Baby steps

As we've continued to pack boxes in anticipation of moving, we have also taken a potential small step towards finding a solution for our pending homelessness. Actually, our real estate agent is the one who took the step. We did receive a counter offer from the homeowners of the house we put a buy/sell on but we've decided not to accept it even though the terms were relatively fair. After looking it over we realized we were mainly drawn to the idea of leasing-to-own because it provided us with a place to live as of August 1st. Ideally, we would find a place to rent month-to-month. Now where could we possibly find such a place in Missoula?

In steps our realtor. She called me yesterday asking if we'd consider renting a house she had shown us earlier in the week. The house itself is out of our price range but the owners could use the financial support as they currently no longer live there but are still paying the mortgage. They would let us stay month-to-month and give us 30 days notice to leave if the house sells. I'll have to keep the place "showable" for whenever the realtor needs to bring people in to see it but the owners are okay with our pets being in the home.

I don't believe we could ask for a better solution. The rent is more expensive than what we're paying now but the home itself is by far nicer than any rental option we could find otherwise. Unfortunately Missoula's renters market allows companies and individuals to charge outrageous amounts for dumpy places. This home we'll be staying in is only a few years old and may even come partially furnished (to our benefit since we don't have a couch). And I really appreciate the idea of a mutually beneficial situation coming out of all of this: the homeowners just had a premature baby who is still in the hospital. Our rent will help alleviate some of their financial stress while their home provides us with a temporary living situation.

I still don't quite understand how things are going to come together but this small step reminds me that there is a bigger picture that I can't quite see and it is my responsibility to pray and trust that God will provide for us, as he always has. I have a feeling we'll be sleeping a little easier tonight as we dwell on that thought.