The Heymann Family Journal

I was looking for a wardrobe for coats on eBay, and I found this wooden stool. I won the bid for 1 Euro. It's hand carved, from Spain. Cool!

We met the owners today. They were really sad about losing their house. I don't blame them for that. But they couldn't afford it after their kids moved out. They moved to an apartment. That's very sad! But they were very nice and gave us the keys. The bank is still doing paper work. It's still their house for at least one week. We can start to paint, and work on the boys rooms. I'm very excited about that! Juergen and I have a babysitter tonight. We may just get a pizza and eat it in our house! The grass has not been cut all summer long. It is covered with dandelions. I feel like that is a real blessing from God! A good friend of mine once had a word from God that we would be like dandelions...influence that would spread out wide! Most people would hate a garden full of dandelions, but I feel like God was smiling on me today! If you want to help us paint this week, let me know.

I bought these movie seats (4 seats) on e Bay. Juergen picked them up today. He wasn't too excited about them but the kids love them! I plan to put them in Philip's room. Philip will have a very cool wallpaper that's graffiti style. He also gets to do a little graffiti on his own wall (no place else)! Juergen took Thomas to summer camp. I wanted to go too but Jessica is sick. She seems to have a bad cold. Poor baby! So I didn't get to see Nicole. But I'm sure she and Thomas will both have a really great week!

We get the key to the basement this weekend. The handworkers begin to do the boy's bedrooms on Monday. The owners bank failed to do some important paper work. We have to wait until all the paper work is finished, then we get the house keys. I don't know how long that will take. I'm packing. Our movers are coming Aug 22. I hope we have everything ready by then. We may need to push the move back a few weeks? We may show our house at least once to someone who is interested in buying it (the Leimen house). Today I'm just packing Thomas for camp. I’m pretty happy because Juergen has his last work day for 2 weeks. He and Philip will be working on the new house, God willing on Monday. One of our goals for the year was to teach our boys how to work. So Juergen works with Philip this week while Thomas is in camp. Then He will work with Thomas while Philip goes to camp. Sarah may also be able to attend the Sola kids camp. Philip’s friends are not able to attend. ...

We wanted to get going early today. I gave my keys to Nicole so she could load all her camp stuff in the car. She got it all loaded, and everyone was ready to go. I closed the front door, and then found out Nicole had left my keys in the house. Nicole called Juergen and he came 15 minutes later to let us in the house! Then we went to the paint sale. We bought 250 Euros worth of paint (saved 200 Euro). Then we dropped Nicole off at the Sola camp. It starts on Saturday but she is part of the staff. She will help them set things up for the next few days. I got a phone call from Philip's best friends mom. He and his brother and sister were going to the kids camp, but now they are going somewhere else. So we have 3 extra camping spots for kids Aug 7- 14. I'm going to ask them if Sarah can go. She is 6 months too young, but her brother and Big sister will be there. I'm sorry Philip's friends will not be going, but I'm glad they will go on vacation. If you k...

Today the kids had their last day of school. The report cards were all pretty good. Everyone got a B average. Tomorrow I'll take them to Toys R Us for a small reward. It was a sad day for Jessica. Saying goodbye is never easy. I cried when I gave small gifts to the bus drivers that pick Sarah and Jessica up. It hit me...we really are moving! I take the kids to "Praktiker" tomorrow morning. They have a crazy one day paint sale. We already bought the white paint we will use for the moldings and ceilings. We got that half price last month. So now we get the colored paints half price too. The paper work never got sent from the owners bank. The bank really blew it! So we will not be getting the keys on Monday. I'm not sure when we can start to paint. But the owners will give us the basement keys (maybe even on Saturday). We can start work on the boys rooms "as planned". So I'm ok with this. We get to start the work, and we don't pay int...

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his k...

I got Jessica's new bed in the mail today. I went to put it in the garage and knocked over a can of paint. What a mess! But as my brother says, "it's just paint"! I got a call from the director of the care center Jessica may go to this fall. She told me that they are now opening a new Autism center in Bruchsal. I don't know if Jess can go there instead? The idea of it makes me want to cry for joy. They wanted to open an autism center near Heidelberg. They couldn't manage to get the project off the ground. We are moving to Bad Schönborn, not knowing what will really be there for Jessica. But now a autism center is opening up this fall. Amazing! http://www.az-bruchsal.de/home

I finished the whole Bible. I'm starting it again. I wanted to read it 5 times this year. Now it looks like I may get through it 2 times. But that's still really good. And I really need it (desperatly)! I feel like my faith is zero! But faith comes by hearing the word.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life Proverbs 13:12 Philip had a very good birthday party today. We took 9 boys bowling for 2 hours. Afterwards they built Lego and watched a movie. I made spaghetti and also apple strudel. It all was really great! Amazing for a house filled with boys. A family at our church asked Juergen about our house that's for sale. They said they were very interested. But sadly they called and said they don't want to live in Leimen. They live in the best neighborhood in Heidelberg, so I guess I can understand! Our house is a very good house, but it's not in the best neighborhood in Heidelberg. My heart is sad! But I need to "brush it off". It takes courage to sell a house. I don't really feel like I've got too much courage right now. But God gives grace to get us by each day. Today was very good. The kids have 3 more days of school. I should forget about what is ahead...and seek...

The Zugspitze, at 2,962 metres above sea level, is the highest peak in Germany. It lies south of the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the border between Germany and Austria. About 10 years ago, Juergen and I took some friends to see the Zugspitze. We stayed in a beautiful Hotel right at the foot of this Mountain. But the valley was covered in clouds the entire weekend. We didn't see the mountain. It was there...the biggest mountain in Germany. We could stand on it, but we couldn't see it. Clouds are funny like that! I thought back then about God's provision. It could be on it's way...or even there. But sometimes we are afraid because of the clouds. And this is a word for me today. God is big, and his provision is great. Even if I can not see it, I can stand on it! What are we going to believe in? The Mountain or the clouds?

OK, I've thought and I've worried. I've read and I've listened to the bad news from our neighbors saying we need to sell at an even lower price (we would already be loosing 11,000€ at the price we have it now). But at the end of the day I feel like God is telling me to wait. Wait and see the salvation of the Lord. I'm not going to be Sarah who could not have a baby, so she came up with plan B. Big mistake! It's really hard to know what to do right now. I certainly don't want to be foolish. But I've cleaned, lowered the price, thought about other paths (and maybe we will rent). But right now I feel like I should just relax and wait on God. So I've done all I can for one weekend! I'm going to rest. Philip has a birthday party tomorrow. It's not his real birthday, but we wanted to celebrate before the move. We are going bowling again. I'll make spaghetti and salad. I also have apple strudel with ice cream.

How to Turn Your Home or Condo Into a Vacation Rental edits by:Tenantwiz, Maluniu, BR, Hockeyhamster (see all) Determine if your Property is a suitable Vacation Rental - While there are many vacation rentals on the market today, it certainly helps if your property has unique features. It is important to determine whether or not your property is marketable and desirable. You should ask yourself the following questions: Is my property in a frequented geographic area? Is my property's location desirable (i.e. on the water, great views, or close to landmarks such as theme parks, etc.). Is my property up-to-date enough and have the amenities that many travelers are looking for such as high-speed internet, jacuzzi tubs, etc. Prepare the Interior & Exterior of your Property for Rental - Once you've determined that your property is a suitable vacation rental, it's time to make sure that both the interior and exterior of your property are up to snuff for travelers. When people t...

I really don't know what we should do about our house. I need some faith to look with joy to Gods plan. Instead of anticipating His goodness I am full of fear! I should not doubt He will give us wisdom and provision. The very big bills are landing on Juergen's desk. The bank, notary and city all want their money. We will need to pay for 2 houses next month, That really hurts! And we need wisdom about weather we should rent our house out...and a good renter! If we rent our house out, we need to keep the kitchen here. We need to plan on painting. Maybe plan on an easy garden for the renter to care for. I even had the idea of using our house as an vacation house. If I could rent it out one week per month it would just about cover the mortgage. Two weeks per month would actually give us a profit. But is there a market for a vacation house near Heidelberg?

Juergen finally got to talk with the man at our bank. He can give us a pretty good loan for 5 years. Then after 5 years we can try to sell the house with no penalty for selling. So maybe since the housing market is so flat, we should just rent our house out for 5 years? We could paint the ceilings and stairs, and replant the garden (even put a swing set in for a family), and redo the hardwood floors. Does anyone know a good family looking to rent a house for a few years?

I packed another box today and cleaned too. Nicole did some garden work. Jessica has been home with a flu. Philip and Sarah got their report cards. Philip got a B (2) average. That's pretty good! First graders don't get grades but Sarah did very well. Thomas gets his grades next week. I think he did fine. I hope I have no surprises...at least not negative surprises! I'm feeling a little down. The weather has been pretty wet and cold. I'm frustrated about the non sale of our house. I am also a little disappointed we don't get the keys to our new house today. But I know it will work out OK. I'm just impatient. I have been looking a big swings. I am pretty sure we don't have the money for a big swing, but I can dream! I use to spend hours on the swings when I was a kid. But most of our kids are big now. I don't want a little swing only Sarah can use. I want something Jessica can play on. Something a youth group can play on. It will proba...

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen Hebrews 11:1 I did pack boxes today, and I also did some cleaning. Nicole pulled weeds. And God willing we will do more tomorrow. I got a nice letter from someone that looked at our house 2 weeks ago. They said it was too big so they will not be buying it. They didn't need to write. I'm sorry they said no, but I'm blessed they took the time to write. I am continually reminded that I have no control. I can not make someone buy my house! But I can clean and pack. So I'll try really hard to just do what I can. And I'm again on my knees scrubbing the floors and trying to let go of my fear.

The owners of our house didn't send in some paper work. So the whole process maybe longer? We think it will be OK and we will get the house August 1st. But I thought we might get the keys tomorrow. Right now that looks like it will not happen. I'll just have to wait the extra 10 days. In the mean time I find it hard to pack and clean our house. I have lost all hope we can sell the house. I know I should get outside and pull weeds. A big part of me says "what is the use"! But I need to kick myself...and keep trying! I have to be ready just in case someone actually does want to look at the house. We lowered the price and know one has called. Not one inquiry. It's 11,000 Euros cheaper and still no interest! That's disheartening! I guess we may need to rent it out. And that means learning about being a landlord. I didn't want to do that. And of course that's just one more thing to study, just when we are getting ready to move. I find it ve...

I just won the bid on this very cute black iron king size bed for Jessica's room. She always wants to sleep in my big bed, I thought she would like her own big bed. I think it's really cute! I'm going to make her a quilt from old blue jeans. She likes to sleep with heavy blankets on. That's an autistic thing.

There is a cold rain outside. It feels more like the late fall, not mid summer. Jessica got sick at school so I picked her up. She had her graduation yesterday but she has class until next week. We will see if she recovers enough to go back this week. I found a darling black iron bed on e Bay I want to buy for Jessica's bedroom. I would paint her bedroom a pale yellow. I also saved a very large box of old jeans. I thought I would make some quilts from them. That would look cute in Jessica's room. She has allot of Art's and crafts stuff from school. I'm also giving her the large wardrobe Nicole painted. It's going to be a very nice bedroom. Sarah gets Jessica and Nicole's white iron daybeds. Her room will be 2 shades of pink and also tan with white butterflies. I think we are going to give Nicole the ground floor bedroom (the old kitchen). I bought allot of nice African stuff for Jessica's room, but now I'm going to give it to Nicole. I am...