Thanksgiving

Come, let's shout praises to God,
raise the roof for the Rock who saved us!
Let's march into his presence singing praises,
lifting the rafters with our hymns!

And why? Because God is the best,
High King over all the gods.
In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns,
in the other hand grasps the high mountains.
He made Ocean--he owns it!
His hands sculpted Earth!

So come, let us worship; bow before him,
on your knees before God, who made us!
Oh yes, he's our God,
and we're the people he pastures, the flock he feeds.

Psalms 95:1-7 (The Message)

The Home with a View

Special bennie's of our new La Maison du Lavande (ok, just trying out some names) aka Lavender Holme...We prayed for a place to call our own. We weren't too specific, but wanted (Kevin) a garage, (me) 3 bedrooms and 2 baths (hey, for what we pay for a home, you need AT LEAST that!), nice neighborhood, and not any further (it does add 10ish minutes to my commute) from school in the lower valley. We really didn't wish for much more, unless it was lots of property, which places us too far away from too many things, and a manageable monthly payment. What we've (esp. Angie) have always loved in homes are - old ones, bricks, wood floors, a fireplace flat on the floor with a mantel, built in storage, old outbuildings, short counters...Some concerns along the way were how much new appliances would cost when we needed to purchase them (we sold our old ones with the last house), close proximity to the parent's, and plenty of parking.

What God found for us - and it was not even on our list - Sold by owner (no realtor fees), owner paid most of the closing costs, appraised significantly more than we paid, owner dropped the selling price, very nice and old neighborhood, easy access to main street, 10 minutes from in-laws, BIG garage, an old outbuilding which will eventually be a pottery studio (por moi), hardwood floors in 2 bedrooms and supposedly under the living room carpet, a lovely fireplace (floor level) with a mantel, 3 bed/2 bath, master suite (converted garage), ANTIQUE very cool headboard and dresser (free from owner), a TRUCK (for Kevin, because we need yet another truck, but he swears this is his dream 4x4 Chevy S-10, and it's even gray like he wanted, canopy included - free from owner), one counter in the kitchen is exactly my height for working, mostly new paint inside, one bathroom is redone, lots of parking, AND appliances included!

Seriously, we saw the ad for an open house one Sunday afternoon, drove by, backed up, went in, saw it once, went back the same day and saw it again, made an offer 2 days later, moved in just about 5 weeks after our offer...Awesome.

Now we have a home with a view. Not necessarily a great view of anything but the homes of neighbors, but a home with a great view of God's heart. He has blessed us with things we didn't even consider (like Tieton irrigation water, instead of city water for outdoor use - $$$$), hardwood floors (which we liked, but hadn't planned to find), an older home (1953), excellent neighborhood, slightly larger than 2 car garage, built in shelves and storage all over, antiques (I have been looking casually for years for something like this headboard). It's overwhelming, to think what God put into this house deal, all in regards to blessing us. Taking care of us. Reminding us of His care. Even down to the appliances and a truck for Kevin.

Drop by sometime and see the great view. It's worth the trust.