Our "Maybe House"

I'm sitting on my old familiar couch, in the midst of a brand new living room, a brand new neighborhood, and a brand new life.

I'm glad the couch is the same. I could use some "sameness" right about now.

But I'm also excited about all the newness.

I use the term "new" loosely when referring to this house. This living room which I am now sitting in has been around since 1890, and underneath my kitchen there are remnants of a root cellar in the basement. There's also something in the basement that resembles a medieval torture rack, so for now, Scott gets to take everything to the basement, while I stay in my comfortably modern kitchen.

We arrived late Wednesday night. On Tuesday we had received the news that the mortgage company had not yet finished processing our application. As a result, we would have to wait an additional week or two to close on the house. The sellers have been simply wonderful. We're currently renting, week-by-week, until all the paperwork gets processed. They left toilet paper, soap, and laundry detergent, with bottles of water in the fridge, and freshly scrubbed floors. Unbelievable.

Because there is a slim possibility that we won't actually be living here, nothing is coming unpacked. I'm sitting amidst piles of boxes and pretending that I'm camping. This delay with the house is such a wonderful reminder: we didn't move to Philadelphia for a house. We moved for the people. We didn't move to Philadelphia to be comfortable. We moved here because in order to reach people, you must often be very uncomfortable.

I'm actually thankful that this delay has taken place. I need constant reminders that this world is not my home. Ever since God graciously helped us find this house, I've been praying that I would be joyful, even if we never moved into this big, wonderful blessing. I desperately want a house where I can serve others, but even more than that, I want a heart that serves my Savior, and my Savior only. Sometimes big, beautiful houses get in the way of having that kind of heart...

But, while we're waiting in the midst of all this uncertainty, how about some pictures of the wonderful house which we may/may not live in? My camera is dead, so some janky cell phone pics will have to suffice. It really is a very large house, so the pictures below are only from the first (of three!) floors. Also, please keep in mind, this house photographs really well. I mean, really well. It has lots of projects scattered throughout it, and if you ever come to visit, you'll see some of the "character" up close and personal. But for now, I'll have fun showing you the house without any defects being highlighted.

This is the front entry way. It has double french doors, and the small foyer between the two doors is a pretty combination of marble and tile. This leads out to a large front porch. The sidewalk traffic here is incredible. If we just sat on our porch long enough, we'd soon know everyone in the surrounding 3 blocks! So, needless to say, fixing the porch is a number one priority. Currently, the porch looks pretty ghetto: wire railings, chipping paint, and drunken looking fixtures. Plenty of character!

Part of my lovely, dream-come-true kitchen! The counter-top are granite, and the cabinets are so large that I'm going to be at a loss with what to do with this much space! There's also a pantry... which is like heaven on earth, since I've stored my groceries in a garage cabinet for the past 2 years. Please come visit, I'll fix lots of yummies!

This is looking from the kitchen/dining room, towards the front door. I have lovely plans for a built-in bookcase and a little bench to go under these stairs. I'm afraid all my "lovely plans" are a bit overwhelming to my poor hubby. I suggested that I will have to learn carpentry on my own... this did not seem to reduce his stress level.

My "three window room." I put the piano in this room, and already have plans for some large, over-stuffed chairs--chairs that just say, "sit down, be comfy, tell me about your life." I understand that's asking a lot of these chairs, but I'm confident I'll find them somewhere.

This is the front room. I'm sitting here as I write this. These big windows are just lovely, and right now I'm people watching from them... There's a man with a very healthy-looking pony-tail chasing a Siamese cat down the sidewalk. So much amusement from people watching!

This is a view when  I stand in my kitchen and look out over into the dining room. Look at all that space! I can't wait to hunt down a ginormous table, and feed dozens of hungry people! Some people have the love language of gifts, or affirmation. Me? I'll show you my love by cooking massive amounts of food and letting your crash here whenever you want! I love a house full of people.

 So, that's our "maybe house." If we don't close, I'll be posting pics of an apartment in a week or two! I am so thankful that God holds this uncertainty in His hands. None of this is "surprising" to Him.  I'm daily reminded that this is not "my" house, nor will it ever be mine. It belongs to the King of Kings. I can't wait to see what He'll do with it!