Well, after much consideration and prayer, it looks like Jason, Rebekah, and I are on the move to Benbrook! Just within the past 2 weeks things have been crazy and we're already packing boxes and moving what we can as we can do it. Although it will be lengthy, I'll try to explain...
Over the past several months, J and I have really been praying over our family and over our finances. We have always had a good income, but without me working full time, it just has been hard to put anything into our savings or for things like car repairs, etc. We have really been wanting to get ahead and get out of debt, so we've been praying fervently for an answer. A few weeks ago I was thinking about what it was like before we had Rebekah.
Two years ago we lived in an apartment complex in Benbrook where J was a courtesy officer(basically security for the apartments) and we were living rent free. The only reason we left there was because we wanted a "real" home when we found out we were expecting. God totally provided and made a way for us with our house we have now. We got a very good deal on it, and have put in hard work to make it look how we want. We will have been in the house two years in October.
Still, thinking about all of this, I was reminded that it doesn't matter if it is a house or an apartment or a mansion - it can still be a "real" home no matter what. It's what you make of it and how you view it.
So, I asked J if he would prayerfully consider going back to the same apartments. I thought that way we would be saving what we pay out in mortgage and really be able to pay on our car and student loans, which is the only debt we have. I know that I would never have considered this in the past, but for some reason I had a sense of peace about it. I was actually excited thinking about it! At first, J didn't really want to consider it. He knew it would be a good idea, but this is our house! And leaving it would not only be hard to do emotionally, but it would also be a headache to try and sell the house, and to make the adjustment to apartment life once again.
A few days later though, he agreed to checking into it, and we sought out the courtesy officer position, only this time we went to an apartment complex different than what we had previously lived in. They offered him the position and told him they needed an answer within a week because they needed someone soon. And they told us that rent would be reduced, but not free. We considered it and thought it was still a reasonable offer.
But, it was only a few days after that that J received a business card in his box at work that was from the apartments we used to live in. (Originally, we had thought about calling them first, but chose to ask the other one due to the fact that they had bigger floor plans, etc.)
The business card was signed by the apartment owner, and had a note to J that they missed him and wanted to see how the family was doing. We don't know how the owner got that card into J's box at work. We don't know how he "randomly" thought about J and wanted to get in touch with us. But we do know that God is awesome and we feel that He provided this for us. J contacted the owner and told him what we were wanting to do. There was already a courtesy officer working for him but he told J that if he wanted the position that he could have it. Just like that. He said that he would love to have us back. He wants J to start work next Monday. Talk about God's favor! How crazy is that? Just when you think you have things figured out, everything changes!
So, as I said before, we are on the move this week. We are leaving what we know as our first home as a family and into a smaller space to make a change for our family. While it is very bittersweet, we know this is what we're supposed to do, and so far every door has been opened wide for us in this whole process. It's been fast and furious, but we are excited to see what God is going to do through us and for us when it's all said and done.
Please pray for us that the house sells quickly and that we can make the transition easy! It looks like we're going to be moved by Monday, and then we'll come back for a garage sale next weekend.
Well, I guess I'm off to packing some more boxes!!
