It is official - we are buying a house here in Fayetteville, AR. It has been such a long road, but completely worth the wait. Waiting is not a strength of mine, but God continues to "make me wait" to teach me the perfection of HIS timing and provision for me.
We sold our house in Columbia, SC right before the housing market bubble burst in 2007 before we moved to Evansville, IN. It went well and we made enough money to have a great start on a down payment for the next house. Who knew we would have to wait more than 4 years.
In 2009 we attempted to purchase a house on our favorite street in Evansville just a block west of the UE campus. It was a charming red-brick fixer upper with a lot more room than we had ever had and tons of potential. We diligently prayed that God would work out all the details if that was the house for us. After a number of complications through the negotiation process, spending $1000 on inspections and the appraisal, we walked away. It was clearly not the right house for us. As the rest of 2009 unfolded, we were so thankful that God redirected us away from that house.
Not having a house to sell this year was a great burden lifted as we made the decision to move to Fayetteville. We decided to purchase a house right away in Fayetteville so we planned a house hunting trip in May. All the while I had been praying that God would direct us to the house he had already chosen for us. Due to our budget at the time and houses on the market, we looked at 17 houses on that trip and none of them were in Fayetteville. They were in Springdale and Farmington - two neighboring cities to Fayetteville. We selected 2 houses that we really liked and attempted to purchase both of them. The first fell through quickly - they just rejected our offer. The second fell through after the inspection. So we had no place to live, but were still moving in 3 months. "Oh God, what are you doing?", I thought. I was angry, fearful, frustrated and disappointed. I had several episodes of complete over reaction and failure to trust God.
Well, as always, God had a better plan for us that I was slow to recognize. Our realtor found a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom duplex one block from campus that we could rent dirt cheap month to month. It has been great! Tyrone walks to work and the kids' schools are 5 minutes away. It is pretty small that we had to store a lot of stuff which will help make the move to our house easier. It has helped to ease the expense of moving and transitioning to a new city.
The house that we will close on on October 26 is only 4 miles from campus here in Fayetteville. It has ALL the things we were looking for plus some other bonus conveniences. It has been on the market for a year and almost sold last fall. We believe God was saving it for us all this time. We were even able to save additional money this summer for the down payment and some renovations.
Once again, God had a plan and I only had to trust him and wait for his perfect timing so we could experience his goodness for our family. I often feel silly for reacting the way I do to adversity so I am thankful for his patience with me and glad that HIS FAITHFULNESS is unwavering.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Speak O Lord, and fulfill in us...
...all your purposes for Your glory. These words come from the song "Speak O Lord" by Keith Getty. It was the song God gave me the Sunday church service after my Grandpa Keppeler passed away in May 2009. The lyrics were a part of the speech I gave at his funeral. I decided to post snip-its of something I wrote the day after his funeral because it was a time that God was leading and carrying me.
"May 14, 2009 was the most difficult and most incredible day of my life. We said our final good-bye to Grandpa Keppeler at his funeral at the little country church he and Grandma attended the last few years. It was a perfect day. The sky was blue and the sun shown bright. It was literally the clearing after a thunderstorm through the night.
My Dad and I were scheduled to speak at the funeral. He mentioned something a few times about me standing with him. I didn't think that would work very well considering I had trouble looking at him. He started to read his poem and he was struggling to get the first few lines out. In complete response to God's prompting, I ran [not walk fast but actually running] to the stage to be with him. I held him tight as his voice grew stronger and he read that poem. I have never experienced such perfect brokenness as I did in that moment. Then it was my turn. He stood by my side. As I spoke I knew God's strength had comsumed me and I felt strong and empowered by the [song lyrics I read as a prayer.] As I had prayed many times before, I believe God was glorified with our time yesterday.
...
We sang Amazing Grace to close the service. I raised my hands in praise[and worship] to God for this amazing moment in time. I can't begin to describe what these 3 days mean to me.
...
Grandma has been a rock through all of this. She was happy that Grandpa was no longer suffering. She grieved more for him in the past 2 years than she has since he left us. [Alzheimer's had started about 5 years prior] She remained her 'ole funny slef with a bright smile much of the time. She told me thank you in those last few moments before we drove to the cemetary. She told me so many times over the last 2 years how she loved and appreciated everything my mom and dad had done for her and grandpa.
...
We drove to the cemetary and filled in around the grave site. All Granpa's children sat by Grandma with their spouses standing behind them. The grandchildren stood to the side as the pastor spoke the last few comforting words. The most profound thing he said was that when Grandpa took his last breath here and his body died his very next breath was in the presence of God in heaven. I can only try to wrap my brain around that. My God is so big, so strong and so mighty there's nothing my God cannot do."
My Grandpa was born in the house that he lived in all his life. And by his request my parents helped make it possible for him to take his last breath in that same house. He asked that they never put him in a nursing home and they sacrificed a lot to make sure that didn't have to happen. It was a long road, but what an amazing journey of how God uses a dying wish to teach us about his faithfulness. As challenging as it was my mom said, " I would do it all over again." I can't help but think Jesus says that same thing about his death on the cross and resurrection to ensure we can all be with Him in eternity one day.
"May 14, 2009 was the most difficult and most incredible day of my life. We said our final good-bye to Grandpa Keppeler at his funeral at the little country church he and Grandma attended the last few years. It was a perfect day. The sky was blue and the sun shown bright. It was literally the clearing after a thunderstorm through the night.
My Dad and I were scheduled to speak at the funeral. He mentioned something a few times about me standing with him. I didn't think that would work very well considering I had trouble looking at him. He started to read his poem and he was struggling to get the first few lines out. In complete response to God's prompting, I ran [not walk fast but actually running] to the stage to be with him. I held him tight as his voice grew stronger and he read that poem. I have never experienced such perfect brokenness as I did in that moment. Then it was my turn. He stood by my side. As I spoke I knew God's strength had comsumed me and I felt strong and empowered by the [song lyrics I read as a prayer.] As I had prayed many times before, I believe God was glorified with our time yesterday.
...
We sang Amazing Grace to close the service. I raised my hands in praise[and worship] to God for this amazing moment in time. I can't begin to describe what these 3 days mean to me.
...
Grandma has been a rock through all of this. She was happy that Grandpa was no longer suffering. She grieved more for him in the past 2 years than she has since he left us. [Alzheimer's had started about 5 years prior] She remained her 'ole funny slef with a bright smile much of the time. She told me thank you in those last few moments before we drove to the cemetary. She told me so many times over the last 2 years how she loved and appreciated everything my mom and dad had done for her and grandpa.
...
We drove to the cemetary and filled in around the grave site. All Granpa's children sat by Grandma with their spouses standing behind them. The grandchildren stood to the side as the pastor spoke the last few comforting words. The most profound thing he said was that when Grandpa took his last breath here and his body died his very next breath was in the presence of God in heaven. I can only try to wrap my brain around that. My God is so big, so strong and so mighty there's nothing my God cannot do."
My Grandpa was born in the house that he lived in all his life. And by his request my parents helped make it possible for him to take his last breath in that same house. He asked that they never put him in a nursing home and they sacrificed a lot to make sure that didn't have to happen. It was a long road, but what an amazing journey of how God uses a dying wish to teach us about his faithfulness. As challenging as it was my mom said, " I would do it all over again." I can't help but think Jesus says that same thing about his death on the cross and resurrection to ensure we can all be with Him in eternity one day.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
A New Day that was not promised
A wonderful friend gave an analogy one day at our Bible study that I find so relevent to our move to Fayetteville. Allowing God to lead in our lives is like allowing a man to open two consecutive doors as we enter or exit a building. It is easy to let him hold the first door. You smile politely, say thank you and walk right through. The problem is you immediately come to the next set of doors and somehow feel obligated to "return the favor" and open that one yourself. Or perhaps you don't want to be a burden so you "do his job" just to help out. Why can't I just wait patiently and allow him to walk ahead of me and open the second door.
It was relatively easy to let God lead us to Fayetteville (or Evansville for that matter 4 years ago). That was the first door. Now I am in the process of walking through the second door - adjusting to our new life here - and it is so hard to wait for him to open that door. I want to barge right through on my own and have done so a number of time these first couple months.
The good news is I can stop and come back to Him every time and wait for Him to open the door or perhaps a window in the room I barged into. Isn't God's Grace amazing and so undeserved. I am sure am glad He gives it so freely!
Thanks for the analogy Andree!
It was relatively easy to let God lead us to Fayetteville (or Evansville for that matter 4 years ago). That was the first door. Now I am in the process of walking through the second door - adjusting to our new life here - and it is so hard to wait for him to open that door. I want to barge right through on my own and have done so a number of time these first couple months.
The good news is I can stop and come back to Him every time and wait for Him to open the door or perhaps a window in the room I barged into. Isn't God's Grace amazing and so undeserved. I am sure am glad He gives it so freely!
Thanks for the analogy Andree!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
What's in a name?
Tyrone was very resistant to discuss names for our 3rd child once we found out she was a girl. I was very frustrated by this and gave him a hard time about it rather often. He would calmly say she will have a name before she arrives.
I would occassionally pray about the name she would have. I asked God to direct us to the name that he had chosen for her. Around Christmas time 2010 I was trying to catch up in my read through the Bible in a year in the chronological Bible. I read Acts 16:14, "One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message."I thought that is a pretty name and asked Tyrone what he thought. He gave a half nod of approval and went on with what he was doing.
Baby Girl Washington was due February 9 so I was really getting anxious for a name once the new year began. Tyrone agreed to chose a name on January 16. No special reason for the day, he said, just the day he picked. After some discussion and a little research on her middle name, we settled on Lydia Amaru Washington. We also received the stamp of approval from big brother and big sister, Jeremiah and Maiesha.
On January 30, Pastor David at CFC, was preaching in Acts. Acts 16:14 was in the sermon notes and he read it that day. It was like a confirmation that we had chosen the right name. The very next day my water broke while walking home from campus and Lydia was born at 9:46 that night. That's a story for another day.
Just recently I realized that God completely answered my prayers for directing us to the name he chose for Baby Girl Washington. Had I pressed Tyrone too much and "forced" a name selection earlier, we could have missed Lydia. His timing was perfect as usual. It is so sweet to think that he took the lead even though I tried to jump ahead so many times.
Now my prayer for Lydia will always be that "God will open her heart" so she can respond to Him for all of her days on this earth.
I would occassionally pray about the name she would have. I asked God to direct us to the name that he had chosen for her. Around Christmas time 2010 I was trying to catch up in my read through the Bible in a year in the chronological Bible. I read Acts 16:14, "One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message."I thought that is a pretty name and asked Tyrone what he thought. He gave a half nod of approval and went on with what he was doing.
Baby Girl Washington was due February 9 so I was really getting anxious for a name once the new year began. Tyrone agreed to chose a name on January 16. No special reason for the day, he said, just the day he picked. After some discussion and a little research on her middle name, we settled on Lydia Amaru Washington. We also received the stamp of approval from big brother and big sister, Jeremiah and Maiesha.
On January 30, Pastor David at CFC, was preaching in Acts. Acts 16:14 was in the sermon notes and he read it that day. It was like a confirmation that we had chosen the right name. The very next day my water broke while walking home from campus and Lydia was born at 9:46 that night. That's a story for another day.
Just recently I realized that God completely answered my prayers for directing us to the name he chose for Baby Girl Washington. Had I pressed Tyrone too much and "forced" a name selection earlier, we could have missed Lydia. His timing was perfect as usual. It is so sweet to think that he took the lead even though I tried to jump ahead so many times.
Now my prayer for Lydia will always be that "God will open her heart" so she can respond to Him for all of her days on this earth.
How we got to Fayetteville, AR
A little over a year ago we received word of a position at the U of A (as they say here) that would begin for the 2011-12 school year. We didn't think a lot about it, but I started praying immediately for God's direction. We were not looking to leave Evansville, but wanted to go where God wants us to be. Tyrone decided in December that he would apply for the job once it posted - if for no other reason than the experience.
He sent in his application in January and then forgot about it. I chose Psalm 24:4-5 as my theme verse for 2011. "Show me your ways, O Lord. Teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me. For you are God, my savior, and my hope is in you all day long." We started the spring semester at UE and I was due February 9 with baby girl Washington as she was known then. Lydia Amaru arrived early on January 31 and we were not thinking about Arkansas at all. By the end of February, Tyrone had a phone interview. It went very well and they called to arrange a campus visit. We decided that if we were really going to move to Arkansas, we should all visit to get a feel for the city.
Lydia was 5 1/2 weeks old. Jeremiah and Maiesha had to miss their first day of school for the year - I so wanted Jeremiah to have perfect attendance for kindergarten. We drove the 9 hours to NW Arkansas and Tyrone had a day and a half of meetings and interviews while the kids and I explored Fayetteville and campus.
Around about April 1 he signed a new contract with the University of Arkansas and the Washingtons were officially moving 14 hours away from family in both Ohio and South Carolina. We had a complete peace and agreement that this is where God wanted us to go. It was clear that God leads when we earnestly seek his will for our lives. It wasn't a loud voice. It wasn't a soft whisper. It was peace and certainty that can only come from him. Thanks to all those who prayed with us and for us and provided words of wisdom through the process.
He sent in his application in January and then forgot about it. I chose Psalm 24:4-5 as my theme verse for 2011. "Show me your ways, O Lord. Teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me. For you are God, my savior, and my hope is in you all day long." We started the spring semester at UE and I was due February 9 with baby girl Washington as she was known then. Lydia Amaru arrived early on January 31 and we were not thinking about Arkansas at all. By the end of February, Tyrone had a phone interview. It went very well and they called to arrange a campus visit. We decided that if we were really going to move to Arkansas, we should all visit to get a feel for the city.
Lydia was 5 1/2 weeks old. Jeremiah and Maiesha had to miss their first day of school for the year - I so wanted Jeremiah to have perfect attendance for kindergarten. We drove the 9 hours to NW Arkansas and Tyrone had a day and a half of meetings and interviews while the kids and I explored Fayetteville and campus.
Around about April 1 he signed a new contract with the University of Arkansas and the Washingtons were officially moving 14 hours away from family in both Ohio and South Carolina. We had a complete peace and agreement that this is where God wanted us to go. It was clear that God leads when we earnestly seek his will for our lives. It wasn't a loud voice. It wasn't a soft whisper. It was peace and certainty that can only come from him. Thanks to all those who prayed with us and for us and provided words of wisdom through the process.
Getting Started
After reading a friend's blog and listening to a woman share her story at a ladies' group last night, I decided to create my own blog and see how it goes for me. I have kept a journal since 1987 I believe and really enjoy recording my life experiences so perhaps this is the logical next step.
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