Are You Ready for Your House Now

Today I am just very excited about a few answers to prayer. This morning when I awoke before my feet hit the ground I prayed, "Lord, today make something happen regarding housing for my family." It seems that we have been given the run around because the realtors perceive we are not quite ready to purchase. Each of the lovely homes we've previewed also have lovely price tags and we don't want to get in over our heads. Some of the realtors were very nice explaining what they could do to help us get into a home right now. Some just kind of dropped the ball, breaking appointments or not calling to reschedule. One explained that he had been in a three day leadership conference. Well didn't they teach you at the leadership conference that you should follow up with clients and let them know when you are not going to be available. Another had his assistant call and see if we were still interested in a particular home. DUH! The house went under contract yesterday. And had you kept your appointment with us we could have put a bid on the house or at least a lease purchase. Well anyway the object of this piece is to not slander the realtors but to praise God. He does work quickly. All of the folks we had been trying to reach were now calling with good news. Alrighty, we now have choices, good choices and the housing dilema will be over very soon. Now back to my novel my publisher awaits.

Get your hardcopy or eBook of Looking for the Promise at any of your on-line bookstores.

It's transition time and in order to make it a smooth one, I've enlisted the aid of several good housing professionals. What I can't seem to wrap my head around is the fact that so many of the realtors don't bother to follow up. Are they each chasing the proverbial great deal and don't have time to look at all of the inventory, including the homes that sellers want to hold on to until the market snaps back? I can't assume to know what is going on in the minds of these specialists but can I at least get one of them to understand my needs? My case is a little precarious, with the downturn in the country's economics and all of that, but nonetheless my family is ready to take a stake in a wonderful property. Is it too much to ask to have someone show us a great house that we can move into right away, like the one shown here? Geez!

Driving to and from my dentist's appointment today I actually had time to enjoy the ride. The back roads were unfamiliar, but quick. Truck stops, mega gas stations and railroad tracks lined the streets as I made my way to the northside of town. I took this alternate route at the suggestion of my google map application. Through the back streets I drove avoiding expressway traffic but catching a few short lights. Talk about the proverbial waking up to smell the coffee. The feeling enouraged me to breath deeply as I inhaled the beauty of the homes and the manicured yards. This was a neighborhood to share with my husband. We've been so frustrated just trying to find the right home at the right price. It was worth the out-of-the-way trip. Driving back through regular traffic before midday was as peaceful and I found myself thinking of absolutely nothing. Why is there not a thought in your head? I asked myself. Perhaps it was because the absence of the radio just allowed me to be at one with nature and God. One simple little song kept creeping up, no thoughts, just the song. I can't remember it now, but I do know it was an old Four Tops song. Hmmmmm! Something about saying goodbye.

Looking for the Promise clip

Status Check

It's early morning here and although I have to be up and at it in a few hours I've decided to get in a few pages of rewrite before going back to sleep. You see I was asleep a few hours ago but the alarm signaling I was losing my charge kept chiming. My husband woke me to ask what was ringing. I was so groggy and tired from a full day of activities that I didn't understand a word he was saying. Finally I sat up and fished for my cell to turn it completely off. But what that did was fully awaken me. So the pages I promised to do before going to sleep had a chance to be finished. Now, I am writing with more purpose because I have been given a tremendous opportunity to join the ranks of published authors. My book Looking for the Promise was self-published. Without editor or readers to critique my work I forged ahead and began marketing the book. What I am enjoying most about the this process is the chance to tell more of the story of Marva Stewart Shepherd. And of course telling people that I am a writer. Now I'll be able to add, published novelist as soon as the ink drys on the contract.