“Let’s take a walk” says my husband, holding out his hand…his other hand holds the “snake stick” (just in case ;)). All three kids start running around like mad children looking for their rubber boots or getting a drink of water. I actually pick up a chicken (yes, they are that tame) who has managed to get in the fenced yard so I can return her to the flock on the way. And then we start off….down our hill…right by the chicken coop (deposit Mika the chicken)…in to our pasture….past the little pond…next to the blackberry bushes (in bloom!)…and straight in to paradise.

Paradise consists of a number of walking paths Joe has made through the woods on the back acre of our property. The trees tower…the paths are mowed smooth…there are log benches and chairs strategically placed throughout the walk at my favorite spot–and then Joe’s favorite spot. You can see the neighbor’s cows on the other side of the fence.

It’s magical. I’m sure fairies live there.

We have it “made in the shade” and it’s hard to think back to the time when this place was just our dream…or before we lived here…or when it was just a nasty place that nobody wanted!  But only five years ago we lived “in town” and had tree envy issues! We wanted so badly to live in the country but we had just moved back from a five-month adventure to South Dakota–Joe having given up his good job before then. He was teaching part time and I was baking and babysitting just to pay the mortgage on our home and buy groceries. It was a ridiculous thing to dream of living in the country.

But you know what? Ridiculous or not…we dreamed.

We wished.

We visualized.

We prayed.

And one day I found an ugly little foreclosed house on the Century 21 website…with five acres….for $38,000 (yes, you read that right).  As we were driving up the hill to look at it the first time…right before it came in to view…I heard God’s voice so clearly say, “It’s a hidden treasure”.

It’s good he said that *before* I saw it!  Joe’s first words when he looked in the window? “Not ‘no’ but HELL NO!” It really was that bad! People, there was raccoon poo-poo in the back bathroom!

But, as God tends to be…God was right.

And now we live in a paradise.  It’s just one of many “dreams coming true” stories but it’s an extra special one because…well…it’s *our* dreams coming true. And I guarantee *your* dream can come true, too. It’s all about simply choosing a dream and believing.

Tell me your dream! I’ll believe with you.