Offer on House

We put an offer on a house in Aliso Viejo today.  It’s beautiful, but would need some TLC.  It’s a short sale, so we’re trying not to get our hopes up too high.

House hunting

The last couple of weeks have been filled with drama around the search for a home to buy.  We got pre-approved and put an offer on a house on 2/18, and later the sellers countered with only $1k off their asking price.  We countered $5k higher as a ‘final offer’ and they are not interested.

Lord, I pray for your wisdom and guidance as Jen and I determine what to do with our living situation.  I desire only to follow your will.  Please make your direction apparent.  I trust in your plan.  Amen.

House Offer

Today was a huge day.  We put an offer down on a house!  I pray that God shows me His path, because I know that everything will work out for good, because I love Him.  We should find out tomorrow whether the offer will be accepted or countered.

New bed

[My middle daughter] graduated to a ‘big girl bed’ today!  We got her a single bed and it’s really cute seeing her in a real bed.  She was very excited and had no trouble at all letting go of her crib bed.  It was funny in the furniture store – she was taking control of the situation, telling us that we needed to look around, or get this bunk bed or whatever.  Then when she’d seen enough, she said let’s go back over here (to the bed we had already picked out and told her she was getting – but she wanted to be in control of the situation).  It was pretty cute.

Proud Daddy

[My middle daughter] was the only student in her preschool class today that was able to identify all of her letters, both upper and lower case!

Admiring God’s Creation

I and my family need to focus more on God’s creation rather than man’s creation.  Man makes some wonderful and beautiful things, but the work of God is untouched by man.  We need to think of ways to spend quality time together in God’s creation

• Beach
• Sky gazing
• Sunsets
• Sunrises
• Mountain camping

[My sister] moving in with [her boyfriend]

Yesterday (Thanksgiving), [my sister] announced that she and [her boyfriend] had decided to move in together.  They had found a wonderful townhouse and were planning on [her boyfriend] moving in in December, and [my sister] in January.  They seemed really excited, but I couldn’t just smile and nod approval.  I lovingly explained my views, being careful not to cross the line into being their ‘judge’.  I explained why I felt that it was in their relationship’s long-term interests to at least wait until they were committed with engagement.

Today, [my sister] left a voicemail for me and expressed deep appreciation for my being honest with them yesterday, and let me know that they have decided to wait until they are engaged to move in.  I thank the Lord for providing me with the wisdom to stand up for what His word teaches / commands and in a way of love rather than judgment.

Forgiving Dad

Dad,

You tore our family apart.  You made me endure the worst experience of my life.  You set an example that it’s ok to betray your marriage.  You dishonored me and my mother.  You weren’t there when I needed you.  You didn’t provide the male role model I needed as a boy.  You didn’t teach me what I needed to be an adult and how to relate with other people.  You were absent.  You created such chaos that my life spun completely out of control.

I forgive you, Dad.  I trust that God was there, through it all.  I trust that God’s purpose will triumph through your mistakes and the tragedy they caused.  I release your judgment to God.  I trust that your mistakes have already cost you dearly, and I don’t want to hold on to that baggage any longer.

I forgive you.. I forgive you.. I forgive you.

My Wife

[My wife] has been feeling very sick and tired these last few weeks.  I have been contributing in many additional ways, and it feels great to do so.  I feel that I am much more present than I was when she was pregnant with Caitlin.  However, tonight and last night, [my wife] actually stayed up a bit with me, and it seemed actually a bit uncomfortable – like I was anxious to get to ‘my stuff’ (study).  I need to focus on her when she’s available.

Amazing Facts – Bible Study 5

• “Family intimacies must never be shared with others–not even with parents. It is a great sin and a tragedy to break this God-given rule. A third person to sympathize or listen to complaints is a tool of the devil to estrange the hearts of husband and wife. Solve your home problems privately. No one else (except your minister or marriage counselor) should ever be involved. Always be truthful with each other, and never keep secrets from each other. Tell no jokes at the expense of your spouse’s feelings. Vigorously defend each other, and strictly exclude all intruders.”
• "Love is forbearing and kind. Love knows no jealousy. Love does not brag; is not conceited. She is not unmannerly, nor selfish, nor irritable, nor mindful of wrongs. She does not rejoice in injustice, but joyfully sides with the truth. She can overlook faults. She is full of trust, full of hope, full of endurance." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
• Criticism, laziness, disorder, filth, and jealousy endanger marriage