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My wife, Christy, has completed part 3 of our story. Enjoy.
A Place to Call Home
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. Psalm 27:4
With our Iowa house sold and the clear direction from God to move to California for Dave to attend The Master’s Seminary, we began to make our plans. The most obvious next step was to go visit the campus and look for housing. We booked our tickets and by the time we got on the plane in April, I was ready. I had done my research. I had made phone calls, sent emails and spent endless hours on the internet gaining “knowledge.” I had filled a binder full of all the information I had compiled. I knew exactly where we would and would not live. I had all but taken a map and drawn a circle around the place I had set my sights and a big red “x” on the area I refused to go. Not only that, but I was determined that we would be able to buy a home. Despite my husband’s attempts to persuade me, I thought renting seemed like a total waste of money.
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9
As I settled into my seat on the plane, I reached into my bag to find something to read. How providential it was that next to my binder of research was my Bible study called Legacy Living that my mentor, Linda Mohler, had written and sent with me. As I opened the folder, I saw the diagram of the house she had drawn entitled “A House Built God’s Way.”
We had just reviewed it recently and I had written in all the scripture references on the foundation, windows, doors, etc. She advised me to go back and look them up later. I decided now was a good time and started digging through my Bible. What I found was there was God Himself preparing my heart for what lay ahead. He was assuring me that my earthly dwelling really didn’t matter that much. What really mattered was building my life, my home, and my family upon the rock of Jesus Christ wherever we ended up.
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 3:11
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Psalm 127:1
There was one verse that seemed to speak right to my heart and told me I had been seeking the wrong kind of knowledge.
Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:3-4
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and theknowledge of the Holy One is insight. Proverbs 9:10
Upon our arrival into LA, we drove to a “host home” that the seminary had arranged for us. As we drove to the home of Dan and Adriane Hull, night had just fallen and the city lights were bright. I was tense as we drove along, making sure my car door was locked. As we neared their home, my heart began to settle a bit. Here amidst the hustle bustle of the city was a quiet little neighborhood with quaint little homes and charming front porches.
Dan and Adriane greeted us warmly and within moments, I felt like I was home. Adriane’s quiet and gentle spirit put me at ease almost immediately. I remember thinking that the Lord must certainly dwell here. During our stay with the Hulls, I often heard Adriane humming sweet hymns softly as she worked around the house. The Lord knitted our hearts together with this couple and their adorable children. I was able to share my fears about living in LA and God used Adriane to speak truth over me. I will never forget when she looked right at me and said with all sincerity, “you don’t need to be afraid.” I knew she wasn’t talking about the city, but about being under the watchful care of our Father.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8
Within a couple of days of looking at real estate, it was evident that we would not be able to afford to buy a home. We definitely had “sticker shock” as we realized that even renting would be an expensive option. Some encouraged us to consider living in an apartment for the first year. We knew we needed to be ready to surrender our will to God’s, but my flesh was screaming…”nooooo, not an apartment!” I just couldn’t imagine homeschooling three children in an apartment with no place to spread out, no place to play. We continued to pray together throughout the trip. I remember Dave petitioning before God specifically for a house, one with a yard and a basketball hoop. Yet, not our will, but yours be done, Lord.
As the end of our trip drew near, we still had not secured housing.Should we rent an apartment? Or is it worth it to pay double that to rent a home? We didn’t know. We needed help deciding what to do.We needed the Lord to show us His will for us. It should not surprise us that He did just that, but it seems every time He does we stand in awe.
As we sat and ate our lunch in the sunshine near the fountain on the seminary campus, Dan Hull approached us with a woman and her daughter following closely behind him. 
He had a huge grin on his face as he introduced us to Jennifer Lawson, explaining that her husband is graduating soon and they are moving out of their rental home nearby. The Hulls had been trying to no avail to connect us with the Lawsons all week. As she began to tell us about the home, one of the first things she said was “it has a huge yard and a basketball hoop!” As Dave was picking his jaw up off the floor, I began to get goose bumps when I learned that she had been homeschooling her three elementary aged children there for the last four years. It couldn’t have been more clear when she told us they were moving out June 6 (we had to be out of ours on June 7). We knew this was a gift from God when she began to tell us about their landlords and how they were like family to them. She explained that they are believers and view this rental property as a ministry to seminary families. Because of that, the rent is substantially less than that of most homes like it. In fact, the rent was less than most apartments. We were truly in awe. We couldn’t wait to see the house and “close the deal.”
We visited the home the next day and loved it. Adriane had been praying that God would give me a desire to live there and He certainly did. I fell in love with it as I sipped the freshly squeezed lemonade their daughter made from the lemon tree in the back yard.As I watched their children play, I could really envision us living there. I was ready to sign on the dotted line. We soon learned that it was a bit more complicated than that and not a “done deal.” The landlords were godly people that wanted to pray about who would live there next. They were considering opening it up to the seminary and conducting interviews and wanted to know everything about us.
The next day was Sunday and we were headed back to Iowa after church. While we were thrilled to be able to listen to John MacArthur preach, we were also feeling a little discouraged that we had not secured housing. We were getting on a plane that afternoon and we still didn’t have a place to live. Thankfully, George Lawson went out of his way to arrange for us to meet their landlords, in hopes that they might decide to let us live there after all. George had certainly given us his stamp of approval, which was worth a lot to them. So, it was there in the sunny plaza that we met Nehemiah and Victoria Chua for the first time. Victoria asked Dave several questions about his walk with Christ and decision to go into ministry.
After a few moments, Nehemiah turned to Victoria and said, “Well, what do you think?”
She paused a moment and replied, “We will pray about it.” We decided to exchange contact information and get in touch again later. As Dave turned to write down our information, my heart was breaking. I had such wonderful anticipation and I was crushed.
While Dave was writing,Victoria turned to Nehemiah and said, “What do you think?”
He replied, “I think it’s okay. I trust George.”
Victoria said, “You’ve made up your mind?”
Nehemiah replied, “Yes, I made it up last night.”
She turned to me with a beautiful smile and said, “it’s yours!”
We embraced and tears stung my eyes as all of us rejoiced together.The same God that turns the hearts of kings had turned their hearts toward us. What a wonderful Lord we serve!
As we walked into Grace Community Church, my heart was dancing. I was so thankful for His lovingkindness and provision once again. As the service began, I looked up and saw Victoria smiling at us from the choir pews in the front of the sanctuary. I almost could not believe my ears when Pastor MacArthur read this scripture at the beginning of the service.
“And they prayed and said, “You Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen.” Acts 1: 24
Just as the lot fell on Matthias, God assured that the lot would fall upon us as the new tenants in this home. God was confirming for me yet again His complete and total sovereignty over all. He was assuring me that this came to pass by His hand alone. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
So this is our new home. I love it here. Where is it, you ask? Why, of course, it’s right smack dab in the middle of where I said I would notlive, but it’s also right smack dab in the center of God’s will for us. I love the beautiful rose bushes growing in the yard. I love the Jewish lady across the street, the rowdy college kids next door, and Mr. Perez who pushes his grandson in the stroller around the block. I love the squeaky floor and the portable dishwasher that I have to hook up to the sink. But most of all, I love that the Lord lives here, that because of Him alone, our rooms are filled with the precious and pleasant riches of Christ.
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