daddy4ms

This past week, we received a generous gift from a church family.  If you have read my blog over the last four years, you know we have been trying to sell our house in Iola.  We finally closed on October 31, 2012.  We were so excited!  However, due to the down market, we ended up having to pay to sale our house.  I know it doesn't make sense and it really confuses our kids.  But it was our reality.  Only a handful of people knew that we had to take money to closing.  We went to the bank on the 31st and basically depleted our checking and savings accounts to close on the house.  There was just enough money to keep both accounts open.  We were thankful that we did not need to borrow money from anyone.  Then unexpectedly, we received a gift that left us speechless! It reminded me of a verse that has been important to me over these last four years.  Ephesians 3:20-21 says, 20  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably mo...

Today we sold and closed on our home in Iola.  We moved to Hesston four years ago and have been trying to sell that house since then.  I have posted often about this journey, but I thought I would share some numbers this time. 49 months on the market 3 renters 41 months of rent to cover mortgage payments Number of people who gave money anonymously or paid rent for us = 4 Number of times our bills went unpaid = 0 Numbers of prayers that were prayed on our behalf = Thousands Number of encouraging emails, cards, or words = Hundreds Thank you God that your are Faithful & Jehovah Jireh (God who provides)!

Occasionally, I like to share the highs from my past week.  As a family, we try to do this each evening at supper. Here are my highs in no particular order: Kids day off from school on Monday included "special" trip to Perk Hanging up posters for oil change with my girls Another great evening for Hide N Seek & fuzion Hesston Coming Home Parade Contract on our Iola House Coffee with a friend at The Well Fireworks at Home Football Game Swimming & Movie with the kids Parent/Child Dedication & Children's Church during worship today My wife getting home from South Dakota Leaving for Dallas for D6 on Tuesday

It is official.  We have an offer on our house in Iola. We moved from Iola in November 2008 and have been trying to sell the house while renting it over these 4 years.  It has been a rocky & scary road at times as we wondered how we would be able to make ends meet while making double house payments.  However, God is faithful.  When worry and anxiety came in (believe me it happened more than once), God would answer our prayers.  God did this through unexpected checks in the mail, anonymous cash donations, generous church members who paid mortgage payments, or simply the reassurance we needed by having two offers over the last few weeks. Do you know the song "Jehvoah Jireh"?  It has been a song that has come to mind often over the last four years.  Here are the lyrics: Jehovah Jireh My provider His grace is sufficient For me, for me, for me Jehovah Jireh My provider His grace is sufficient for me My God shall supply all my needs Accor...

As you may know, we have had two offers on our house in Iola this weekend. We actually heard from a third who was still interested as well. Things are still moving forward and we hope for all payments and paperwork to be signed by this weekend. Praise God! However, God continues to provide in amazing and unexpected ways. I received a gift today in the amount of our monthly rent. The individuals felt "convicted" (their word) to provide this gift to our family. I was blown away. I had already believed God had provided in an awesome way with multiple offers. But God exceeds our expectations. Ephesians 3:20-21 says, "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." God truly provides in ways that we cannot comprehend. Even though, it was unexpected and left me speechless, I thank G...

Well, we have had quite the journey in relation to selling our house in Iola . We have been trying to sell the home since September 2008. God has provided through renters over the last 20 months. He has also provided through unusual gifts of cash, meat, and opportunities for fun. God was faithful in getting us to Hesston and worked everything out so wonderfully including finding a great home, easy transition for kids to school, smooth move, and a great church family and community to live in. The one thing left: selling the house. We feel confident that is about to occur. Another thing I should mention is that we have not had a realtor over this entire time. Would that have made the sale happen quicker? Maybe. But we did not feel after much prayer, that was the direction we were to go. A few months ago when our last renter had informed their plans of moving out, I considered getting a realtor again. But before doing it, Bethany and I prayed. We prayed that if were to not hi...

Here are my highs from the past week: 4 th of July in Yates Center Supper at Applebee's with my parents on Tuesday Our new to us TV from my parents which we finally got to the basement God Provides Bible Study Playing noon basketball again Wipeout Several phone calls about the house including at least two possibly three serious inquiries. One is talking with the bank, the other working on an offer, and the third might pay cash after working out some details with back pay. Watching Mitchell play tennis Date night for Bethany's early birthday. We ate a late supper (8:30) at Red Robin, went to Target, and then to Freddy's for dessert (about 10). Steve & Shirley kept the kids overnight. Quiet morning on Saturday so I mowed the yard and did some various yard projects.

As many of you know, we still have not sold our house in Iola . We have had a renter in it most of the past 2o months, but no contract to buy. God has provided in so many ways. We only have a had a few months of double house payments. Bethany and I have been at peace (sometimes going back and forth between the two of us) over these 20 months which is again an answer to prayer. First, we had a renter who paid rent on time. Unfortunately, that did not end well. Sometime ask Bethany about her time as a cleaning lady. : ) Lately, we have had a great family the past few months. They will be moving out at the end of June to go into ministry in Alaska. We are trusting God for a buyer by the end of the month. Nothing is impossible for Him! I know His Will is best and He will sell the home in his timing. It is His Home and we just have not found the right family yet. As we were beginning to consider listing with a realtor, we again had two serious inquiries about the house. One wi...

Today, I received a wonderful surprise and blessing. I had written previously that two families in our church has blessed us with surprises in November and December. I was at a loss for words then and can just say, "Praise the Lord." These families' generosity reveals a picture of what Jesus wants the church to be. Back to today-I left for lunch and got in my van and found an envelope taped to my steering wheel. I thought "this is strange." I opened the envelope and it contained a note and cash that was to be used to help us pay double mortgages this month. I truly don't know why our house in Iola has not sold, but what I do know is that God has provided for us in amazing ways over the last 14 months. I want to say thanks to my anonymous donor and to give praise to God. I laugh to myself as I think that I will be preaching this Sunday and one of my points is that we need to "get giving". Here is my testimony today: life does not always wo...