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| The house in Georgia is sold! |
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Yes, we painted all the trim
in the house. Ugh, what a project. Is that
dental molding you ask? Why yes it
is. Each one was painstakingly
painted with a tiny artist paintbrush. |
Newsflash! You can go home again:> The dust has finally settled on decision making and the Lord guided us to where we are going to be in the coming year. While it took 6 months of waiting, trusting and praying, it took only a few weeks for the Lord to answer all those prayers. Our house in Georgia sold very quickly so it was clear that Georgia would not be where we would settle. Closing should be Monday if all goes well. We moved back to our "family homestead" in Columbia. We originally rented the house out for a year and half. If you recall a previous post, about a year ago around this time, we were trying to get the house usable once again after the renters moved out. It was quite a disaster and unfortunately we ended up working on it up until November of last year. We put it on the market, fully expecting to have to sell it so that we could stay in Georgia, but God had other plans! The house never sold, and truth be told I was secretly thankful that it didn't. I was having a hard time letting it go and I know if it sold it would be very emotional for me. This house was a special gift to us long ago when we were very young and we moved into it when Josh was just a year and a half. Emily was born here and lived here most of her life, and there were a lot of happy and sad memories we shared together in this place. Mike and I really grew up here together and while I realize it is just a place, and "home is where the heart is" it really is the only place that we consider our home. When we received the house I dedicated it to God and asked that he would use it as a blessing to us as well as to all that spent time here and that we would use it for God's glory. I can truly say that our home has been a place of refuge for not only our family, but several others as well. As we move back into it, I pray that it would continue to be used for God's glory. We are still "working on it". When you own a home, are you ever done fixing it up, changing it, or adding to it? I don't know if it's just us, but we always find something that needs to be done with the old place. Enough about where we will be living, what will we be doing? Mike accepted a job at Northside Christian Academy in Lexington, SC. Yes, that is correct, only a small drive up the rode from our home. I wish I had the time and place to explain all that God did to orchestrate our being here, but suffice it to say for now, we can clearly see God's hand, guidance, and direction, and know without doubt that this is where we are to be this year. Mike is excited for the opportunity to minister at this wonderful new school where God is glorified and honored. He will be teaching computer and science this year. Emily will also be working at the very same school! Yes, it is amazing. She will be at the same school as her dad once again, but this time not as a student, but as a teacher! She is excited about her first year of teaching and is looking forward to getting to know all her new 4th grade students. What will I be doing? I'm not sure yet. We actually moved all our stuff to the house not this weekend but last. I have not even begun to unpack as I was trying to get all the trim painted in the house first. It was a massive undertaking but today we put the last coat of white paint on the bathroom and boy am I glad. I do still have the garage to paint, but since all our stuff is in there right now, the garage will be put on hold until I can find the walls again. I will be unpacking for awhile and trying to get us all settled back in. I am praying about future opportunities and am still waiting on the Lord to hear where he wants me to be. For now, it is putting our house back in order. And last, but certainly not least, an update on our favorite portlanders. Josh and Alli purchased a home and will hopefully be moving by the end of August. We are so excited for them. The house is a wonderful old home in town and we know that it is just the perfect place for them. Josh is doing great at his photography company. His company is growing by leaps and bounds, he received a company car, and will be getting a phone to use for work. He travels a lot and has been working on the yearbook for schools part of the company as well as many other responsibilities. We are thankful that God provided him with a job that he enjoys doing so much. Alli has been working in a coffee shop (coffee is life support for Portland people!) She has a flower business as well as an Etsy shop and has exciting plans ahead for her in the future. They are both busy with church, they are avid Timber fans, and throw in an occasional camping trip for fun. We are hoping to be able to go out and visit them soon. For all of you who prayed, thank you! We love you and appreciate you caring enough to lift us up in prayer! We hope that our answered prayers are an encouragement to you. Blessings!
