House For Sale!

Hello family! We thought it was about time to update everyone about our situation. To be honest, we meant to do this a long time ago. Due to organizational challenges, I was slightly unsure of how to log into this wonderful family blog. (Yes sisters and mom... I lost the password again!) So we apologize for the tardiness of this news. I think many of you have heard through the grapevine that we have moved in with my (Jen's) parents and are selling our house.

Background Info: (Thought we may have to catch a few of you up...)
Mark and I have known for many years that we are called into business ownership. We know that we have a call on our life to create wealth that we can funnel into God's kingdom. To be honest, we used to be slightly afraid to tell people that. Try as we may, us humans are prejudiced. There were some wonderful Christians who did not understand how owning a business and becoming wealthy could be equated with godliness. It even collided with some of my religious materialistic nerves when I was a "new" business owner. But as we grew in the business world, it was so obvious that it was a perfect fit. Then the search was on. Which is the right kind of business for us? We have tried everything. Currently we have two businesses: one we are trying to shut down and one that is truly where God has placed us.

Current Situation:
About six years ago we started a real estate business. It was a great business plan: We would buy low, fix up properties, and sell on a rent to own program. Through this program, we would help people qualify for home ownership through a two year program. To be honest, this would have worked wonderfully if the real estate market hadn't changed a couple years into it. But it did and we have been working to dig out from under a mountain of debt ever since. Since the market is so tough, it has been kind of rough. But God has been faithful providing miracle after miracle to see us through. Within the last two months, it became apparent to both Mark & I that we needed to do some big changes. So that is when we decided to sell our house. We are living with my parents while we sell our house and look for a place to rent temporarily.

The Good News:
God is so faithful. While we were in the middle of our real estate mess, we were led to start our Quixtar business (called Redline). This was pretty amazing. When God first told us to start our Quixtar business, we fought Him. We were quite negative about the idea, but had to listen to the Lord. As we researched the e-commerce market, it was apparent that the business climate was moving to the internet. It also seemed to be where the Lord was guiding us. So we began our journey. I tell you all this for one reason. We are selling our house and it was rough at first. But the truth is that we know what we are called to do and our financial struggles are just additions to our testimony. Our Quixtar business has doubled over the last few months, and it is doing so well that the stress of our real estate debt is starting to lessen. It is amazing how God works out His perfect timing.

We could really use some specific prayers. We know what amazing prayer warriors you all are. We are believing that our house is going to sell quickly and easily. We had a couple come through that seem to be "the ones". Their house needs to sell and we need to work out the details. So we just pray that God will work all of this out in His perfect timing as always. Also, if you could pray grace over our family. The girls have started having bad dreams every night. Maybe it is transitioning or new beds. Pray for peace. And hopefully we won't be too much of an inconvenience to my parents. :)

Thanks for the prayers. We love you all dearly!

Love,
Mark, Jen, Tori & Elli