Chatters,

If you haven't heard the news by now Carl and I finally got an offer on the house. We're working out the details but it looks like we may get by with out actually owing money at the closing (meaning we will just about break even). Also, if you haven't heard by now (because maybe you're just getting back into town from Vegas) we put an offer in on a house down here. We are FINALLY starting to see the light at the end of a very looooooong tunnel.

It has been an incredible journey. Last March Carl and I put the house up for sale and placed an offer on a 5 acre home in Walworth. After six weeks on the market and little activity on the house we decided to wait a few years and "build more equity". Five weeks later Carl applies for a job in VA and before we know it Grace and I are saying good-bye to Carl in Aunt Nancy's driveway.

Carl sets up house in a little town called Fairlawn in the New River Valley. It's a small, dingy place with really cheap rent. The landlord informs Carl that if Grace and I were to move in at some point he would increase the rent to cover the extra water costs. At that time I silently laughed to my self. There was no way Grace I would ever stay here. This was just temporary maybe a few months until the house sold. Carl only packed bare necessities and brought down the air mattress. It was heartbreaking saying good-bye and leaving Carl all by himself in that depressing little place on skid row. It was September and we we're thinking we might have the house sold by November.

November comes and goes. Carl flies home for Halloween and second Grace's birthday. We still haven't sold the house. We decided to try and make monthly visits. Carl starts to feel that we might not sell the house until spring. He misses us, especially Grace who is growing and changing with each month. Grace and I drive down to see Carl at Thanksgiving. Dad comes with me to help and then drives back home. He comes back down after the holiday and brings our spare bed. We know that Carl will be here longer than we thought.

The Christmas season arrives with unusually warm weather. We hope it will help sell the house. Carl comes home but can only stay a few days. We take the house of the market and find out that our realtor has not returned other agent calls wishing to keep all the commission on a sale for himself. He showed the house five times in six months. I start to wonder if God is listening to our prayers.

In January the unusually warm weather ends and the snow arrives. Carl struggles to remain positive. He's lives alone and for the most part works alone as well. He starts going to church but doesn't tell me. Members of the ward reach out. One family "adopts" him inviting him to dinner and family home evening. Carl's burden is lightened a bit.

February sweeps in cold and wild. We have a new realtor and a little more activity on the house but still no offer. A utility van slams into the back of the Aztec as I'm stopped over the bridge on Fairport Rd. I walk away unhurt and fortunately Grace wasn't in the car. The Aztec is totaled. We buy a car and are able to secure a loan in which payments don't start until April. We pray more fervently for the house to sell.

March. The snow and gray reflects our mood. Carl and I begin to wonder if we've made a wrong decision. Dad suggests that we pray for what's best for our family and not just to sell the house. The stress of separation and our financial situation starts to chip away at Carl and me. We decide to pray as a couple do so for the first time in 10 years. We decide that I will look for a job here in VA and that we need to make plans to reunite our family despite the house situation.

April. I apply for a part time position as a case manager and am offered the job. Carl tells me that he has been attending church regularly for the past few months. I'm speechless. I find a wonderful pre-school for Grace just by chance. Things begin to fall in place.

May. Still no offer on the house. Grace and I prepare to move with mixed feelings. I'm anxious to be together as a family but sad to leave everyone at home. I don't know anyone in our new area. I worry how Grace will handle the transition and leaving the people she's known since she was born. Our first car payment is due. Now we are paying a mortgage, rent and car payment. I wonder how long we can go on like this. I feel my faith begin to waiver. I think about not paying tithing for a while but know that this is not an answer.

We find a house the meets our needs but still don't have an offer on our house in NY. The mortgage guy presents us with different options. We decide to make an offer not contingent upon the sale of our home. I have a peaceful confident feeling. We make an offer on the house that night.

Wednesday of this past week Carl and I signed a mortgage application. Our first payment will be Sept. first. If we haven't sold the house by then we will be carrying two mortgages. Strangely we are at peace with the decision.

Thursday afternoon I got a call from our agent in NY. We had an offer on the house, finally!

I look back at the past nine months an am amazed. Heavenly Father never left our side. The road was not the one I would have chosen. It was like a windy path through the mountains and many times I couldn't see the what lay ahead. But when I stopped insisting on my way and opened my heart and mind I found that the path, though difficult was laid before my feet and that I wasn't walking it alone.

Love you all! Amber