First World Problems
Where have we been? Yikes time has gotten away from us. While I would love for this blog post to be all about how the house is sold, passports have been purchased and plane tickets are booked, I can't. Life has been full of hiccups over the last several weeks. I've had a constant reminder of just how "first world" our problems really are and had an even bigger drive to just get to Kenya already. I've found over the last several months that knowing the life God has called us to has made lots of struggles we have here just seem silly and less important.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.James 1:2-3
As many of you know we put our house on the market at the end of August. Our house is the only thing that we own that has any real value, so naturally it needs to be the first thing to go. I'm not a real estate guru by any means, but I don't think that the end of August was the best time to list a house. So here we are with a house listed that we know needs some work (mostly cosmetic), at not an ideal time and we have renters so that makes showings "tricky" at times. We are currently working on closing on our 4th offer. Obviously this hasn't been a smooth-sailing process, and while we are close to closing, it could also fall through. Over this last month I have processed many different emotions. I've gone from nervous to excited to let down to frustrated with moments of positivity. Please pray that the house sells now. In so many ways we are at a stand-still until it has been purchased.
Our house in Garland. God willing, it will be sold this week.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Phillipians 1:6
While dealing with the ups, downs and frustrations of selling a house, we had vehicle repairs to deal with. Basically, Jeff's car died. It was a 2000 Camry with over 250k miles, but we were really hoping it would work until January for us. I think we were asking a little much! After fixing it multiple times we decided to call it quits and move on. I think knowing that every dollar that was spent on that car was one less dollar going to Kenya made it an easy decision for us. Now if only the logistics of trying to run a family with one vehicle were that easy. Jeff drives a lot for work so it isn't an option for me to take him to work and keep the van. 5 days a week the kids and I are without a vehicle during the day. It actually hasn't been too difficult, but we are for sure planning more and being more intentional about errands and things that happen outside of our house. Good preparation for Kenya!
Grocery shopping at 9pm on a Tuesday night.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV
I'm a fixer...if there is a problem it comes natural to me to research, get a plan and make things work. So when the house isn't selling I go into "fix it mode". I start trying to find ways to make things work out better. When the car breaks down, I literally try, and often do, fix it. I usually hit up Google and youtube looking for parts and videos. Several years ago we had a laundry pile issue, one day laundry looked caught up, the next day it was overflowing. Then on pinterest I found the soulution to taming our laundy pile. Once Jeff built our new sorter and we put the new system in place it worked beautifully. Now 5 years later we still use it and it really makes life easier. For the last month or so I have been in plan and fix it mode and for most things I have a backup plan. :) I have lists upon list and backup plans for my backup plans.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
I feel like I constantly struggle with being still and knowing God has this and trying to fix things. While I know the house will sell in God's time and that the He will provide exactly what we need to move it is also hard. It is hard for Stephanie in the flesh not to question why the struggle. I like to feel like I'm doing my part, like I'm preparing our fields for rain, but it could also look like I'm trying to make things work according to my plan. The truth is this isn't my plan at all...my plan was to live here on our little farm, enjoy the peace that this move brought me and raise our "babies". So that busyness that is seen in me and that could look like I'm trying to force things to work in my favor is really me trying to do my part that I feel like God is calling me to do. My heart is to only cover my bases and plan best I can so that I'm not holding up stuff on our end, so I'm not standing in our way!
Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. Proverbs 24:27
Please pray for us! Pray the house will sell, pray that we won't grow weary of all the details, pray that we will see our "first world" problems as just that and please pray for funding. God is using many people to make this move possible and we are so grateful for those willing to join with us and help us get to His calling for our family. We hope to update everyone on where we are at financially soon!
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12