House Update

Everything appears to be going smoothly. Appraisal was good, seller agreed to treat the garage for termites since the buggers spent a short time there in the last few years. Now we are waiting on one more thing to come back from underwriting at the bank and the property line stuff to go through with the county. Apparently the 3 vacant lots next to our house we re-parceled into 2 lots for some developer to build 2 houses, making them do a survey of our property as well since currently fence is a few short inches over the property line. Its being re done so we just have those inches and the fence doesn't have to be moved.

So if all this gets done in a timely fashion we can close a little earlier which would help tremendously.

Well Blast

So we were going to make an offer on a house yesterday. It was perfect, very suited to us and the best deal in price I have ever seen. My parents were actually going to make a cash offer with some of our savings and some of theirs and then we were going to fix what what wrong so it would pass appraisal and then Trevor and I were going to buy it for more from them so we would have money to pay our savings' back and some extra to play with to fix it up. No offers had been made until 4 hours before our appointment with the realtor was to write up the contract. Then 2 came in both cash and 1 more than the asking price. It was over. I was sad. I knew this might happen. Too bad it was like minutes before I got back from the bank depositing the majority of my savings into my parents account so they could show proof of funds.

I have to believe there is something better its just hard right now because there isn't even anything worth looking at right now and even if there was we would be comparing it to what we just lost. Sigh....say a prayer for us.

House Hunting

So we've looked at three and perused probably about 5 more on-line. We may have a winner. Thought it wasn't going to be possible and a possible option has presented itself. So if all goes well an offer may be made. Trying not to get too excited because this may not be it, in which case something better might be in store. If it happens I will explain details because we would def be beating the system. So readers, you can be on pins and needles with me for a while. OMG this house is AWESOME and a good deal! Ok thats as excited as I will get at this present time. ;)

Its been a long time but I haven't been super inspired lately but a lot has happened and needs to be shared. We will start with a little life update.

Beginning of February Trevor developed an VERY PAINFUL abscess on his tailbone as a result of a "cyst" that had gone unnoticed and asymptomatic for probably a long time. So that was taken care of but surgery needed to happen to get rid of the underlying problem...but we were headed to Mexico.

End of February/beginning of March the infection and abscess was completely gone and we went to Mexico. This is now my third and my husbands first time getting the privilege to serve there along side Back2Back Ministries. More on that later.

Middle of march Trevor had his surgery, again VERY PAINFUL but he is now almost back to some type of normal and gets his stitches out Monday and returns to work Tuesday. He also was accepted to Wright State and gets to go to school for free since he is staff. We also were approved for a home loan.

Ok on to whats on my mind.

Mexico. It interesting returning to the same place and just seeing what different things God has planned for you and what does in you each time you go. We do the same things, serve the same people and yet I am blown away and the new things God reveals to me. A year ago I was angry when I went. I Was angry with God, Trevor and I were both unemployed with no prospects. I wanted to go to Mexico because I liked it, was able and wanted to serve the kids, I really had no interest in doing their planned daily devotions, I was pissed about this. So here is where I look back and laugh...I was such and idiot. If God taught me anything it was to trust Him and that he always provides for what we NEED!!
This time I got to share this experience with my wonderful husband and went a lot stronger than I did last year. I was excited about what God would do, I was excited for my time with Him. What I learned last year was repeated this along with a simple truth...from the words of Beth Guckenberger..."The story isn't over yet"
Which brings me to where we are right now. Trevor and I are so ready to be out of this awful apartment. We finally got our approval for our home loan and are getting ready to look at houses. As we look where to go and our current situation we keep thinking...this can't be it, there has to be something better in store for us. I know there is, my story isn't over yet. God isn't done writing it. He has big plans for us but at this time in our lives we need to be where we are, be content, prepare for the future and be patient. He weaves our story and when we are faithful to Him, He blesses us.

We may even end up serving with Back2Back some day! For someone who was luke warm about going to Mexico (my hubby this time) we both talked about seeing ourselves there someday. Oh how I can't wait for His new chapter in our lives whatever it may be!!!

It was a busy Holiday Season

took photos at a wedding, then traveled to NEPA for Christmas with the Smalls. Trevor and I both agreed that it was the best trip we have taken in a while. We didn't have to be anywhere, didn't make any plans to see anyone other than family. We didn't leave town except for church which was like 15 minutes away. I felt so relaxed. It was nice family time.
After we got back we went down to our friends taekwondo studio and did some drywall/wood work. I was Trevor's faithful assistant. It had to be done in 3 days since they opened back up on Jan 3 after a 2 week vacation. So alllllllll weekend was spent hanging wood and drywall, mudding, sanding, routing, staining, clear coating, nailing, priming. We got it done Sunday evening. Then Monday-wednesday, I spent editing photos and putting them on CD's. so since before christmas I haven't been to the grocery store. Sooooo finally i feel like myself again and can get some stuff done.

Some other exciting news. Trevor will be traveling to Mexico with me this February. He has been anti foreign missions for a while since he feels his calling/work has been right here at home. But we happened to be at church when an open house was going on for 2 of the full time missionary staff from down there. So I told him I wanted to go. And what do you know, he changed is mind. So we rushed around and applied for his passport and got all the paperwork in. His passport came 2 days ago and hes officially going. It's funny how God worked that all out for us. Sooooooo excited for Trevor to experience this with me and for him to use is MANY handy gifts and talents for the people of Monterrey. So excited to see how God uses him!!! So exited to share this part of my life with him. So exited to serve along side him this time, since last year I couldn't even contact him the whole week. Hopefully I will get to see this precious girl again. I've been praying for her throughout the year. She lives in one of the squatter villages. Her name is Natalia and she could use your prayers too.

Breaking Free

This is the last week of this bible study with some wonderful ladies from our church. It has been a special journey. It's about breaking free from bondage in our lives so we can live free, full lives in Christ. It has opened my eyes to the things holding my back from an abundant life in Christ. It also made me realize others in my life that sadly are still in bondage and have not yet broken free. Sad because they don't realize it. So I say grab some good friends and do this study. It's really good and Beth is super funny as always.

Life is good right now I guess. I am going to Mexico again this winter. It will be good going again in a completely different spiritual place than I did last year. Manda is coming too. :)

I am loving the fall weather!

Trevor and I enjoy fall. I don't know if I would say it is my favorite season because I think I am kinda partial to summer but it is a close second. Trevor proposed to me in October of '04 :). We haven't been able to get to our favorite festivals this year due to conflicts. We missed the Potato festival and Xenia Old Fashioned Days was canceled. We did make it to the street fair and I bought a cute hat.

I do so love these things about fall, the colors especially in the mountains of NEPA, the pumpkins (the decor and the food items) and Halloween Haunt at Kings Island. They fill the park with fog machines and people walking around appear to just come out of the fog, it is creepy. And the park is open until 1:00am which makes for a fun and exhilarating ride on "The Beast" the longest wooden roller coaster in the world. It goes through the woods and through underground tunnels so its pitch black.

I am currently reading a series of books by Steig Larsson. He wrote a trilogy and its the only thing he wrote, he died after turning in the manuscripts. Since he turned them in they have been translated to English from Swedish. They are interesting. I always enjoy learning about other cultures from foreign films and now I doing the same thing through these books. The first one is "The girl with the dragon tattoo" and I am on the second one called "The girl who played with fire" they are nail biters for sure.