God Restores

“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,
The crawling locust,
The consuming locust,
And the chewing locust,
My great army which I sent among you.

You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
And praise the name of the Lord your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you;
And My people shall never be put to shame.

Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel:
I am the Lord your God
And there is no other.
My people shall never be put to shame.”

Joel 2:25-32

I remember hugging my husband in the dark hallway of his parents' home, whispering these words, “God will restore what the locusts have taken.”

In February of 2022, we found out we were pregnant, and soon after, Travis and I began building a home together. However, a year later, in the early months of 2023, we had to walk away from that home. We had just received life-altering news about our son’s health, and interest rates had risen to an unpayable amount. Although we hoped by some miracle we would be able to keep the home, we couldn’t. We knew it was the right decision, but we lost our down payment of $30,000. We tried to fight for it, as did our sales team, but ultimately the company kept the money. At that time, we were also facing medical debt of over $30,000.

But God does restore! Tears fill my eyes as I write this! Today, we signed for a home!

But it’s more than that! We weren't planning on buying a home, but my brother had just bought a home in a new neighborhood, and the builder was the same company we had previously walked away from. One day, for fun and with a little hope, we went to look at some models in that new community. There was a certain home that really stood out to us, so we inquired a little more. The state had just started paying me to be William’s caregiver, another unexpected blessing, and with the added income, a home became a little more possible.

The salesperson told us about a home that was to be finished in August. It was beautiful! We pursued the idea cautiously and prayerfully. But God was working behind the scenes! The sales lady was extremely kind and compassionate, and on top of that, she was close friends with the salesperson we had dealt with at our previous home. When we shared our story with her, she already knew us! We decided to ask if there was any way the company could apply our previous down payment from the home we lost to this new one. We knew it was a long shot, but we had to ask. The salesperson, Kristin, was more than up for the challenge; she said, “I’m going to get you that money!”

GOD MOVES MOUNTAINS!

The company agreed to give us back $20,000 of our previous down payment and apply it to the new home!!

Travis and I wept!

On top of that, we were given a $5,000 discount and our realtor gave us some of her commission which meant we were given just about $30,000 toward this new home!

$30,000!

GOD RESTORES!

We are absolutely blown away by what God has done. We have been living with Travis’ parents for over a year now and on Friday, August 23rd 2024, we will be moving into our own home; the home God has built for us!

“As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!”

Psalm 40:17

Thank you Father for this home. Thank you for showing us that you hear our prayers! Thank you for restoring above and beyond what we have lost. While this home is a wonderful blessing, ultimately we look forward to our heavenly home with you! God of wonders how beautiful and loving you are! We are desperately undeserving of this home, but how thankful I am for your kindness and mercy towards me! We pray and humbly ask that this home would praise your holy and mighty name! We pray that this home would be a light on a hill and blessing to all! We pray it would be a safe place to raise our son and that we would see you work everyday in his life. God you are our king and beloved Father! Nothing is greater then you! Thank you, Jesus!

To anyone who is broken and hurting today from what the locust have taken, hold on. Cling to Jesus! He knows and He will comfort and He will restore! He is good. When life is hard and trials knock you down to the floor cry to Him, He cares, He sees and He hears! Let Him lift you up from the pit and put your feet upon sturdy ground. Let His arms wrap around you and hold you even when everything is falling apart.

With or without this home, God is good!

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

Philippians 4:12-13

I would like to extend a special heartfelt thanks to my incredible in-laws for taking us in, which was no easy feat! They assisted us in getting to numerous appointments for William, provided us with meals multiple times, and supported us in countless ways. Thank you for blessing us beyond measure!