Movin' on

After 11 years in the same apartment, we moved into a gorgeous basement suite this past February. Its been fantastic. We are nearer to our church friends and in a much safer neighbourhood. It was so nice to go from a two bedroom into a three. To be able to stretch our legs a little and have a designated room for school / office.

Alas, all good things must come to an end. Due to the economic slowdown our landlords can no longer afford this new home. Yesterday (after paying rent) our landlord informed us that he and his family were planning to move down here and rent out the top of the house. WHAT!!! You've got to be kidding! In his usual long winded manner he explained that he was sorry and had to do what is best for his family. He then informed us that he'd already advertised to rent the top of the house. Again, are you kidding me?!?

So before I hit craigslist I hit the bible. I needed to get a little perspective on the whole thing. I'm feeling a little angry, ok more than a little angry. I just put up the last of the pictures on the wall last week! I wanted a little encouragement from God. A word to soothe my ruffled feathers. Comforting words. Something to fill me with peace. As I perused the concordance I was led to this little gem. II Corinthians 12:10. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

How's that for a life verse? Well if that don't put it into perspective. So we go on. No point in looking back. Once I began looking at craigslist, it became all to evident that there is practically nothing to rent in Langley. And then I remembered that my sister drives all four of her kids from Abbotsford to Langley for work. She meets her husband at his work, he then takes the kids back home and she heads into work in Langley. If they can do this with four children in tow than surely we can do it with one kid. So I expanded our search to Aldergrove. Eventually I came across a three bedroom available now. And now is pretty much what we need.

It is anything but new. It is filthy and nasty inside. The outside is old and attached to a corner store. I'll be honest, the prideful human part of me finds it repulsive. However, it has a certain charm I find inviting. It is large and it has three bedrooms. I will be able to have my own washer and drier to use any time of any day. The backyard is not fenced and there are a couple of abandoned cars out back. But it has a back yard available for our use. Did I mention 11 years in an apartment? Our current place has a backyard technically, however, the landlord has not mowed it once since we moved in 6 months ago and it is no larger than 3 parking stalls. The new place has much more space. Room for a swing set and maybe even a trampoline!

So yes, we are moving into the country. And yes it is old and a little run down. And yes it will require a lot of work to make it habitable. But I am not afraid to take on this challenge. Who knows? Maybe God is preparing us to one day purchase our own diamond in the rough. So with cleaning supplies and BFF in hand I went there this evening to begin the clean. My darling friend tackled the horribly nasty bathroom, and now it has been cleaned and sanitized. I cannot thank you enough. I spent those two and a half hours cleaning the stove top and oven (why I started with that, when I don't even cook is beyond me). Maybe I will be inspired to start cooking.

You can stop laughing now...

NO really, I might want to cook one day...

There will be much more cleaning this week in preparation to paint this weekend. Then to move at the end of the month. I just might have us all ready to start school in the fall.