We heard the word "defeated" but God's still Got This

Well first of all - thank you for praying.

Who knew that when God called us into this ministry, and gave us the plan for building this home, that one day it would be a hard sell.  Who'da thought!!  (personally we think it is a beautiful home! But we are biased)

Last year some of you know that a church in Winnipeg was seemingly very interested ... from April on.  We went with the flow, believing this was part of God's plan.  Until July when it all came to a screeching halt.  We were shocked, but went forward.  We listed the home from July till I think it was November.  Then we took it off the market, which was really good with my surgery, and then Alvin's entry into his eye stuff.  We would not have been able to have people going through the home during that time.  

Winter came, and went and along came MARCH, 2026.  We were full of hope.

Let me fill you in on what has been transpiring since we put our house up for sale - March 7 of this year.

Within a couple days we showed it and got an offer.  The offer was great.  But it was conditional as the people had to put in an application for conditional use to be granted through the RM.   So they did that, along with a sizeable amount of money.  They were told it was "too late" for the March meeting so it would be heard in April.  We rolled with that.  

April we went to the meeting on the last Tuesday of the month.  She presented well what she wanted to do with the house.  However, the RRP had coded it wrong.  Our RM said that they only pass or not pass things, and any amendments would have to go back to the RRP.   So it was TABLED to May 26.  Within a short time they went back to the RRP to get the amendments put into place.  More money.  And when I say more, we are talking almost a thousand, not just a few dollars.  She had to basically reapply so that the amendments could be made.  Then she was told, it would have to go to the RM for June 23, not May 26.  More waiting. Once again, we were good with that.

We read her application and felt that it was iron clad.  We had people praying about it.  Meanwhile I was struggling with the what-ifs in the midst of my praying.  On the way to the meeting, I acknowledged to the LORD that I had those doubts arise, but also knew that my/our faith was strong because we trusted Him and knew he was trustworthy. I also prayed that whatever it was, it would be His will for us.  We walked into the meeting and sat down.  The place was full as there was a lot on the agenda.  But the good thing was, we were number 1 on it.

Protocol was read including the fact that after a decision is made, there is NO DEBATE.   

They got up to present AGAIN the request for conditional licensing.  That is what it is called.  We operated under "conditional licensing" as well.  As part of her presentation she again when over all the conditions that they had put into place ... I think it was 24.  She was adhering to all of them.

Then she sat down.  Now I want to say that if anyone had gone onto the RM site, they could have read all of the application, seen all of the conditions, and what she would do.  This is not her first rodeo, she has operated such a place before.  It was just her first rodeo with our RM.  She finished, and the person who had prepared slides put them up.  Once again the 24 "conditions" were read through out loud.  I could see the  councillor by us had it up on his screen.  One councillor asked, what kind of sewage thing was in place, which she answered a septic tank.  BUT meanwhile, one of the "conditions" was that she would have to hook up to the municipal sewage system, WHICH SHE AGREED TO, so why in the world was he asking?  Hmm.  The Mayor asked if there were any more questions and there were none!  Hmmm   TBH I actually thought that was a good sign since last time in April they had asked a few.

OH we also gave her letters from our neighbour right north of us, and south of us, and also at the end of our property.  ALL IN FAVOUR.

So then they made 1 more condition to make it 25 conditions.  There was a resolution passed on that.  And then since were no more querstions the Mayor asked for the vote.  All in favour.  We did not see a single hand go up.  AGAINST?  half of them.  (so that must mean some abstained? ) and then we heard the word, and I think she followed it with the knock of her gavel just like in the movies!  

The word she said was DEFEATED.  

And then the slam of the gavel, and the words, okay next item.

We got up and walked out in stunned disbelief.  All t's were crossed.  All i's were dotted.  All conditions met.  Only 1 question.    There were about 8 of us walked out, and it was raining outside.  We walked out, stood under the front overhang in disbelief.  Seriously, I think if there had been a picture it would have looked something like this:  

say what?

There were no words from the council and remember "THERE IS NO DEBATE" and really all you could hear was the "cha-ching" of the money they collected from her - almost $2000 plus her time to contact everyone she had to.  She had done due diligence WELL.

We stood there, all shocked, all not knowing what to say.  Alvin, Dave and I realizing that out house is not sold, and we held hope for past four months and now it had come to a screeching halt.  We walked away and TBH I was holding back so many emotions .... anger, disbelief, sadness ... 

We talked with Dave our realtor, who is a believer as well, and an optimist. 

We let everyone know with a short text "it was DEFEATED.  We feel pretty choked.  Can't talk right now"

By the end of last night, we were moving into PLAN C.  

We had gotten some beautiful word, including prophetic word sent to us.  

We slept.

I woke up with full body pain.  Seems fibromyalgia thrives on stress.  

BUT I WANT TO SAY ..  we learned a lot from what the council did last night.  BUT the word they used - DEFEATED is not a word we are going to believe.    I am not going to give anyone else the power on this.  JUST TO SAY, what the potential buyers wanted to do was defeated, but we - Alvin and I, Dave our realtor and our kids are NOT.  God still has this.  

Yes, I am so confused, but will continue to trust.

Yes I am so disappointed, but will continue to trust.

We still have this beautiful home that was built by Alvin and Josh's love, and sweat but there is someone out there, for which this home will go to.

So please continue to pray for us as we move into PLAN C 

With love,

J

PS. Thank you to those of you who have prayed - please keep praying

Thank you to those who have sent "word" to us - please continue to seek God on our behalf

Thank you to those who have loved on us - we love you all

Today for the first time ever - I saw a Cardinal on my deck right in front of me

When I looked up the meaning - a cardinal represents HOPE and RESILIANCE 

He stayed there for a little bit, facing toward me - and then flew away.

Thinking this was one of my "kisses from God".  

Here is the verse that I was just reminded of:

2 Cor 4: 8-10 NIV

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned' struck down, but not destroyed.  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

So to the enemy, the thief, satan, I say, DEFEATED? 

NOT TODAY SATAN!  

GOD's GOT THIS!!