Life here has been so very crazy lately. We have been juggling many things... and trying to manage it all!
To begin with, we have been hunting for an apartment. There have been several apartments that we have been interested in and even made "offers" on. (The monthly rent is usually negotiable.) But so far we feel that we have just been running into closed doors. Over the weekend we both felt that we should pursue one apartment that we originally did not have peace about. Once we contacted the office, we were told that the apartment had already been rented. Within an hour or so the agent who was showing the apartment called to tell us that the paperwork fell through on the guy who had tried to rent it... so would we like to see it again? Our emotions went from up to down to up again within 24 hours. Let me pause this story to tell you about the things lost...
We've been very blessed to have a lot of visitors lately! Last week Daniel's grandmother (Joyce Wyatt) and sister (Karen Mee) came and spent several days with us. It was so fun to spend time with family. Eliana especially loved the extra attention. Then this weekend we had a visit from Laura Carter and her daughter Makayla. They were involved in a gymnastics meet here in Bogota and had come to our house to stay. I was so busy baking and enjoying all that hostessing involves... and then came the phone call from a friend to tell me she had found some free stuff (in another post I will tell you all about my free "blessings" from the Lord!) So I jumped in the car with her and we rushed off to find the treasures... and then I had to rush back home to host 10 missionaries for lunch... and then when everything finally died down we realized that I didn't know where my wedding ring was. Lost.
Last I could remember I had taken the ring off while I was rolling the dough for snickerdoodle cookies. Very messy. And I remembered placing the rings on the counter. But we searched and we searched and I kept feeling more and more sick to my stomach. We even went through two large trash bags of kitchen refuse, making sure it hadn't accidentally gotten thrown away in a napkin. (Like my retainer did about 10 years ago.)
At one point between sobs and tears I asked Daniel, "Is God in control of little things like lost rings?" He assured me that yes, God knows exactly where that ring is. God uses trials like these to test our faith... and I was reminded of that woman Jesus told about who lost one of those coins (probably from her wedding veil) and how she swept the whole house looking for it... and when she found it, she rejoiced and told all her friends.
Well, we had to stop looking for the ring because we had another appointment to see that apartment. This time, we looked past the things that needed repairing and thought of all the good assets, and we started to get really excited. Until the realtor told us that the price was not negotiable and that the landlord would not come down. Again my emotions plummeted. Daniel reminded me on the way out to the car, that God works through things like this too. Since we are begging Him to show us where He wants us to live, He will lead us there. He already has people lined up that He wants us to know and build relationships with and tell about Him. He knows we are seeking Him and His will with our whole hearts. He will not let us get the wrong apartment. So if the landlord really won't come down just $25 more dollars a month on the rent, then perhaps that's God's way of keeping us from making a mistake. And if the landlord changed his mind, then perhaps that's the open door we've been looking for.
So we arrived back home with saddened hearts (reminding ourselves to hope in God) and troubled minds (where could that ring be!!!) and an overtired, hungry, cute, but oh-so-whiney baby.
After praying together, eating a bite, putting the little One down for the night... I began to straighten up the house we are staying in, praying as I picked up items and put away the folded clothes. I straightened up the back patio where I had been sanding and staining some of the free "blessings" from God... and when I moved an unused piece of sandpaper... there was my ring! My heart stopped. And started again. And I said, "Thank you, God!" I had taken it off so that it wouldn't get wood "sand" or stain on it.
We are still anxious to hear from the realtor tomorrow... but I am reminded that God knows, doesn't He? He knew where my ring was. I believe He led me to it... and He knows where the apartment is that He wants us to live in. He knows and has plans for us that are good. We will find Him when we seek Him with all our heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-14)
Thanks for your prayers!
Jen