Praise Report...

Happy Easter to all! My family and I went to church today and were so happy to see our Pastor (who is currently battling cancer) looking very good! Seeing him brought me to tears (which fell off and on for the entire music portion of the service), just like it did when my aunt was battling cancer. Hers is in remission and I pray the Pastor's will be too...

I also saw one of my old friends, Rachel, today, which was nice. We were best friends in high school, then grew apart over time. Maybe we'll start hanging out again. We'll see....

The house hunting continues - 27 showings in 2 1/2 weeks. It was so much fun to look at houses at first. Now I'm just ready for it to be over and for us to find our home. I've put more work into researching each of these homes/the auditor's website/floorplans, etc. before going to look at them than I used to for most of my college finals (exams).

The wedding is ready to go too. I just need to lose 30 lbs in the next 6 months so I fit into my dress (which was purposely ordered a size smaller than my current wedding dress size just so I'd force myself to lose weight). Hopefully when we buy a house, I'll lose weight moving and doing lots of painting/yard work. :0).

Hope you all are having a great weekend!!
Stephanie

Getting Back on the Horse....

I must admit I'm totally bummed out today over losing that house yesterday.... Even thought we gave it to God and believe He closed that door (literally), we were in love w/that house and were certain we had it. I was already planning paint schemes and patio furniture. It really does feel like the house broke up w/us. My fiancee and I are both sad..... But, as with those break-ups w/boyfriends when I was younger, I know the best way to get over it is to "get back on the horse". We're scheduled to look at 5 more houses tomorrow. :0).

God Shut the Door...

Well, we heard back on the house we bid on. We didn't get it (by a "very small amount" according to the other realtor). I prayed from the get-go that if this wasn't the house we were supposed to buy, that the Lord would shut the door on this deal. He did and I'm thankful that His will was done, but it's still heart breaking. It feels like the house broke up with us! :0(

(The same thing happened to my sister and her husband on the 1st house they bid on. They didn't get it, but ended up with an AMAZING house/land that's 100x better than the 1st house. It all worked out for them and I know it will for my fiancee and I too).

So, the house hunt continues.....

House Hunting....

This week has quite possibly been one of the most emotionally draining weeks of my life!! There was a MAJOR snow storm last Saturday (the news anchors were calling it a "blizzard") when we were supposed to go look at houses. Needless to say, things got moved to Monday night. We ended up looking at 7 houses on Monday and instantly felt we found the house we wanted to put a bid in on. (I had looked at 5 other houses the week before which were definite no-go's). My fiancee and I placed our bid on Wednesday. Turns out, 2 other people also put a bid in on this house the same day. (Ours was the highest though). The first bidder bowed out, but the second bidder decided they wanted to raise their offer. So, the realtor representing the homeowner called for "highest and best" Friday. We prepared our final bid late last night... If it's God's will, the house will be ours. If it's not, the search will continue.....

Please just pray for our strength and wisdom. I think buying a house is more stressful than getting married/planning a wedding (which I'm also doing right now). Please also pray for my Pastor (Pastor John). He is currently battling cancer, which has spread to his bones. He has been a rock for myself and my family for many years. We're believing for the Lord to heal him!!

Have a great weekend!!
Stephanie
Stephanie's Treasures

THANK YOU!!

A special "thank you" to Helen, Elaine, Patricia, and Lisa!! They took advantage of the supply listings I just added. This is much appreciated! Happy crafting ladies!!

On a personal note, my fiancee, my parents, and I went and looked at 7 houses tonight! (Oh my). There is one that my fiancee and I really like. A mortgage is nothing to enter into hastily (obviously), so for now, we're praying about it. We'll see what the Lord leads us to do....

Nighty, night :0).
Stephanie

LOTS of NEW SUPPLIES LISTED & MARCH SALE!!

This past month has been SO BUSY with wedding planning, my company (that I work for full-time) being sold, and now, trying to buy a house. Fortunately, a major snow storm/blizzard hit Ohio, leaving me plenty of posting time while I was snowed in :0). So, I'm happy to announce the following sale:

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MARCH SALE - 30% OFF THE CURRENT LIST PRICE ON ALL SALE JEWELRY!! (Does NOT include "$5.00 Clearance Sale" items). THESE ITEMS MUST GO!! Simply put "March Sale" in the notes section when you check out (but before you pay). I will then send you an updated invoice thru Paypal (or a convo reflecting the S/H discount if you're paying by cashier's check/money order). ********************************************************************************