Decisions, decisions...

We are facing a couple of important decisions in the next few weeks. As you are all aware, a gallon of gas is a tad expensive these days. (Which makes the price of everything else creep steadily upward.) So, the commute for Kyle to get to work, and for us to go to church and other activities in the F-M area (which we keep to a minimum!) is very expensive. We've been trimming down our budget as much as we can, eating out is almost non-existent, and any "extras" that we don't absolutely need are scratched off our lists. But we are not making ends meet financially. Some months, our "ends" can't even see to wave to each other!!

Anyway, our rental agency recently contacted us and the house that we had hoped to rent last summer in North Moorhead is going to be for rent again this fall. We've been on a waiting list and our name has finally come up again. Our monthly rent would be the same as it is now for the duplex we are renting here in Hawley, so we are prayerfully and seriously considering moving to Moorhead. We are weighing the pros and cons. The biggest "pro" is that we would literally save hundreds a month on gasoline. The biggest "con" is of course that moving is stressful and can be expensive as well. We do love our place here, it really has been ideal for our family, and we love the town of Hawley. If it wasn't for the costly commute we had hoped to eventually buy a house here.

Actually we had not intended to move again until we were ready to buy a house, but that is not looking financially feasible for us at this point. Kyle and I might head to the bank just to discuss home loans and see what we might qualify for (to cover all our bases) but we are not getting our hopes up. I did take a homebuyer's class this spring, with budget counselling, and "on paper" our budget looks pretty good. But when things like car repairs or other expenses come along, we have little or no wiggle room - again, due to the high cost of the commute.

Someday, it's our heart's desire to buy a place in the country, and have a yard and barn full of critters and keep the kids busy from sunup to sundown. For now our homestead is in our hearts and we'll be content with just the dog! And I try my best to keep the kids busy from sunup to sundown, even without the barn full of critters!

We'd appreciate your prayers as we decide what to do. I look around and sigh at the thought of packing again. But there is one good thing about moving - it helps me to get rid of extra stuff! And Punkin already has a rummage sale planned!!

I hope you all are having a lovely weekend. ~ In His Care ~ Beth ~