The Adventure Begins

The day we closed on the church, my main man, husband, partner in life and all of its adventures, was out of town. Tony was in Texas.  I was bummed, as I had a plan for our first day of this adventure we'd been given.  It had been raining all day, which was a perfect backdrop, but alas, my plan would have to wait for a few days.

The day Tony returned home it just so happened to be another full day of rain.  A perfect setting for what I had in mind, but not so great for all of the trick or treaters who were going to be running from house to house in it.  Tony arrived home that day to find only our daughters to greet him.  They immediately insisted that he come with them, just up the hill.

As they entered one of the three entrances, one daughter made a comment about the wiggly square post topper that would need to be secured.  She took time to make sure that Tony realized the true wiggly-ness of it. 

Candle lit lanterns from our wedding a few moons ago lit the stairs...

As Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra sang away on Pandora, Tony and the girls walked up the stairs leading to... (did I say that we have an adventure on our hands? Broken windows, left behind film company props, former owner's stuff and all?) ....

And so a new adventure begins. Broken windows and all!~  

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Side notes:  

First and last photo were not taken on that rainy day.

Tony's all time favorite movie was the perfect inspiration.

Signage creation credit goes to my talented oldest daughter.

Jones soda purchase credit goes to my peppy youngest daughter.

Decision to purchase a church, truly a God thing.  Read here.
Purchase decision not related to our adventurous son graduating from the Bible Division of Cornerstone University, but isn't that cool too?

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just in case you are wondering, stories of ripping up carpet, tearing down walls and sanding wood floors are sure to follow as time goes on.

PS.  The wooden cart used for our prop has quite a story too. Thank you to my friend who entrusted it to us for safe keeping. It has changed hands a few times and it's history could possibly be as long as that of the church itself.

Looking forward thru the rear view mirror

Some things make the most sense when you are looking back.

Who would want to sit inside when this is the view just outside...

...but there I was on a beautiful day in August sitting in our camper while this view and a large group of relatives were just steps away.  I was a bit of a mess and as much as I tried, I couldn't pull myself together.  It was time for dinner.  A time that most everyone from our large group gathers. A time that no matter how varied the daytime activities are, those who are present, join in, sit down, catch up, wind down and enjoy the sunset that follows.

"Should I fix you a plate?", my understanding husband asked.  "Yes, please" was my response.  "..and bring you a beer?" he added.   Deep sigh, "yes, please, and chocolate!"  I had a bit of an internal battle going on and chocolate ... is chocolate!~ Our little "gypsy camp" as some relatives called it, was nestled in an area on the "resort" property that would give me a little seclusion until I was in a more social state. "Dinner in" sounded perfect, and so did a beer and chocolate.

We had submitted an offer on a property the day prior.  All offers had to be accompanied with a proposal. Any offer submitted wouldn't be looked at by the seller until the property had been on the market for 20 days and also had to be approved by the township before being accepted. Our offer and proposal had been submitted by our real estate agent on "day 19".  It was now day 20, and our real estate agent had called us earlier on behalf of the seller's agent, before the offer was presented to the seller.  The essence of the passed on conversation was...  There is no way this offer is going to fly. Is there any way to raise the price? There are other offers and a prominent, wealthy family in the area is also placing an offer.  Tony and I had discussed the situation, responded to our real estate agent and just had to wait. Our offer was to stand as written. No changes. I knew this was the right thing for us to do, but I was a bit shaken to the core.

The property had been foreclosed on after it had been on the market and vacant for a full 8 1/2 years. It had experienced a few price drops, an adjacent land property owner change, a few broken windows and other damage thru those years.  We had made a couple offers on this property before, both formal and informal, with no budging from the owner.  This property was one that entailed a much longer, prayer covered, sometimes not moving history in both my journal and heart than the property that I wrote about in a previous post, "I fell in love... twice." 

Though this might sound crazy to some, I knew that God had a plan for this place.  When it first was put on the market in 2007, my pastor's wife and I had walked around and prayed over the building.  She had even prayed that if it were something that Tony and I were suppose to be a part of in the future, it would almost be as though the building were being given to us.  The starting price tag was $465,000 for the building and then adjacent parcel of land of over 3 acres.  Years passed with not much happening with the building, besides deterioration.  This past spring I distinctly heard the whisper in my heart, "start thanking me for the church".  Though logic states otherwise, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1), and I had learned through the years to pay attention to the God whispers in my heart.  I began thanking.  As I walked by, drove by or the thought of the place passed through my mind, I thanked Him. 

To shorten a long story, there I was sitting in our camper, again thanking Him thru tears, for His perfect plan. For His will be done. We had submitted a pebble of an offer. A pebble that was prayed about. A pebble of a price that had also been whispered to my heart when prayed about. I knew that He was in control. I knew that we had submitted a tiny offer and that we had a great big God.  It was truly a David and Goliath moment. I knew God had my heart, that He was in control and that His plan, regardless of what happened, was good. 

As the evening wore on, my pounding heart settled, and laughter with cousins, family and friends once again filled our camper and surrounding area.  I woke the next morning full of peace and calm.  I had waged war in my heart the night before and regardless of who was going to "own" the building, I knew that good things would happen.  If the wealthy, prominent family was who my real estate agent and I believed it to be, I knew that God has worked mightily through their generosity in our community and His will would still be done.

The call came that day.  Our real estate agent announced with surprise that we would be getting a counter offer from the seller.  She would call us as soon as she heard anything.  Surrounded by family and friends, with the beach beckoning, the sun shining, and petoskey stones to collect, the day came and went with no news but many new memories made.

After lunch the following day, our real estate agent left a message.  When Tony and I called her back, she asked if we were sitting down. Our offer had been accepted as is, without a counter and the news was that the township was thrilled to have us be the new owners.  We wouldn't be able to close on the building until late October, but congratulations were in order.  We were buying a church!~

If your childhood included this beautiful, set in the country, charming exterior as your playground view 5 days a week and the interior of it for worship an additional day a week...

... there might be something about this other little place.  A place that was also a constant backdrop in your life and is located just a few steps from your current home, that pulls you in ways you can't understand...

Photo of a photo from when we first looked at the building in 2007. Loved that picket fence which is no longer there.

The building needs alot of attention.  There are township restrictions on how it can be used. Essentially, it will be used the same way that we would a barn on our property minus the animals. We have begun some clean up and there is much, much more to do. Friends, neighbors and family have already surprised us with offers to help and have begun to pitch in.  Knowing that God has a perfect plan and will direct our steps, we are walking forward into our new adventure...

 (photo credit: POSH Photography)

The building already holds 101 years of stories.
There are sure to be many more to tell! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The real stories begin here:

The history as West Cannon Baptist Church

 Mlive had published a few stories about the building this year:

Kent County Land Bank ready to acquire and demolish old rural church

TV producer wants to save 101-year-old church destined for wrecking ball

Abandoned church escapes wrecking ball, may have a Hollywood future

For the Love of Old Grace

My grandma was an amazing woman.  Mother of 9, wife to a farmer, milker of cows, baker of bread.  The woman that I knew as "Grandma" was full of contentment and a picture of grace. Her grace and contentment did not come as a result of an easy life, but was the result of decisions made along the roads she travelled in both her life and her heart.  She loved being surrounded by "her people" as she sometimes referred to her very large family.  I would imagine that each and every one of us saw Grandma differently based on our experiences with her, but she was a common thread in each of our lives and so was her home.

(photo & light decor credit to my cousin Lyn)

Grandma's house was always special. Besides being home to the lady I loved and the host of countless family gatherings, it had amazing craftsman features....

My grandma always said that she would live to be 100. In her own special way, she kept her promise.  We sadly said "goodbye for now" 100 days prior to her 100th birthday. She always did put her own spin on things. 

Her house has remained in the family for many years.  While one of my uncles lived there, the "stuff" of the house was dispersed. We held a fun family auction so that anyone who attended could bid on special "grandma items" to keep for memory sake.  The truth is, we don't need the house or the "stuff" to remind us of her. The real memories of grandma will continue in each of our hearts, the hearts of her people.

I fell in love... twice. Finally Part 4!

a continuation of: Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3

I knew that I had yet another opportunity to place an offer on the most amazing farmhouse and barn. A property of 10 acres and an overgrown orchard just waiting to be pruned.

Oh my excitement that Christmas!  

As I created and wrapped gifts for the season, I planned which window the Christmas tree would be placed in front of at the farm house. 

 and how I would change the interior surrounding that window.

 I planned how I would decorate the beautiful double porch.

I planned on purchasing a million white twinkle lights when they were on clearance so that the amazing barn beams would add a magical ambiance to any event it hosted. 

I planned as I had once before. We had gone down this road once before. I was excited about this second opportunity, but somewhere between our first offer almost 2 years prior and the one that I knew would be coming up, my perspective had somehow shifted.

Oh believe me, I still wanted to own this property. To see amazing things take place here. To see my grandchildren one day use their scooters on the driveway the same way that my girls had when we were first looking at the place.

In the spring of 2013 we placed an offer once again.  An offer based on what we were told the couple needed for their home. An offer based on many conversations with the owner. An offer that was prayed over and submitted - not just to the owners but to the God who, we know, holds our lives in His hands.  This time around we weren't told to sharpen our pencils, but our offer was countered. Countered at a price much higher than we were told was needed. Countered at a price, considering all that would need to be repaired on the home, we weren't willing to pay.  The owners and ourselves could not agree on a price and ....we had to let this one go.

It was an interesting turn of events and not one that I had planned for, but I had personally gone through a journey.  A journey of the heart.  A journey I hadn't planned on. A journey that has a better ending.

How can one describe the change of ones heart. The faithfulness of a Father, a creator, a holder of all things in His hands. The place that I had found, the most perfect (in my mind) farmhouse and barn, I thought would host so many love stories. Our own family's love story. Countless brides & groom's love stories. Friends and extended families love stories. The "plan" didn't go as I thought it would. The plan in my heart and mind had (through a long journey) been submitted to the one who holds my heart. The one who created my heart. The one who tenderly redirected my heart in such a way that I can't describe. The farmhouse and barn that I had fallen in love with had truly played a role in a much bigger love story. The love story of a midwestern girl and a great big God. The love story of my heart and the creator of my heart. It is a story that words cannot describe. 

~~~~~~~~~~

I fell in love... twice!  Epilogue

 

I no longer look for properties that could be eventual event locations.  I had been directed to "turn my heart towards home" and many great stories in our home and with our family have happened since.  I absolutely love working with all of the brides, grooms and families that I have been blessed to provide beautiful flowers to and I hope to be a part of many more love stories through the years.  Through the journey I just revealed and through many since, my heart was changed and I no longer have the desire to host entire events.

On a side note: There was another location that I had seen online in the midst of this journey that I just shared. It was a property that I had dismissed. Tony and I had looked at the photos, but the barn was too small. It just didn't grab our attention. After our journey with our farmhouse and barn was complete, I had heard about a new event place opening.  It was at this location that we had chosen not to even walk through. It is now a beautiful event space that I have been blessed to provide flowers to for the sweetest couples and their beautiful events.  Though I've not told them, I often pray for the owners. (Because I know how much energy can go into weddings and I know how much energy can go into raising kids - especially teens. They and I are doing both and so I pray :).) I will admit, I went through some questioning with God as to how I could have missed it. Why I seemed to have even been "blinded" to this location and it's potential. God firmly responded, "it's not what I have for you".  And I completely trust Him!

I fell in love... twice. Part 3

a continuation of Part 1 and Part 2 

This beautiful farm house with the barn and property that I fell in love with at first sight was not to be ours. No deal. No discussion. No farmhouse and barn. I was so disappointed, but God had whispered in my heart "Do you trust Me?" and I had responded "I do".  And I did.  But not without arguing, not without tears, not without questions.  "Anner the Planner", as my dad used to call me, had the perfect plan and though I'd surrendered to God's perfect plan in the past, and I knew that I knew that He is good, this plan on mine was very hard to let go.

As I looked up....

God began changing my heart.  Can you imagine my relief when I discovered that the property that I dreamed of, though it was not for us, was for no one else either!  After the property had been on the market for a short time, the owners were able to cash in an investment, redeem the property from short sale destiny and take the house off the market.  I was so relieved, because maybe, perhaps in the future, the owners would decide to list the house again.  Of course, I wrote them a very sweet note congratulating them on being able to enjoy their beautiful home and asking them to please keep us in mind if they ever thought about selling again in the future. I left it there. In God's hands and theirs.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch (literally, the brick ranch), I set about sharpening my plan, our finances and my search.

In addition to creating wedding flowers,

 and hosting Garden Room Sales in our sunroom,

I took on a part time job with a local farm and again began to search for the perfect place.  Nothing compared to what we had already found and lost.  Some friends knew of my journey, and I would get calls about locations. Some even prior to them going on the market. Beautiful places. Places with potential...

Places that Tony and I went through and though they were beautiful, they were not "it".  Other places, I would look at online and completely dismiss. The barn looked too small. There wasn't enough land. It just didn't compare to what we had already found and missed out on.

In the midst of all of this, I would hear about other places opening up.  Places that I've since been blessed to provide flowers to for wonderful couples and beautiful weddings.

  Witt's Inn 

 (a property that was purchased, but had not hit the real estate listings sites) 

Edgar Farm Place

 (a property that had been in the same family for 

generations. Photo from their facebook page)

I continued to wrestle with God over my ideas of what was best and my sometimes ugly envy. He would gently remind me to look to Him when I would become consumed with what could be. He asked me to turn my heart toward Him.  I continued to surrender.  He continued to work in my heart.

In December of 2012, 1 1/2 years after our offer on what I believed to be the most perfect place, we received a call from one of the owners. The wife.  She told me that they had to sell. They were going to list the house in the spring. The house would again be in short sale. What we had offered in the past was the ball park of what they had in mind for price and... that their marriage of 30 years was on the brink of ruin.  I prayed with the lady on the other end of the line. We prayed about her marriage. We prayed about her home. We prayed together and cried together. I thanked her for calling and I knew we would talk again.

...To be continued in one more post :).

I fell in love... twice. ~ Part 2

(in case you missed part 1, click here)

.... I was lovestruck, filled with hope, envisioning all of my dreams coming true!~  Yes, I knew we were still talking about sticks and stones - and a big God and a big dream in my heart.  I was over the top in love and convinced that this was the place. Our place. Our should be forever place... and Tony agreed.  He understood my vision and the transformation that could take place.

Where I saw this:

I envisioned something like this: 

(found on Southern Weddings)

and this:

(found on Rebloggy)

Where I saw this:

I envisioned something like this:

(found on Elizabeth Anne Designs)

and naturally, the doors of the barn would feature something like this: 

(found on pinterest)

The almost 100 overgrown apple trees
that looked like this in the spring:

I was convinced would look like this by fall:

(found on pinterest)

and, of course, Forrester Farm would provide
 arrangements that looked something like this:

(found on 100 Layer Cake)

We could see ourselves there. We could retire there. We could really love living there, but.....there were some drawbacks.  It wasn't in our school district and would we really want to uproot the kids.  It would add an additional 30 minutes one way to an already sometimes tiring drive to work.  The house needed a new roof. The barn needed repairs in the roof.  There were some foundation concerns.  The property needed alot of work, which we weren't afraid of, but these were all important things to consider.

So, we prayed, we crunched numbers, we talked about options, we brought in a contractor to give us estimates, we met with some advisers, we prayed some more and ....we made an offer!  An offer based on the work that would need to be done.  An offer based on the decision that we should not uproot the kids, but manage two properties until they were all out of school.  An offer based on the knowledge that the property was in short sale status.

We submitted our offer.  We prayed. We waited. We got a response. Not quite the response we were expecting.  The exact words were "sharpen your pencil".  Who says that anyhow?  No counter. No discussion. No deal. And God whispered to my heart, "Do you trust me?" And I responded, "I do."

The story continues next week....