Five.

I looked in his eyes today and saw the hard work of the last month catching up to him. He looked exhausted, dirty, and sore. My husband, the man who can teach himself anything, has worked non stop to make this feel like home. He’s graded land, driven a tractor, built fences, dug out trees, shoveled tons and tons, knocked down walls, torn out tile, and painted every inch of the house. He’s worked endlessly to give us a place to gather as a family and a place that will welcome others, too. 

He’s always been a dreamer. He’s never still. His mind is always coming up with the next goal he wants to conquer. It’s been hard at times for my practical, doubtful mind to get behind. But, without him leading me with this outrageous courage to just go for things, I’d be missing out on some of the experiences, places, and things that I love the most. 

Before we had kids I always talked about wanting to go to Nashville. One day he looked at me and said, “Let’s go!” So we did just that! We got in the car and started driving. To this day that trip is still one of my favorite memories. Without his nudging, that desire to go to Nashville would have just stayed as something I’d do one day. But, my husband has showed me that “one day” isn’t always worth waiting for. Years later I showed him a big light I wanted to buy for our dining room. Without hesitation he said “I can make that!” And he did. He made a beautiful light that became the center of our home and the most complimented piece in our house. Another time, I briefly talked about wanting a big farm table for the kids to use as an art area, within days he was in the garage learning to make one. Watching the kids joyfully create around that table is an imagine from their childhood I never want to forget. 

He also has an incredible ability to willingly say yes to the things The Lord has called us to. Because of that we’ve had some amazing experiences. We’ve hosted a family of 6 from Australia, who we’d never met, for 3 months. We stared a Bible study in our home with a group of strangers. We fostered 2 little boys who changed our hearts forever.  He doesn’t wait until all things are perfect and he doesn’t let fear control his decisions.

He’s teaching me what it looks like to be brave and what grace looks like when things don’t go like you’d hoped. That has become such a blessing on this land. Out of all the things his dreaming and ability to say “yes” have given us, I think this home and the memories we make here will be my favorite of all!