When the farm transferred September 5, 2002, Hubby sent me to the farm to take photos of all the buildings. Then I took the film to a place that would develop in one hour. While I was waiting I decided to go to the library. I wanted to look for pictures, in books, of houses that were the same structure as our farmhouse. We wanted to get ideas on how we could fix it up. I looked through many books and couldn’t find anything. Defeated, I left the library with lots of other decorating books and went to pick up my developed photos.
Looking through all the photos, I came to the one that was the front of the farmhouse. The next photo, to my surprise, was of the house on Bissel Road. The house I loved. I took a double take and realize the Bissel house was the same structure as the farmhouse. I had forgotten all about the Bissel house, that I had taken the photo, and that it was in the film. It almost looks like a before and after picture. Really? I could hardly believe it. I had an awe moment. Here I was looking at the library for pictures that would help us plan our house. While all along that very moment was a photo being developed, one perfect for us.
Even though I was thrilled that we purchased the farm, I still had a little concern that the place was just too much work for us. But, after having that awe moment, I heard God whispering to me, “You will be able to handle it and it will be a blessing to you.” Well, after that, I felt complete peace.
Trust me, this place was a gift from God. He protected us many times and we didn’t even know it. The fun part was how we found out.
The following spring, on election day, I went to my regular voting place. They inform me that I am no longer on their list.
“Are you registered?” They ask.
“I sure think I am.”
They look again and say, “Your husband is on the list but you’re not.”
“What? Are you kidding me?” I ask in bewilderment.
It was a mystery. Until one of the ladies asked, “By any chance do you have another house registered in your name?”
“Well, yes. We just bought Abram’s farm.” I answered. “But we’re not living there yet.”
“That doesn’t matter, if the house is in your name, you have to go to the voting ward location that your house is in.” They checked where I would have to go and told me to see if I was registered there.
When I went to the new voting area, sure enough, I was on their list. As I was giving them my information. A lady, who was working the registration table, eagerly said, “We were hoping you would come in to vote. You must be the one who bought Abram’s farm.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Well, I wanted to meet and tell you my husband bought that place when the development first was started. He put a down payment on the farm, and that week he had an accident. He broke his knee. We decided that there was no way he could work on the place in his condition. So, he canceled the purchase agreement. He lost his down payment.”
“I am sorry, and I am so sorry your husband broke his knee. How is he now?” I ask.
“He’s still having problems with his knee and I am glad he didn’t get the farm. He couldn’t have handled it. I guess that’s life.”
`We talked some more, and I left smiling inside and out. Not because that poor man broke his knee, but shocked and overly thankful how the farm was reserved just for us.
We don’t really know how or when her husband bought the farm. Or why it didn’t go right back up for sale. We were told the farm was empty for one year before it was put up for sale.
I love God’s gentle whispers that let us know of His blessings. All that we have, comes from God who loves to give good gifts to his children. These stories left me in a state of complete amazement and trust in God. The farm could have been taken away from us two times, but He saved it just for us. We thought it was just a run-down farm that needed to be restored. Both Hubby and I grew up with barns on our property. Nothing special to us. But we would eventually find out that this farm would become a unique place.
