The preceding link will take you to the extended version of that vision but for those that don't have time to go read it, our vision--as God has given to us:
A home for special needs children, lost in the cracks and crevices of our nation. Terminally ill, mentally handicapped, and physically disabled.
A home of safety and refuge.
A home of True Love.
A home where God shows off His glory and beauty in lives that the world would have normally passed by without a second look. A display of beauty in what the world terms weakness and unlovely.
We call it The Meadows, in our hearts.
We had thought it was a long way off, until the past summer when God began moving our hearts that the time for The Meadows was closer than we thought. Around the same time, in an evening drive, we drove up a road that I said to my husband, "This road feels like home!"
And then, a mile or so down the road,
"Chuck! Stop! That's our place for The Meadows! I can so see The Meadows there!!!"
A building for sale, one story, and easily renovated into a home for special needs children.
We communicated with the owners about purchase price. They couldn't come down. We couldn't go up. And so, we waited.
And we have continued to wait. . . and pray. . . and pray some more. . .
And now. . .
We're moving.
As we have been waiting and praying, God has been opening up doors for us to walk through, one awesome step at a time. Some of it has happened in a way that has thrilled us to the core because it's just so obviously God--and there is no other explanation that can be given--and one of those doors now involves us moving.
We're not moving to our dream property just yet.
The place we're moving to is actually on the same road as our property but we will be renting instead of purchasing. . for now. It will be a rental that puts us a short walk away from our desired property (versus a lengthy drive)
As of right now, the time line is:
to rent the rental and close on the dream property this coming Spring when a few more details fall into place. (With a written contract of intent, in the meantime, drawn up with the current owners, to do so. Owners who know our dream for the place and who have been wanting to see us get it, more than any other buyer that has come through.)
As soon as we close on it, we will begin renovating the building into the home we need to make it, for our future children.
We'll move into it by mid-to-late summer.
And then, we will begin pursuing all our certifications and home study's so that we can be ready to take in the children God brings our way.
Which means that this time next year. . . our family will be celebrating Christmas in our forever home, maybe even with one or two special angel children needing a forever family. It's amazing to think about--and we can honestly say,
God is doing this.
Because with some of the stuff that has happened, there really is no other explanation.
Because with some of the stuff that has happened, there really is no other explanation.
". . . if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You will only find yourself fighting against God!"
Acts 5:8-9
"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay."
Habakuk 2:3
