A More Complete Vision

Today is Monday, 13 January 2025. There have been many concerns on my mind for a while now. Last September, we left our home of eleven years in Orem to allow our daughter and her family to live there. Their baby was facing surgeries and casts and would require constant attention from one of them, which meant one would need to always be home. This limited their income and they were unable to make ends meet in an apartment. We felt it was time for us to leave and go where the Lord would take us. We renovated the house as much as we could, and moved to a small apartment in Pleasant Grove until we could sell our house in Cedar Hills. The house sold farely quickly, but because it was in disrepair, we didn't get its full value. We also had a first and second mortgage on it. We walked away with less than we hoped for. Still, it was a significant amount, so we thought we'd be all right. Also, I thought we had an understanding (Chuck and me), that we would also sell off his condos and our properties to put toward the retreat. I see it as he is seventy years old and I'm fifty-eight. We can't keep maintaining properties that are old and falling apart. We can't maintain the retreat and all these rental properties too, and if we're no longer close to them, how would we take care of them? But, after the house sold, Chuck said he didn't intend to sell his properties because of tax problems. This means we don't have enough money to buy a nice home and land.... anywhere. We can go to Missouri and buy land with a falling apart mobile home, or without a home. But then we don't have enough money to fix up the old one, or build a new home. We also won't have enough to create the refuge... then what is the point? On Christmas Day, Chuck's son, Chad called from Virginia to tell us he is moving in June to Czech Republic. They want us to house sit. The issues are: we have a fourteen year old daughter. She already doesn't want to move, which is normal for teens. But their seminary is at 6:00 am. She can't even get to 1st period at 7:45 on time here. Also, they're only gone for two years. Then we'll have to move her again right before her senior year. Also, moving our animals that far will be difficult. We're not sure how to do it, but I'm sure we can figure it out. My daughter, Ella is getting married here in Utah County in August, and I need to be here to help with that. My mother is ninety-three and has Alzheimer's disease. She is in memory care, and failing. I am the only one helping her. How can I leave her? And last, in Virginia, the house will not be mine. I can't do things to make it mine. It also is not the refuge I've seen and felt for so long. Yet, I don't want to dismiss it if Virginia is Where God wants us for now. I'm willing to go. I just need to know its where we belong. As I read my scriptures today, I was filled with the spirit and a greater understanding. Chuck and I have not seen eye to eye on the refuge. I have felt its a healing center/reception center/airbnb/cafe. But Chuck only see a homeless shelter... a huge piece of land where homeless people can park their broken down RVs and tents and stay while we feed them and they freeload. I can't do that! But what opened to my mind was different. I saw the thousands of people whose homes burned down this week in Los Angeles, California. I saw them leaving the area with no place to call home, but wanting a new life, away from the city; a place of peace and refuge from the storms of the last days; a place of freedom from corrupt governments and homeless drug attics and gangs. I saw a safe haven where everyone helps with the garden, and the animals, where they fish and prepare food, where their gifts and talents are put to use, and where they get on their feet while they look for jobs and homes. It was more like a retreat than a homeless shelter. People could learn skills and contribute while there. We set up a six-week program for helping them heal, find a job, and a home. We provided clothing, food and shelter. They helped keep it clean and maintained, and if they had medical skills, they were put to use as needed. If they had cooking skills, they were used for prepping and teaching. If gardening skills, they helped in the garden. If farming, then they helped on the farm. If computer skills were their thing, they helped and taught computer skills. Whatever skills they brought, they were put to use. No one free-loaded. By the end of the six weeks, each visiter, young teen to adults, developed basic skills, found work, discovered their four generation pedigree with at least one story, and had found houseing somewhere. If emotional healing was needed, that was taught to them as well. They had survival skills, herbology knowledge to replace medication they couldn't get, nutrition, cooking, computers, etc. There is one large building... a school or barn, with a chef's kitchen and dining area. It can serve as a classroom or hospital. Cooking classes, yoga, meditation, weddings, and dances may take place there. Another building is dedicated for learning, perhaps an old barn. It has many rooms where the stalls would be. Each room serves a treatment room. There are doctors, councilors, chiropractors, accupuncturists, massage therapists, etc. who donate their time each week to help those who come in. Another building serves as a school house. There are computers, ham radios, and power point screens, etc. This is where people will learn from volunteers how to opporate technical things, how to handle their finances (if still available), how to find a job, etc. Realtors, teachers, programmers, and other tradesmen volunteer their time. One out building will hold supplies for the homeless: medical/herbal medicine, cots, blankets, tents, food, water, toiletries, 72-hour kits, etc. Another will house our aquaponic tanks. Several green houses will grow food and flowers, etc. An orchard will be planted for fruit. There will also be a meditation garden with benches and fountains, and an earthing section with an accupressure path that leads to a salt cave. Peaceful music and fragrant oils are piped in, trees and plants and foilage grow all around. It is in a dome to allow light in, but protect from the elements. Domes, tiny homes are placed strategically throughout the property, and are available for rent. Some are available only to house family and friends. RV pads and hookups are available for rent. If people can pay for their space, they put the money into the refuge. If they cannot pay, they work for their food and shelter. This is a non-profit organization, a short-term refuge to help displaced people heal from trauma and relocate in a peaceful, progressive manner, with dignity.