I’m a praying woman. But I haven’t always prayed expecting my prayers to be answered. I know that makes me an imperfect Christian but it makes me human. Several months ago when Magnum and I started talking about our plan when he retires from the Air Force in July 2021 I began to pray. I began to pray to settle on a certain town, area, or state. Then, I prayed for opportunities and doors to be opened. In addition, I prayed for jobs and housing. I prayed for God’s will but I failed to specify a time. They say timing is everything but God’s timing is not predictable. Opportunity knocks when you are doing something else. But I know this, with His timing comes his provisions. When God plans it, you can’t stop it.
If I could buy this place I would
Spring Break of 2019, Magnum was deployed. I decided to drive with Kid #2 and #3 to see Kid #1 in Logan, Utah. T is a student at Utah State. It’s our favorite place to visit and where his brothers wanted to go for the week. I rented a house, saw lots of friends in the area, got a surprise visit from one of my best friends, and cried when I had to leave to return to Washington. I felt a strong sense of home.
Fast forward, Magnum returned home in October and we decided we would go back to Utah for Thanksgiving. It’s been our tradition. Instead of staying at a hotel, it’s more economical to stay in an Air B&B. I selected a place in the country. It was advertised as a quaint farm. It would allow all of us to have a room so it was perfect and cheaper than a hotel.
While staying at the house, it snowed 8 inches overnight. We were surprised to wake up to no electricity and find out we were snowed in. But it was like being in a winter wonderland. If I didn’t need to get out to go to dinner with family, I could have stayed snuggled up in the house. I posted a picture on Facebook and jokingly said, “If I could buy this place I would.”
If God brings you to it, He’ll get you through it
Fast forward again to July 2020. We had big summer plans but then Covid-19 happened. So, we salvaged what we could and decided to go camping in Utah, the Cache Valley. On the way, we stopped at our friends, the Hughes near Council, Idaho. They have a beautiful place. Sitting on their porch watching the sunset made me ache for a place of my own.
We made our way to the Logan, Utah area and set up our camper in a campground. I then received an email from Kurt, the owner of the farm we stayed at the previous Thanksgiving. In March, I had told him that if he ever considered selling we would be interested. At the time, he had someone interested but their financing fell through. The very day we arrived, he offered it to us.
I immediately said yes and arranged to meet up with his wife. We had to pass her approval process first. In the meantime, we continued to look at other places just in case. After we met her and she approved, the process went rather quickly. We made an offer, they countered and at the end of the day, we agreed on a price.
We returned to Washington and finished the process with the assistance of our realtor, Johnnie. All along the way, things just worked out. We had some hiccups but I kept remembering the phrase, “If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.”
Immeasurably more
Many people talk about the struggle to decide where they will retire after a long military career. When I prayed that prayer, I forgot how our God can respond; immeasurably more than we can imagine. I love Priscilla Shirer, author, preacher, and speaker. She talks about praying big prayers. We sell God short when we don’t pray bigger.
That’s why I am so content. I was along. For the next several months, we will divide our time between Washington and Utah. It is scary to think we will need to maintain two households. But I am certain that God will provide, He always does. 10 years previous to this, we owned a house in Delaware. Times were tough but we were certain we wanted to sell our house when we relocated to Texas. The house did not sell by the time we left and sat empty for nearly a year. All that time, we lived on less and paid a mortgage and a rental. God provided and He’ll do it again.
A change of address but an unchanged God
It is a season of big changes. We are taking them in stride. There are still a lot of unknowns but we are certain we are where we are supposed to be. We have a change of address but an unchanged God. God’s plans are unmistakable and they work out, you can’t stop them. Man, I’m so glad I rented this place for Thanksgiving. It gave us a chance to try it on for size. I’m also grateful that we live 13 hours away; we never could have done this living across the country. We have a lot of work ahead of us and big plans but God is in it. We’ll pass along our address with due time. Watch for updates on here, Facebook, and Instagram.
We are contemplating names for the ranch/farm, so stay tuned. Please leave a comment with name ideas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cache_Valley
Although our address is Amalga, we are closer to Smithfield. Our address is interchangeable.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amalga,_Utah
https://www.bestplaces.net/city/utah/smithfield
Answered Prayers!
Indeed!
Sit Yer Kuester Down. (JK 😉) Opportunity Acres. Listening Lea. Safe Landing (or whatever they say in the AF). This is fun; I’ll keep thinking. 😊. The heart wants what the heart wants; I’m so happy that your heart is happy. 🥰
Oh Kristina! You are very clever. I’ll have to rack my brain about the AF terminology as well. That might be good.
Love, love, love reading about your journey and your testimony. Anxiously awaiting the next installment.
You’re too kind Debbie. Miss you!
Missy and Family thus is absolutely the most beautiful story I have ever read. Your faith and love of our God shines through it all❤️ We are so excited for you and can’t wait to read about your future adventures. I am putting my mind to work on possible names, knowing that whatever you choose, it will be perfect!
Stay safe and stay well.
Love, Pat & Buck
Thank you as always Pat. You’re one of my best encouragers. Let me know what you come up with!
I love this. Prayers really work. I began praying for Taylor and Nicholas’s spouses when Taylor was in junior high and Nicholas in elementary school and we now have the perfect match…..and there were hiccups 🙂. I love the place and when Striker retires we’re doing a road trip.
We would love to have you visit! Yes, I’ve been praying for my future daughter in laws. So very important. As I say, there’s a lid for every pot.
I’m so happy for you and your family!! There is a peace when you find your “home”. Congratulations on finding and have fun making it your own!!! ❤️❤️
Thanks Chrissy, still not done but closer than we were.
Love your story. Love your family. We have to talk. Our stories are so very similar. Our Olive Branch Cabin and your Utah Farm House are more than the materials that were used to build them. Missy, you walk close with God and you choose to listen with your heart. I think Chris and I are fortunate men., Love in Christ, R.
Looking forward to visiting one day, Robert. We can swap places.
“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NABRE
With Love for you and your family,
David Brady
Thank you David, love that verse.
I just love everything about this Missy! I think a great name for the farm would be “Gods Plan” or “Answered Prayer”. Adam plans to retire next September and although I am anxious about that transition I am at peace because we purchased a great house here in TN and everyone just loves the community, schools and being here. Every day it feels more and more like home.
Oh, I didn’t know he was so close. Glad you are where you want to be. It’s the big question for so many of us as we leave the AF. Thanks, Friend.
The final countdown….We’ll split our time for now.
I like those ideas Tricia! Glad you have found someplace you can imagine yourself settling in.
Loved reading this! God is so so good to us! And he does want our big, bold prayers! So happy you prayed for it and so happy for your family! Sounds like the perfect fit. Looking forward to updates!
Trusting, trusting and trusting Him. So incredibly thankful and feeling blessed.
Missy –
So excited for you all as you embark on this new adventure. Congratulations on your new home and for being one step closer to AF retirement!!
Love & Hugs to you, my friend!
– Karen 🙂
Thanks Karen!