Summertime is coming to a close.

Tomorrow will mark our last week of Summer Vacation.  Honestly I'm not quite sure I'm ready for it! 

It's been a water-filled 3 months with beach time, lake time, and pool time.  I've loved it because last year Beau was too little to do those things.  So I was determined that this year would be full of water and sunshine! 

Mission accomplished. 

It's been a Summer mixed with good times and sad times too.  There has been laughter and fun.  There have been angry tears and broken hearts.  There have been great times with friends. 

And frustrations.

But it's been a good Summer because I think I've grown alot.  I've learned (still learning...do you ever stop?) so much more about parenting.

I've learned more about God's sovereignty in ALL things.  I've learned how He is faithful in the worst of times and the best. 

I've learned that people don't belong on pedastals. 

I've seen the ugliness of pride in many ways and that EVERYONE struggles with it.  And if you don't think you do....well there you have it! 

I've learned more about Gods's grace.  We all need it.  (see above statement)

I've learned that sometimes it's better to keep silent and not be defensive.  Let things go.  People are going to do what they do and say what they say and think what they think.  I just let it roll off like water on a duck's back.

I've become a better runner.  I've discovered a determination in me that I didn't know I had.  Some people might call it stubborn. :)  I prefer DETERMINED.  :0

This has been a Summer that I know I won't forget!

So even though the actual Summer season isn't over for several more weeks yet, school starts for us NEXT week.  I think it will be good for us to get into a routine again although I sometimes like to fly by the seat of my pants.  However I do understand the importance of a schedule!   

I've liked the extra time for blogging.  Hopefully I will still keep up with it.  It's been fun. 

Thankyou for those who have prayed about our situation with the land.  A couple of weeks ago we received a call from the state EPA (an attorney working for them).  He met Cory out there at the land to see what was going on and is now working on our case.  This happened right after my most recent post about the land.  We also found out that we will not be held responsible for what the previous owner had done.  Very good news!  Just thought I would let you know.  So thankyou for praying and please keep it up!

Horseshoe Neck Rd. (I love that name)

Cory with the kids this past winter on our land



Great mixture of fields and woods




The old barn on our property.  Picture taken last Fall. Makes my heart go pitter patter!



Beautiful rolling hills.

These are all pictures that were taken last year.  I have no recent pictures.  You see I thought I would be taking pictures of our house that was to be built this Summer.  I thought we would be close to moving in!  This was our dream.  Beautiful country land with a house built by my husband's own hands! 

Some of you may be wondering why you haven't heard much about the land since this past Winter.  Well, you see, Cory made a discovery one day while clearing the land with the tractor.  While mowing he uncovered some sink holes.  Why the sink holes?  Well, the previous owner buried trash in about 2 acres of the 24 we had purchased from him.  Not just trash but large items such as furniture, appliances, and tires.  Who knows what else?  Then he decided to cover it with fill dirt and sell it without disclosing this lovely information.  Nice.

As you can see from the picures that it is most definitely a beautiful piece of property.  I STILL love it even knowing that the trash is buried in a part of it.  We attempted to get an attorney to help us.  He didn't do anything. 
So why don't we just build anyways?  Well if the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)were to find out they might come after us for not reporting what we discovered.  We sure would hate to lose not only our land but our house on top of all of that!  So Cory sent the EPA an email notifying them of the offense.  Now we just wait.  Knowing the government, we might be waiting a good little bit.  Sigh. 

It's hard to understand these things.  It's hard to see what God is doing.  Obviously God wasn't surprised by any of it!  We know He is sovereign.  We know He has it all under control.  So we just trust that He will take care of it.  As always, His timing is never our own. 

Please pray that the EPA will get the ball rolling and be on top of things in this matter.  Pray that justice is served and that they will get our land cleaned up so that we can be free to build our home. 

In the meantime I am trying to be content in the waiting and the unknown.  :)  Not always easy. 

I'm sharing all of this now because it's just a good time.  We need lots of prayer and encouragement. 

Love,
Tara