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Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Home Dreaming with a Thankful Heart

View from Chawton House on the Knight Estate (Jane Austen's brother's home)
East Hampshire, England
Photo by Lynzie Coller
Welcome to The Homemaking Party! I hope everyone is having a lovely week so far. Tonight I'm working in my kitchen, making some excellent berries and cream muffins for the kids' breakfast tomorrow. I've got the windows open and there's a pretty exciting storm going on outside. I love big thunderstorms---as long as no one gets hurt! Where we came from in Eastern Oregon, storms were big but harmless. Here in Arkansas, they have the potential of bringing about some pretty big hail, wind, and tornado damage.

I mentioned last month that our family is moving again. While we'll just be looking for a home to rent for now, I'm really longing for the day we can buy our own home. We've shied away from it in the past for a couple of reasons. Before about three years ago, we were never in the financial position to afford a home. After that, I got it in my head that I wouldn't have enough money to own a home and travel---so I wheedled my way into three England trips and my husband put off saving for a home the last three years. {By the way, wheedling is bad. Don't wheedle. It's unBiblical.}

Chawton House Garden Wall
{I wonder how many times Jane stepped through that opening?}
Photo by Lynzie Coller
Anyway, now that we've lost our rental twice in nine months, (apparently the buying/selling market is hot where we live and our landlords are getting in on it) I'm really seeing the benefit of owning our own home! So...England might have to be out this year. Maybe next year too.

It's ok though, really. The last nine months of craziness {I won't even go into it...trust me...it's mostly good crazy, but still crazy} has taught me so much about thankfulness. Contentment. Restraint. Prioritizing. Thankfulness has been the biggest thing. Because while Jamie and I have walked through some inconvenient things, I've watched friends walk through some tragic things. Divorce, death, abuse, major health issues.

Chawton House Garden Wall
Photo by Lynzie Coller
Whenever I begin to worry about where we're going to live in two months and how we're going to afford the move, I just think about Philippians 4:19 and how God will supply all my needs. Housing is a need---he'll cover it. But what about my friends who have walked through tragic things? The faith it takes them to hold on to the Bible's truth is far greater than the faith it takes me to stop flipping out about moving again. These thoughts stir up a lot of emotions in me---but the one I want to make sure I'm always practicing is thankfulness.

Thanks for stopping by The Homemaking Party! I hope you find lots of blessing and inspiration here this week!




9 comments:

  1. I love your attitude! happy house shopping!

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  2. God provides in miraculous ways, Sarah. Sometime I'll tell you how we ended up where we are. I'll pray for you all tonight.
    Laura

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  3. My husband owns a mortgage company and one thing I've learned is that there are several loan programs that don't require much (or anything) in the way of down payment. I'm sure you'll own a great house in no time!

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  4. You know my husband wouldn't buy at first but we ran into the same exact situation as you did. Then God provided us a way to buy a home and we were so thankful. We now have lived here 23 years and I'm so glad. Pray about it and let you situation be known. Talk to your friends and family you never know how you may get your home. Have a great day.

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  5. It is a blessing to own your own home... I hope you will be able to do that in the near future... it is worth "giving up" trips to England or anywhere else! I laughed when I read your words.. {By the way, wheedling is bad. Don't wheedle. It's unBiblical.} Funny... and SO important to learn that lesson! Thank you for hosting the party... hope you have a great week. :)

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  6. I feel for you - moving is one of my least favorite things. Saying a prayer for you to find exactly what you need quickly, and to be able to own your own place soon.
    Blessings to you and yours

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  7. I'm praying for you today that you will find your home! I am right there with you. We have moved several times over the 10 years of marriage. It's sad and hard! Now we live on campus of a bible college so we know that sometime in the next year we are going to move again. It's so hard! However I have found so much contentment in making a home out of a temporary space! I'm excited about where God will have us next, especially since we have a two bedroom apartment now (and I have four kids!) but at the same time, I too dream of having our own home! Praying for you!! Can't wait to see an update where you're in your dream home! Maybe it will channel the Austens a little!

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  8. Sarah, if you love England, you'll like my cake today - a British classic. I know you'll find the right home soon. Love your attitude!

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Mrs. Sarah Coller

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