I had a dream! Sound familiar? Well not quite as passionate and inspirational as the dream that Dr Martin Luther King had, but it came from my heart all the same. Not many people may have heard of me, I am just an ordinary person born with a purpose and spent half my life travelling the world in search of home and ‘to reach the people I felt I was purposed to meet’. Born at the southern tip of Africa in Cape Town, I spent years coaching disadvantaged people with skill development in poorer rural areas and then spent 8 years mentoring and training business owners in the UK. I then finally flocked across to the land of the brave and the free. Am so grateful to be home at last!
So the story begins with my prayer…I asked the Lord (as He does say if its in His will that He will give us the desires of our hearts) for a historical home situated deep in the southern countryside, a wrap around wooden balcony, and a lovely swing on the front porch, a flag (and a little cottage in the backyard in case my parents want to visit of course!) I wanted to hear the footsteps of happy visitors on the floorboards in the background, and at sunset watch the light change the color of the hills as I breath in gratefulness of every blessing God sends us, His people (and all his living creatures that sleep, dream and love- just like we do!)
So we set out one early morning to an auction. It was a random decision after 3 months research of the property market in Virginia. We aren’t rich and famous and yes drive a humble car, our dog, however is a pedigree and we realize such class is just a little above ‘us’. The cars and crowds arrive and I whispered ‘it’s in God’s hands so don’t be disappointed -He only gives to us what is ours and what is not ours we don’t need to long for or bother with’. Turkish investors, and well known businessmen and women arrive from Washington DC – the bidding starts.
I stood under the towering 100 year old oak trees while a ‘stern looking’, but professional gentleman starts to call prices out – at super top speed as if we are at the horse races! I sink shyly into my shoes and pray a prayer from my heart. It’s ok not to have this house- I mean at the end of the day – it looks like the mansion from Gone With The Wind and I know I am not Scarlett O’Hara! (although as a child I ran around the forest and told the squirrels and birds I was)
The auction was tense and yes we were outbid…or so I thought until a technical slip turned a miracle our way. It was as if for a moment my heart stopped beating. Are the crowds cheering for me? I said ‘Surely they don’t mean this house is mine?’ The rest felt like it was happening in slow motion as I signed to the smiles and somewhat envious eyes of all who were there that day.
Greenock Manor…a place where we hope to share inspiration, gratefulness, kindness and loving memories to all who visit us here. It is the new mission and purpose.
Please visit us and pop in for a stroll in our gardens and take a walk to our 120 foot towering Magnolia Tree! Ask us to do your engagement photo shoot or family portraits here. Dreams and prayers really do come true is what I feel I am only able to whisper in order to keep my humility in check. Its’ as if we were given this huge gift and now I would like to share it with the local wonderful people in the area, our church and anyone who may want to share their wedding day steeped in history. My new mission is to share and give. What more could bring more joy as it is in giving that we receive.