Our New Apartment

Back in April we visited State College for the first time. During our visit, we met with almost all of the current staff team. We got to walk through two of the couples homes who are owned by Dave and Cathy Bowman, our staff trainers here with the Navigators. As our visit was going so well, and it looked like we would be coming to State College, they brought up the idea of us living in their fourth duplex unit. They had inherited their current tenant when they bought the place and she was not very good (to say the least). They decided to pray about this option, as we decided whether to definitely come to PA. A few days after we arrived back in MA, they called and said they would like to rent to us if we were interested- we said YES! It is an affordable place and much bigger than our place in Worcester- 3 bedrooms, laundry, and a garage! (Nate is VERY thrilled about the garage). And this seemed way easier than trying to find a place from MA, not being able to visit again and not knowing the area. The only catch was that they needed to do ALOT of work on the place and the lease was not up till July 31st.

They worked it out with their tenant that she would leave on July 15th. That would give Dave two weeks before we arrived to start work on the place and before he went on vacation. New work included: new floors, painted walls, and general "work" - like patching over 500 holes in the wall! And installing a new toilet! However, on the 15th we got the call we were hoping NOT to get- she didn't leave:( The following week Dave actually rented a truck and helped her move out, but she stayed up to the very last minute on the 31st. But she did GO which we are so thankful for!

Dave quickly changed the locks, pulled up old carpet, and made sure the garage was clean and then left on his family vacation- which we also knew about- it had been planned for over a year with his daughter and her husband and his family. They had told us that would be the case from the very beginning, but it meant we arrived to a very not finished apartment. Instead of staying at our new place, we actually got to stay at the Bowmans which was a real treat. We got to know them so much better and more quickly than we would have meeting just once a week, for even two years perhaps. And they treated us so well! We ate amazing food every day and got to watch a TV on thier new big screen in HD:) I am not sure how I feel about leaving...

In those two weeks, Nate and friends painted all the walls, hardwood floor was laid in the living room/hallway, new carpet was installed in the upstairs bedrooms and downstairs, Nate and Dave laid a tile floor in the kitchen and bathroom, a new toilet was installed and blinds and so much more!

Today, after being in State College for over two weeks, we have moved in!!!! And some of our staff team even came over and prayed through each room with us, that they would be cleansed in Jesus' name from the past and be a NEW place of rest and welcoming and love and joy for us as we settle here for the next two years.

We aren't fully unpacked of course, but our bedroom and kitchen look pretty good. Unfortunately since our camera broke, we don't have any before pics, but we did get a new one so here are some after ones- more to come as we move even more in:)

Oh and we have gotten some amazing Craigslists deals like a rocking chair and couch! (pics of those to be posted later- forgot I hadnt taken any yet)

Our front door, with Dave's car parked in front of the garage.
All of our stuff in the garage.
Just SOME of the stuff they had to haul out of our place as they worked on it etc.
Our kitchen:)

I promise to post more once we get a bit more settled, but its come a long way and we are so thankful:) It feels like home already!