Moved Out/In

So, it was like we were at the bottom of the fourth quarter, the score was not
in our favor and we were seriously running out of time......

We had three days left on our contract with our agent to sell our house when
we finally got some Lookers. Then, after they looked at our house, they
negotiated with us, and we had a deal! That was the easy part. It all
went downhill from there.

Nearly everything that could go wrong, nearly did.
It involved inspectors, structural engineers (people who have a degree in
making your life a living hell, or helping you buy a sound house, depending
on which side of the fence you're on), transfer of photos malfunctioning
to said engineer, more packing then originally thought, not finding an apartment
before our move out date, and being transient.

Yet, through it all, I did see God's hand. Each time I could only see a dead end,
God opened up another door for us.  Each time I thought that something would
end the entire process, God saw us through it. It was incredible to watch as
it all unfolded.

So, we were "transient" for a week with no where to go, so we were temporary
residents of the Super 8 Motel. Our stuff stowed away in a storage unit.
We weren't done yet.......

We prayed over getting a single particular apartment because
nothing else would work. Here's why............
A.) Some places don't allow pets
B.) Some places didn't have three bedrooms
C.) Some places should have been shut down because they could
have been classified as slums.

And, once again, God came through for us. Paperwork was pushed through
more quickly then usual, and we were in before my husband had to go back
to work.

We have moved approximately 10 times during our sixteen years of marriage.
Some were short distance.... like across the hall, others were nearly
halfway across the country. But, I think that the move to our current
apartment was by far the hardest move we've ever done. On every level:
emotionally, physically, and time-wise. We've only owned two houses.
But, this was by far the hardest one to sell. And, it was also the most
difficulty we've ever had finding an apartment.

The first eight years of our marriage were like a crazy roller coaster ride.
We were job hopping, going from one place to another. Trying to figure out
how to carve out a life in this world. That is when we moved the most.
The second eight years were the complete opposite......
we lived in a small mid-western town surrounded by corn.
Now, we're back in an apartment, just like when we started
our new life together. (Ok, it isn't exactly the same.
We have a few kids in tow with too many toys trailing behind.)
But, I'm excited to see what the next 8 years bring our way.
I hope it's another fun-filled roller coaster ride!

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to 
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
~ Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)