Faith & FamilyThe White Buffalo Story Part V May 18, 2017I tried to film this week’s video five times. The first time, I “filmed” the entire thing in the thirty minutes I had when both babies were asleep. Later that night, I plugged my SD card into my computer to edit the video and realized that my camera had cut off after three minutes without my knowledge because the card was full. Awesome. I tried again two days later, got the entire thing filmed and was thankful for the practice run earlier because this video was so much better! I went to edit it and there was a giant glare/ray of sun over half of me. While I’m really trying to let go of my desire for everything I share to be “perfect and professional” and just be real, it was so distracting, y’all. I couldn’t focus on what I was saying and I know this story. All of that was last week. We had a really busy weekend with Mother’s Day, our wedding anniversary, and some other things we have going on (all will be revealed in these next two videos), so I wasn’t able to give this another attempt until Tuesday while Rosie was at school. I tried to film this two times on Tuesday before it worked. The first time, my camera battery died halfway through. I kicked myself for not checking it first! I was too rushed. The second time, I filmed the entire thing, went to edit it and realized my mic battery had died after all of this trying and you couldn’t hear me at all. Finally, late Tuesday afternoon, I went out to the screened porch to film it while both babies were sleeping. It was scorching hot, I immediately started sweating, and as I clicked record and got settled on our bamboo sofa, the neighborhood fired up their lawnmower. I may have gotten a little frustrated at this point. I felt more purpose in what I was trying to film than anything I’ve ever shared. I said God has been doing a huge work in our hearts and he has, y’all. I’m stunned at how He’s changed us this last year and it means a really different future for us and for this blog too. So why in the world was He giving me such a hard time in getting it posted??? I asked that over and over. I came inside where it was cooler and you couldn’t hear that pesky lawnmower and got it filmed. That video was better than any other as far as me saying what I actually intended to say and I was semi-thankful for all of the practice runs, but still was frustrated it’d been so hard! All day yesterday, I was anxious about this post and was trying to get to the bottom of that. Was God trying to tell me not to post this? But I’d felt such purpose in it before. Through my quiet time this morning, I realized that God wasn’t trying to stop me from posting this. I’ve felt more purpose in this direction for our life (and the blog) than anything He’s ever revealed to us. And because of that, Satan likely wants to stop it before it starts. But, even though this has been a life-giving journey for us this last year, I realized that my pride and selfishness is what was making me question posting this as it got closer. Sharing what God’s been teaching us and what that means for our next season in this public way means that things will change irrevocably. The blog will change. The decisions we make going forward will change and be affected. Our motives will be misunderstood by some as they always are when you make radical or “on the fringe” decisions. We will receive criticism, our decisions will be questioned. And that’s scary. The fear of losing my original visions for our life and blog is nearly crippling. But I’m reminding myself of the purpose God has revealed to us this last year and standing firm. I know this video is longer than the others and I’m sorry for that, y’all. But this is a big one and there is so much to share. Yes, I know. WE ARE SELLING THE BUFFALO BUNGALOW. I know this one is delayed from my goal to post our story videos on Monday, but today is a big day, y’all, and it made sense to save it. Today, we close on our Buffalo Bungalow. As of this morning, we will no longer own this house and will be renting back for a short time while we work on the new house. While we’ve felt confident it would close for the last few weeks after all appraisals, etc. were completed, I wanted to wait until today to share this big news to be sure. We are so excited about this next season and I can’t wait to share all the details with you in next week’s final story video…for now. Here are some of the things I talked about in the video: THE TWO BOOKS THAT GOD USED TO CHANGE US: Turn on your JavaScript to view content THE BUFFALO BUNGALOW FLOOR PLANS Check out our home tour and the before and after of each space by clicking below: You can see all posts about The Buffalo Bungalow here. BUILDING AN OIL BUSINESS: Also, in the video, I talked about the changes you may have noticed in how I’ve been blogging that will continue in this next season. Making the decision to decrease sponsored posts (except when they’re a perfect fit and something I was buying anyway), and focus more on my oil business was a hard, but life-giving one. It’s been so exciting to see God not just make convictions, but then provide a way for this blog to make a real income from something our family was already naturally doing. These have forever changed our health in the most amazing ways! But they’ve also changed our family because of the business potential. I’m always happy to share more about that for anyone who is curious! Shoot me an e-mail: lindsay@thewhitebuffalostylingco.com. And for those who are interested in learning more about the oils, I’m hosting an intro class tonight on Facebook! E-mail me if you’d like an invite to learn more about how these tools that God put here for us can change everything about your health! You can read more about my essential oil journey by clicking below:
Susan Lawson says May 18, 2017 at 9:59 am I admire your commitment to only do sponsored posts when it’s really something you use and endorse. Seems like there are sooooo many sponsored posts these days, and the connection to the blog and its reality is LAME. Tired of reading stuff like that. The one that really got to me was a post around Easter time with photos of Cadbury eggs, even though the text was about treating yourself and indulgences. PUH-leese! Reply
Lindsay says May 18, 2017 at 5:09 pm Susan, your comment made me laugh out loud! Seriously! While I am really proud of a few of the partnerships I’ve done and will continue a few in the future because it’s literally something we’d do anyway, I know I’ve done some that aren’t a great fit for us…even though I’ve turned the worst down haha! It always does amaze me some of the partnerships I see out there! Loved the example you shared. I struggled with this because anytime you go against the grain like that it can be tough. But I really appreciate your encouragement!!! Reply
Rachel Winchester says May 18, 2017 at 11:38 am I resonated with SO MUCH that you said in your video. Thank you for sharing this part of your story as it unfolds. Can’t wait to see the new house and how you take it on with your renewed perspective! Reply
Lindsay says May 18, 2017 at 5:08 pm Thank you so much, Rachel!!! We are so excited! Can’t wait to see what comes and you’ve been such a sweet friend and supporter of us 🙂 Reply
Sharon says May 18, 2017 at 2:02 pm I am so excited to follow you guys on this journey. I love both of these books, both changed my entire view of my faith. I was overwhelmed by how much we have Americanized our relationship with Christ to the point it doesn’t resemble the example Christ lived at all. Thank you for taking these steps and sharing them with us! Praying for you guys too! Reply
Lindsay says May 18, 2017 at 5:05 pm Thank you so much, Sharon! Yes, you hit the nail on the head with what you said! Exactly what we’ve come to realize. Have no clue what this journey will really look like, but we’re so excited to uncover it! Reply
AmandaKB says May 18, 2017 at 4:51 pm Oh my goodness, Lindsay… I don’t even know where to start, and I feel like if I did, I would exceed whatever the character limit is for a comment! Thank you for your willingness to share all of this. I can relate to so, so much of what you said, and my husband and I have had similar convictions. It’s way more than I could ever describe in this comment box, but I want you to know I’m encouraged by what you share. I feel these words you have spoken are one more way that God is nudging me, confirming we are on the right track in the things we’re trying to change and the goals we are trying to set/reach. Thank you! I’m so excited to hear the rest of what you have to share and to see what’s next for you and your sweet family 🙂 Reply
Lindsay says May 18, 2017 at 5:08 pm Oh Amanda, thank you so much for all of this! I can’t tell you how much it means to hear others are on the same journey – even if theirs looks a little different, but the heart is the same. It’s so encouraging to realize we’re not alone and we’re not crazy haha! Others feel the same way 🙂 Reply
Sandie says May 18, 2017 at 6:36 pm Thank you. Plain and simple… thank you. Words I needed to hear, for sure. I think shopping can be an addiction, of sorts…. do you think? I’ve just tried to say no to some of my favorite shops because I too, have closets full of “stuff”! I don’t really think that is what God wants for me. It is difficult. I plan on reading the books you shared. I have eagerly anticipated your videos each week. I have to admit, I’m sad to see them come to a regularly weekly end soon. So, so good. Again, thank you. Reply
Lindsay says May 26, 2017 at 7:28 am Sandie, shopping is TOTALLY an addiction. It has been for me soooo many times. It’s what I want to go do when I need comfort. I look forward to doing it more than most other things and plan my trips and outings around shopping. It can control us! The desire to accumulate stuff is strong and yet it sucks the life out of you. I’ve been praying for God to change this need in me and I can say that I’ve seen huge progress! He really is taking that need and desire away and showing me that I’m trying to stuff that “stuff” into a hole that only he can fill! Reply
Brenda says May 19, 2017 at 2:03 am So excited for the vision God’s given you and Chris and so proud of your willingness to step out and do it! He will bless every step… Reply
Crystal says May 19, 2017 at 4:49 pm THANKS SO MUCH for this video series Lindsay!!! I’ve only been a casual reader of your blog and never even posted a comment before. But your video series compelled me to change that. As a fellow Christian I’m inspired by your testimony. It’s been said before that our greatest tool we have as Christians is our testimony. We never know who is watching and how your life affects others view of Christ. Matthew 5:16 comes to my mind. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven”. God’s message to your family about living simply and serving others hits home for me. He also has this way of humbling us when we already think we’re “humble”. Our thinking that we’re humble is just pride, right? It’s refreshing to see not just a blogger but a person/family obey God’s calling. I can’t wait to see what He has in store for your family. Reply
Lindsay says May 26, 2017 at 7:23 am Thank you so much for sharing that, Crystal! I’m so encouraged by the words you had to share and am so happy you stepped out and commented! My favorite part about this video series has been connecting with other believers who we can encourage each other! Reply
Val says May 20, 2017 at 10:06 pm Wow! This is such a bold post, but in an amazing way! Leave it up to God to totally rock your world. Lol! I guess that’s the exciting thing about really seeking God without limits. I’m so excited for y’all! This post is encouraging me to think about what my life is really about and what I want it to be. I want to fit into God’s plan instead of him fitting into mine. Thank you so much for this! I’m excited to see the changes with the blog and follow along:) Reply
Lindsay says May 26, 2017 at 7:27 am Thank you so much for saying that, Val! Hearing it’s resonated with others has totally taken the hesitation away that I was feeling about posting it because yes, it is bold! Reply
Sherri says May 21, 2017 at 2:50 pm Good for you guys! Being obedient to our Lord is what we are called to do, even though it is difficult in our flesh, because we have those selfish tendencies. I’m sure you have heard of FPU and Dave Ramsey’s debt snowball. Took his class at church. Rice and beans and beans and rice!! But we are so tempted every day by worldly things. I can’t say we were perfect, but we did pay off our mortgage in November and are debt- free!! Yay! I still enjoy thrifting and like to change things up some, but I don’t accumulate. When you have a huge sale of your stuff, or Craigslist what you can, it will be so freeing. It is crazy on InstaStories to see how many people get “happy mail!” And then viewers think they have to have it when they probably can’t afford it. Then the receivers probably get immune to all the gifts because abundance of “stuff” doesn’t fill your heart. The term “stuffication” hits the nail on the head! God bless you on your journey! And baby Dax is beautiful, and your Rosie Is angelic! I have to get Jen’s book so I can get even more inspired to live more simply!! Thank you for your wisdom and for not being afraid to share about God!! Reply
Lindsay says May 26, 2017 at 7:26 am Sherri, thank you so much for all that you said! Dave Ramsey and FPU is what sent us on this journey to begin with! We did it right when we got married and were just drowning in debt and it gave us a lot of tools and direction. It was awesome! As we’ve made radical decisions in the past and especially as we are now and are about to see some big changes in our family’s day to day, we keep quoting his favorite quote to ourselves LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE, SO THAT ONE DAY, YOU CAN LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE. LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE, SO THAT ONE DAY, YOU CAN GIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE. Yes!!! Reminds me why it’s so worth it to live radically LIKE NO ONE ELSE now 🙂 Reply
Megan M says May 22, 2017 at 10:07 pm Hey Lindsay! I liked everything you said in the video. I was going to mention that I love reading Carmella Rayone’s blog, who lives with her family in a small house. (Their back story is so fascinating!) One series she does on her blog is “Contentment: Doing what you can with what you have” where she finds a new purpose for something. I could totally see you being creative about finding ways to repurpose items in a unique way to tie in with your idea to live with less. It’s definitely something that resonates with us. We have a toddler and are living in an apartment as we sell our house to buy a new one. Since space is higher, I’m working harder to think about needs vs. wants. I find it makes me happier in the end!I can’t wait to see all you do in your next adventure. I bet it will be great! Reply
Lindsay says May 26, 2017 at 7:22 am Megan, thank you so much for your sweet words and for sharing that blog with me! I cannot wait to check it out! That is exactly what we’re doing and trying to prioritize! I’ve designed the spaces in my mind reusing absolutely everything we can from this house. And what we can’t use, we’re going to sell to pay for the new furniture and things we need (since space is much smaller, a lot doesn’t fit) 🙂 Reply
Rebecca Lingefelt says May 31, 2017 at 1:49 pm What a sweet blessing and inspiration you are. I love following your journey towards living free. I pray that God will continue to guide, use and bless your sweet family! Reply
Karen says June 1, 2017 at 11:41 pm Thank you Lindsay for being so bold, this is exactly what has been laid on my heart lately also. The anxiety to be and do everything we see is leading us further away from the light. I have a renewed desire to pull back from the crazy overwhelming things of this world and just focus on Jesus. Plain and simple. I am so looking forward to following your journey and am now on the look out for the books mentioned. Congratulations on your new baby, what a blessing. Reply