Goodbye Cottage of Content...

The time has come for another adventure to begin!

Quick Recap:

Around 2009-2010, we'd printed a random photo off the internet and started praying about a home - we owned a small condo at the time, but were planning on growing our family eventually so we prayed. We prayed that God would provide us a place of our own where we could open our home and love on His people.

When we moved to a new state 7 years ago, we weren't sure that we'd be here long-term since it was just a one-year residency placement, but God knew. We continued to wait and pray during that year. As my husband's residency came to an end, my he got a great job offer, so we'd be staying here long-term. We added a 2nd child to the mix during that year, and decided it would make more sense to purchase our own home instead of continuing to rent.

God was so faithful to answer our prayers!!! We weren't praying specifically for this house. In fact, we just printed a random picture that we liked. The fact that He gave us a home almost identical to the picture, well that was an added blessing!

I named this home our cottage of content. My sweet mentor used that phrase to describe her home once. When we bought this craftsman/cottage-style home, I knew that name was the perfect fit for us! I think its more about the lifestyle than the house itself, so if that describes you too, then please feel free to use the name!

Mrs. Denise explaining how "A Cottage of Content" came about! What a blessing to be able to carry that legacy on. June 17, 2017 "This is a plate that belonged to my Grandma Ray. When we moved into our house 4 years ago, I knew when I unpacked this treasure that I would call our home, The Cottage of Content, to honor my God, Who only gives what is right for me, and for my Grandma Ray, who epitomized contentment. This photo is for Kimberly Murphy Ledford, who has named her home the same."

Where we are now...

Those who know us personally know that we love our home and our neighborhood. We have great friends, great neighbors, and a great little life here! However, about a year or two ago, God started stirring my heart about preparing to go. Go where? I had no idea, so I didn't really say much about it but just started to pray.

Then a series of events happened...

Our sweet neighbors next door, Gma & Papa (who lovingly adopted our little family two weeks after we moved in), purchased their retirement home a while back. They still have a few years before they retire, but God used that to press on my heart a little bit more. Again, not really saying much but continuing to pray.

Earlier this summer, some special friends on our street started to consider moving. They began looking at homes and plans. Hannah and I would often talk about & dream together of what their new space would look & be like. We'd send home listings and pinterest pins back and forth.

Then, in July, our neighbors across the street sold their home within 3 hours of listing it! WHAT?! At full price nonetheless.

After that, we spoke with our realtor, who explained that the market had jumped up quite a bit over the last few months. After researching for myself, I found that the market was at a 35-year high. There's lots of buyers but not many homes on the market. Hmmmm.... okay, let's pray about this again.

On the same page...

I prayed and asked the Lord to put it on my husband's heart too if this was His will for us. I waited a day or two and then asked him his thoughts. He said, "call Amber and ask her to come look the house over and tell us what she thinks it's worth." So I did. It was during that meeting that she did a walk-through of our home and reviewed all the comps in our neighborhood and surrounding area. The My hubby was in agreement that this would be a wise choice for our family, so we filled out the listing paperwork and started the process. We priced our home below the market value to be competitive. We hoped it would sell quickly, but kept our expectations low and assumed it would take a few months.

Here we go...

We listed mid-July and have had a great amount of showings and great feedback for the most-part. Everyone that's looked at it has loved it!

We have received several offers and one commitment in the last 10 weeks, but after three different deals falling through, we are hoping #4 is THE ONE! It's right on the dot of what we'd need to purchase a lot we're praying over and build our new home - Hooray! It's currently in contingency, so anything can happen.

We are so excited for our next adventure, and we hope you'll follow along. Regardless of where we are, we've learned to be content... so whether we are in our current home or a mini-farm, we know it'll be right where God wants us.

• Kimberly •