What is a miracle? A miracle occurs when a supernatural intervention intercepts an impossible situation and makes it possible. This is exactly what happened when Active Rain's own Alexander Harb, the founder of the group, "Christianity & Real Estate," (we affectionately call him "Alex") and myself enacted together. He from Orlando Florida, and me from a suburb of the Windy City..... Chicago, Illinois!
It began when i gradually crept back into blogging mode after a year's hiatus. Here at Active Rain, there are seasons we individually have to obey or we'll be washed away from our focus. As i sought to restore the neglected Property Management group here at Active Rain, and reacquaint myself with my online buddies, i noticed that Alex was not being that charged up-front General overseeing his troops!! Now, this was quite a change seeing him this way, so naturally, i went behind the scenes to peep into what was up, and spied him actively pursuing the wars in space games on FaceBook!!! He was tripping!! 
Seeing he needed a jump start, i wrote a member's only group post, "Please Sign This Petition To Motivate Our Founder" to appeal to the 1365 members of C&RE, hoping to get their help to snap him out of his spell! Sure enough, faithful Bob Sloop responded to the call by featuring the post, prayed on it, and expressed encouragement. Alex then appeared, openly sharing about his closed door predicament. The request for help drew genuine supporters like Heather Crawford, Irene Tron, June Lewis, Jason Sardi, an unidentified old friend, and other silent-behind-the scene prayer warriors. Great! A caring army was positioned... good ground for a miracle to present itself!
The next stage progressed as a one-on-one dialog developed (by email) between Alex and myself beginning September 30Th. On October 1st, Alex was offered to come aboard with us! We were in dire need of help, because we were working at a deficit, but desired the surplus of new business coming in from investors seeking property management services. Essential duties like accounting, marketing, and specialized customer service were not getting the attention it needed, as demands for running a brokerage took precedent. It was an IDEAL set-up since Alex had NO job, NO money, NO place to go, and was about to be evicted in a few days.... ALEX NEEDED A MIRACLE... BUT SO DID WE!!
Our conversations were filled with "what ifs" and "thoughts of uncharted possibilities." It all culminated with the phone message we received from Alex, Wednesday, October 7Th at 9:40 AM, which said (in short) "Diane, did you not tell me that the Lord would come through?? I have been given a one-way plane ticket to Chicago and will be there with you Tuesday morning!'
This is truly a MIRACLE IN THE RAIN! The door is wide OPEN for both Alex & Rice Property Management & Realty to go forward! This could not have taken place without the effectual fervent prayers of those that stood in the gap.... AND the FAITH of ALEX who, by his works, set the atmosphere for GOD to perform this mighty feat!
Alex will be licensed as a Realtor in Illinois and Indiana. Meanwhile, we are all being enhanced and invigorated as he lavishes upon us his knowledge of web optimization, extensive marketing expertise, and a host of other services to benefit our bursting-at-the-seams-to-learn team!!
It's with my deepest gratitude that i humbly come to thank all of the founders of Active Rain, their staff & families, each employee, every volunteer, and all of the membership!
We appreciate you ALL for putting up with me and Alex in our "daze" of immaturity when we (especially me) were out of step with protocol. I'd like to take this time to openly apologize to anyone we may have offended directly or indirectly. Please forgive us...... and.....
THANK YOU FOR THIS MIRACLE IN THE RAIN!!
To GOD be ALL the GLORY for the things HE alone has done!
This is a wonderful blog and a wonderful story. I wish you all all the best and great going. Keep smiling and always remember to give thanks
Charlie: Thank you for your well wishes... we need each other in the body, for we are not an island. Appreciate your support greatly!
Diane..... I did not have my camera to take pics, so there you have it... you got the post about everything happening....
While you are at your home office right now, I am at mine... typing away and making comments in "The Rain"......
BTW...it was "Space Wars".... not "Mafia Wars" I play on Facebook...... it is much less violent and more of a way to build up things I saw needed to be built up in me... by just playing a game... the symbolism was good for me.
I am featuring this post in "Christianity and Real Estate"...even though you have already several up there already... the encouragment for the group is needed......
THANK YOU for letting the Lord use you to encourage others......
\O/
Diane, Thanks for sharing. I read Alex's post on the new direction and had just been thinking how I'd like to hear how things are going. This is great news and God Is Good!
Alex: Thanks for the correction... i will go change it right now! Thanks for the feature also.... we have a listing appointment for tomorrow for LAND!!!! Love you!
Chain: GOD IS good... ALL the time! Thanks for rejoicing with us!
Diane and Alex, oh, how wonderful! What a blessing! It's so lovely to see such big things happening.
Diane..what a great story to share with the active rain community. The Lord works in everyone's life...you just need to pay attention to see it!! God bless and may God continue to work in positively in and thru your life!
Lynn: Yes! It is a BIG move.... but we are trusting the Lord for the outcome as we give our all toward it! Thanks for best wishes!
Lisa: Thank you for your blessings of good will toward this! Miracles can happen in the Rain!
Diane, indeed a great story. You are on the right track with Alex and, of course, GOD.
Diane...That is awesome. I knew that something had changed, but did not know what all of it entailed. Glad, of course (and yet not surprised) to see God at work. :) Thank you for sharing!
I hope the benefits of this tale reach far beyond his personal needs, and your business needs. Fan the winds of Change.
Rebecca - Thank you for your support.... we still have a ways to go.... but i am CONFIDENT in Alex being God's choice to finish the work HE began in us!
Sarah: If you knew the FULL details, you'd say.... WOW!!! Perhaps Alex will share more of it! Thanks for peeping in and commenting!
Daniel! What a hearty BLESSING you have just bestowed upon us! That was POWERFUL! Thank you for wishing us to do so well... really humbled by it!
May the Lord bless this partnership
Diane, I will be looking forward to reading future posts about your combined business venture with Alex. Prayers are answered and I am confident that God will answer this one for the two of you.
HUGH! Thank You! It's blessed the MORE because of YOUR added support! BTW - (so are you.... if ya know what i mean!)
GEORGE I appreciate your well wishes of confidence toward us. God will get the GLORY and there will be testimonies for sure! Gotta go roll up sleeves first!
Diane, what a lovely and happy story. Alex means a great deal to all of us too. I'm so glad he saw his inspiration. Welcome back my friend.
Deb
Diane, To GOD be the glory Amen, sister. I loved reading your profile story and your blog...I am for ever humbled when I see inspiration and hope from stories like yours. Keep shining, be salt and light to world!! Alex is a blessed man.
God Bless you both Diane & Alex, great story with a happy beginnings :) this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it
Sincerely,
Grace
Lake: Alex has a spirit of GOLD... Husband and i will receive instructions from the Lord on how to proceed with all of this. Appreciate your love for him.
Debbie: It's a blessing to come into fellowship with those that have like-faith. For sure we are sisters! I am indeed the one to gain the most from this union with Alex, and will not take it for granted.
Grace: Yes, it is a NEW beginning that we enter into with much hope for an expected end. Thanks for the encouragement!
Diane,
Love the pics. They say so much.
God stirs our lives with His finger if we let him.
You and Alex will be having great conversations, encouraging each other.
I encourage both of you to keep walking the walk.
Judi: Thanks for your vote of confidence Judi... we will see how it unfolds.... great expectations on this side!
Thanks for the great pictures Diane! I couldn't help but smile just seeing your happy faces. God bless you all!
You are welcome. Blessings to you also Irene!
I'm sorry I'm late to the party but wanted to say what wonderful news- CONGRATULATIONS Diane and Alex! It's amazing how God brings people into our lives and this is just another Activerain success story! Best wishes to you both on your new venture. Alex, I hope you brought some warm clothes with you!
P.S. Thank you SO much for your love and friendship Diane! I truly appreciate the phone call yesterday, it's always a pleasure talking to you in person. God Bless!!!!
DEBBIE!!!! I so appreciate YOUR support, more than you know!! Your reassurance did wonders for my spirit yesterday!!!!
This is the BEST thing that has happened to me at Active Rain....nabbing Alex! The work is just beginning though, and much prayer is needed for us to reach the goals God has designated for us and the company.
Thanks for the blessings... Alex is from Syracuse NY and is attempting to get back acclimated with the weather.... it's so funny to see... but he did come with a winter coat! More updates will follow!
Wow, what a remarkable journey! Thanks for sharing this Diane. God is so good and He is faithful. Blessings to Alex and you & yours as you walk through this new doorway of hope.
Thanks for your blessings toward us Lola. This is definitely a faith move all the way. We are looking toward the unfolding and desire God to get all the glory for it! Already we are seeing changes in the company for the better. We do solicit your prayers,for will of God to be done.
Diane, I feel like I am late to the party also. I just read about Alex moving to Chicago but did not put two and two together. God works in mysterious ways.
Marchel... you could never be late to the party, for whatever time you entered in, freshness would come along with!