It’s hard to believe that one year ago I signed the paperwork for THE121! (Side note: this is not my house, it’s the model house). I remember the day just like it was yesterday. 10 years of dreaming and praying were finally coming to fruition!

And now here I am one year later…with the dream getting closer with each passing day.

I was on the phone with my Realtor last night (who p.s. is AMAZING and will have her own post one day!) and the words out of her mouth were “this is just crazy JB, I have NEVER experienced this many roadblocks with something that should be so easy!” I responded back “that’s how I know God is in this because what God means for good, Satan will try to thwart!”

The land was suppose to be closed by now… the house was suppose to be further along…and the list goes on. While I am tempted to despair, something different is happening instead…I find my heart rejoicing! Rejoicing with excitement of what God IS going to do!

So is there any news to report? No. But I believe by faith there will be soon! And in the meantime I rejoice at celebrating the dream being born a year ago today! My what God can do in a year….

It’s a rainy day here in NEPA today…so what does one do on a rainy day? Flower shopping of course!

Flowers just make me happy.

As Carolyn and I were out in the middle of no where Pennsylvania we got to talking and I said to her “I wish I had my property and I wish I had some 55 gallon drums because today would be a great day to collect extra water.” About two seconds after that statement I yell “STOP!!!” The breaks slam and the truck whips around. Why? You ask?

Look what was on the side of the road!!!! I couldn’t even make this story up if I tried! Exactly right after I told Carolyn I needed some 55 gallon drums…there they were…on the side of the road…in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania.

While I don’t have my property yet, I firmly believe God is in every single detail. And if this isn’t confirmation…I don’t know what it is… God cares about 55 gallon drums. He supplies all our needs.

Happy Saturday my friends.

Since approx. 60 ad the white flag has been a universal sign of surrender. It is said that white wool was used on olive branches as a sign of defeat during the second Punic war (I know I’m a history geek..). So it’s thought that the white flag became a signal of surrender because white and wool were the most accessible colors and fabric.

Surrender: : to yield to the power, control, or possession of another uponcompulsion or demand

If my own health weren’t a valuable lesson in surrender, then certainly THE121 is. I’m learning that nothing is in my control.

Surrender. To yield the power and control to another. Over and over again I have to yield control to God. He is the one who holds the power. This journey feels like that of taking two steps forward, one step back, three steps forward, two steps back…it’s like the quick step some days!

So there’s nothing really to update other than…STILL WAITING! People who won’t return phone calls, people who want to be stubborn (including myself sometimes!), and well…just bizarre happenings.

So it’s not much of an update other than if you see a white flag waving high In the air in northeast PA, it’s me! It’s all in the hands of God.

I woke up this morning with extreme anxiety. Maybe you’ve been there?

If THE121 has taught me anything it’s that God calls us to complete and absolute surrender. He wants ALL of us. My issue is often that I “think” I surrender and yet…I pick it back up again.

I tell God “whatever you want God” then anxiety rears it’s ugly head and I worry and panic. As a trained counselor I teach thought stopping all day. So as anxiety threatened to overtake me today, I reminded myself of the truth. Philippians 4:6 immediately was brought to mind.

DON’T WORRY. STOP. TALK TO GOD ABOUT IT. As I sat with this verse I did just that. I laid THE121 back to the feet of Jesus.

The best news? God got the victory!

I knew this would be a big week for THE121 and myself personally. This would be the week I would either hear yes or no.

I’m not quite ready to make an announcement yet but God is on the move and doing a work.

I am sure I am not the only person who battles anxiety. I am sure I am not the only person who wants to hold tightly when God says “surrender.” I can encourage you in this… Scripture is alive and active. When we apply it to our lives, Satan is defeated.

Long before THE121 was ever birthed, I knew that it would belong to God, not me. I knew that it would be a place that I wanted people to come and experience the presence of the Spirit. And if I have learned anything from walking with Jesus it is that anything God can use, satan will try to thwart.

So you’ve read some of the obstacles I’ve encountered but not all of them. Mostly because the glory goes to God and I don’t want to give space to the enemy.

You know that I am on my 3rd property, it hasn’t closed yet because I’m still waiting on some things. And I just have to say how bizarre some of the obstacles have been…from a VERY LARGE check getting “lost” in the mail and never arriving to permits and other things in between…it can only be concluded that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against the enemy.

This 3rd property really is what I have envisioned for THE121, however I have learned that I must surrender to whatever God wants. I was “suppose” to receive an important phone call on Friday that never came. So as you read this, and if you believe in the power of prayer, I’m asking you to pray. Very specifically, I am asking you to pray that Luzerne county will deem fit to offer me a Highway Occupancy Permit.

But know this, even if the permit doesn’t come, I believe that God is still good and He will show me where to “land.”

Did you know that THE121 is completely self-contained? This is one of the many reasons why I wanted to go tiny. Being green and “off-grid” was and is very important to me.

My mother and father graciously delivered my kitchen sink and faucet today to THE121 and of course while they were there, I had them check on the progress!

AND….WE HAVE BRAINS!

THE121 will be powered by solar which will be stored in these Honda batteries. When the sun isn’t out or…it’s winter (let’s be honest, I live in Pennsylvania) the propane will also serve as power. Do you notice the ceilings lights are in and on?!

The cold and hot water pipes are in! The shower is actually quite spacious! If you look closely you can see the composting toilet on the right hand side of the pic! Wandering how a composting toilet works? Don’t worry that will have it’s own post later…!

What about the water? Where does that come from? The house will be equipped with gutters which will pour into the 500 gallon storage tank under my bed which is pictured above. The house is equipped with a state of the art UV filtration system so when the water comes out of the faucet it is pure drinking water.

So a big thank you to Bonnie and Mike for delivering the kitchen sink and faucet today! I was so excited to see the progress and I hope you are too!

While this journey is about the birth, growth and transformation of my tiny house, it is also so much more than that. It’s also about my own journey and my own transformation.

As you know, there’s been so many ups and downs on this journey. Just like the Israelites journeying to the temple for the feast of the Passover, they found themselves afraid and vulnerable but they also found themselves high on the mountain celebrating the goodness of God.

As I faced another unknown in the morning regarding the future of THE121, I sat with God and asked for a word. I asked for truth to hang onto as I prepared to ask another government official for favor. And this is what the Lord gave me.

He took me to this passage in Matthew where Peter was asked to take the step and he did. However after taking the step he became filled with fear, he doubted, he took his eyes off of Jesus and was rebuked.

The Spirit spoke to my heart “you are like Peter JB. Keep your eyes fixed on me.”

So I approached the official believing in faith that no matter the outcome I could keep my eyes fixated on Jesus. And I’m elated to say favor was granted! So THE121 is one step closer to coming home.

This post has nothing to do with THE121 and everything to do with THE121. If you read the last post you know that I am in negotiations with a piece of property that I “love.”

Mental illness is real (I know, it’s my career!). I battle my own mental illness daily, which is why I am so passionate about Psalm 121 and why my house is named THE121.

I have found myself as of late in some very low valley’s and very high highs (and sometimes within the span of 10 minutes!) Have you ever been there?

Unfortunately I often put myself in my own valley. Sometimes I battle paranoia. Partly due to my own anxiety and partly due to past trauma but either way the battle is real. So when a friend asked me “where do you put your hope?” I had to confess.

Actually the confession came before the question even came. As I found myself and my emotions being swept away by yes or no answers regarding THE121, I realized the mountains and valley’s were of my own doing. I felt my hope being dashed – regained- dashed – regained…you get the picture.

I came home and confessed before the Lord that my hope was not in Him. My hope was in government officials. Confession. He quickly reminded me that I am forgiven and loved and that no matter where the THE121 lands, he is there.

So the verse above, is my reminder. He had not given me a spirit of fear, not fear towards government officials, not fear in being landless, no, fear is not from Him.

So I pose the question back to you that was posed to me… “Where does your hope lie?”

And in the meantime…keep praying for the Lord to show me where he wants me to land (physically and spiritually!). I’ll keep you posted!

God has made it clear that THE121 will not be landing at Beech Street. I won’t get into the politics or nitty gritty but God has closed the door. AND I can say I am 100% ok with that.

I have learned long ago that God’s plan are always way better than mine. So I trust in Him.

My friend and I did go look at some more land tonight and one piece in particular captured my heart. Again for politics sake I am not disclosing the location at this point but will you join me in praying that God would shine his favor on this township and this land?

Please pray particularly for the sewage authority in this township, they will be the deciding factor. Ultimately God is in control!

Thank you for journeying with me to bring THE121 home!

Just like with any house there are decisions to make! From light fixtures to paint colors, sinks and appliances…so many options! Luckily for me I’ve been dreaming of this tiny house for 10 years so Pinterest doesn’t stand a chance when it comes to what I envision in my mind…

Enjoy a few pics of just a few of the decisions I made for THE121’s exterior and interior “touches.”

And last but not least as the last decision was made…the snow began to fall. Isn’t that just like our God? Doesn’t he give good gifts? It was another nod to His character that He cares. He sees. He provides.