Original post December 17, 2010
It amazes me how things can change in such a short span of time. At the beginning of the year my husband and I, knowing we would be moving within the next thirteen months, hoped to get orders to Virginia. We decided that if so, we would be applying for one of the new Navy housing units that had been built in the area. Then as we started really thinking about it we had a few misgivings and decided to research what was available in the area to rent. In doing so we realized that, it being a Navy town, the rent prices were still quite high. In Virginia Beach rental homes, for the most part, were higher than a mortgage payment. While the housing market is still formidable in the area it seemed as though purchasing a house could possibly be within our budget. Upon further investigation we realized that not only could we buy a home but that our payment would indeed be lower than most rentals I had found.
When the orders finally came through we were delighted to find that we had indeed gotten the orders we had hoped for and would be returning to Virginia. This is not our first tour to the Old Dominion so at this point it feels as if we are going home, even more so now that we had made the decision to purchase a home.
My husband and I are not hard to please. We both knew what we wanted in a home and found the perfect home the first day out. The thing is the first day out was before he had received his official orders and the house went under contract prior to us being able to write a contract ourselves.
That was ok because we soon found a better home, with more amenities, that far surpassed the one we had originally picked. That home went off the market three days prior to his getting his orders, which is a good thing because we did end up finding the perfect home and it was nothing like the first two we fell in love with.
Upon reflecting on the first two homes, I now realize while they were both nice homes, with the open floor plan I thought I wanted, I honestly do not think I would have enjoyed all of that openness. In a way we have that in the condo where we currently live. As I look around the main living floor I can see the living room which goes into the section I use for my desk, which in turn flows into the dining room. While it is nice, I find the whole living space to appear somewhat cluttered. So much in fact that one of the things I am looking forward to most in our new home is to, once again have designated spaces for watching television, eating and yes, even paying the bills.
While I was initially disappointed that the houses we thought we wanted were no longer available in a long run I find myself reminded of the Garth Brooks song unanswered prayers. The song resonates with me on so many levels. Throughout my life I can think of numerous occasions where I thought I really wanted something only to have it not pan out and discovering later that it was for the best.
My husband and I have always lived by the philosophy that if it is meant to be it will be, and so far that has held true for so many things in our lives. We are also partial to the adage everything happens for a reason. While we don’t always know the reason at the time this too has seemed to prove true on more than one occasion. While life’s lessons are not always easy, they do seem to make their reasons known at some point. It may be years later but then I am like, oh okay, I had to go through that to get here, I understand now.
I have said it before and I will say it again, I feel very blessed. I am happier now than I have ever been in my life and I feel the door to the next chapter of my life is open and waiting for me to enter.
May all of your prayers be answered and if not, may you be grateful for those that are not!
Comment from Tracie
Very nice post Sherry. I dont want to sound like your high school teacher, but am amazed at the improvement in your writing skills. Most writers have the great ideas, but can barely organize them on paper (hence the need for editors). Your blogs are interesting, thoughtful and organized. Again, I cannot wait to read your books.
This particular post caused me to comment, because I get the chance to point out an example of the Lord working in our lives. These things are never "chance", and gives us a reminder to not only ask God for what we need, but also to thank Him on a daily basis for our blessings.
December 17, 2010 | Tracie
It amazes me how things can change in such a short span of time. At the beginning of the year my husband and I, knowing we would be moving within the next thirteen months, hoped to get orders to Virginia. We decided that if so, we would be applying for one of the new Navy housing units that had been built in the area. Then as we started really thinking about it we had a few misgivings and decided to research what was available in the area to rent. In doing so we realized that, it being a Navy town, the rent prices were still quite high. In Virginia Beach rental homes, for the most part, were higher than a mortgage payment. While the housing market is still formidable in the area it seemed as though purchasing a house could possibly be within our budget. Upon further investigation we realized that not only could we buy a home but that our payment would indeed be lower than most rentals I had found.
When the orders finally came through we were delighted to find that we had indeed gotten the orders we had hoped for and would be returning to Virginia. This is not our first tour to the Old Dominion so at this point it feels as if we are going home, even more so now that we had made the decision to purchase a home.
My husband and I are not hard to please. We both knew what we wanted in a home and found the perfect home the first day out. The thing is the first day out was before he had received his official orders and the house went under contract prior to us being able to write a contract ourselves.
That was ok because we soon found a better home, with more amenities, that far surpassed the one we had originally picked. That home went off the market three days prior to his getting his orders, which is a good thing because we did end up finding the perfect home and it was nothing like the first two we fell in love with.
Upon reflecting on the first two homes, I now realize while they were both nice homes, with the open floor plan I thought I wanted, I honestly do not think I would have enjoyed all of that openness. In a way we have that in the condo where we currently live. As I look around the main living floor I can see the living room which goes into the section I use for my desk, which in turn flows into the dining room. While it is nice, I find the whole living space to appear somewhat cluttered. So much in fact that one of the things I am looking forward to most in our new home is to, once again have designated spaces for watching television, eating and yes, even paying the bills.
While I was initially disappointed that the houses we thought we wanted were no longer available in a long run I find myself reminded of the Garth Brooks song unanswered prayers. The song resonates with me on so many levels. Throughout my life I can think of numerous occasions where I thought I really wanted something only to have it not pan out and discovering later that it was for the best.
My husband and I have always lived by the philosophy that if it is meant to be it will be, and so far that has held true for so many things in our lives. We are also partial to the adage everything happens for a reason. While we don’t always know the reason at the time this too has seemed to prove true on more than one occasion. While life’s lessons are not always easy, they do seem to make their reasons known at some point. It may be years later but then I am like, oh okay, I had to go through that to get here, I understand now.
I have said it before and I will say it again, I feel very blessed. I am happier now than I have ever been in my life and I feel the door to the next chapter of my life is open and waiting for me to enter.
May all of your prayers be answered and if not, may you be grateful for those that are not!
Comment from Tracie
Very nice post Sherry. I dont want to sound like your high school teacher, but am amazed at the improvement in your writing skills. Most writers have the great ideas, but can barely organize them on paper (hence the need for editors). Your blogs are interesting, thoughtful and organized. Again, I cannot wait to read your books.
This particular post caused me to comment, because I get the chance to point out an example of the Lord working in our lives. These things are never "chance", and gives us a reminder to not only ask God for what we need, but also to thank Him on a daily basis for our blessings.
December 17, 2010 | Tracie
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