Moving Day

So here is the story of how we ended up moving:

In our large apartment complex there are many singles, one-bedroom, two-bedrooms, and three or four three-bedrooms. Our complex is well taken care of, the apartments are maintained generously, the people are nice, and the rent, for this area, is great. To get into the complex you have to know someone and work your way up the bedroom ladder. So, we have now lived in the one bedroom and a two-bedroom.

I once asked Katie, our cousin by marriage and assistant manager to the complex, if we could get on the waiting list for the three bedrooms. She said, of course, that we could, but didn't think it would do us much good, because once in these people never leave! Never mind that then!

Several months ago, I can't remember when exactly, Katie said that a three-bedroom tenant was moving. This tenant had lived here thirty years, if you can believe it! This is when the crazy praying began for me. Katie wasn't sure what the managers would decide to do about it, because there had been people waiting for years for this apartment. I kept praying. I asked family members to pray. I had our small group praying for us. I prayed every single day. I went back and forth from wanting it desperately to counting my blessings for the two-bedroom we currently lived in.

The three-bedroom was basically gutted and redone due to the previous tenants living there so long. When it was finally done the managers decided to offer it to the people who had been on the waiting list. I fought against being disappointed and continued praying. I even fasted from my beloved pod casts and focused on worship music.

God is not my big slot machine in the sky or a genie in the bottle, but I knew my life was in His hands and I wanted to trust His decision no matter what that decision was to be for us. I wanted to be content in His will for us. I wanted to pray my heart out until I heard that the answer was clearly a "no".

It was offered to the first on the list... and they said they didn't want it! It was offered to the second tenant on the list and they said no! It was offered to the third tenant on the list. Now this woman might have taken it, however she had just bought a Mercedes and couldn't afford both increased bills! Finally the manager called me on the phone and said, "Janna, are you sitting down?" Most of the people on the waiting list had been waiting for so long their children were all grown up and they didn't need the extra space any more!

I'm telling you, it is a complete miracle that we're in this beautifully redone three-bedroom apartment! I give all the glory to God! I don't believe this is just good luck. I believe the Lord really blessed us. This apartment is only on one small staircase, which is a huge difference to the third floor apartment before. It's located on top of the carports, which means I don't have to worry about the kids crashing around the house. The kitchen and dining room windows face out to a baseball field, which Nathan really enjoys watching. He loves hearing the car alarms beep on or off. He loves hearing the train whistle blocks away. There is also a playground right down the stairs from us. I'm telling you that even down to the parking spot is a blessing for us!

I'm just thrilled with our new home! Thank You, God!

Now I just can't wait to unpack completely and go back to normal life!

The pictures I attached are to show the chaos from the move. Our friends and family have all been a God-send, literally, and have helped us move furniture, watch children, etc. I look forward to sending pictures of how everything looks when it's done. I want to wait until the walls are painted, too, so you might be waiting a little while. :)