The End...

No new reports on physical progress... Yet there is still news!   

There once was a family that lived in a desperate-to-them situation for 11 1/2 months.  The man's job kept him away for eight days at a time even though he was 45 seconds down the drive.  This homeschooling, home-body type family of six, while thankful for the roof over their heads, lived in a small two bedroom apartment.  The dad would get four days off, which initially sounded wonderful, but come to find out, they in no way made up for the eight days of his almost complete absence.  Talking with the boss did no good and they were nearing the height of their emotions and the end of their ropes.  Today is the last day at work for that man.  And they lived happily, so happily, ever after...

~The End~

I'm sure you are on top of things enough to know that, without explanation, this is the story of us.  Now Ben and I will be free for 14 days (that's how long we have to be out of our housing) to work endlessly, tirelessly, and quickly!  (Please pray for us if you think of it.)

With the excitement of this long awaited day, the finality of the decision brings with it a slight sense of panic.

Will we have a home of our own in two weeks?  Will we be financially stable?  Will it be quite what we thought it would be when we bought it?  How are we going to fit in that house?  And again: Will we have a home of our own in two weeks????

I shall not doubt.  The Lord gave us the desire of our hearts... it's just that the form in which it was bestowed was to require much work.  So, even with all the good intentions, we just weren't making it happen!  We came to realize that if we were ever to make it our home, if we were ever going to accept the incredible gift (though wrapped in burlap), it was time for us to close this chapter of our lives and step out in the faith that if the Lord provides the first half of the picture, He'll also provide the second half.  So here we are: T- two weeks and counting and relying heavily upon God's goodness.  Lots of unknown, but reality is a good place to dwell: all we can do is all we can do.

I read something inspiring and hopefully (prayerfully!) life changing just this morning.  As a result of that, rather than becoming a huge ball of whacked-out stress and/or turning into a frantic, out of control, losing it far more than usual wife/mother/friend, I am choosing to be thankful for every set back, every frustrating moment, every glimpse of our "To Do" list, and every day that comes to a close that I wish we could have gotten more done.  I am choosing to be joyful (mind over matter, mind over matter...). I am thankful because God gave us this farm... and even if I don't know exactly what we are doing, He knows exactly what He is doing.

And that's all that matters. 

Psalm 23:
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters,  He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

It's not the end... it's just the beginning.  Thank you Jesus.

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Before I go, I need to clarify one thing before this blog continues, we call our property "the farm" and that little title has given rise to many comments!  Given that we have lived on a ranch for the last almost-year, we have had to differentiate between which home we are talking about. "Our house" the ranch -or- "our house" the 4 acre run down place that is more than just a house in town.  So "the farm" is the moniker it's been given whether it is completely accurate by definition or not. Yes, we realize we don't even own farm equipment and obviously, with only 4.1something acres, we have no plan for big business... but what do you call a country home with a small acerage where there are some cows, chickens, a garden, and maybe even a goat or two? I'm thinking you call it a farm; however, if anyone has another name for it, I am open to suggestions!

Really, feel free to name our house... if there is one we really like, there could be something in it for you. (yee-haw!)  Let's hear what you come up with and we'll see if something sticks.