Well, last week, I headed to 'Ballmore' to look for a place to live. We'd been looking online at realtor.com among other sources and had a few ideas.
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Since we know very little about the area, the places we were finding were unknown and some were eliminated when asking others who live there about different areas and cities.
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We knew our first priority was a safe place within easy commute to Husband's work. Along with that priority, we wanted a neighborhood that was family-friendly. In our price range, we were not finding any houses that suited our space needs - only townhouses. And we were okay with that... until I actually saw them. Most were glorified apartments, in communities that though there were nearby amenities like parks or trails, the housing itself left much to be desired. And for the price we'd have to pay, we felt like we'd need a lot of lubricant, if you know what I mean.
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So, after a day of discouragement, we drove through a neighborhood where there was a listing. It was a neighborhood - with sidewalks and houses! And did I mention houses? We couldn't believe that the house would be acceptable inside, due to the price, but we were slightly hopeful. We left a message for the manager, but didn't hear back.
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Heading into my last full day in town, we were no closer to having a new place than we'd been before I arrived. I drove around aimlessly, trying to make the townhouse neighborhoods "fit" our needs. I had an appointment to see another house at noon and while the house was totally unacceptable, I was finding myself forcing us into it - making it fit, knowing it just wasn't going to be a place we felt comfortable, no matter what I did. But I was feeling desperate.
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I headed to the mall to get lunch and try to decompress and come up with a new plan. I was browsing around a store when my cell phone rang and it was the woman listing the nice house in the beautiful neighborhood! I was practically giddy upon hearing the house was still available (we still hadn't seen the inside). She agreed to meet us after Husband's meeting and we excitedly drove to the house. We had said the day before that if the house was available, we were done looking - we were that sure that God had led us to it.
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The feeling was repeated as we drove through the neighborhood on our way to the house. We pulled into the driveway before the manager and sat in the car, praying together that God's will be done - and that we would know right away what His will was regarding this house. A minute later, the manager pulled up and got out of her car.
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As she fumbled to get the door open (the lock will need to be replaced), we chatted about the area and asked questions about the owners of the house. I noted that the front porch could use a pressure washing around the windows (just dusty) and that one of the screens needed repair. I also considered if I had any chairs that would suit the front porch. As she opened the door into the foyer, I stopped and excused myself, asking her not to think me weird. I stood in the foyer of that house, with tears dripping from my eyes. The house is not impressive, the rooms are kinda small, but it was clean and pristine and just lovely. I walked through the sitting room to the family room and through the kitchen into the laundry.
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The formal dining room connects to the kitchen and then back to the foyer. I asked about moving their washer and dryer into the garage so we could use our own. I asked about moving the fridge to the basement and using our brand new one in the kitchen. Of course, we can move them, but we have to move them back when we move out. No problem.
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I went upstairs to see two small bedrooms, a slightly larger bedroom and then a nice-sized master. In the master bath, I noted lots of big windows, bringing in beautiful light, a corner soaking tub (I don't remember if there were jets or not) and a separate shower.
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There is an unfinished basement, a big wooden deck and a wooden swingset in the back yard. The huge yard (bigger than we've ever had, we'll have to get a lawnmower again) was just the final bonus. I can't believe it. I am always amazed at how God works out every small detail. There is a church very close-by that is very good, from what we've heard - a key bonus. And a few families in that church who are part of the local homeschooling group!! There is not one detail that God has overlooked.
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Well, except we're still going to be paying almost double what we're paying now. But for the Baltimore/DC area, it's quite a steal. And for that, we are utterly grateful.
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God has definitely planned this move for us and the more I see His hand in the small details, the more I realize that I have to be okay with this too. Our family will be okay with us being farther away, they don't depend on us in the day-to-day anyway, so I need to stop beating myself up that we're moving so far - nobody else blames me and I just need to stop feeling guilty about it.
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Finally, I'm breathing again and surprisingly (to me, anyway), I am actually looking forward to this new adventure. Especially if it means Husband is living with us again.
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May God Bless you abundantly in 2007!
