THIS OLD HOUSE ...

She is sold....to a couple who said, "I wish there was an antique house for sale in Round Top...."  And then our friend Sandy took them to see this jewel.  I remember when we moved this old house onto the property in 1997 where it sits. We discovered under the old porch by the kitchen on a HUGE hand hewn beam the words written in large script..."IN GOD WE TRUST".  It is still there under the original kitchen door under the new porch which is now the guest house cottage here with the red roses. What an incredible blessing this house was and what great memories and how many people passed by or visited or dug or cut so many flowers to share or attended the many, many fourth of July Parade get to gethers in the front yard with Mom and Dad's old Antique Round Top Fire Truck! !  We had at least 60 people every year!

This old house....this beloved old house that gave us the best 14-15 years of GRANDKID  AND ADOPTED GRANDKID TIMES AND MEMORIES a MIMI AND GRAND DAD COULD EVER HAVE!!!  Thank you Lord for those precious, PRECIOUS years. Many wonderful memories. This old house was moved from less than a mile away to where it sits now.  A story and history later and there's also many fun times written about here from the past 7 years on this blog.  We are now living in a little larger "small town" twenty minutes away and in a more manageable cottage home as we begin our older years, nearer our church, the little airport where Dick plays, grocery stores, doctors and some of our favorite children.  We absolutely love our new spot!!!  God is so good and I love HIM WITH ALL MY HEART!!! THANK YOU Lord for teaching me so much, especially patience and how to wait on You!!!   

The picture below was the beginning of this house project... it all began when Dick came home one morning from coffee in Round Top and said, "Annie Schatte showed me a house to be moved!...and it is is only $2750. dollars to be moved!" After seeing it, we HAD to buy it and two years later moved it to the recently purchased acre from Gloria Hickey.  The Yoakums moved it there in two pieces...we have a video of the move!!  On that pasture acre were only three trees at the time! ... and now an empty shell of an antique house that had raised nine children less than a mile away in the early 1900's !  I got to meet many relatives and one family member that lived there.  So I would say we were quite busy for the next fourteen years, building, improving, planting, playing and even having church with our loved friends!!  Below is the foundation of the garage/shop with the house in two pieces in the background.

The pointed design around the porch came from the idea I saw in Fayetteville on an old 100 year old store front.  The larger antique doors came from LaGrange that I bought from a dealer. Our fabulously talented local Marburger Brothers and their great crew of local boys figured it out.  I have NEVER KNOWN ANY CARPENTER BUILDERS as talented as those boys!! Everything they learned was learned growing up in this community and they just had the total common sense and knowledge of quality workmanship!!! All the front windows are the original cypress windows with old glass.

I'll miss that ten foot high BREEZY PORCH!!  I spent many many hours out there , especially with the great kids that loved to spend much playing time at that house.
Rockers all across the porches! And singing birds all day all the time, even my crazy Mockingbird who followed me all over the yard!!!
I'll miss sitting and looking out at the so many private and beautiful views of my roses and flowering trees, watching the many bluebirds that love the open countryside.  The little playhouse came with us to our new spot....Elena , age five insisted!!  So off she went!!  17 miles to a new back yard!

I will truly miss the CONSTANT pickings of antique fragrant roses!! I NEVER lacked for a beautiful bouquet that to me spoke of God's love for us in such created beauty!!
I continued to bring the roses to my new cottage until the house would be sold....maybe one more bouquet next week, then they will bloom for another family to enjoy!! Funny, I missed the roses more than any of the things or stuff there decorating the inside! The outside was my sanctuary!


A recent journal page...says exactly what I feel...."When you give something up .... you gain something more."  For me also was Freedom from too much.....Rest from worry.....Letting God....and letting go!  It is a good thing to let go....even if it hurts....because God is faithful to be what really fills you like nothing else can.

SORRY THESE ARE UPSIDE DOWN!!  They are pictures of the original house around late 1800's and early 1900's with the family standing in front....and the very same windows and glass it has today!! 

A picture, in 1999 of my precious and loved Mother in her wheelchair going up into the house for the first time! My devoted Dad and Galdino, Dad's adopted son at heart from Mexico helping get the wheels rolling! She was most excited!!!! Over flowing with glee!!!  My heart is full.  Then in 2008 we had a Christmas open house and home tour ....it was a blessing as usual, as we met many sweet people!!
The end of an era, from what started below!! I never knew we had it in us....but then we really didn't....it was all GOD'S BLESSING and I know that now as I look back!!
It's true.... His Word is a Lamp unto our feet...if we allow it....in all my stubborness I am so thankful that HE persists to push and prod and love and forgive us onward!!!  Just like a LOVING parent would do....He is our best parent and our only hope in the end..... I am so thankful .... my life is pretty complete.  I pray Dick and I have many more days to serve Him and show Him that we are thankful for His Saving Love inspite of ourselves.  And so thankful for our children, all of them!  Thankful for the huge mix of various cultural backgrounds in friends that graced us with their support and love over the years. I pray there is something here said that blesses you and encourages you in searching for Him and His truth.  In His Care....Sherry and Dick