Wednesday, July 03, 2013

The Provision of God


We have a home! Getting approved to rent  in CA is as much work as getting a security clearance! ::snort::  It was a challenge, but our new landlord was very patient, we all worked hard to make it happen and today we emailed the contract back and forth, and wired money to secure a two year lease!  

We weren't sure this would go through. When we first contacted the landlord there were two others looking at the home...they hadn't gone through all the steps of the application process. 


We had three homes we were considering...and all the owners had been incredibly helpful.  There was a fourth we really wanted - but it was a smaller home (would have been tight) on 11 acres, with many others looking at it already.   Our three realistic choices were a 2800 SF home in a gated community, a 2800 SF home in this same area or this home. This one is 3100 SF...and sewer, water, garbage and lawn service are included. 

We had a family meeting on Sunday to decide which home to pursue. Michael and the two youngers really liked the home in the gated community. The allure of the lake, grandmas and grandpas, and security were strong.  About this time we were told there would be an additional  $1000.00 security deposit because the home had NEW...WHITE wall to WALL BERBER carpet. This gave me a knot in my gut!  But the pull to live in the foothills with trees, lake and pool was strong. 

We thought this home was a long shot - but Arielle and Nolan really liked it best! 

I  liked the other home in the community. It was on a corner lot with vacant fields around it....but you can tell there was a plan to build more homes. No one else liked this home. 

Down to the two....and I needed to make a choice. I simply began talking (as I tend to do - Michael notes it's my processing style). I listed the advantages to the community. I then listed the advantages to this home...the biggest we've seen, a floor plan that will give us many more options for hospitality and family usage, the least monthly rent, very well kept, a fenced back yard, all utilities except gas/electric included, lawn service, a hot tub....and Michael said, "Let's go ahead and start the process with this home though there are others doing the same and see what happens. If this doesn't work out I want us to look again at the gated community."  With visions of learning what pickleball is and of joining domino and bocce clubs, I began the process of applying for the above home with a street name we love. (See I AM learning about security and am not posting that - nor many other pictures - and these photos don't give away the location).  


Meanwhile our landlord found this blog. That gave him a sense of who we are and that we'd take care of his home well....we passed the income thing, the credit score was good, I'm assuming our referrals were good,  the lease is signed.   Here we are - with a two year lease, a home to move into one week after the loss of the other home and three days after deciding to pursue this home. 

I'm sure we COULD have waited until we arrived to find a home...but we have one week in CA before we head to "the wedding." This way we can schedule our shipment to be dropped off the 23rd or 24th  (pending actual arrival) and unpack before we leave. It will be MUCH more relaxing in TX if we know we have a home when we return to CA...and yesterday, just as the contract arrived, the Realtor with the 11 acres emailed and asked us to start the process for that home....we told her we had moved another direction. I think the acreage would have been great fun, we could have had chickens, but even Zander liked other homes better. 

We're rejoicing in the provision of God. A bigger home, a nice spa, a FIRE pit (reminds us of camping), less rent than any other home we were looking at...we'll actually be able to pay rent and utilities from our BAH and continue our plan to live on 1/2 of Michael's salary for the years before retirement. 

We'll have neighbors close by - this is good prep for being missionaries in a crowded country.

I'm still not sure what to think about the Chicken thing...but I know our God cares, we always pray He places us in the neighborhood He'd like us in - and this is it. I will admit I'm tired of being placed next to neighbors who enjoy weekend/holiday keggers....but maybe this time.....

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

6 comments:

Wilma said...

This is wonderful news and we still can't out give God! He is so faithful. My son with the six children was faced with this same situation recently (non-military) and had to find a house to rent in 30 days. God gave them one, in a better neighborhood that fits their family perfectly! Along with you, I give all honor and glory to Him. Your house looks beautiful!

Linda said...

Yay! So glad this is taken care of now!

Anonymous said...

HOT TUB!;p I'm so glad God has blessed you with a home...I'm sure it will be better in the long run;p
Bre G

Laura J said...

Praise the Lord!! His timing is always perfect!
Laura J.

Anonymous said...

PTL! Praying for Alexander and his Chicken desire. Praying for you all and definitely PTL with you all for such a nice large home. Dad/I think the HOT TUB/SPA is calling us to visit you often. :):):)

Praying already for the influence you will be having in that home area. how far from the base?

God is so good! love/prayers - dad/mom t.

Janette said...

Two thumbs up on the OPSEC. My blog drives my daughter wild! God's speed to your new home and community. Maybe Mr Z ca find a farm to work on? I know we give our fields to 4H kids all the time!