Life in the Farmhouse

 

And so it began...

    

Invitation to All

I want to let you all know about something happening this weekend,  click on the link below and hope to see you there!! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_U1yKEM75k

  

I BELIEVE GOD IS INTO DETAILS ...

If you have been here before then you should know by now that I am a believer and I believe God is into details. 
Our journey is still on going in designing and building a new home,  just found land that we love or should I say the land found us....I believe God did this also and I think I would be correct in saying the seller thinks so too,  since his account where he listed the land shut down right after posting and I had emailed about it:).  The Lord closed the door on land we had already committed to,  seller decided not to sell to us and now here we are with 4 acres in a little town we never even considered.  Four acres of huge oaks,  beautiful tree covered country roads,  scenic drive to our place of rolling hills and hay meadows,  and NO restrictions on chickens, lol!!
I really want some chickens for fresh eggs and a nice garden,  maybe a barn full of cats and another dog?
Anyway back to details.  This weekend I ventured out to a few tag sales,  one in particular that I had been to last year caught my attention.  When I pulled onto the street,   there were about 13 cars waiting in line for the gate to open,  I knew the competition was going to be fierce.  Finally right at 8:00 the gate swings open and we all start flying in,  one lady zips in front of us that had not been waiting and had us all in a huff! 
I went in and was disappointed at first not eyeing anything I thought I could use.  Then I saw a vintage cooler on a stand with a storage underneath,  thought this would be cute on our screened in porch,  a Cuisinart coffee maker "Two to Go" new in the box,  vintage stand for mail,  and was just about to pay when I spotted a box underneath the table,  a large new box.  I walked over and opened it up and could not believe my eyes!  I found this beautiful glass disco ball that is about 22 inches in diameter.  New!!  The price was less than a tenth of what it would cost me new so of course I nabbed it up:)!! 

 I had seen one of these in a magazine a few months ago and thought how cute this would be in Mavis' new room.  After looking online though and seeing prices, just tucked it in the back of my mind knowing that I  had to prioritize where to spend the budget and spending $$$ on a trinket would not do:).

So what am I saying???  I just think the Lord is such a sweet,  kind,  generous Heavenly Father that knew by giving me this would just burn in my heart that this was something only He and I knew I wanted and that He loves surprising us with little detailed gifts that we have not mentioned to anyone.  Most of those sweet gifts are my children laughing so hard with me that we have tears running down our face or the grandchildren calling me to see if I want to ask them to come over because mommy won't let them invite themselves, lol.  Watching little A make his first goal in soccer (even if it was an accident),  big A talking about the Bible and loving on his baby brother.  Being contacted by a teacher at our co op about how they love having our kids in their class.....I'll take all He has for me.  I feel my cup runneth over with how He loves me. 
My friend He does not love just me this way,  He loves all his children this way.  You just have to fellowship with Him,  abide with Him and wait and watch.  He Loves You !!

I think the Lord just wanted to see....

   Last couple of post I had stated that our house sold and we were selling everything and moving to a barn.  Well....that is what I thought:).  The Lord had an extra special surprise for us though.
  Here goes,  you know I do love to tell the whole story(sometimes wayyyy too much) but I will try and keep it short and simple. 
  Hubby had talked with a friend that had a barn apartment on their property and they offered to rent it to us while we look for land and build again.  I had not seen the apt but heard it was a nice place and the land that it was on was absolutely perfect,  great place to go running,  gated, pond for fishing,  beautiful and private.  The only thing was when I actually went to see it,  well,  I was shocked at how small!  I think it may have been about 600 sq ft at the most!  The living area was very small and one of the two bedrooms was about the size of our closet.  My first instinct was panic because hubby really wanted it and the price for rent was unbeatable:(.  I ask if we could just pray about it some more and not commit yet,  he said sure.  I kept asking him to look at another house that was about 1800 square ft and alot more money but didn't this make more sense?  He would do it but I could tell he really wanted the barn so we could save money for building.  Long story short,  I did not have peace about trying to get my way(the bigger house) and finally gave in to the Lord and said,  "OK,  God you will have to just give me grace to live in such a small place with two kiddos."
So I started selling some of our furnishings that I knew would not fit and hubby did not want to store.  Then the Friday after Thanksgiving we got a call from the owner saying he could not rent it to us after all because his daughter needed to move back home and would be using it.  I was thrilled!  I knew the Lord had something else for us!  After another month of delayed closing on the house we still had no place to move.  Then one Sunday night a friend called and said they had decided to move back to their ranch and would we like to lease their lake home?  I was shocked!  This home was way over our budget I felt for sure but told her that I would get hubby to call her husband and they could talk finances.  We prayed then prayed some more that if this was the house the Lord would work it out so we could afford the lease.  When my husband told me what the amount was I thought he was joking!!
The Lord blessed us with this fun home while we look for land and build!  He has given us much more than we could even of hoped for!

Clean Slate

                                        Hubby says to sale all the furniture!!! 
              I have much for sale on craigslist in our area....Check it out!

We are Moving!

Well, we are moving to a barn (for now;)) !! Sweet surrender, I love the idea, downsizing, starting over, wherever the Lord leads. But...anyone that has viewed our home page can see I have tons of stuff! Hubby says sell all I can, he does not like the idea of storing up, so Garage Sale time! My sweet daughter will be having the sale at her home @ 18890 Elderberry Court in Flint. This Friday and Saturday starting @ 8:00 sharp, be there or be square :P.

This is Our Journey

I said, "Let me walk in the field." God said: "Nay, walk in the town." I said: "There are no flowers there." He said: "No flowers, but a crown." I said: "But the sky is black; there is nothing but noise and din." But He wept as He sent me back, "There is more, there is sin." I said: "But the air is thick and fogs are veiling the sun." he answered: "Yet souls are sick and souls in the dark undone." I said: "I shall miss the light, and friends will miss me they say." He answered: "Choose tonight, if I am to miss you or they." I pleaded for time to be given: He said "Is it hard to decide? It will not seem hard in Heaven to have followed the steps of your Guide." I cast one look at the field, then set my face to the town. He said: "My child, do you yield? Will you leave the flowers for the crown?" Then into His hand went mine and into my heart came He: And I walk in a light divine, the path I had feard to see. George MacDonald

5k fun fun fun!!!

Fun day with family, Mavis, my sister, nieces and I ran the 5k Race for the Cure! I love running these 5k's, everyone is having such a great time, sweating, gasping for air...but hey it is for a great cause:). Thousands turned out to run in the misty rain and hundreds were there to cheer all of us on!

Walk by Faith and Not by Sight

Home Tour {For Sale} We are selling our sweeeet home:(. Husband would love to build again on more land add some chickens, cows, maybe a horse, goats, a pig or two???? Do you think we are crazy? I am just walking by faith and not by sight these days. I should always do this, it is kinda intoxicating to say the least. Hubby has always given me everything I ever asked for so I think it is way past time for him to have what his heart desires. He has wanted a farm for awhile now. I am all for this, I would just like to see the land now, the house or house plans. I like to plan, doesn't all women like that security in knowing what is going to happen next. God is not working like that this time, He is asking me to step out on faith and just wait. I totally feel like He may have something completely different in mind for us than either one of us have thought of. I love my Jesus, I trust my Jesus and yes I will obey!! But...if you happen to come across 5-10 acres of beautiful land with several old oaks, flat land for a pool, sunny garden spot, maybe a clothes line in the back....please let me know so I can hint to God;).

http://knowimsaved.com/I-Prayed-The-Sinners-Prayer-And-Still-Doubt-My-Salvation.php

Do you ever doubt your salvation? If you are relying on a prayer you need to listen to this message. You can know your saved and never have another doubt. Salvation is all of Jesus and not what you have done!!

Home Tour {For Sale}

Home Tour {For Sale}

Selling our Home!

We have just put our home on the market! 
Husband wants a farm with chickens,  cows,  maybe a pig or two... and a garden!
I am excited at the thought of building again,  lots of ideas!
stay tuned

"Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken"

NO Time To Waste!

spent the day with these two little sluggers:)

I am being taught to number my days...

Today,  up and going,  first baseball game of my grandpirate big A..then off to run/power walk 5 miles, 40 lunges, 50 sit ups, 45 reverse crunches and 100 jumping jacks.  I am amazed at what our bodies can do if we just push ourselves out of our complacency!!! Wooooo Hoooo!

Then...off to pickup my two buddies up above to play with Henry and me,  spraying them with the water hose as they rode the go-kart,  run from them with little A in the go-kart,  Lego's, puzzles, Wii, little people,  all jumping in to clean the house back up,  grilling steaks, making frozen yogurt pops.  Then off to watch "Belles On Their Toes"  with Mavis & Henry munching on homemade salsa and chips.  Oh and then 2 Saxon math lessons for me(love math)!  Time chatting with Mavis in bed and kisses from Henry and off to sleep...

Great Day and looking forward to another one today:).

Lesson's Learned

I used to think that I had to have the house spotless before I could do anything else;  play with the kids, go to the store, library,  sit down with my husband.... .  Time has caught up with me and I think of all those fun  moments I put off until the house was just so.  I can't go back but I can dig in deep and spend my time now with conviction that every moment will count!!  I don't mean to say it is fine to have a "dirty"  home,  no,  just tidy up and make sure you stop to gather those precious times when someone is wanting your attention.  Have joy in every day even when you are cleaning.  My personality is that I could clean all day and love every minute of it  but those around me don't feel this way and I have to keep in mind it is not about me:).  They teach me how to number my days.
                                                                Psalm 90:12
           " So teach us to number our days,   That we may gain a heart of wisdom."

I numbered my day today by having Bible time with Mavis and Henry,  prayer and private devotion time,  gardening and sharing with Mavis,  fractions with Mavis,  reading with Henry,  exercise with Mavis,  dyeing cracked eggs,  playing with Rosie,  laughing with Julie,  tricking little A into thinking he was talking with a CAT;),  laughing so hard at Henry's dry humor....now on to riding bikes, in line skating and power walking with family! 

"Cleanliness is not next to godliness. It isn't even in the same neighborhood. No one has ever gotten a religious experience out of removing burned-on cheese from the grill of the toaster oven.”


― Erma Bombeck
 

LOL!

 

Never, Ever, Ever Give Up!!

                         I dare you to be the same after watching
                                                THIS
                                    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDgVske63cY&feature=fvst

Thought for the day...

“IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER




I would have talked less and listened more.



I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.



I would have eaten the popcorn in the "good" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.



I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather rambling about his youth.



I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.



I would have burned the pink candle sculped like a rose before it melted

in storage.



I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.



I would have cried and laughed less while watching television, and more

while watching life.



I would have gone to bed when I was sick, instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.



I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.



Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment, realising that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.



When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."



There would have been more "I love you's" and more "I'm sorry's"



. . . but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute . . .

look at it and really see it . . . and never give it back
Erma Bombeck