Two comments people keep making over and over again to me are, "I like your hair" and "That never happens!"
Well, the hair thing, although I usually follow with, "It's natural" and get a laugh, that is really something I do control-with the help of my wonderful cosmetologist. The second statement, I have to say, I completely agree and know beyond any doubt, that NEVER happens.
Why did this seemingly impossible thing happen to us? There are many explanations and luck is not one of them. Timing on our part was not one of them. Good fortune based on mankind's workings, not it. It happened for one reason (or several wrapped in the skin of one). GOD!
Yes, He bought our house for us. He planned and ordained the house, even long before we ever even had a thought of uprooting and moving to Corpus Christi (The body of Christ).
It all started around the first of July when we started looking at houses. We had a realtor who was willing to do house tours with us over Facetime. So, we started with that. We toured a total of 3 houses and felt we were really getting nowhere. The realtor suggested we wait until we were able to come down and actually do walk throughs in person. We felt this was good advice and in no way an excuse not to work hard for us on her part. Along with the advice of Linda (our realtor) I also felt that God was telling me to wait. But not just wait, trust. I have never been one to really talk about God talking to me. I have never heard an audible voice from God, but this was a very clear instruction. I recall sitting in the sun room and seeing houses pop up on my Realtor.com app. I would look and think there would be no harm in asking Linda if we could see this one...then the thought voice came.
"I have this all taken care of," the voice reminded me.
"But, would it hurt to just look?" I asked.
"You don't need to look, I have a house for you. Just wait," was the return answer.
"But, can't I just look to be sure?" I tried to reason.
"No! I want you to wait. To trust," my voice told me. The sound of that voice was mine, but the thoughts that brought it were clearly not. I wanted things my way and I could have easily followed my own thoughts and sent a text requesting Linda to show us another property. But, I obeyed. Somewhat begrudgingly, but obeyed nonetheless.
A couple of weeks of this went on, I continued to look at possible houses, but I never gave into the temptation of asking Linda for a tour.
As we got closer to the time we would be in Corpus, I started a list of "favorites" and sent them on to Linda in hopes that any of them would be available when we arrived. She started collecting and planning our search which would start Thursday morning.
We arrived in Corpus on Wednesday night. Michael's sister Sandy had our accommodations all ready and on Thursday morning, the hunt began.
Linda had 6 house for us to look at. She had texted the addresses to me in order that we would see them. I think maybe one of the six was on my list. Real estate was moving fast. We knew we were up against a very strong sellers market. We met Linda at house one. At this point, I don't recall specifics about each house, at the time I did take notes. There were some 8-9/10 and one 2/10. House #5 was one I wanted to put an offer on. Michael did not, it did not have a covered patio or porch. That was his dream. He envisioned himself sitting on the porch each morning with a cup of coffee, his Bible, and plenty of time to spend with God. He didn't see that at this house. I was disappointed, but accepted it and we moved on to house #6.
House #6...PERFECT!!!! This is the house God had for us. Our house was on the market an incredible 22 days, way longer than any of the others that we had been "watching." The price had been reduced. Another really rare thing to see happening in this market. When we arrived, the owners were there, they had thought we had come and gone. We were running late. They left the house and we looked around. As we entered the front door, there was a small hallway leading into the living area and the kitchen. To the left was the dining area and to the left of that, the SUNROOM. A place where Michael could spend his quiet time, away from the rest of the house and still a part of the house. The other items we had hoped for were a soaker tub, dual vanities in the master bath, and a gas range. None of those were deal breakers, but just wishes. So, other than the gas range, the rest of our hopes were there.
I asked Linda what we needed to do to get the house. We could offer asking, offer a little more, offer the original asking price, offer over that...the options were there. She suggested that we go to lunch and think about it and we would meet back in her office and sign paperwork. As Michael and I got into the car to leave, we were both in tears. We stopped and prayed, asking God once again for His favor and will on our decision.
Since we were so close to South Padre Island, we went to lunch at a little Mexican restaurant. I gave Michael some priceless advice..."when choosing a Mexican restaurant, look and see how many Mexicans are eating there." Gives a good idea of whether it is good food or not. There were a few, and the food was very good!!
So, as we finished and headed back across the bridge, Linda called and said the listing agent informed her there was another party interested. If we wanted it, we needed to move on it. She was heading to the office then and would start the ball rolling. She asked a price and Michael said it. He heard from God the number and knew it was the right one. So, we told her and she started working on the offer.
The owners are an older couple and don't use technology, so the listing agent had to hand deliver the offer. Linda had us sign the essential paperwork for the offer and sent it off and we completed the rest of the thousands of pieces of documents to sign. We finished and left and now...we wait.
