What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Friday, November 18, 2016

My Little Secret Hideaway Dream - Updated 11-18-16

I wish I was writing to say that my dreams have come true and that I have built my "secret hideaway dream", but alas! It is still just a dream...  But I was telling some new friends about it today in my post http://pamelasopenwindow.blogspot.com/2016/11/friday-foto-friends-and-things-are.html, and several commented that they would love to come visit when I do get it built.  So that prompted me to re-post this original blog written on 10/28/2012, not too many months after we moved to this home in the forest.  The dream is still very much alive...but we are no closer to getting it built now than we were four years ago...still need money to do things like that...and since I retired last fall our funds are even tighter than ever. So I will keep praying and dreaming and waiting on God to show us the way to do this...and then I will definitely let you all know and we will have a big party in the little "secret hideaway" cabin.  I guess it won't be a secret hideaway any more after that!  Ha Ha!  Please pray with me about this, okay friends? Thank you!

Original Post 10/28/2012:

"For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.  And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord." Psalm 27:5-6


Today something has been evolving in my mind and on my facebook page.  So I figured I might as well bring it over here and share it with you.  After all, it is all about "YOU", my friends in blogland and elsewhere. 

Someone posted this picture on facebook, and it triggered a whole lot of dreaming on my part, although I already had the dream...this just put more meat on the bones of the dream:
I don't have the credits for this photo. Sorry. It was on facebook. I saw it and I liked it.
So here it is. Please forgive me if I've taken something that is copyrighted. I didn't know.
Several people made the comment under this picture "Now THAT's MY idea of camping!"  And I said to myself..."Yes, that is exactly the idea I have had for some time...I want one of those in my yard!"  Now you may say that that is quite an extravagant idea, and perhaps a bit impractical. 

But let me explain myself.  For many years my husband and I have dreamed of owning our own retreat center.  It started way back when we were serving in the pastoral ministry, and we went through some very difficult times of stress, family illness, pastoral struggles, and general burnout.  Our dream was to create a place where pastors and wives could get away for a while to rest, recuperate, be ministered to instead of having to minister to others, and that it would be provided for them absolutely free. Then, when our teenage son became ill with a brain tumor, we experienced what it was like to have a seriously ill child and all of the fear, anguish, financial burdens, and heartaches that go along with that kind of a traumatic event, and we wanted to provide a place for families, caregivers, broken hearted parents, suddenly alone individuals...where they could heal, receive counseling, hide away for a while without worries about how they could repay us. At one time we actually created a non-profit organization for this very purpose, but it never developed. We still had too many of our own battles to fight...and although the dream was born out of our own need for such a haven of rest, we were never able to realize the dream and had to shelve it along with so many other wonderful ideas that appeared to be impossible.  Now that same son of ours is enduring cancer as an adult, and we are living this nightmare again...even though he is far away from us with a family of his own...and we wish we could do something more to help them. 

So now, we are living in a place that is out in the woods.  We were blessed with this home in a miraculous way...and although it isn't exactly paid for, it is like a dream come true in some respects.  It is a quiet place (sort of) out in a remote location, with lots of interesting wildlife and adventures. We don't have a lot of land, but enough of a lot that we could possibly fit a cute little cabin in a copse of trees off to the side, where one could sit and dream and write and read and "retreat" from the world.  I won't fool you...it's not perfect. There are neighbors fairly nearby, and cars do drive by out on the dusty road, and there are bugs, and real live bears, birds, bees and snakes.  But it has potential.  I can just imagine a rustic little cabin there under the trees...and I can see it being used for the glory of the Lord...to minister to others...to minister to US...to welcome friends and strangers who need to rest awhile...to provide a place of comfort, solace, and adventure to boot!
I've actually been spending my last couple of Sunday afternoons, sitting right in this spot and writing and dreaming about this little cabin in the woods.  I like to take pictures as I write...pictures of the birds, the flora and fauna, and well, stupid stuff like my laptop in my lap, and elusive birds in the tree who refuse to sit still long enough to be photographed.

The view from my laptop
It is relaxing and peaceful. After a busy, stressful week at work, it is respite for my soul.  It soothes my nerves, and heals my wounds.  The only thing missing from my original dream is a lake or stream passing by my front door...but there is a lake in the area, you just can't see it from here.  And there is a  lovely river for canoeing, fishing, sitting and dreaming...not far down the road.  And there is all of the Ocala National Forest at our doorstep...complete with paths for walking, 4-wheeling, hunting, with  natural springs galore throughout the region.  So the possibilities are limitless! 


Hey, where did THAT bird come from?

There I am dreaming and writing about my "dream cabin"


There is a tiny yellow warbler in there somewhere. See if you can find him!



Another view from my secret hideway
So maybe my dream isn't so far fetched after all.
I just need to build the cabin. It won't be fancy. It may not even have electricity...but that would limit it to fall and winter use in Florida. Summer would be brutal without air conditioning, even in the forest. So I guess we will have to have some conventions if we really are serious about helping people relax and rest.  It will need some kind of "facilities" for you know what, so that will require a little extra planning...but it is not impossible. We already have an extra septic tank on the property, running water, and electricity is easily attached.  We just need the means to provide the cabin. So I am praying. I spend my Sunday afternoons in that spot, praying, dreaming, and speaking the dream before the Lord.  Maybe He can see that I am really serious this time.  Maybe now IS the time to make it happen.  Perhaps that is why He brought us to this place in the first place! 

When you come to visit us, we can sit on our front porch and have a cup of tea
(or coffee) and watch the birds together!
I hope you will be one of our first visitors when this dream becomes a reality.  One of my dear friends from childhood said today, "If you build it, I will come!"   I'm holding her to it.  One of my facebook/blogging friends from California said she wanted to make her reservation too!  I can envision a fantastic retreat of giggling writers, sharing our dreams and swapping our stories.  I can see worn out pastors and wives, recent widows or widowers, newlyweds?...well maybe I AM dreaming a bit, but anything is possible with God.  Oh, and did I tell you?  You can join us for breakfast on the weekends! (If you want to).  Your cabin won't have cooking facilities, (except for a campfire or a grill) at least I don't think it will...but maybe it will...but if not, you will be very welcome at our table.  Or at our fire pit.


Hot dogs anyone?


How about a "s'more"?  You gotta have some more s'mores!


So, if you are in need of a place to "hide" in the time of trouble...a secret place of God's tabernacle...that is exactly what I am talking about.  A place to hide away and heal, grieve, rest, recuperate, laugh, sing, write, read, pray, love...come on down!  Oh...but it's not here yet.  Please pray with me that God will provide the means to do this!  We all want it...but in His time, His way, His provision.  Amen? Amen!  Ok, start saving up for your trip!  I believe it will happen. Hopefully sooner than later.  Amen.

23 comments:

  1. Aunt Pam....I love it and I know it will happen for you! You have always been one of my go to people for answers to my questions and calm to my storm (my storm of uncertainty and fear). You have that gift. You do not judge, you are accepting of differences, faithful and very loving. You would be the perfect person to have a retreat like the one you dream about! I just watched Oprah's Life Class and Pastor Joel Osteen was on and he has a new sermon that is called The Power of I AM...he says "Whatever follows I am is what is going to come looking for you" so what I am going to say to you is I AM hopeful that you will get your cabin and I WILL be a guest! oxoxox

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    1. Thank you, Debbie! I even thought of you bringing your "Craft Shack" idea out here for a weekend retreat...may take a larger cabin than I am envisioning, but there are ways to accommodate that thought. And with Ben's Country Woodshop right here, you could do some interesting woodsy crafts! Let's agree in prayer about all the above. I believe God is ready to lead the way in this dream. I am ready to follow. Love you, Debbie. Aunt Pam.

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  2. Praying for your son,Pamela, we know with God all things are possible! Don't give up it just may not be the right time.Psalm 37:7

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    1. Ah Sylvia! Thank you for your prayers...and the words of encouragement. I believe God's timing is always perfect, and He will direct our steps. Don't worry, I will not step out ahead of Him...He had to lead and I have to follow. But right now I believe He is leading me to start planning and get ready for action. He will provide the means.

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  3. This is a good idea. It has all the potential of being what you envision. People need to find ways to reconnect with God, themselves, and with each other.

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    1. Thank you for this affirmation. I pray that God will agree! Honestly, I believe the "dream" has been His prompting in my heart for many years...He has never let me forget this idea...and it is only a matter of time...(and money)...but that is God's business. He knows how to take care of those issues...so I will continue to dream and scheme and plan, and perhaps one day God will say, Ok, it's time! It's to honor Him and serve His people...so time will tell. Thank you.

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  4. Pamela, this is a beautiful glimpse into your heart - and what a beautiful heart God has given you!

    Hugs

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    1. Thank you, Mary, for such a sweet message. I feel humbled by your comment, and I pray I may live up to what you have said. After reading your post about towels, I have been thinking that I must get some new towels for this little cabin when it happens! YOu made me really think about that! :) You are so special...I am so glad you are my friend.

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  5. What a lovely post! You have given us your heart! Of course I will pray for your intentions. Hugs!!

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    1. Thank you Terri! That means a lot to me. At first when I looked at what you wrote, I thought you said, "Of course I will PAY for your intentions!" LOL. That would be marvelous!...But the PRAYERS are JUST as marvelous...and I appreciate that even more. May GOD's will be done...if it is His will, He will provide. So you are off the hook! :) LOL. Love ya!

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  6. That is a beautiful dream and goal. May God give you the desires of your heart.

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    1. Thank you Karen. I pray that God's will be done...and thus far He has said to "wait". So I wait, and pray...and in the meantime, we find ourselves ministering to people even without the cabin...so we will trust Him to handle it "His way". Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

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  7. May that cabin materialize in God's sweet time, Pamela. I do love your dream!
    Blessings!

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    1. Thank you Martha Jane. I am trusting God to do what He deems best, yes, in His time. Until then, we keep on ministering to people He sends our way in whatever way He allows and provides.

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  8. Pamela, I had to smile at the photo of you outside dreaming about your cabin. Under the beautiful sky, surrounded by trees and flowers and sunshine, "Boy, I sure wish I had a cabin to obstruct all of this!" Haha. :) Just trying to point out the beauty you DO have, but I am totally praying for your miraculous dream cabin. Hey, things can happen. Impossible isn't a real thing.

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    1. And I want to add:

      "and real live bears"

      AaaaAAAIIIIIEEEEEEEE!!

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    2. Ha Ha Sandi! You are right about the obstruction, although I intend to hide the cabin back under the trees to take advantage of the natural shade. Thank you for your thoughts...yes, we are blessed with so much beauty around us, and that is why I want to be able to share it with others! Someday...in God's timing. Or He may have an even better plan...that's where trust comes in. And real live bears...yes...they are quite exciting!!!! I may not have that many takers on staying out in the cabin after all! LOL

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    3. "Or He may have an even better plan"

      Ha ha! He usually does!

      I had a dream once that I was in an elevator and was pushing a button for a low floor. I was aiming too low, though, somehow I knew that. Suddenly, the elevator shot up and I was glued to the floor. It zoomed up a hundred floors and opened in a village with orange dirt and wooden huts. I was aiming too low, but when I got to the top it did not look like I expected. I have no idea where that place is...but, hey, I am still on the elevator I guess.

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    4. Wow, so much symbolism in that dream...let me know when you find that village! :)

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  9. When you do and you will, build your little getaway, I would love to come visit and have s'mores and Tea with you! You live in a beautiful Florida Forrest!

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    1. Thank you Sylvia! I do hope we can actually meet someday, either here in my woods, or there in your beautiful Georgia hills and lakes and streams...I love Georgia.

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  10. A dream cabin...that is a worthwhile dream. We are sharing a house with our son and family so I have lost my little patio I had before. I dearly miss it too, a sanctuary to retreat to when the pressures of life crowd in. So I am dreaming of someday returning to a place where this kind of place can happen for me. Happy Thanksgiving.

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    1. Ah, Betty, I totally understand how sharing a home with loved ones can sometimes cramp our privacy and peace...we have my 93 yr old MIL on the weekends Fri-Mon, and our two adult sons live here with us as well...so that is why I need the cabin for guests! I don't have an available guest room anymore...and not much peace and quiet for me as well...sometimes I think I am the one who needs the cabin the most! But, we need to recognize the good things about what we do have and give God the glory for what He is enabling us to do...and pray for that day when we can do some other special things as well, in His time. I pray your Thanksgiving is filled with joy and laughter and many blessings.

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