Thursday, August 18, 2011

The End of Waiting

My husband went to work today...    he's a fireman.

This may seem like a small statement. A regular, everyday description of our lives. But, it's not. Rather, it is the end of waiting. The fruit of trusting and believing and digging in to the vision.

When we packed up a U-haul one year and nine months ago and uprooted our family from our hometown in California and drove away from friends and family and familiarity and into Montana, it was after a year of testing. Hard testing.





A seed had been planted four years earlier. A seed about a life in Montana, a state neither of us had ever spent any time in. And that seed was nourished. We envisioned HH taking his building talents and the money we would make on the house we were building. We would buy land, build spec houses, make a living.



HH built this entire house, all the cabinets, the island, nearly everything... over a 10 year period while holding a regular job. Also, while we created our family.

But, then time passed and life changed. We finished the house and put it on the market. Days later, the stock market crashed and the real estate market took a hard dive. It would be a year before the house would sell after many price reductions. It would be a year where the building business suffered too. We were tested. We stood on the precipice of losing everything we'd spent ten years building. And it was hard. The kind of hard where silence takes over because there is nothing more to say.

I'd like to say that this was a time when we dug into our faith, hit our knees, opened the Book to the words in red. But, it wasn't. It was a time of frozen waiting for Him to show up. It was also the months I was pregnant with Little Bear, the time when I started blogging.



A year after putting it on the market, we had one offer. And it was from a family made up of a married man and his pregnant mistress. He wanted to hide the house from his wife; buy it without her knowing. He wanted "creative financing." We were tempted. Lose it all or compromise.



We'd written scripture on the walls of that house. We'd inscribed, "He is our mighty Fortress!" in permanent marker under the primer and paint. We trusted Him. But, after a year, this was the only offer. The Montana seed was long smothered, but the house needed to sell regardless.

We said no. And it was not a "no" rooted in our own strength. We found out later that one of our closest friends, who lived continents away, had been fasting and praying for us. He felt he'd been called to fast for us... and this still makes me cry... for thirty days. He went without for 30 days on our behalf.

We said no and a week later we received a great offer from a sweet family. The heavy burden lifted, clarity came quick and that long planted seed sprouted and grew. We would go and we wouldn't go to build. HH had always wanted to be fireman and it became clear that this was the career he should pursue.

This was the day we left.




My friend once said that HH is like a ship. He cuts through the water steady and strong. And that has been true of him these last few years. He's volunteered at the local fire department, taken classes, and pursued the goal. Honestly, I doubted at times. Wanted him to try for other careers, knowing it was a difficult position to find. We watched local fire departments struggle with budget cuts. But, he continued to cut through the waters. To believe.

And then a few weeks ago he was hired. And not in Seattle where he'd applied. And not in Spokane. And not in Bozeman or Missoula. Not anywhere where he would need to commute. He was hired as a fireman here, where we live.

This is his volunteer locker. Don't have any pics yet from the new department.

So you see, it is no small statement for me to say...

My husband went to work today. He's a fireman. 


14 comments:

Angie said...

Amazing post...I have chills. You are an amazing writer. I just love your cute family!

Praise God! He is so good!

Brigetta's Mom said...

Well honey....You just put Life into Perspective!

MamaMonki said...

What a journey your family has traveled! Congratulations to your hubby.

Farmgirl Paints said...

i have chills. that story is unbelievable. i love that you put that scripture on the wall under the paint. i have to do that!!! that man fasting for you for 30 days about made me cry too. GOD is SOOOO good. Praise Him!!

Leslie F said...

Hi Brigetta,
I read every one of your posts. This one has me wanting to cry and eyes are misting up.

The Lord is well-pleased with the decisions that you and Jason have made; you didn't cave under pressure. Now He is glorified through the journey and a witness to all of us.

Bob and I have been going through a long season of caregiving with his mother here in the house. I will keep your words close to me when I am discouraged. To remain steadfast in His strength.

You all look so happy and healthy.. Blessings!
Leslie Fechter

*Reading Between the Lines* said...

Hey...so happy for you guys! God is good...trusting Him is even better.
Glad to have met you.
Take care,
Nancy aka Mommy 2

Valerie said...

Congratulations to your "Fire Hubby"!!! He is living proof that one is never too "old" to pursue their dreams.

You walked away from a beautiful home...family...friends...to do what you knew was best for your family!

And it looks like you have no regrets!

From one "fire wife" to another...CONGRATS!!!

Rebekah said...

Praise God! How He takes such good care of us. I started crying reading this- You are such an encouragement to me as a young wife. I love reading your blog. I'm glad you did what was right even though it was hard.

Sista In Arms Lxx said...

Thank you for sharing, I really needed to read just that today, your faith is inspiring :) Lxx

a new beginning said...

it IS no small statement my friend--it's huge. so awesome. you know i'm rejoicing with you and for HH especially--he told me about his dream to be a firefighter when we were 17!!! :) so exciting! miss you.

donahugh43 said...

What an amazing journey you have been on. Thank you for taking me with you. I feel so blessed to know you. Can't wait to read the next chapter of your journey

Renee said...

Hello to you sweet lady, as you know I love reading your blog. I am so proud of you and your family. Congratulations to HH ... you are all so blessed. Love to you and your family xoxo

Joybird said...

oh B-the house I've seen, the story I didn't know, it makes this post all the sweeter to read.

amyridgeway said...

I love this. I've heard this story before....you tell it beautifully...but I think we were distracted by boating and tubers telling us what to do.
This post truly gave me chills and brought tears to my eyes. Love you two and your family!