Structural engineer looks at the house Friday at 12:30... just in case you would like to ask God for help on our behalf.

I am also taking an overnight trip with the kids Thursday, pray for my patience and joy as I spend more time than I am used to with my students.

Inspection Issues

We had the inspection yesterday for the house and there were definitely some issues that we will get a second opinion on.

The foundation is not entirely sound from what the inspector can see and so we are having a structural engineer come in to assess what would need to be done if anything to right the issues. Once we get that information we will be able to make an informed decision about the property. There are certainly some issues we are willing to work with but we will eventually meet a limit... financially and emotionally.

Ben and I both feel that this is the house that God has set aside for us but, we know that he will reveal to us our limit before we reach it. Thanks for thinking of us and being with us on this very long journey as we look for a place to call home.

Growing Up

Well, Ben and I think we found a house! (trying not to get too excited)

This is the house that we put an offer on February 7, the house that we keep hearing, "2 more weeks, 3 more weeks," the house that we found out we could have just as we were about to buy a house that was a little out of our comfort level, this is THE house that we have been waiting for.

I will now proceed to tell you the "boring" details about our new house! (hopefully)
-1000 sq feet
-3 bedrooms
-1 bathroom
-newly remolded kitchen and bath
-BIG living room (for this size house)
-beautiful front and back yard
-near downtown
-near trails and open spaces

We love this house for many reasons, one of them being that it defies this new "American" idea that the bigger the house the better. Ben and I want very much to raise our children for something greater than possessions and materialism, having a really small house will help with that. We are very excited for things to move forward and are simply praying that nothing gets in the way of our moving into this house. Ben and I love the flexibility this home will provide us (cheaper than our rent was), we are also ready to feel settled and like we have a stake in where we are living.

*Most exciting dreams for the new house
1. having a garden
2. starting our diverse and beautiful family
3. having a yard for Oliver
4. renovating
5. Ben's "man cave" in the 200 sq ft. basement (j/k)

Looking forward to sharing pictures and stories from our new home!

Still Searching

As many of you know, Ben and I are still looking for a house. I think, that during this time, I have learned more about patience than in each day of teaching. It is difficult when we are searching for something that we are not able to find. That is how I feel with Christianity, not God, but Christianity; I feel like I am always searching for something that isn't there, always looking for a church and place where I know I belong. We are beginning the search for a new church and I know that this will be as difficult, if not more so, than a new house.

Right now, life is so unsettled but I know that even in this, we are learning more about ourselves and the plan that God holds in this life for us.