August 21, 2006 10:17 AM
Time to move
We are embarking on another adventure - selling our house and moving.
Several reasons:
Financial downsizing - Tripp is working too hard to subsidize this house. We'd rather have him than the house. I've been thinking a lot lately about materialism and greed (click here for more) and understanding how antithetical these are to true Christianity. The fact is, we have way more than we need.
Family downsizing - Since we moved here, four teenage boys have grown and gone. Ben and Zach are in college, but Zach will probably be going to the Air Force Academy next year (a shift in plans) and Ben wants to room with friends next summer to be more independent.
Too much house to take care of - there are things I'd rather do with my time than preside over a 6000 square foot house. Like blogging and writing books :)
The market here is horrible right now. Our house is probably worth 10-20 percent less than it was a year ago. And there is a glut of houses for sale right now in Loudoun. So it will take an act of God to sell it. But the good news is that once it sells there will be a lot of places for us to choose from - and hopefully in a more family-friendly neighborhood.
You all may remember that Jonny is not allowed to go next door to play with the same boys he rides the bus and goes to school with (click here for the rest of that story). Kind of tells you where this neighborhood is at. I'm afraid we have always been considered not proper material for this neighborhood since our family includes four disabled kids. Only one neighbor ever welcomed us - very different from our experience in Philomont, the small town we lived in before moving to Waterford. There people showed up on our doorstep with dinners and desserts when we moved in. We didn't really realize how good we had it! I've learned my lesson though: people who live in modest houses may not have as much materially, but they have a lot more love.
We originally moved here because our dog had been killed by someone driving too fast down our dirt road. Though an hour could go by with no cars coming down that road, the occasional fast driver worried us with the Down syndrome boys unable to understand safety issues. This house came up and it was a bargain (had been on the market for over a year) in a safe spot. Like a lot of the things Tripp and I have done, it was a quick impulsive decision. We paid dearly for it as our own house didn't sell quickly and we ended up carrying two mortgages for 10 months. Just as we paid dearly in terms of losing good neighbors and all the happiness that brings.
It's beautiful here - we have six acres and a pool. The whole family gathers on Sunday (25 of us) and it is wonderful. But for all the reasons I just shared, it's time to move on.
This time we will sell our house before we even look for another. Then we will take our time - something we have never done before. Tripp and I tend to make decisions quickly - which has its up side, but also down. This time, we will be praying ourselves and asking for prayer from friends that we may find a spot where our family may continue to gather, our children will be safe, and our neighbors will be kind. We plan to stay within Loudoun County because Sophia is really happy with her high school and the Downzers are very integrated and well-cared for in their school situations. But the county is big and there are lots of friendly places further west.
I know I've asked for prayer from you before - with meeting deadlines (keep praying about that one too!), Jesse's glasses (missing again!), and keeping Daniel off medication (so far, so good) - but here I am to ask again. Will you pray for God to be in charge of this change in our lives? I would so love to be somewhere a year from now more like the first town we lived in in Virginia, only a safer location.
Posted in Family, Loudoun County | Permalink
Comments
I'll pray with you Barbara! He will provide just what you need, and you'll have a story to tell. Your reasons are solid.
SIX THOUSAND SQUARE FEET!!! We live in 900.
It sounds like a stereotype, but I come from a wealthy family and it sadly is true, neighborhoods that "fit" the image your home conveys DON'T welcome the imperfect very well. i.e., The sad reality about Jonny.
While I really long for at least one large room for hospitality purposes (we still have folks over in spite of the size but it is NOT comfortable); God has convicted me that we are just where he wants us. The proximity of neighbors and their "stuff" and lack of privacy makes for many opportunities to learn grace, something I am sorely lacking. So this not only is my home, it is my school : )
Also, I have learned some wonderful things about clever design (look up all books by Sarah Susanka, she of "The Not So Big House" fame)and tiny gardening (Patricia Lanza "Lasagna Gardening for Small Spaces") and saving money. Our house is like a toy, we have constructed tiny spaces and well-placed windows that take advantage of views upwards and inwards.
It's also easy to keep clean.
Right now I must close one of those tiny windows because my neighbor is powerwashing his house and I can't think. HA!
Posted by: floorplan | August 21, 2006 11:16 AM
I live in 1400 sq feet and we'd love to have you in our neighborhood :)
Posted by: Lindsey | August 21, 2006 11:28 AM
Oh Barbara, We are totatlly at the same point right now. Although moving for some different reasons. It took us 10 months to sell a house in Southern Illinois and now we are looking to buy something new. It's hard to be content with what's before us, when I want more (the bigger house with all the extras). The Lord has been teaching me to just let Him provide for what we need and we'll end up so much better off. It's a hard lesson to learn for me. We'll most definitely be praying for the sale of your home and purchasing a new one! Thanks for all the insights you share.
Posted by: Julie | August 21, 2006 1:26 PM
We actually like that the housing market in VA is taking a downturn b/c that may mean that we'll finally be able to afford to buy. We have been renting a condo in NoVa for 3 yrs and have recently found a 1950's house to rent that has a little yard for our boys to play in. Our downstairs neighbors have long complained about the noise our 3-yr-old makes running up and down our 1000 sq ft condo. I don't want a big house(don't want to clean it!) but it's been a challenge finding a starter home that's priced less than half a million dollars(for those not from VA, I'm not kidding about the price). However, God is so good and He provides for our needs. Good luck on the house search, Barbara. Just don't leave Virginia! I like knowing you're so near, even if we never meet. :-)
Posted by: Laurie | August 21, 2006 1:59 PM
I am praying for you and Tripp!
Posted by: Kathy | August 21, 2006 3:11 PM
Prayers for your family in this next period in your life! Best of luck with the sale of your home and finding a new one.
Posted by: KatieButler | August 21, 2006 6:14 PM
That's nice youre thinking of Sophia too. BUT We're just an hour away and would welcome you all. Didn't you just love Thurmont when you visited? Actually, my friend just listed her farmhouse. Hmmm,, :)
Posted by: janet | August 21, 2006 8:17 PM
Good for you guys, Mrs. Barbara. It is good to see you thinking about all the aspects of your life to make a wise decision. I know that such desires are pleasing to God and He can be trusted to guide and provide for you in His timing and way. Years from now (and hopefully much sooner, too) you will be able to look at these changes and see just how beautifully God cares for those who will trust Him (as I know you have learned already, but here's another area to get practice in).
It is also good to see people who recognize their past patterns and are willing to do the work to grow and submit their ways to God. My dh has recently recognized some of his patterns that have landed us in the situation we are getting out of, and he is working hard to balance his approach in order to become more of the man and leader that God wants him to be. It is such a blessing to live with a person who never stagnates in their personal growth and desire to be conformed in every way to Christ's image. May I always be such a person, too. :-)
Posted by: Cheri | August 22, 2006 4:40 AM
