"Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work , so that you may be mature and complete lacking nothing." -James 1:2-4
This verse was one of my lifelines for the past few years. If you have known us at all, these past few years we have been on a road that the Lord asked us to take. It was a road that had hardships and lessons we didn't expect, yet we had confidence that the Lord would provide and bring us to our promised land.
March 13th, 2017 that promise was fully filled and we are still in awe of how it all happened. How it all went down so beautifully that we were left with our hands raised saying "Only You God. Only YOU."
We know so many have prayed with us through the selling of our old house in MN and then praying we would find the "Perfect Petty" house. And for that we are so thankful. Because of that we not only want to share with you our joy of how much we love this house (pictures included ;) ) but we also wanted to share with you our only God story. I had heard of stories where everything just magically fell into place so beautifully. But I honestly don't know if it has ever happened to me til that wonderful week in January.
First off let me say we had a KICK BUTT realtor. If you are ever in need of one in SD, Cindy Wills is it. Hands down. Not only is she ridiculously smart and will think of everything you don't, but her biggest interest was finding us the house we wanted. There was absolutely no pushing us to make decisions. Not only that, but she could tell by our faces if it was it or not. Seriously love her! On the night of January 22nd, I received a text from her giving me an address to look up and share my thoughts. Well, it didn't take us long to decide, umm YEP. The only problem? It was listed "For Sale by Owner". And if you have ever bought a house you know that chances are if they are listed by the owner, they don't really want to deal with a realtor, unless of course you plan on paying their commission as the buyer. But Cindy said she would give them a call and see if they were up to it. The next morning she informed us that with the right offer, they would be willing to work with us!! Ok...first hurdle down God. The problem? There was another couple looking at it that night at 6:30 so if we wanted to go look we would have to hustle on down there in the afternoon. Now I should say that if you have ever wanted to move to a small town....you will know that the good house go fast. Like in less than 24 hours fast. There is no taking a few days to think about anything if you want it. So down to Viborg we headed, with my parents even, which up until this point... it had never worked out for them to come.
We pulled up to the house and adorable was an understatement. The neighborhood cute and quiet. Down at the end of the street there was a farm full of cows...Cows my friends....we ain't in the city life anymore! ha
(I had always loved ranch style houses)
Cindy mentioned to me that the buyer would be there so I had to keep a poker face on. Friends, if you know me at all, this isn't something I'm good at! Especially when looking at houses!! I get emotionally invested right away and it is written all over my face. But we made it through and it was immediately obvious to Cindy, my parents, and each other that we were in love. Not in like...not maybe we could see ourselves here...but like THIS IS OUR HOUSE. THIS IS OUR HOME.
That night we didn't even sleep on it. We talked to Cindy and got an offer in right away and prayed the other couple wouldn't love it as much as us. We had always said we refused to compete for any house no matter how much we loved it. We refused to overpay for anything just because someone else wanted it too.
(The garage is down deep and has a door on the back. Trav was then ok with a single ;) )
Now the next day as we waited and worked to make a deal, there was a massive snow storm. Why is this significant? Because there was so much snow that even if others were interested in the house, there was no way they would be heading to take a look. Viborg was BURIED in snow. At first there were some miscommunication and our hearts sank thinking this was it. That we weren't meant for it. Yet, we were given more hope after Trav talked to someone that knew the owner and we were told this: The wife very much wanted a family to live in that house. She wanted someone to love it and enjoy it just as much as they did. Not only did the other couple not have kids, but they expressed to this other person how much they wanted our family to have it. I about cried when I heard that. It was like we were hand picked for this very house. In less than 48 hours after seeing the house, a deal was signed. While we were paying more than we were completely comfortable with, we knew God would provide. He had given us so many signs and so much peace about this house, we knew we didn't even need to question it.
In the weeks following, God would continue to answer prayer after prayer. The inspector told us what an amazing house we were getting for our money. The mortgage broker called and given us the news that our payments would be far less than we originally thought. Every little detail fell into place. I have never stood more in awe of who Jesus is than in those weeks and months....not only had He put everything into perfect place, He gave us all the little desires and wants we wanted in a house.
The girls have been begging for a swing set forever. They got more than we could have ever imagined buying them. And that view! Love having a beautiful church behind us!
Trav was bound and determined to get this couch with the house..men ;). I have said from the beginning that my living room needed a big beautiful window...and there it is. In all it's glory.
Gorgeous patio door for easy access to our little slice of heaven outdoor space :)
Found the "gather" sign on www.jane.com Painted it Coral to add some color to the space. I'm going to add some arrows, ect to it, but for now it's still one of my fav walls.
Now God didn't give me my 'huge' kitchen...or a dishwasher for that matter...BUT there actually is more storage than appeared at first. Someday we will update...but for now, it is perfect just the way it is <3
HUGE master. Once we buy sweet Lyla a twin bed, the girls will probably have to share this room, but for now we are quite enjoying it.
Maci is insisted we paint "someday" but for now she is enjoying the button walls that were already up ha!
The shelf on the toilet is eventually gonna get hung, when I nag the husband enough :) This is our main floor bath and I am so in love. It has a deeeeep tub for even mama to enjoy some relaxation : )
Out of all the house we have seen, I have to say this house wins for the least scariest staircase. We've had our share of falls and boo boos at house showings....Yikes!
This girl had AMAZING color taste. I have not had to paint one single room!
Umm...this was never a need...or even a want. But the hubby was in love when he saw it, and I have to admit now that we are here...I certainly don't hate it ;)
There is a 3rd bedroom down here that has most of their toys in it, but this mess? I have no idea how to organize it all. So if you have any ideas, please share :) Trav told me to just to throw it all out...yea I don't think that's an option haha.
Downstairs bathroom aka Trav's bathroom ha! He does not like the current shower curtain and insists that someday soon he will be buying a "manly" one.
We also have a finished laundry room downstairs, but no one needs to see that mess ;) , and a huge very nicely done storage room. The storage room however is still filled with boxes we haven't yet gone thru so you don't need to see that either world wide web ;). But if you come visit, I'll be sure to let you into that mess ;)
And that my dear friends is our prayer answered. Chapter finished. Onto whatever God calls us to next. I wake up every day thanking Jesus for this blessing. If we would have been given it right away, I wouldn't be as in awe of it all as I am. So even though the journey wasn't what I expected it to be and even though it was super hard/painful at times, I am thankful for every single second. That dream God has placed in your heart? See it through dear ones. No matter the cost, no matter how much you just want to throw in the towel at times....let God complete it. Because He will. And then one day you will be standing at the end of that road, lookin back saying...
Only you God....Only YOU
"I always pray joy as I pray for you for all of you. It is because you have told others the Good News from the first day you heard it until now. I am sure that God who began the good work in you will keep on working in you until the day Jesus Christ comes again." Philippians 1:4-6
