You. We love you. 
In Jesus name. 
Amen

Go Time

This morning I woke up to the feeling I get when God spent the night assuring me of something. I opened my eyes, and I knew that today is the day! I don't even know if or how it will be possible, because it's not that easy with at least the need for one meeting with papers that need to be signed...

I spoke with Greg and he shared that he feels it is time also - that God is telling him that we need to move and stop being afraid of what might or might not happen.

And so today, we will be pushing "the go button".

I had plans that were set weeks ago to hang out with a girlfriend from 9am to 2pm today. But, in confirmation of God's leading, she messaged that she has to take a raincheck because she will need to fill in for someone at work last minute today. This gives me the whole day to tidy up loose ends and do what needs to be done at the house for us to be READY!

I'm so excited and nervous!

God, I will be repeating your promise to not be anxious about anything, but to give thanks, pray and ask You, so that Your indescribable peace will guard me from fear in Jesus. This is it God. It is Your timing. Have Your way.
In Jesus.
Amen.

all we know for sure is You

Our guys are done with their work at our house. They spent the past three days here, installing new gorgeous windows, repairing and replacing some of the bad siding and molding, running a new drain system to reroute water from the roof away from the house, replacing the soffits and fascia on the shop, installing a new door and frame work... all so kindly and thoroughly. I'm grateful that while we are leaving this house, we do not have to say goodbye to these guys who  have been with us here and done such amazing work on this place. We will definitely be inviting them to do plenty in the next. 

We are showing the house on Monday, and will have either listed or be listing it by then. Just days away! The number of homes coming on the market is growing each day as we're entering the Spring flood. We are hopeful and praying that God shows the way for each step of the process.

We knew what we wanted when we did this with our last house - we were dreaming and longing for this house and property. I was writing this address on papers like a teenager writes her boyfriends name, or a newly engaged woman pens her own first with her soon-to-be last name... 

Dear God, 
As we are in the process of moving, of course, You know every detail of our journey. But Greg and I have NO idea. We don't know anything that will happen! Where we will go, what it will be like, what it will cost, how short or fast it will happen, who we will sell to. All that we know is You. It's surely an adventure! One I wouldn't rather be on with anyone else. One I plan to look back at, full to the brim, in awe of You again. 
Take us there God - where we can have more of You and less of us. Where we can serve You and love Your people. Where we can wrap ourselves up and enjoy the next several years together in this little family You've made of us.
Have Your way.
In Jesus name.
Amen

Leaving This

It's so strange to sell a house we love. Nothing we've done has changed the feeling that we are ready to move on from here, but I do wonder what it will feel like when we're signing papers, or walking out the door for the final time. Leaving this. 

I've been looking and loving from the perspective that we are just visiting this beautiful place since the start. It's felt like a resort we borrowed or rented. The beautiful rooms, the views, the land. The peace and quiet. The wildlife, sunsets, and sunrises. All this space. It's hard to believe we are leaving this.

I'm taking it all in and enjoying even this season of striping down all that is specific to "us", and preparing it to hand it off to someone else. I'm enjoying the process and trying to work it through my own heart and mind to make for a smoother transition - leaving this. 

God, I pray that You lead us right to a place that has the same elements of appeal for us, in a new and different way. Prepare our hearts. As we delight ourselves in You, give us the desires of our heart. Put Your desires in our hearts. I thank You that You are in every step of this journey, leading and guiding us. Have Your way only! And please, God, help us never look back and long for this place or regret leaving this. 
In Jesus name. 
Amen

Yikes.

Ezekiel and I worked so hard last week, during our Spring Break from schooling, to get the house and property ready. He was an amazing help the entire time. I felt like I had a clone (which has been a secret dream of mine for years). 

Friday, we cleaned like never before. Deep cleaned, and staged every area of the house. The photographer, Pete, and realtor, Kimmer, came over at 3pm. The sun was shinning, the weather was warm, and all was prepared. Kimmer and I had a nice hour or so hanging out while Pete took 1000 pictures and recorded the property with his drone. 

It felt SO good to have it all finished. 

Then Saturday, Greg and I took 1300 pounds of garbage to the city dump. We made two trips, and just unloaded all the old construction stuff; wood, railroad ties, door frame, metal..., furniture; the little brown leather couch (our first couch), end table, coffee table..., and other things; toys, mini trampoline, and all junk just laying around in the shop and garage. 

That felt as good and productive as the whole week's worth of work did. And I was beat! 

On Sunday, after church, we went and looked at three open houses in our price range and preferred location. YIKES. They were rough. Between $110,000 (which was as expected and albeit not big enough for us, priced right and not too bad of a home) and $170,000 - we were in shock and awe at how much dumps in questionable neighborhoods cost. 

We left fled the scene to have lunch and confirm that we should certainly consider asking more for our beautiful home, as well as that the plentiful Spring Market has not yet begun to flow. 

We will be patient but ready. 

God, only You know when, where, and how much. We rest in that assuredness and trust You alone. We will not lead this charge, no matter how impatient, anxious or restless we might become at times. We will wait on You. Open the doors to Your will only, in Your time. We are here. 
In Jesus name. 
Amen

smaller. prettier. less.

Ezekiel asked us yesterday if we can please buy a house that is smaller, prettier, and less functional. We found that quite amusing, but at the same time, understood exactly what he meant. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. 

That is what we want. 
A home with less. Less rooms to fill, clean, and maintain. Less space to live between us. Less cost and stuff, time and work. Less of all of that, and more time and space for love, laughter, learning, gathering, resting and resting. 

A prettier home. Each small space a reflection of us. Formed and created into the beautiful things we appreciate and enjoy looking at and living among...

A home not solely about form and function - not using the space because there's so much, but finding so much life in the space we have. A new place for building a new life with new memories. A frest start. Surely easier to afford, clean, and maintain.

Getting this home ready to hand off to the next owners has made me realize how easy it can be to target each room and area, making it just so - from trim and outlets, color and fixtures, style and function... With each room in this house I am getting more and more excited to get my hands on the next! 

Thank You God for all of these hopes and dreams. I can see how we can make anything into something beautiful and special to us. I am looking forward to sitting in each room with You - knowing You've known and have the foresight to guide in a way that we are unable to understand. I trust You. I love you. 

Amen. 

  

Acres of Fun

Today I did some more painting in the house - just repainting trim and molding to look fresh and nice for the next owners.

Zeek and I snuck out for another awesome Spanish class at Lisa's house. Then home for a quick lunch and out to the yard. We worked picking up fallen branches and burning them for three hours! That was twice the time I expected it to take. But it was lovely. Temps in the mid 50's, sun shining bright - I enjoyed every minute with him, and our property, fully aware this could be one of the last times we do this to this magnitude together. Certainly on this property anyway.  

Ezekiel was an amazing help! He pulled his own weight outside, lightening my workload. 

When we finished the big stuff we rewarded ourselves with a little trip to Culvers. Yuki joined us. We picked up gas for the leaf blower. Once home, Zeek put the wooden deck chairs on the deck from the shop for me and called it. 
I finished the yard with the leaf blower, including cleaning out the dog pen from the whole winter of doo-doo. It took me half the time I expected (about 1.5 hours) and it felt great to have it finished. 

I thought of them off and on today. The next people who get to stay here. Unlike the last house we sold, which I was kind of sorry for the buyers because of where we were moving to instead, this house and land is just such a beautiful blessing. Knowing what it feels like to wake up here everyday, to the views and wildlife, the peace and quiet, the luxuries and so much space - I'm excited for who ever ends up here. I can imagine how much they will love it, like we have. 

I want to do, fix, make and leave everything just right for them. 

God, whoever they are who gets to live in this place next, I pray that they are being prepared in the individually unique way that only You can orchestrate. I pray that You will make their journey hear easy and stress free. Bless them in all the same ways that you have blessed me here. To see You in ways I never knew You were here, and to hear you in the peace and stillness. 

Bless us with our own peaceful journey to the next home you have for us. Help us to stay the course with You and only You. Let the doors open leading to Your plans, and close tight the doors that lead away from what You have for us. 

We are so excited to see! It's so great to know that You already know it. 
Thank You God. It's all been amazing, and so will our future be. 
In Jesus name. 
Amen

Moving Right Along

The last time we did this I wasn't writing. I had taken a year off of blogging our life, and don't have anything about the journey kept anywhere but in my heart and memory. 

This time I'm compelled to keep something - 

So here we are, packing our belongings. Packing in hopes, with plans to move. 
We haven't quite listed this dreamy Partridge Lane resort on the market yet, but we are nearing that time. We are stretching and checking that we have what we'll need, that we'll be in the right position when the gun fires. Ready, set, go. 

So far we have been slowly letting go of any and everything we don't see placing in our next home. A LOT has been let go of. We gave almost all of your remaining toys to another homeschool family. Our Goodwill drop off location knows us all too well. We have also sold a lot of the bigger stuff that wasn't coming with us. It feels better to be free of it than it is sad to see it go. Maybe it feels like molting.

Yesterday, I painted the basement ceiling. We boxed up what you're taking with you from your old bedroom, down the hall from your current bedroom, across the hall from your other bedroom... so many rooms here. I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store for your spaces in the next house. Will there be a large bedroom where all of your media and tech stuff can join your bed, books and clothes? Or will you have a sleeping room and a playing area again? 
Only God knows. And that's enough for me to be excited for whatever it is. 

Last night we helped Greg pack his office up. It felt very real looking at the boxes with piled up with his name on them. I wondered about how he will feel leaving this house. He doesn't love change so much and he's still nostalgic about our last home. 

I on the other hand, have been moving out of this house for months in my head and heart. Saying good bye to the things I love, and even the few things I won't miss. I've palmed the trunks of my favorite trees, gave God praise for that fresh spring, lime green, curly, soft moss covering... everything. I will miss the moss. 

Ezekiel talked about being nervous to move. He shared how he has been here in this house for over half his life. It's natural to be a little anxious about such a move. 
But he also talked earlier of being a little bit lonely. And that is the truth. He doesn't even know how lonely and isolated he is out here. Beautiful, peaceful, and sacred as this place is, it does not lend itself to a daily dose of interaction, even with one another on account of the square footage. 

I think to the future and pray for our next house to be surrounded by people. I pray that God will continue to mold us and teach us how to love every one of them. I pray that the kids come to our house, and feel safe, and full. I pray that we can provide a warm and welcoming, open haven where souls come to rest and enjoy peace and God's ever-present love. 

I've heard that young growing-into-a-man of mine remember what it was like when we used to live like that. God don't let that have been the only season of our lives with so much life and love. 

God thank You for these four years of quite solitude. Thank You for making a way for all the reflection and growth. As we lean forward in trust with hearts to serve You, lead us right to the place You have for us - right where we can join your great commission - right where we can live the next season of our life as a family in honor to You and all You are. 
In Jesus name. 
Amen