Huxter House on a Hill: Phase Two

We recently celebrated our third anniversary at Huxter House on a Hill! Woo Hoo!! We are still astonished that we get to live here! But more than that, we are amazed by the people God has brought through these doors!  This has been the vision behind our home since day one...

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16, The Message

We knew from the start, this generous gift from God was meant to be shared with many! So we keep an open house! Over the past three years we've had family and friends, strangers and neighbors visit. We've hosted life groups, worship nights, weddings, even church service! Our pastor John Mark leaned over during the first church service recording and said "Did you ever think your home would be a church?" To which I responded, "Yes." When we go out of town, we invite people to come and stay, we even had five airbnb families stay last summer! It's just too special of a place to not share! God has used this home for so many wonderful, creative, holy purposes and we know... He is just getting started!

Vision for Phase Two of Huxter House on a Hill:

 

Recently God has been stirring up a dream that has been simmering for awhile now, five years to be exact. The dream: We want to build a cabin on our land. It will be a place where individuals can come and retreat. A place they can sneak away with God, soak in the quiet, and immerse themselves in the beauty that surrounds. It will be a place where couples can rest and spend intentional time together. Who doesn't want a date night away in a mountain cabin!? And it will be a place for families to disconnect from the world, and reconnect with one another. Another added benefit, if guests need a larger space they can stay at Huxter House on a Hill while our little family goes to stay at the cabin!

Imagine this... a porch overlooking the mountains, a living room and small kitchen with big windows facing the sunrise, a loft with a bed and desk, a small bunk room able to sleep four. Quaint, peaceful, lovely, thoughtful, inviting. Exhale...

Our primary purpose is to serve pastors, their families, and people in leadership. They constantly pour out their lives to serve others. God has given us the passion to serve them. There is a story in the Old Testament about the prophet Elijah. He had been serving God and His people. He was a mighty man of God, but in 1 Kings 19, we find him discouraged and depressed (serving in ministry is not for the faint of heart), verses 4-7: “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”

We want to bake some bread, offer a few words of encouragement, and provide this cabin as a comfortable space for rest, so people serving in ministry can catch their breath, and keep on going in their journey.

 

So where are we in this process? The very beginning! Right now, faith in action looks like a lot of prayer and walking the land to imagine what could be. This may be my favorite part of the process. I love the anticipation, the dreaming, and the barrage of ideas. I think God likes this step too. I think He delights in whispering ideas, stirring up faith, and being near us in the dreaming journey. 

 

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

 

I recently jotted down this idea, "Built by community. For community." I'm not sure if it's a God thing, or a Stephanie thing, but it sure sounds a lot like Him. Our plan is to build the cabin ourselves. We will need to hire contractors for several steps, but Brad is an incredibly talented and capable handyman! I can hold my own with a paint brush, so we will do as much of the labor ourselves as possible. That being said, I would not be surprised if this becomes a project built by many hands. 

 

We are also starting to saving our pennies to build the cabin. This is a BOLD prayer, but we are asking God for His full provision, so that a loan is not required. We are willing to save, sacrifice, and get creative to keep costs down! This summer we will be listing our house on airbnb for five weeks, and all of the profits will go towards building the cabin. If you are one of our returning guests, we can not thank you enough for caring for our home like we do. 

What is the timeline? We have absolutely no idea! It could be one, five or ten years down the road. We really don't know. But we are taking baby steps forward, following God's lead, trusting for His provision, and seeing what's around the next bend!

I used to be so impatient with dreams like this. I wanted them to happen immediately. But I came across a quote that describes how I feel now, "She's not afraid of the wait anymore, for she knows He will open doors beautiful and perfect in their time."

To everything there is a season. What season are you in? What dreams are in your heart? How can you use what you have to serve others? What seeds can you plant today that will reap a harvest tomorrow?

Thank you to so many family and friends for walking this journey with us already. What a gift YOU are!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21