Flat Found!!!!!!!

Friends and Family-

Thank you for your prayers regarding my flat search! Great news! As I type this, I am sitting in my comfy new flat. I moved in on March 14. God has really blessed me through abundant provision of a wonderful place.

On Friday, March 9, Shanna (my team leader's wife) and I went with my realtor to look at some flats in Prague 6 and technically, Prague 7, which borders it. We looked at this flat, it was furnished, and I loved it. But, the owner wanted $50 more per month than was in my budget, plus, there was no oven, washing machine, or sofa bed. So, my realtor called the owner and asked him to consider putting in those items. He said he would install the first two items, but not the sofa bed. I still was not convinced this was where God was calling me to live, as I still felt concern over the rent. So, again my realtor called the owner and asked him to lower the rent by $50/mo. He said no. Apparently, he is a wealthy man and does not really need this money. He said he was going to hold out for a tenant who would pay the advertised rent. So, I did not hold out hope that he'd lower it. (yes, I tend to foget that God is the God of the impossible!) At that point, I began to feel stressed and somewhat too consumed by the whole flat search process. I mean, we had looked at 14 flats so far!

I have a bad habit of trying to control my circumstances and then when they don't seem to be going my way, I stress out. THEN I go to God, to the Well. Saturday, I went to the Lord and got quiet before Him. God reminded me of the fact that He is my Shepherd, so I shall not be in need of anything. He reminded me that there in that moment, I was FINE, because I was/am covered in the blood of Jesus and that He alone is all I need. God refocused me with Himself in the center and with it came peace. I then worked on a Bible lesson on prayer. One of the questions was, "What would a bold, risky prayer be for you?" I responded that it would mean completely leaving the flat search and asking God to provide the perfect place for me in one month. So, I purposed and prayed. It was right and good (and about time! :) to give that over to the Lord and stop grasping onto it so tightly. I then journaled what a "perfect" place in my mind would be.

Over the weekend, I felt a refreshing sense of lightness and peace (since giving it over). And my mind, from time to time, drifted back to the flat.

Monday, I went to little Clark's music class with his mom, Shanna. The class happens to be right in the neighborhood of the flat and I found myself looking out the window and tossing that flat around in my head, again. Thankfully, this time worry was not driving me, it was a desire to just know God's will for my housing. I left music class early and walked around the block, passing by the flat's front door. Nothing new struck me, one way or the other. Once back at music I went to the restroom and found myself praying, "God, if you want me to live in this flat, please cause the owner to come down in the rent." Fifteen minutes later, we drove away from music and mt realtor called. She said, "Dorothy, the owner just called me and has agreed to come down on the rent. I think it is quite amazing, and I think you should take it." I was so excited and in awe, really, at what God had done. I felt humbled and convicted over my unbelief, but at the same time, I felt loved by my Father God. It was really sweet. I told my team leader Phil about the rent reduction and he celebrated by doing a perfect twist jump-type move:) I do have to confess, though, that I still did feel a tiny bit of hesitation, maybe b/c the flat was short a few items/characteristics I had put on my "perfect flat" list. But I believed that God had shown me this was where he wanted me, and I would follow Him there.

Thursday, I met met with the owner to sign the contract and was blown away by the extent of God's goodness. The owner told me that the internet service was already hooked up and would be completely free. The same was true with the TV cable. Plus, I discovered that the TV has a DVD/CD player in it!!!!!! Right now, David W., I am enjoying your beautiful guitar CD :) Also, this flat has a view of Prague castle which I had not known. Also, it is a loft flat, on the very top, so it's nice and warm, which is important to me. I get cold easily.

Through this, God showed me that He really does have my best in mind and that He alone knows what is best for me. I still don't know exactly why he put in this flat and what purposes he has for me here, but I feel completely at peace and am wet from my cup which runs over. It feels right and secure to be here at home in the center of God's Will.