Very soon after our decision to sell our home quickly we began to recognize blessings. The cash offer closed within two weeks but they have us almost a month to stay in the home for $1. This gave us time to enjoy Nathan’s wedding, have a little family vacation, enjoy time with friends, etc. Over the years we have seen how important the timing was with a few other issues. However, one blessing stands out to me above all the others.

Because we had some projects to accomplish prior to living in our new home, we decided to find a rental for a year. We were looking online at a wide variety of areas. Should we live near the airport to lessen Mark’s commute? Near BYU to see the girls more often? Closer to our property? We were very open to whatever came our way, but as we narrowed our search we both kept looking at a particular home. The home seemed nicer than most other homes in the price point but we weren’t really sold on it. We called it the yellow house because the walls were all painted a butter yellow. Thinking back this may have been what made us hesitate.

On the day we set apart to come to town we had four homes lined up to view. One was NO-WAY, two fell through and then we went to the yellow house. I was really surprised that it had not yet been rented because it seemed to be a great deal. The realtor was also surprised and she told us it would be pretty much a first-come situation. Another couple pulled up as we were leaving – so we hurriedly pulled out our phones and began the rental application. At this point we both knew this is exactly where we wanted to live.

Happily we moved in and felt that this was it – the reason it had all worked out was that we were so happily situated… but there was so much more to find out.

We went to church on our first Sunday and felt a bit awkward to find out that the homeowners were not only attending, they were the speakers! As it turned out, the woman was one of the most deeply spiritual people I have ever encountered. She was probably in her 60s but has only lived in the States for maybe 10-15 years. A native of Thailand, she began to serve in the Buddhist Temple during her teen years. When she converted to Christianity she now felt the same devotion to Jesus Christ.

We both came home so amazed to have been able to not only know who she is, but to have heard her speak and know her testimony. We did not meet them and were quite surprised when they knocked on the door a few hours later. Awkward again! The rental was done completely through an agency, but they said they wanted to meet us and find out if we needed anything. In reality she wanted to share more of the story with me.

In her very heavy accent, she went on to share her experience of finding this particular property and building this home. She explained how she had “known” in a spiritual way that it was meant for them. “The home,” she said, “was very special to her.” She told me how she tried hard to keep each part of the home clean and organized. To her, this created a sacred space and she knew that she could kneel down anywhere in her house and pray during at any point during her day. No matter where she was in her home she felt it would be appropriate to approach Heaven.

Wow – I had never really heard anyone talk like she she was talking. She was so sweet and so humble! I loved what I was hearing. I was learning from her! Then she went on…

Since they had made the decision to move and rent this home she had been earnestly praying. In her prayers she asked over and over for someone to move into her home that would show respect and share her faith. She had turned it over to the rental agency, but continued to pray. That day in church she said that she had seen me in the congregation and realized who I was. She said that it was just as she had “known” in a spiritual way that the property was for her – she had the same impression that I was the answer to her prayer! They had come to meet us so that she could share this with me.

I was rather astounded – I had just listened to her speak in church and then to her personal stories and I knew I wasn’t up to her level of faith. Yet I believed her experience and was so humbled to know I was an answer to her prayers!

I reflected on this many times over the next weeks and months. The wonder of it all was this – to me this story began while I was in Las Vegas in June (with a new desire to sell our home quickly) – and this coincided with my sweet landlady’s prayers to find a particular tenant. We had been focused on the wonder of it all for us and the blessings we saw in our lives… and here we were being an answer to the prayers of a complete stranger! The most beautiful part of it all was that she had felt that she needed to come and tell me. I thought that this was a tender mercy- sent to let us know that we are indeed in God’s hands.

His will was done and lives were blessed.

(And we survived eight months with the yellow walls – we also met some good friends in those months and just had dinner with them at Hope Lodge a few days ago. Life is so interesting!)

Years have past since I have reflected on all of this. Trusting God can be so tricky when we want what we want and we think we have it all figured out. All of these experiences make life easier if you want it to be easier in beautiful ways. All of these experiences help me to see and feel blessings rather than hardship – while still acknowledging hardship.. All of these experiences cause gratitude to flourish in my heart. We can pray about anything and we can pray to see life in new ways. This entire story meant a huge financial setback as well as moving across country and leaving wonderful friends, but we survived and are better people for it. So many lessons to learn.

I am not always so good at this, but I try. Sometimes it comes naturally. Sometimes I have to work at it. Sometimes it takes awhile before I even feel like I can begin to work at it. But I try.

We have received many kind thoughts this past week and I very much appreciate all of them. I am always confused when there is a list of what NOT to tell people who are struggling or grieving and on that list it says, “Don’t say that God has a plan or that This is all part of God’s plan.” I can scarcely think of anything that would bring me more comfort… so feel free to share these thoughts with us!!

Regarding our choice of treatment my sister-in-law Kayleen sent me words that seemed to capture exactly what I needed to hear last week, “God has a plan and we’re praying for you guys to understand the choice you need to make. But I have confidence that whatever choice you make God will work with it according to His plan for you. He’s got this!”

When I read that text I felt that these words delivered truth. She called a few days later and I expressed my appreciation. She told me that the particular words had come to her mind and she knew what to say. I believe that they were inspired.

This is quite out of our control. We don’t got this… but He does!