New beginnings in our life style of how we live is what I am trying to put on paper (or computer) here.  You see this is exactly what we have been going through.  I am not talking about just a little transformation here or there, I am talking heavy duty change!

How did it start you might ask?  Well it all started when we chose to attend a little church very close to our home, a "new" one at that.  We have been searching for over four years for a church that would fit like a glove, you know....one that we can snuggle in with and feel .....yes, at home.  I am not at all trying to say it is easy to sit through a sermon now without knowing something is happening, as our hearts have been opened so wide for new change that the inevitable has occurred. 

It begins with a thankful mind and spirit that just wants to bust out of your being.  One that makes you want to hollar  from a mountain that God is indeed real, He is right here and He is working in so many peoples lives, even in such tough times.  The blessings He has given to us for the last four years have been so real, and yet so hard to get through. 

It came as a surprize for Cyndi and I as we sat through the first church sermon, and once we met which is now our new Pastor, we both walked out of the church and was in such complete agreement that we had found a new home church.  Unreal....God brought the church into our community just a few minutes away to us.  Now that is something to talk about. 

So what is the big deal and hoopla about all this?  Well it seems God has plans for this community we live in.  He started a new church, with attendance over 100 wonderful God seeking poeple who love Him and wish to serve Him in any way they can.  Below are just a few things we have done on a daily basis to impact our walk with God. 

We started having morning devotions together (Cyndi and I) before we are off to work. 

We study together in the evenings instead of watching the re-runs on T.V. (we no longer have cable/satelite)  Savings of about $60.00 dollars or more.

We are praying for so many people in need as we now more fervently listen to our co-workers or friends around us.

We both are thanking God for all He is doing.  We are working so hard to love our jobs, the ones that we had to take because we had lost our positions we had loved so much due to our economy down turn.

There are so many more "things" we are not doing as well.  But now I would like to leave you with a special passage that is meant for all of us.  The last verse in Mattew 6:...34 reads "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."  I have to add that you really need to read the entire 6th chapter of Matthew to get the whole picture here. 

This post is dedicated to our New Church...."Living Streams Community Church" and all our new brothers and sisters in Christ, and all of our same right here on Active Rain we have met and come to love for the past several years.  God bless you all, will keep you posted on more of the changes we are still working on daily.  God bless.

We have all heard about the staggering unemployment figures and it does not look good.  The figures are not showing all the numbers though, at least not in my book.  Why are they not taking into consideration those who have lost their jobs, and had to take on a less paying job with companies such as Manpower, Kelley's and so on.  Most people who were in a profession for years worth of experience in their field have been thrown by the way side, and it does not look as though anyone really gives a hoot.

What about all the Realtor's and Mortgage Lenders who are now doing whatever job they can manage to land?  Most are not even making half the income they use to for the past six years.  I think we ought to show the numbers as they really are.  What we are being told now, is way off.  I suggest we make a list of others that have lost jobs, such as;  Automotive workers, Police Officers, Nurses, Health Care workers, Restaurant Hostesses, Hotel staff, and the list can go on and on.  Think about it... are we getting all the facts? 

Today was a nice day to get out of the house and go to a couple open houses within our neighborhood.  We found both homes were over priced by at least ten thousand dollars.  Our neighborhood is holding strong on sales, but not within the price range they are listed at.  Most homes have sold very quickly as they were priced accordingly.  Priced to sell in this market we are competing in.  People are still out there looking for "the best deal" and not over priced real estate. 

The analysis of homes selling within our area is at the price they sold for three to six years ago.  I know the market is believed to be coming back, but it is not even close to the listed prices now being offered.

Now...on the other hand if we are wrong in our thinking, we will be placing our home on the market and take advantage of this wonderful gain of equity that has come back.  I just don't think I am going to hold my breath too long. 

What is happening in your communities, we would love to know.

I was discussing hours at work with lots of overtime being offered or actually made mandatory to my wife last night, I became pleasantly surprised.  Cyndi said she was glad that I wanted to be home instead of working a tone of overtime for the sake of the almighty dollar.  I was taken back at her statement and ask her if she ever felt I would rather work, and she said no, which I was happy to hear. 

Time spent at work verses being with family does not bring quality time within the marriage.  We men and women are now being told we have to work over, and we are thinking yes, I have to do this to bring in the money before the business goes under.  I have been there done that, just as so many of you are doing now.  My suggestion is to continue to talk with one another, and tell each other how you feel.  Ask questions and be sincere when you make suggestions.  If at all possible try and get as much out of debt as you can.  Make sure you pay more on the bills that really make life unpleasant, and plan to pay it off.

All this takes a little patience, but you both can do it together much better than doing so by yourself.  If your employer makes you work overtime, I suggest you pick a special time to spend with family, and make it special, even a pic nic in the park becomes one of the best times, at least for me it is.

A working situation does not have to rule your life, only if we let it.  I hope this year brings more jobs into the market places, to replace the ones we have lost.  I hope we who have lost our careers can some day pick up where we left off, and again do what we do best.  In the Real Estate world we all know how hard it has been.  I hope we can look forward to a new beginning, soon.

I am thankful for my family, here at home, and the one at Active Rain.  God bless.

With over 141,175 members strong, and so many people writing posts, do you ever ask yourself how you ever keep up?  I try and come here everyday or every night to read as many posts as possible.  I find myself wondering which ones to read and not read.

To my surprise, if I click on one that just seems a litte different, I get a real blessing out of it.  It may be a story with thanks giving in it, or it could be a concerned writer asking for help, even someone to just take a minute to pray for a loved one.  This has happened to me so many times I can't count them.  How do I account for this?  Well you know I think our Father is directing me to these posts.  He usually knows best, and I don't question Him doing so.

I know you all have been here, done that, and I would like to hear your story about a post that really hit home for you.  Feel like sharing?  Try it, you might just like reading it.  I know I will.

So far fourteen states have passed legislature to restrict Loan Officers from discussing or even being able to hire their own Appraiser.  Some think our Government has gone too far with this, but if think there are some good ways to look at what is happening.

Years ago our Appraisers would come into the L.O.'s office and tell us how good the "service" would be.  Now being the good L.O. I would ask if he would be able to bring the numbers in for us.  "Sure" would be the answer, and here ya go, we now have a solid relationship.  Not such a great idea in the real world these days.  Now the Appraiser will not have to step up to the plate as before.  Now he or she can simply rely on doing their job, which is a tough one these days.  Finding comps now are harder than ever to make a sound call on the appraisal, to make the numbers fit the purchase agreements purchase price. 

 We are traveling down a different path now.  The Loan Officer can no longer discuss with the Appraiser any figures before and during the transaction.  This protects both, the Bank, and the buyer.  There is much more to all of this, and as time progresses I will share with you more information on an Appraisal Management Company and what they are all about.

I hope this helps some one out here with a piece of information that is going to hit home hard soon.  In fourteen states, it has already happened.  Take care.

I needed prayer, so I went to my best friend, I knew I could count on her, and she didn't let me down.  I have been torn apart this last few weeks.  I have been seeking an opportunity to work for a company that would put me back into Real Estate. 

I loved my job where I would help so many people to regain their ability to take care of a defaulted loan.  This was not an easy job by no means, and it takes a person with listening skills, and know when your being taken for a ride by the client in most cases. 

I was in the middle of accepting an offer that would pay me for the hours worked, with overtime as this is a new start up business.  I was torn between walking away from friends I had made over the last year and a half, and I am always scared to death of change, and start into a new job.  I thought it over yesterday morning and really knew I could not go to work without knowing my best friend would be praying for me.  I couldn't sleep that morning so I wrote Cyndi (my wife) a note to please pray that I could have some peace on making the right decision.  I came home last night and she said thank you for the note, and assured me she was praying.

Long story short, I made the decision to take the job.  I hated giving notice as this company will literally give you an exit interview, and at the same time have your manager box up your belongings from your desk, and you would then be ushered out the door. 

I was given the opportunity to talk to both my manager and supervisor, and an HR person, along with the President of the company.  They all stated that if things do not work out, the door is always open.  My heart really was in pain at this point.  My two supervisors were teary eyed, and I could not stand what I was going through.  I hate making others hurt. 

I was questioning my decision as I walked out the door.  Once in my truck to come home, I chatted with my wife, who assured me I had done the right thing, you see she too had worked there with me, and had left six months ago.  She knew what it was like, and she also feels we did make the right decision.  Over dinner I knew it was the right way to go.  A heavy lift off my shoulders happened and I felt like I had lost ten pounds.

Monday I start my new job.  I will be trained to do one thing, not a multitude of duties as I was doing up till today.  I am excited and also scared, LOL.

Just wanted to let you know that I cannot do this stuff alone, nope, cannot do it, don't want to do it that way, and I am thankful for having my best friend with me during this time. 

If you have been following my blog you all know what Cyndi has gone thru, and I am here to tell you all, she is amazing.  God has allowed her to get back up on her feet and started back to work and is doing well. 

I hope to be as good of an asset going to the next job, as the one I left.  I give God the praise for allowing me to do my best for Him.

I like Titus 2:2, but didn't always understand what it was all about..."Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance."  Now the verse before this one says to teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.  And then it goes on and talks about how the older women should teach the younger women, and even further down the chapter it talks about teaching slaves to be subject to their masters, to please them, and so on.

I don't know about you but when I was growing up this passage did very little for me as I thought I knew it all then.  LOL, well times do change and I don't think I know it all now, and I certainly realize I did not know all that much then.  So I guess there was reason to this teaching that I wish as a young man I would have understood more so than I did years ago.

I think back over the years as to how our society has enabled "change."  In our world of Real Estate, we were given the right to file for bankruptcy and not repay our debt.  In many cases for no reason other than not wanting to pay the bills we had piled up.  In our social lives we were taught it was ok to be a Hippy and be care free, and "love" everyone we can, and sometimes not the one your with.  Gee I think they wrote a song about that...?  Your getting the feel of this post by now I am sure.  So how has God opened your heart, and brain these days?

For me, I prefer to go back to Titus and put into place the teachings we were brought up with.  I hope people now see me as a person that is not as hard, non caring, or care fee as it were, but a person that loves God, and puts trust in Him. 

During our time of "Change" just look back a few years in your life and ask, "what would I have done differently?"  I should have made a list.

Just some food for thought, I hope you have a good change coming your way, as we all really do not "know it all" like we use to.  LOL

Do you "dig" to find the right post to read here on Active Rain? Or do you read whatever stand out?  I have noticed lately when I read posts here I am finding so much good material it is hard to keep up with.  I am glad I can come back and pick up where I left off many times.  I am still reading posts where lenders are not honoring their "pre approvals" which just infuriates me.  I know times are hard but lenders need to stand by the pre approval process, after all you were the lender telling the Realtor and client they were good to go. 

I also find many hurting people here as well.  Prayer is much needed for a family member or loved one.  What a place to ask for help, Active Rain is it.

All in all what we write here is coming from your living rooms, homes or offices.  When you write you give of yourself, many times not even knowing how your touching someones life.

Long story short... Keep writing, and have fun doing it. You just never know who your going to help.

God bless and have a great week.

Writing this post seems almost like a dream.  This last December was to be as all other years, Christmas time and a month of celebration.  This December was not to be so for our family this year.

Cancer.  This word came into our lives off and on throughout our lives from other members of our family, or from loved ones we grew up with through the years.  We never believed we would be connecting this word cancer, to our lives directly, not with my wife.  As most of you know it did indeed happen.

Now, as we are half way through February I can tell you we are desperately trying to give thanks and praise to our God for allowing the cancer to be removed totally.  There was a price to pay physically and mentally.  Much pain was and still is connected to this cancer and three surgery's later.  We often wonder about Jesus and the physical and mental pain he endured.  He knew as the time came closer to finish His Father's work there would be pain of all kinds.  He would be ridiculed.  He would be spat on, he would be beaten beyond what any man could endure, and he would be tested mentally.  He would wonder why His Father turned his back on him for a split second, but in the end, He paid the price, He rose the third day to settle the cost.  He paid the price, paid it in full for you and I.

As you have kept up with my post regarding Cyndi and her recocery, you know we all were in prayer, many of you were fasting, asking for your churches to join in with prayer.  We were all able to do this through our God, that indeed sent His Son to pay the price, so we had an advocate to come to, to ask for help, to pray to Him for healing, complete healing. 

We also have a time now to go to Him for thanks giving, a time for me to give God the praise He so deserves for answering prayer.  I do this daily, I have a beautiful reminder to do so, her name is Cyndi, my wife.  Each time I look at her, I splendor in His greatness to allow her to be here, cancer free.

Give our Lord the praise even when we do not feel like it is so important.  I have learned the hard way to do this.  I use to think I was doing so....I know differently now.  As I wept before Him throughout this ordeal and ask Him why, all I could hear was His soft words...."it's ok my son, keep asking me and I will answer you." 

God bless, and know your all in our thoughts and prayers and will be here for you as well.