Day 2--The beauty of Pennsylvania

The day started out very well when we were able to worship with Kaylee's friends at the church where she served as summer missionary in 2007.  It was a very small Baptist church in Freeport, PA, about 40 minutes north of Pittsburgh. 

 

The Cogley family allowed Kaylee to stay at their house that summer and were like a second family.  And they continued their generosity today when they treated us to lunch at a Mexican restaurant close to the church.

 

And then our journey continued.  I don't think I really had a preconceived idea about what Pennsylvania would be like and yet I was very pleasantly surprised at the beauty of it.  The city of Pittsburgh was pretty for a big city but it was a big city after all.  As we left that area and drove east the hills kind of became mountains and the fall colors were even more vibrant.  There were so many really breathtaking views........that I didn't get pictures of, unfortunately.  We'd gotten a later start than we'd planned so we were sort of on a mission to get to Lancaster and didn't stop much at all.  You'll just have to take a trip there yourself and see.  It's well worth it.  

 

We drove through Gettysburg which, of course is so full of civil war history and the houses and buildings there and in the next couple of towns were really an amazing sight.  I mean, there are old houses in Texas but nothing like the quantity or style that we've seen today.  And so many of the houses were right there practically in the road.  It seemed like I could have reached my arm out the window to touch them.  Interesting!  

 

But soon we left the mountains and history and hit modern civilization again as we got closer to Lancaster.  It was dark when we got here so we've not seen signs of the Amish people but we'll hopefully be able to do that as we drive around a little in the morning and then head for Philly.  Liberty bell, here we come!    

Pittsburgh

First day of our trip north!  Kaylee came to Pittsburgh about five years ago on a missions trip through the BSM at Stephen F. Austin State University.

 

And ever since then she's talked about how beautiful it is so we just decided to pay a visit. 

 

We got an early start and enjoyed a very pleasant flying experience with US Airways, stopping to change planes at Charlotte, NC. 

 

After arriving in Pittsburgh we retrieved our little rental Mazda and made our way into the city.  It's really beautiful with lots of hills and the convergence of three rivers.  We ate at a local sandwich restaurant that Kaylee had remembered and liked when she was here and then we walked a bit at a downtown market.  It was a beautiful day though so there were lots of people out and we ended up not staying too long. 

 

We then rode the Duquesne Incline up the side of a mountain and reached this amazing view.  I have short sleeves on but was regretting the fact that I'd left my jacket in the car.  There was quite a chilly breeze blowing up there and it was just a beauiful day. 

 

We're now staying a bit north of the city and tomorrow morning we'll go to the church where Kaylee served as a summer youth minister.  And we're planning to have lunch with the people who were her 2nd family that summer. 

 

It's been a really great first of seven fun days of our trip through five states. 

TMI

Wow!  That's pretty much all I can say to myself and sometimes even out loud as I'm sitting in on Ebby School, a two week, every day, all day crash course in how to buy and sell real estate the Ebby Halliday way.

 

Not only is it every day for two weeks, it's in Dallas.  Yep!  I just thought I knew driving since I do it for a living but now I'm in there with the big boys.  These people mean business when they're on a mission and have a time schedule.  But I'm hanging in there with the best of them and I've officially become a "commuter".  Ugh!  Not exactly the goal I was striving for when I decided to get into real estate but, believe me, it's not the first new thing I've had to learn this past week.  

 

I'm getting bombarded with listing agreements, tax issues (I haven't filled out a tax form in 30 years, thanks to my very capable and immensely intelligent husband (maybe if he reads this he'll be sufficiently buttered up and won't mind at least attempting to do my taxes now that I'm self-employed)), closing statements, buyers' representation agreements, CSS, TAR, NAR, GWCDAR, etc, etc, etc.........  Yeah, now you can be as overwhelmed as I've been.  

 

I guess the one hurdle that I'm actually having a hard time jumping is how much I'm encouraged to sell myself and be pushy.  Not my comfort zone, to say the least.  Actually, I've made it my goal in life to dodge those kinds of people and now I am one.  Ugh again!  

 

But God and I have been having lots and lots of talks about the issue and what I'm hearing over and over from Him (I'm kind of a worrier and pretty stubborn so it takes a few times) is to just be me.  I can do that!  And if I can't be me and be successful then that's my cue to call it quits.  But I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen.  This whole process has been overwhelming, intimidating, simply frightening, challenging, exciting, and sometimes even fun (I won a t-shirt last week and it was red!!).  And God's been right there beside me during this part of the journey so I'm in it till He gives the sign that it's time to bow out.  

 

One more week of Ebby School.  

 

And then it's Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts for me and my wild and crazy daughter Kaylee.  Fun times and blessings all around!      

The width of it!

"I don't want to just live the length of my life.

I want to live the width of it too!"

 

I heard this quote not too long ago and I've taken it for one of my own favorites.  And lately God and I have stretched the width of this old life pretty much till it's as tight as it will go.  I've become a real estate agent!

 

It kind of started when Kaylee bought her house last  year.  The whole process was so interesting to me and I found myself kind of sad when it was all over.  Then a young dad/realtor that walked his little girl across the street would chat with me every so often about little things going on with his business and actually encouraged me to give it a try.  So I did!  

 

I kind of blame it on God.  It has either been His leading or an amazing series of organized coincidences.  It started with that dad.  Then when I checked on classes, I found out that if I waited much longer then the requirements to become a real estate agent would get even harder.  So when I finally signed up for class it turns out that the company I went with just happened to be meeting in downtown Ft. Worth, where Bob just happened to be working at the time so I was able to hitch a ride with him.  

 

This temporary class site turned out to be held at the Petroleum Club on the 40th floor of an office building.  Very nice!  They even provided a light breakfast and waiters came in and out all day filling our tea glasses and checking to see if we needed something.  I'd just smile when the teacher raved about how "lucky" we were to get this kind of service because it certainly was not the norm.  I should've told them that they were just benefitting from God's blessing for me! : )

 

I was finally able to take my test and I passed!  Major relief!  But of course, why would God not allow me to pass after getting me that far?

 

The hardest part was yet to come.  It was time to find a broker.  The manager of the local Ebby Halliday office sent me an invitation to come and work there and it was the only invitation I received.  So I went to interview.  And chose to hang my shingle with them.

 

I'd like to say that from there it was downhill all the way but, nope!  Let me just say right here that making this life change is probably the hardest thing I've ever done and my life is certainly stretching its width.  But all along the way God has provided, encouraged, and blessed in very specific ways to get me three weeks in and I think I'm almost ready to take the training wheels off.  I know I've got SO much left to learn but it feels like I'm at least on the way. 

 

So I started here............ 



And this is where I am now..........................



 

I stand amazed!