The Merciful Edge of Insanity

I haven’t given a moving status update lately – mostly because I’ve been trying to perfect my genetically-acquired state of chronic denial and just not think about it. So here are the past few months in a nutshell:

May: Daniel accepts a job in Neb.

July: Daniel started his job in Neb. Kari left the state of reality and enjoyed a quick vacation.

August: Kari perfects the art of single parenting.

September: End of month the house sold – Yea! Set to close Dec 1st, which seemed way out – too far out when we signed. However, in spite of looking at every home for sale and rent within a 30 mile radius of Daniel’s work, no housing foreseeable for F6w/D (family of six with a dog).

October: No housing possibilities in the horizon for a F6w/D. Kari continues praying with frantic haste.

November: Week one, in an act of desperation we decided to make an offer on a home about 25 miles away from Daniel’s job. However, by the time we got to it there was already an offer on it.

Soon thereafter another foreclosure came available that was big, 4 bed 3 bath, decent sized kitchen, etc. Very affordable, lots of work, but if the market holds (that, of course is something one can not count on in this day and age!) then it should gain pretty good value with some elbow grease and carpet and paint and cabinets, and light fixtures, and countertops . . . you get the point. We offered, they accepted all except changing the date of closing. And unfortunately I felt just sick about it – completely unsettled. Isn’t that sad, I just love a good bargain, would love to have a house to redecorate pretty much from scratch. However, we just felt icky.

Last Friday the papers came back from the bank for us to sign the counter on the house and then it would be ours.

Last Friday Daniel finds out about a 4 bedroom, 2 bath rental on 4 acres, closer to where he works. It also included affordable rent and a great deal of HOPE.

So we decided not to sign on the house (I wish I could erase the memory of it so I don’t compare other homes to the deal that we passed up) and to go with the rental. With the exception of momentary pangs of disbelief at what we passed up, I feel so, so, so much lighter.

I have never had to fast and pray and seek the Spirit as I have through this long, excruciating experience. My testimony of God’s concern and love for His children has been strengthened and I look forward with anticipation (okay, and perhaps a little trepidation when my faith waivers) at what the Lord has in mind for our little F6w/D.

In this past General Conference, Elder Wirthlin’s stated: “The Lord Jesus Christ is our partner, helper, and advocate. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to be successful. If we do our part, He will step in.” I’m still trying to figure out what part is mine to do, but he followed up later in his talk with this. “The simple secret is this: put your trust in the Lord, do your best, then leave the rest to Him.”

It should be an exciting journey!