In my last post I was worrying over the lack of moisture we’ve had this winter. Now suddenly it seems we are getting hit left and right with storms. This is both a blessing and a curse for me. We desperately need the water, but I’m affected by the weather changes in the form of migraine headaches. At times I can tell you exactly when the storm arrives to the minute from the pain in my head.

If the low (or high) pressure stays in place for a few days, my body gets used to it. But the fast-moving storms are the worst!

I am so very thankful though. I was wondering if there were a water shortage and rationing if we, as outside customers to the town’s water supply, would be excluded from purchasing water this summer. I’m not sure how that all works, but something to maybe plan for.

We have been trying to find a way to make some money quickly to fund the next phase of our build. Dave has started a new business and we are trying different marketing plans to sell my books, but both of those things take awhile to see the fruits of our labor. Dave’s work in the oilfield has slowed down considerably as well, so our money is not as abundant as we would like it to be.

After much thought and prayer, we decided to jump back into the real estate market again. We have bought and sold a few houses. We fixed them up and rented to friends and family, then when we needed money, we would sell them. We’ve learned a lot in the years since we started doing this, and now we feel like we can make more educated decisions. It’s a stressful business, but we actually like this, using our appraisal skills comes in handy as well.

Last week we went to look at a house in the town where we used to live. This house was definitely a fixer. We haven’t counted it out, but I’m not sure this was what I envisioned for us to tackle. Dave thought if we needed to, we would live in the house while we were rehabbing. I immediately had a sad feeling wash over me. I hate to leave our quiet solitude we have up here. Besides, this house isn’t livable yet anyway. No plumbing pipes, no bathroom, etc.

Sure, it’s not easy living in a camper fulltime, in fact, we woke up to wet pillows from water coming in through the wall last night. I got another big towel and I tried to clean up the wall as best I could at midnight.  When I woke up this morning, the wall was bulging and when I pushed on it, it cracked from the ice inside the wall. I’m not sure what we are going to do in the meantime, but we will have to eventually tear out that wall and fix it, along with the window where I suspect the water is coming in. My son and I did a quick fix on it last winter, but obviously it needs more.

     The night before I had to clean out everything under the bathroom sink, due to a leaky pipe. Our water pump sounds like it’s going out as well. I list all these things, not to complain, or have you feel sorry for me, but to let you know in spite of all of this, I’m more determined than ever to stick this out.

If we moved to town and fix up a house, we would have to get used to noise, neighbors and trying to fit into a neighborhood again. Here, I can enjoy my morning walk with my dogs without fear of other dogs rushing us and starting a fight. I can leave my door and car unlocked without fear of anyone taking anything. I don’t have to worry about utility bills, mortgage payments, or any of the other stressors we had to deal with before.

As I look out the window of my warm, imperfect little camper, I see not only the natural beauty of the snow and fog, but I see the simplistic beauty of the life we are creating. Is it easy? Are we close to moving into our dream home? Not even, but this is home. We are comfortable, happy, blessed, and we are here to stay.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4