Ok, so I promised follow-up...
Gabe went and saw the house on Saturday and really liked it. There were some concern areas but nothing he saw was "that bad." Sunday, after church, he went over to his Realtor's office to draw up an offer he was comfortable with then came home to tell me all about it. A short time later, Al, his Realtor, called him to tell him about some disclosures that were made when he took the offer over to the sellers' Realtor. Apparently, the house was used as a small scale marijuana grow-op (as they call them in Canada) about ten years ago AND, due to flooding twice in the past 20 years, it is classified as being within the boundaries of the Bilston Creek flood plain.
Gabe and I talked about it, prayed about it and got feedback from some of our dear brothers and sisters in Christ as to how to proceed. We decided to keep on going with the process for the time being because maybe that was how God was going to make it affordable for us.... Well, on Monday, Gabe heard back from Al that the sellers had made a counteroffer and he countered back. Monday evening, they had come to an agreement (about 2k more than Gabe original offer and 8k under the sellers' original listing)!
At the same time, Al started talking with Gabe about how difficult it would be to get a mortgage for the house because of the marijuana grow-op in particular. ...Seems there is a lot more fear of damage from a grow-op in Canada than in the States, but that could be because a lot of the times, the pot has to be grown inside the house since the climate isn't hot and humid enough for it to be grown out in the fields... Anyway, Gabe talked with the mortgage broker in Al's office who told him there was no way he would mortgage that house. Gabe was getting a little downtrodden but, undaunted, he went over to his bank to talk with them and got two different answers. One lady told him there was NO way that they would mortgage it while a second lady came up and started telling Gabe about another buyer that she had helped get into a former grow-op.... so there was still hope.
After Gabe got the news that his offer was accepted, he called and left a message at his bank about setting up an appointment to get a final answer on the mortgage issue. Tuesday afternoon, he went to his bank with a printout of the disclosures from the sellers and I get the impression that the bankers just about laughed in his face. Not only is there the marijuana and potential mold but flooding and potential mold. There was absolutely no way they would mortgage it; no ifs, ands or buts.
So, now we are resting in the promises of our God. He has a plan for us and we will follow Him wherever He takes us. If no one else is able to come up with the funds for the house, the sellers will have to lower the price and they may even lower it enough that people would be able to secure cash for the purchase. Only God knows and we continue to and always will have faith in what He is doing in our lives.
30 days until we get married and I get to be with the God-given love of my life!!!!
~A place for me to share what is on my heart. Words given to me by God and thoughts on life.~
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
THIS IS WHAT JEFF FOXWORTHY HAS TO SAY ABOUT 'LIVING IN WASHINGTON!'
If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Washington.
If you've worn shorts, sandals and a parka at the same time, you live in Washington.
If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Washington.
If you measure distance in hours, you live in Washington.
If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Washington.
If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' and back again in the same day, you live in Washington.
If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Central, Southern or Eastern Washington.
If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over 2 layers of clothes or under a raincoat, you live in Washington.
If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow and ice, you live in Washington.
If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Washington.
If you feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash, you live in Washington.
If you know more than 10 ways to order coffee, you live in Washington.
If you know more people who own boats than air conditioners, you live in Washington.
If you stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" signal, you live in Washington.
If you consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain, you live in Washington.
If you can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Tullys, you live in Washington.
If you know the difference between Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon, you live in Washington.
If you know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup , Abiqua, Issaquah, Snoqualamie, Wenatchee, Spokane, Umpqua, Yakima and Willamette, you live in Washington.
If you consider swimming an indoor sport, you live in Washington.
If you can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food, you live in Washington.
If you never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho, you live in Washington.
If you have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain, you live in Washington.
If you think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists, you live in Washington.
If you buy new sunglasses every year because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time, you live in Washington .
If you actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your Washington friends, you live or have lived in Washington.
If you've worn shorts, sandals and a parka at the same time, you live in Washington.
If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Washington.
If you measure distance in hours, you live in Washington.
If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Washington.
If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' and back again in the same day, you live in Washington.
If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Central, Southern or Eastern Washington.
If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over 2 layers of clothes or under a raincoat, you live in Washington.
If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow and ice, you live in Washington.
If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Washington.
If you feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash, you live in Washington.
If you know more than 10 ways to order coffee, you live in Washington.
If you know more people who own boats than air conditioners, you live in Washington.
If you stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" signal, you live in Washington.
If you consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain, you live in Washington.
If you can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Tullys, you live in Washington.
If you know the difference between Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon, you live in Washington.
If you know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup , Abiqua, Issaquah, Snoqualamie, Wenatchee, Spokane, Umpqua, Yakima and Willamette, you live in Washington.
If you consider swimming an indoor sport, you live in Washington.
If you can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food, you live in Washington.
If you never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho, you live in Washington.
If you have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain, you live in Washington.
If you think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists, you live in Washington.
If you buy new sunglasses every year because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time, you live in Washington .
If you actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your Washington friends, you live or have lived in Washington.
Our God Is An Awesome God...
Oh my word, God is SOOO amazing!! Over twelve hours later and I am still bouncy and giddy over it.
So, background, I have been unemployed and living (and planning a wedding) off of babysitting and unemployment since May 21. I have been sending my resume off to childcare and preschool places all over Victoria all summer and not hearing anything back at all...
Monday, I sent off another round of resumes to five different places in the greater Victoria area (including Sidney and Langford) and finally heard something back from someone! Tuesday, I got an email back from Kim at the Sunshine Group Daycare Centres in the Langford area. Great, she wants to do a phone interview with me so I told her about the hoops I have to jump through in order to be able to work in Canada and to get back to me if she would still like to do a phone interview. Wednesday, I get a second email from her saying that she would definitely be willing to jump through those hoops with me and to send her a number where she can reach me if a 10:30 a.m. call would work for me on Thursday morning. Of course, I responded and told her that would be great.
So, now that we have been brought up to this morning in the job search arena, let me tell you about the home search arena. Gabe and I regularly look on mls.ca to check out the houses on the market and to see if there is anything remotely affordable on the Island. Tuesday night we are looking through the houses again and he sends me the link to one that he "knows I will love!" and I take a little gander at it. It is a gorgeous house on a 1 acre lot with a creek running through the backyard, trees all around it (the land around it is owned by government so there won't be subdivisions going up around us), a greenhouse, hardwood floors, etc. EVERYTHING we wanted in a house! ...And, in terms of the Victorian market and Gabe's condo that would be sold, affordable!!! Lovely, but we said we wouldn't get excited about it and would just pray and leave it all in God's hands.
Well, Wednesday morning, after receiving the second email from Kim, I started looking to see exactly where in Langford this centre (catch that Canadian spelling there?) is located. As I am looking at it on the map, I notice that it is rather close to something else... the house is less than half a mile away from the centre and is on the same road!! I called Gabe and told him what I found out, including that I kept hearing Alisha in in head saying "there are NO coincidences, Lily!" I told him that this had to be a God thing and either both of these would work out or neither of them would. He responded with "yeah..." in a rather nonchalant and dragged out tone, "I decided to give the Realtor a call, do you have his number handy?" !!! (So not like Gabe to jump at something like that; he likes to ponder things.) I went to my Life Group last night and told them all about this excitement and they all prayed over me and for the interview this morning and for the house and the general direction God seems to be leading us.
Last night, we are both giddy, excited and at peace over the whole thing and he tells me some more about what he has learned about the house, including that he is trying to set up a viewing. We pray some more and leave everything in God's hands.
This morning, I receive my phone call from Kim and we talk for an hour! Right from the start, I didn't have any nervous feeling while talking with her; it was like I was talking with an old friend, discussing our views on childcare, discipline and praise. It was amazing! At the end of the conversation, she says that she would like to make a job offer and would I like the job?!?!? Um, YEAH! Oh, I forgot to say that she sent me their policies, procedures and philosophies in the first email and I read through them going "yup, yup, yup!" So, everything is in line with that, it is the place God wants me to be! I start calling people and telling them about all this (including Gabe, of course) and every single one of my dear brothers and sisters in Christ tells me "I knew you would get that job! You know that house is yours, right?"
Praise God for He is good and He holds our lives in the palm of His hand! He has some amazing plans for our lives and we just have to walk in faith and go until He says no!
Btw, Gabe has an appointment on Saturday to go see OUR house! We'll keep you posted!
So, background, I have been unemployed and living (and planning a wedding) off of babysitting and unemployment since May 21. I have been sending my resume off to childcare and preschool places all over Victoria all summer and not hearing anything back at all...
Monday, I sent off another round of resumes to five different places in the greater Victoria area (including Sidney and Langford) and finally heard something back from someone! Tuesday, I got an email back from Kim at the Sunshine Group Daycare Centres in the Langford area. Great, she wants to do a phone interview with me so I told her about the hoops I have to jump through in order to be able to work in Canada and to get back to me if she would still like to do a phone interview. Wednesday, I get a second email from her saying that she would definitely be willing to jump through those hoops with me and to send her a number where she can reach me if a 10:30 a.m. call would work for me on Thursday morning. Of course, I responded and told her that would be great.
So, now that we have been brought up to this morning in the job search arena, let me tell you about the home search arena. Gabe and I regularly look on mls.ca to check out the houses on the market and to see if there is anything remotely affordable on the Island. Tuesday night we are looking through the houses again and he sends me the link to one that he "knows I will love!" and I take a little gander at it. It is a gorgeous house on a 1 acre lot with a creek running through the backyard, trees all around it (the land around it is owned by government so there won't be subdivisions going up around us), a greenhouse, hardwood floors, etc. EVERYTHING we wanted in a house! ...And, in terms of the Victorian market and Gabe's condo that would be sold, affordable!!! Lovely, but we said we wouldn't get excited about it and would just pray and leave it all in God's hands.
Well, Wednesday morning, after receiving the second email from Kim, I started looking to see exactly where in Langford this centre (catch that Canadian spelling there?) is located. As I am looking at it on the map, I notice that it is rather close to something else... the house is less than half a mile away from the centre and is on the same road!! I called Gabe and told him what I found out, including that I kept hearing Alisha in in head saying "there are NO coincidences, Lily!" I told him that this had to be a God thing and either both of these would work out or neither of them would. He responded with "yeah..." in a rather nonchalant and dragged out tone, "I decided to give the Realtor a call, do you have his number handy?" !!! (So not like Gabe to jump at something like that; he likes to ponder things.) I went to my Life Group last night and told them all about this excitement and they all prayed over me and for the interview this morning and for the house and the general direction God seems to be leading us.
Last night, we are both giddy, excited and at peace over the whole thing and he tells me some more about what he has learned about the house, including that he is trying to set up a viewing. We pray some more and leave everything in God's hands.
This morning, I receive my phone call from Kim and we talk for an hour! Right from the start, I didn't have any nervous feeling while talking with her; it was like I was talking with an old friend, discussing our views on childcare, discipline and praise. It was amazing! At the end of the conversation, she says that she would like to make a job offer and would I like the job?!?!? Um, YEAH! Oh, I forgot to say that she sent me their policies, procedures and philosophies in the first email and I read through them going "yup, yup, yup!" So, everything is in line with that, it is the place God wants me to be! I start calling people and telling them about all this (including Gabe, of course) and every single one of my dear brothers and sisters in Christ tells me "I knew you would get that job! You know that house is yours, right?"
Praise God for He is good and He holds our lives in the palm of His hand! He has some amazing plans for our lives and we just have to walk in faith and go until He says no!
Btw, Gabe has an appointment on Saturday to go see OUR house! We'll keep you posted!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Kaylee
The peace of a child's face, quiet in repose
The eyelashes flutter, the thumb is sucked
As she lays down her head and drifts off
In the dreamland, what will be?
Remembering the joy of playing in the park
Swinging way up high, running oh so fast
Playing with her brothers, playing with the cat
Perhaps she dreams of Jack?
Rather, I believe, she is resting in the arms
Of her Lord and King, telling Him her story
Hearing His in return, hearing of His love
His promise for her life, to love her eternal.
The peace on her face as she rests in His arms
“I love you, my child, and I have great plans
My daughter, you will grow strong in your faith
Your voice will be true as you sing praises of your King.”
“Before your parents knew you, I formed your every bone.
The hairs on your head placed there by My hand.
My dear child, use the words and voice I give
Share your faith and live true for me.”
The eyelashes flutter, the thumb is sucked
As she lays down her head and drifts off
In the dreamland, what will be?
Remembering the joy of playing in the park
Swinging way up high, running oh so fast
Playing with her brothers, playing with the cat
Perhaps she dreams of Jack?
Rather, I believe, she is resting in the arms
Of her Lord and King, telling Him her story
Hearing His in return, hearing of His love
His promise for her life, to love her eternal.
The peace on her face as she rests in His arms
“I love you, my child, and I have great plans
My daughter, you will grow strong in your faith
Your voice will be true as you sing praises of your King.”
“Before your parents knew you, I formed your every bone.
The hairs on your head placed there by My hand.
My dear child, use the words and voice I give
Share your faith and live true for me.”
A Father's Embrace
A Father's Embrace
Lillian Ford
I hear your call, I hear your pain
My child, I will always be near to you
Nothing you can do will make Me leave
I listen to your cry; come to Me, my child.
My love will always surround you
My arms will hold you tight.
As you cry out to me morning, noon and night,
I will always hear and answer your cry
My heart breaks for you as I hear your pain
My child, you will always be Mine.
Nothing you do will make Me stop loving you
My love will always surround you
My arms will hold you tight.
In every part of your life, I am there
In your joy and in your pain, in your sickness and in your health
Call My name and I will hear
Lift your eyes to heaven and I will be there
Nothing you do will make Me stop loving you
My love will always surround you
My arms will hold you tight.
Do you see the beauty around you?
The mountains and valleys, oceans and plains
All that you see is My love story to you
My love for you is all around and written in the very stars in the sky.
Nothing you do will make Me stop loving you
My love will always surround you
My arms will hold you tight.
The very air you breathe, the very life you have
All that I created, I give to you.
I love you so dearly and will never leave your side
I will always be with you, my child, I feel your pain and feel your joy.
You are my child and I will forever love you with all that I am.
Nothing you do will make Me stop loving you
My love will always surround you
My arms will hold you tight.
Lillian Ford
I hear your call, I hear your pain
My child, I will always be near to you
Nothing you can do will make Me leave
I listen to your cry; come to Me, my child.
My love will always surround you
My arms will hold you tight.
As you cry out to me morning, noon and night,
I will always hear and answer your cry
My heart breaks for you as I hear your pain
My child, you will always be Mine.
Nothing you do will make Me stop loving you
My love will always surround you
My arms will hold you tight.
In every part of your life, I am there
In your joy and in your pain, in your sickness and in your health
Call My name and I will hear
Lift your eyes to heaven and I will be there
Nothing you do will make Me stop loving you
My love will always surround you
My arms will hold you tight.
Do you see the beauty around you?
The mountains and valleys, oceans and plains
All that you see is My love story to you
My love for you is all around and written in the very stars in the sky.
Nothing you do will make Me stop loving you
My love will always surround you
My arms will hold you tight.
The very air you breathe, the very life you have
All that I created, I give to you.
I love you so dearly and will never leave your side
I will always be with you, my child, I feel your pain and feel your joy.
You are my child and I will forever love you with all that I am.
Nothing you do will make Me stop loving you
My love will always surround you
My arms will hold you tight.
Desperation
Speak to me, Lord, let me hear Your voice
Show me Your way and fill me with Your peace.
Lord, I feel so lost and alone; I need to feel You near.
I cry out to You, Lord; show me the way!
I need to hear Your voice, I need to feel Your hand
Comfort me, Lord, and heal my brokenness!
Please, Father, come to me now.
What did I do? Why do I feel this?
Pain, uncertainty, guilt, sorrow.
Lord, I beg You to come and wash over me
Wash this sin away that I may be
In Your presence again, I plead.
I need to hear Your voice, I need to feel Your hand
Comfort me, Lord, and heal my brokenness!
Please, Father, come to me now.
I yearn to be with You, my Lord and King.
Where I feel no sorrow, no pain, only joy at Your side
I need You, Lord, I need to be with You
No more sin, no more broken hearts.
Lord, guide me home, safely to Your side.
I need to hear Your voice, I need to feel Your hand
Comfort me, Lord, and heal my brokenness!
Please, Father, come to me now.
Your all encompassing love, like a Father for His children
The pain You must have felt at the sacrifice
The sacrifice of Your Son, the death that saved us all
The joy You felt as He rose again and
Saved all Your sons and daughters.
Oh, Lord, I thank You every day of my life.
You saved my soul, You gave me breath
With the sacrifice of You beloved Son.
Show me Your way and fill me with Your peace.
Lord, I feel so lost and alone; I need to feel You near.
I cry out to You, Lord; show me the way!
I need to hear Your voice, I need to feel Your hand
Comfort me, Lord, and heal my brokenness!
Please, Father, come to me now.
What did I do? Why do I feel this?
Pain, uncertainty, guilt, sorrow.
Lord, I beg You to come and wash over me
Wash this sin away that I may be
In Your presence again, I plead.
I need to hear Your voice, I need to feel Your hand
Comfort me, Lord, and heal my brokenness!
Please, Father, come to me now.
I yearn to be with You, my Lord and King.
Where I feel no sorrow, no pain, only joy at Your side
I need You, Lord, I need to be with You
No more sin, no more broken hearts.
Lord, guide me home, safely to Your side.
I need to hear Your voice, I need to feel Your hand
Comfort me, Lord, and heal my brokenness!
Please, Father, come to me now.
Your all encompassing love, like a Father for His children
The pain You must have felt at the sacrifice
The sacrifice of Your Son, the death that saved us all
The joy You felt as He rose again and
Saved all Your sons and daughters.
Oh, Lord, I thank You every day of my life.
You saved my soul, You gave me breath
With the sacrifice of You beloved Son.
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