Can it be? We have lived at Harmony Farms for a full year! Reflecting on the story of how this dream came to be and the lessons we have learned is one of my favorite things to do because we truly believe that our big move has been guided every step of the way. We have been the recipients of a wonderful gift.
A little background information will help you understand what I am talking about.
At the end of March 2016, I decided to check online for any new available rural properties in our area — a practice I had done periodically over the last few years.
A property emerged that included both the land we wanted and a house that was somewhere between “rundown remodel” and “million dollar dream home.” I knew the minute I saw it, that this could be the place we had longed for and prayed about for years.
Time moved quickly as we put in an offer on the farm and then put our house in town on the market. All within two weeks!
We finally moved to the farm on July 2, 2016. It was a whirlwind ride of waiting while our other house sold (not until November)! But no matter the stress or strain of finances or learning the ropes of country living, we have never regretted our big decision! Harmony Farms was meant to be our home.
In a nutshell, here are our top ten life lessons learned during this incredible experience.
Lesson #10 – Trust the nudges. Something made me look for our farm just six days after it was listed. I don’t believe in coincidence!
Lesson #9 – Timing isn’t everything. If you would have told us we would buy a farm the only year we would have two kids in college, we would have called you crazy. It turns out WE were the crazy ones!
Lesson #8 – Take more risks. This is not an easy task for two risk-averse people.
Lesson #7 – People want to give. We were on the receiving end of more gifts than we can keep up with — physical help (painters, movers, fire pit builders), questions answered, neighborly advice, prayers offered, and crowds of well-wishers.
Lesson #6 – If you want to be like the givers, you have to do what the people who give do. (Read that again if you need to!) It’s one thing to appreciate the help you have received. It’s another to pay it forward to the next person in need.
Lesson #5 – Watching adult children find their own success is more exciting than we could have imagined.
Lesson #4 – The empty nest can be loads of fun! It does take some getting used to, but don’t be afraid of it!
Lesson #3 – Having a farm AND other full-time jobs is hard, rewarding work.
Lesson #2 – Folks in the country definitely have the best views of sunrises, sunsets, and glowing night skies.
Lesson #1 – We know our God has orchestrated this beautiful gift that we have desired for so long. We pray we never take it for granted.