It's done. It's official. I just signed the papers with the realtor.
An offer came in lastnight and we counter offered back and were waiting all night to hear back....although they had till tonight to sign back, all sorts of things were going through our minds as to what they could be thinking....but this morning as Mike and I were calling eachother to see if we'd heard anything - nothing - then Mike called again and said they had accepted our offer! I was in disbelief and really thought he was joking - no joke! The agent came over with the papers and confirmed everything! Now it's just a 10 day waiting period for her to get all things in order on her end as far as financials/home inspection...etc.
We are really doing it!
So, Hawaii and World - here we come!!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Friday, August 03, 2012
House for Sale!
What's funny, is I'm pretty sure no one is really reading my blog...probably due to my lack of 'advestising' it to friends/family/facebook. I kinda want to keep it that way at the moment as there aren't very namy people that know about our plans ahead. Including my work! I plan to talk to them once things are a bit more official - like when the house sells.
Yes! Our house is for sale! We signed the papers to sell it July 31st. It just popped up on mls.com this morning. Now it's waiting.........waiting.....Good thing I'm working this weekend because waiting for a call from our realtor for a showing is already taking too long in my opinion. And it's only been about an hour since I discovered it online! Patience! I need a lot of that.
Our plans, in case you forgot...we are going to Hawaii! We have fully decided and dedicated ourselves to go and do a Discipleship Training School in Kona. Specifically doing their Fire and Fragrance DTS. We are really excited about this and feel passionate about the vision of this school.
Mike and I visited Kona July 5 for a week and it was really great. It was a great time to relax and catch up with each other without the discrations of work/life/kids. We were able to tour the whole island, checking out all the cool things it has. We even went out to snorkel in a known snorkel area with paddle boards and on the way, came across a school of dolphins and swam with them. That was really cool!
We met up with a couple at the ywam base that are staff there that are about our age. It was pretty refreshing to meet and chat with them. They invited us to Andy Byrd's house, who founded the fire and fragrance school - what a great time. All in all, it was a refreshing time and brought a new hunger in us. Shannon and Blake (the couple we met) showed us where we'd be living. It'll be good! Small but just enough space. It's Hawaii and I don't think we'll be spending a ton of time in doors anyways! We are just looking forward to the life changing transformation that God will do in us and through us and our children. A lot of why we picked Hawaii is because of the kids. They have a great program/school for the kids while we are in class and not very many ywam bases offer this. We found it to be on the top of our priority list to have the children have an amazing experience side by side with us, not just tagging along. Judah will need a nanny though as he's too young for the school. So, we are in search of a nanny - someone that will volunteer their time to be with us in Hawaii - their way paid for and room/board paid for.
So, now we wait. Once the house sells, on to the next steps! In the mean time, we will be continuing in the process of getting passports ready and other prerequesites to going.
We can't wait!
Yes! Our house is for sale! We signed the papers to sell it July 31st. It just popped up on mls.com this morning. Now it's waiting.........waiting.....Good thing I'm working this weekend because waiting for a call from our realtor for a showing is already taking too long in my opinion. And it's only been about an hour since I discovered it online! Patience! I need a lot of that.
Our plans, in case you forgot...we are going to Hawaii! We have fully decided and dedicated ourselves to go and do a Discipleship Training School in Kona. Specifically doing their Fire and Fragrance DTS. We are really excited about this and feel passionate about the vision of this school.
Mike and I visited Kona July 5 for a week and it was really great. It was a great time to relax and catch up with each other without the discrations of work/life/kids. We were able to tour the whole island, checking out all the cool things it has. We even went out to snorkel in a known snorkel area with paddle boards and on the way, came across a school of dolphins and swam with them. That was really cool!
We met up with a couple at the ywam base that are staff there that are about our age. It was pretty refreshing to meet and chat with them. They invited us to Andy Byrd's house, who founded the fire and fragrance school - what a great time. All in all, it was a refreshing time and brought a new hunger in us. Shannon and Blake (the couple we met) showed us where we'd be living. It'll be good! Small but just enough space. It's Hawaii and I don't think we'll be spending a ton of time in doors anyways! We are just looking forward to the life changing transformation that God will do in us and through us and our children. A lot of why we picked Hawaii is because of the kids. They have a great program/school for the kids while we are in class and not very many ywam bases offer this. We found it to be on the top of our priority list to have the children have an amazing experience side by side with us, not just tagging along. Judah will need a nanny though as he's too young for the school. So, we are in search of a nanny - someone that will volunteer their time to be with us in Hawaii - their way paid for and room/board paid for.
So, now we wait. Once the house sells, on to the next steps! In the mean time, we will be continuing in the process of getting passports ready and other prerequesites to going.
We can't wait!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Comfort or Calling?
It's been a while! But, non the less - here is a post.
Mike and I have talked about getting involved in missions pretty much since we've been together. It's always been there as a thought, desire and a "some day". My heart was captured when I was 9 yrs old while in the heart of Africa. Those days there changed my life in a way I don't quite understand but I do know that since then my heart has been to be involved some way, some how in missions/ ministry.
Mike has had a heart to do the same since I've known him. So, we have talked and played with the idea several times.
We have wanted nothing more than to be in the centre of God's will and timing. It has been 14 years since I have done any sort of missions. I can't believe it's already been that long! My own intentions were to finish nursing school, pay off my debts quickly and get back into missions. That hasn't happened. One thing leads to another and the debt is still there! Along with 3 kids whom I absolutely adore.
So, now we are living in a house we own. I have a wonderful job that I love more now than ever. Mike has built a successful business and seems to be booming this year. Our 1st child is thriving in school and making lots of great friends. Our 2nd child is about to start school - she can't wait. Our little man is exciting to watch grow as he's now just started walking everywhere. And we have our Lacey dog who we all love...even though she drives me up the wall at times. This is our life. It has become pretty comfortable to me at last...this year. I could possibly picture myself living here for a while longer. Raising our kids in this small town which I've also grown to love. It feels safe for the kids. We're just getting to know people and finding our place here. We even started looking at other houses in the area for sale that are a bit bigger - thinking that will bring us more happiness. "One more bedroom would be great...oh, and a hottub/pool would be perfect".
This time it was Mike coming to me - "Let's do it", he came home saying after another great job had booked in for the season. From that point on it was, "no, we should stay...yes,we should go..." Etc. Finding reasons it would be better for us to stay for a while longer. Then one day we decided to go garage saling with a "No, we're staying" mantality and came upon some friends' place that were selling tons of their things along with their house. So, we got talking about their plans. They shared that they were moving to Calgary and that it was a rather random decision/place but they felt they needed change. After that conversation our decision changed from that particular day of being "no, we should stay" to a Solid, "We have to go". It became a burning "YES" for us. If they could do it, we HAVE to do it.
So, since then we have spent a lot of time looking at our options and possibilities of where/what we are going to do.
We have decided on Kona, Hawaii as our starting point. This is where YWAM has their main base and University of the Nations. We are in the process of filling out application forms for ourselves and the kids to do a DTS (Descipleship Training School). We are SO excited for the adventures and challenges that God has for us.
We have been getting our house ready to sell. Getting new carpet installed, putting some fresh paint on the walls, touching up this and that. Meanwhile, we are talking to a realtor whosays she has a buyer for our house. That's crazy! We've tried to sell our house in the past and it just hasn't worked out and now we might even have a buyer before we put a sign up in the front yard?! This I will keep you posted about!
And Mike has a buyer for his business! I'm in Awe.
Once these things fall into place firmly, I will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is God's hand moving in our lives. Providing. Making a way. Helping us move forward in His will and timing.
Mike and I have talked about getting involved in missions pretty much since we've been together. It's always been there as a thought, desire and a "some day". My heart was captured when I was 9 yrs old while in the heart of Africa. Those days there changed my life in a way I don't quite understand but I do know that since then my heart has been to be involved some way, some how in missions/ ministry.
Mike has had a heart to do the same since I've known him. So, we have talked and played with the idea several times.
We have wanted nothing more than to be in the centre of God's will and timing. It has been 14 years since I have done any sort of missions. I can't believe it's already been that long! My own intentions were to finish nursing school, pay off my debts quickly and get back into missions. That hasn't happened. One thing leads to another and the debt is still there! Along with 3 kids whom I absolutely adore.
So, now we are living in a house we own. I have a wonderful job that I love more now than ever. Mike has built a successful business and seems to be booming this year. Our 1st child is thriving in school and making lots of great friends. Our 2nd child is about to start school - she can't wait. Our little man is exciting to watch grow as he's now just started walking everywhere. And we have our Lacey dog who we all love...even though she drives me up the wall at times. This is our life. It has become pretty comfortable to me at last...this year. I could possibly picture myself living here for a while longer. Raising our kids in this small town which I've also grown to love. It feels safe for the kids. We're just getting to know people and finding our place here. We even started looking at other houses in the area for sale that are a bit bigger - thinking that will bring us more happiness. "One more bedroom would be great...oh, and a hottub/pool would be perfect".
This time it was Mike coming to me - "Let's do it", he came home saying after another great job had booked in for the season. From that point on it was, "no, we should stay...yes,we should go..." Etc. Finding reasons it would be better for us to stay for a while longer. Then one day we decided to go garage saling with a "No, we're staying" mantality and came upon some friends' place that were selling tons of their things along with their house. So, we got talking about their plans. They shared that they were moving to Calgary and that it was a rather random decision/place but they felt they needed change. After that conversation our decision changed from that particular day of being "no, we should stay" to a Solid, "We have to go". It became a burning "YES" for us. If they could do it, we HAVE to do it.
So, since then we have spent a lot of time looking at our options and possibilities of where/what we are going to do.
We have decided on Kona, Hawaii as our starting point. This is where YWAM has their main base and University of the Nations. We are in the process of filling out application forms for ourselves and the kids to do a DTS (Descipleship Training School). We are SO excited for the adventures and challenges that God has for us.
We have been getting our house ready to sell. Getting new carpet installed, putting some fresh paint on the walls, touching up this and that. Meanwhile, we are talking to a realtor whosays she has a buyer for our house. That's crazy! We've tried to sell our house in the past and it just hasn't worked out and now we might even have a buyer before we put a sign up in the front yard?! This I will keep you posted about!
And Mike has a buyer for his business! I'm in Awe.
Once these things fall into place firmly, I will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is God's hand moving in our lives. Providing. Making a way. Helping us move forward in His will and timing.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
This week has been rather interesting for me. I feel as though there has been a slight transformation of my mind. God is good. He has taken a situation this week to reveal to me some amazingly powerful truths. Perhaps a revelation that to the next person is obvious. Things that I've known but have become real to me just now. I thank God for this week and the things He has shown me.
He is coming for us soon. Isn't that amazing? I truly believe like never before that He is coming for His church in my life time. Wow. It blows my mind that He has chosen us to live in these times. These are times that are going to shake our world. Times that are serious. Serious to make our lives right with Him and serious to make Him known.
My eyes were opened up to the realness of His coming for us and also to His judgement. I was reading in Revelations about judgement day. For some reason - I can't remember ever really learning that this is huge. Judging the life that we've lived. God is a gracious God and so loving. He wants nothing more than for us to understand and grasp His love for us. It is by grace that we are saved. But He will also look at everything we have done or didn't do. Our character. Our motives. Our actions. 1 Cor 3:12- 15 says "If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." That's pretty deep and has challenged me.
Lord, as hard as it is, take me through Your refining fire now so that I can stand Your tests at judgement before you. Change my heart.
A great book I've been thinking about this week but can't seem to find is "the Final Quest" by Rick Joyner. I highly recommend this!
He is coming for us soon. Isn't that amazing? I truly believe like never before that He is coming for His church in my life time. Wow. It blows my mind that He has chosen us to live in these times. These are times that are going to shake our world. Times that are serious. Serious to make our lives right with Him and serious to make Him known.
My eyes were opened up to the realness of His coming for us and also to His judgement. I was reading in Revelations about judgement day. For some reason - I can't remember ever really learning that this is huge. Judging the life that we've lived. God is a gracious God and so loving. He wants nothing more than for us to understand and grasp His love for us. It is by grace that we are saved. But He will also look at everything we have done or didn't do. Our character. Our motives. Our actions. 1 Cor 3:12- 15 says "If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." That's pretty deep and has challenged me.
Lord, as hard as it is, take me through Your refining fire now so that I can stand Your tests at judgement before you. Change my heart.
A great book I've been thinking about this week but can't seem to find is "the Final Quest" by Rick Joyner. I highly recommend this!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Yesterday was your first day for school ever. Your first day of Junior Kindergarten. You have been so exctied about this day for a long, long time. Last year this time you were already watching the school buses drive by our house and wishing you were on it. You have been begging me for months to go on a bus and to go to school. It has been a long awaited time for you!
So, we got your Rapunzel backpack and lunchbag which you desperately wanted for school and packed them all up the night before. You helped me make your lunch too. You were jumping with excitement as I told you "Just one more sleep".
You got yourself dressed and out on the front porch we waited together. I asked you if you'd miss me. You said "no". I asked if you were excited, "Yes". If you were scared, "No". You couldn't wait! And then we saw the bus coming. I could see your excitement and for the first time ever, I could see you trying to contain yourself from screaming and jumping for joy. It was so cute and I was so very excited for you! I was happy that you were going because I know it's what you need right now. Of course I missed you but I knew you'd be having fun and you are thriving to learn more than I can give you right now. Kaiyah missed you a lot. She wanted to go with you...but off on the bus you went and we waved goodbye to you. What a big girl you have become. This has happened SO fast. You amaze me. You have such a strength about you that's undeniable. Challenging at times but sure will be amazing to see worked out in you as you continue to grow.
Now...here is where Mommy had a melt down....I was waiting outside for your bus to come...and there it was! I had my phone out to take a picture of you getting out. But, no Madison. I got on the bus thinking maybe you fell asleep. I searched the bus up and down the isle calling your name. No Madison! Now the panic sunk in. The bus driver was on the radio calling the school...and it was a LONG wait to hear back. And finally a lady's voice came on the radio - another bus driver saying, "I have a Princess 1 on my bus but there are no parents at my last stop, etc" So, she was directed to your stop...and there you were. The last one on the bus. You were put on the wrong bus! Oh, but it scared your Mommy so much! I broke down after I got you inside...so, sorry about my tears as I'm sure you didn't understand all that!
But you had a wonderful day and made new friends. I love you and can't wait to see what this year will bring for you. You are a blessing to this family!
So, we got your Rapunzel backpack and lunchbag which you desperately wanted for school and packed them all up the night before. You helped me make your lunch too. You were jumping with excitement as I told you "Just one more sleep".
You got yourself dressed and out on the front porch we waited together. I asked you if you'd miss me. You said "no". I asked if you were excited, "Yes". If you were scared, "No". You couldn't wait! And then we saw the bus coming. I could see your excitement and for the first time ever, I could see you trying to contain yourself from screaming and jumping for joy. It was so cute and I was so very excited for you! I was happy that you were going because I know it's what you need right now. Of course I missed you but I knew you'd be having fun and you are thriving to learn more than I can give you right now. Kaiyah missed you a lot. She wanted to go with you...but off on the bus you went and we waved goodbye to you. What a big girl you have become. This has happened SO fast. You amaze me. You have such a strength about you that's undeniable. Challenging at times but sure will be amazing to see worked out in you as you continue to grow.
Now...here is where Mommy had a melt down....I was waiting outside for your bus to come...and there it was! I had my phone out to take a picture of you getting out. But, no Madison. I got on the bus thinking maybe you fell asleep. I searched the bus up and down the isle calling your name. No Madison! Now the panic sunk in. The bus driver was on the radio calling the school...and it was a LONG wait to hear back. And finally a lady's voice came on the radio - another bus driver saying, "I have a Princess 1 on my bus but there are no parents at my last stop, etc" So, she was directed to your stop...and there you were. The last one on the bus. You were put on the wrong bus! Oh, but it scared your Mommy so much! I broke down after I got you inside...so, sorry about my tears as I'm sure you didn't understand all that!
But you had a wonderful day and made new friends. I love you and can't wait to see what this year will bring for you. You are a blessing to this family!
Thursday, September 08, 2011
What's important to You?
What is important to You?
For me, I have a lot on my list....like coffee. I need coffee to function. I didn't become a coffee drinker until I met Mike. He wanted me to have a coffee with him all the time so I finally tried it (again). First, I started drinking it with lots and lots of sugar - more like a capaccino. I'm down to a double/double now. But, if I miss my coffee, I'm dragging and on comes a headache. Yikes - an obvious addiction!
My family is important. Having my kids now, I don't know what I would do without them - well, I have some ideas for a weekend here and there!
Lots of other importance in life...like birthdays, chocolate, vacations, having fun in life, Vi shakes, massages, vehicles (what would I do without?!!), etc...
But nothing beats the importance of God in my life. I wouldn't even want to know where I would be without Him. God has been so amazing and faithful. I have been given an amazing life with amazing experiences that wouldn't have been possible without God. He also has made me who I am today. I continue to allow my life be a project for him - wait, that doesn't sound right - not intentionally of course!! I try my best to be 'moldable clay' for the maker of the Universe - to allow him to transform me.
Mike and I went to Shiloh Place Ministries last October and had new insight on Father God as our Daddy. Really learning about God's love for us. Learning to let go so God can love us. Amazing teaching and would recommend anyone and everyone to experience this teaching. SO worth every penny. Plus, it's right outside Myrtle Beach - Bonus! :)
So, I'll ask again - what is important to you? Would love to hear it.....
For me, I have a lot on my list....like coffee. I need coffee to function. I didn't become a coffee drinker until I met Mike. He wanted me to have a coffee with him all the time so I finally tried it (again). First, I started drinking it with lots and lots of sugar - more like a capaccino. I'm down to a double/double now. But, if I miss my coffee, I'm dragging and on comes a headache. Yikes - an obvious addiction!
My family is important. Having my kids now, I don't know what I would do without them - well, I have some ideas for a weekend here and there!
Lots of other importance in life...like birthdays, chocolate, vacations, having fun in life, Vi shakes, massages, vehicles (what would I do without?!!), etc...
But nothing beats the importance of God in my life. I wouldn't even want to know where I would be without Him. God has been so amazing and faithful. I have been given an amazing life with amazing experiences that wouldn't have been possible without God. He also has made me who I am today. I continue to allow my life be a project for him - wait, that doesn't sound right - not intentionally of course!! I try my best to be 'moldable clay' for the maker of the Universe - to allow him to transform me.
Mike and I went to Shiloh Place Ministries last October and had new insight on Father God as our Daddy. Really learning about God's love for us. Learning to let go so God can love us. Amazing teaching and would recommend anyone and everyone to experience this teaching. SO worth every penny. Plus, it's right outside Myrtle Beach - Bonus! :)
So, I'll ask again - what is important to you? Would love to hear it.....
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