Little Cabin in the Big Woods

For 2 years, a co-worker of my husband has been telling him about this place out in the country (and he wasn't kidding -- way, WAY out there!) that was for sale. Well, because of situations, we couldn't even think about it. A few months ago, we finally decided to go take a look. It was love at first sight! Here's a picture of the side (I deleted all the other pictures, except for these few.)

The first time we saw it, it was a beautiful spring day. The leaves were rustling, the birds chirping.....you know, the works! VERY Snow White! There is even a 6 acre stocked pond!!! Lots of land to hunt (for my husband and son!) Too much, almost. 112 acres! Yeah, my thoughts, exactly! NEVER in my wildest imagination. Too much of a dream and alot of worry. But we were told that she (the owner) was willing to work with us. 'Cause, I mean, she was asking A L O T-- more than our budget could allow! So we called her.......and the games began. There were many problems, but nothing that we couldn't have overcome. Except one..... Mrs. S.

Long story short -- we had our final dealing with her last Saturday. We went out to talk to her and take another look around. She agreed to let us buy 40 acres (still more than I could have ever imagined!) and the house and came in around our budget. We walked all around the grounds and in the house, again. Her contempt for her own home was heartbreaking. She has built a big, new home in town and doesn't look back at this place with any love. She told us much, but among it was that she never intended to sell to a family -- that she always imagined selling to a corporation (as write-off for them) or to a rich man (from the city we live in) for his week-end getaway......... then she began to tell of other couples that had looked at it but "never came through with the money." How the men could never talk their wives into moving so far out, etc. Then "threatening" us with what she was and wasn't going to do..... how she was going to have to come out and show me how to flower garden..... about how there were people that she had been allowing to hunt and fish out there for years (and they'd be expecting to continue), about how we were going to have to provide a "right of way" for who-ever bought the land we weren't buying, about how if we had any timber cut, the check would have to be written to HER.......... oh, it just goes on and on.I took this picture as we were driving down the gravel road leaving the dream. Not knowing that it was probably the last time we would drive down it. Having a sinking feeling, but.......

Even with all the chigger bites and ticks........the only thing making me lose sleep was Mrs. S. Everytime my husband talked with her, it was a nightmare. Still, the home, the land, they were a dream. So we told ourselves, "after the papers are signed, we won't have to deal with her anymore." But, the truth was, she was never going to sell us her house -- it WAS all just a dream. It was hard to accept that truth because we had already lived a lifetime in that house and on that land in those few months (in our dreams.) I saw our daughters getting married there (they both said they wanted to.) I saw my husband and son walking into the woods for their bonding time hunting, chopping firewood, fixing fence lines........ our grandbabies looking for hidden Easter eggs.....fish fry's with our family .......... my pumpkin patch and Christmas trees...... chicken house..... our children sitting on the dock fishing......huge vegetable garden.......husband building in his workshop.......canning and freezing..... making soap..... again, it just goes on and on.

So now, we're letting go of that dream. Having to accept that it wasn't part of His plan for us. We're trying to see the reality of what that dream may have cost us. Much more than money. It was already costing us much family time and peace of mind. No house is worth that. We can make a home, with Him -- more importantly, with HIS blessing. Our eyes were just a little (ha, ha!) too big for our plate! So my husband called her back (after a week-end of tears, frustration, confusion, etc.) and thanked her for her time, etc. and she, well, to put it nicely -- she just didn't even care. She's still waiting for that big fish. We do hope she catches one, for even though she doesn't need the money, she wants it and maybe it will bring her peace and happiness. ???

We've put a bid in on the "perfect" house -- with less than 4 acres! They accepted and we're in contract. We're planning to get our home on the market, next week. This is just all so scary. Would y'all please pray for us -- that our home will sell quickly and without incident and that we'll be in our new home soon? I'm sorry to ask you to do that when there are people out there with really big problems. I don't think I've ever asked anyone to pray for me -- I'll try not to make habit of it. I'm just feeling really stressed, right now and besides the 5 of us, y'all are my family. Truly, you know more about me than my blood relatives do (well, mostly.)

Thank you all so much for your support, your ears (and eyes!), and most of all, your prayers! Many Blessings,

Julie