Our family plans have changed in a major way over the course of the last month - actually exactly one month from today. It was Wednesday, Nov. 10th and I attended a roll making class taught by our Stake Provident Living Specialist. While I was driving to her home, I noticed a home for sale. It caught my eye, so after the class I stopped by and grabbed a brochure. Later that night my real estate agent took me to that home and another that I found.
The thought of even looking at these homes seemed weird to me because Paul and I had been pushing for our home plans to be submitted to the city - and they were to be submitted that very same afternoon. I had to call the builder and ask him to wait until I sorted all of this out. You have to know that I designed the perfect home for our family over the course of the last year! I had
poured my heart and soul into this home, trying to think of everything from every angle (basement, noise control, food storage room and more, beautiful kitchen, etc.). It was a layout that would work for our family because it was a combination of two homes that I liked, one that we had built before. I had also bought two nice big light fixtures and a 48" chef's cooktop for the new home. We were anxious to get building and into the new home in the spring.
We purchased a building lot over a year ago in a nearby neighborhood. It is in the same ward and school boundaries - and still close to the gym.
Now what was I thinking? I had some hesitations during this whole process because of our uncertain economy and with all the current events. Things seem to be changing and coming un-glued so quickly. Was it smart to build the home of our dreams during this time?
After realizing that the two homes I toured were not the answer, I continued to search and pray for some clear guidance. That is when we were prompted to take a weekend trip to my hometown. We went there not knowing how or what we would learn. We just trusted that the Lord knows what is best for our family and that He would make that known to us. After a great weekend with Mom and Keith, the answer came Sunday morning during Mandy Baker's talk in Sacrament meeting.
She spoke about the changes that their family was making with a move around the corner and their reasons for doing so. Her talk was based on Elder Uchtdorf's talk, "
Things That Matter Most." He said, "
it is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions". Our country is experiencing adverse conditions, so we realized that we needed to cut back our spending on a home that far exceeds our needs and create opportunities for the kids to work and pull together. At the same time, we hoped to have space for fruit trees, chickens, a larger garden and perhaps a couple cows.
Within a couple days of our weekend trip, we found the house that answered all of our questions and confusion. The home sits on 10 acres and will provide enough room for all our family
(still has a basement with smaller food storage room) where they each have their own bedroom. It also has a greenhouse, a chicken coop in need of some repair, some out buildings for storage, a wood stove
(which I have wanted for emergencies), an over-grown pasture in the front, a large alfalfa field in the back, and around 10 different fruit trees. The home is in great shape and was recently remodeled - it will just take some tweaking to make it feel like our own.
After walking through the home, we made an offer that was accepted two days later. We closed on the property this week and now it is ours. I know this comes as a shock to everyone, but even more of a shock to me because this is not what I had envisioned for our family.
I know that we are being led by the hand of the Lord and that this is a direct answer. Now that we have received our answer, we are moving forward in faith in this adventure. Although we are not moving until the end of the school semester, we are already saddened by the thought of leaving our great ward. We started putting down our roots because we thought we would be here for a very long time. This would be an even more difficult process if I lost contact with my friends! I am truly grateful to have made some good friends and I hope that you keep in touch.
Sometimes our prayers are answered in ways beyond our imagination!
t
to see what's available today.
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