Okay, so I have the BEST news/story to share. I hope you all will think this is as amazing as I do, and since I really don't have any pictures to add, I really hope this doesn't bore you! That being said, here is our incredible story:
As most of you know, Gracie and I spent most of the summer in California with my parents. There is an older couple in their ward, the Mayos', who are good friends with my parents. We were leaving church one day and Brother Mayo said to me, "hey we'll catch you next time you're in town, we're leaving for a few months." So of course I asked where they were going. He said they have a place up by Eugene Oregon. That caught my attention right away and I explained that Bryant has a 10 week internship next fall and he has been assigned to go to Eugene for it. I asked Bro. Mayo to keep an eye out for any nice yet inexpensive apartments he might see or know of, and perhaps ones that might be semi-furnished. (We really don't want to have to haul a bunch of stuff for 10 weeks!) He said he would check around for us, and that was the end of that conversation.
Well, about a week and a half later or so, I get a call from Bro. Mayo. They had gone to a high priest breakfast or something and he made just a general announcement while he was there that a young couple with a baby was coming to Eugene next fall, etc. etc. A sister that was there raised her hand right away and said give them our number and we'll take care of it for them. So, he called to give me her phone number. We are still a year away from going to Eugene, so I was slow to give the sister a call. Finally the other night I did call, just to get the ball rolling, and also so we could get an idea of how much this would cost so we could make sure we would have enough to get through the rest of school. Anyway, I talked to this lovely sister who explained that her husband is from England and he and their sons are planning a trip to Europe next fall. (They're kids are all grown, so it's just the two of them at home now.) She is going to do some traveling of her own and then she will meet up with her husband in London to visit with his family for a while. Anyway, she offered us to stay in their house and "house sit" for them while they are away for a few months next fall!!!!!!!!! And the story gets even better. She said if we didn't want to stay at their house they do have some rental properties. Of course we'd be honored to stay at their house, but they are planning to be home the endish of October (plans are still being made at this point) so I asked if they would be willing to let us rent one of their apartments from the time they get back in October until the middle of December when Bryant's internship ends. She said "you know we have plenty of room here, and you'd be welcome to stay."
I seriously about started to cry. I know it's still a ways away, but I have been really worried about how this is all going to work out. For a while I thought Bry would have to go by himself, but being away from each other is too hard and it's really hard for Gracie. I have also been worried about finding a decent place that isn't too expensive. Pictures can be very deceiving.
This has been a huge testimony builder for me. Honestly, I haven't even really prayed about Eugene yet since we still have some time, but now it seems we already have a place to stay. It is just a reminder to me that Heavenly Father is in the details of our lives and he can make these little unexpected miracles happen. It also made me think of how blessed we are to be members of the church. This couple has never met us, yet they trust us to stay in their home simply because we are members of the church. What a great blessing and privilege it is to have the blessings of the gospel in our lives, and to always know wherever we might go in the world, there are members of the church willing and waiting to welcome you.
