Left Naperville and arrived in KC. Spent the night with family and closed on our home Friday. So homelessness ends one day later.
As I looked at my wife Janet in our new home, I knew that the next chapter of our lives had arrived. I anxiously look forward to seeing what God has in store.
Over the last couple of days we have had many friends stop by to say hello and the inevitable goodbye. Some of our friends brought gifts like a complete set of dining room chairs. 
Our neighbors did an impromptu dinner for us and we had a great time laughing, reminiscing and talking about the future.
Our kids had friends stop by that we have known since before many of them were born.
I know its so cliche, but the ultimate blessing in life is indeed relationships. I got the chance to see that in play. Life is good.
We had dinner last night with some of our very best friends Dave and Sue Ferguson and their kids Amy, Josh and Caleb. We have doing life together for the past 12 years. Oh yeah, Dave has been my boss and mentor for the past 11 years. He was the one long ago, who saw things in me I didn't see in myself. He asked me to leave my corporate job to pursue vocational ministry. As I have told my story a time or two, I have had the opportunity to share that I am living a dream I never knew I had.
Even though we will be moving to KC in a month, dinner was as comfortable and relaxing as ever. We talked about kids, parenting, ministry and even philosophy of life and mission. I will miss these times together. But as Sue put it we will still be friends and do life together - from a distance.
Had lunch with my friend Scott Hodge today. Scott is the lead pastor at Orchard Valley Community Church in Aurora, IL. It was 3 years ago that I first met Scott. Over the past few years we have had numerous interactions, mostly at Starbucks. Today was our first time to sit down and have a meal together with extended conversation. Scott has an obvious passion for Jesus, people, and the Church. It was great to hear the story of Orchard Valley and the transition they have come through. He shared with me what it was like to lose his dad in the middle of the journey. You can read his story here in Leadership Journal.
Scott is a gifted leader and one of the best bloggers I know. It was a great lunch and I am sad that I won't be able to regularly schedule these once we relocate to Kansas City. I guess technology will have to keep us connected. Thanks Scott, keep up the great work.
The music has stopped and the dance is complete. We should have a SOLD sign in our front yard soon. After 2 days of negotiations we have reached an agreement on price and conditions. YEAH GOD!!!
We still need to sign the contract and pass a home inspection so by the weekend we should have a clean contract with a firm closing date.
Thanks for all your awesome prayers. I know that God was definitely in this.
We are in Day 2 of negotiations. Both parties are moving on their price, hoping to meet somewhere in the middle. It will be an exciting day.
After 20 years of marriage, it is clear that Janet and I approach financial discussions differently. I get energy from the back and forth nature of it, and she wants to get quick resolution. She and I and our two sons, Jake and Mitch sat on the bed last night for over an hour talking about the house selling, the move and the Mission. It was highly emotional and incredibly healthy. It was amazing how God spoke profoundly through a 13 year old (who is much like his dad), a 16 year old who continues to demonstrate spiritual maturity and my lovely wife. I am so grateful that God has placed great encouragers and truth tellers in my life.
Hopefully will post again soon with no ??? on the SOLD. Stay tuned and keep praying.
We are in the process of selling our home so we can move to KC. I think selling your home can be a great faith journey. So much you have to do...so much out of your control. After 80+ days on the market and lots and lots of visits we received our first offer. It was a good offer (not great) so we worked through the details with our realtor and made a counter offer. God and I are talking quite a bit today. I keep asking, "What would you like me to learn through this experience?" Not exactly sure of the answer, but I look forward to understanding more as I look back on the journey.
Well the dance is on. Hopefully we will come to resolution and have a signed contract today or tomorrow. Thanks for all your prayers out there in cyber world.
