If You Give a Mouse a Cookie or If You Ask God For a Story

This is a true story about how we have tried to buy a home. I say "try" and "buy" because this is still in the works. Let me explain...

In December of 2012, we put an offer on a house in Camp Hill. That same day, Brandon sends me a link to a short sale home in Hummelstown. Eyes rolling, I clicked on the link and looked at a house that was too big, not in Camp Hill, and in need of major repairs. Oh, wait a minute, and it had an inground pool.

Did I mention that this was the day we made an offer on a home?

We didn't get the Camp Hill house, of course. And as you continue to read, you will see how these other events (all 10 gazillion of them) fell into place.

After losing the Camp Hill house, I drove Eva home from dance (as we always do), and I saw a billboard for a local private school. Up to this point, I was adamant that Camp Hill School District was the only one for our kids and that...was that. The billboard was like lightening to my spirit. In front of me, an entirely new "plan" rolled out before my eyes. Plans including different schooling. Plans including a different season of my life, yet to be fulfilled. I told Brandon we should probably go look at that Hummelstown house.

BAM! Like that. We walked through clutter, dirt, dust, holes in walls, and 1978 carpet, but this house felt like home. It's crazy how that happens. A year ago I was trying to sprint my way out of PA down to southern shores, and now, this familiar zip code felt like home.

On our wish list, and these were our dreams, not reality, were things like an in-ground pool, land, fireplace, vaulted ceilings, great location, finished basement, character, a foreclosure. And the craziest part, is that this house encompasses all of those things.

Ok, here's where it gets interesting. We needed to make an offer. We had no idea how much to offer. The house was listed at 195 (dropped from 205) and it needs a TON, no I mean a TON, of work. I left the next morning for a women's breakfast and determined that Brandon and I should set time aside during advent (the countdown to Christmas) to read the Bible and pray together every night. Coincidentally, when I arrive home, Brandon said to me that he wanted to spend time reading and praying with me. This sets the stage for the rest to unfold.

While we drove to Brandon's grandparents house that weekend, I heard God say to me, "165". Ok, I thought, is that how much we should offer? "Psalms". Oh, ok, Psalms 16:5. I quickly shuffled through my Bible app while Brandon was telling me a story.

Psalm 16:5. My choice is you God, first and only. And now I find I'm your choice! You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir!

We laughed as I shared the verse with Brandon and sat in awe of how God was speaking to us since we had started seeking Him purposefully together.

Jumping ahead. We offered 165. The seller laughed and rejected our offer. Another offer was coming in so we were told to offer our best. We offered the asking price of 195, and STILL GOT REJECTED. It was devastating. Brandon said it felt like someone had broken up with him and gave the ol', "it's not you, it's me", line.

Fast forward through Christmas and New Years, we were hanging out with friends and Emily says to me, "Hey, so what ever happened to that house you guys were looking at?".

I told her the events that took place and she looked at me with raised eyebrows. "Well, Adam and I were praying, and we really felt like it wasn't over". I laughed. I text our realtor the next day just to make sure. She said it was over. The other buyers had signed the contract.

6 DAYS LATER, we get a call from our realtor. "Umm, Sam and Brandon, the other buyer went through with inspections and they failed. Because of this, they want to terminate their contract which would put the house BACK on the market! Not only is it going to be back on the market, but the cost of repairing the failed inspections will bring your offer right back to your original asking price of 165!".

CAN YOU EVEN BELIEVE THAT?!?! 165?!?! Psalm 16:5?!?!

So here we are, waiting to hear from the 2 banks if they accept our offer and we in fact, own this house. I had a dream that the first bank had accepted our offer and the second bank was still deliberating. A week later, our realtor called with those exact updates! It's laughable for anyone to think that God doesn't still speak and work all things together for our good, because this story is a true example.

Just today I reread Psalm 16:5 and continued reading through the chapter. Verse 7 says, "The wise counsel God gives while I'm awake is confirmed by my sleeping heart."

I am shaking my head in awe and adoration of a daddy who loves us that much.

There you have it. That's our story so far. I asked God to give me a story (about purchasing our perfect house) that would show how awesome He is and well, I sure got a story.

To be continued...