Filling in the blanks

So, Bob was reading our blog... because you never know what I might put out there :) and he realized that there was a major gap in my flow.  I will try to summarize:

In October, Bob interviewed for and was offered a job with Compassion International.  It is a non-profit company that is focused on obliterating poverty! (my word choice)  We prayed about this long and hard.  We knew that accepting the position would also mean moving to Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Complicating factors:  I have 40 years of roots here in Missouri, mostly in Independence.  Bob moved a number of times as a child and his passion for the work that Compassion International does was deep.  In fact, we have been involved with Compassion for almost 10 years - we sponsor a young man who lives in Indonesia.  He communicate with him often and have been blessed by being connected to him.  So, we decided that WE were not in a position to clearly discern direction considering our deep emotions over a move.  At that point, I told Bob, "God can clearly raise the dead and has performed numerous (understatement) other miracles....then surely He can offer a job or block the offer ~ according to His will."  That is where we left it, in God's hands.  Bob was offered the job, by God.  That's truly how we see it.

So, In late October, Bob began his position with Compassion International ~ something to do with application support...computer stuff.  The company is amazing.  Very faith and family oriented.  We made a number of decisions.  We didn't want to transition the kids to new schools and such in the middle of the year, so that meant I would be "single" mom for the remainder of the school year.  If we could find a house, a mortgage payment would be almost identical to a short-term rental and a house would give us a place to crash when we go out for our visits (Christmas and Spring Break).  So, at the end of October, we also drove out - yes, all seven of us - and went house hunting.  One of Bob's new coworkers gave us the name of a Realtor.  He is amazing!  In our one day of looking at houses, we saw 13!  The turning point really was at lunch.  Our Realtor, Bryan, was checking his phone and said, "Do you want to add one more house to the list???  It just went on the market today and is bank-owned which means it is priced to sell and will go fast...but it fits what you are looking for and in the right area."  LONG story short.... we went to see the house and fell in love!  It is exactly what we need!  That is what the house pictures in the previous post are all about.

So, this Wednesday, we close on the house.  Bob was home for a week for Thanksgiving and headed out this morning with a 24 foot Budget truck filled to the gills with what he will need to live at the house for the next 6 months (as well as all the stuff we decided we could get out of the house so that it shows better).  He made it safely to Colorado Springs in good time and most importantly, in one piece.  All day today I have prayed, "God, please get him there safely with no surprises!"  And He did.

In the midst of all of this, one other major decision was reached.  I have found that I am unable to be a full-time working, single-mom of five kids...and get a house ready to sell.  So, I made the difficult decision to quit my position at the school at semester.  Now, I can just focus on being Mom, getting the house ready and KEEPING it ready!

So, there it is.  The last few months....so many blessings, so many tears, but always trusting God that he DOES know more than me!  :)