A busy, but oh so slow season…
This season (the last six months) has been so strange to me with regard to the property. It’s been busy, but also so painfully slow. I realize that makes no sense, but let me explain…
As you already know from previous blog posts, we’re working through the process of obtaining all the required permitting for our cottage development. We’ve been at it since June 2021 - working with soil scientists, civil engineers, the State of TN, Sevier County Planning & Zoning, Environmental Health, Stormwater Dept, architects, surveyors, etc. You literally just have to work your way through each group/individual gathering all the pieces of the puzzle needed to get this project off the ground. In parallel to that, we’re working with the bank to get all the financing lined up. Every day looks different and every day presents a new challenge, it seems like.
So, let’s go back a few months. In November 2021, we were scheduled to have the land re-surveyed and re-subdivided to better suit our needs going forward. November came and went, no survey. Everyone’s busy and understaffed these days, so we were patient. We waited until March 2022 for the surveyor to make it out there. He finally did (YAY!!) and that task is officially checked of the list. ✅ Victory!
On December 2, 2021, we submitted all the paperwork and payment for our septic system. Jason and our contractor had a meeting with the Environmental Health folks in mid-December where we were given some guidelines on the system design. We designed the system according to the specs and submitted that in late December. Then we waited. No word by January 2022, so we reached out for an update. They re-reviewed the design and required some changes. We made the changes and returned the design within days. We waited again.
Our contractor made an in-person visit to the septic office where they reviewed the design and gave a verbal approval - that was in mid-February. It’s now April, and we still don’t have the official permit in hand. 😒
The bank. My goodness, the bank has been a hurry up and wait situation too. We realized early on that working with the right financial partner is going to be crazy important. We’re signing up to do business with them for the next 18 months, so we wanted to make sure they were responsive, detailed and that we connected with them. So, in an effort to find the right financial parter, we met with several local banks. Each one has to collect your life’s financial history, do a credit check, review your cash flow analysis, compile everything, run it through underwriting, prepare a full presentation and then run it all the way up the flagpole to the Board of Directors. It’s a whole process. A slow process.
After months of searching for the right financial partner, we finally landed on one and are excited to be moving forward in the process. So, what does “moving forward” look like? Waiting. 😂 Waiting for an appraisal, not at all ironic, huh. :)
So, that’s where we’re at in the process. We’ve obtained all the permitting required, except the septic permit - just waiting for that official piece of paper. Once we have the septic permit, the last step is to go back to the Planning & Zoning Department and obtain our building permit. Oh, that will be a glorious day! And, lastly, we’re waiting for the bank appraisal. Once that’s complete, we’ll be able to close on the construction loan and, with building permit in hand, we’ll be ready to building something!
All this to say, it’s been a roller coaster of emotions. Somedays there are victories and other days there’s nothing but frustration. On social media, it probably looks like it’s smooth sailing, but truthfully, it’s been a hard season for us - I’ve cried my fair share of tears. I’ve struggle to use my creative side and that frustrates me. I’m impatient and I just want people to be responsive, and I want it done quickly. This season, God has taught me a lot about patience. And to be frank, sitting in God’s waiting room is sometimes one of the hardest places to be, which, to me, is ironic because I know in my heart it’s where God’s at work perfectly orchestrating our timeline and pouring out blessings that we can’t even see yet. But for me, I have needed a daily reminder to be patient and wait, so I have listened to Lauren Daigle’s How Can It Be album on repeat for months. If you are in a season of waiting and uncertainty, go listen to it. I listen to “Trust in You” everyday…below are the lyrics. I hope they encourage you as much as they have me the past few months. ❤️
Trust in You by Lauren Daigle:
Letting go of every single dream
I lay each one down at Your feet
Every moment of my wandering
Never changes what You see
I've tried to win this war, I confess
My hands are weary, I need Your rest
Mighty warrior, King of the fight
No matter what I face, You're by my side
When You don't move the mountains
I'm needing You to move
When You don't part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don't give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust
I will trust in You
Truth is, You know what tomorrow brings
There's not a day ahead You have not seen
So in all things be my life and breath
I want what You want, Lord, and nothing less
When You don't move the mountains
I'm needing You to move
When You don't part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don't give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
You are my strength and comfort
You are my steady hand
You are my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
Your ways are always higher
Your plans are always good
There's not a place where I'll go
You've not already stood
When You don't move the mountains
I'm needing You to move
When You don't part the waters
I wish I could walk through
When You don't give the answers
As I cry out to You
I will trust, I will trust
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
