My apologies on taking so long in between blogs. I pray the Lord keep me focused with less distractions so I may catch up and share His story.
On Oct 8th 2021, Rob expanded the search range area, and that is how Pony Express Campground popped up. This place was only slightly out of range (my husband is an officer and KCPD has living requirements/limits) but we figured God can’t be limited right?
We pray about it for a while, but in the meantime we had gone to Kentucky with dear friends to go to the Noah’s Ark Experience and Creation Museum (it was amazing!) You can see my connected dream to it here: https://www.journeytochristministry.com/post/dream-2-the-tree)
Shortly after, while spending time with the kids outside by our fire pit, our thoughts go back to that campground. We talk about it and decide we would go visit the campground after church the next day just to go visit it and see what it’s like!
Oct 30th 2021, off we go the very next morning on our Camping Research journey! Over an hour journey up north in the countryside
(We later find out that the small town of Osborn, MO we passed by next to this campground was the childhood home of our friend Jake (who baptized us) and his family (his brother is our current pastor at https://journeykc.com/) what a small world!)
As we pull up, first past through some white farm fencing at the entrance and cross over a land bridge with 2 small lake on each side. It was a great place, 2 lakes, nice country, not crowded, fishing deck. We see a huge beautiful log cabin right in the center of the place as we pull up into the parking lot to the right, leading up to the general store/office. Then we pass by large animals. It had it all – Hyland cows, goats, horses, donkey, pigs, chickens…it was like an animal funhouse in there. I never seen so many different animals all in one place getting along without dividers. How fun! Of course at this point my brain is already taking notes and adding ideas to our plans.
As we stop to park, there was a woman by the wood shed loading up some logs. We all get out of the truck and start to look around. She sees us and greeted us and asked if we were there for food. We said no, not really and was just looking around and getting info about the place. She told us we could come into the office where it was warmer and ask and take a look around. So, we follow her in.
We go inside the store office and see there is a restaurant around back as well. What a cute place it seemed. I look around in the store as Rob goes up to the woman who is now behind the front desk and starts to talk to her. I was not paying close attention on their conversation, but I knew she asked what he was doing or looking for. As they go on to talking, Rob boldly shares his story about what God was telling him to do. I was surprised because it seemed to just come straight out of his mouth.
I just continue to perusing the shop, envisioning selling my crafts and jewelry in a store one day like this myself, I walk my way to the items displayed on the front desk next to them.
Then, all of a sudden, I hear the woman say,
“Do you want to buy my campground?”
All I remember was darting my head towards them….
They are both stating at each other in what seems like shock.
Rob was shocked that she said that, I think she was shocked she said it herself…and I was shocked at the whole thing!
I/we had I had no idea she was even the owner!
Rob after a long pause answers: Ummm….Yeah? Ha
(Her name was Terri) Terri: Shrugs her shoulders, as if to say “why not” (and then I think says she, yeah)
I just stood there, still in shock with 1000 things going through my head and them still looking at each other not really knowing what was going on.
So, with that said, she didn’t waste any time. She showed us around and gave us a mini tour and even went over some of the logistics with Rob. She even told us to go ahead and drive her golf cart around the property to take a bigger look. We did just that, we took the kids driving around her 100 acres of land and just had a fun day exploring the entire place.
Was God calling us there? It all happened so fast and easy, we thought, surely this is His doing? Right? The whole thing was kind of a blur and “too good to be true” We came back and made plans to come back the next month to go RV camping there to get a more hands-on feel and have Thanksgiving there. So, from that day all we could do was dream up dreams and plan the ways of our hearts. I drew up plans over the map she had, and we created and drew up a business plan, everything we could think of.
A month later, the end of November, we spend our Thanksgiving in the camper. It was all part of the "RV Adventures" We assumed we better get used to knowing all things RV camping so why not.
All was going according to plan, which we thought was God’s plan. She was even nice enough to share her banker info who knew her business could be trusted. We made the appointment with them and did all the legal paperwork and planning. All went well.
Later, after creating and signing the Letter of Intent to purchase on Dec 16th, we plan a meeting and head up there the next day. The night before, I actually felt anxiety. You would think, of course, you’re about to sign your life away and within a month, anyone would. I remember specifically feeling anxious and rushed. Then, later that night I got a message from her saying there was competition. That made my heart sink more but my feelings that day started to make sense now. It was so confusing and I no longer felt at peace. But I ignored it all…thinking it was me keeping faith.
The next day we get up and leave to head up north. I anxiously sent her multiple messages: We were leaving now - we were on the way - we were almost there. I acted as if “I needed” to tell her that so it would all work out. On the way up, I felt a sudden urge to ask my husband to speed up, which I almost never do. On the way up to the campground I got a message saying something had happened and she needed to meet up with someone before us but would be back (I lost that actual message, so I am giving a generic account of what actually happened). I let worry get the best of me and I knew in my heart I was pushing things. But I fought it thinking it was just negative thinking. I would assume I wasn't focused on God at this moment, but just lived in the moment of anxiety (don't do that)
When we get there I that I felt at ease.
We made it! We go inside her restaurant and sit down and have a nice afternoon with Miss Terri and go over a bunch of things and plans. Kids played with the indoor games and all was going well. We got to chat about Faith and family, it was a blessed time.
Then the time came, and we walked to her office area to sign the papers.
But, when she got to her desk and read over the paperwork, she paused. She had the pen in her hand and paper in front of her.
She stops and says, (paraphrased) “I am sorry, I can’t do it.”
She couldn’t sign the papers… honestly… after that moment…my memory is blank, I am sure it was flooded with shock and other emotions.
As confusing and crushing as it all was, I do remember hugging her goodbye.
The biggest lesson we learned from this experience is, Patience. God is in control. Pray and if it is His will, He will make things happen in His timing. Don’t rush or try to make things happen in your own strength.
I still encourage walking in bold Faith! It’s ok to take those “risks” for Him because it’s not really risks if it’s for Him because then you will be walking with Him. He will allow things to happen so we can learn from them, but will keep us safe if we are going the wrong way and close those doors. Even when we think we’re following Him, we learn how to hear His voice over our own (which you’ll read how we are “still learning” this lesson very much so in the next blog lol).
God will guide the way…just keep to His path.
Have any of you had these huge adventures or ideas that God closed the door on? Realizing later it was a blessing that He did. As if saving your life, and/or just teaching you how unready you were to start such a task?
Please share below if you can relate and share your experiences for encouragement and any thoughts and advice we could learn from each other.
Have a blessed day!
Comments