House-Hunting: God's Blessing and Provisions

To say that house-hunting, for a month and a half, has been stressful and anxiety-ridden would be a slight understatement. Trying to keep a calm and cool exterior (the MK way :0), never show stress!) pushed all that anxiety, fear and doubt deep into the pit of my stomach (isn’t that how you get an ulcer or something?).

My roommate (Meg) and I have been blessed these last 5 months with a house sitting arrangement in a very nice, safe neighbor near metro Manila. Being an easy driving distance to malls, restaurants and free-parking (it’s a big deal) grocery stores, I was in denial about leaving the comfort I had become accustom to and try something new.

After looking at six different options of living arrangements, nothing felt “right.” One, back in the condos near Faith, would have been workable but they only wanted a year lease. Another seemed like a possibility, a cute two-bedroom house in a sub-division close to Faith Academy, however without any furniture/appliances, to make it livable the cost was reaching dangerously high and I had no idea where that money was going to come from. This was one aspect of the anxiety. The second was looking at houses and contemplating the idea of investing money into that house, the inevitable question about plans for next year kept popping up. Meg and I had several deep conversations and each one left me emotionally tangled and drained. No longer was I searching for a house for the next 6 months or so, I was searching for an answer to the big question, will I stay in the Philippines for a third year or go home? Although I’ve been praying about this since the first day of year two, God has not made it clear what his plan is for me next year. Honestly, I’m not sure I am even ready for that answer yet.

All this build up leads me to this past week. We had one more house to check out. A missionary answered our plea on Philmiss with an option of subletting a house in the valley (where FA is located). We didn’t know the family so visiting was unfamiliar territory. Also, we tried to decode the message because it seemed as if they were renting their house per room and neither of us was quite sure what that meant. I had been praying all week that this would be the house, if it didn’t work out the next step was unclear and I was pretty sure it would involve some of my hair falling out from stress. As Meg and I entered the kitchen, both of us individually felt it, this was “right.” Probably the entire time we were there, a giant smile was on my face, thanking God for his provision in my life, not just for my awesome roommate Meg but for our living arrangements this semester and next.

This was an entirely humbling and awe-inspiring experience. Although I kept the house for next semester in my prayers, I was crippled with doubt, never really letting go of control and fully committing to “God will work it out.” I am blessed and I don’t deserve it. What an amazing God we have and worship. Who are we to deserve his love and plan for our lives? Wow, it’s a good day when you realize he’s got it under control.