A Richmond chapter begins

Disclaimer: There is a lot of talk about God in this post.  We believe we can ONLY give the credit to Him! Once you read this, you will see why. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to speak to us privately about them.  Otherwise, enjoy the story, and if you feel inspired, praise with us! :)

H: Wednesday we found out that moving into the house was no longer an option, without any real concrete explanation.  Disappointed and frustrated didn't even begin to scratch the surface as to how we felt.  I wrote in my journal for a long time, pouring out my frustrations and anger to God.  Yes, I was angry.  I don't like being angry, and I even apologized.  There was no holding anything back.  At one point I wrote, "I've learned in the journey of becoming a follower of Jesus is that we still have an obligation to show Your love, even if we don't feel like it."  Quite frankly, I didn't feel like it.  We had spent the last two months praying, putting our faith in people following through, only to be left empty-handed and disappointed.  I went to bed unhappy that night, utterly defeated and spent.  I'm surprised I got any sleep at all.

Kelly was due to come home from Ohio Thursday, so I shared with our house church members that we would not be there, so we could spend the evening catching up, relaxing, and discussing our next steps.  But what I didn't mention was that Thursday morning, I heard that still small voice, something, in my gut say, "You shouldn't go to church tonight."  I couldn't explain it.  (That was the first God moment, although I didn't know it at the time)

We went out for Chinese and we'd barely been home five minutes when Kelly got a Facebook message from a co-worker of hers, saying she had spoken to somebody about a duplex available in Richmond (God moment #2). On the phone, she said that a couple was going to look at it the next day, and asked if we could look at it that evening.  We dropped everything and drove up there.  Yes, it was that split-second of a decision! We had no trouble finding the apartment and were immediately taken to the location and the quietness of the neighborhood, despite it being right off the interstate.  Kelly's co-worker arrived a few minutes later and we asked how she knew the landlord.  This was her response (another God moment):

"Oh, I just talked to her on the phone just now.  I've never met her before.  I was just driving through here and I saw the sign out front, and I thought 'This is for Kelly. I want her to be in a safe neighborhood.'"

We were like ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME.

Jennifer, the landlord, arrived a few minutes later.  In addition to her infectious personality, she mentioned that a police officer lives down the street and that her niece works at the preschool nearby (Remember the talk about a safe neighborhood?) We helped ourselves to looking around, and, admittedly, it is a downgrade in terms of size and space, but we've learned over the last year that we've had too much space.  The rent is more than $100 LESS than what we're paying now, and the place was near immaculate, there was new carpet, a small patio outside, plenty of parking, a washer and dryer hooked up (!!!), and, most importantly, Yoda and Wiley are welcome! :) Needless to say, it was not a difficult decision.  By the end of the night, a key was given to us and we had signed the lease!

The drive home was a combination of a daze and utter exuberance. God had shown up! Big time.  If we had gone to church, we would have missed the Facebook message and, ultimately, the phone call, the apartment would have been shown tonight and probably taken, and we would still be stuck waiting until the end of next month.  But now, there is no more waiting, and we have a cute new duplex in Richmond waiting for us.  All thanks to God!

K: While reading this, I thought of Holly. Gave up a UK, full-time benefited job for what she does now for the sake of being happier and less stressed out. I also think about getting my first job; that moment and time when I was just ready to give up was when I got the magic phone call. That's what happened here last night; God gave us what we needed, not what we wanted. I remember so many times praying "God just get us this house. Just get us this house." I'm not going to say it was as if my prayers were falling on deaf ears, because I don't believe that. Rather I just felt that this house we were seeking so hard for was just not going to happen. I always had this small notion in the back of my head that it was just going to not work out. Perhaps that was God's way of saying that He had something better for us. Because let's face it, the last thing we actually needed was MORE space and more money to be given for rent.

I truly believe that God talks and shows us what we need in a lot of mysterious yet awesome ways. I remember walking into that duplex and was like "this is it." That "aha!" moment. I don't believe in coincidence. I think coincidence is just one of the many ways God speaks to us. Though I can't hold claim to actually hearing His voice, I can hold to the fact that His fingerprints were ALL OVER THIS. There's really nothing more I need to add to this. It's all been said. We are excited to begin this new adventure and see where else He will take us. My ending is this; if you're waiting for something and feel like throwing in the towel, that's usually when a corner will turn. Sometimes it's not a good corner, but in our experience it usually is. Keep the faith, and remember that God is good.

30 Days of Writing: Somewhere you'd like to move or visit

Holly: If I am 30 and still single I am moving to London/somewhere in England outside of London.  Nuff said.  I would go back there in a heartbeat.  Definitely want to visit Finland; our ancestors are from there and it look so beautiful there.  Ireland too.  New Zealand and take the LOTR tour.  Plus...it's New Zealand!! Hello! :D

Within the US I'd love to see the west coast: Seattle, Oregon (visit Brandi!!), some of California, maybe up into British Columbia.  I've been to more than half of the states, but the farthest west I've gone is New Mexico, and there ain't a whole lot out there.  I've also been to two nations capitals, none of which are my own, so D.C. is definitely a must as well.

Kelly: One place I would like to visit is Finland. My mom's been there and a few of my distant relatives have been there. It's where the majority of my mom's side of the family came from; my great-grandparents (my Grandpa's parents) were from there. My mom visited when she was in college but was only there for one day. There's so much about my heritage that I want to know about that's all over there. In my house at home my Grandpa's baptismal certificate...in Finnish. He did know a bit of Finnish, and maybe someday I would like to learn the language! I do have some extended family over there still, though I don't remember which part they live in.

2nd place I'd like to visit: IRELAND. Granted I always want to go back and visit Scotland, but Ireland is somewhere I'd like to venture. Sis and I are planning a 2015 return Europe trip and we're hoping to take a day or two to visit some of the bigger cities, such as Dublin and Belfast (we're open to other suggestions too). And Scotland. If I'm 30 and still single I swear to goodness I'm moving back there!

Miss Independent?

Kelly: On Thursday, as on typical Berea Thursdays, I attended the opening convocation of the semester. As a tradition, the President opens. Well, ever since July, the college has had a new President. Dr. Roelof's convo was AWESOME. It was simply titled "Why Berea?" As I was listening and after it was over, it gave me the opportunity to reflect on why I went to Berea. I would need like a zillion blog posts to answer that question, but for the content of tonight's blog I'm going to focus on one key part of why I went to Berea. Simple; when I first thought about coming all I wanted to do was be more independent. I WANTED to be away from home, just to experience it. And it did. Berea has taught me independence and then some. Ever since May, I have really had to hone in on those independence skills.

As you all know, Holly and I have had our own place since May. The wonderful times have lapped the somewhat stressful, but at times it has not been easy. We have had our share of struggles and have wondered how we're going to make it till next month at times. But for the most part, things have been really good. Only by the grace of God in my opinion. Anyway, Berea basically gave me a job and my own dorm and said "here's a roof over your head. Here's a job. Here's a full course load. Manage your time, manage your money and don't get kicked out. And we'll give you a good education." Wow. Honestly, a pretty good trade off if you ask me. And ever since we've had issues around our place, we've been the ones to take care of them, well, because we have to. Otherwise they won't get resolved. Yeah being on my own has been awesome but there is no more hand holding. So I will close with this; to those of you who are thinking about moving out and being on your own...think about it at first. REALLY think about it. Where Holly and I are now took MONTHS of careful planning. Also, be willing to make those financial sacrifices, because my goodness they WILL happen. And don't rush! It may sound like a good idea in your head, but don't wait until it's too late before you realize that you're not going to be able to handle it. But remember; decisions like this are never easy. And Holly and I realize we are not alone, which has made this so much more easier to handle.

Holly: Yeah...the months of planning, that's not an exaggeration, either.  I think it was back in November of 2011 that we started looking at places.  We were calling places by February.  In making a big step such as moving out of your parent's house, if you want it, you have to want it bad enough to take the initiative and put in the work and effort.  Going back on the subject of Berea, I also learned that if you want to leave something there, if you want to make something of yourself there, you also have to do just that: take the initiative and put in the work and effort.

Dr. Roelof's convo, in the grand scheme of things, honestly really didn't apply to me, but I walked away inspired and challenged as well.  What Berea taught me in terms of being independent and having pride in my work has really shaped me into propelling forward as an adult.  There really is no room for hand holding.  If things go screwy, Mommy and Daddy can't bail you out.  Sometimes I still struggle with that.  But at the same time, Mommy and Daddy aren't watching your every move.  If you want to go on a shopping spree, then by all means.  If you want to sleep until noon every day, more power to you.  If you want to go 3 weeks without doing laundry........well, ok?  Anyway, being on your own literally means being on your own.  You have the power to make decisions...

But I must also add, being on your own does give you the power to make decisions, but please exercise caution, because it is a GREAT deal of power and responsibility.  Proceed with caution.  It can be toxic, and a lot of things can go wrong very quickly.  You are responsible for you now.  Remember that if you're borderlining about taking the leap into independence.

The Journey Begins...

Kelly:  When I first started college at Berea, I had this big dream to go back home, live in the city and work at a big hospital. It's funny to me how plans can change over a course of time. If I were a freshman and someone told me I would end up wanting to live in Berea, I would have told them they were crazy. 

Now I'm the crazy one. lol

With Holly graduating in a few months and me still continuing my education, we sat down over Christmas break and had a few conversations. We had both been entertaining the idea of staying in the area and me living off campus during my last year in school. Talked about it to the folks, and they were on board with the idea. Talked with some friends, and they were on board with the idea too. So the research began. Last semester Holly and I started looking up various apartments and writing down their phone numbers so we could contact them. The contacting started today...

...two voicemails were left. I was an idiot and left the notebook with all the numbers written down at school...in my desk. I went into the shower this morning and when I came out sis told me nobody answered. Guess they were busy with lunch. Holly just now got off the phone with one of our potential living spaces. 

WE'RE LOOKING AT A PLACE NEXT TUESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Holly:  *gah* *spaz* *panic* *holycrapisthisreallyhappening*

YES. YES IT IS!

This is the best spring break ever!!!!!!!!!! :D  And the lady sounds so nice and the apartments look so nice too! :)

Like Kelly, I never imagined living somewhere like Berea.  I had plans to become a small animal vet and move to the Carolinas (our family goes to North Myrtle Beach every year and there's a vet clinic nearby.  I would always say, I'm going to work there!).  But plans change.  Big time.  As my education has progressed, I've come to the realization that maybe my heart belongs elsewhere, not in vet medicine.  I mean, it's always there, and perhaps my plans will change again.  But let's just be frank: if I were to apply for vet school right now, they'd take one look at my application and throw it away.  So where I'll be, I don't know.  But I'd say that God is turning the tables in our favor so far! :)  And as it stands, I can't imagine being anywhere else other than Berea!!

Stay tuned!