Firm Foundation
“Build a short-term rental property!” we said. “Let’s build it into a brand!” we said. “It’ll be FUN!” we said. …oh boy!
So, you ask. Has it been fun? That is a very loaded question. The answer is that it has been a number of things…
It has been exciting!
Locating and buying our first property was crazy exciting! We were actually doing this! Starting a business together, like we’ve dreamed about!
It has been eye-opening. We jumped feet first into a business in which neither of us has any experience. To say that our eyes were opened to a whole new world that we didn’t expect is an understatement.
It has been a learning experience. We have learned so freaking much about the world of construction, city and property owners associations, and county politics. We could write a book just about that!
It has been frustrating! My last point, repeated seven times over! We learned so much as our eyes were opened, but learning isn’t always easy. In fact, it can be downright maddening! It can leave you feeling helpless and angry, questioning why we even took the leap in the first place!
Waiting
It has been a lesson in patience and waiting. Do you enjoy waiting? And waiting? And then waiting some more? Only to find out that what you’ve been waiting for this whole time could have been avoided? Or to be so close to your goal and then get so excited that finally; after months and months of waiting, and prayer, and sacrifice, you get to take like two steps forward and then riding high on that momentum, you get the news that you have to take a step or two backward again & wait some more? Well, we have! And then some! So…..? Fun??? Abso-freaking-lutely! Know why? Because we are living our dream people! My husband is my best friend! We are one of those weird couples that enjoy spending every waking moment together.
Launching the New Adventure
When covid struck, we racked our brains trying to figure out a business venture that we could undertake together. We talked and prayed and tried out a few ideas, but in the end, we knew that God was guiding us to launch Small Escapes, and we never looked back! Have we doubted? Sure. Felt like giving up? Here and there. But ultimately, when those seeds of doubt were planted and tried to take root, it was almost funny! Like, “no way devil! Not today!” We firmly believe that this is the legacy that has been chosen for us! That is was chosen for ourselves and our nomadic, adventure-seeking lifestyle, to leave for our five children and future grandchildren, for ministry opportunities, and blessing others with a retreat to unwind and get away. With that in mind, there is no way that a POA board or a septic system delay or bricklayer or rain or snow is gonna get in the way of this!
Here’s an example: One of our latest setbacks was that our mason, who we’ve had on retainer, if you will, since October, backed out one week before he was set to bring his crew to build our foundation. I got the news when I was on a little road trip with my family to Texas. This was kind of a low point for me in all of this as this was the last in a LONG line of setbacks, and I was angry! Aaron and I pray together every night before bed, and this night, as we were FaceTiming and talking about it, it was my turn to pray, and I kind of chewed God out! I told Him that I was angry at Him, angry at the mason, the city of Bella Vista, the concrete with which to build it, the sun, the moon, the stars and everyone under the sun involved in this build, and their dogs thank you very much!
After said prayer, Aaron gently reminded me to look at my new tattoo. (Which I had just gotten a little over a week prior with my girlfriends. Pictured) 
I was not in a very receptive mood however, so we said goodnight, and that was that. The next morning I woke up still angry. I decided to have some Jesus time and journal about it. I again got it all out on paper. All my anger. The frustrating fact is that after 10 months of waiting, and kissing ass, and trying to get this going, our entire build rests on this one dude! We literally cannot build a house without a foundation. And then it hit me… We can’t build a house without a foundation! My tattoo that Aaron referenced says He won’t. This is from a song titled Firm Foundation by Maverick City Music. These are the lyrics, “Christ is my firm foundation. The rock on which I stand. When everything around me is shaken, I’ve never been more glad, that I put my faith in Jesus. ‘Cause He’s never let me down. He’s faithful through generations! So why would He fail now? HE WON’T!” Wow!
“Ok God, I’m listening!” I decided to go for a run and played the song on repeat. What I took away from it in the end is that while I’ve been trusting the vision and the plan for this business that He gave to us, I haven’t been trusting His timing. Ouch. The bridge of this song says, “Rain came, wind blew, but my house was built on You. I’m safe with you; I’m gonna make it through.” We are safe with Him. Our business and this build are safe with Him. So step back and trust that He’s got this! Come rain or wind or masons, or permits, etc. HE is the foundation on which we are building this business, and HE WON’T fail!
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him. He alone is my rock & my salvation, my fortress.” Psalms 62:5-8
