And So It Begins ... Again

 Might I say that I am a little tired of moving?

They say everything happens for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

I hope the next season is a little longer.

We certainly are wanting to call our next home a "forever home,"

while knowing that this may not be where God wants us to end our race.

I packed 4 boxes today.

I pulled the box from storage, 

read the label,

and filled it just as I did 3 years ago.

A little de ja vus going on.

It is all part of the process, but it is easy to look longingly at those who live in one house for years upon years.

And yet, I have experienced so many places and know so many people around America and the world

and have so many "reasons" as to why each move was necessary.

I was strangely absent last week because I was involved with some online research.

In order to get the information that I was looking for and to comparison shop,

I had to receive phone calls from dozens - yes dozens - of people.

I think that I met my quota of phone calls for the month, maybe 2 months.

But decisions have been made and now hopefully things will slow down.

I asked our builder about a closing date.

They are still holding to June/July,

but they are actually hoping for the end of May.

As soon as the drywall is up, they will have a better guess.

This week's menu includes many simple dishes which will incorporate some pantry staples to be eaten up

as well as some "cheapy" meals while we save for the big trip.

Sunday:  Grilled Veggie and Hummus Sandwiches

Monday:  Minestrone and Brown Rolls

Tuesday:  Beans and Rice

Wednesday:  Breakfast for Dinner (Egg, Sausage, Rice Casserole)

Thursday:  Chicken Pot Pie

Friday:  Fish and French Fries

Saturday:  Chef Salads

2-22-22 and Clear Direction

 From the start of our moving process,

we have prayed for clear direction - clear open doors and clear closed doors.

I have mentioned that this move was a bit more daunting.

America is a big country and we could move ANYWHERE!

We needed a good church to grow in.

We needed to have a job.

We wanted to be closer to family.

Neither of us wanted to be in a place with long winters,

but we wanted to be flexible on that as well.

When we began, we asked around for church suggestions.

We got some in IN, one in OH, and a couple in TN.

Originally we looked toward OH.

We were also systems go!

There was a John Deer dealer right near the church.

The pastor was preaching the Word.

The music was beautiful, well prepared, and conservative.

And we prayed.

We prayed for clear direction.

And God closed the door.

The church is a good church,

maybe even a great church.

But in 2 weeks' time,

He showed us what would be 3 red flags for us.

Back to the drawing board.

So we pursued TN.

Again, we loved the church.

The info on their site aligned with our own beliefs.

There were 3 different John Deere companies in the area around the church.

We felt no hesitation on the church, so we moved toward jobs.

Hubby had the jobs listed in order of his preference (or so he thought.)

I wanted one south of the church (closest to the church).

He leaned toward the big company east of the church.

But God led us to the one north of the church in KY that was mostly off our radar.

God directed the company to offer the "perfect" job

that hubby had not even applied for.

Then we began the home church.

I wanted a small town that would split the difference between work and church.

But again, God directed.

There were limited houses in that town,

and there were no apartments while we would wait.

So we returned to the town where hubby would work.

God led a future coworker to mention a new plan of homes just a mile from work.

And then we chose our home.

We thought we had.

We chose a small, but not the smallest home offered.

It offered more square footage, 

but I kept wrestling with the lack of cabinet and counter space.

So God helped again.

Right before we met with the builder,

they raised their prices so that the house was out of our price range.

The smaller house would have to suffice.

It is all we need (actually more than we need)

and offers a better kitchen (kind of important in my line of work).

Then we pursued housing while we wait for the new home.

I started with the idea of an efficiency, extended stay with a partial kitchen.

The rates were great.

But after I looked at reviews, I knew we couldn't stay there

(can you say roaches and bed bugs)

So I looked again,

and God directed the right google search.

And we found a beautiful 1 bedroom apartment within walking distance of EVERYTHING

that offered 3,4,5, and 6-month leases.

There were a few deposits, but not the normal mess.

And we can have our own bed, 

a full kitchen,

use our own masher and dryer,

and all-in-all better keep a routine.

All this to say,

God hears.

God answers,

And His ways are better than my ways and plans.

A Good Kind of Tired

 Usually, my Monday simply involves cleaning the house.

Today, I did get the house cleaned (minus the kitchen),

but I also spent much of the day with applications and phone calls.

Phew!

What a process home buying is!

But I have to remember the prize at the end - Right?

This will be my last week of regular cleaning.

From here on out, I will clean the house

but also button up at least one room a week.

Next week will be the guest bedroom and guest bath,

which do not get used much.

The following week will be the bonus room and wall art

along with totes in the garage.

Then it is crunch time, but I really hate to box things up too early and live like a vagabond.

I guess we are also getting to the days where I have to start using things up.

Yesterday we had stuffing mix ... just because it was there.

This weeks menu:

Monday:  Teriyaki pork stirfry and noodles

Tuesday:  Tuscan Bean Soup

Wednesday:  Breakfast for Dinner (Frittata)

Thursday:  Veggie Rice Bowl

Friday:  Fish and French Fries

Saturday: ?

Something Big on a Rare Saturday Post

 So many things have to happen in a move ...

CHURCH - check

JOB - check

HOUSE - check

Today, the final piece of the puzzle was put in place.

We found our home.

It is now off the market.

Yes, it is not quite ready for us ...

but it will be this summer.

We would hope for June,

but at least by August - how's that for an anniversary present?

The plan will be to live in an extended stay while we wait.

While it will be a little difficult,

the prize at the end of the process will make it worth it.

Thank you for praying.

Here are the next prayer requests ...

nice weather for the drive across the country on the last week of March

and

for work to go quickly on our new home

20 years of Donuts

This is usually a very celebratory season for us.

We met and had our first date all around Valentine's Day!

While the days have not been forgotten,

they have been a little more muted.

We did an at-home Valentine's Escape Room at the end of last week.

We enjoyed the puzzles immensely.

Hubby bought me a Valentine's balloon.

We enjoyed an Italian meal on Monday.

I mailed out a lot of Valentine treats - which all made it on time - 

in spite of my being late in sending them.

I shared treats with my "kids" at church.

This weekend, I even talked with the nephew who joined us on our first date when he was only 9 days old.

And tonight, we may find a donut somewhere

or at least enjoy a hot drink together just like Bella Napolis so many years ago.

We struggled with whatever strain of Covid finally got us for a good 8-9 days.

We returned to normal work schedules Monday, 

but we still have some very early bedtimes.

And we are in the middle of tying things up ...

a little here,

a little there.

Hubby was supposed to have a survey trip last week.

CANCELLED!

But, his company of choice worked in a virtual interview.

And ... he got it.

On this Thankful Thursday,

we are thankful for a new job.

Hubby will be doing less wrench turning

and more of what he loves - 

helping others.

He is getting a raise,

while we are moving to a lower-cost area.

His job will be less physical - 

which gives him more of an opportunity to work when minor sicknesses come.

And the company has a more family feel to it which is exciting.

We are also thankful for the new church family waiting for us across the country.

We haven't met them yet, but we are excited to meet them soon.

And we are also thankful for the home that God has waiting for us.

There are many options on the table,

but until Saturday, we are pursuing a new home.

It is partially built with a finish date in May or June.

Would you pray that God would open or close this door clearly?

This option would require living in an extended stay for 2-3 months,

but we are excited that God may have a new place for us -

less than a mile from hubby's work!

Update:

We did find donuts.

It was a bit of a chore ...stores all out.

But Benny's came through.

Spiced Chai and Ciabatta Coldbrew

When the "Last Man Standing" Falls

 Covid has been a part of the world around us for 2 years now,

and we believe it finally came knocking on our door.

I have been absent from the blog because I have been sick

and have been nursing my partner when I have been well enough.

It is not surprising to have it now.

It has gone around both sides of the family.

And it was finally our turn.

It pretty much wiped out our church in the span of a couple of days.

The timing was not great (at least in our eyes),

but God knows and has a better plan.

It was special to watch how God has provided.

When mom was in her final days,

she enjoyed ice pops (the kind in the plastic sleeves).

I had just refreshed her supply when she passed.

Now my freezer was full of them.

I don't eat ice pops ...

except when I am sick with a fever and sore throat.

What a blessing to have the freezer stocked with something I never buy!

I decorated some jars at Christmas with Epsom salt.

I almost threw the extra away because it would be a mess to move.

But I didn't because God knew that it would help soothe the aching muscles in a bath.

I have already been working on cleaning out the pantry, 

so the stockpile of "sick" food was small,

but there were 2 boxes of jello,

2 cans of chicken noodle soup,

and extra OJ in the fridge.

We had enough to get through until I could get to a store.

And God knew that this would cancel and/or delay a survey trip,

but ...

one employer is going to give a virtual interview.

God doesn't need a survey trip to provide.

And remember that survey interview I mentioned 2 weeks ago.

I received another interview for tomorrow that also pays well.

God knew that these two surveys would cover a day of unpaid leave

if the sickness drags on for too long.

I am thankful for a body that can fight sickness.

I am thankful to be on the road to recovery again.

I am thankful that I was able to get the house disinfected today

and that the weather was warm enough to open the windows for a bit.

God is good - All the time!

And because we have been eating oddly,

I have no menu plan for this week.

We have been eating oatmeal a lot,

eggs, 

smoothies,

salads,

and comfort foods!