An Ozark Getaway

Do you ever have those moments where you think, “that didn’t happen by accident!”  Then you think, “oh, it’s just a coincidence, things like this happen every day!”  If you are like me, you will eventually decide that God does order our steps. 

“A mans heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Coming to this realization has happened to me many times in my life and especially this past year.  We bought a get a way home.  We aren’t sure if this will be a forever home or a home for a season.  For now we are enjoying it to the fullest.  We have been having fun making a few changes by painting and replacing light fixtures and updating a few things.  When I get overwhelmed I remind myself, “this is supposed to be fun and a peaceful process.”  Who has time to be stressed and not enjoy the blessings of God during this season of life?  

Living a life of peace and ease has always been my goal and it comes a bit naturally for me.  I  can always tell when I’m in too deep into something and I have to take a step back and reevaluate what I’m doing.

Jim and I have been visiting the Branson, Missouri area for many years.  We love the area of MIssouri and on into Arkansas.  To me the Ozarks are beautiful and it seemed so peaceful when we would visit.  We got in the habit of coming each Spring and Fall to the area. About 14 years ago, we had the thought of finding a getaway cabin or something.  So on one of our trips we got a realtor and she showed us some properties.  We looked for two days and saw some gorgeous homes but nothing clicked with me until on the last property, she showed us an adorable home that I fell in love with!  I loved every possible thing about that house!  We decided to take some time to talk and think about it.

During this same time our daughter and family moved to the Texas Hill Country!  We found a house there to purchase instead of the Ozark home.  We had the time of our lives in that house and I wouldn’t trade one moment for anything.  We spent 7 years of blessed fun and watching our 6 grandkids grow up.  We went as often as possible.  I loved that house and I shed some tears when we decided it was time to sell that home.  

So many fun memories of the family and friends at this house in the beautiful Hill Country of Texas!

During those 7 years when we would visit the Ozarks, we always drove out to see the house that I loved.  We would drive through the area and check it out until the gate to the area was eventually closed and we could no longer drive through.

Last year while visiting our favorite area once again, we contacted a realtor just to see what was available.  We spent a day with this particular realtor.  He was a very nice man and knew the area well and he understood what we were looking for.  He showed us several homes on golf courses, by the lake, etc.  Nothing appealed to me.  Can you guess why? You guessed it… I compared every house we looked at to the one I fell in love with 14 years ago.   

As we were going to view one last house, I asked our realtor a few questions about himself as I’m always interested in who and where people are in their life.  He described where he lived etc.  I said, “oh, that sounds beautiful and it sounds a bit like a place that we found years ago that I fell in love with!”  After a bit more conversation it turns out he lived in the same area as my dream house.  So we talked about the area  and he then said, “but that particular house is not for sale.”  Which was okay, I didn’t expect it to be plus I never saw a for sale sign in front of it when we would drive by. He was so kind as he gave us a guest passcode to be able to drive through the area and take a look at my dream house.

That evening after we got back to our place we love staying at, we got a call from the realtor.  He said he talked to the owners of my dream house and they said they would be willing to sell! 

You guessed it!  We bought it!  We are having so much fun putting our touches on it.  We are still in the midst of painting and decorating.  I call it our Ozark Getaway!  It is beautiful and I can’t wait to make many  memories here.

We are learning the area in a different way as we are far from the places we always visited and that is okay, as long as I’m in the Ozarks, I’m good!  

I’ll do a post soon of some of the decor as I compete them. So, as they say, be sure to subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss anything!

Did you know that window treatments are the hardest to find? I got spoiled to our daughter in law who made the most gorgeous window treatments for our Hill Country House. She is not doing that now as she has a much important job now of raising two of the most precious little boys. What I would give to have all my window treatments I left in the Hill Country House! But, they probably wouldn’t match the colors I’m using now…so I need to stop thinking about them.

*Here is an example of a window treatment from our Hill Country House:

If you know me and have read my writings for long, you know my favorite verse…

“Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart!”  Psalm 37:4

Do you know my other favorite verse:

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.”  Proverbs 27:1

Proverbs 27:1 could be my life verse as my life has been an adventure since the day I was born.  I’ve seen and lived through some crazy things that I’ve realized aren’t that normal.  So thankful I know my Heavenly Father is in charge and has taken care and blessed through the good and the not so good times of my life!  

How about you?  I’d love to hear how God has let you know that He loves you even in the little quiet ways and is watching over you in all the crazy episodes of this life on earth.  

I believe Jesus is coming soon and we are to keep living life to the fullest!  Are you?  What changes do you need to make to have a peaceful, content and fulfilled life?  I’d love to hear all about it! *Feel free to leave a comment or email me a private message if you need to.

Until next time,

“Teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12