You just never know where life will lead you.
We are now a “no cow” ranch. Or a “one ass” ranch.
Just like many of you, we are also affected by the crippled economy. We decided to sell our cattle because we will not be able to build our barn as planned and I can’t handle the thought of my bovine out in the cold without proper shelter.
Stuck in midst of indecision. Should we sell Windy Ridge or try to keep it until we can sell it for what it is actually worth? Move to the ocean or down under? Paper or plastic? I think the indecision is the worst part of all of this.
Please know I am not depressed about this. Uncertain, indecisive, frustrated, puzzled, but not depressed. I have much to be thankful for. We all do.
One night we were reading Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye than the fowls?
to which I exclaimed “DUH!” why worry?
It will all work out. Eventually I may not be Jen from Windy Ridge. Eventually I may be Jen from the Briny Blue. You just never know. Follow along, it might get interesting.
You were not depressing:) I did feel encouraged:) God WILL care for us all,we just might not all have the material things we are used to but that is ok. God IS good ALL the time!!!
Sorry that you guys are struggling. It is hard times out there. God does always provide and will never give us more than we can handle. Hope you have Blessed, Healthy and Prosperous New Years.
I’m so sorry that you guys are going through hard times but you are absolutley right, it WILL all work out for good. Sharing the good and bad like that is so inspiring for others, it shows that we all go through hard times. No one is living a perfect, stress-free life but we can rise above it and find happiness anyway. We have been struggling for a few years now since my husband is in the mortgage industry. This past year he got a wonderful opportunity to move to a different department within his company. The downside, it no longer had the potential for commissions. This was soo hard on us because that was a huge part of his income. The good news, he is getting noticed in this new department and will be moving up quickly in the new year. He will eventually be able to make more than he did in his previous position and without the pressure of commissions. When I am upset about needing a bigger house and not being able to afford everything that I want I remember that God has a bigger plan for me than I could dream of for myself and with Nick’s job and my plans for my business I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and realize that we are exactly where we needed to be to make all of our dreams and goals happen. Could we have gotten there without the struggle? Sure but we are stronger, smarter, more faithful, optomistic and closer as a family than we would have been without it. We are all safe and healthy and that is more important than anything. When all is said and done God will put you EXACTLY where you are supposed to be and it will be more wonderful than you could have imagined. Huge things are instore for us this new year, I can feel it!
Have a wonderfully, blessed New Year:)
hi Jen, thanks so much for sharing your struggles with us . I have only been reading your blog for a few weeks , and have been totally blessed by it . I will be praying for you that the Lord will give you discernment and clear direction about what you need to do . “Be Still” Love , robin
Really don’t think what you shared was depressing at all, just honest.
It has touched us all in very different but yet similar ways, this weirdness with the economy. Even after the insurance guy came by our house yesterday to check on yet another part of our house yet to any moment collapse, we were almost in a hysterical laughing mood. What next??
But God….and to hold that thought close to our heart that nothing we go through is without His notice or deep concern and care…it really is the most wonderful thing we have to hold onto to get us through.
You are Jen…wonderful no matter where you are from.
I’m so sorry you had to sell them on. I do believe there must be a plan for it, so whatever it is I hope it’s revealed to you soon 🙂
More things unknown than known,,I struggle with that. When faced with change i think i rush it….get the change over with so i can again return to a “settled state”. In doing that..i think i miss out on some opportunities and new experiences. Sounds like you have a sound, even calm, perspective that will help you consciously move forward with a peace about it. I LOVE all you share with us..beautiful family, your incredible gift of creating the most beautiful sewn treasures, and your home-in the most magical setting that we see through your lovely photos…I truly enjoy it all. Thank you. If staying where you are is your future…i will love continuing to read and watch….if a new adventure is in store i hope blogging will still find time in your busy life –you are an inspiration!
I pray that your family finds a decision that brings peace to you all. As you know I am also fairly new to your world but your blogs bring peace to me just by reading them.
Oh! And I almost forgot – I posted a few candids from Christmas on my blog – my girls were wearing your glorious clothes!
Hey thar! Don’t just ride off into the sunset on us!! LOL!! God will take care of you! And all of us who, ‘seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all else will be added!’ Praying that we all can accept whatever it is, that is God’s will in our lives. We know that the end of the journey has for us Eternal life if we can but trust in Him and Him alone. Have a blessed year of the Lord, 2009. Keep your heads up high and your eyes upon Jesus!
Thank you so much for sharing your little story with us. I think Jen from windy city sounds good to me:)
Jen-God calls us to be real and transparent and you are both..it’s amazing that, in sharing our thoughts and fears, we truly inspire and encorages others. It takes such a leap of faith to do this…yet when we do..we are truly blessed to see how people really do care. And that it allows others to share and inspire us back .Being vunerable is humbling and God blesses those who are..I believe this because I have had to learn this time and time again..the lessons of the Lord! Times are tough yes, but havent we had some great adventures! Jen- you started a business from the ground up! met amazing people and been amazing places.. and yet I look and see that none of that matters- it’s your family that matters most to you..We have moved 2 times in the last year! We have had 3 addresses! yet everywhere we move i find new things to love about the places we have been because our family is together and we are loving the adventure of it all! We are in a triple wide manufactured home right now with a great barn full of possiblities down the road..Yet i have never been happier! Because of the possiblities! i have had gorgeous houses and lived quite well. And still do because of God’s hand in our life! Isn’t great to be His! Tomorrow is a new day!What adventure will it hold?! right? Carry on it’s gonna be interesting…thanks for sharing!
No matter where you are from Jen, I will be here following your story, dazzled by your designs, in awe of your skillful parenting, and loving that I can say you are my friend… you are an amazing lady and I will be in prayer for you and your family.
xo~Amelia
That’s hilarious! I love the contrast in those photos though!
This is the first time I’ve ever left you a comment, but I’ve been reading your blog for eons. I bought an heirloom dress, bloomers, and hat from you off Ebay and have been a fan ever since. This post tugged at my heart. We’re also having to adjust to the economy. We shut down one of our our companies and had a baby in the middle of the economic downturn and are also struggling to keep our heads above water. Being able to pay bills definitely gives peace of mind, but you guys are so incredibly family rich. I truly admire your connection, not just with each other, but with how you use your time. You are blessed. And you are right where God wants you to be at this very moment.
sad..goodbye cows!!
nice verse though.
very much true! why worry?! 🙂
I love that verse. Such wise words in both the verse and your personal thoughts. I love how you shared a hard time so transparently. And though I hope your home continues to be Windy Ridge the exciting thing is, even if God’s plan doesn’t include Windy Ridge you know He must have something even better for you.
Looking forward to seeing how it plays out! Gotta love an adventure eh?
[…] presents Consider the ravens posted at The Chronicles Of Windy Ridge, discussing how her family is struggling in light of […]
Sending well wishes your way, Jen. You are so right, it is a terribly puzzling time. But we all must keep the faith. I love your optimism and hope. You will continue to be blessed. We all will. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sheree
Hi Jen,
I have also been a fan of yours since purchasing a beautiful dress and hat for one of my collector dolls a few years back. I love to read your blogs and you were my inspiration for setting up my own blogs recently. You have always been a reminder to me to enjoy the true values and blessings in life – to avoid the chatter that turns our heads. I recently left a comfortable career and income to travel 3000 miles (to the Pacific Northwest) to start a new career and business. I hope you can continue with your business and home because you are so talented and touch so many lives – but I know you will be cared for no matter what life gives you. One of my former clients sent me this quote, which seems so appropriate these days:
No longer forward nor behind, I look in hope or fear;
but grateful take the good I find, the best of now and here.
(John Greenleaf Whittier)
Namaste
[…] The latest Carnival of Family Life is up. In addition to including my post about the thrift store, it contains a post that took my breath away with its simple, determined tone: Consider the ravens. […]
Praying for you all! You can always do like us and just pack everything up and move somewhere else! Who knows before were through we might just live in every state!
I was talking to Tom the other night about what you had posted and we both agreed. We just cant picture you depressed even if you were to lose material things. I can see you just as happy with or without, something I have yet to perfect myself. You truly are an inspiration! I love you!