Following Dreams {everyone has a different purpose}

Oh my.

Tomorrow Richard comes home.

Thankful.

So right after I got home from serving at Created for Care–my sidekick took off for Zambia to love on these little loves…

And while he’s been gone.

We sold our home.

I got the list of “fix its” from the inspection that the buyers wanted. A very detailed inspection asking for 38 items to be done…by us–before the 27th. SO–this momma has been managing caring for 5 littles, homeschooling, flying solo, getting wood around windows replaced, new windows installed, door stops put on, GVAC electric plugs exchanged…big things–little things…

We thought we’d found the perfect farm–but the day before Richard left–it turned out not to be the farm for us. We went back to the farm we’d had our eye on for awhile that needs A LOT of work–but has a lot more land…and he took off–leaving this momma in charge to get it done.

Appraisals. Inspections. Surveys…

All with my 5 little loves tagging along.

And tomorrow–he comes home. And I can’t WAIT!

Yes. We found a farm:)

And we are excited.

It’s peaceful.

It’s 8 miles out from where we are now. Not far–but not a hop, skip and jump away.

It’s quite.

When I see it…and walk out there…and hear the birds and see the momma cow next door feeding her calf…the word SHALOM comes to my mind.

Shalom…

Peace.

Complete.

Full.

Shalom…

Hello and Goodbye…and the peace all in between.

Richard and I have had a dream to have a farm together for a long time.

Growing up–I always felt like dreams–were…well, just dreams.

But I married this really amazing man–who dreams with me…who shares my dreams…and takes risks to make those dreams happen.

And we all have them.

They all look different.

Mine are not yours.

Yours are not mine.

But they are good.

They have purpose.

They are on our hearts for a reason.

Deep.

Some hidden.

But there.

And living and pursuing and taking a risk at our dreams feels so vulnerable and scary and “oh my–what if we do this and don’t love it”…but it still feels so right.

As we have taken this step. Following another dream…as we have done in the past with orphan care (www.wiphan.org in Zambia)…as we have done with growing our family again and again and again…and as we are doing now in moving to a slower paced atmosphere and trying this farm life…

Others voices some times come in–and make us question.

Be careful.

Be very careful at the voices you here.

And be very careful at the words you speak.

Because we all have different desires.

The Lord has different plans and purposes for each of our lives.

And what we need to do…is LISTEN. To celebrate one another’s different purposes, future, and dreams as they unfold.

Some things I’ve heard the last few weeks…

Just wait until your kids are bigger–you are going to hate living farther out…

I’m worried about you being farther out–I mean…will anyone swing by?

Your life is in the city–won’t you get tired of driving back and forth?

Think of all the time you will be spending in the car?

I mean–I guess it’ll be fine as long as you homeschool forever.

GULP. And fear…it begins to lurk around the corner…but…BUT…instead…

I step back and smile.

Because this is MY dream. Our dream–for our family. And I can hear those things and remember…truth…and remember we live in a fallen world…that likes to remind us why our dreams might not be the best for us…

Deep breath…

Because some times–we are pretty good as putting a damper on other people’s dreams.

Because really–we have to also remember–that the dreamer has probably already worked through all of these things.

So…

Yes. We will drive further. A whole 8 miles.

Yes. 8 miles can be 15 minutes–adding to 30 minutes round trip for soccer or ballet or whatever my loves want to try…and yes–we realize this can be seen as “wasted time” or “time lost”.

Yes. Many probably won’t be swinging by.

And maybe–we will hate it when the kids are bigger like Sally Jane said we would and want to move closer in later…but…

What if.

What if we don’t?

What if we were made for this?

What if our dream is to have families out? And when they come–they experience SHALOM…and it becomes worth an extra 15 minutes to come see us…or for some 30 minutes or more?

What if I told you no one swings by now in my neighborhood because no one has time…because everyone’s too busy (because living in the mix some how makes you more busy some times)–and right here…this mom who doesn’t say “no, I can’t” well–is asked to help here and there or pick extras up…when you think about it…living out for this mom who says yes and offers every single time my ears catch a need…well…it may actually be easier. And I have a feeling–that those who make the hike already to see us because they love us here…will love us and still make the hike there to see us.

And we’ll make the hike to see them too.

And just maybe it won’t be hours off our lives…but rather so much more…so much richer…so much fuller.

So maybe my kids will no longer live in the mix.

But maybe feeding a goat at 5am will do something to their hearts…adding tenderness, compassion and caregiving skills that take them farther in life than just our culdasac would.

And I’m all for the culdasac. Because we’ve done it for 10 years.

But I want to live a life of no retreats, regrets or reserves–and we are excited to step out in this new adventure.

It’s beautiful y’all.

Pictures…melt.

Pictures to come…lots of them I’m sure–promise;).

Next week.

More pictures of the rest of this lovely new place.

We close and move next week…and it will take a lot of work, and a long–spread out–but worth it labor of love.

And I will probably be entertaining my Instagram friends daily with our farming skills and the lack there of as they grow. (Seriously–I spent an hour on the phone with someone selling goats–and she lost me when she said “You just tie up their balls when you don’t want more goats”…um–did SHE just SAY that?) I think farm life is obviously very different–and we are excited and ready and hopeful that others that don’t “get us” will at least smile and say “Go for it!” or “I’m excited to watch!” instead of sprinkling doubt or trying to talk us out of our dreams or causing us to second guess…before it’s “too late”.

But this is how it goes.

With all of us isn’t it?

Whether you are being called to dreams of adoption, fostering, moving away, staying near, ministry, investing more here or there–for a purpose…YOUR purpose…HIS purpose…for YOU.

But such a wonderful reminder that I never want to be the other one…

Causing anyone to second guess their dreams–

But rather the voice of encouragement–supporting them and celebrate with them…and when invited…to witness the beauty beside them.

Make us THAT voice Lord.

More to come for those of you who want to celebrate this next fun season with us!