Why we're selling the house...

Ok, I admit it. I don't really care for blogging. It's something I put off. I procrastinate. I don't think my once a month posts count as a real blog. Some people I know (ahem, Emily, Susie) post multiple times every week. That is a blog. Our "blog" (if you can bring yourself to call it that) is more of a monthly update. I'm okay with it. Embrace my blog-laziness, and you'll be fine too.

Many people have asked us why we're selling the house. Let me clear a few things up here...

1. We are not leaving Miami. We love it here, so don't get your hopes up. This weekend I'm heading up to Seattle where the high temp will be a balmy 58 degrees. My husband and children will be lounging in our pool at a comfortable 88 degrees. Would you leave that kind of weather? I didn't think so...

2. We are done with the entire "American Dream" debt machine. Over it. Don't want to be a part of it anymore. With me out of a job, Florida umemployment at 12.2%, and hurricane season approaching, we're just not interested in waiting around to see what breaks on the house whilst we squirm away on one income. This is not a way to live. We are excited about the prospect of renting, paying off all debts completely, and putting real money in savings. The average American saves about 2% of their income. We are tired of being the "average Americans".

3. We are making a conscious choice to put ourselves in a financial position so that we can live very comfortably on one income. This is what had originally planned anyway when we moved here (those of you who know us well know the back story), so we're sticking with that plan. Then when I do get a job, which I will, that extra income will just be additional money that we can put to good use.

4. Some people have seemed quite envious of our decision. I wonder how many of those people would not have to work in jobs they didn't enjoy if they just downsized their living situation. Just think about it for a minute. What would you do if you didn't have to worry about how much money you made at a job? Really, what would it be? I think many people would do something other than what they're doing right now. For me, it would be some combination of teaching, cooking, and working with the poor and underserved. So, that's what I'm pursuing in my job search.

5. What are we (and I mean the collective we, as a people) living for anyway? I know what I'm living for, and it isn't to build up wealth so I can sit on my backside once I hit 65. It isn't to be selfish and travel the world in my old age, although I'm sure that we'll travel some. It isn't just for my kids, who bring us lots of joy, but who will grow up, leave home, and live their own lives someday. And if we keep living in the debt machine, we are going to continue to spend most of our lives working and living to maintain "wealth", missing our real purpose along the way.

I'm living to glorify God. Period. It's the only lasting thing. It's the only thing we can "take with us". Sure, I'll invest in other things, like my children, and my relationships with other people. That's an important part of living to glorify God. And this choice frees us up to do what we were called to do. So, please don't pity us as we move away from the "American Dream", because we're setting out to live THE dream. The one that involves investing in people, not things.

So, I'll leave you with a question... What are you living for? Is there something getting in the way of you doing what you really feel called to do? If so, I challenge you to stop spending your life doing what you feel you have to do, and start doing what you feel called to do. I think it's the only way to really LIVE LIFE.