THE HOUSE ... AGAIN

Last time I wrote, I related several good things that have been happening and hinted at one thing that has us concerned.  I have had a couple of people asking what that one thing was and I should have made the time sooner to let you know the details - not mainly to satisfy curiosity, but rather to gather prayer.

It's our house again. It seems that our renter has fallen on hard times financially.  Please lift her up in prayer.  I am sure she is in a lot of turmoil right now.  She is anticipating moving out at the end of February.

I am asking for prayer for us as well. 

And it's a simple prayer really: wisdom in moving forward and, ultimately, a solution to our "house problem".

The "wisdom" come in knowing whether to look for a renter or a buyer. Sitting empty is definitely not an option.  

The "solution" could be either ...

A) A new renter who can immediately move in, take good care of the property and stay put a good long time or ...

B) A buyer for the house who would be ready to act quickly in purchasing the house at a price where we break even or ...

C) (and this is my favorite) Some unforeseen other possibility that only God currently knows is even an option.

Even in the midst of this hassle, there are blessings though.  First, by all accounts the current renter has kept the house in good shape - hopefully that means we won't need to hire someone to go in and buff cigarette burns out of the hardwood floors or replace stained carpets to prep it for the next occupant. Secondly, it seems the local real estate market has recovered enough to make it possible - even without an act of God - for us to sell and break even (assuming a sale happens quickly).  And thirdly, we've recently had a couple of incredibly generous personal gifts, sent from old friends out of the blue, that have made up for some of the rent that is not currently coming in.  

And finally, though it's painful, there is the blessing of stretched faith.  "Rubber meeting the road." We've had a bumpy ride with this house over the last few years, but God has always provided.

I'm kind of hoping it turns out to be Option C - I am mindful that when the Israelites cried out for meat in the desert, they weren't anticipating a "quailnado".

We would certainly appreciate your willingness to remember this situation in prayer!

(By the way, there's more good stuff on the horizon here: Our friends Phil and Connie Dicks arrived Tuesday.  And two more friends, Hannah and Nathan Rosensteel, arrived yesterday.  Even better, the four of them are going with us to the Dominican Republic on Saturday to lead our annual field retreat. We feel so blessed and are looking forward to what the Lord has in store for all of us over our five days there.)