We are buying a house!

Our plans changed after looking at many houses in Cessnock.  We decided to buy one now instead of renting for about a year first. After looking at a number of houses which would have suited us after we had done a lot of renovations and one which had a flight of six steps which Lynette would have had to negotiate with her wonky knee every time she wanted to use the bathroom or laundry, we decided we would have to spend more than the amount of money we had fixed on as our limit.  We then found the delightful little house above on a quarter acre of land.  At first we thought we would not be able to afford the extra $45,000 it would cost.  However, when we looked carefully at what we had in the bank, what we can expect to realise from the sale of our townhouse in Dubbo, and Bill's superannuation, we were excited to discover that we should be able to buy the house and still have about half of the superannuation left. Here are some pictures of inside the house and of the garden. the living room -- combined lounge and dining. the main bedroom the studio -- potential bedroom for guests There are three raised garden beds! one of the five water tanks. Follow the arrow for a glimpse of the fowl yard. the kitchen the bathroom view of backyard showing carport When we explored the back yard, the day that we looked at the house, we found that the present owners have been avid gardeners.  Imagine my joy to find they already had three raised garden beds.  We have been planning to get into growing veggies and had planted to make raised garden beds since it is harder now to be bending down to work.  All the preparatory work has already been done for us!  In addition, the family has been keeping laying hens and will leave them for us.  As well as eggs we will have a source of good manure for the garden. There are tanks to collect rainwater [in addition to the town water supply] and about a dozen fruit trees. After we made our offer and it was accepted, we learned through our friends Les and Barb who are living only 6 km from where we will be that Les knows Andrew the man selling the house because he teaches scripture [religious instruction] at 3 schools in the area.  Andrew and Angela actually became quite excited when they learned of our involvement in cross-cultural missions.   As a result they have offered to give us any of their furniture which they will not need in their new home. Three included items will be a double bed, the lounge chairs and a small round table.  God is blessing us so wonderfully!! Our townhouse is going to be auctioned on November 13th at 6 p.m.  Today was the first open house at the unit and six people came to look.  Please pray that the Lord will provide buyers who are willing to buy it for the amount we need.  Settlement date for our new house in Paxton is December 18th.  So please pray that the Dubbo sale would be settled by then. Thank you so much for your continued prayer support. God bless you all, Bill and Lynette Bill and Lynette COTTAM Landline phone: 02 9632 9450 Phone Mobile: 0401152715 or outside Australia +61401152715 ANY MAIL may be sent C/o 36 Iris St, Guildford West, N.S.W. 2161 www.mmol.org/cottam, http://cottamhts.wordpress.com and http://billnalynette.blogspot.com Copyright © 2013 semi-retired members of New Tribes Mission PNG, All rights reserved.