Remember that refinancing discussion?

Way back in August, when I first started this blog, I discussed the concept of refinancing our house.  You will recall that I had talked with a wonderful person with a well-known, reliable company who immediately said that we were approved and that she would start the ball rolling.  You might also recall that we were ecstatic to get our mortgage transferred from a ‘troublesome company’ that was next to impossible to communicate with!  Well, our new company found this out firsthand!!  (I’m always glad to hear that it isn’t just my paranoia speaking!!) 

Initially, we were told that because of the onslaught of people wanting to refinance at these low rates, our closing would not actually take place for almost three months (meaning November) and that they would appreciate our not ‘bugging’ them in the meantime, because they were working as quickly as possible.

So in mid-November, I finally emailed to ask the status, since we were going to be gone the week of Thanksgiving and I did not want to be the reason for not closing.  I received an immediate response saying that it was probably going to be the first part of December so our Thanksgiving absence was no problem.

Well . . . after four account representatives (each stepping up in company management) and six months, we will close!!  Yes, our new company had an unbelievably difficult time getting the necessary paperwork; we jumped through numerous hoops, and we all expressed our frustration directly to the ‘old company.’ (Not that they cared!) 

To the new company’s credit, they have kept the promised percentage rate (yes, there was going to be trouble right here in River City if that didn’t happen!!), even though interest rates have since gone up and we were initially told it was locked in for 90 days, and they have absorbed the expense of an additional appraisal because of the delay!!  Of course, we have lost the savings of that percentage rate over these last months, but, believe me . . . we are thrilled to finally close next Thursday.  Should I be saying, “I’ll believe it when I see it?”  No!  I am not going there . . .

Next time,

Karol

Choices

I’ve been thinking lately about how prone we are to make choices that seem to be easiest, most comfortable, most convenient, or even most fun . . . at least for the moment, even when it goes against what we say we believe.  (Yes, we all do it!!) 

"I believe that it is best to put money into savings every paycheck, but I really want (need?) to buy _______ right now."

"I believe it's best if I don't eat half of the container of ice cream, but . . . "  (Yes, I've done it!!)

"I believe my children need to have consequences for talking back, but . . . I'm too tired to deal with them now."

The sad thing about taking the 'easy road' is that we miss out on growing in ways we never imagined.

Danelle, a friend who was in youth group with our kids in Atlantic, recently posted the following on her Facebook page.  I asked for permission to post it here because I thought it was a great illustration of how we can be changed when we choose the more difficult path.  Thank you, Danelle!  (And thanks to the rest of you who are open to reading a much longer post!)

 

What if I had made a different choice...

by Danelle Zellmer Skartvedt on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 1:16pm

 Recently, I have been thinking a lot about a time over 7 years ago.  I remember standing alone in the Student Health Center in college with a nurse who was holding a manila envelope.  She looked at me and said, "Are you going to keep it or get rid of it?”  I remember in that moment, it was like a movie.  Time seemed to stop.  I remember thinking “It?”  "Wait, I'm pregnant?”  "I could get rid of it, I guess.” 

I was 21 and my fiancé didn't know I was there.  He wouldn't have to know and I could go on living my life in college.  Going out, competing and traveling with the livestock judging team, classes, etc.  But as I stood there, thoughts and memories entered my mind.  I remembered my childhood, learning to read, riding my bike, going to prom, all good memories.  I had been told abortion was wrong, but did I believe that?  As I stood there contemplating, I am certain that nurse thought I was crazy.  As I continued to think and weigh my options, I began to find a solid belief in my heart that this indeed was a child in my body - a baby who would live and grow and change my life.  I really believed at that moment it was a boy and a bond began in my mind, heart, and soul.  I wanted to protect this little being.  While I felt major anxiety over how on earth I would provide for a baby, I slowly felt a new feeling spreading over me...JOY!  I remember looking at the nurse and saying “I am going to keep him.”  She smiled and went on about her business.  I left that day and of course went through the natural responses to this kind of event; fear, disbelief, elation, joy, frustration, sadness, happiness, and peace.  I won't say that it was easy; there were many things that changed in my life.  Certainly, there were times when I wished I had not made the decisions I had made.  My fiancé-now husband, went through these phases and mercifully we seemed to be on different pages at different times.  He was a major comfort to me.

I realize that many women find themselves in this situation and no one is there to go through it with them.  My heart aches for you, I was and continue to be truly blessed to have a man who loves me and our children unconditionally.  I believe that your baby is loved so much already, that a way will be provided.  I don't write this kind of note to pass judgment or to shame.  I know now that in this situation women are often lied to and have no concept of the gift they hold within.  I believe we all fall short and only the One who set me free really cares about you and yours.  Please, know that there is hope and this is just the dark before the morning.  If you have already chosen this path and find yourself with unspeakable guilt and pain . . . please know your baby is safe.  He takes care of the weak and the fatherless.  Freedom is just a heartbeat away, call out to Him and find a peace you never felt possible. 

I remember, too, the feeling as I lay there after twenty-four hours of labor, ending with an emergency c-section, it was done.  I heard his scream and looked up to see a purple little life, gulping air and letting us all know he was not happy to have been yanked from his comfortable home.  As I watched him scream and slowly fell asleep from all of the medication and exhaustion, I remember feeling such peace.  My baby was safely here.  Later as I examined him, looking at his tiny fingers and toes, watching him breathe, I remember thinking what an amazing thing life is.  Flesh and bones, so small and delicate.  We named him Drew and took him home to our little trailer on Duff Ave.  I was so scared, so overwhelmed by it all.  Sometimes, I wanted to hide and not get up and deal with the screaming little baby in the middle of the night.  He was such a gift and yet it was so hard for me to balance everything.  Even in the midst of this anxious situation, I was changed.  Slowly, I realized I couldn't protect Drew, but the One who made him would!  I'll not sit here and say that life has been all roses and sunshine since that time.  However, with the sadness and struggles have come a faith that cannot be taken away.  I am weak, but He is strong and, oh, how He loves me . . . and you, too.                                                                                                                       
Drew, today.   Perfect 'choice,' Danelle!                                                                             

I have no excuse . . .

For not writing anything since Christmas!!  It's not because I haven't thought to write.  One time when I wanted to write I was exasperated - so I thought, "I don't want to write anything negative, so I just better not write anything at all!"  Another time I actually wrote a 'beginning of the year' kind of thing, but I must confess that I wasn't so keen on having to be accountable so I didn't post it!! (The truth is out!!)  Another time I just felt that what I had written was pretty boring so once again, not posted!

After all this long time, I decided that I needed to post something or just wave goodbye to the old blog!!  What have I learned during this 'dry' time?  Even the best writers (don't worry, I'm not grouping myself with them) write things that are never seen by others.  So, in that sense, I join their circle!!

I will comment that during this month+ we did get to see our sweet grandbabies.  So you will have to endure a picture! 

Aren't they precious??!

Tomorrow I will be posting a guest writer on this blog.  She has a story that is well

worth reading!

Hope you will be back!

Karol