This morning, I awoke realizing it was ten years ago today, a contract offer was made on the beginner homestead. With that contract was an "earnest check" of $500.00 dated 05/05/05. Remember the Dickens classic that begins, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . .?" That single day was unique in that it was both the worst and best day, I can remember. To this day, I've continued to learn lessons from that particular day.
Early Tuesday morning, May 3, 2005, just before dawn, I was given a vision. As I've mentioned on numerous occasions, I'd already seen a pillar of fire, so I knew the direction of my move would be south by southeast, but I was told to wait until Abba revealed the destination. I don't really remember how I thought He would reveal this, but that morning, the destination was clear. He showed me what the place looked like, sans the address, of course. There was a long white structure, a well, and a peach tree. With that I got up, started the coffee and waited for a real estate office to open. I shared the vision with Mr. B, and he seemed receptive . . . I wasn't sure if he was planning to relocate with me or take this opportunity to wish me well and part ways, but he was definitely up for a road trip.
A young realtor came by with all the necessary paperwork and signs. We owned more than one piece of property, so I was well aware there would be a number of loose ends to tie up, but the relocation adventure was officially beginning! The realtor was putting the sign in one of the yards as we drove off. The course seemed simple enough to start. Just get on 71 heading south, and the highway itself gradually led a bit east. I was praying and listening and oh so excited. I'd already been looking at land and country homes in nearby towns to the south, so we breezed on through and didn't stop until we were south of Kansas City. Since Scripture refers to the children of YHWH as a peculiar people, the town of Peculiar seemed like a proper place to look around. There was nothing even remotely resembling what I'd seen, so we traveled on. Stopping on down the road, couldn't even get a realtor to answer their phone, so we kept traveling.
We got to Joplin, MO just before sunset and checked into a motel. Grabbed a bite to eat and of all things, there was a "real estate channel" on the television. I still didn't see any property, but did take down the name of realtor and called. An appointment was made for 10:00am the next morning and he had a couple of places to show that weren't on the channel. The first place he showed me, now in thinking back, probably should have offended me, but I was entirely too excited. The next place was not white, but it was a fixer upper so white paint could have been what was needed . . . It did have a peach tree as well as other fruit trees and a well. Since the house needed work, having already experienced refurbishing a home with Mr. B, I had qualms about the place. The realtor was ready to shake us loose and we headed on down the road to the next town, Neosho. I loved the sound of that name. It's a Native American term meaning "City of Springs."
We pulled into the first real estate office we saw from the exit and there we met Lois. Lois was a deal. She was brand new to real estate and what she lacked in experience, she made up in chit chat. She and Mr. B got along just fine. She had a place to show us in which the contract had expired and had actually become inactive. She offered to drive us out there, so I sat in the back while she and Mr. B chatted up front. The drive to the place was gorgeous and when we arrived, a bluebird on the branch of the peach tree was the first thing I saw. But there was another peach tree between the long white manufactured home and the finest well house in the county. This was the place! I recognized it. This was the destination. She couldn't operate the lock box, so she had to call the listing agent. Interestingly, the listing agent was from the same company as the Joplin realtor. I still wonder why he didn't show us that place . . . Well, we got in, and it wasn't exactly a picture from Better Homes and Gardens, but it would just be a matter of cleaning, not repairing or refurbishing. An added bonus was that it was all electric with a fireplace, so heading off grid was already in the works. As I was enthusiastically looking through the place, suddenly, Lois told us she'd have to go. We could think about it and if we wanted to make an offer, she'd be in her office after 8:30 the next morning.
We checked into a motel there outside of that town, got some dinner, and watched the real estate channel again. I jabbered into the night about how awesome this place was, and how precise the vision had been. We discussed plans, so Mr. B was apparently determined to embrace the vision as well, or so I thought . . . The next morning we were ready to make an offer, when Lois informed Mr. B, there was another place she wanted to show us. Suddenly, life was getting strange . . . I dutifully got in the back seat and we headed to another town to find an older manufactured home, not white, no fruit trees, and on city water, not to mention no fireplace and a full sized propane tank in the backyard! We went through it and on the way back to her office, the discussion continued, like there was something to even think about . . . Finally, I just blurted out. You like the one we looked at last night, right? His response nearly killed me. He said he liked this new place better. My first reaction was just like the night of our honeymoon. I just wanted to jump out of the car, but I sat there in silence, praying. My heart was crushed. I couldn't even speak. I hoped the tears would not roll past my big sunglasses.
When we got to the office, I went to the restroom. Prayed aloud, wiped the tears and went back to face the two of them. I felt like I might as well be walking into a lion's den. How could I come this far, having shared the vision, only to end up in a place that was the exact opposite of the vision? I sat down still hoping something had changed. She had written up the offer and they were both waiting for me to write the check and sign the contract offer. Oh, how heavy my left hand felt. I truly thought my heart would burst from the pain. How could this man double cross me AGAIN? I didn't know if this was a test of faith, or if like Moses, I'd blown it and was only going to get to see the promised land. That same question has arisen throughout the last ten years in other situations, as well. Now, back to the contract. When it was all completed, she said she'd present it and she'd contact us with the seller's decision. So, we left, I told Mr. B I'd like to go back by the first place, and he accommodated my request. It was there, we received the call that the contract offer had been rejected. They had just reduced the asking price and would not come down further. With that my heart was encouraged! And yet . . .
There were now just two problems. First, the asking price on the destination of the vision was even more than the other place. Second, Mr. B wanted to go back and look at "his" place to see if he was willing to increase his offer. Since "his" place was still south by southeast of the first place, I thought perhaps, just perhaps there was another place for sale in that vicinity that would suddenly appear. As we were driving out, I asked him if he minded if I called the realtor who had unlocked the door and knew what she was doing; just to see if she thought those people might accept our offer. He told me to "go ahead and call, but . . ." I honestly don't remember the last half of his sentence, as I was already pushing buttons on the phone. The professional realtor explained the legalities to me and that I would still have to go through the other realtor, but she implied the folks were more than willing to entertain an offer.
I relayed this info to Mr. B and he turned the car around. My heart quickened as we headed back to that real estate office. Lois was less than all smiles when we told her we'd decided to make the same offer on the other place, but she complied. Later that same evening, we were informed the couple had accepted the offer. I'd been preparing for this since I first heard Abba tell me he'd lead me to land and a well, so I'd been saving and it was simply a matter of cashing the CD without a penalty of early withdrawal. As always Abba's timing is perfect. The maturity date was later that same month, so the closing was scheduled.
In all of this, I never shared the depth of my heart with anyone but Abba and Y'hshuwah. Only the realtors knew of the relocation plans. I didn't discuss it with family or friends; no one but my Creator and my King. In dealing with Mr. B, there was no argument, no open display of tears, and no silent treatment; but simply being still and knowing YHWH was in control.
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