To read part 1 click here. 

To read part 2 click here. 

To read part 3 click here. 

All was going well. We had 3 offers in on 3 houses in California, and we were just waiting. It felt like we were doing exactly what the Lord was calling us to do. 

But as we waited, nothing was happening. We had already sold our house in Edmond thanks to a couple crazy people (who are now our friends) who knocked on our door and asked if we would ever sell it. 

Before we knew it, all 3 houses we made offers on in California were bought out from under us by cash buyers. 

Now what?

Turns out, we have friends that live in the same area we wanted to move in California. They were also moving, and had just bought a house. They were gracious enough to let us rent their old home from them until we could find something. 

Perfect. 

It wasn't the ideal situation (to essentially move twice), but it was an answer to prayer for sure. We kept saying that we would just let the Lord work out all the details if we were supposed to be in California. We weren't going to try too hard. If He wanted us there, He would have to make it all happen. 

And it appeared that He was making it happen. 

It seemed crazy that we had friends who were willing to let us stay in their home virtually rent free until we found a place. 

But that's what happened. And that became the plan. We started packing boxes and preparing for a baby to come. 

Telling our families that we were moving was not easy. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Especially since we were about to have another baby, and we had no clear reason to go. 

That was tough. 

But we moved forward with the plan. 

Then October 31, 2012 rolled around, and the Lord threw us a curveball. We named him Wyatt, and He changed everything. 

To be continued and concluded tomorrow night......(sorry for the never ending story).

Where have I been?

I think it's a good question since I have taken off from writing for a considerable amount of time now. It's been too long honestly.

There are things that my soul wants to do. One of them is run {which I am not doing at all at the moment since this child inside me is quite uncomfortable to even walk with} and the other is write.

There are times that I feel like I'll burst at the seams if I don't do one of the two.

For so long, so much of me and my life was lived day by day right here. Part of me does not miss that at all. But there is this other part that yearns to re-live things here on the screen.

I read once that what makes a good story is simply the desire for the reader to want to know what's coming next.

I feel like I'm stuck in the middle of a good story, and I'm the one wanting to know what's coming next.

I think the last time we talked, we had randomly had someone knock on our front door asking if we would be interested in selling our house.

This knock came on the same day that I spent in prayer asking the Lord to knock my stubborn soul in the head with a sign of sorts that I wouldn't be able to deny. And then came the knock on the door.

Who does that? Who randomly asks someone with no sign in their yard if they're interested in selling their house? (Well, technically my husband has done that, but besides him...who does that?)

It was an answer to a prayer. It was a knock that swept away my doubts about moving. It was timely and almost humorous. And it was exactly what I needed.

This entire decision to move to California has been a complete test of my faith. I can't deny that it's where we're supposed to be. I can't tell you why (which makes it more difficult to explain), but I can't deny my peace in our decision.

{Side note}: Man I feel better with my hands on these keys!

moving on......

We have since been back to California to look for houses. Our timing is less than convenient to say the least. We looked at real estate in the middle of September, and we can't close until December. It's not exactly good timing. And with the newest addition to the Dalke family coming in late October or early November, we really won't have another chance to go back again.

We did find 3 houses that we like. Two that we love. One that just felt like home to both of us.

We made an offer on two houses. One of them has really become our 3rd choice and since being home, I've felt weird about it for some reason. But we made an offer because it is a short sale, and we were able to put in the first offer.

But we also made an offer on the house that we both felt was "the one." It's hard to become attached to a house like that because we don't really know if it's what the Lord has for us or not (even though part of me believes that it is).

I walked the property while Brian talked to the neighbor (and the 22 horses that she boards which is kind of cool) and prayed. I just prayed. I honestly didn't know what else to do. I feel a little helpless in all of this. With our timing, there really isn't much that I can physically do to swing things in our favor.

My heart so obviously felt at home in this place, and the only thing I knew to do was the Lord over and over and over again if this is what He has for us.

It's not perfect by any means. But I can't explain the way it made me feel the moment we walked in the door. Home. It just felt like home.

It's a ranch style house on 5 acres with a ting little pool in the front yard (so random, I know). There is literally a door in almost every room (because why would there not be? It's southern California people....of course there are a million ways to get outside).

The entire house has been gutted and remodeled. And there is a 1,000 square foot guest house. Yes! A guest house.....so you can all come stay! (Not all at once.....I'll come up with a calendar or something.)

Plus, there is plenty of space for Brian to plant a vineyard or citrus trees or whatever we want. There is plenty of space to entertain, and we could eventually host all sorts of things like leadership retreats, women's retreats, weddings possibly, plus all our family whenever they want to come......who knows....the possibilites are endless. It's sort of like a dream. And honestly, if it works out, it will have to be God orchestrating it all.

When we made the original offer, we found out there was actually already another offer on the house that was basically very similar to our offer. The other offer had been in for 2 weeks but they hadn't accepted yet. It was a full price offer (just like ours) with a closing date at the end of the year (very close to our desired closing date), but they needed the investors who own the property to carry an $85,000 loan because they can only get approved for a certain amount.

Our offer was a full price offer that would close on December 10th.

The investors decided that our offer really wasn't "better." I told Brian that if it was supposed to be our house....if it really was the house He had prepared for us, then it would work out.

We got a call later that day saying that the investors had talked and thought that maybe they would rather have an offer of more than full price (which we were willing to pay). They thought that that would put them in a better position since they wouldn't have to carry a loan like they were going to have to with the other offer.

I start to think that maybe this is the Lord working in our favor......

We offer more than full price, and then we wait.

And we wait.

And they decide that they're not sure which offer they want to take.

One of the problems with California real estate is that the buyer is extremely protected and can walk away at any point. The people with the other offer decided that they could move their closing date up to 30 days from now (but they still need the investors to carry a portion of their loan).  And the investors would rather have our more than full price offer, but they're afraid that we'll walk before December, and then they'll be kicking themselves when they could have sold the house in October.

So we wait.

And I let go of control.

And I give it up to the Lord. I honestly don't know if that's where He wants us or not.

When our offer was denied the 1st time, we quickly moved on and started talking about our 2nd choice. Believing that maybe that's where he wanted us.

My heart is still in the 1st house. Our 1st choice. The one that just felt like home.

Everything in me wants to know where we're going. I want to know what's next. What happens next?

I've never in my life let go of control like this. But that's where we are, and where we've been.

Where have we been? Seeking. Praying. Giving up control.

And this is where we'll wait for what's next.

Promising to keep you updated.......

And We Think We'll Stay, Thank You

For a while we have been looking for a house and then looking for land to build, and now we think we're finally settled on staying here for the time being.

Brian would move to southern California in a second if I said let's go, but now is not the time. I told him I would pray about it and consider it.

We were pretty set on building and had even found land that we loved, but for some reason it just doesn't feel right yet.

So for the time being, we think we'll stay right where we are.

That decision does mean making some changes. We have a separate office space that we lease right now, but I never ever work there. It's basically just one big tax write off right now. We have our meetings there, but that's about the only purpose it serves.

We've had the office for almost two years now, and have decided not to renew our lease. But, that means that I desperately need a space to work in our home. Right now I work from the tiny built in desk located in our kitchen, and from our back porch, and kitchen table, and dining room table, and basically wherever I can find to lay all my stuff out.

So upon deciding to stay where we are, we decided that having an office space for me in our home is vital.

The only place we have to do that is in our current playroom which is currently Bailey's room and was at one time the attic.

The plan is to make a large portion of that space an office for me. We'll also still have part of it be our guest bedroom, and I'm sure a fair amount of toys and baby items will make their way into the space as well.

The "soon to be office" is only accessed through our fourth bedroom (soon to be a nursery), so it's not ideal, but it'll be a great solution for the next year while we pray about where we really want to be.

Of course, all this planning has me searching for ideas. Thank you pinterest for a little inspiration.

Source: design-shimmer.blogspot.com via Allison on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Allison on Pinterest

Source: zimbio.com via Allison on Pinterest

Source: lola-and-daisy.tumblr.com via Allison on Pinterest

Source: home-designing.com via Allison on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Allison on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Allison on Pinterest

Source: lifehacker.com via Allison on Pinterest

Source: ikeahackers.net via Allison on Pinterest

Source: desiretoinspire.net via Allison on Pinterest

Won't this be a fun adventure? It's always an adventure.

.....day 327 of a year of writing.....

All That Matters Is Why

I've basically been begging the Lord to speak a word to me over the last month or so regarding where on this beautiful Earth He would like us to live. And ya know what? He won't say anything!

You know this is a girl who likes a plan, and I left my house today in tears because Brian and I got in a disagreement over what was next. I was pretty sure we were set on building. I mean he spent the entire morning looking at floor plans. To me, that means we're building.

And then suddenly, he pulls me over to look at a house for sale that he just can't believe he hadn't seen yet in all of his searches.

Wait a minute.....I thought we were building.....not buying....what happened to that?

And before I know it, we are arguing over nothing.

I leave the house to head to the grocery store in tears. {I have very high suspicious that my overly emotional reaction to a small disagreement has to do solely with my pregnancy hormones....and you better believe I'm going to play that card as many times as necessary.}

And suddenly at a stop sign, with tears streaming down my face, I just cry out to the Lord,

"Would You just say something!" 

I was mad. I mean like angry mad.

For crying out loud, just say something....anything......

You see, I so desperately want to do whatever His will is for my life, that I beg Him to speak and to lead. And sometimes, He is simply silent. But I firmly believe that the Lord is just as intentional about what He doesn't say as He is about what He does say.

His silence, is our opportunity to act on that which He has called us to be filled with and that is faith and faith alone. In those times that He chooses not to answer back, not to offer any signs or signals, we must simply act out of faith by following His word and doing what we believe He would ask us to do.

And the more I thought about all this acting on faith business, the more I kept thinking about the house we almost bought in Piedmont just a month or so ago.

We sought Him over and over again about whether or not this was the house, and one night Brian had a dream about it.

He was in a room with nothing in it but what looked like a day calendar hanging lonely on the wall. You know the type that you rip off a page for each day... Some have inspirational sayings, or jokes on a square pad. Well, this one simply said "500 days."

While he was in this room, He was asking the Lord if we were supposed to move into this house. And oddly enough, the Lord didn't seem too concerned with whether or not we moved there or not because when Brian asked if we were supposed to buy this house by the lake, the only thing the Lord said was, "Will you sacrifice something for me?"

And Brian asked him if he needed to sacrifice something for this house, and the Lord said, "No. You can move into that house. It's not for the house. Will you just sacrifice something for Me?"

And Brian's answer was, "Yes."

Then he watched the sheets of paper on the calendar flip and flip and flip, as if God was thumbing through them, until finally they were almost all gone. The He ripped off most of the calendars' pages, and the one left showing said "43 days." Brian asked, "I am going to have to sacrifice something in 43 days?" His answer was simply "Yes."

Oddly enough, Brian had that dream exactly 43 days ago. Today was the day of sacrifice.

Over the next few weeks, we would begin to understand what he would have to sacrifice and why. The Lord would ask Brian to stand up for something he knew was wrong and as a result, he would end up having to sacrifice his position at our church. Tonight was the last night our youth will meet until the beginning of the next school year. It was not something Brian "wanted," but we see the Lord's hand all over it.

After that, when we knew we would no longer be attending the church that we just bought a house to be closer to, the Lord provided a way out.

It never mattered to Him from the beginning what we did about that house. He knew He could fix it no matter what we decided. And I think He wanted us to see that. I think He wanted us to see the way He would work out all the details if we would simply do the things He called us to do.

What I've learned from all this and what kept running through my head tonight on a late night trip to Wal-mart was that it doesn't matter where or when or with whom or how.....all that matters is why.

He wants me to know why I am His child, and why He placed me on this Earth at this moment in time.

Where that happens and with whom and how are all details that He can work out as long as I'm working towards fulfilling His will for my life.

The more I think about it, the more I know that He doesn't care where we live and who we do life with or how we go about our day, as long as we're seeking Him and doing exactly what He has called us to do.

When you know your why.......the small details don't really seem to matter anymore. The Lord can work any small detail of your life into good for the purposes of His kingdom. Maybe we really shouldn't stress over the small things. He can work the big and the small into good when we're living for Him.

.....day 286 of a year of writing.....

If We Build It?

So now we're contemplating building. Building a house? Really? There are things I have said that I have no interest in, and building is one of them. I love the idea of it....picking things out and making it my own, but Brian and I are both so stubborn that I'm concerned we would definitely kill each other in the process.

But the more we look, the more we realize that with house prices what they are, we clearly see that in the right addition, we can buy a lot and build and have instant equity in a house, and that sounds pretty good to me.

Luckily, we know a great builder. We have found an incredible housing addition. And maybe, just maybe, it's all beginning to fall into place. I guess we will see as only time will tell. Would you pray that we would clearly understand what the Lord has next for us? We would appreciate that so much.

.....day 284 of a year of writing.....

It's Time for a Plan....Anyone?

Well, tomorrow officially begins our summer. The kids are out of school, and we're ready for some summer sun.

Tomorrow I will also be fifteen weeks pregnant. The past couple of weeks have really been smooth sailing. I am not having any huge strange cravings. I do love lime in my water and I'm eating a lot of yogurt and granola. I am sort of craving all things salt. We picked up McDonald's for the kids today after church (I know it's so healthy!) and I made the comment that I just wanted to lick the salt off the fries. I've also been craving beer with salt and lime. I think it's a salt thing which is probably really an iodine thing. I know that iodine is something your body needs when pregnant which would explain the typical "pickle" craving that lots of women have when they're pregnant. 

What else? 

I think we're beginning to zone in on where we want to settle down. We've been looking at houses and have even looked out of state some, but after being back at our old church for two weeks in a row now, we feel at home more so than we ever have. 

We were attendees at LifeChurch.tv in Edmond for almost ten years when we moved to the LifeChurch.tv campus in Yukon. And when we came back to Edmond just a couple of weeks ago, I didn't expect for it to feel the way it has. 

We know so many incredible people in Edmond. We have family in Edmond, and it simply feels like home. I honestly didn't expect it to feel that way coming back, and I don't know why. But today during worship, it was like I heard the lord whisper to me, "Did you think I wouldn't be here, too?" Of course He's there. It's where He lead us back to, and it feels so very good. 

I'm ready for a plan. A pregnancy workout plan, a Bible study plan, a house hunting plan. You know me if you've been around here for any amount of time; I just love a good plan. 

My new workout plan? 30-40 minutes of cardio every day from now until that baby makes its appearance. It sounds hard, but it's something I can do. My mom and I went on a walk last night while Addy rode beside us on her bike. I just need to say what I'm going to do, so I'll be accountable, so there you have it....that's the plan....cardio. 

My new Bible study plan? I'm going to get back into the habit of being in God's Word every morning. I have that crazy passionate desire for more and more of His Word again, and I love that. It's a really good place to be. I can't get enough of it, and I need to set aside specific time each day to be in His Word. That means early to bed (no later than eleven) and early to rise. It'll be good. I like that plan. 

Our house hunting plan? Start looking at houses in the Edmond area (which is where we are and where our church is) or near Lake Arcadia. We have not walked into a single house for sale in this area yet, and I'm ready to. I want to see what our options are. I'm ready to get the ball rolling. 

I also think I need a plan for reading for fun. I think since it's summer I should just do it. In all my planning, I've also decided to attempt to start writing in the morning instead of in the evening to free up some more time with my hot hubby and give me more time to read for fun. Why not, huh? 

So what about you? Are you planning anything this summer? Or are you going plan-less? 

Ironically enough when I'm on vacation, I don't do a lick of planning. No schedules. No itineraries. No pre-made plans whatsoever. Just another random fact there. 

Hoping you had a great weekend. Don't forget to wear your Thunder wear tomorrow.....Thunder up!  

.....day 282 of a year of writing.....

We're On a House Hunt

We have spent the past couple of days looking at house after house after house online. It's exhausting. (I'm not complaining, really I'm not.) It's just that buying a house is one of the biggest commitments you can make.

We want a fifteen year note. And we plan on paying the house off before fifteen years. (Yes, we really, really, really want to be completely debt free.) So that goes into every decision we make.

We know that we won't have our office space for much longer (our lease is up in September), so we want a house that is big enough for us and our kids as well as guests (we always need room for my mom or my dad or Brian's family, or whoever else wants to come stay with us). And we need an office space.

I am currently working from the tiny desk built into our kitchen and storing all my Scentsy and Velata in a very small closet under our staircase. It's getting pretty cramped. I am looking forward to having my own office in our home again. It will be glorious!

So, we're basically looking for five bedrooms plus an office. We'd love a pool. Who wouldn't? And the kitchen is pretty important as is the living space (open floor plan, please). With that list, I feel pretty high maintenance, but at the same time, with as much as we entertain, I know space is essential to us. Between Bible study, life group, team meetings, and family gatherings, there is never a week that we aren't hosting something. It's a good thing one of my spiritual gifts is hospitality.

It's interesting when I look back at the house hunting we've done so far. The Lord has protected us from so many things. I love the way He has His hand in everything. He goes before us and knows what's best for us.

We've made two offers on two different houses in the past two months, and the Lord knew that neither of them would be right for us. Now, we're simply trusting that He would lead us exactly where we need to go and give us the confidence to go wherever He leads.

So just for fun, here's a few spaces that I like right now from a few of the houses we have on the list.

I love the thought of a big office. And this one has built-ins. Not too shabby. I would have to Scentsy it up in there, of course.

This pool is dreamy.

Check out the windows in this kitchen!

Precious little girl's room!

Thanks for dreaming a little with me! I guess we'll see what happens.

Back to the house hunting.

.....day 265 of a year of writing.....