Busy...ness...

Busy...if January is any indication of the real estate market for 2012... then let's all get excited.

2012 started with a boom.  Interest rates are still historically low (lowest since the 1950's), housing inventory is 11.4 months,  and most seller's are willing and able to accomodate buyers.  It is a buyer's market. 

Stay tuned, I will try to update as the market moves forward.

Remember, the market will improve as buyer's perception improves.  Optimism breeds optimism.

I am optimistic!

I have been reading this book to Layton.  The Very Busy Spider.  On each page, each farm animal talks to the spider, but

"She didn't answer, she was very busy spinning her web".

I can hear Layton reading this to me on every page as I write this!  That lil Texas accent!

Anyway, I feel like this spider,

I haven't blogged, I am very busy spinning my web!

Foreclosure update...

 

Thought this was worth repeating,

Texas leads nation in surprising foreclosure statistic

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Texas Association of REALTORS®

With one in every 1,133 homes receiving a foreclosure notice during December 2011, Texas has nowhere near the problem facing states like Nevada (one in 177) and California (one in 254), according to RealtyTrac.

There is one foreclosure measure, though, where Texas ranks first: speed. The foreclosure process last year averaged 90 days in the Lone Star State. Foreclosures in New York and New Jersey take 10 times as long, while the national average is nearly a year.

Some argue that a shorter process leads to more foreclosures, since homeowners have less time to make good on late payments and penalties. Others believe that drawn-out proceedings give borrowers an incentive to live in their homes without trying to cure the problem.

You can point homeowners with mortgage difficulties to KeepMyTexasHome.org. The site, created by the Texas Association of REALTORS®, provides comprehensive information about the foreclosure process and resources that could save one of your former or future clients from experiencing just how swiftly a Texas foreclosure can take place.

New Partner Pics...

We took new partner pics this week.  I am one of 9 owners/partners at Cornerstone Brokerage.  Brad is our new partner, he is the young one :)  I am proud to be associated with all 9 of these wonderful people!   These pics are before editing, cropping, etc.  It is hard to get a perfect pic with all open eyes, smiles, and lighting.  But I think they turned out pretty good! 

PS  We will miss you Brandy!

Fear the fuzzy :)

Kitchens Sell...

 I always assume customers and clients know that I am a Realtor and that I list houses and also sell houses.  If you are doing a little homework on the web, you might check out this article!

Kitchens Sell...

Oh, and call me if you need me, 903-571-8033... :)

Shame on You, NOT...

Psalm 25:3

"No one who hopes in you, will ever be put to shame,"

Thank goodness for this verse!  I sure pray for wisdom and discernment each day, but sometimes, I feel like the things I say -- just don't make sense or sound plain stupid.

I know each of you have felt this way.  Like, hearing and knowing you should say "something" in response to God?   then you say it, and think, gosh, I meant to say ______, or did they even understand what I meant.... I forever do this!

I did it today -- I felt led to email a person in response to an issue, and I am not sure what they thought, but I gave it to God.  He can deal with the situation. 

God knows MY  heart, he knows what I am trying to say, I say it, he uses it.

"Say what you mean, and mean what you Say"! 

I so understand this! :)

I can totally relate to this picture.....everyday, torn in so many directions, lol...

Isaiah 9:6, precious!

Just Ordinary...

 Been thinking, heard a phrase,
"Ordinary You, Extraordinary God".

1 Samuel 16:7

"But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

I feel ordinary, do you?  I feel extra - ordinary, not "extraordinary".  Get it?

If you admit it,  Everyone is ordinary.  Life is ordinary.  Work is ordinary.  Even the word "ordinary" is ordinary.  You know even if you do feel "extra ordinary", doesn't that become ordinary?

Everything about God is extraordinary.  Look at Creation.  Look at each other.  Look how different we all are.   How sad would it be if we were all alike.  God's extraordinariness gives me Hope.  God has  prepared a place  for us that our minds cannot imagine.  Now think on that one!  

Getting back to the verse.  So, in my "ordinariness", I can be thankful that God sees what is in my heart rather than my appearance.  Don't even get me started on my appearance.  I am sure we all can name a few things we would change, right?  BUT,  What does God see when he looks at my heart?

That is one I will think on... I want God to see an extraordinary heart... because an Extraordinary God has changed me.  I serve an Extraordinary God.  One God, One Lord of All.

Cinnamon Roll Cake...

Cinnamon Roll Cake- I found on Pinterest via "Cookinupnorth"
It is amazing, gooey, very rich, fattening and it looks like the pic above...

Cake:
3 c. flour
1/4 tsp.salt
1 c. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 c. milk
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. butter, melted

Topping:
1 c. butter, softened
1 c. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. cinnamon

Mix everything together except for the butter. Slowly stir in the melted butter and pour into a greased 9x13 pan. For the topping, mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Drop evenly over the batter and swirl with a knife. Bake at 350 for 28-32 minutes.

Glaze:
2 c. powdered sugar
5 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla


While warm drizzle the glaze over the cake.

Gentleness...

Time to memorize another set of verses, I wrote these verses on paper in this order and put on my desk at work.  I always have to memorize in bits...short bits... learn this with me!

Wouldn't the world be different if, we all let our "gentleness be evident to all"?

Philippians 4: 4-7

"Rejoice in the Lord always.

 I will say it again: Rejoice! 

 Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Lord is near. 

 Do not be anxious about anything,

but in every situation,

 by prayer and petition,

 with thanksgiving,

present your requests to God. 

 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

 

New Muffin Recipe...

I am always trying to find breatkfast ideas... This is my  next recipe to try... I follow this blog,
www.canyoustayfordinner.com

Healthier Morning Glory Muffins

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1½ teaspoons baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple (including juices)
• 1½ cups shredded carrots (2-3 medium)
• ½ cup raisins
• ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
• ½ cup walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper cups.
2. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, beat together oil, eggs, and pineapple (including pineapple can juices). Stir egg mixture into the flour mixture, just until combined.
4. Stir in the carrot, raisins, coconut, and walnuts. Scoop batter into prepared muffin cups.
5. Bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

makes 12

I don't spoil Layton :)

Revealed...

I am amazed each day, when you "seek", you "find"...

The last verses of Romans 16,  I underlined this morning,

"Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,

but now revealed

and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God,

so that all nations might believe and obey him—

to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

In the emailed newsletter from church today, I  am reading:

"Look, if you say that science will eventually prove there is no God, on that I must differ. No matter how small they take it back, to a tadpole, to an atom, there is always something they can't explain, something that created it all at the end of the search. 

"And no matter how far they try to go the other way--to extend life, play around with the genes, clone this, clone that, live to one hundred and fifty--at some point, life is over. And when that happens? When life comes to an end?" 

"You see?" He leaned back. He smiled. 

"When you come to that end, that's where God begins." 

Have a Little Faith

Mitch Albom

Precious Haven Grace...

I posted this pic in Feb 2011, Haven came to see me at my office. She is 3 years old, has been sick most of her life, had a heart transplant, and today went to be with Jesus! I have been a prayer warrior for this child and I know her grandparents and uncle well. I am so heartbroken for her family but I know she is happy and healthy tonight!
My thoughts and prayers are with the Davis' family. Haven touched so many lives...

Overflowing H.O.P.E...

I saw this pic while surfing the web.  I believe it makes me happy... I love the colors, and I love the happiness it represents.  Everyone loves a party, parties are happy!

So, where am I going with this?  I had a bad dream last night, in fact, a dream that involves my family, a situation that cannot be healed without God.  Frankly, it seems hopeless.   As I was reading Romans this morning, these two verses stayed with me all day.  I pondered,

Romans 15:4

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."

Romans 15:13

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. "

So, another words, I must not give up praying for this impossible situation.  The Bibile teaches me from past experiences.  I must trust in God, in everything, and in doing so, I will be filled with Joy and Peace.  Guess what that produces?  Hope..  We all need Hope!

But wait, "overflow with Hope"?  I want that!  When I think of overflow, I think of water.  Have you ever had your bathtub overflow?  Yea, you know what happens?  Water  spills over the side, it spreads, it touches everything that it comes in contact with.  Yea, that is the Hope I want.  My hope may encourage others.  Overflowing Hope...  yea that is good.   So, today, I choose to trust, I am back on track, I know God is in control.  Each time my mind travelled back to that dream, that situation, I actually had peace.  I will remain hopeful.

Remember the song, "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart, I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart, down in my heart to stay".  (you sang it right? :),  just singing that makes you happy, right?  Do you have Joy?

Coincidently, (if you know me, you know I do not believe in coincidences),
Today, I hung a sign in my office, it says,   (get ready)

SCATTER JOY...

Surely,

Happy Anniversary again JB...

Happy New Year!