Land

Shortly before I had my daughter, when we still lived in the West Nashville house, we found some property in Fairview, TN. The owner offered this little 1.5 acre plot for $9,000 (he had been asking for $18,000). We had been paid $10,000 for moving out of the East Nashville house and Adam felt the need to tithe on it... leaving us with $9,000. It seemed too good to pass up (well, at the time it seemed that way to Adam; I wanted nothing to do with the property). So we bought it. Our hopes were to move a tiny home onto it, then time began running out and we bought a vintage RV camper only to find out that it was in way worse shape than we had initially thought (more about that sometime later). But the Lord worked a miracle and provided a small apartment for us to live in while we planned what to do with the land.

The property (which I have named Hickory Hill) has water, electricity, and a septic. Only... the septic is now illegal and we were told that we have to put a new one in. Adam build a permanent 'H' frame for the electricity. Meanwhile we have gone from one idea/ plan to another – strawbale (which is my absolute favorite), small shed/cabin type structure with a loft, back to a tiny home. It has been a roller coaster of ideas... a "schizophrenic" at times. People are constantly asking what we are doing and we tell them one thing one week and another thing the following week. It is very clear that we haven't a clue what to do. Our funds, unfortunately, are limited and the local county codes limit us even more. It is frustrating to be told that even the cleanest, most environmentally safe plans are not acceptable. We just want to live freely, with out any hassle. And, as tempting as it is just to do what we want, we would like to stay within "codes" to live without the fear of "getting-into-trouble".

Today, I have realized (yet again) that the Lord is in control. We can plot and plan but ultimately the Lord is in control. It is a hard lesson for an American Christian to accept. We have become so inundated with what society says we should have (comfort, luxury, space, convenience, etc) that we really don't know what it is to live "by faith." That faith (that is, faith in the Almighty God) is not something that is "comfortable" or "convenient", it is raw; the complete surrender of one's entire self... which includes all plans, hopes, and dreams, etc. It is not always rosy and warm. But it provides EVERYTHING one needs. WE have EVERYTHING we need right now and then some. When the Lord wants us to move He will provide and all these random pieces of our life will come together to make something uniquely beautiful. Lord help my impatience!

Until then, I am slowly learning to recognize and love the gifts the Lord gives to us on a daily basis. Even in a three windowed 585 square foot apartment (hey! at least we have windows!).