NZ housing

God continues to be SO faithful. He continues to pave our way to NZ and to make it easier than I ever imagined. to make a long story short – I was connected to a sweet women named Hope through a mutual friend. We have been emailing lots about NZ details, hooking us up with their household items, etc. The latest thing we have been emailing about is housing. Hope & her family had initially signed a 7 mth lease so they were searching around for another rental in the same little beach area they originally rented in – St. Heliers. It was a difficult thing to come across a some what affordable, in a good area, right size, willing to take a shorter lease, etc. We were praying for a perfect scenario where their family would rent this house and then we would sign the lease and be able to just move in when we arrive. It was definitely a stressful time for Hope since she was the one under the moving time frames, but we were emailing constantly and praying constantly. Here is an email Hope sent her “prayer warriors” after a very crazy 24 hrs.

To: My prayer warriors,
I have no words for what just happened tonight. As you all know we have been praying for months about where to go. We have gone in so many different directions (high rent to stay in St. Helliers vs. low rent & saving $$). It has been so emotionally & physically exhausting on both me & the kids. I woke up this morning so confused with no clear direction. All that i knew was that we had both decided that it was more important to stay in St. Heliers and to not uproot the kids - no matter what the cost.
9:00am - called a realtor about another property that was down near the beach that I did not really want but Chris wanted me to look at. She said she was on her way to see a house on my street if I wanted to tag along on that appointment instead. I had already seen that house & decided that it was too dark & a weird layout so I did not want it. However, I was desperate so said I would meet her there in 15 min. I did another walk through & decided that it would have to do for 5 months. Very sad b/c I knew that it would not work for our friends who were coming after us (Stephanie's family) but we needed something as we are due out of here in 9 days.
4:30pm - I emailed Stephanie to tell her that we were going into a 5 month rental - not so happy about it & not ideal for us but we just needed something
4:40 - got an email back from Stephanie that was so encouraging, saying she understood that we needed to do what was best for our family, etc. but still made me sad. In it she said "is this the house you are going to sign?" and sent a link.  It was not at all the house but another one on our street that just so happened to come up this evening for $$160 less for week!!! Not only that but it is RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET!!!!!! I totally freaked out - had not checked the website in a few hours b/c I had agreed to sign the other contract at 11am tomorrow.
4:45 - called realtor, told her situation, told her I must meet her tonight at the house b/c was due to sign tomorrow at 11 am.
5:00 - met her across the street. It is perfect. I am freaking out. Told her our situation - how we were 5 months then our friends another 12. She said it was late & she was in meetings most of the day tomorrow but that she would try to get a hold of him tonight.
5:30 - realtor rings me - house is OURS & our friends from US are welcome to move in after us.
I seriously have no words for what just happened. I just went upstairs & cried my eyes out. God is SO good. Isin' it just like him to take us out to the very last moment just so we have to rely on him every second? This was such a faith builder. In my prayers I had been feeling like He was telling me that this was less about me having to move & more about me building up my faith. I also heard Him say that HIs ways are not our ways & His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. I felt a strange inner peace in the midst of this craziness. I know that He cares for the details of our lives but I have never experienced such precise details - I mean, RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET!!!!  Do you know how easy it will be for me to move???  Thank you to all of my prayer warriors. He heard our prayers & I am ever so grateful. Love to you all…

 

Basically – I had checked out the website and saw a different, great looking house and thought it might work and emailed Hope. this is the house below and the plan is for us to MOVE RIGHT IN! how awesome will that be. oh – it also has 4 bedrooms which will be great for guests. I am getting so excited for next year! oh and it will be about a 5 minute walk to the BEACH!!!