Preliminary Steps
One thing we have been walking through as we work toward our goals, is the idea that nothing happens overnight. For every plan, there are preliminary steps that have to happen to make the end turn out properly. The bigger the plan, the more prerequisite steps.
In order to go to Israel, we have to first sell our farm and home. In order to move away from our farm and home, there are many steps that have to be done first as well. The less we leave for the last minute, say, after a contract is signed, the smoother things should go. At least this has been our thinking.
One large question that had to be determined is where exactly we would live after selling our home. It is a question that is yet to be answered. Since we have to live *somewhere*, we planned to buy a motor home to live in while we scout for property, and set up our new home in the States… wherever it happens to be. (Remember, we have to have *some* home in the States because Israel will not allow us to stay in the country longer than 90 days at a time.) But, since we only operate with cash, not debt (well, except for this house for now...), something else had to be liquidated to be able to purchase the motor home.
We got the blessed opportunity last weekend to meet half of a husband-wife blogging team whose blog Three Fold Cord, we really enjoy. They are real-life close personal friends of one of our real-life personal friends, and they bought Mr. Visionary’s tractor. It was a blessing to have the tractor go to someone we knew had some of the same values as far as raising the family and farming, but it was also good to just have that part of the plan marked off the list.
Julie from Three Fold Cord sent us this yummy basket of goodies. As if buying the tractor wasn’t enough!
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Mr. Visionary & Michael from Three Fold Cord ~ they’re smiling still because they haven’t started loading up all the pieces-parts.
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All the children got in on the loading action, too.
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The plan involved having the proceeds from the tractor earmarked to buy the motor home. Preliminary steps, you know. Mr. Visionary had been doing research for months to determine what kind of motor home we would get, cost estimates, pros, cons, and plenty of mechanical details that I don’t pretend to understand. In other words, when the tractor sold, he was ready to move on to the next step. Meanwhile, I was still waiting for the twins thing to sink in. The next step happened faster than I had guessed.
This weekend, Mr. Visionary pulled this into the driveway:
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During all his research, he had determined that a bus converted into a motor home (rather than a factory-made motor home) would be a better choice for us, as they are sturdier, ride steadier, and, most importantly for me… have plenty of storage space underneath:
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We’ll have to be very creative to make it work having eleven people living in this space. The Word promises food and raiment, not necessarily spaciousness. Remembering that it is a step towards a greater goal will help.
Looks like the conversion process has already begun…
Posted: May 20th, 2008 under Weirdness At Our House, Progress Is Good, Late-Breaking News, Homestead Happenings.
Comments: 16
Comments
Comment from Julie
Time: May 20, 2008, 4:19 pm
How exciting! I can see the bunk beds now….When you are all set you will have to make a treck to Vermont.
Comment from julie
Time: May 20, 2008, 6:41 pm
Julie,
Michael is out plowing up the field on our tractor now. He has quite a large smile on his face. Thanks for working so graciously with us!!!! By the way, if you happen to park your new home in this area of the country, we would be more than happy to share the tractor with you!!!
grace and peace,
julie
Comment from Denise
Time: May 21, 2008, 7:17 am
WOW!! I’m shocked– didn’t think I’d be seeing the BUS– WOW!!
You are going to have a busy year or two coming up—
Can’t wait to follow along on your adventure!!
Comment from Joy
Time: May 21, 2008, 8:14 am
How exciting to see you move a few more steps along your journey! I have seen buses like that renovated to live in and it makes a lot of sense. I’m sure you will make it a beautiful home.
Congratulations as well with the twins! How wonderful!
Love,
Joy
Comment from Beulah
Time: May 21, 2008, 9:29 pm
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
How exciting that you’re going to be living in Israel! My mom has been to Jerusalem once, but I only dream of visiting someday. 
Comment from Lisa W
Time: May 21, 2008, 10:03 pm
I’m excited for all of you. It’s exciting every time a new step is taken toward a goal.
Be careful to rest well and prepare for the new ones.
If you ever head out to our distant corner of the US, we’d love to have your troop take some time to rest here with us.
Blessings ~
Lisa W
Comment from Jane
Time: May 22, 2008, 6:28 pm
I’m a lurker but the bus has bounced me out of my lurkerdom. Mr Visonary has certainly lived up to his name with the bus not only cheaper but the interior is a blank canvas you can create your perfect mobile home in. You won’t have to work within the constraints of someone elses views on how a motor home should be, someone who is probably not thinking of large families
Comment from Holly
Time: May 22, 2008, 9:23 pm
AMAZING, Julie! Wow! I think you will do just FINE in that second home!
Comment from bethb
Time: May 24, 2008, 8:36 pm
Wow, now that’s a ride!! My family and I lived in a bus for awhile when I was a kid, one of five kids. My parents had a wood stove installed in it for heat (we were in WA state), and it was parked, not driving it… but still, we LIVED in it for a year, with very limited space. Aaaaah, memories indeed.
Prayers for you girl. I know that oftentimes lately, when I’ve felt overwhelmed, I’ve thought of you, and another IRL friend of mine who just had twins and now has five kids all 7yo and under (with awe and wonderment), and am praying for you in those moments.
Truly, His GRACE is sufficient for all seasons.
Prayer & blessings~
Comment from Darelina
Time: May 28, 2008, 1:15 am
This looks awesome! What an idea!!! I wouldn’t have thought of it!
Comment from Sara
Time: May 29, 2008, 7:24 pm
Wow, that is awesome! I actually got tears in my eyes, I’m so excited for your family. The Lord is leading us in some similar ways (though we are many preliminary steps behind your family). May God bless your obedience!
Comment from busymama
Time: June 7, 2008, 4:30 am
Wow…what an undertaking. I can not imagine for a moment moving our clan into a bus, even for a little while. How brave you are!! I haven’t read your blog for a long time (my computer was down and somehow I lost your url) and wanted to say congrats on the soon to be additions to your family. How exciting! We have 9 children and our #7 and #8 are b/g twins. It is rough going for a while, but things get better. Anyhow, I’m rambling…hang in there!
Mary
Comment from kathy lawson
Time: June 14, 2008, 1:29 am
Julie,
I’m so excited about your babies. I would love for you to send me your address so I can get you sometihng from your wish list at amazon.
We love you,
The Lawsons
Comment from Tracy Loukota
Time: June 20, 2008, 12:39 am
Hi ~ I was just looking at your wishlist at Amazon. I have 2 pkgs of (new:-) diaperliners that I would love to send you. They aren’t that particular brand (I purchased them from Babycottonbottoms.com) but I don’t suspect yu’re trribly ‘brand concious’
If you’ll send your mailing address to tralou@mail.com, I’ll get ‘em mailed out.
glad all is going well!
blessings ~ Tracy (in AR)
oh - I see you made soaps ~ CONGRATS!!! someday…….
Comment from Mrs. V.
Time: July 13, 2008, 11:15 am
I just found your blog and don’t even know your whole story yet as I’ve just read the top two posts. But that bus is an amazing idea and yes, much better than a conventional motor home. Congrats!~~
Comment from Kari
Time: July 29, 2008, 10:11 pm
Wow, We’re working on our bus as well! You should check out our progress and if you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Kari
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