Every Good and Perfect Gift (Part Two)

As soon as we had a settlement date (only a month away), we started looking for a place to rent. Our goal was as cheap as possible! Renting is more expensive than I thought! We knew we needed three bedrooms to fit the six of us. Beyond that, we would take whatever was available for the best price. We wanted to be as close as possible to where we're building, but it's a small town and didn't have anything available, so we figured we'd be at least 15 minutes away. We would have loved to rent a house out in the country, but nothing was available in our price range, so we knew it'd have to be an apartment or townhouse. It was going to be a bit of an adventure, we knew. We're country folk. Love peace and quiet, outdoor space. We're not used to having close neighbors, but we were preparing ourselves for that likelihood. Several online requests weren't even answered. But finally we got ahold of some people. We visited a couple of townhouses. One smelled terrible and had bedrooms that could not physically fit two beds in them, so we crossed that off our list. One seemed pretty nice. It was still quite small, but the rooms could fit two beds, and it had some amenities we could use (gym, pool, etc) so we wouldn't be stuck inside all the time. And it smelled nice. :) It was about 15 minutes from where we're planning to build, so it was doable. I'd been preparing myself for a change in living habits so a year in close quarters wouldn't do us in. I was ready to send the application that night! But Heath told me to at least think it over for a day before rushing into it. Smart guy, that husband of mine! I lay in bed that night thinking of all kinds of issues....our couch won't fit in that living room! There's no place to put the piano! There's no storage of any kind! Where will the kids keep their bikes?! Where will Heath keep his tools that he needs for work?! But, again, I tried to think of it as an adventure and a challenge that I was ready to accept.

The next morning I was browsing through Trulia for new rentals. A brand new one had been listed that morning. It was the same price as the apartments and townhouses we'd been looking at. But it was a big, old farmhouse! And, it was about two miles from where we're building!! I immediately sent a request for information, and the rental agent responded quickly and said we could see it that afternoon. When we got there, it blew me away! I know 100+-years-old and a bit run down isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I loved it! It's one of those old houses with interesting “secret” passageways and a confusing layout. I imagine the people who have lived there over the past century and all the memories made in that house. What was it like before the gas station and doctor's office and restaurant were added next door? Who lived there, and where are they now? It's fascinating!

Practically speaking, it's also a good fit. It has two large living rooms and an enclosed porch, so we'll have plenty of room for tools, piano, storage, whatever. It has four bedrooms, and it has the great outdoors! There's a tiny old kitchen, which is fine since I hate to cook. The only challenge will be having only one full bathroom. Oh, and the fact that old houses aren't very good at keeping out cold, heat, and creepy things. But I did want an adventure. :)

I feel that this house is a perfect fit for our family, in its size, its location, and its character. And it's not something you see a lot of! So again, I'm reminded that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights.” Thank you Lord for your good gifts!

Every Good and Perfect Gift (Part One)

God's timing. God's timing. We hear this phrase so often, but many times I wonder why God's timing so often doesn't make sense to us.

Ten years ago, Heath and I bought a piece of land to build our next house on. This wasn't because we were rich and needed a dream home or were discontent with our current house. I loved our house! Heath had built it with his own hands, and it is a beautiful house that meets our needs and is in an area we like. No, we didn't NEED to build a home. But we wanted to build again, with the ultimate goal being to eventually have no mortgage. Since Heath does the work himself, we automatically have a ton of equity in our home because of all the costs saved by doing the work himself. He rebuilt our first home; it sold easily and gave us profit to build again. So we figured, build and sell, build and sell, and soon be debt free!

So, using the equity in our current home, we bought the land. That was 2008. At the time, we had just completed our home study for our first adoption, and moving would require redoing (and re-paying-for) a lot of that process. So we thought,”Let's finish the adoption, get Tabitha home and settled, and then we'll sell our house and start building.” Reminder, that was 2008.

Little known to us, we had bought the land at just the wrong time. The housing market crashed just after our purchase. Our house lost about a third of its value. Of course, we had bought the land counting on the sale of our house to pay the land off, and even leave a good portion of what we needed for building costs. Instead, we were faced with our house being worth significantly less than what we owed on it. Not to mention, we were now paying our regular mortgage, plus a second payment for the home equity loan we used to buy the land. Not a good place to be. Our plan to get out of debt (a wonderful goal and good Biblical principle) had become increased debt with no way out.

When I think back to that time, I realize we did make one mistake. Well, two. One was we didn't know anything about the market economy. Some people knew a crash was likely, but we didn't do any research about that kind of stuff. (Lesson learned: sell first, buy second. Even if it's inconvenient, it would have saved us a lot of heartache!) The more important lesson learned was not to forget to pray! Things were selling fast at that time, and this land looked perfect for us, and we jumped on it! We didn't pray about it, we didn't seek counsel, we just did it. Ten years later . . . lesson learned.

Tabitha was adopted in 2009. After a year or so, we were ready to get started, and we put our house up for sale. Unlike our first house, which sold in two days and we had our choice of two offers, nothing happened this time! We were already listing it well below where we had hoped to sell, and we got not a single offer. It was shocking. And a bit terrifying. This wasn't our plan. What were we supposed to do now?!

After several months, we took our house off the market and decided to wait for the economy to improve. Our second adoption was in 2011. After Rayanna was settled in, we tried again. And again. And again. I've lost the exact count, but I believe we've had the house on the market five times, for about six months each time. If you recall, we have four children, we homeschool, I taught piano lessons here at home, and Heath has many not-so-neat projects going on. We use our house. Every inch of it. All the time. So, keeping a house ready for showings at a moment's notice is virtually impossible! Yet, for months at a time, over the course of the last eight years, we tried. Not the most fun thing I've ever done.

We lowered the price with each attempt, had many showings, but never got an offer. We got to the point where getting out of our mess was more important than building, so we tried to sell the land as well. It didn't go anywhere either. Meanwhile, we still had to pay taxes and interest on it. I don't know how many times I apologized to God for not seeking His wisdom before buying. How many times I begged Him to rescue us from this mess! Even if we had to live in a tiny, run-down apartment for the rest of our lives, I just wanted out of this debt! But nothing happened, and no writing in the sky told us what we should do. So we just pressed on. Tried again. Got over the disappointment. Tried again . . . For the past eight years.

Last fall we were ready to try again. There were some things we needed to fix, so by the time we were ready it was nearly spring. Enter the well problems. Our well was drilled in the 1950's, and it'd been a trusty friend for as long as we'd lived here. But over the past couple years, there were occasional problems. If we had a drought, there would be times where it would go dry for a few hours. It only happened a few times, nothing we couldn't live with. But this past winter, it started running dry more frequently. Every couple of months, then every few weeks, then multiple times a week. We realized we'd have to have it fixed. Fortunately, we were able to have an excellent new well drilled for less cost than we anticipated. That was a pleasant surprise!

Finally, we were ready to put the house on the market. We got it all fixed up and got everything picture perfect so the photographer could do the photo shoot. (That beautiful state of affairs lasted a couple hours.) We were preparing for a Wednesday listing day, so Tuesday we recleaned everything and made it picture perfect again. I braced myself for another round of months of stress—trying to keep it perfect looking, having our school day interrupted for showings, people in and out all the time—and to my cynical mind, probably all for nothing. The house went on the market on Wednesday (for the same price we had listed it a year before). We had five showings the first day! The first people to come through made a full-price offer on Thursday. We signed the contract on Friday. Settlement was scheduled for one month later. WHAT?!?!

We did nothing different than before. The market has improved a bit, but to go from no offers to full-price is a bit astonishing! To go from months of nothing, to the first people on the first day wanting to buy it for full price?! That doesn't seem coincidental to me. The only explanation I can think of is that, for some reason unknown to us, THIS was God's timing. I don't know why all those attempts over the past eight years weren't His plan. That certainly would have made a lot more sense if you ask me! But for some reason, this was it. I don't know if there will ever be a big “proof” of this. Some miracle that only could have happened if we moved now. But, even if it's nothing awe-inspiring to other people, I know that over the past decade God has increased my trust in Him, increased my contentment, taught me that no house on this earth is my forever home, and reminded me that—no matter the topic—God is the one in control, not me.

James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift is from God. This sale is one of those gifts, and I am so thankful that God knows how to give good gifts, and knows the perfect time in which to give them.

Going Home!

Tabitha should be discharged this evening!  We are very thankful for the excellent medical care, wonderful nurses, medical insurance, and a very spacious hospital room!  Our prayer request is for Tabitha's long-term kidney health.  Thank you to everyone who has been praying for and helping and encouraging us this past week.  We appreciate it very much!

Tabitha's Medical Situation

As many of you know, Tabitha is in the hospital with a kidney infection.  Short version of the story:  She was admitted on Tuesday (May 23), and will most likely be there until June 1st.  She is feeling completely fine now, but she has to complete her antibiotic treatment which is only available via IV, and that's why she can't come home yet.  Heath and I are taking turns staying with her.

I know some of you have asked how to help.  If you can come visit her (us), that'd be awesome!  The main problem right now is boredom!  Visiting hours are 9-9, at a Baltimore hospital (email/message me for details), children are welcome, but no one who has cough/cold/flu/etc.  If you can call or skype/facetime with her she'd enjoy that too.  Use my number or Heath's.

We're doing OK on the homefront, especially now that it's a weekend and Heath isn't at work.  Thank you to those of you who already helped us with our kids these past few days!  Very appreciated!!  Depending on Heath's work schedule next week we might need more help, but I'm not sure yet.

A couple of you asked about meals.  While not at all a necessity, I do hate to cook even under normal life circumstances, so I wouldn't object if dinner magically appears!   ha ha ha  =)

Thank you to everyone who has already let us know that you're praying for her.  We do appreciate that very much!  Please continue to pray for her health, and also for her spiritual well-being.  Most of us wrestle with the question of why God allows bad things to happen, but usually we don't have to face it until we're older.  She's already asking, at her young age, why she has to go through all this--why God let her be born with all these problems.  And she understandably feels quite upset about it. Pray for wisdom in discussing these things with her, and that God grants all of us peace and trust in Him.

If you don't already know her medical history, here is a bit of background and detail:  She was born with complex birth anomalies, which affect many systems of her body.  She has had many surgeries, has daily procedures (enemas and catheters) to keep her functioning (which give her high risk of UTI's), and she has stage 2 kidney disease.  Since this past October she has had several infections.  This is her third inpatient hospitalization in six months.  The doctors have not found a specific reason that she is getting so many infections all of a sudden.  Because of this history, she is resistant to many types of antibiotics, which is why she is on this very strong one that she has to stay at the hospital for.
We are very thankful for excellent insurance, and that we live so close to advanced medical care.  Our  worries/prayer requests are for her future.  The doctors have given us some ideas that will hopefully reduce infections, but it doesn't seem like they actually know why--it's more of a "try and see."  We do have more conversations with the doctors coming up--pray for some very solid answers.  Looking down the road, it is a scary thought that she is resistant to so many antibiotics, especially when she is at such high risk for infection, has had life-threatening infections, and already has damaged kidneys.

Thank you for your prayer, encouragement, and support.  We appreciate it very much!

Rayanna's Decision

We are very happy to share that Rayanna has decided she wants to follow Jesus!  She's known for a long time that He died for us, and that we need to trust in Him for salvation.  Yesterday, she decided that she was ready to ask Him to be her Savior.  We're very thankful that she has made this decision, and we're excited to see her learn and grow in her faith!  

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

July Newsletter

Our Year Concludes It's hard to believe that our year (11 months) is over.  The month of June was filled with finishing up projects as much as possible, preparing to move back to the States, and many tearful goodbyes.  We are now back in Maryland, working on resettling and getting back into life here.  Prayer appreciated for all the details of that!  Thank you to everyone who has so warmly welcomed us home! This year was such a blessing.  Even though it was challenging (downright impossible at times), we are so glad we had this chance.  We learned so much--about ourselves and about another culture--and we met so many wonderful people.  We are so thankful that we got to be a part of La Providencia's ministry for this year, and we hope to continue our relationships with the people and the ministry for many years. La Providencia's theme verse is James 1:27.  "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:  to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  We are so thankful for the chance to live out this verse with our friends in Honduras.  And we are so thankful for all of you who were also a part of this ministry with your financial support, visits, and prayer for us.  We couldn't have done the work that we did without your support and encouragement.  And it is such a blessing to see the body of Christ united and working together for such an important purpose. You can continue to read about La Providencia and the work being done there by visiting the website (www.providenceworld.org) and the facebook page.  We hope that you will continue to pray for this ministry.  Please pray especially for the new children who will soon be placed into their La Providencia family, and for God to provide three more English teachers for this fall. Thank you again for all of your support!  We wish we could see each of you to thank you in person; we hope every one of you knows the importance of the part you played and that we are so grateful.  May God bless each of you!

June Newsletter

The School Year is Finished! It's hard to believe, but the school year has ended!  I (Erin) had a very challenging year as a classroom teacher, but through all the challenges I also fell in love with these students!  I am going to miss them so much! Academia La Providencia is unique in many ways.  While there are several other bilingual schools in Siguatepeque, none is just like ALP.  ALP provides the opportunity of a Christian bilingual education to children who would normally not be able to get a good education because their parents can't afford it.  ALP teaches children about God's love, models healthy family relationships (by having the orphan family homes on campus), and even provides health and dental care for its students and the community. There is still a need for more English teachers for next year.  The children have half of their day in Spanish and half in English.  The Spanish classes are taught by Honduran teachers, and the English classes by English-speaking missionary-teachers.  There are only a couple of months until the new school year will begin (Preschool through 7th grade next year)!  Please be in prayer that God provides all the needed teachers.  And if you or someone you know might be interested in serving here for a year, please let us know, and we'll get you more information!  (erin.runkles@gmail.com)

Building Progress The third house inauguration took place a few weeks ago.  It was a very special time to welcome the new couple and their biological son into their new home, as well as to celebrate all that God has been doing.  Soon, children in need of a home will be joining this new family, where they will learn about God's love and experience it by feeling the love of a father and a mother, siblings, friends, and extended "family" like you from all over the world! The La Providencia Family will continue to grow, as the fourth house is well underway.  This house too, will become a home and provide family for 6-8 more children in need of parents.  It is so exciting to think about all the lives that are drastically changed through La Providencia's ministry and these couples who are willing to dedicate their lives to children in need. Building has also been progressing on the new classrooms and bathrooms for the school.  Since another grade is added each year, the school is always expanding.  Next year the first ALP class will be in 7th grade, and a new class of preschoolers will be welcomed into the school. Our homeschool year is finished as well!  Ethan completed 6th grade, Jesse 4th, Tabitha 2nd, and Rayanna is our family's final kindergarten graduate! Prayer Requests Please pray for God's provision of teachers for the next school year. Pray for the new children who will soon join the third family home, and for the adjustment of the whole family. Pray for wisdom for all of La Providencia's leadership, as they plan for the future and manage all the day-to-day decisions. Pray for our family as we say goodbye here, and then as we resettle in Maryland, and for all the logistics of this move.  Pray especially for provision as Heath re-establishes his work, and for our children as they transition back to American life. Praise God for His blessings on La Providencia and on our family!  Praise for health and safety, financial provision, and His eternal faithfulness! We praise God for each of you!  We know that many of you are faithfully praying for us, and many of you have contributed to our financial needs this year.  We are so thankful for the part each one of you has played in this ministry and in our family!  Thank you! ********************************************************************************************************* The last month for financial contributions to our account is July.  Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed!  If you are setup for automatic giving, don't forget to cancel your monthly gift . . . or better yet . . . transfer it to another account (child sponsorship, other missionaries' accounts, operating expenses, etc.) to continue helping La Providencia!