The past couple of weeks have been a blur with the start of a new school year, homeschooling co-op, new classes, and commitments. I’ve been on this crazy natural yarn dyeing kick right in the midst of it all. I’ve dyed more yarn than I could knit in a couple of years, so I’ll be selling it in my Etsy shop soon. I’ll let you know! I really, really love dyeing with plant based dyes, almost all of them sourced on or near our property. It’s been a lot of fun, though I’ll be glad to slow down as my selection of plants begins to dwindle with the change of season.
Silas learned to ride a bike last week! We bought him this balance bike
Remember when we bought the lot next door to our house last year? Well, there was an adjacent lot that we also wanted to buy, but couldn’t afford. Over the past six months we’ve watched part of that patch of forest be cleared and a house erected. Jonny was a little upset to watch that happen to land he had hoped to one day own, but I’ve been hopeful. I started praying early on for good neighbors. I kept my definition of “good” simple, not wanting to trouble God with things that aren’t that important in the big picture. Maybe that’s something I should get over, but I tend to feel like I shouldn’t ask for much. I simply prayed for neighbors who wouldn’t hate children or animals and really hoped that my prayers would be answered. Beatrix, on the other hand, was far more specific in her prayers. She told me that she wanted a friend, a little girl one year younger than her six years, but with a November birthday like her. She wasn’t afraid to ask for her wishes to come true.
About two weeks ago, we noticed that someone was moving in. The house had only been on the market for about a week, so that was quick! We’ve been living mostly in isolation here for 13 years with the exception of some old-timers across the street. We weren’t quite sure how to handle this development. I called a friend to discuss. She suggested we take them some baked goods. But what if they have allergies? What if they hate baked goods? I was too nervous to do anything. My kids took matters into their own hands and headed off into the woods to try to get a better look at these people. In other words, they spied and I supported them in their spying, instructing them not to look into any windows, because that would be peeping rather than spying. It’s important to differentiate. I doubt they were discreet as they watched the family moving in. They came home reporting that there was evidence of children, a girl and a boy they thought, along with two dogs. In the days that ensued my kids made friends, the boy and girl being close in age to Beatrix and Larkspur. Jonny made friends next. Finally, I got up the nerve to walk over and introduce myself too. They seem sweet, this new family. I am happy to have neighbors, and our kids have already made a trail between their property and ours. They like animals and are considering a flock of chickens of their own. They think the goats are cool. On Friday, the mom walked over with her kids unexpectedly. September is our absolute messiest time of year. Jonny is slammed with work and I am busy getting into the new fall routine. This translates into our house and yard looking like a total dump. She didn’t seem phased, and I thought to myself that we can only go up from here. Good that she sees me at my worst. I showed her around and then asked the question I have worried about most, “Do you guys have allergies?” She answered, “No, none” and didn’t seem to think it an odd question. I followed up with, “Not even bees or wasps?” And she said no. I told her, “We have honeybees…nine hives.” She replied that her husband was interested in keeping bees himself. I showed her the hives, and it was no big thing. Exhale.
We have new neighbors. They like kids. They like animals. They go to our church! They aren’t allergic to honeybees.
AND
They have a little girl who is one year younger than Beatrix and her birthday is in November, four days after Beatrix’s.
When Beatrix came home last week bouncing and giggling with her news, I fought tears as I told her, “Bea, do you see? This is God showing you how much he loves you.”
That gave me chills. I’m so happy it turned out positive for you and your family!!
I too have not asked for specific “things” for myself to God, but I think even putting my hopes “out there” is helpful. Why not?
What a wonderful story of God’s faithfulness 🙂 Love the prayers of children (and adults too!)
Tearing up at the November birthdays, what a sweet blessing for your daughter! I’m so glad that while this may not have seemed like a good thing, the neighbors are the sweetest outcome to not being able to purchase the lot. A true blessing in disguise!
This filled my heart with Joy. God hears our prayers, and we should never be afraid to pray with boldness.
How wonderful! I love it when the prayers of children are answered so specifically! <3
I had tears starting when you said “they go to our church!!”
Catholic neighbors!! I wouldn’t even have thought to wish for that (since I tend to try to not both Him too) 🙂
BUT THEN!!
That is the lesson there! GOD cares about every hair, every wish, every desire of our heart. He truly is mighty and amazing.
How wonderful for your family!!!
Kim
I think I need Beatrix to pray for my neighbor situation, as I am in a duplex and am not so happy with “my other side” at the moment and it has me considering a move.
So happy for you and that God answered Beatrix’s prayer as she asked it! Sounds like the perfect neighbors for your family!
And they go to your church?! Now that is special. Congratulations! Good neighbors are so important.
Loved reading this post :). So happy for you and your family! Good neighbors are the best.
When you mentioned Beatrix’s specific prayer, I knew how the story would end, and even so, when I read the words, I was moved to tears… Good for her! It might help calm her doubts when / if she gets them later on in life.
Oh, how blessed you are Ginny, praise God from whom
all blessings flow! Amen and Amen!!
Corinne
And showing you love, too, don’t forget! Just because your prayer wasn’t specific doesn’t mean it doesn’t count!
Tears from me too! God is SO good…and prayer is SO powerful.
Oh the blessings 🙂 I’m happy you have a new friend and that bea’s prayers were answered!! How cool Silas is bike riding!
praise God!
Goosebumps and tears….awesome!
I read somewhere that God likes it when we ask for even the smallest thing. It shows our trust and His power.
So happy for you, the church thing, that’s huge. HUGE!
My next door neighbor is Catholic and we’ve prayed the rosary together, gone to Mass together and gone to talks….it’s a gift.
This made me cry Ginny, happy tears for sure.
And… I am now crying. Amazing <3
I, too, have little goose bumps. LOVE.
Oh, I love it! I always take baked goods just because it is a gesture that people appreciate whether they can eat them or not and most can eat them. We were blessed with new neighbors last November and since our kids are all grown it is fun to have them and their five nearby. We had been praying for a boy to help us with our yard and God supplied that through our new neighbors. 🙂
Awww – how very sweet. I love that you have good neighbors, and that Beatrix’s prayers were answered so completely. We should all learn from that — we should ask! God bless you – Michele
Aw, Ginny, how sweet is this post. And how blessed are your new neighbours to have YOU and your family beside them. They were probably praying for you guys long before you even knew it. xo
Oh my gosh I got little goosebumps with your ending here! God IS good!
I really understood your quote “I kept my definition of “good” simple, not wanting to trouble God with things that aren’t that important in the big picture” as I definitely feel this way about prayer. Here’s to good neighbors and all the good times ahead. Thanks for your post today.
How wonderful to find new friends who are neighbors as well! When people take you as you are at that moment with no judgement, ‘looks’ or opinions it is wonderful. Having friends that come over who are not phased by your mess are a wonderful gift.
Ok, there are chill bumps all over right now. I love this! And I am SO happy for Beatrix! God is good. And He does care about the little things, right? This just proves it.
And happy for Silas too! What a great accomplishment at such a young age. Good for him. I have seen these balance bikes at the farmer’s market and thought what a waste of a bike. But I guess they are a good thing.
The sweetest story to start the week off right. I’m so glad that everything turned out well.
I love when God does that!! It’s the best ever!
How perfect! What a sweet story.
I was having a rough morning, but this post reminded me of God’s tender love. Um, it also made me tear up. Thank you.
Hope your morning improved Beth. Ummm, it did make me tear up. So happy for you And your family Ginny!
Love this! God is showing you how much he loves you too!
When my daughter was six we were going shopping for a few new clothes (once a year) and she prayed that she would find a yellow short sleeve t-shirt with little pink hearts all over it. I of little faith said ‘we can probably find a little shirt with hearts but it might not be exactly what you are looking for’. Well, lo and behold we found a t-shirt in her size that was yellow with little pink hearts all over it! God is good.
Oh, to have faith like a child! Such a wonderful account of answered prayers!
The power of prayer,wonderful❤️
Bless the Lord! It would be nice for you to have a friend so close . God is good–all the time : )
Your new neighbors sound wonderful! I think this is the beginning of a great neighborly relationship. Can I make a suggestion about the pedal bike? You can take the pedals off. Our kids never used training wheels at all. My husband’s parents taught him to ride by taking the pedals off and having it be like a more advanced balanced bike when the regular scoot bike was too small for them. They can learn more steering skills. Just something to think about for Silas when the time comes. 🙂
I love this post!! It gave me goosebumps. God is good! We had a similar neighbor thing happen to us!! We just prayed for good neighbors but my daughter prayed for kids and they have five of them who loved to play and our sweet! Only God knows what we need and only God can provide it!
This made me tear up! I love it. I’m SO awkward with neighbors for some reason. I feel incredibly self conscious and like we need to tiptoe around so as not to bother them. I hope yours become fast friends!
Oh my gosh! How great is that?!!! I just love it. A little girl’s prayers answered and in specifics! Whoo Hoo God is great! Praise Jesus.
Tears here.
I think these answered prayers are for faith-building to make us strong when God seems far and we must walk by faith and not by sight. He is so good.
What a blessing.
This post was just so precious. How awesome our God is that he would quickly answer Bea’s specific prayer request. She’ll remember it forever & know that God is listening…
I cried at that last little bit. He certainly likes to show off, doesn’t He? 🙂
Aw, out of the mouths of babes comes strength. Beatrix’s prayers answered. How wonderful.
You’ll be an inspiration to your new neighbor. She’s blessed to live by you, Ginny.
All the very nicest people live in occasional mess and chaos, especially in September.
God is just so awesome. Yes, there are always troubles and hurts and cares and worries, but God loves to hear our prayers and He loves to get involved in the nittiest-grittiest of details. He wants us to tell Him everything because He is our Father and He cares so much more than any human. I believe this more and more every day. I’ve seen things in my own life and heard and read so many stories.
That is just so awesome. Yay to new friendships! Have a great week.
{As always I love your pictures.} 🙂
I loved this. How beautiful.
And hooray for great new neighbors!
I love it when God answers such specific prayers! Of course they would have a daughter the exact right age, didn’t Beatrix ask? That wasn’t hard for God.
Amen.
The house next door to us is for sale, we have land in the back but neighbors on both sides. On the other side, we had to go to court to get the guy off our property that he took:/ Oh, good neighbors are such a joy!! What a difference it would make if everybody tried to be a good neighbor. Thanks for reminding us of how important that is to the people we live next to.
Oh, wow, how wonderful. Tearing up a little. 🙂
This post made me smile! A nice reminder to be specific in our wishes and prayers! 🙂