Trips to Tennessee

January 26th, 2008

I’ve been meaning for a long time now to chronicle a basic example of our trips to Tennessee, but I keep forgetting to take pictures! (I tend to be somewhat of a forgetful person I’m afraid) Well, I’m happy to say that this week I’ve been a faithful photographer, or family journalist or whatever you wish to call it, as you will soon see from the many pictures I snapped.

On this particular trip to Tennessee, our main focus was going back a second time to the properties that stood out the most to us. We prayed that morning that God would narrow down our possibilities, and shut or close doors for us so our list of decisions/choices wouldn’t be so broad. Well, He did just that for us, in ways that I never imagined! It always seems to happen that way, doesn’t it?

There’s one piece of land in particular that we’ve taken a liking to; a six acre section of pasture land on __________ Road. No final decision has been made at this point; it remains a possibility. Though I can’t help but wonder, will this be our home, or will this be where we live? It’s all in God’s hands: He knows our future!

As usual, we had fun in the car with Mr. Dan, and even got to talk a little with him about spiritual matters; a very light conversation, but it’s a beginning nonetheless. On our return journey to Virginia we got stuck in traffic for two hours! (Apparently there was a tractor trailer accident on Route 81) The police blocked off the interstate for five miles – it was so strange to see 81 completely dark and empty! That was an adventure too. :-)

Enough talk for now however – take a look at the pictures!

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The Search Goes On

January 24th, 2008

I threw this together from yesterday’s trip to TN. Hope you enjoy it!


[flashvideo filename=/wp-content/videos/property_0001.flv /]

[download high quality WMV file]

We looked at a couple of additional properties (one of which had an absolutely unbeatable mountain view), but I didn’t put it in because of time constraints.

- Walter

The Search Report

December 26th, 2007

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet”

Psalms 119:105

Isn’t it interesting how the Lord lights the way of our feet, and not the road that stretches out for miles in front of us? Sometimes we wish that God would just give us the road map of our lives – a chart that shows exactly where we’re going to go, and how we’re going to get there. But that would defeat the purpose of faith, trust in God, perseverance, and all other virtues that make up the Christian walk!

But in His wisdom, God has given (yea, perhaps even blessed us) with the unknown – to build our character, and increase our dependence on Him. Truly, life in Christ is adventure!

For the past few months or so, our family has been driving around in Tennessee once or twice a week. Although Dad is keeping the Virginia option open (and there is strong “extended family push” to keep us here), he still remains fairly convinced that TN is where we’re supposed to be.

The two obvious things that we need (wherever we end up settling) are housing/land, and employment for Dad. Resumes have been sent to numerous colleges in the Tri-cities area – we have not yet heard back. One college though, Tusculum College in Greenville, has an opening in their brand-new security dept., and are looking for experienced people just like Dad! Could this be the one?

The housing/land search has been much more entertaining. We signed on with a buyer’s agent realtor, and have spent many hours driving around with him in our minivan, looking at homes all over the tri-cities area. So far, none of the properties in our price range have suited our particular fancy. What usually happens is that we like the land, but abhor the house; or we love the house, and can’t stand the land! :) It’s been fun driving around, though!

We’ve also looked into the possibility of manufactured housing – you know, the homes you see being trucked along on the interstate. One model in particular has almost stolen our hearts, it’s so perfect for our family. 4 Bdrms, 3bths, sunken den, roomy kitchen with massive pantry, full attic, etc. It’s definitely a high-end manufactured house. Combine that with a couple acres of land, and we’ll have the new Willi home?

So there you have it. That’s the status of our search, as God leads us forward. We would appreciate your continued prayers, that we may be sensitive to His will, and lean on Him, and not on our own understanding!

God Bless!

A New “Home”

November 21st, 2007

It was late Saturday night when the Willi entered Virginia; and a few minutes later they were safe and sound at their future residence. One mini van burdened with canoes and bikes, one large moving truck hauling a trailer…a nine hour road trip = one, very tired family. :-)

“Welcome Home!” Karlyn greeted us at the front door.

I smiled; Jeepers! I had forgotten that Jason’s house would be our home for a few months! :-)

Since Saturday we’ve successfully unloaded our things into their proper places, and for the most part have settled in with my brother’s family. The kids wrote us welcome signs and posted them all over the house; isn’t that sweet? (for those of you who don’t know, my brother Jason has seven children; don’t worry, I’ll post about them:-) We’ve been given two bedrooms and a bathroom all to ourselves, kitchen and cabinet space, and storage in the garage and basement. Have you ever heard of such hospitality?

Funny, it seems to me as if we’re still on vacation – a very long vacation – and really haven’t moved at all. Even though I know in my head that we have indeed moved, it doesn’t exactly feel like it yet. A strange sensation at that…. Hopefully as the weeks go by and we go back to school, reality will ‘hit me’ (so-to-speak) and I’ll be able to adjust.

In the meantime, we’re having a ball with our family! The weather’s been great (yesterday was incredibly warm), we’ve been spending time outside or carrying on our tradition of card games, watching movies together, and getting ready for Thanksgiving.

Here are some pictures from our last few days.

Well folks, that’s it for now. It’s time for me to make some apple pie for tomorrow!

-Kasie

Saying Goodbye

November 19th, 2007

(written Friday, November 16th)

“Let us not say ‘goodbye,’ but as the French have it, ‘au revoir‘!”

-Mr. Whickham to the Bennett family in Pride and Prejudice

Not even a ‘goodbye’ or ‘au revoir‘ for that matter; I prefer ‘Until we meet again!” because I know in my heart that even though we’ll part for a time, (Lord willing) we will indeed see our dear friends again: this is not the end.

The hardest part of moving for me has been leaving our dear friends, family, and extended family. I and all my siblings have lived in 14 Malstorme Rd. for all of our lives (Mom and Dad for even longer), and over that seemingly short time God has blessed us with a glorious circle of wonderful friends; it’s not easy saying goodbye to them.

We spent our last few days in New York mainly with our friends, visiting from house to house, saying our farewells to everyone. I know I will see them again someday, but that didn’t make the parting any less difficult.

We’ve shared such grand sweet times together, haven’t we? So many memories; memories that I will keep close to my heart forever.

We love you guys so much, all our wonderful, dear friends! We will never forget or replace you. Keep in touch; drop a note, email or phone call. Until then I look forward to the time when our paths will cross again.

May God bless you!

-Kasie

“It would rain…”

November 15th, 2007

“All right Dad’s home! Hurry! Let’s load the canoes on the van!”

An  “early start” was  later than expected, so we scrambled round trying to make up for lost time. All of us were  bunched at the Kruse’s front door, causing quite a ruckus while donning various shoes and jackets appropriate for the weather.

Weather? Did anybody say weather?

Five heads peered out into the gloomy, steady drizzles, groaning over the the miserable packing day ahead of us. “Uhm… ” I reached for my rubber boots with a sigh. “It would rain!”

(Unfortunately I didn’t actually say that – but it would have been brilliant if I did!)

Sloshing, splashing, wading my way through the puddling mud was adventure in itself. Feeling the soaked nylon jacked cling to my skin brought back many memories of camping in the Adirondacks! :-) “Roughing it” today didn’t seem so appealing…

But the plan? And the people who offered to help? Could we switch to the next day? *Gasp* we daren’t go against THE SCHEDULE!

As the rain promised to pelt relentlessly all today, the Willi has abandoned “Operation Pack Thursday.” Necessity has determined that we refocus our goals for “Operation Pack Friday.” :-)

God is in control! Praise God for His Sovereignty over our lives! Please pray for dry weather, wisdom for the packing, and that everything would fit in the moving truck neatly.

God bless and keep you all!

-Angie

Homeless!

November 6th, 2007

Actually, being homeless isn’t so bad at all – especially if one has a sister who opens her house to you in the meantime! :-) On the contrary, we aren’t really ‘homeless’ but only ‘houseless,’ as Dad puts it. We will never really be without a home.

We’re currently living with Sharon’s family in Poughkeepsie, and all fit rather snuggly in their small, yet cozy house – it all works out quite nicely when Mom and Dad sleep in the family room, and the four of us downstairs in the basement.

It’s been a lot of fun being with the Kruses! We spend most of our evenings together watching movies and eating popcorn, or perhaps playing a game of Spit, Egyptian Rat Screw or Boggle, and having an altogether wonderful time of it!

Yes, being homeless isn’t so bad after all.

- and for those of you wondering, we’re surviving splendidly with only one bathroom.

-Kasie :-)

The House Closing

November 2nd, 2007

It wasn’t how I thought it would be. I imagined a check or two, a few signatures, and a handshake. But it wasn’t like that – not at all.

Instead, I sat inside of a large conference room with 2 lawyers, a mortgage broker, and a real estate agent. Everyone had a large dossier (sometimes several of them) full of documents, and impressive looking calculators. Everyone was friendly and cordial, but it was apparent that there was work to be done – and a lot of it.

The closing was destined to be an hour and a half process, and I was about to receive an inside look into the world of real estate.

Not that I understood what I saw. :)

First the mortgage broker lady (I think that’s who she is) and the 2 lawyers crunched numbers, compared documents, and sent and received faxes. It was a myriad of papers, cell phone calls, and more papers. “It is amazing to me how lawyers can be so organized as they all are!”

Next the buyers came, and it was signing time. Sign here, sign there, sign everywhere. I’m sure Mom’s fingers are tired from all the signatures! It was a steady stream of faxes, legal documents, and checks. Yes – one check simply doesn’t do. There must be several.

Sigh…. If only we could go back to the days where a simply contract and a handshake were all that were required. I know it sounds like an oxy moron, but thank God for honest lawyers!

So, we are now officially homeless (or house-less as Dad prefers to call it)! A new adventure begins.

Going “Unplugged”

November 1st, 2007

Well folks, the computer is going unplugged today, and we’ll be officially “offline”. Luckily, I just bought my laptop a week ago, and we’ll be able to get email. We’ll also probably be able to write posts and such, but I can make no guarantees – unsecured wireless hotspots are sometimes hard to find. :)

What I can say though, is that this will be the last post before we finish the sale of the house. Thanks for all your prayers! (We could still use them, by the way). Crunch time is upon us, and we’re tired, and a bit behind schedule. We must Persevere!

I feel like an astronaut coming back into earth’s atmosphere. There are those few minutes where they aren’t in contact with the folks at mission control….

God Bless! Over and out.

Packing Up

October 31st, 2007

Our house is starting to look very messy and empty. We filled up a ten-by-ten storage unit with bins full of books and just plain stuff. Our dumpster (which used to be empty a few days ago :) ) is now filling very quickly. Many trips to the storage unit and to WalMart for more bins.

Below are some pictures of our chaotic house

Enjoy :)