Thursday, March 25, 2010

Home!

After all this searching we have found a home! I'm just overwhelmed with God's goodness. He is strong on our behalf. When we decide to let Him lead and we truly trust Him for every detail, He orchestrates the melody of His grace throughout the composition of our lives. I will praise Him with my whole heart, in Him alone do I put my trust!

So here is the story of our new home....

Our real estate agent on the east coast, Deb, has been truly a gift from the Lord. She is very wise and always gives sound advice. She is from the town, Franklin, that we have been doing most of our searching, so she knows the market well. She has steered us clear from making hasty decisions and has been with us very step of the way. She hasn't really been excited about many of the homes we have seen, but very supportive. We knew this house and neighborhood was special when Deb told us that homes rarely come up for sale in it, especially for such a low price. We realize that we have to look at the house we decide to buy as an investment. Aaron and I both have learned that God requires an account of how we use the provisions His hand have given us, so our desire has been to be wise in such a huge purchase. The cost of living in New England is much higher than here in Oregon, and as you can imagine (and have seen along with me), the houses are much more expensive. That being said, we have gone through a gauntlet of emotions. Aaron and I have always held true to living well below our actual income. I have been called a minimalist on more that one occasion, (just look in my fridge!). The fact is, I would be very happy living in a small cabin tucked up in the hills somewhere, chopping wood, and hunting for our food..heck I'll even take the pioneer dress over my clothes any day of the week. But, that has not been God's plan for my life. I married a very gifted and driven man whom God has called to shine as a light for His glory, first as a professional athlete and now in the corporate world. Along with that calling I have been, (reluctantly at times), thrown into a world that would be completely the opposite of my "Pioneer Girl" nature. As you can imagine I struggle finding the balance. All of that being said, it's hard for me to have a lot. I would rather have a little. But, God has chosen to intrust Aaron and I with much...and to whom the Lord has given much He requires much. We have to be wise, faithful, generous and, yes, even content. Just as wrong as it would be to have pride in our accomplishments or our possessions, it is equally insulting to God's good grace to have pride in our simplicity and humility. Every single thing we have in life is from God. We desire to learn, in whatever state we are (with much or little, together or apart, healthy or hurting) to be content.

So, about the new house. Yes, it's brand new! I haven't even seen it in person, but Aaron loved it and I trust him. It's yellow with dormers...it has a nice big kitchen for everyone to gather round and even has an acre of woods in the back yard for the kids to explore. The landscaping isn't finished yet but is included, the builder only has a few more details to complete, but we hope to move in and make it our own around the end of May. Aaron told me that on the way to this neighborhood you have to drive through farmland and woods, which reminded him of Oregon. That is one of those extra little details that bless our hearts. I just hope this neighborhood is ready for the Kookies and the way we roll....down home, mismatched, skinned knees, hand me downs and all! No need to keep up with these Joneses...by all means, pass us up...please!

here is the link to some photos of our new home!
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/9-Garnet-Dr_Franklin_MA_02038_1117179034

7 comments:

  1. Jenn I love it! I love what you wrote too! You are so right that we can not become prideful in our simple way of life. From the few friends we have met out here that are well off, the one thing they commented on often is that christians would sometimes look down on them if they had too much money, just as we look down on those that desire too much money, it is all wrong. God gives in the amounts that He desires to give, and it is not our choice to judge how much He gives. It is not about how much stuff, or money we have, it is if that stuff, or desire for stuff has a hold of our hearts. I always remember the verse you shared with me from Proverbs......do not be sour with the blessings He gives. I am so thankful for the witness both you and Aaron are with what God has blessed you with. You can still always have a simple heart though you may be surrounded by finer things!!! Your love and light will fill this home!!! and I call the tub!!!!!!! I am a little sorry for you, because BOY that is a big home and I DO NOT envy you for having to keep it clean, I even want a smaller house for the reasons of keeping my home clean. God's ways are not ours, and I am thankful for that! Thank you for sharing this journey with us! I love you lots!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jenn I love the house. I love what you wrote also. You are so right that we also can not become prideful in our simple way of living. The few friends that we have out here that are well-off have commented to us often that christians would look down on them because of the money they have. Just as it is wrong for us to judge those who desire more money, it is wrong for us to judge those who do have more money. God is the one who gives, and it is His reasoning as to when He gives more to some and little to others. I always think of the verse you shared with me from Proverbs...do not be sour with the blessings that God gives. It is not about how much we have, or about how much we want, it is about how much of that stuff/money or desire of money has a hold of us. I am so thankful for what a witness you and Aaron have been with what God has given you. You can still have a simple heart/life and be surrounded by finer things, as long as those things do not change your heart, and by the way you hold onto Jesus, I know they will not change your heart. Gods ways are not ours, and I am so glad of that!!! The home is beautiful and I know your love and light will fill the home and shine outward! BUT I DO CALL THE TUB!!!! I am a little sorry for you when I saw the square footage....ahhhhh alot to keep clean! I even desire a smaller home to from cleaning all this! Thank you for sharing with us through this journey. God gives and God takes away and I will praise Him through it all!!!!!! I love you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jenn I did not know I had to get approval for my post, so I wrote it twice, and both where a little different, will you delete one of them for me so I dont look like a fool. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. thank you dory..so much! and believe me...the tub is all yours when you stay with us :) the cleaning won't be fun, but i figure it will be a good reason to teach the kids a little bit about hard work and pitching in.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This post was an incredible blessing to me. Thank you for sharing your faith and heart so openly. I have so admired this about you (as well as your thrifty pioneer ways).

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh my goodness. such a gorgeous house! such a blessing!

    ReplyDelete
  7. what a lovely post jenn. and what a lovely new yellow home you have on the east coast! i am so excited that there are four bedrooms...because that means, plenty of room for guests.

    ReplyDelete