My Biggest Blonde Moment Ever

It was Fall 2004. I was in my 4th year at Bible college and things were busy.  Classes, working, and spending time with my boyfriend, Matt, took up all my time.  So when Matt suggested we take a Saturday to have a break from the regular routine and go out to lunch and spend some time off campus, I was all for it.  We decided to make it a "family day" and have my sister, brother and his wife, my sister-in-law's sister and her husband come too.  We planned to go to lunch at Chili's (one of my favourite restaurants) and then go to a park and play some games.  I was very much looking forward to this day as things had been busy and stressful (we had all just gone through Hurricane Ivan a few weeks before). I honestly thought it was just going to be a fun day to be with my friends and family.  I was wrong.  It was much, much more.

The day arrived. I got up and ready for the day.  My first clue that something was up should have been the night before when my good friend asked me to be sure to stop by her room before I left to show her what I was wearing.  Ya, shoulda thought it strange.  But, since I was always getting fashion advice from this friend, I didn't think too much about it.  So I got dressed and headed out, stopping by her room first.  She looked me up and down, nodded her approval and told me to have fun.  I rushed off to catch the elevator down.

I got on the elevator that was crammed full of girls (which it always seemed to be crammed full of people!). On the elevator I saw another friend.  And by "saw" I mean we were jammed together in a corner, face to face, trying not to take up too much of each other's personal space.  She inquired about what my plans were for the day.  After I told her, she smiled and said, "Oh, you're definitely going to get engaged today." (Note: she knew nothing of the plans.  This was just a guess.) I immediately denied it.  Matt had made no indication anything was up.  He wasn't acting strange.  Plus, he knew that I did not want to be proposed to without a ring (Materialistic? Perhaps.  But it's what I wanted🙂).  And I just knew he couldn't afford a ring yet.  So there would be no engagement that day.  My friend and I "argued" about this the whole seven-flight elevator ride down.  We got off and I headed to meet up with everyone.  I suppose my next clue should have been this conversation.  It seemed to be obvious to her.  But sure wasn't to me.

We headed to Chili's and every one sat down and ordered. I was enjoying my lunch, chowing down on chips and salsa, and chatting with everyone.  I was happy just to be off campus and doing something different than usual. My socializing kept me busy - too busy to notice that Matt was a little quieter than normal and barely eating.  I think he took about two bites of food.  This should have been my third clue.

After lunch we headed to Bayview Park.  The park was still quite a mess from the hurricane, but we still found a nice picnic table under a pavilion and pulled out some games: Uno, Phase 10, etc.  I was about to grab the Phase 10, getting ready for a fun game with everyone.  But before I could grab the game my sis-in-law's sister grabbed it first and started shuffling the cards.  Matt then asked me if I wanted to go for a walk.  Truth be told - I didn't.  I wanted to hang out playing games with everyone.  I hardly saw my brother anymore and just wanted to enjoy the day with all of us.  I was about to say so to Matt when he started to stand and said to everyone, "Do you mind if we take a walk?"  Everyone all said "sure." I do remember no one making eye contact with me, which I thought a little strange.  That should have been my fourth clue.  Matt's extreme insistence that we go for a walk should have been my fifth clue.

So, with Matt standing waiting for me, I got up and we started "walking."   And by walking, I mean Matt was about three steps ahead of me with me trying to catch up.  It really felt as if he was running.  I kept saying, "Matt, where are we going?"  as I was trying to catch up with him.  I was starting to get irritated because he dragged me out on this "walk" but wasn't even walking by me.  What was the point of this?  What was up with him?

"Matt, where are we going?"
"Let's just go over by this tree?"
"Why are we going to the tree?"
"Emily, just come by this tree!"
"What are we going to do by the tree?"
"Emily, just look down." (By this time we had arrived at said tree.)

It was then that I looked down and saw.  A picnic blanket was laid out at the foot of the tree.  On the blanket was a beautiful long-stemmed single red rose.  Next to it was a wrapped gift and a card with my name on it.  I was shocked to see all this.  What was it for?  How did it get there?  This should have been my sixth clue.

Before I could ask these questions, Matt handed me the gift and card.  I opened the card and read some sweet words from Matt.  At the end of the card, it said that this gift was just a promise from him to me to give me "what I really wanted as soon as he possibly can."  Obviously I knew he meant a ring and engagement.  I opened the gift and smiled.  It was a cute Precious Moments figurine of a boy and girl sitting on a couch - the boy proposing to the girl.

"How sweet!" I thought.  "He's doing this to let me know he will ask me to marry him as soon as he can!"  I smiled at him and told him "thank you."

I was about to put the stuff down when Matt started talking.  He told me he had one more gift - he had written me a poem.  This wasn't the first time he had written me a poem, but it was the first time he didn't hand it to me on paper, but rather, quoted it to me.

He began quoting it.  Looking back, I remember the sweet yet somewhat nervous mixed with serious look in his eyes.  This should have been my seventh clue.

As we were standing there - him quoting this sweet poem he wrote and me facing him and smiling - I was thinking to myself, "Now, this is just what I imagine a proposal being like.  It's so sweet and romantic."  The fact that I was thinking this very thing should have been my eighth and biggest clue.  And yet, I still didn't catch on.

Matt was nearing the end of his poem, saying the words about how he knows God specifically brought me into his life.  And that's when it happened.  He reached in his pocket, pulled out a little blue box, got down on one knee and said,

"That's why I am asking you now...will you be my wife?"

He opened the box, displaying the most beautiful ring ever - exactly what I always wanted.

Even with all the clues throughout the day, I was completely and totally shocked. Stunned.  Astoundingly surprised.

He was finished with his poem, kneeling on one knee before me and holding out the ring.  I was standing there, looking back and forth between Matt and the ring, saying over and over, "Are you serious?  Are you serious?"

"Yes.  Yes, I'm serious.  Um, Emily...what's your answer?"

"Oh! Yes!"  I said, and then we put the ring on my finger.  I was so happy/shocked/excited that I forgot to hug him.  Instead, I was staring at the ring with the biggest smile on my face.  Matt then pointed behind me to where one of his friends was hiding, taking pictures of the whole event (he was the one who placed the blanket and gift).

I started asking Matt all kinds of questions about who all knew.  It was then that it all made sense.  The whole day was planned just for this.  It had been planned for some time.  The hurricane had thrown a little wrench in everything, but he just adjusted the plan.  He had thought it all out so well.

We left "the tree" and went back to the rest of my family and I did what every newly engaged girl does - started showing off my ring (on my very shaky hand - I was still in shock!).  My sister and sis-in-law were so excited.  They had been keeping this secret for a while and it was a relief for them to not have to keep it anymore.

They all filled me in on the details of the planning - from my friend who wanted me to show her what I was wearing because she knew I would want to look good for my engagement day - to Matt having already called and asked my dad's permission ( a huge deal to me!).  He had bought the ring that summer, being careful to get exactly what I had wanted ( I had already passed on a picture to him through my friend of what I wanted. I'm super subtle like that. 😜). He knew I so badly wanted my engagement to be a surprise.  And he did a fabulous job.

Looking back, there were definitely many clues that I should have caught on to, but I didn't.  I guess I was having one huge "blonde moment."  But it was perfect (well, except for the fact that I didn't give Matt anything right after he asked me - not a hug or even a handshake or high five.  He still reminds me of that. Haha!).

It's been 12 years since then.  We were married 7 months later - which was another perfect day.  I'm so very grateful for the handsome, thoughtful, strong, and incredibly godly man I said yes to. We have done a lot and been through much in the years since.  At times it's been absolutely wonderful and at other times we have had some very difficult trials to walk through.  We have had 4 children, quite a few moves, 4 major surgeries, worked in several different ministries, made and lost friends, laughed and cried together.  God knew what all was going to come down our paths and knew exactly who we needed to help each other get through it all.  When I'm at my low and feel I can't go on, Matt is there to encourage and be strong for me.  And vice versa.  I love my husband with all my being.

Yes, October 30, 2004, was a wonderful day.  Even if it was my biggest blonde moment ever. 😜

Yet Another Lesson from My Child

This past Sunday was an exciting day in our household.  Sunday morning, at church, our Little Handsome followed the Lord's leading and was baptized.  Now, I am not sure of what all reading this believe, but we do not believe in infant baptism.  We believe that, after one has put their faith in Christ for their eternal salvation, then they can follow in believer's baptism.  This is merely a public testimony of their trust in Christ Jesus and is not necessary as part of their salvation.  It is simply a step of obedience.  We also believe in baptism by full immersion, not sprinkling.

All that was to say that this past Sunday, Little Handsome made that step of obedience.  I have been thinking of the proper words to describe how I felt watching him do this, but no words come to mind.  I guess the only thing that keeps coming to mind is the verse 3 John 4, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."  That closely sums it up.  Apart from the joy I felt sitting on the couch next to him as he prayed to the Lord and gave his life to Him, Sunday was the greatest joy I have felt.

I also was so proud of him.  Proud in a good way.  You see, Little Handsome has not yet gotten over his fear of having his head completely under water.  And he knew this was what was going to happen - even for just a few seconds.  We had been talking to him about it, making sure he was prepared. (And for the record, this was his decision.  We do not push our children into making these very important spiritual decisions.  We just explain to them what it all means, and leave it to them to decide when they are ready.)

When his turn came (he was the last of 10 to be baptised that day), he climbed in the water and stood next to his dad.  I was standing next to the baptistery and was saying a few words to the crowd about Little Handsome.  As I talked, I looked over and saw him, clinging to his father.  You could tell he was a bit fearful.  You could tell he was nervous.  But you could also tell he was very much trying to be brave.  He knew this was what he wanted to do - what he was supposed to do.  It choked me up to see him following the Lord even though he was fearful.

When I was finished, my husband looked down at Little Handsome and asked him to publicly answer if he had ever put his faith and trust in Christ.  Little Handsome, with his strong and loud voice said unwavering, "Yes."  And then, with tears in his own eyes, Mr. Handsome baptised his son.  The crowd of about 200 all applauded and many said "Amen."

As soon as he came above the water, Little Handsome turned to his daddy with his arms up and his daddy lifted him up into his arms and held him tight.  My eyes filled with tears at that point, as did many others.  And it has been since then that I have had that image in my head.  I keep thinking about it and it reminds me of how our Heavenly Father is with us.

This life is not easy.  There are many trials and struggles we go through.  There are things that we just plain don't understand.  Why did this happen?  Why did we lose that family member whom we loved so dearly?  Why do I have this constant health struggle?  Why do I have chronic pain?  Why cancer?  I want children so badly, Lord.  Why have you not given them to me?  Why are the finances so tight?  Why do we struggle to keep food on the table?  Why have you called me to do this?

These are just a few of the many struggles we may face in this life.  And often, we don't have the answers.  And that makes us fearful.  We are afraid.  We are nervous.  But God has promised us if we follow Him, He will be right there with us. "Be strong and courageous.  Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you.  He will not leave you or forsake you." (Deut. 31:6)

God told us we would encounter hard times, but that we need not fear. We can have peace.  He is in control and He has a plan.  "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

I picture it just like it was with my husband and son on Sunday.  My son was afraid.  He was fearful.  But he knew what he needed to do and he put those fears aside, trusting in his father.  We had assured him that Daddy would be right there the whole time.  Daddy was not going to let go or leave him.  Little Handsome, in his sweet childlike faith, took his father at his word and trusted in him.  And when it was done and he was at his point of greatest fear, his Daddy came through with his word and was right there, lifting him into his arms.

God has assured us that He is not going to let go.  He is here for us.  And when we feel we are drowning in our troubles, in our fear, we can hold up our hands and He is right there, as HE SAID HE WOULD BE, and He will lift us in His strong, loving arms and hold us tight, assuring us that He will protect us.

We cannot go through life without any trouble.  We won't go without any difficulties.  But, if we are a child of Him, we can go in peace because we have God our Father right there, ready to pick us up when we feel we are overwhelmed and drowning in fear.  He is there for us to cling on to when we are about to go into the unknown.  He is a big God and He can handle any situation, even when we cannot.  All we need to do, just as my son did, is take God at His word and trust Him.  He is there. And He always will be.

Until next time...

Lessons from Snow Angels

It started snowing yesterday around noon.  And did not stop until today around noon.  I think we got at least a foot of snow, probably more.  When the kids first saw yesterday that it was snowing, you would have thought it was Christmas.  They came running down the stairs to our basement where Mr. Handsome and I were sitting.  They were yelling with immense excitement, "It's snowing!  It's snowing!"  They spent the next few minutes jumping up and down and running around.  Their thrill and excitement got me thinking.

Its funny how something so simple like snowflakes falling from the sky can bring such excitement to young children.  They see it snowing and they immediately think of snowmen, snowball fights, snow forts, sliding, etc.  They can't wait until there is enough on the ground so they can go out and play.  

This was our second snow of the year.  We got some the week before.  Oh, it was really only an inch or so, but it was still snow!  It started early Sunday morning, and by the time we came home from church, there was enough to play in.  And they did.  As soon are their lunches were eaten, they got in their snow gear and went out to play with the neighbour kids.  I watched them out the window, seeing the joy and excitement on their faces.  And do you know what the very first thing they did when got out was?  They fell back and made snow angels.  Several of them.  I think I was smiling to myself as I watched.  Their thrill of such a simple thing was inspiring.

Somewhere in the process of growing from a child to an adult, we lose that thrill of the simple things.  Now, as adults, when we see snow, we think of it a little differently.  Oh, we still may get a little excited about some fun family outings in the snow.  But let's get real.  We also think of all the other "stuff."  

We think of the cost of snow tires.  We think of the exhausting task of shoveling out the driveway and sidewalks.  We think of the dangers of driving in the snow and possible ice.  We think of the cost of keeping the family properly clothed - boots, hats, coats, gloves, pants, etc. We think of the cold and the cost of heating the house - whether it be electric, gas furnace, or wood stove. We think of the mess its gonna make when they come inside.  We think of the extra time it takes to get out the door because you have to help bundle up all the kids.  (Like putting snow boots on your 1 year old.  If you have never done that, imagine having to put shoes on two of the tentacles of on an octopus.  That might be somewhat akin to the difficulty of the task.  And don't get me started on gloves....) 

I guess what I am trying to get at is this.  I think that the older we get, the more negative and critical we become of life circumstances.  Yes, all the things we as adults have to think about are real and important.  But why is it that that is the very first thing we tend to go to when we come upon a circumstance?  Why do we tend to be "glass is have empty" in our attitudes?  Why can't our first reaction be to run outside and make a snow angel?

I have always leaned toward looking more on the positive side.  I think that certain situations in my life have made me want to look for the good.  But I am finding that, now that I am older, I don't jump to find the good first.  I find myself complaining more often.  Now, I may be the only person who this is happening to, but I dare say I am not.  

Yes, as we become adults, we have much more cares, responsibilities and concerns.  We aren't as naive about life.  We know more of how things can change.  But does that mean we have to be negative right off the bat?

Have you ever been around a person who is negative all the time?  Don't you find that you get worn down and almost want to avoid that person?  What if that person is you?

So here's the thing.  As I watched my children laugh and play in the snow as they made snow angels, snow cupcakes, and whatnot, I was challenged.  I need to have that attitude more often.  When life brings about a situation, I want to have my first response to be seeing the good in it - to see the possibility of snow angels.  I know this won't be easy.  I know that there are things in life that are just plain hard.  I know that - believe me, I know it.  But I want to be more positive.  I want to encourage others to be more positive (hence, this post!).   

There is a popular saying these days - You Only Live Once (YOLO).  And while I think this is way overused and often used as a free ticket to do dumb and careless things with little or no responsibility, I do think it makes a point.  We do only have one life that God has given us.  We do have one chance at things.  Why not enjoy it with a positive attitude, rather than always looking for what could go wrong, or what is so terrible about the circumstances.  

Let's smile, jump up and down, and run outside and make snow angels.

Until next time....

What I Didn't Know

I had read many books on what to expect.  I had asked questions.  I had gone to the classes.  I thought I was well prepared.  I thought I had it all figured out.  But when those first contractions hit in the early morning hours, I suddenly realized I had no idea what I was doing.

It was in the early morning hours of September 28, 2006.  Mr. Handsome, my mom, and my mother-in-law were all sleeping soundly in our tiny two-room apartment.  I had tried to get comfortable, but that just wasn't happening.  I remembered learning in our childbirth class about different things to do to help relieve that pain from the contractions.  I was trying all of them.  But with each passing contraction they were getting more intense.  I was debating whether I should wake everyone up just yet.  This being my first pregnancy, I wasn't for sure if this was "the real thing" or not.  I had already gone to the hospital twice in false labour.  The last thing I wanted was to go again only to be sent home, again.  But really, I knew.  I knew this was it.  I was about to have a baby.  Our lives were about to change - forever.

It was now just after 7 a.m.  I had been having contractions for a few hours, and they were now closer together.  Mr. Handsome had been timing them with me for a little while when we knew it was time to head to the hospital.  We woke up our moms, grabbed our bag and headed out the door.  It was hard to walk.  I was having contractions every few minutes and couldn't even stand up straight.  We lived in the second floor of a boy's dormitory at the school where I worked and my husband was getting his master's degree.  But I couldn't take the stairs.  We got on the elevator almost full of boys headed to their first hour class.  I wish I could have taken a picture of their faces - they looked terrified that I was going to give birth right there!

We got in the car and headed to the hospital.  There was a sense of anticipation and excitement in the air.  This was it!  We got to the hospital, got all registered, and before I knew it, I was in a labour and delivery room.  Mr. Handsome was at my side, answering my every beck and call - wiping my face with a cold cloth, getting me ice chips, holding my hand when I needed it.  He likes to complain about how hard I squeezed and how much it hurt.  I have no sympathy.

I was trying to go drug free, but I just wanted some relief.  So I asked for a little something to take the edge off.  I took some Nubain and it helped me at least relax some.  And then, it was time.  I told them that I needed to push.  The room then became alive with movement.  Nurses moving in and out - turning on the heat light and getting the bed ready for our baby.  The doctor coming in getting her gown on preparing to deliver.  I remember looking at my husband, with a surreal feeling in my mind, and saying, "Honey, we are about to have a baby!"

The next 20ish minutes I did what my body was telling me to do - push with all my might.  The pain was intense.  Some of the worst I have ever felt.  I wanted that baby out and I wanted it out NOW!  The nurses that were counting to ten were getting on my nerves.  I wanted to slap them and tell them to shut up.  Mr. Handsome was right at my side, encouraging me on, telling me I was doing great.

And then, with one hearty push - the pain immediately subsided.  My baby - my firstborn emerged and let out a loud, beautiful scream.  "Its a boy!" the doctor proclaimed (we were fairly certain of this already). I was only able to hold him for a short minute as there was meconium and they had to take him to suction out his lungs to be sure he hadn't swallowed any.  During this time my husband was crying, kissing me, and telling me how proud he was of me.  Our moms were crying and saying how beautiful he was.  And I was laying there, in awe at what just happened.

It was only a few minutes before he was cleared and our Little Handsome was placed back in my arms.  I just stared at him, taking in every part of his face.  I looked at his hands, his fingers, his feet.  He was perfect.  Then a nurse came and helped me nurse him for the first time.  I sat there, almost in shock at what was going on.  I looked at Mr. Handsome and saw the look of utter satisfaction and pleasure on his face.  He was a father.  I was a mother.  We were so blessed.

As we sat in that hospital room, I thought of all the books I had read.  How prepared I thought I was.  But nothing could have really prepared me for what I was feeling and experiencing.  No, there was much I didn't know before this moment.

What I didn't know was how incredibly hard and painful labour was going to be.  I didn't know how it would be even a bit scary when the doctor says there was meconium and they called for the pediatrician.  I didn't know that I could be that physically exhausted, yet still having to continue on, because I was the only one who could do this.  I didn't know that I could get so annoyed with nurses who were just trying to help me.  I didn't know that I could be that hot and sweaty in an air conditioned room.

But there was much more I didn't know. I didn't know how that terrible pain I had been experiencing would be gone in an instant. I didn't know how intense a love I would feel the moment I heard that first cry, the moment I first laid eyes on my son.  I didn't know how my love for my husband would grow by leaps and bounds just seeing him hold my son - OUR son - for the first time.  I didn't know my heart could hold so much love.

And over the next few weeks, I didn't know how I could be so tired and survive on so little sleep, yet not begrudge it because it was to give care to one of the most precious things in my life.  I didn't know how protective I would become when someone wanted to hold him and I would insist they wash their hands AND use hand sanitizer first.  I didn't know how hard it would be to leave him in the care of someone else when he was just 3 months old and I had to return to work.  I didn't know how he would be on my mind day and night.  I didn't know how sad it would make me when I knew he wasn't feeling well.

September 28, 2006.  Seven years ago when Little Handsome entered this world.  I cannot believe that much time has already passed.  There was so much I didn't know then.  And there is still so much I don't know now.

But I do know this - I would never ever change those seven years with him in our lives.  Yes, our lives changed forever.  But so much for the better.  Since then my love for our baby boy has grown beyond words.  I can't find any words to adequately express how I feel about him.  I thank God every single day for my son.  Happy Birthday, Little Handsome.  I am so blessed to be your mommy.

Until next time....

How God Provided Our Home

It was this time last year that we were just ending our ministry and waiting on God to lead us to our new ministry.  After that it was five months of no income and lots of praying and seeking His face as to where He was leading next.  We knew that wherever that was, it would probably involve a move.  So we, by faith, put our house on the market.  And we waited.  And waited.

It wasn't until several months had passed that we finally knew where God wanted us to go.  So we made plans and started packing up our home.  But the house had not sold.  We learned so many lessons during those months.  Lessons of patience.  Lessons of trust.  Lessons of faith.  It was not easy a lot of the time. But we did our best to trust God and take each step as He showed it to us.  When the day finally came for us to pull out and begin our journey to our new life, we left, even though our house still had not sold.  But we knew without a shadow of a doubt that this was His plan.

And wouldn't you know that not even three hours down the road we got the call from the realtor that we had an offer on the house!  After some negotiation, we had a deal and made good use of the hotels' fax machines as we made our way to our new town.

It was great news that we would not have to worry about managing a home hundreds and hundreds of miles from where would be living.  The "bad" news was that we did not get the price that we really wanted/needed in order to purchase a new home.   So, that was the reason we ended up renting for the first 6 months of living in our new town.

I don't need to go into detail here, but I will say that was a long 6 months in that home.  It was not ideal situation for us, but I know that it was just where God wanted us at the time.

As soon as we got here, we knew that by June we would need a new place to live, since we only signed a 6-month lease.  So we slowly began to look at all our options.  Through careful planning, saving, and God's awesome provision, we were able to set aside money for a down payment on a house.

So in May we began to actively search for a home.  By this time we had built a good relationship with our realtor, and he was busily showing us houses and looking for us.  I don't exactly know how many houses we looked at, but it was quite a few.  I felt like we were on an episode of House Hunters.  Time was starting to pass and we started to get a little antsy.  Were we ever going to find a house that would fit our family and be in our price range?  We are not the type to take on a mortgage higher than we knew we could afford.  So it was difficult to find houses that fit all the criteria.

Then, one day, we went and saw three houses.  And two of them fit the bill.  Perfectly.  They were both in really great locations, actually not too far from where we were currently living.  One had 5 bedrooms, one had 4.  Mr. Handsome loved the 5 bedroom whereas I loved the 4 bedroom one more.  But we both liked them both and could see ourselves living in either one. One was aver 30 years old, one was only 2 years old.  One had an absolutely beautiful yard - one that was completely fenced in.  It also had a garage.  The other one had a grassed yard, but no fence or garage.  After some deliberating and praying and getting advice, we decided to go with the 5 bedroom house.

It was a little over our price range, but we knew the owners were getting a bit desperate as they already had another home they were living in half the time.  So we put in a lower offer.  And wouldn't you know, it was accepted!  We were thrilled!  I started decorating each room in my head, and had it all planned where each kid would go, where I would place the furniture, what paint colors I would use, and all that fun stuff.

Mr. Handsome was busily taking care of the financial stuff with the mortgage broker and we were able to lock in at an unbelievable rate.  We were just so excited!  And then, we got news that felt like it knocked the wind right out of us.  We were all approved for the mortgage.  But we were not approved by the mortgage insurance company.  Since we could only put 5% down instead of 20%, we could not get a mortgage without insurance.

We tried everything to get approved.  At times it seemed "they" were just making up excuses for not approving us.  We had many, many people tell us they had never heard of this before - the "reasons" they were giving us.  But basically, their final answer as to why we were not approved was because Mr. Handsome had not been employed at his job for long enough.  He had to have worked there for at least a year.

So we were then back to square one.  We tried to work with the homeowners on a rent-to-own deal, but they just said they "were sympathetic to our situation, but no."  I can definitely say we were devastated.  What were we going to do?  But this time we had just about three weeks left until we had to be out of our rental.  Our landlord had already rented it out to someone else, as well as had it up for sale (which there were showings all the time - what a stress that was!).

People were very kind and were offering their basements and camper trailers to us if we needed it.  There were no houses for rent in our town.  We just didn't know what to do.  Then, one day, I remembered the other house we had loved.  Mr. Handsome called our realtor about contacting the homeowner about doing a rent-to-own deal just until January when we would then be approved for the insurance.  It took several days to get a hold of the homeowner since she doesn't live in this town.

But once he got a hold of her, it didn't take long.  She was very willing to work something out!  Within days we had the paperwork all signed, and the deal done!  The awesome part too was that the house was already empty, ready to be moved in to!  About a week before we were scheduled to move in, we met with the owner and the realtor at the home to be able to meet face to face and give her our postdated checks for rent.  Mr. Handsome and I were both secretly hoping she would give us the keys that night, but didn't think she would really do that.  And you know what?  She did?  She said to move in whenever we wanted, and to enjoy the house and enjoy raising our family in it!  We were so surprised, happy and grateful.  We thanked her very much for working with us and she graciously said she was happy to help.

The next week was crazy busy and super exhausting, but with the help of some church people we were all moved in.  As you can see from the pictures in the previous post, it is perfect for us and a beautiful home.  We are so very thankful for this place.  I don't know why the other house didn't work out.  Perhaps it has something terribly wrong with it that we didn't know about. ( By the way, it has since sold)  Perhaps we would have had terrible neighbours.  Or, perhaps, God was yet again teaching us that His timing is not always our timing, and He knows what is best for us.

Whatever the reason, I am so thankful for God's work and provision in our lives.  And I don't plan on ever taking this home for granted.  We have dedicated it to the Lord and plan to use it to His glory.

Until next time...