Emily and Matt

Three months from yesterday, Matt and I put an offer on a house. In any other housing market, that statement would mean that the paint is dry, our things are moved in and waiting for both of us to live there. It would likely be the case if the house weren’t a short sale. Instead, with 12 days until the wedding we are left to make final arrangements on the big day, as well as find a place to live and move.

Short sales are the step before foreclosure where the house is being sold for less than it is worth. This particular little house is experiencing a three-way tug-of-war: between a bank, credit union and a seller. In the three months since our initial offer, it seems that no one is “winning.” Everyone will lose money and we’re waiting, ready to sign papers and trying to be patient.

At our Bible study last night, one of our friends said, “Don’t people say that getting married, buying a house and moving are the three most stressful things to do? And you’re doing them all at once!”

It definitely gave me a chance to laugh at our circumstance, because yes, our situation sounds absolutely crazy. Adding to it, we won’t be back in the area for three weeks as we take our honeymoon and a quick stop in Orange County to be a part of my brother’s wedding.

Like the planner I am, I am easily frustrated that our Plan A didn’t work out and that we were being told that a Plan B wasn’t necessary because the banks were going to get it figured out soon. Yet, Matt has reminded me that we need to have faith that God will guide us through it all:

Matthew 6:25-27: Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

While we are finishing programs and other wedding details in the days to come, we will also be looking for an apartment, furniture and able bodies and trucks to help us move. And if the short sale is settled before the wedding, we’ll still be waiting on an inspection before we decide if we will officially become first-time homebuyers.

So if you think of it, pray for us that it will all come together. And if you have an affordable month-to-month house/apartment for rent or unwanted furniture–let us know!