Growing up in a small town, the value for community was instilled in me early. There's just something about being in a place where you know you have people you can trust and call in a pinch, who will be there for you no matter what...who celebrate with you, who pray with you through the challenges, and who know your story and love you all the more for it, as they've seen the Lord work through it to make you who you are today. While the value for such community was instilled in rural Illinois, my parents also gave me wings - the blessing to chase after opportunities the Lord continued to open. Don't worry...my adventuring days are not over! But as I've settled in to my faculty role here at UF, it has become clear that it's time (or some would say beyond time) to put down some roots here in Gainesville.
After entering my 10th year of renting my sweet little apartment, I began praying about buying a house. Trust me when I say that this aspect of "adulting" was certainly something I never imagined doing alone. Yet, as I thought more about that I realized that while this house hunting adventure happened while still rocking the single life, I most definitely have not done it alone. Every piece of this journey has brought a smile to my face in how the Lord has orchestrated detail after detail, blessing me with more than I ever could have asked or imagined. Here are a few highlights....
- Just a couple of years after moving to Gainesville, I began volunteering to help put on an event called Leadercast in the community, which connected me to many amazing people in the area. One of those individuals was Craig Wilburn. Craig has graciously been a guest speaker in my classes over the years, and is an all-around great guy - seeking to honor God in all he does, has a beautiful family, and serves his community well. Did I mention he's a realty guru? I knew if I ever decided to purchase a house here, Craig would be the first I contacted...and his entire team have been amazing! He connected me to one of his team members, Del, who has been a God-send as I sorted through what I really wanted in a home, looked at several places, and walking with me every step of the way! Craig, Del, & Terry - THANK YOU!
- My new house was not even on the market yet. After an offer falling through on another property, my realtor Del found another place in the same neighborhood with a nearly identical (but better) layout. I was in Illinois when she found the place, so she sent me a video tour...as soon as I watched the video, I knew that was going to be my home. Seeing it in person only confirmed it...I walked out from the brief showing ready to make an offer.
- Because it was not on the market yet, there was time flexibility (allowing me to finish out my lease) and I had the opportunity to meet the sellers throughout the process - a huge blessing and from what I hear, not normal in home transactions).
- After my offer was accepted, I learned that furniture was up for discussion. Talk about above and beyond blessings! Moving from an apartment to a home meant I was going to need a good bit of furniture. The Lord provided through the sellers this blessing of all the essentials at an incredible price point...and, their style is on point with mine!
- Inspections showed that the sellers had taken great care of this house, with just a few minor 'fix it' things to do in the coming months! And, the appraiser (who is coordinated through the bank) ended up being a friend from church!
- Neighbors - Since I was able to have a few conversations with the sellers, I knew a little bit about the neighbors I will be getting to know. One of my new neighbors is a connection through a new friend...small world moment to say the least!
- Location could not be more perfect...just a few miles from work, a few miles in the other direction to church, and directly across the street from my gym.
- Moving crew - my besties and my LifeGroup at church are all about literally doing life together...that means they show up when you need them, and I certainly could not move myself. So grateful for the many who offered and are coming to help get all my stuff moved a few miles from point A to B! (Especially the books...I have a lot of books :)...)
In the days leading up to closing, I kept thinking 'is this real?'... Well, with a new set of keys and my apartment in boxes...it is most certainly real (and surreal). In the midst of so much chaos in the world, the Lord blessed me with a new kind of adventure when my typical globetrotting adventures came to a pause. I'm excited to transition and settle in...getting to finally put my touch on a home...and can't wait to gather people together around my table. My prayer is that this home brings glory to Him, and many will be blessed as they gather together for good food and fellowship for however long He has me in this place.
Hebrews 10:19-25
Now, time to head to campus to teach my first “mask to mask” class of the semester...
Grateful...so, so grateful...
