Relocating the Farm!
Donation protected
Who likes asking for something?
This is very far from our zone of comfort!
We are both notorious for doing things on our own and never expressing our needs. Here is the result of our friends urging us to say what we would like:
Our Story:
Jason and our 3 kids will be relocating 250 miles from where we've called home for most of our lives and certainly our entire marriage!
So--a quick rundown on how we got to where we are:
Jason and I have kicked around the idea of leaving his parent's farm for years. Mostly because we didn't see how this farm could continue as a working farm after his parents were gone. He has worked here his entire life!
Last year, through some Holy Spirit prompting and a few unfortunate events, we were led to begin earnestly seeking God's will for a move. Through some INCREDIBLE events--I mean, like, WHOA! stuff, we were led to a farm in Milan, Ga. We claim it nothing short of God's provision that we had the down payment for the farm and were able to close in December 2014.
Our plan was to stay put until his parents were finished with their last flock of chickens. (Their newest house is 10 years old, and they did not want to upgrade) We assumed we would have nearly a year to save up enough money to take some time to get our farm in Milan established before Jason needed to find another source of income. In the middle of all of this, I started nursing school. Again, the hope was that by the time we moved, I would only have 6 months left.
In March, Jason was terminated, unexpectedly.
We like to think that God just wanted us to move sooner than we had intended.
The situation, now:
We now own (6 months at a time...haha) 135 acres in Milan, Ga. It has around 100 acres fenced and cross fenced (the other 35 is in planted pines outside of the fence). We recently had power ran and finished the well. Our next step is to build a house. We are going to build a small (not tiny) house--16'x32'. It will be a 1 bedroom with most of the normal amenities and loft space for the kids. Our main reason for choosing to build this is to avoid a mortgage. We already owe on the land and some cows (we've decided that these are "business debts" to make me feel better). Eventually, we hope to move this little house to the pond (and have a great spot for our friends to stay in when they come for a visit!) and build us a slightly larger house, without a mortgage.
We are hoping to get started in the next few weeks. What's the hold up? Cash, mostly. lol Our first payment is due in July--so, we are a little nervous about spending our money on building, moving, etc...
We've been back and forth the last few weeks splitting our time between Calhoun and Milan (and school in Albany). Jason comes back here to work--it's much easier for him to find work here, where he knows everyone, than it is 250 miles away! (Seriously, can y'all just move with us?)
So, when we get to Milan--what will we do?
We will be bringing cows with us. Our business plan shows that our calf sales will pay our payment on the land (No worries, I'm using 1993 prices, lol!). Until I finish school, Jason will find a job doing something. He will likely be working full time off of the farm--while he does that, I will take care of farming stuff (cows and hay), kids, and school (homeschooling and nursing school). Hopefully, next summer when I finish school, I will be able to find a PRN job to cover our living expenses and Jason can farm full time on our farm.
So--the next 16 months are going to be way different than what we are used to, but we know with certainty that we are moving in the direction God wants us.
These inconvieniences will be worth it--we know that when we are in God's will, AWESOME things will happen.
By the urging of multiple friends, I'm sharing our story with you.
What would be nice?
That we have a month's worth of living expenses + the time to build our house.
I remember growing up where a box of macaroni and cheese and the power being on was a luxury. Jason being able to work full time on our house without having to drive back 250 miles to make some money would be a luxury. A comfort.
Honestly, I wonder if I should be afforded comforts while being on the journey God has put me on. Then, I'm reminded that GOD is my comfort, my refuge.
I'm reminded, too of the opportunity that even Jesus gave to serve a friend. This morning's devotional was on Zacchaeus, the tax collector--how Jesus gave him the opportunity for service by telling him that he was going to his house. What boldness from our Savior! "Zacchaeus, You come down! For I'm going to your house today!" Why? So Zaccheaus would have an opportunity to give, instead of take.
Perhaps, my friends want an opportunity to help--and that's why they want me to make a gofundme account! lol
So, I'm telling you--this isn't a necessity; a live or die situation. There are people much, much more worthy of your money. We will make this work because we are confident in what God has gone before us to prepare. We would love even more to be comfortable while we do it! Give as you feel led! :)
This is very far from our zone of comfort!
We are both notorious for doing things on our own and never expressing our needs. Here is the result of our friends urging us to say what we would like:
Our Story:
Jason and our 3 kids will be relocating 250 miles from where we've called home for most of our lives and certainly our entire marriage!
So--a quick rundown on how we got to where we are:
Jason and I have kicked around the idea of leaving his parent's farm for years. Mostly because we didn't see how this farm could continue as a working farm after his parents were gone. He has worked here his entire life!
Last year, through some Holy Spirit prompting and a few unfortunate events, we were led to begin earnestly seeking God's will for a move. Through some INCREDIBLE events--I mean, like, WHOA! stuff, we were led to a farm in Milan, Ga. We claim it nothing short of God's provision that we had the down payment for the farm and were able to close in December 2014.
Our plan was to stay put until his parents were finished with their last flock of chickens. (Their newest house is 10 years old, and they did not want to upgrade) We assumed we would have nearly a year to save up enough money to take some time to get our farm in Milan established before Jason needed to find another source of income. In the middle of all of this, I started nursing school. Again, the hope was that by the time we moved, I would only have 6 months left.
In March, Jason was terminated, unexpectedly.
We like to think that God just wanted us to move sooner than we had intended.
The situation, now:
We now own (6 months at a time...haha) 135 acres in Milan, Ga. It has around 100 acres fenced and cross fenced (the other 35 is in planted pines outside of the fence). We recently had power ran and finished the well. Our next step is to build a house. We are going to build a small (not tiny) house--16'x32'. It will be a 1 bedroom with most of the normal amenities and loft space for the kids. Our main reason for choosing to build this is to avoid a mortgage. We already owe on the land and some cows (we've decided that these are "business debts" to make me feel better). Eventually, we hope to move this little house to the pond (and have a great spot for our friends to stay in when they come for a visit!) and build us a slightly larger house, without a mortgage.
We are hoping to get started in the next few weeks. What's the hold up? Cash, mostly. lol Our first payment is due in July--so, we are a little nervous about spending our money on building, moving, etc...
We've been back and forth the last few weeks splitting our time between Calhoun and Milan (and school in Albany). Jason comes back here to work--it's much easier for him to find work here, where he knows everyone, than it is 250 miles away! (Seriously, can y'all just move with us?)
So, when we get to Milan--what will we do?
We will be bringing cows with us. Our business plan shows that our calf sales will pay our payment on the land (No worries, I'm using 1993 prices, lol!). Until I finish school, Jason will find a job doing something. He will likely be working full time off of the farm--while he does that, I will take care of farming stuff (cows and hay), kids, and school (homeschooling and nursing school). Hopefully, next summer when I finish school, I will be able to find a PRN job to cover our living expenses and Jason can farm full time on our farm.
So--the next 16 months are going to be way different than what we are used to, but we know with certainty that we are moving in the direction God wants us.
These inconvieniences will be worth it--we know that when we are in God's will, AWESOME things will happen.
By the urging of multiple friends, I'm sharing our story with you.
What would be nice?
That we have a month's worth of living expenses + the time to build our house.
I remember growing up where a box of macaroni and cheese and the power being on was a luxury. Jason being able to work full time on our house without having to drive back 250 miles to make some money would be a luxury. A comfort.
Honestly, I wonder if I should be afforded comforts while being on the journey God has put me on. Then, I'm reminded that GOD is my comfort, my refuge.
I'm reminded, too of the opportunity that even Jesus gave to serve a friend. This morning's devotional was on Zacchaeus, the tax collector--how Jesus gave him the opportunity for service by telling him that he was going to his house. What boldness from our Savior! "Zacchaeus, You come down! For I'm going to your house today!" Why? So Zaccheaus would have an opportunity to give, instead of take.
Perhaps, my friends want an opportunity to help--and that's why they want me to make a gofundme account! lol
So, I'm telling you--this isn't a necessity; a live or die situation. There are people much, much more worthy of your money. We will make this work because we are confident in what God has gone before us to prepare. We would love even more to be comfortable while we do it! Give as you feel led! :)
Organizer
Kimberly Witt
Organizer
Milan, GA