Dylan and Amanda Hone were living in a dilapidated rent house with their two daughters, Genevieve and Eleanora. Picture the conditions: wood siding falling off the exterior, uncontrollable mold in the showers, broken faucets, and insulation falling from the walls. It wasn’t a healthy environment, and they were embarrassed to invite anyone over.
The family was saving as fast as they could to buy a home. They looked in the Odessa area with realtors a few times, but they didn’t have a good feeling about buying an older property that would need work. They were ready for a new home with a warranty. Amanda saw a Betenbough Homes sign and felt compelled to find out more.
The couple met with Chad Newman, new home associate for Betenbough Homes Odessa. Amanda describes their New Home Tour by saying, “The angels sang hallelujah! It felt good. Everything fell into place. God’s hand was on every step.”
A four-bedroom, two-bath Paisley floor plan was available. As soon as they walked inside, Dylan and Amanda felt they were home.
God was working in even the smallest details. The home was close to the girls’ schools. It’s right off Rainbow Drive, and Ellie is OBSESSED with rainbows. The home even had space for a guest room, so their out-of-state family can visit. Dylan and Amanda had peace that this was the home they’d been searching for.
Now it was time to tell their daughters.
Genevieve and Ellie knew their family was saving money to buy a safe, clean home. Their parents had promised all their sacrifices would be worth it someday. The Hones wanted their children to learn that, in Amanda’s words, “Sometimes Jesus asks us to sit in uncomfortable circumstances and trust Him, because He will provide when the time is right.” We’re blessed that these parents thought to record their girls’ reactions to being told their family was finally buying a brand new home!
Watch their priceless responses to the news: https://vimeo.com/1030164712/0f5767b509
Three days after Amanda shared this video with Chad, it had gone “Betenbough viral” throughout the Odessa region and even to the home office. Amanda reflects, “It was sweet to see that our girls’ reactions touched those in your company. Construction people probably don’t get to see that side. They built this home from the ground up and need to see what they did for our family.”
Kevin Bryant, experience specialist for Betenbough Homes Odessa, wanted to do something extra special for the Hone family. He spoke with Dylan and Amanda, listening to understand what led their family to Betenbough Homes and how he could make their home buying experience unforgettable. Kevin was especially touched by the girls’ struggle to find their unique identities while living in such poor conditions. He couldn’t help but think how tough it would be if his own son was in that situation.
He decided to personalize the girls’ rooms, having Genevieve’s room painted “Little Mermaid Lavender” and Ellie’s room painted “Cinderella Blue.” Kevin also gave them each a Disney princess costume, rainbow balloons, and a giant stuffed unicorn.
See their heart-warming reactions to these surprises: https://vimeo.com/1030164736/6eee45eca8
Amanda reports, “Those personalized rooms gave the girls identity. They sleep with the unicorns every night now.”
The home has everything the family dreamed of (and more): ample storage, spacious kitchen counters, insulated windows, and a garage are just a few things they are grateful for. Everything is, in Amanda’s words, “just perfect.”
Kevin credits his recent 4:2 training with teaching him how to dig deeper with home buyers and discover how to gift with purpose. His favorite part of his job is seeing how a specific, intentional gift can make a person feel truly seen. He calls that “gifting with impact” and shares, “I’m leaning into the spiritual opportunity of working here. I wake up at 5:30 every day with a smile, knowing what I get to do.”
The first night in their new home, every member of the Hone family showered in the brand-new showers. Amanda says they felt so clean, it was like they’d never showered before. “Everyone,” she says, “especially kids, deserves a clean space.”
If she could, Amanda would thank every Betenbough employee and trade partner personally. Instead, she’ll settle for saying, “We are forever indebted to the whole Betenbough Homes team for creating a home and safe place for our family. We’re so grateful for the hard work you put into our home.”
We pray this home continues to be all “unicorns and rainbows” for the Hone family in the years ahead.
