Monday, May 4, 2009

We moved in....and we moved out!


Well, we made it to Fairbanks. We arrived yesterday, Sunday, May 3rd. As I mentioned in a previous post, we have decided to not by the house on which we made an offer. There were several items that came out in the inspector’s report that were quite costly. These items included a new roof, all new windows and a new boiler, which totaled between $30,000 and $40,000. So, we pulled out of the deal. We decided to find a short term rental to give us time to find another home.

Mike had found something posted on Craigslist and arranged for us to have a month to month lease. The apartment was located in the basement of a duplex. As we drove up to the property, we became a little concerned about the neighborhood. The homes seemed to be run down and not well cared for. When we knocked on the door to meet our new landlords, we were met by a young man who looked like he was 22 years old and his live in girl friend. These were our landlords. This was different, but I could handle it. This could be an excellent opportunity to be salt and light to a young couple who need Jesus.

The landlords greeted us and took us to the basement to see our digs. When we descended the narrow stairway, I could smell something strange. I think it may have been bleach, but I’m not sure. We entered the door and were met with unfinished floors, a bare-bones kitchen with a huge opening in the wall that led to space underneath the house, and what looked like mold inside the kitchen window. I kept a forced smile as we were shown around. The tour took all of three minutes, so I didn’t have to smile for very long. We walked back up the narrow stairway and Mike wrote them a check for the first month’s rent.

As we unloaded the car, I purposed in my heart to keep a good attitude. I did not want to complain or say anything negative. The more we moved in the more Mike seemed dissatisfied with our accommodations. As we rounded the back of the U-Haul trailer, Mike pulled me aside and said, “Okay. Here’s the plan. Don’t unload anything else. Tomorrow we will go and find another place to live.” I grabbed him and give him a big hug and kiss. This was the best thing he could have said to me.

We returned downstairs to turn the cats loose into a closed bedroom so that they could eat and do their personal business. I knew it was bad when Francie refused to get out of her carrier. Mike and I decided to run out to get a Sunday newspaper to find a new place to stay. As we were leaving, we found that the entry door did not latch. It would lock. However, that did us absolutely no good. Anyone could walk in by pushing it open. Mike looked at me and said, “That’s it. Let’s load everything back into the car. We are going to a hotel!”

I have to tell you. I don’t think I have ever worked so hard to get a job finished. I heaved heavy suitcases and boxes up those stairs faster than Mike could load them. I ignored the pain in my back, shoulders, neck, legs, head, feet, etc…. The motivation was stronger than the pain.

Mike called the landlords and said that things were not going to work. Praise God. They gave us our check back and we booked it out of there like a bat out of….well, you know. So, we went to the Comfort Inn for the night. Today, we found that the Extended Stay Suites would allow our three kitties for 30 days. We have a kitchen, family room, bedroom and bathroom. It meets our needs. God is so good to bless us with a place to stay. We are thankful that He knew this was going to happen before we did and He had a solution.

Tomorrow, we will be out with our realtor looking at nine houses in North Pole. On Wednesday, we will be looking at four houses in Fairbanks. We are praying for God’s perfect will in our house search. Thank you for your support and prayers.

God bless!

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