God's Granting Our Desires

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
(Psa 37:4)

This is the scripture Troy and I have come to realize that God has granted to us with this home. Many of you may say, how can something that needed such repair be a desire in your heart? Here's our answer.

This picture is one of the delights that our Lord gave my husband. For years Troy has always said he wanted to live by the river. Not only did He grant that desire, but he gave him the best possible location. We live at a popular entry point (or ending point) to one of the most scenic rivers in Iowa…. Just a few paddles downstream there are beautiful bluffs and cliffs with all kinds of wildlife.


Troy and I also have always talked about our finances. Neither of us care for the financial system and how credit seems to be the answer today. Our goal has always been to not have a mortgage. Of course, in reality we always seemed to plan on that being before retirement. We were able to pay all but a few thousand for this property with cash and then fix up the remainder on home equity. So in the end we are going to be with a small amount of debt on the home that our personal goal is 5-7 years to pay off. Leaving us debt free by age 35!


Our prior home in Perry was a beautiful home. I loved it, and we always got so many compliments on it. However, my desire was for a smaller home. When we first bought it, we enjoyed owning such a large house. After we purchased it, every time I would walk into someone else’s smaller, one story home, I felt “cozier.” Yes, we bought a house that was just too big for us. Did we really need a living room, den, dining room, large kitchen, 2 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms (well ok..that might be nice someday.. J ) and a basement that you couldn’t store anything in? All the rooms were large as well as big. Even though we are still working on getting this house to be “cozy” I see already how nice it is going to be.


We have a large yard. Both for our dog and for our kids. Joel will stand at the door and cry to go outside, he loves it so much. Chloe has much more room and now that we have her wireless, that also means no fence, no leash. I am amazed at how many outdoor toys we’ve already gotten since we’ve moved. At least with 2 boys they will be used a lot.
We wanted to be in the country, but didn’t really. Here we feel as if that’s what we got. River to the west, dam to the north, conservation to the south… we have one neighbor. So we have country living (included with coons…) yet right on the border of town.

These are just a few, but I hope that it encourages you that God delights to give you desires. All we must do is ask, just as the Bible directs.

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
(Mat 21:22)

Door to Salvation

One of the first things we had to do was get new exterior doors. We purchased a house and didn't even receive a housekey. We must be sure that our door is secure in Jesus, we had to secure our home as well. The front door was ok, but we wanted a nicer one. The patio door needed replaced. The backdoor was the worst. The glass had been broken out, replaced by plywood. And you didn't need a key to get in, if you pushed hard enough, the door opened.



Here are some photos of us replacing these doors.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
John 10:9

Redemption House

August once again changed our life. It started out with us moving out of our home, 2 weeks early. Confined to a camper and campgrounds we readjusted what was to come. August 22nd another change, our third home purchase. This time, we bought a home for nearly cash with lots and lots of work to be done. Moving my dad's camper from the campgrounds to our driveway, life is now constantly on the go.

I've decided to call our project "Redemption House." Both Troy and I have both been learning so much spiritually just from this house. It is so much like our selves. So much sin and garbage, but just as God has redeemed us and is cleansing our house, so are Troy and I redeeming this house.

Our first projects included getting rid of the tons of trash that was left behind. That is a work in progress, but we are beginning to see the end of the pile. The other first project was rewiring. Most of the wiring had been cut and taken out of the basement, so we were without any source of power. We got most of the wiring done now, as well as have our water and gas on. However, we are still trying to figure out the hot water heater. Glad I have a handy husband.

Here are some of our before pictures. I didn't think to take any of the outside. Maybe sometime when I'm outside with the camera I'll think of it before we get too far on our outdoor landscaping projects. Right now our biggest concern is getting the bathroom, kitchen and living room in order for us to get in the house before it gets too cold.