It's really kinda sad.

So it's tax season and I'm a CPA, so you can guess why I haven't updated my blog. We are pretty slammed at work, but I've survived 4 of these things before, so I know it's doable, and April 15, 2009 will be here in just a few short weeks. This year, I have had some pretty tough clients, but I'm not going to let them steal my joy.

Now, for the house update. We have talked to a few more builders and have some things in the works. Everything is still going according to schedule, so I am thankful for that. Today, we put the entire contents of our attic in a storage unit, and I'm sure I will be paying for that tomorrow with sore muscles and an aching back. It wasn't fun, but I did get a sense of accomplishment after it was all said and done. Stephanie plans to spend this entire week (her spring break) turning our house upside down and getting it ready for its new owners. We even got a For Sale sign at Wal-Mart today. I will have to admit that it was really kinda sad putting that sign in the cart. I love our little house. I know that it's not big enough for the family I want, but it's my first house. The house I bought for my bride. We've made so many memories in this house, but I just remind myself that it is just a house: cement, drywall, lumber, plywood, nails, glue, paint, carpet, and the never to be forgotten air conditioning unit. We will take the memories and most of the furniture with us, so I think that will help me.

On another note, I have really spent so much time financially planning for this house. Running this number vs. that number, what if this is the interest rate and should we save this or pay down our mortgage....etc., etc., etc. Then, about four or five Sundays ago I was sitting in preaching at church. I begin to think about how I had spent so much time preparing financially, and had not spent near enough time, save a prayer here or there, asking the Lord what He would have me do. Well, I asked the Lord to guide me through this whole house selling and building process. I asked Him to reveal to me His plan for our immediate future, and for guidance. The Lord spoke to me more clearly than ever that Sunday. Well, it wasn't like He sent an Angel to the church and she delivered a message straight from Him, but it was so evident, so crystal clear. In summation, the Lord told me "Whoooooaaaa now big-boy, you're going to build your dream house, huh? Isn't that kind of selfish to use all of your resources for YOUR house? Everything you have is a result of my blessing on your life. Have I not blessed you with the most wonderful wife, a career, and a supporting family? Before you go out and build that house, hot shot, I want you to do this...." What the Lord said to me will have to be kept between me and Him, because what I did is something the bible is pretty clear about...it is just done in secrecy. I told Steph about what the Lord called us to do, and she was on board. We did it.....I'm not going to lie, it wasn't easy, but it was necessary. Isn't it great that even though we might be pretty insignificant in grand scheme of this world, we are so important to God that He made a plan for our life and gave us such clear direction right when I needed it!