A House on a Hill
We have been alluding to a BIG dream on social media. Well here it is. But before you
read my post, I would suggest that you watch the video Brad made (you have to turn your sound on). I
couldn't love being married to this man anymore. First off, he is hysterical and so fun to do life with. The thing I love about sharing the same story, is we have two very different
perspectives. Married couples out there - this is a GOOD thing! You were
each created with unique traits and talents, combine them to make
something beautiful!
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“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
God has been giving me this verse for months now. It is all over my journals, highlighted in different Bibles, on my vision board for 2016... It's everywhere I look.
So here is the BIG dream... We recently purchased 10 acres of land in Asheville, NC. It is literally the top of a mountain. We are going to be a house on a hill.
But before I keep going with this story, let me share a few reasons why this is a BAD idea... The driveway is half-mile of taking your life in your hands, full of twists and turns. Parts of the property are steep. The school system in the area is not great. Ice and snow may keep us home several days in the winter. All of these things are not ideal for raising young children. Add to that car pool and other suburban conveniences will not be an option for us. And in full disclosure, this is financially outside of my comfort zone.
So trust me when I say, Brad and I both looked at each other and asked the question - are we crazy for doing this?
And I flat out asked God (many many times) - Is this really where you want us? He has responded with many clear yeses.
This is what it boils down to... I trust God. I will obey Him. And I refuse to live my life in fear of "what if's" or make decisions based on convenience. There is just too much at stake - there is too much bad in this world, to live in fear, or make choices soly because they are easy. So I choose to live in faith.
So to continue the story... I know, this has a much greater purpose than it simply being our family home. The BIG part of this story, really has nothing to do with the Huxter Family. The BIG part can't even be put into words, because we don't know the full story of the house on a hill yet. But the secret lies in this verse. This is The Message translation of Matthew 5:16 (referred above)... Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop—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.
So not only are we physically going to be a house on a hill, but more importantly we are going to shine His LIGHT.
Hear me when I say this: YOU can walk in faith too. YOU can have peace that surpasses all understanding. YOU can have a purpose that is far greater than anything you could have ever imagined. All you have to do is believe. It is that simple.
So practically what does this mean for the Huxter Family?
- We have not closed on the land yet. We are still doing the due diligence to make sure we can safely build a house up there.
- Our hope is to move to Asheville between April and July (this depends on our current lease.)
- We will rent in Asheville while we build.
- We do not know details about the type of home we are to build. We would love prayer for wisdom and guidance in this area.
Am I worried about all of the moving parts? No. Not one bit. And here's why...
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6: 25-33
I know I can trust God with every moment, because He has proven to me, time and time again, that He is good and trustworthy.
So we don't know the big grand plan, but I actually think that is the sweet spot. Because all we have to do is get out of the way, and watch God work. How amazing is that.
“If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:15
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“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
God has been giving me this verse for months now. It is all over my journals, highlighted in different Bibles, on my vision board for 2016... It's everywhere I look.
![]() |
I made this painting in 2011, so God has actually been planting this verse into our life for years. |
So here is the BIG dream... We recently purchased 10 acres of land in Asheville, NC. It is literally the top of a mountain. We are going to be a house on a hill.
But before I keep going with this story, let me share a few reasons why this is a BAD idea... The driveway is half-mile of taking your life in your hands, full of twists and turns. Parts of the property are steep. The school system in the area is not great. Ice and snow may keep us home several days in the winter. All of these things are not ideal for raising young children. Add to that car pool and other suburban conveniences will not be an option for us. And in full disclosure, this is financially outside of my comfort zone.
So trust me when I say, Brad and I both looked at each other and asked the question - are we crazy for doing this?
And I flat out asked God (many many times) - Is this really where you want us? He has responded with many clear yeses.
This is what it boils down to... I trust God. I will obey Him. And I refuse to live my life in fear of "what if's" or make decisions based on convenience. There is just too much at stake - there is too much bad in this world, to live in fear, or make choices soly because they are easy. So I choose to live in faith.
So to continue the story... I know, this has a much greater purpose than it simply being our family home. The BIG part of this story, really has nothing to do with the Huxter Family. The BIG part can't even be put into words, because we don't know the full story of the house on a hill yet. But the secret lies in this verse. This is The Message translation of Matthew 5:16 (referred above)... Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop—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.
So not only are we physically going to be a house on a hill, but more importantly we are going to shine His LIGHT.
Hear me when I say this: YOU can walk in faith too. YOU can have peace that surpasses all understanding. YOU can have a purpose that is far greater than anything you could have ever imagined. All you have to do is believe. It is that simple.
![]() |
I get goosebumps every time I think about this... We can literally pray over this city. |
So practically what does this mean for the Huxter Family?
- We have not closed on the land yet. We are still doing the due diligence to make sure we can safely build a house up there.
- Our hope is to move to Asheville between April and July (this depends on our current lease.)
- We will rent in Asheville while we build.
- We do not know details about the type of home we are to build. We would love prayer for wisdom and guidance in this area.
Am I worried about all of the moving parts? No. Not one bit. And here's why...
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6: 25-33
I know I can trust God with every moment, because He has proven to me, time and time again, that He is good and trustworthy.
So we don't know the big grand plan, but I actually think that is the sweet spot. Because all we have to do is get out of the way, and watch God work. How amazing is that.
![]() |
Our first family picture on the land. Had I thought about it, I would have gotten a better picture ;) |
“If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:15
Love seeing your dreams fulfilled. I'll be there in prayer, support and every other way possible every step of the way.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like strategic positioning for watching, seeing, praying, hearing, sounding the alarm and literally being above the noise for clarity and greater visibility. I am loving watching this unfold. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love it!! Your faith amazes me. Like you, I love the seclusion of the woods, the mountains, and the quietness in a place you can hear all of God's creations, but mostly His voice. Cherish your journey and thank you for sharing it with so many of us.
ReplyDelete