Friday, September 14, 2012

A Big Change Coming - We're Moving

Some posts are harder to write than others and this happens to be one of those posts.  Now it's not because I'm sad, because I am over that, it is because the Lord has been teaching us something that I really want to be able to explain properly.

I'll go back to the beginning of July when Larry and I tried to refinance our mortgage to pay off some of our bills. We realized we were getting nowhere fast and had to do something.  Well, our broker told us there was no way we could do as we wanted and maybe we should look into selling our farm and look for something less expensive. When Larry said that out loud, I just went to bed and cried, and cried and cried some more. We have been here for over 6 years, almost the longest I've lived anywhere in my life. But Larry said he wouldn't make us move because he saw how upset it made me. THEN, it struck me that the idea actually made sense and would be best thing for us. Larry has to work SO hard just to make minimum payments, it just didn't seem fair to him to stay on.

But this is when we both just started to look to the Lord. I guess we got in this situation partly from the year Larry had been seriously injured by his semi truck and couldn't work and maybe mostly because we hadn't been waiting for guidance from the Lord in our finances and even though I have been very careful with our money the last 4 years, we just really needed to FULLY trust in God.

If we would just have remembered these verses that most Christians know off by heart we might not have gotten in such a situation.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths."
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

So, I started looking for something we could afford, but still in the country in our area. And I found only one property on Kijiji (like Craig's List).  It was a duplex, made into a single dwelling, moved onto 7.6 acres on a basement. We went and looked at it on July 14th and knew that this would be the only house that really would be an option for us. But, praying all along that God would completely close the door if it wasn't where He wanted us.

We put our house for sale on the same website about a week later. We couldn't afford a realtor.  We just prayed about what amount of money we needed and trusted God to send buyers or not send buyers if that was His will. Well, within 2 weeks we had 2 offers! One couple had to sell their house first, so we gave them 2 weeks, but they didn't sell it. So, we let the second couple have a go at it. It took about 2 weeks but they have everything settled to take possession September 26th. 

While we were waiting, I started to worry that the house we wanted to buy would be sold and we would have to rent something. That wouldn't be so bad, but we have animals and I wanted to bring most of my apple orchard with me!  But Larry said, if God wants us there, nothing will stop that from happening. So, we just prayed that if God wanted us there that it would still be available.  Larry phoned the man who was selling the  house and told him that we were just waiting to hear back from the couple's bank to see if they could buy our house and I can't believe what he said! Well, I should believe it because God is so awesome. He said that other people were interested, but he told them he was just waiting to see if we could buy it first. Larry didn't even ask him to do that, even though I wanted him to. God was making a way and showing us that He is in control.

But God really wanted us rely on Him. So, it was almost as if He was holding up a candle so that we could take one little step at a time and not see anything ahead in the darkness. Like Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path"  We really didn't know where God would lead us, but we kept going on the path of open doors. If He closed a door, we would wait and pray for the direction of the next step.

So, we stayed the course and went to a lawyer, had offers written up, sent everything off to our broker and waited. We had to wait about a week to hear, because some things had to still be done, but we finally heard the news that we were all approved and could buy the house.

This is not what we want to do, but it makes sense. We have so much stuff and the new property doesn't have the outbuildings that we have here to store stuff in. So, we have to use an old wooden garage for a barn and we bought a 53' trailer to move everything and then to use as storage there.

But, I feel completely at peace about it. I really feel this is where God wants us and somehow He will bless us there.

I will write more about the move and share pictures soon. The only reason I even wrote this post is because we ran out of boxes to pack in and I wanted to share how good God is and praise His name. He is mighty and powerful.  And to share that the only reason I didn't completely lose my marbles during this whole process, IS because of my trust in the Lord and knowing that no matter what happens, God is here with us and I can find joy it that.

"....do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10

I felt like I was on a roller coaster ride with my emotions during this whole process. If it looked like we would move, I'd be sad about leaving our farm. But, if it looked like we could stay, I would wonder how we could ever get ahead. So I had to keep this verse close in my mind;

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."


Philippians 4:6-7


God is good!





This post is linked up to - Raising Homemakers Link Up & Thankful Homemaker Link Up




















14 comments:

  1. It sounds like you are being very blessed indeed by the Lord! I pray all goes well with your move as you continue to rely upon Him! Have a blessed weekend~

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! That is big news! It's inspiring to read how you both got to this point. Yay God! When/where are you moving too?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Chantal
    We are moving out East of town, probably about 3 miles east of you! As per when, we actually don't know now. Another glitch has arised today, but we need to keep trusting in the Lord that this too will all work out. If it does, we should be moved in by Sept. 25th.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I can understand how you felt about moving from your farm, but it is just amazing how the Lord works everything out! Best wishes!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow! I'm truly touched by your story. I hope everything works out and will be keeping you and your family in my thoughts. It's so good to hear about others putting all their faith and trust in God - especially considering how stressful things must be for you right now. Nowadays it seems as though most people tend to turn away from God whenever they undergo a difficult time, but I'm so glad to hear you're praising Him and professing His greatness to others. Thank you for being such a great example of a Christian woman. God Bless!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you SO MUCH for your words of encouragement Chelsea. And thank you for your prayers. You really just brightened up my day! God is so good!

      Delete
  6. How is it going? Hanging in there?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for sharing this Crystal! We're going through a similar situation right now. This surely helped me remember to trust in HIM and let go! HE brought me here with your comment on my blog!
    Blessings,
    Ashley

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. God bless you, Ashley, as you face what lies ahead. You are completely on the right track to trust in Him and let go and He will help you do that as you turn to Him.
      Crystal

      Delete
  8. Yes. The time will come when you really have to make a change in order for your life to keep moving and improving. I want to congratulate you for this decision you made, Crystal. :) Anyway, in packing, you just have to keep all the things that go together in one box to prevent you from being confused and losing some things. Good luck! :)

    Ericka Muldowney

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ericka
      We are all moved in now, but all of my craft supplies are still in boxes. I'm hoping my hubby will make me another 12 ft long, floor to ceiling shelving for them. I used the first one for pantry and canning items.
      God bless.

      Delete