Sold

on letting go and giving thanks

I opened the mailbox and saw the postcard from our realtor saying that the Umatilla triplex that we bought almost 20 years ago “just sold.” Yes, it did, because back in November, we sold it.  

This was the first place we ever bought in Denver. The 1892 brownstone triplex, built by and for the stonemasons who built the Brown palace downtown. They used the same red sandstone on both projects. It housed them, and it housed us, and it housed so many others over the years. It has “good bones” the inspector said when we first purchased the place. Everywhere you looked, the house radiated old world charm, and I fell in love.

I took a course at Denver Seminary called BIVO. The instructor, Hugh Halter, cast a vision for pastors to consider “bi-vocational” ministry as a strategy. He made a case for being BIVO - not just out of necessity, but intentionally. Sometimes pastors have to be “BIVO” because the church doesn’t have the resources to pay them. But Hugh was planting seeds in my mind for bi-vocational ministry as an intentional choice and wise strategy in ministry and in life. It made sense to me, it was compelling to me. Tim and I have been bi-vocational and sometimes tri-vocational for 20 years now. Purchasing Umatilla was a part of that. 

At first, we lived in one unit and rented out the other two. We started a house church there that was featured in Time magazine. We brought Russell home from the hospital there. We hosted so many parties on that rooftop deck with the best view of the Denver skyline. We started a small business called Sipping n’ Painting one block from there. So many people we love lived with us, stayed with us, or rented from us there. We dreamt up and launched Platt Park Church from that place. At various points we thought it was both the stupidest & best financial investment we’d ever made. 

Today, receiving that postcard reminder, I’m thankful. Thank you, Umatilla, for all the good memories and for teaching us so much. I will always look up and wave at you fondly whenever driving past you on I-25. What a special, special place ❤️ I’m so grateful for the time that we called you our home.