I know it has been a while and I apologize. I have been trying to figure out the best way to tell the next part of our story, so whether it's right or not, here it is.
With nary a nibble on our barn red, country house in the city, we decided to change course a little and rent our house out. Carrying on with the camper trailer idea, saving our pennies, living within our budget and shopping around.
After much shopping, deliberating, and trying to find the right camper that would fit our family of three for an extended period of time, but still be a good investment for resale or travel later down the road (pardon the pun, I couldn't resist!) We prayed and looked, and prayed some more. Finally, we found what we were looking for. We busted open our piggy banks and bought it. It was beautiful, newer than we had hoped and lots of room for Declan who was almost three (thu-ree as he says it) at the time.
We made arrangements and bought a shipping container to store our furniture, had it insulated for a climate controlled storage unit. Our camper and container site was on a relative's property so we busied ourselves getting everything together. Thomas installed a septic tank and things seemed to be moving smoothly along, kind of.
The first issues were when the septic tank. It rained the whole week after the tank was installed and the empty tank "floated" up to the surface. Back to work went Thomas, re-digging and fixing. Then the camper was ready. We went to pick it up and the A/C didn't seem to be working. Thomas being the stud he is, volunteered to stay in the camper a couple days to see what was wrong. Keep in mind this was the middle of the summer in hot, muggy, buggy southeast Georgia! I, being the sweet wife I am, decided to stay at his mother's with Declan. That was the first month.
On and off, back and forth, trying to get the A/C working. Finally, they seemed to have it together. At this point I/we had been at his parents house for about a month. Knowing we were soon wearing out our welcome, we moved into his sister's empty house that was for sale, just temporarily. That was the second month, or two.
We prayed some more and Thomas and God came to an understanding, that if we were to get out of debt, it wasn't living in a camper. In addition to that I had found out I was pregnant again. Plan B.
Back to the drawing board to look at our options and count our pennies. We put the camper up for sale, which sold quickly. I think it's because we have such good taste, but most likely, it was probably God.
An opportunity to care-take a condo that was part of an estate became available. It was up for sale, so we knew we may have to move at any time, but the rent was affordable and enabled us to save toward the land we had been yearning for. God couldn't have put us in a better place.
more to come...
Monday, January 16, 2012
Saturday, July 24, 2010
June 2010 - Turning Points
June 2010 - Turning Points
We have always wanted land to raise animals and food and room to run or ride. We looked at our mortgage and realized we loved our little Pine Valley house, but it was not where we wanted to be in thirty years when it was finally paid off. If we were going to be able to live in the country and have the house of our dreams, we would have to do something drastic. Our little family was still young enough, that if we moved now, it wouldn't over-traumatize anyone (anymore than living with our family anyways!).
We tossed around ideas for months and Thomas said, "Why don't we get a camper? We can live in it for a while, then when we can afford land we can move the camper there while we build our dream house." I looked at him a little cross-eyed and told him I would think about it. You know me, I don't just jump into things that affect the rest of my life without a little thought at least! Such as moving across country to a strange city to live with people I hadn't known in 12 years.
We put our house on the market, knowing it was a bad time, but a great location, praying for a buyer. We cleaned and prayed, cleaned and prayed, then prayed some more. Knowing that if we could sell our house, we could afford a camper, pay off some small remaining bills and start saving right away for our dream property.
We got nothin'. So we prayed some more, cleaned some more and dreamed while we crunched more numbers.
Friday, May 7, 2010
May 2010 - Watering Camels
My mother has a term she calls "watering camels". It refers to faithfulness.
It goes back to the story of Rebekah in the Bible when she was waiting for her groom Isaac. She knew God had something great for her, but her job was to water the camels.
For those of you who have ever been around a camel, they are not the most pleasant creatures. They stink, they spit and they are definitely not in the phonebook under cleanliness is next to godliness. Doing what God has called us to do, until he tells us to do differently is pure faithfulness. Pleasant, not always. Character building? Always.
I think of my friend Ann Klein. She has been working with Presbyterian Mission in Haiti. Faithfully for over 20 years. Year in year out, she serves. Only with the recent earthquake, have they received support they have worked for years to get. Years of watering camels.
So often I want to do something great. I want to change the world. I believe this will happen. While I wait for God's perfect timing I will continue my calling of watering camels.
It goes back to the story of Rebekah in the Bible when she was waiting for her groom Isaac. She knew God had something great for her, but her job was to water the camels.
For those of you who have ever been around a camel, they are not the most pleasant creatures. They stink, they spit and they are definitely not in the phonebook under cleanliness is next to godliness. Doing what God has called us to do, until he tells us to do differently is pure faithfulness. Pleasant, not always. Character building? Always.
I think of my friend Ann Klein. She has been working with Presbyterian Mission in Haiti. Faithfully for over 20 years. Year in year out, she serves. Only with the recent earthquake, have they received support they have worked for years to get. Years of watering camels.
So often I want to do something great. I want to change the world. I believe this will happen. While I wait for God's perfect timing I will continue my calling of watering camels.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
January 2010 - A New Beginning
A New Beginning. It's January, yup, time for another update. Time has flown. I thought I was only a month or two behind and before I knew it 6 months had breezed right by. Keep posted. I will be posting some writings as soon as they are published!
Charity
Charity
Saturday, August 22, 2009
August 2009 - I Am Not One of Them
2009 August - I Am Not One of Them.
They sit around in perfectly ironed capris, flip flops and manicured toes. They are the preppy, the bubblegum types, the soccer moms. "Casserole Queens of the south unite!" They chant as it is their battle cry.
I sit there too, but my cry is different. Unlike the rest, my toenail polish is chipped, my SUV is dented and dirty....the list could go on. As humans we share a common bond, we are woman, we have a conceince. We may look the same but we are vastly different.
Don't take me at face value. I am much different. Look deep, deep into the photograph and see my heart, my story, listen to my song. I am not the only one.
They sit around in perfectly ironed capris, flip flops and manicured toes. They are the preppy, the bubblegum types, the soccer moms. "Casserole Queens of the south unite!" They chant as it is their battle cry.
I sit there too, but my cry is different. Unlike the rest, my toenail polish is chipped, my SUV is dented and dirty....the list could go on. As humans we share a common bond, we are woman, we have a conceince. We may look the same but we are vastly different.
Don't take me at face value. I am much different. Look deep, deep into the photograph and see my heart, my story, listen to my song. I am not the only one.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
July 2009 - Touring Savannah
I have decided to tour my hometown. There are so many things to see and do, I have not even begun to reach the tip of the proverbial iceberg (since I am in Savannah, Icebergs are not even close to reality). I will try and share my journey through this international historic city.
Today my tour began at the Gryphon Tea Room. Dottie (my neighbor) and I enjoyed chilled chicken salad with frozen fruit on the side. The portions were feminine but nothing to be sniffed at. The air was filled with history as the warm dark wood and ornate trim told its story.
The apothecary drawers lined the wall as the sunlight filtered threw the stained glass prescription pestle windows. It had the feel of a pub, with the air of an Audrey Hephurn movie. Air and class combined with the strength and character made this a truly enoyable place to visit. Orchid and magnolia prints lined behind the counter where a soda jerk once stoof. Orange chairs gave a whimsical Alice in Wonderland feel. Almost too small, they made you perch on the edge until you begin to chat and relize you have just spent hours there.
When we had first walked in the door we were greated by high ceilings, granite round cafe tables, square granite tables that remind you of your grandmother's treadle sewing machine. The splash of color of the orange chairs, the subtle green of the striped fabric ceiling draw your eye heavenward. A huge chandelier encased behind a massive shade only serves to pique your curiosity further.
The visit was lovely and I look forward to going again soon.
Today my tour began at the Gryphon Tea Room. Dottie (my neighbor) and I enjoyed chilled chicken salad with frozen fruit on the side. The portions were feminine but nothing to be sniffed at. The air was filled with history as the warm dark wood and ornate trim told its story.
The apothecary drawers lined the wall as the sunlight filtered threw the stained glass prescription pestle windows. It had the feel of a pub, with the air of an Audrey Hephurn movie. Air and class combined with the strength and character made this a truly enoyable place to visit. Orchid and magnolia prints lined behind the counter where a soda jerk once stoof. Orange chairs gave a whimsical Alice in Wonderland feel. Almost too small, they made you perch on the edge until you begin to chat and relize you have just spent hours there.
When we had first walked in the door we were greated by high ceilings, granite round cafe tables, square granite tables that remind you of your grandmother's treadle sewing machine. The splash of color of the orange chairs, the subtle green of the striped fabric ceiling draw your eye heavenward. A huge chandelier encased behind a massive shade only serves to pique your curiosity further.
The visit was lovely and I look forward to going again soon.
June 2009 - People are in our lives for a purpose
I firmly believe people are brought into our lives for a purpose. Whether it be to bring us joy and to know God better, or to give us adversity and make us stronger, we all have a purpose.
I was talking with a friend recently and we both underestimated how much other people listen to what we say. It's the moments when we are rambling on, not paying attention to what is coming out our pie hole that some of the most inspirational moments take seed. When I had so many ideas and dreams I couldn't find direction in my life, she said, "take the first one and run with it until it pans out, then move on to the next." How true those words are and how much they have affected my life.
Our biggest mistake in life is underestimating that purpose. Selfishly focusing on ourselves robs us of the chance to bless others and be blessed ourselves. When you get out of bed in the morning, do you commit your day to the Lord? Why, or why not? Isn't He the one that made the sun shine and gave us the dawn? Fear can take that blessing away. When we go out, it is not for ourselves, it is to bless others and share the good news. Have you been blessed today? then share it. Do you have a testimony? Share it. Others need you. You need them.
I was talking with a friend recently and we both underestimated how much other people listen to what we say. It's the moments when we are rambling on, not paying attention to what is coming out our pie hole that some of the most inspirational moments take seed. When I had so many ideas and dreams I couldn't find direction in my life, she said, "take the first one and run with it until it pans out, then move on to the next." How true those words are and how much they have affected my life.
Our biggest mistake in life is underestimating that purpose. Selfishly focusing on ourselves robs us of the chance to bless others and be blessed ourselves. When you get out of bed in the morning, do you commit your day to the Lord? Why, or why not? Isn't He the one that made the sun shine and gave us the dawn? Fear can take that blessing away. When we go out, it is not for ourselves, it is to bless others and share the good news. Have you been blessed today? then share it. Do you have a testimony? Share it. Others need you. You need them.
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