Big Prayers Take Big Faith

Tyler and I were engaged on January 5th 2008 at what I consider to be one of the most beautiful pieces of land in this area...That's when the dream began...

We started dreaming about buying this gorgeous land that has a picture perfect white steeple church, large pond, and plenty of space to make so many dreams come true.  We started with the obvious, a wedding venue!  Thoughts of where the ceremonies could take place, how I could help decorate and run sound for the events.   Then our dreams got bigger.   There are three little houses (almost like little shacks you would have seen in the old west) that we dreamed could be used as an oasis.   Maybe there could be women's retreats that would be held out there, or children's camps.   Then I started thinking how we could make this a place for families to enjoy an evening out; barn dances, chili feeds, all-day music festivals, Easter egg hunts, pumpkin carvings, on and on and on....
Here's where my dream has become a BIG prayer and a BIG leap of faith.   I've been praying incessantly that God would use me in a big way.   I know we probably won't end up in Africa building wells or, like our cousins, in Peru doing His work.   BUT that doesn't mean I don't want to be faithfully serving Him and I believe there are so many people here who are desperately in need of the truth.   So, what if this could be our ministry?  What if this could be a place of peace, a place to learn more about Him, a place families could come and could actually afford to have fun with their children and know they are safe?   What if we dedicated Sunday to a day full of great food, great music and have a wonderful teacher come and share with whomever shows up the good news?  What if we had family events where we could fellowship with one another and begin creating a great environment for our children to grow up in?  What if we had weekend retreats for those who are thirsting to know more about Christ and dig deeper in their relationship with Him?   What if this is our ministry?  God has made us very aware that we can not do this on our own, not only financially, but the work we would be putting into running this place would need to come from a supernatural strength.   I LOVE that though!  Because now I know that there is no way this could happen unless it comes from Him.  So, if you're reading this and feel compelled to pray for us we would so appreciate it.   We are seeking His will above our own and this has definitely been a dream of ours for years, so we don't want to let that effect what we feel He is leading us to do.  We just simply want to pray that if He desires to use this gorgeous piece of land for His glory then we would be honored to play a role in that.   And if he wants us to buy this piece of land then we're going to need that money tree to start growing in our backyard soon :)