Faith & FamilyThe White Buffalo Story Part VI May 26, 2017 Last week, we celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. I feel like I say this every year, but in some ways, I can’t believe it’s been seven years….that seems like forever! Where did those newlyweds go? In other ways, my life before marrying him seems foggy and I can’t believe it’s been JUST seven years. As y’all have seen through this “Our Story” video series, it’s been a whirlwind of beautiful adventures, tough seasons, radical decisions, God shaping our hearts, and I am grateful for every single piece of our story so far. As we reminisced to prepare for this series, it was so affirming to see how God has written every single piece of our story. While we already knew this, we realized in a whole new way how much we love the journey He set us on seven years ago, even though it’s come with challenges along the way, I wouldn’t trade any of it. I was asked in a comment if I had it to do over again, would I choose differently about accumulating the debt. What would I recommend to young people going to college? Is a “good education” really worth the amount of debt we went into? I’ve wrestled that one, y’all. Because while I would never recommend people willingly go into debt and no, I don’t think some schools are really that much better to justify the cost….I can’t imagine our lives without it. More days than not, we’ve mourned the amount of debt we have and how it crippled us early on. We’ve said we wished we understood what that would look like for us as adults when we were 18 and made the decisions we did. But y’all, without the debt, we wouldn’t have found each other. We wouldn’t have been set on this adventure that has set our hearts on fire….that God has used to shape and change everything about who we are, who our family will be, and what the future holds for us. God could’ve used another means, I’m sure, but I can’t regret the debt fully when God used it to show us who He is and who He’s called us to be. It’s been the ride of a lifetime. As we celebrated our anniversary last week and went out to dinner at our favorite restaurant (the first time just the two of us since baby Dax came!), we talked so much about our story so far and we dreamed big dreams for the future. We talked about this next season, what it’s going to free us up to do for our family and for God’s kingdom, and how we feel God is launching us into some new territory. I firmly believe few things bring a couple together like dreaming adventurous, kingdom-focused dreams and then radically moving toward them. But we talked about the number: 7. Seven years together. Seven years in debt. Seven years renovating houses. Seven years building a life, a family, and a vision for the future we never imagined. And we were overcome. I’ve mentioned this some, but in the Bible, seven is a very significant number. It was the day God’s people are called to rest. It was the year their fields were supposed to be unplanted, trusting God to provide and allowing the land to rest. AND it was the year debts were to be forgiven. WOW. The same week as we celebrated our seventh anniversary, we closed on The Buffalo Bungalow and because of the choices He’s called us to make for the next season, our debt journey has ended. That chapter of our life is closed and we are launching into a brand new season. Year seven = debt forgiven. And forgiven is the word, y’all. “Paid off” doesn’t do it justice because that implies we did it. Only God could’ve taken the amount of debt we had that crippled us and erased it this quickly. He led to the right opportunities, He showed us the decisions to make and we were just along for the ride. God, you blow us away. I keep saying this, “If we had any doubt God was writing this story, that just took it away,” every time something would happen…and then He comes through and comes through again in ways that leave no doubt He’s in charge of our story. In today’s video, I’m sharing the last piece of our story for now: how God sold the Buffalo Bungalow and where we’re headed next. The Buffalo Stone Cottage: an adventure in simple and small living…HERE WE COME! We’re so excited about living as simply as possible for this next season to save, prioritize some new things He’s called us to, and launch us into the future He’s started giving us a vision of. It’s been a wild ride these last seven years, and something tells me it’s about to get a whole lot crazier….in the best possible ways. If you missed any videos, you can catch up by clicking below. I’ll be creating a page on the blog that will be linked at the top and sidebar where these videos will live going forward. I’m sad to see this series come to an end…for now! There will be a lot to come, I’m certain and it’s been such blessing to share it all with you!
s says May 26, 2017 at 1:12 pm Great videos! 5 years ago we sold our house and on the day we moved out still had no where to go. We thought God would provide a little larger house with more land out of town. Instead we ended up in a 600 square foot house on the back of a ranch.(1 bedroom, 1 bath) We are a family of 4. God used this little house on the ranch to show one child that her passion was cattle. Then again, through circumstances only God could provide, one found her passion in music. The small space has kept us communicating and allowed fun times working together on the ranch. We are still in the house with one in college and the other high school. God has used this small space in a big way. Reply
Lindsay says May 30, 2017 at 2:56 pm This is the most amazing story. I am so thankful that you shared it! Gosh it is so inspiring and makes me so happy to hear that! We know this house may be just for a season for many reasons beyond the size, but you never know! I’m already so excited because I just have this feeling we’re going to love it and it’s going to continue shaping and teaching us so much! Reply
Haley says May 26, 2017 at 3:28 pm I am LOVING this story! I love your reaction to only renovating the house and no addition. We lived in a one bedroom apartment (probably 600sqft) with two adults, a dog, and a toddler. We moved into a 2/3 bedroom house when we had our second child (we’re crazy like you and things change right after we have a baby) and while it’s small for most people, it feels huge for us because of our small previous house. You’ll love living in a ‘small’ home especially with the babies (so much easier to watch kids in smaller places) I can’t wait to see where this journey takes you and to see what kind of stuff you learn from your new place. Reply
Lindsay says May 30, 2017 at 3:03 pm Thank you so much for sharing your story, Haley! Hearing so many stories about others who’ve lived in small spaces with families makes me so happy. I’m so excited to dive in and try it! Reply
Holly Sharp says May 26, 2017 at 4:53 pm Lindsey! So, I was just talking with a friend about this idea recently, and I was THRILLED when you said y’all were living with it as is. You have no idea what a testament just that alone will be to people…especially other millennials. Somehow we’ve all bought in to this American suburban idea that we can’t have a happy family in a small space. But the fact is, the extra space is just extra! Your new house would be considered a HUGE apartment in a city like New York or Chicago. Our house is by no means small, but it’s a 3 bedroom house that we hope to eventually have four children in. And that’s ok. Anyway, y’all obviously can make whatever choice you want as God leads. But I suspect that His leading you here will have GREAT impact for His kingdom. Cheers to the Buffalo Stone Cottage, my friend! Reply
Lindsay says May 30, 2017 at 3:01 pm Thank you so much, Holly! So encouraged by what you shared 🙂 I’ve thought that….1100 square feet would be ridiculous in a city…and plenty of families live in those apartments, not just singles haha! I’m so excited to see learn to live with less and clarify needs vs. wants…who knows if we’ll always live in a house this size, but either way, I know it’ll shape and teach us so much! Reply
Andrea C says May 26, 2017 at 6:54 pm I’m reading 7 now, thanks to your recommendation, and it’s such an inspiring book. Thanks so much for sharing your story. Reply
Lindsay says May 30, 2017 at 2:54 pm Oh I’m so glad, Andrea! I just finished reading it a month ago for the second time and am about to start again! With us prepping to move, I want to remember all the ideas again…it just lights me on fire! Maybe I’ll just keep reading it over and over haha! Reply
Sarah R says May 27, 2017 at 12:03 am Sweet video and loved hearing the rest of the story! Can’t wait to see details. You inspired me last video to clean out and donate so many things and it helped me to envision living in a tiny house and looking up how they do things! Look up two bedroom tiny houses and you’ll feel MUCH better about your 1100 square feet!! 😉 Reply
Lindsay says May 30, 2017 at 2:53 pm Oh that’s so amazing, Sarah! I love hearing that and I definitely want to look into that now!! I bet it would give me some ideas! Reply
Baileywife @ IrishmanAcres says May 27, 2017 at 8:50 am I’m so excited! I’ve been following along since the beginning of White Buffalo Styling Co … with each new baby and each new home, I love how God is shaping your life! God has also done some radical things for us and even though sometimes I have doubted Him… He shows His purpose and it’s even more beautiful and amazing then even I could have dreamed up on my own. I can’t wait to see your stone cottage on Monday! Congrats friend!! ~Kim Reply
Lindsay says May 30, 2017 at 2:59 pm Thank you so much, Kim! You’ve always been such a sweet friend and encourager! I’m so grateful you’re here 🙂 Reply
AmandaKB says May 31, 2017 at 2:34 pm Once again, thanks so much for being willing to share with all of us! My husband and I live in a small fixer upper that was used as a weekend camp for 30+ years before we bought it. (It was built as a house prior to 1900.) Since it was being sold as-is and as a camp, the price was lower than most houses, but to say it needed/needs upgrades is an understatement. I feel like we were totally young and naive when we bought it. Ha,ha. I always say I’d never buy this house now, knowing what I know. LOL Originally we had planned an addition, but we decided to hold off to avoid more debt. As frustratingly slow as these renovations have been (we decided only do them as we save the cash), this smaller house and mortgage have facilitated a lot of things. (Originally we were planning to move in a couple years after buying it, but long story short, we’re still here 8 years later.) We’ve been able to pay on our mortgage and both of our school loans at a faster rate. Neither of us has to work long or ridiculous hours to afford it. We weren’t strapped when my husband’s job industry declined a few years ago or when I lost my job due to funding cuts. We had been so diligent about paying off debt and living within our means, so when those things happened, we didn’t feel like we were drowning. Plus, God threw in some unexpected things, right when it seemed like things wouldn’t work out. And like you said, I often say to myself, how many times does God have to prove Himself before I’m going to fully trust Him? We’ve had some rough things happen in the last few years, but you’re right, God provides, and I’m always amazed and humbled. I’m excited to follow along with your journey 🙂 Reply
Christi Rawlins says June 1, 2017 at 9:39 am I have loved this video series! Your story is so encouraging and inspiring. I’m currently on Baby Step 2! Are y’all doing a debt-free scream?! I can’t wait to see the newly renovated house and to see where God takes you and your family. He is a good, good Father!! Reply
Mary says June 4, 2017 at 10:08 pm Love your vision of a simple, meaningful life! We all need to center more around the people and community around us and less about all that stuff 😉 Looking forward to seeing this next transformation, always so much fun to have a new project and new energy! Reply
Tammy says July 21, 2017 at 9:49 am This was my reading and listening at breakfast this morning and what an inspiration! I’m so excited to see your journey. ? Reply