Now this is not the end.
It is not even the beginning of the end.
But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.
-Winston Churchill
I love Churchill's quote. It resonates with me right now. This part of my life isn't the beginning of the end, it's simply the end of a beginning. So here it is... the future homestead. You're looking at the spot where my little cottage and gated garden will soon sit. (If you follow the cottage link, check out "KC 936". That's it.) It's about four acres about eight miles out of a town about an hour from Freeman House. Out here you can see the stars. You can skip rocks on a pond. You can watch the deer and rabbits run. You can wander down the tree-lined county road for a mile and not pass a soul. This is my future home, and I'll build my cottage and its gardens with my own two hands.
I'm officially moved out of Freeman House. People came to the sale from all around - San Diego, Boston and Phoenix, even. Everything sold. I mean, almost everything. Couldn't believe it. I laughed and I cried and I hugged necks and patted backs. And when I drove away, I felt it: that it was the end of a beginning, but hardly the beginning of the end.
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:
also he hath set the world in their heart,
so that no man can find out the work
that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
-Ecclesiastes 3:11
wow, iam sad and happy for you..One door closed and another to be opened soon...
ReplyDeleteI know you will be very happy in your new cottage...
I hope you keep us updated with pics and such...Would love to see the journey of Brin cottage..
hugs and prayers,
That's a very sweet little cottage! :) Any goodbye photos from the Freeman House?
ReplyDeleteI hope God brings many blessings to this new season of your life.
So glad the sale was a success. I look forward to seeing pictures/reading your words as the cottage takes shape. Just wondering...what are you doing for now as far as work? Is henrybella's permanently on hold?
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ReplyDeleteSo exciting to have a new "vision" to be planning toward and working on. God is good. Can't wait to journey with you on this next chapter!
ReplyDeleteHi, Miss Brin!
ReplyDeleteI am just so excited for you! I adore those Katrina cottages and the one you've picked is so charming. I can already imagine the memories to be made there... and it's not even my house!!!
We just bought about 4 acres last year and it's lots of work -- but good work! We love it! The fresh air, the quiet, and those beautiful stars you mentioned! Your precious puppy is gonna thank you, too!
You have such an advantage, too, in being so knowledgable about so many things -- especially gardening! You also sound as though you have such a wonderful family and friends. What an incredible support system God has blessed you with. You have nothing to fear!
I was just re-reading about your last winter in Freeman House and you mentioned about how miserably cold it was and you were sick. I was feeling so bad (I've been there, having lived in old homes and a garage apartment!) I hope - and just know - that your new home will keep you warm, body and soul!
Many Blessings,
Julie
The Churchill quote is perfect and so is your attitude. It will be exciting to see you face the challenges ahead ... I do hope you share your experiences with us ... and as always I'm sure you'll handle it all with grace.
ReplyDeleteWhat a ride you've taken us all on, Brin. It's been joyous and it's been nervewracking and always we knew that you were trusting in God come what may. Your KC936 looks like a charmer and I know that you will create home wherever you go. That's just the kind of gal you are. Happy building!
ReplyDeleteI'm ecstatic for you and our little cottage, Brin! What is your messy, thrilling life without the country and the stars. Yay! Thanks for including us in this adventure.
ReplyDeleteYour cottage is so cute! I love it! It is going to look wonderful on that land! How exciting!
ReplyDeletecongratulations brin - i just know you're going to be so happy there! xx
ReplyDeleteAaahh Brin,
ReplyDeleteSo glad the sale was a success but even more than that, I am glad you drove away from Freeman House with a happy spirit.
Love the cottage but don't bite off more than you can chew. Take it slow and be careful in the building. Ask the experts and hire out when you need to. We'll be here to listen to the problems and rejoice in the successes. What are you naming your cottage? The name is important you know. Do let us know how Millie is doing and give her some pats from all of us.
Brin, your last post reminded me of one of my favorite scriptures: Rejoice evermore, Pray without ceasing, In EVERYTHING give thanks, for this is the will of Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18
ReplyDeleteWhen I was dealing with cancer a few years ago, the one turning point in how I dealt with it was learning to thank God for it. Not because I was glad I had cancer, but for other reasons, such as what I learned through the experience and how I became a stronger person, etc.
When we can put things into their proper perspective (the end of 'a' beginning rather than the beginning of 'the' end), we can look past and into the future, and rejoice in the promise of that future.
Although we are in such different points in our lives, you are such an inspiration to me, and I rejoice in having found your blog, and I pray for you, and I give thanks for your example. God Bless you, sweetie! Becky G.
I love that quote too, and that cottage is so you! I'm looking forward to the next chapter in the life of you! Hugs!!
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful, Brin! How exciting. Just think, no more old house work....just new house decorating. Being the owner of an old house.....I know.....it will be nice.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you.
(I'm glad to see that my house isn't the only one with ONE bathroom...I thought I was a lost breed.)
Wow KC936 is very sweet. Has that sweet darn chocolate girl of yours had her ladies operation. Please let us know so that we won't worry about more puppies needing homes added to the mix of messy thrilling-ness. Thank you ! Susan (big time spay/neuter advocate)
ReplyDeleteEver read Woodswoman by Anne LaBastille? It's an old favorite of mine and I thought of it when I read about your building your own house. Best of luck in your new place!
ReplyDeleteHow adorable is that cottage?! You are going to have so much fun in that cottage - painting it, decorating it, building your gardens. I am just pea green with envy right now!
ReplyDeleteHave fun with this - I can't wait to see pictures of the Brin cottage.
Great quote! I too love quotes.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you on your new beginnings, your cottage, and the land it will sit on. AMEN!
Hugs from NE Texas.
Oh, how thrilling! I love the cottage plans.
ReplyDeleteGod must have had this plan for you all along.
I can't wait to see what you do with your new place! I'm sure it will be full of life, character, and God's Spirit.
ReplyDeleteOh Brin, what a cute little cottage! Won't Millie love romping in that grass! So happy for your new adventure. God has blessed you again.
ReplyDeleteI started reading your lovely blog just before you announced leaving Freeman House. What an exciting adventure lies ahead of you. Fortunately for us we will be able to be inspired by the beginning of your next step. What a beautiful homestead it will become.
ReplyDeleteBrin,
ReplyDeleteThanks for clarifying about the books on Amazon. Actually, I'm relieved because when I saw the Selah cd, I thought, 'oh, no, I wish she wasn't selling her copy.' I get such comfort from mine.
Those house plans sure are neat. There's a new house near us (we're about an hour nw of Ft. Worth)- very small, made not just of steel, but corrugated (like barns). It's the neatest looking house I've seen for awhile. They've made twig trellises for all the windows, a comfy-looking porch, a breezeway out to the single car garage and a stunning garden. Very clever, very individual. I admire it every time I go down that road and wish I knew those people.
Carla
The hubs and I want to build a small place on a lake and are definately looking in to Katrina Cottage plans. Good luck to you1
ReplyDeleteYay! Hey if you are going to be living in a cottage you may want to check out this blog, it's not mine, but has great ideas. Wow, that sounded just like spam, but I SWEAR it isn't!
ReplyDeletehttp://lovinglivingsmall.blogspot.com/
I know this is probably an inproper query (perhaps even rude) but from one single (and single income), strapped financial gal to another. How can you go from selling every little thing you own, eating .84 cent suppers, accepting donations and selling dish clothes on etsy to make ends meet to building your own new home. Wow !! I am so impressed. Can you give us some tips and/or pointers. Please ?!?
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet new home you will have. Four acres that look gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteSo glad all of the work of the sale is behind you.
Becky K.
I think about you and pray for you quite often, having lived through similar experiences with "letting go".
ReplyDeleteI must tell you for all giving up my dream house brought tears and grief, I absolutely love the little house in the country He gave me.
I pray a season of renewal for you (including relationships). :)
Susan and I are on the same wave length (again). I too have to wonder if you had to let Freeman House go because you could not afford to keep it, how you can afford to buy land and build a cottage, especially if you are out of a job?
ReplyDeleteAnd now that you've sold pretty much everything, even your appliances which will be expensive to replace, you still face furnishing this new place somehow.
I must say, I'm confused.
I can't wait to see your cottage go up--I hope we will get to see the progress! I also hope you are close to loved ones after all the loss your family has been through. Blessings! V.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Hope if you have the time you'll check out my blogging stickhorsecowgirl partner "C"'s new post --it is one of her best!
Congratulations! This is so exciting! I can't wait to see what you do, Brin. What God will do...
ReplyDeleteThe land looks beautiful. I so long for the country! You have this way of just making things happen. I know that might sound silly right now, but you do. I have to be more like that...
I wish I could come help you build. I'm pretty handy! Kansas isn't that far away... :o)
kali
I am so happy for you! Life seems to be full of reinvention for many of us at this time. The cottages are adorable! I mentioned to you once before that I live in a 1920 farm house, shotgun style. They remind of my home. I opened my own business about 5 weeks ago after being laid off January 2nd. You hang in there. Scary and precarious times for us, but you know what Brin? You and I and so many of us have that pioneer spirit. Think about our ancestors that packed only the bare necessities and set out on horses, wagons, ships and trains, (some even walked!)to make a home in a far away land. You can do it. Your made of strong stock! Love, Cathy
ReplyDeletehow very cool is that?!? building it with your own two hands, huh?
ReplyDeleteas I imagine Bob Ross would say ... look at those happy little trees... what a happy little plot of land that is... so many stories and memories to make there. Nice post and I look forward to hearing how it all goes - the building that is...and then the living part of it, too! God speed girlie!
Wonderful...so is the land yours? or do you still have to buy it? Those cottages are amazing, I do believe they may be the future. Blessings for you dear girl.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! 4 acres and an adorable cottage is a fabulous choice!!!
ReplyDeletefixing up an old house is hard to do and look at all you have learned! with your thrifty ways there is no telling how cool this little place will be, "Brin's Place" has a nice ring to it. Or will it be "Millie's cottage?" Praising God with you!
oooh beautiful things are opening up..
ReplyDeletepraying for you
hugs
Nothing every really ends...what seem like the end of one thing is actually the beginning of another. Your journey will take you were you need to be.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see you on that front porch.
ReplyDeleteLove the design.
Cottage life is bliss... I love my little cottage, and I wouldnt trade it for anything!!! I really wouldnt! You are about to enbark on a wonderful adventure ;)
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