Living a Life of Contentment

Sometimes, it takes seeing what you don't have to truly appreciate what you do have.

Normally, the opposite happens.

Spending time on the Internet...eyeing decorating blogs...pinning fabulous kitchens/bathrooms/craft rooms...one can become green with envy...

...or overwhelmed by their very surroundings...the mounds of laundry...or toys scattered everywhere...or the unfinished decorating projects...

But the answer to true joy and happiness is contentment.

"...for I have learned, in whatever situation I am to be content."

Philippians 4:11 (ESV)

This afternoon, my husband, kiddos, and I took a ride out to look at a potential "someday farm".

I wanted to cry.

The photo actually did do the place justice.

This house needs so much work.

So.much.work.

I didn't even photograph the interior.

It was too disheartening.

It is disappointing to me that people are not better stewards of God's gifts.  This home was trashed on the inside.  In fact, the previous owners did not even pack up a lot of their belongings.  Medication bottles strewn around...clothing left in the closets...cat feces everywhere.

And then there is the structural damage...

...the farmhouse needs a new sceptic tank...the in-ground pool needs to be filled in or replace...the house sits on a slab foundation that is sinking...

Then I came home to this...

She's far from perfect...
 

 ...I can't keep chickens...

...and my interior will never find itself gracing the pages of BH&G Magazine or spotlighted on any decor blogs...

...but it is my home.

Structurally sound.  Built with hard work and determination.  Decorated with love...and kid art!

I think God intended for me to see today's potential property to give me a wake-up call!

To be content with the situation that I currently find myself in...

...as a stay-at-home mom of three beautiful children...married to a wonderfully hard-working (not perfect!) husband...and living in a gorgeous-to-me home.  They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

How about you...

...are you living a contented life?

Wishing you a peaceful Sunday night,

XXX OOO 

I'm linking up with Charlotte over at 

 

And Amy at Homestead Revival! Happy Barn Hopping!


 

 And last, but certainly not least, Jordan from Lily White Designs!
THANK YOU Jordan for inviting me to join up with you today!

A Potential "Someday" Farm!

One just never knows when opportunity will arise...

...we've gotten a lead on a foreclosed property in Miami County, Kansas.

Farmhouse...similar in style to our current home...

...detached garage barn...with possibility of a breezeway attachment...

...additional red barn suitable for housing livestock...our daughter is dying for a horse...

...all nestled among 15 acres.

FIFTEEN ACRES!

Of course, the home needs about $100,000 worth of work such as a new kitchen, master bath, exterior siding, etc.

And then there's the non-functioning, in-ground pool.

A trusted friend of ours went to look at the property for us this morning.

Apparently, there's been a few parties thrown, complete with  beer can decor, since the foreclosure...

....but all I can think about are the possibilities!

And the one thing it does have...that makes me smile...

...A WRAP-AROUND PORCH...just like I have now.

Possible "Someday" Farm

I know.  It needs A LOT of work.  But it's just crying out to be loved.  If not by us...by somebody!

And I can just see my chickens...swinging from the tire swing...and chasing the real chickens around that front yard.

And a coop in the back...

...as well as a real-life clothes line...

...and a kitchen garden...

...oooh, I'm so excited!

We go to see it on Sunday.  The banker gave us the code to get into the house.

I'll be back with a follow-up post for sure!

And I'll leave you with this image...

...our current home that we built 11 years ago...one 1 acre.  I love this house so much...

...can I leave it?

XXX OOO