I want to share how God has been blessing my daughter and I. Back in February my landlord asked if I would consider terminating my lease early. It was supposed to end August 31st. They wanted to put the condo on the market to sell it. I said sure, and started the process of looking for a house. I wanted a 3 bdrm ranch w/a basement for my daughter to have her own space. As the process of looking for a home moved forward, it became evident that I don't make enough money to qualify for the type of home I want. It was disappointing, but reality had to be faced. One day as I was frustrated-ly asking God what to do, I looked out the living room window. The answer came so clearly in my mind "The simple thing to do would be to move across the street". There was an apartment complex directly across the street from us, complete with a pool (which my daughter had looked at longingly the previous summer, since she LOVES to swim).
I was accepted at the apartment complex, gave my landlord 60 days notice, and prepared to move. One week before the move, I lost my main part time job. Who knew this would happen? (God did). Discouraged at the loss of employment, I was nevertheless glad we had a place to live. The deposit was paid and the rent check was covered. The rent, by the way, is $150/month less than before, so terminating my lease early at the old place ended up saving me $300 which, as it turned out was a good thing, considering the job loss. The new apartment is 300 less sq. ft. but feels like more because of the floor plan! The utility bill should be lower since we no longer have 2 stories and vaulted ceilings to deal with. I don't have to wait for repairs, since they have a staff to do them. I now have pest control free of charge. I still have a wood burning fireplace (one of my favorite things!) I have a fantastic view of Pike's Peak from my living room and both bedrooms (another fave!) that's actually better than the view I had before. I have covered parking to protect my vehicle in hail storms (it is hailing right now, as a matter of fact), I have great neighbors, was able to stay in the area of town I've grown to love, and am now in the school district of our choice.
My daughter has a much smaller room, but she now has a pool, sauna, workout room, clubhouse, and volleyball court to share with her friends, so she's hardly ever home anyway! We are at the back of the complex, which butts up against a residential street. There is a break in the fence that runs behind these houses to allow egress to the complex for emergency vehicles such as fire trucks, and her very best friend lives in the house directly across from that break. So now, when she wants to go visit at 10:00 at night, all I have to do is walk her past a few cars in our parking lot to that fence break and voila! she's at her friend's house.
I gave away a couch, TV, end tables, pictures, and various other household items to a neighbor before we moved. I stored our dining room table and 6 chairs because we have no room. But, we did have 3 bar stools, which "just happen" to fit perfectly under the extended kitchen counter that serves as a "breakfast bar". I have wanted a leather couch for a long time, but couldn't afford the kind I wanted. I planned to just move with the rocking chair and recliner I had and believe God to fill the couch need. Well, I didn't have to wait! A friend's mom works with someone who was selling a leather couch, love seat and chair, which I planned to buy until I lost my job. The friend's mom ended up getting the entire set for free a week before I moved. It was too big for her condo, so she offered it to my friend, who decided to take the love seat and chair, and give me the couch. IT IS BEAUTIFUL!!!
I had already promised to give that same friend my daughter's bed for her guest room, as my daughter's new room was too small to accommodate a queen sized bed. I didn't know what she was going to sleep on, but knew God would provide something. Well, the friend who received the bed and gave me the leather couch, also had a foldout Ikea love seat she was going to get rid of, because she now had a leather loveseat. Guess who got the Ikea love seat/bed? Yup, my daughter!
So now we have a new place at a lower rent, my daughter has a love seat/bed that fits in her room perfectly, I have a beautiful leather couch, my friend has a bed for her guest room, and my daughter has a place close to her BFF with amenities she and her friends can enjoy all summer long. It's so cool to see how the family works together to bless one another when we have a mind to, look for ways to give, and listen to God!
My God continues to supply all my need, every time. Am I worried about the job loss? No. I know that God is never late, and He continues to prove His faithfulness to His Word to me every single day. I know He provided this place when I needed it, I am where I am supposed to be, and He will provide the right job as well. And He will NOT be late. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it. :)
