Some of you know that this has been kind of an uncertain time for Jamie and me. We have always agreed that when the time came for having kids, we wanted me to be able to stay home to care for them. But we've also always known that that would be difficult financially in this area. On two salaries, we are able to live pretty comfortably, but one salary really seems almost impossible. It was a step of faith for us when it was the right time to start having kids because we still had no idea how we would make it. We really had to come to terms with the fact that we might have to move to a place with more affordable housing - but that would mean a new job for Jamie, new roots to put down, etc. And really Jamie's job is pretty ideal for him at this time.
We were continuing to explore different options, praying for God's provision and guidance, praying for openness to whatever God had for us, cutting costs and looking at ways to cut costs even more once I wouldn't be working.
Its been a good (and humbling) process for us, but some of the options we had were starting to fall through and a couple Sundays ago we really prayed, "Lord, make the way clear. It doesn't look like you're going to provide the way we thought, so please just show us what you DO want." (Its not like that was the first time we prayed that prayer, but it was another time of surrender.)
Then, Monday, July 6th, Jamie got an email from John Yates. (We were both home from work because it was the day our jobs chose to give off for July 4th.) The email included a forward from a family in the church who had a home available that they were willing to rent for an extremely reasonable rent. (Actually, its pretty UNreasonable for them. Definitely below what they could get.) In fact, as Jamie and I had discussed it in the past, this was the sum he had named several times as the sum we would probably be able to afford monthly in order for us to survive on his salary alone. So, we wrote back and went to go see the house that Tuesday evening.
Its beautiful. 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, lots of living space, etc. It would cut at least 20 minutes of Jamie's commute and allow us to be closer to the community of The Falls Church. The upstairs is all newly redone hardwood floors, everything is brand new paint, and the bathrooms, kitchen, and appliances, while very old fashioned, are scrubbed immaculately clean. The neighborhood is quiet and well-established. We met the across-the-street neighbor the other day - she's a Christian and has 2 small children - and just the short conversation we had with her showed me how friendly and neighbor-ly the neighborhood is.
Of course, that Wednesday night I had a lovely pregnant breakdown thinking about all the work involved in moving and how overwhelmed I felt in going from an amazing but small 2 bedroom apartment to a large house that will need to be somewhat furnished, made to seem home-y, etc. Ha ha. Jamie wisely assured me that he will do all the work and my pregnant self will just have to tell him where and what to clean. And then he put me to bed early. And since then I've felt incredibly peaceful and relieved. And also very surreal and blessed. And maybe a little guilty that God has provided such abundance for us.
But I'm also aware that God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. And, hey, this house will definitely give us space to have even more house-guests. (If they want to stay when we have a baby up at all hours of the night!) And the living space is huge enough that we will definitely no longer have to announce that we have a maximum capacity of 7 when we invite people over!
We've been scouring craigslist for furniture to help furnish this amazing home. Already, we found a dining room table for a great price that will seat up to 12 (maybe could squish more) if we put both leaves in it. I'm so excited for hosting family dinners and having the neighbors over and even having worship team dinners at OUR place! ...Now to find chairs to go with that table!
:)
We definitely see the hand of God everywhere in this. We're so thankful for His truly undeserved kindness in gracing us with such an amazing home - and with the beginnings of furniture to fill it. Our prayer now is that we will be faithful in generosity with the gifts He has given us and that He will be served in our home.
And some lovely pictures from our phones.
Front. Makes Jamie think of the Wonder Years every time he sees it!
Living room. I love how sunny the living spaces are!
Our official move-in date is October 1st, but the family we're renting it from is very kind and is allowing us to start moving some things in starting today (or, actually yesterday). Hopefully this way, the actual moving in (2 days before my brother's wedding and 13 days before Baby Girl Brown is due to show herself) will not be too traumatic! Ha.
God is good!!!
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