The opportunity came in away that was very unexpected. 14 years prior to the purchase, I had gone with a close friend of mine to his mothers farm in the mountains. He was taking her a load of mulch. She loved to garden and her flowers bloom like fire works all spring, summer, and fall. It was as if she painted the outdoors with flowers. My two oldest sons at the time were around 5 years and 3 years. My friends mother had recently retired and loved small children. The farm had an appeal that had everything I desired. And when I met my friends mother it was instant friendship. She immediately fell in love with my boys while we unloaded the mulch and when we were done I found them sitting at her dinning room table having milk and cookies. I only met her once and it was if I had known her a life time. I told her how I loved her farm and if I had a place like it I would move tomorrow and raise my family. She was taken back by the way I told her how I loved every thing about the things she loved. She was so much, she told me that she was getting older and the farm was not to much for her yet, but she knew one day it would be, and if she ever sold she would be sure I knew about it. I left her farm that day not realizing the seeds I had planted, neither did I know what the future would bring.

As I search my heart to make decisions the one that was coming was a giant leap of faith.

It was 14 years later and time had changed everthing. We had remodeled our home in Vienna and my oldest son was in college, the second oldest in his junior year of high school. The twins were in middle school. My wife and I rooted and grounded in our daily life.

I had called my friend with my annual Christmas greeting and received a shock that made me want to hang up the phone. He informed me his mother had been shot by her husband, and he had then shot himself. I was speechless. What was I to say. How tragic! I told him how sorry I was to hear such news and hung up the phone. I had only met her once and it was as if I lost a close friend.

Several days later my friend called and told me his mother’s estate, would soon be settled. He was to inherit her farm and he said my mother wanted you to have it, if you still wanted it. If I didn’t he would understand. The things that were running through my mind were, ‘how could this be God giving me the desire of my heart?’ How could such a tragedy be, and me benefit? I told him I would call him back.

I got off the phone and went to my wife and told her what he had just told me. My first reaction was to say no. After all, the God I believe in is a good God. This just could not be from Him, or could it.

My wife and I prayed and searched our hearts for what God wanted in our lives, could this be the direction He wanted us to go? It would seem as if the answer would scream no, and yet it was as if we both knew it was yes. I had told my wife 14 years earlier what a beautiful place it was and How much I knew she would love it. I told her I believe I can find it if we drove the back roads of Winchester, we could go look. We found the farm the gate was closed to the 1/4 mile drive. We climbed the gate and walk to the house, the grass was 3 feet tall. No one had lived there for over a year. The beauty of the farm I had saw was overgrown and the flowers were smothered with tall grass. My wife first reaction was, “I don’t know about this?” She told me she didn’t want to live there and how she did not think it would be good to take the children out of school. We were secure and safe where we were and our home was almost paid for. Why try? Unless it was God that led me I was going to pass. It would be a safe decision.

I prayed and the answer was clear. Do it! My response was “God how will I know?” I knew God does not lead us with signs. The signs we should look for, come after we know we hear His voice, and act on it.

My wife was sure to let me know that if she had to move it was a no go. And I wasn’t sure with what I knew that we could afford both places. I proceded to step out on faith and asked her, “if we can afford both can we do it.” She was all for that.

The first phone call to my friend to let him know, “Yes I am interested.” “I am not sure I could afford it?” He response was the first sign following. “My mom really wanted you to have it, so I will make it what you can afford.” What do you say to that? He told me that the lawyer was having three appraisals done and he would be in touch.

I knew that the equity in our Vienna home was alot but, if it was enough I was not sure. I was going to place the next sign following. If we could buy the farm with the equity in our Home it would be the second sign we were on track.

The three appraisals that the Lawyer gave my friend, I believe were for the lawyers benefit. He knew my friend was upset and thought he wanted to get rid of this memory as soon as he could. As you could imagine. The lawyer offered to buy the farm if he could not find anyone to buy it. My friend took the appraisals and told him he had one person he wanted to see them first. My friend told me he would send me the three appraisals and he wanted the middle appraisal if I could afford that. Another sign following.

I was sure we were following God’s will for us. I called the mortgage company and told them what I wanted to do with the equity in our home. Our credit was flawless and it would be no problem, at least that is what they said. I knew that it was going to be a farm with out a mortgage if it was going to be. I was going to need another one thousand dollars a month on top of the mortgage we had to swing the deal. I could have taken a second job, or worked all the over time that was available. It would be tough but I could do it. That is when the man that managed my finances walked into my work place and wanted to know if there was anything he could do for me. I proceded to tell him “Yea tell me how I can get my IRA money without paying a penalty.” He looked at me and smiled and said, “You can.” “Stop by my office on your way home and we will work it out.” Another sign following.

Not only did we work it out but it gave me exactly one thousand dollars extra a month the exact amount I needed. It was faith not luck. I was sure of that.

We settled on the farm in a very special way. There were tears and hugs, and a joy from both parties. Different than any other settlement I had been to.

My wife after the first year decided to let go of the Vienna house, and has never regretted that choice. The boys changed school in their teenage years and never skipped a beat. I live in a place that is more than I could ask or think it would be.

I questioned God daily, because I needed to be sure I was not being lead a stray. “God help me undertand, how this all came about.” “Allow me to be able to explain it to others.” I have a peace, but to tell the story to others seemed so tragic for them. Help me understand. The question went unanswered for years, until one day God spoke to my heart when I asked. All He said is, “It’s not the first time!” I thought for a minute and it the Truth almost took me to my knees.

It was not the first time I met someone that was murdered. It was not the first time that someone loved me enough to see to it that I received their inheritance. It was not the first time I sowed seed in good ground and received a harvest. It was not the first time, but it was the first time I ever thought of Christ in that way. He had been murdered and I would have never wanted that to happen, and because He loved me and I sowed sincere words of truth wanting to love all the things he did, like He did. And He believed me enough so that I may partake of His inheritance.

It was not the first time someone loved me that much.

Thank You God In Jesus Name

Thank you Libby

Thank you Kenny.