Once Upon a Time….

Once upon a time there was a little log home that was lovingly named A Place Called Simplicity….

Anything but fancy….at only 2,011 square feet (half the size of our previous home), but still it had 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (far more than most of the world)…..yet somehow this little place was perfect!!! It was comfortable, cozy and simple!!In winter kept warm by the wood-burning stove…..It was a place where memories were made, family was encouraged, loved and respected….and little children came home from foreign countries forever……. Kids played……
Birthdays were celebrated…
Holidays were shared with boatloads of friends – all joined together for a day of fun….no matter how squishy…

Big kids came home from far away…..
Laughter filled the place…..



And sweet drums filled the air often…Little boys thought that broken screens were on purpose so they could climb thru them…

Evenutally a llllllong remodel….gutting the kitchen, moving windows, reconfiguring……..

And even a new log staircase……
And then two more precious babies came home…FOREVER…..And two days after the above picture……….

And life would never quite be the same again………

When I got to our little log home this past Friday for the demolition my precious friends were already there….trying so hard to dig up as many Day Lilies (one of my favorites ever) to move them for me. I had no idea!! That’s Carie and Chelsea and Chelsea’s little guy Josiah (same age as Elijah).

They were about to start the demolition and I finally took one of the last of my favorite little things out – a sweet little quilt. It was red and white and bits of blue, once upon a time…it hung at the top of the stairs, outside our bedroom, on our new log staircase….so sweet…..As I walked through the house I found that Emma had written on her bedroom walls a few days before……Elizabeth swept the porch….making sure it was tidy and clean (one last time)A tree had to come down to get the bulldozer over to the house….And Graham asked if he could smash some windows before it began……sort of a boys dream I guess….so Graham, Daddy, Emma and even Liberty threw rocks thru windows…I have often wondered as I watched Home Extreme Makeover how people really feel when they are watching their home destroyed in order to fulfill their dream/need of a new home? They seem to be smiling….I wonder if they are told “Smile, OR else!!”

For us: We prayed together as a group before they started. We asked for safety for Martin (our friend and the contractor doing the demolition) – that the Lord would restore all that had been taken…..and then it began…..We are thankful for our friends who came to support and be with us: Chelsea, Carrie, Mark & Jill….it made it so much more bearable. We could tell our sweet bloggy friends were praying too – really we could….
Notice the new log stair railing (put in while I was in Africa in December – it was so very beautiful) Loft wall blackened by smoke damage….(master bath to right of the two windows…that’s tile shower wall and toilet on side)…..

Martin gets out to check the dozer…. And it was gone…..


Days after the fire, Dw found Winston Churchill’s quote in the house….and went to the front door and pounded it into the frame. It seems appropriate to end with it…..
WE will NOT give up….Thank you for your prayers. This week I will share what God spoke to me just before we left to see our log home demolished….

52 thoughts on “Once Upon a Time….

  1. What a bitter-sweet Memorial Day. Lots of memories of your sweet log cabin. I too often wonder if the people on Extreme Home are really happy to see their homes demolished. I’m not sure I would be, but maybe it’s because they have the promise of something better. Just like we do with our Lord, something better is around the corner. I pray that for you and your family. God’s promise of something better.

  2. i can only imagine the heart break and loss you felt seeing hte property yu loved having gone from damaged to demolish. my heart is aching with yours.

  3. Linny,
    You are continually being prayed for! God WILL restore ALL that was taken from you and your family! I am starting my first memory box Monday tomorrow. Thanks for showing me how important it is to be reminded on how God works miracles!

  4. I’m speechless. Sad. Those verses on the walls! You are walking a very difficult road. Will look forward to hearing what God laid upon your heart.
    Bless you.

  5. Linny, I can feel your heartache, yet I know God will restore. My heart aches for you and your family. You have such wonderful memories which will continue to help in months and years to come. Continued prayers friend.

  6. Linn,
    What a beautiful loving tribute to a place that had held so many fond memories!! Thank you so much for sharing all the good and all the bad that has taken place in these last few months. Your strength in the face of destruction has been a witness for all the world to see that God will never leave us in our sorrow.
    I’m pray God continues to strengthens your heart as you stand firm in the plan He has for you.

  7. Linny…such hard images…and I didn’t even live THROUGH it. Am still praying for you, for peace, for assurance, for guidance, for hope, for the joy that “comes in the morning.” Like you, I always wondered about the folks when their house was being demo’ed…for me, I think it might be hard. But then again…they know that something amazing was going to come from it. And I can’t help wondering what truly AMAZING thing is coming for you and your family? (Besides Jubilee, that is!) 🙂

    Love and hugs…Nancy in CT (who is ever so grateful for the freedom we have as citizens of this great nation, and mindful of how it was/is accomplished…my Dad led his platoon onto the beaches of Normandy on D-Day…before I was born, but still, it gets me…I am proud!)

  8. Dear Sweet Linny, My heart can’t even imagine all you’ve gone through and the pain the fire caused. Words can’t adequately express the hope I have for all of you and that indeed the Lord has something to replace that beautiful home. Know dear one, that you and yours are in my prayers continually.
    Hugs to all of you.
    Noreen

  9. OH Linny, I am sitting here crying my eyes out for your family and you little log home. I am so sorry this has happened to your precious family. I will continue my prayers for you and lift you high.

  10. I was just watching Extreme Home Makeover today wondering the same thing. How is it that all those people smile whan their home no matter how bad is being demolished.

    I wish I were there to hug you but you know I’m praying for you.

    I know God has big plans for you and I have a feeling that may be that you needed a bigger house for more kids to be loved on.

    I’m so sorry you have been through all of this.

  11. D and L, I love you! Oh, I’m bawling as I see these pictures, like somehow, all the way in Ch*na, it finally became reality, what you are really going through. Some of our most favorite memories from before we left were spent in that Log house with you, memories we will treasure forever, but memories we will make again because you guys are all ok! (well you are more than ok, you are pretty darn great!)

    Can’t wait to come make some memories soon!!! Love and hugs!

  12. That was a touching story. I dont think that we really grasp what a house can really mean to us, until its lost, or you see someone else lose their own home. So full of memories that you made together as a family. So many intimate moments the walls of our homes secretly keep. I am sorry for your loss. My prayer has been and will continue to be that the Lord will allow you all to heal from your loss, and that you will go on to make many more of those precious memories in the home that He has already planned for you. Thank you for helping us all to understand and be able to witness with our own eyes what true faith is. You are an inspiration and I am thankful for you.

  13. I have tears stinging in my eyes.
    LOVED the words Emma wrote on the walls – what a wonderful daughter you have!!
    And I LOVE the rock-throwing and porch-sweeping pictures.
    Other than that, my heart just aches for you, but I know that the Lord will continue to bring glory through all this tragedy!!
    Love from WY
    Barb

  14. Linny, sweet friend, I have no words. My heart aches for you and I am praying that our faithful God will RESTORE and REDEEM all that has been lost.

  15. I’m sooooo sorry,Linny. I know this was such a difficult day. I know you have peace…
    and just can’t wait to hear His plan. Hugs.

  16. I’m so so sorry Linny. Something that keeps coming back to me as I was looking at these pictures tonight was a comment that some friends made to me many years ago (I was very homesick at the time missing my home in Va.)… my friends were 6,000 miles from ‘home’.

    Home – is where the heart is.

    Cling to the verses on the charred wall…
    I love you.
    Susan.

  17. Oh my friend, my heart is aching for you–I just cannot even imagine the pain of it all. Yes, it is all just ‘stuff’, but it was your treasured little log cabin. It was your place called simplicity. Your memories were there. How painful to see it all demolished.
    I am so thankful today that the memories you have from your time there are buried in your heart, forever.
    I can hardly wait to see what God is going to do. I have a heart of expectation for you, precious friend. Beauty WILL come out these ashes, I just know it.
    Can’t wait to hear what He spoke to your heart.

    Sending you a HUGE hug. Never give up, Linny. Time is short and the enemy is getting a little desperate–Jesus is coming back soon. We believe it!

  18. I just want you to know that your blog is always an inspiration, an encouragement to me. You recently inspired me to petition my Father, through fasting and prayer. Your recent post on fasting got me thinking… I KNOW about fasting… but I think I had gotten lazy in my prayer life. You encouraged me to STEP IT UP! I wanted to let you know that I’m praying for you, your family, your Autumn, your Isaiah, and your Jubilee!

  19. I often wondered the same thing about Extreme Home Makeover. How the people were feeling seeing their homes torn down! I can’t imagine it would be easy even knowing a newer/bigger house was coming in it’s place.
    I’m so sorry you have to go through all this. This post brought tears to my eyes. Especially seeing the smoke billow out of your beautiful home!
    God is bigger than all of this! Thank you for giving Him glory through this by continuing to trust Him.

  20. i feel like crying for you all right now
    but I am grateful that you are confident that God is close and I have no doubt that He is going to do great things in your life.

  21. Once upon a time…the little log home.

    And the sweet family who lived inside will still live happily ever after.

    God bless you all today, and be with you in a special way.

  22. Not too many words, just praying for you all! Praying for peace and healing, and for a new home — not the same, but wonderful nonetheless, to make new memories in, and to begin again.

    All the best,
    Nicole A. in OH

  23. I don’t know what to say.

    I love you, Linn.

    I am praying that God continues to heal your hearts, to quiet your fears, and to fill your spirits with hope.

    You are His, Linn. He loves you so.

  24. Wow. Your families faithfulness is such a blessing to the rest of us. Your home was beautiful, and will be again. Your children are so much more beautiful. Thank you for living out your faith in this very difficult time.

  25. Dear Linn,

    I shared testimony on my blog a few days ago that you figure in prominently. It’s the one titled, “There’s a Candle in My Heart.” I hope that you will read it and that it will bring you some comfort and some joy to realize how much the God in you transformed the Faith within me.

    If you are able to find any encouragement in your time of vulnerability through this testimony…well, I just pray you will.

    I’m sending this to you in a comment, rather than email because I want to be sure you will see it. Thank you for being there in my time of need. I’ve been wishing that there were some way I could return the favor and it dawned on me that in this very small way, perhaps I can.

    With Much Love and Unending Prayers,
    Amy

    http://amy-forsuchatimeasthis.blogspot.com/2009/05/candle-in-my-heart.html

  26. Linny,

    You and your precious family have been so close to my heart lately. I pray that all God has in store through this tragedy will begin to be revealed piece by piece to you and that each of those pieces will bring more and more peace.

    Many blessings, Lisa C.

  27. Linny, my heart goes out to you and your family. It’s great that you are focusing on the positive and allowing God to lead you through this difficult time. Our prayers are always with you and your family. May the Blessings of the Lord continue to walk you through all this and bring brighter days. There is so much to be thankful for. Hugs, love and blessings to you all. You are such a beautiful family and an inspiration.

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