Yes - that is a sold sign! God is very good and everything is in His timing for the house to sell. The new owner takes possession 11/3. It is bittersweet because this is my first house and after 30 years I'm selling it - but it's time - it's time for a new chapter in my life to go on.
I woke up last night thinking about the past four and a half years and all that has happened. Good times and bad. Up's and down's. Sorrowful and joyful times. And it's coming full circle.
I never thought I would have the word "widow" tagged on me but it was April 27, 2010. My whole word shut down when I lost Mike. But again, God was good - and very patient with me these past years.
God worked it out that I found Living Waters Fellowship and they welcomed me into their church family. My small group is amazing - they have been by me through some high's and low's and been real prayer warriors for me when I needed it.
I was thankful I had Butler and Milly to keep me company after being on my own but December 2010, I had to put Milly down. The first time I put one of our pets down by myself - my poor vet had a very hysterical woman on her hands that day.
Then July 16, 2011, God decided it was time for Mom to go to Heaven. The picture below was on my parent's 60th anniversary. That was tough losing Mom a little over a year after Mike. But God was by me - even though I had my up's and down's with jobs during that time too.
Then God brought Cruz - aka the Goober - into my life. She helped me get through yet again another hard time when I had to put my buddy for the past 11 years down. Butler was a greyt dog and really there for me when I was by myself. I was thankful to have Cruz there for me so I wasn't all alone after Butler was gone. And I think I helped her learn to trust people and come out of her shell.
Then after quitting another job, depression came back in a big way and did a number on me for a few months the Fall of 2012. During that time I decided it would be best to return Cruz to the rescue group where I adopted her. After she was gone, I was totally alone for the first time in the house, I was not working and it was winter. And thoughts of suicide started playing games in my mind. Once again I am thankful for my church family - especially my small group who was there for me, the pastoral staff and several couples that took me under their wing to help get me back on the right track.
While things weren't always easy - the light did start to shine at the end of the tunnel January 2013, when I was rehired at Principal. I leaned on God heavily many days to get me out the door and He was always faithful. During that time I thought many times about getting another dog but didn't want to be tied down like one can be with a dog. Then I thought about getting a cat and decided if I was going to get a cat, I'd get two.
So one day as I was driving down the freeway God told me that was the day to go to the Animal Rescue League and find my cats - Hansel and Gretel.....which I prompty renamed Rowdy and Sadie. They were great cats - fun to play with and they would always snuggle with me on the bed.
I was able to take those two fur balls down to Pella so Dad could meet them one Saturday and he really enjoyed them. I always told myself if I got another female dog I would name her Sadie and if I got another male dog I would name him Rowdy. Why Rowdy? Because that was the name of the horse Dad had growing up that he sold to go to Bible college to become a minister.
Then August 30, 2013, (the Friday before Labor Day weekend) - a friend from work texted me to meet her and her guy at Denny's for some fun and dancing and I thought - why not - time to get out of the house and have some fun. And who was there but Gary. Neither one of us was looking for someone - I don't think either one of us wanted to get involved with anyone - but God knew better. And again His timing is always right. We were inseparable once we had our first date September 1, 2013, - seeing each other every day.
When Gary asked me to marry him, I didn't hesitate at all and on April 12, 2014, - I became Mrs. Gary Rowe. To say it's been "interesting" at times is not an under statement. It's not easy when you are "older" to get married again and used to another person being around all the time. But no matter what - we can talk about anything and have always worked things out.
We put the sale of the house in God's hands, but there were times while it was on the market that we would doubt, question and sometimes get angry that it wasn't selling - but there was a reason. Labor Day weekend I finally kicked it into gear and got serious about cleaning out the house. The listing had expired and after cleaning, painting by my realtor, decluttering, etc., I relisted the house and the Wednesday after my birthday I was signing the purchase agreement for a cash sale.
It was tough giving Rowdy and Sadie up - but again it was all in God's timing with how Gary went out to the curb the Friday before Labor Day to put something out there for anyone to pick up and Charlie stopped by. Long story short - Charlie and his wife were looking for two cats Rowdy and Sadie's age and they became their new parents. I posted that whole miracle on finding the cats a home, the 1-800-GOT-JUNK truck going to be late, Rowdy and Sadie left the house for their new home and then 1-800-GOT-JUNK showed up within minutes after the cats left for me to not get all emotional about them being gone.
The above picture is the one year anniversary of us meeting - what a difference a year makes! We celebrated the anniversary of our first date by going to the zoo again that Sunday.
Now I'm down to one last item to sell and everything will have been thrown away, sold, given away, donated, in the apartment or boxed up in my new garage.
I have one more house payment to make this month - and the interesting thing is my payments are due the 10th of the month. October 10th was Mike's birthday - so I think it's fitting that on what would have been his birthday, I make the last payment on my house and close that chapter.
All I have to say to Gary is to keep holding on - we're in for a great ride! And I promise to try to blog more often :)
