Adventures in North Carolina

There is so much to write, I'm not quite sure where to start! Ryan and I flew out Monday morning for Charlotte to begin our house-hunting trip. We arrived to warm, beautiful weather with not a cloud in the sky. We had fun Monday and Tuesday, relaxing and driving around the area to acquaint ourselves. Then, Wednesday began the search for a home. We finally got to meet the realtor that we had been referred to by a friend of mine who lives here. He is a wonderful christian man who has been in real estate for over 30 years in this area. So, we really felt like his expertise gave us an advantage. The first day of walking through homes was somewhat discouraging. We saw 13 houses that first day...and it seemed like every house we walked through had at least one big strike against it. We kept wondering where that perfect house was that we knew the Lord was saving for us. We prayed again that night before going to bed that God would show us where He wanted us to be.

Thursday morning, our realtor told us he had found a house online that was a little out of our price range, but had been on the market for quite a while. So, he thought the sellers would take a lower offer. It was in an area we had not considered before, but still close enough to Ryan's office and not too far of a commute to Lauren's school. Right when we pulled up to the house, I knew I was going to like it. The front yard is beautifully landscaped and well-maintained. And it had a front porch, perfect for two rocking chairs (which is very popular in the South). The inside was just as immaculate and to top it all off, it has a screened porch in the back (to keep the mosquitos out) and a view of the 13th tee of the Skybrook golf course. So, maybe I will have to take up golfing after all! It was the first house we walked through that really felt like it could be "home".

We spent that evening again in prayer, asking that if the Lord didn't want us in this house, He would close the door. The next morning, we met with our realtor to write up an offer. After some negotiating and careful calculating, we agreed on an amount and signed the papers! We are so thrilled and can't wait to move in and get all settled. And we really feel like God led us to this house, because it wasn't even one of the homes I had on my original list. We are so grateful for His provision for us and are confident that He will continue to guide us every step of the way.

Here's our new home: