With God ALL Things Are Possible!

“What do you want to do when you grow up?” my mother asked me.

“Mom, I want to have a horse farm someday,” she just smiled.  She knew it would be impossible because she would not even allow me to take riding lessons.  I grew up with a burning desire, that kept me awake at night.  I was not like all of my other friends, dreaming of their husbands and children.  I grew up dreaming of my farm, complete with horses, dogs, and cats.

I graduated college and then I started taking riding lessons.  As a total beginner, I was put in with the young riders.  I was twenty-two years old and these six and seven year olds could ride circles around me, literally.

I increased my lessons, graduated to leasing a horse, and then the ultimate dream, owning my first horse, Raise Your Dreams, a thoroughbred-cross.  I took lessons with an Olympic Coach that came to America periodically.  I increased in my skills and ability and others noticed.  I was getting asked by others to teach them or train their horses.

Then my girlfriend asked if I would teach at her beautiful farm in Mullica Hill, NJ.  It was state of the art, vacuums for the horses, hot and cold wash stall, indoor, several outdoor rings, and trails for miles.  It was here that my dream of having my own farm burned even more deeply.  I learned as much as I could.  I was there early and stayed late.  I fed the horses, mucked, ordered feed, organized shows, wrapped legs, held horses for the vet, and I gleaned as much as I could about owning and operating a farm.

I bought a house in Delaware.  It was in a great neighborhood with fantastic neighbors.  The house had been somewhat neglected.  It came complete with shag carpet, dark paneling, olive green kitchen appliances, and an old smell.  What the house did have going for it, was that it had great bones.  Under the shag carpet was beautiful red oak throughout the whole house.  I took the paneling off, took down non-supportive walls, rehabbed the kitchen, and painted the whole house.  I did all of this by myself with the help of my father.  He would teach me, and then off I would go.  I sanded the floors on my hands and knees, I stained every inch, painted every wall, and the whole time I kept repeating to myself that this was temporary.  I knew that this home was the starting point of my farm.

If I could increase its value then I could find a farm.  I spared no expense in getting it beautified.  I loved every inch of it.  It showed because my friends and neighbors noticed how much the home had changed.  I told everyone my plan- I would buy a horse farm within five years of owning this home.  They would shake their heads in agreement, their eyes betrayed them, I knew they thought I was crazy.

In the mean time, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior.  (I will share how that happened in another blog)  I just kept praying for a farm.  I searched in four states, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey.  My friends kept saying that I did not know what I was getting myself into and that as a single woman I was clearly setting myself up for failure.  I said that I would rather fail then never try.

As a teacher making $40,000 a year was not going to buy a farm, but I kept believing that God had given me this desire.  I would beg for Him to take it away from me.  Instead, my vision grew more precise, I could see the farm.  It had a curving driveway that was tree lined.  The home was yellow, my favorite color, and had red accents.  Then God revealed that it would be in New Jersey.  I wondered how it would all happen.  I started to become insecure and unsure.  My friends were heavily influencing me.  Their doubt was seeping into my being.  How would I afford it?

I just kept asking God for a sign.  Like a child, I needed a strong hand to lead me.  There were times that I too doubted whether God wanted me to get a farm.  A single woman making $40,000 a year, could not buy a farm.  That is when I clung to my main verse-

Then the ultimate push came from God.  I sold my house without it being for sale.  A man stopped by and said, ” I love this house, I drive by it all of the time.  I have seen how much work you put into it.  Would you consider selling it?”

We agreed upon a price and it was sold in cash within three weeks.  Now there was nothing holding me back, I just made enough on this deal that I could buy a farm.  I employed a real estate agent and we searched the whole state of New Jersey.  We saw beautiful barns, ugly homes, ugly barns, and beautiful homes.  Unfortunately, none of them fit the description in my head and the vision that God had given me.  Doubt flooded me and I wavered in my resolve.  I was turning forty years old on June 3 of that year, and I gave a test to God.  If I did not have a farm by June 3 then I would move into a condo and call it quits on this dream of mine. 

March came and went.  April came and went with no prospect.  Then May first, I got a call from my realtor.  A farm just came up and she said that I should check it out.  I drove to Woodstown, NJ and found a farm with a curving driveway that was tree lined.  It had a beautiful yellow home with red accents, two barns, ten acres, and it was the exact vision that God had given me.

I put in an offer on May 1st and closed on the home on May 31st.  I spent my fortieth birthday in my hot tub overlooking my horses in my pasture at my very own farm.

I did it, with God.  He gave me my heart’s desire, a true miracle.  My life has never been the same.  Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Christian Broadcasting Network came out and did a story on my farm and how God gave me the impossible.  You can find it at http://www.cbn.com/tv/1426203815001.

Please be encouraged and know that God has a plan for all of us.  This is what I do know, that God created a great work in you and He will carry it out!  Trust in Him with all of your heart.  Don’t let doubt creep into your heart, just hold steadfast on your dreams.  Remember it will not be easy.  It will be the hardest thing you have ever done, but it will be worth it.

Peace and Love!

Need prayer or need to be encouraged?  Drop me a note, and I will pray for you. 

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, lean not on your own understanding and He will lead you. Prov. 3:5-6