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We bought a house! Praise the Lord!

Our new home!

Our new home!

About nine years ago, we moved to the tiny, rural town of Butler, Missouri (which means it’s out in the sticks!); I always say not willingly, but ONLY because my husband Ray got a great job there as a paramedic at Bates County Memorial Hospital. We wanted a house located close to Ray’s work, so we wouldn’t have to fight Missouri’s winter snow and ice driving him to work (we have one car and I usually take him to work).

Initially we lived in a small, brick rental home, and then moved to a larger house in Butler, that was built in 1960 and the landlord who bought it inexpensively remodeled it beautifully. As soon as I saw the ad in the paper to rent the house, something in my spirit leaped.

Couple leaping

Couple leaping

When I met the landlord to go look at the house, and she told me that she flips houses for a living, as soon as my feet stepped inside the back door, I sensed that God wanted to bless Ray and me with this home to buy it, for us to improve it a little, and then us flip it, too, for a profit after several years.  I just felt that the house was mine.

Ray and I knew from the start of signing the year-long lease that our landlord intended to sell the house at some point. She had worked hard on remodeling it and she preferred to sell it to us, because she knew we loved the house, especially me, and that we’d take care of it.

The house is my personal taste and style, with the original wood floors stripped and polished, arched Spanish-style doorways, a sunroom like many homes in Florida have, and many other nice features. 

Image resource: https://katjacoby.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/this-week-is-national-pay-your-bills-week/

Image resource: https://katjacoby.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/this-week-is-national-pay-your-bills-week/

Ray and I have had a LOT of financial struggles during the 25 years of our marriage, including a home foreclosure, filing bankruptcy, and bills going into collection agencies (such as Ray’s medical bills), because we were living hand to mouth, just trying to survive and pay the basics each week.  Because of all this, Ray’s credit score wasn’t high, which is usually necessary to buy a home. 

Marines in war

Marines in war

When our landlord decided to sell the house after we’d lived there the first year, she offered it to us first since she knew I really liked the house. Ray served over 14 years in the Marines military, and wanted a VA (Veterans Administration) loan, because they don’t require any down payment.  He applied several places, but was turned down due to his credit score.  The VA usually requires a minimum credit score of  620.

Ray immediately began working to improve his credit score. We prayed and asked our family and our friends to pray for God’s favor and a miracle to buy this house.  

Our landlord generously allowed us to sign another year’s lease as Ray rebuilt his credit.  It took longer than expected, and then she allowed us to sign another year’s lease while God worked behind the scenes on our behalf! This is God’s FAVOR!

“”For he who finds me finds life And obtains favor from the LORD.”–Proverbs 8:35

The landlord also added a rail to the steps outside the house, which the VA required, and made repairs (paying for them  herself), including a new roof, hiring plumbers to fix a major plumbing issue, repainting,  and other expensive improvements to the home.

When God speaks, it shall be

Two of my friends gave me prophecies that we were going to buy the house, as well as people I didn’t even know—prophetic vessels of God’s on Periscope. When God speaks, it shall be. 

“So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” –Isaiah 55:11, AKJV

Ray applied for a VA loan and his application was again turned down. He said it looked like we’d have to move, which we both dreaded as we have moved a lot in our marriage and own a lot of stuff! I began searching the papers for a new rental house, but wondered about the prophecies. Like Mary the mother of Jesus, I pondered these things in my heart. (Luke 2:19) Had all those people simply missed it and given a false prophecy?

Then one morning in town, I met a woman at the post office as we waited in line, and admired her beautiful silver bracelet. She said her daughter bought it for her from Tiffany & Co. It turned out that she was a realtor, who knew a lender. This turned out to be a Divine appointment and the lender had a VA lender contact, who made it possible for us to buy this house! Look at God go!

Our house: God did it!

Our house; God did it!

Back door & sunroom

Back door & sunroom

Detached garage

Detached garage

Pink azaleas blooming in our yard

Pink azaleas blooming in our yard

You can see pics of the INSIDE of the house by clicking here. I have made some changes to the decor and furniture since I wrote that blog post. 

I’d told Ray that a VA loan would involve a lot of red tape, and I was right. He was about to pull out his hair from all the paper work he had to keep filling out and the information he had to get in order to process the loan. At times it still seemed “iffy,” but I continued to stand on God’s word. While I struggle with faith in the area of our children and grandchildren, I did have FAITH that we were going to buy this house, and at times I had to encourage Ray to BELIEVE and TRUST GOD!

My friend Stephanie Carter, one of the women who prophesied we’d buy the house, encouraged me to do something as an act of faith that the house was our own, so I planted wildflower seeds outside with Ray as we waited to hear for the response about the loan.

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” –Hebrews 11:6, NASB

Stephanie urged me and Ray to ONLY speak words of faith over this house and the loan, and go to the four corners of the land, praying silently over it as the people of Israel did at Jericho before the final victory. (Joshua 6) She said tell everyone I knew that this house was ours, even strangers, lol. I did all this, and I dropped the communion elements of bread and wine at each of the four corners. (Matthew 26:17-30)

I also buried a mustard seed which was inside a heart charm for a necklace of mine, at my friend Shelley Valasek’s encouragement, right beside the wildflowers. (Matthew 17:20)

Here’s a picture of me planting the seeds, and Ray and I holding a green stone that says “Faith” on it that I found at the Dollar General store. 

me planting wildflower seeds

me planting wildflower seeds

Ray & me Holding our "faith" stone, as we wait for final approval of the VA loan for the home we're buying this year

Ray & me holding our “faith” stone, as we wait for final approval of the VA loan for the home we’re buying this year

Here is Ray in the picture below, signing the papers with the attorney and our landlord at the attorney’s office. 

God gave us favor to not need a down payment, AND our landlord even paid all the closing costs! Praise JESUS!

Ray signing papers at the house closing

Ray signing papers at the house closing

Landlord signing papers at house closing

Landlord signing papers at house closing

After the papers were signed, Ray and I went out to lunch to celebrate at Olive Garden! All the glory and praise goes to Jesus Christ! This is a miracle, with our financial problems in the past and Ray’s previous credit score. God did it, halleluah!

Ray & me toasting at OG

Ray & me toasting at OG

Ray's green apple Sangria

Ray’s green apple Sangria

Me with Italian Moscato red wine

Me with Italian Moscato red wine

OG bread sticks and salad

OG bread sticks and salad

I’m so happy to tell you that we are now proud home-owners! Ray and I prayed over the house, the land, our marriage, our children, our grandchildren when we bought this house, breaking any curses over it and asking God to bless us and our home.

Me & Ray at 25th "silver" wedding anniversary & home purchase party

Me & Ray at 25th “silver” wedding anniversary & home purchase party

We had our 25th “silver” wedding anniversary and home purchase party on Mother’s Day 2017, which I’ll share about in another blog post. Thank you to all who prayed for us to buy this house; it wouldn’t have happened without YOUR prayers!

GOD DID IT! PRAISE THE LORD!

What are you believing God for in your life? What miracle do you need? Leave your comments below.

Are you needing more faith? Read my book on praying in faith at Amazon by clicking here. 

Blog, Faith, prayer, Spiritual Gifts

My dream this morning

Jesus on the cross

Jesus on the cross

I don’t usually tell my dreams publicly to people. But I had a dream earlier this morning that I believe was from God for me and others. Here is the dream and what I believe is the interpretation.

Dream: There was a banquet for supper. The hour was late, about 9 p.m. I was welcoming people as they came in, pointing them to another room where they could get the appetizers and wine. One man asked where the room was and I gave him directions. I was telling the guests we were about to start the banquet and to get ready. My grandmother Gentry was sitting at the head of the table. She was thanking me and giving me credit for helping so much with preparing the feast. I was humbled, not wanting to call attention to myself. Everyone was excited and couldn’t wait to eat and was hungry.

Interpretation: God has prepared a wedding feast for His people–the marriage supper of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:6-9, ESV). The hour is late; Jesus is about to come.

Numbers have spiritual meanings. The number 9 is symbollic of divine completeness, finality and judgment; Christ died at the 9th hour of the day to make the way of salvation open to everyone. There were 9 people stoned, 9 special widows, and 9 people afflicted with blindness in the Bible. There were 9 judgments of God. (Haggai 1:11)

There are 9 fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) begins at sunset on the 9th day of the 7th Hebrew month. The number 9 relates to prayer and intercession -Peter and John went to the temple at the hour of prayer being the 9th hour (Acts 3:1). Cornelius was fasting and at the 9th hour, he prayed and had a vision (Acts 10:30)

I believe the room with the appetizers and wine represents that God has “appetizers” and wine for us to enjoy- the wine of the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)

The man asking for directions to the room represents people who are lost. We need to share about Jesus with others, giving them directions. We need to tell others about being filled with the Holy Spirit.

My grandmother Gentry in real life was a very good, loving, wise person. I believe she personifies Wisdom and God’s love in the dream. (Proverbs 1:20)

My grandmother giving me credit and thanking me for my help before the banquet represents that God sees all you are doing, all your labor of love for Him. He will give you credit and reward you. (Ephesians 6:8)

Everyone at the banquet being hungry represents the hunger of people today for God. Share with them God’s good word and about Jesus. (John 4:32)

Blog, Faith, Marriage, Parenting, prayer, Speaking, Spiritual Gifts, Writing

2015 Is a Pivotal Year

Image courtesy of manostphoto at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of manostphoto at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Do you have a Bible verse or “one word” for the new year?

At the end of each year, I take quiet time alone with God to pray about the upcoming year for God’s blessings, protection, and His presence with me and my family. I ask Him for His guidance and direction, and a Bible verse for the year. A couple of years ago, I heard from other entrepreneurs online about getting a “one word” or a “theme” for the year.

When I begin hearing a word or a scripture more than once, I know that God is speaking to me. He often did this in the Bible, to emphasize His point to His [usually willful, stubborn!] people. 

Recently, I began seeing the words “pivot” and “pivotal” frequently,  and I knew God was speaking to my heart. I believe these are my “words” for 2015, and that 2015 is a pivotal year for God’s people. 

The definition of pivot is “the central point, pin, or shaft on which a mechanism turns.”

The definition of pivotal is “of crucial importance in relation to the success of something else.”

I believe God also gave me the scripture John 20:16, The Message, for 2015:

“Jesus said, “Mary.” Turning to face Him, she said, ‘Rabboni,” meaning “Teacher.”

In 2015, I believe we need to pivot – to turn around and face Jesus, hear His still small voice, and then go and tell others everything He is saying to us. 

I share more about this word pivot/pivotal and this scripture in my video, which you can view by clicking here