Mondays - Old School Series: Let’s Start at the Very Beginning

Monday Old School Series - Part 2

Before the Renovations Began

Before we meet the neighbours, let’s go back to the beginning—to what the old school looked like before the renovations started, and the leap of faith it took to turn our crazy idea into a home.

Looking back now, I don’t think any of us truly understood what we were getting ourselves into.

Maybe that was a good thing. 😂

We were so excited about the possibilities that I think the vision sometimes clouded the reality of just how enormous this project was going to be.

And then we started opening walls.

The surprises begin...

If you’ve ever renovated, you probably know how this goes. You start with a quote and a plan—and then the unexpected happens.

With an old school that had been sitting empty for years, there was plenty of unexpected!

Once walls started coming down, we discovered there was very little insulation. And some of the insulation that was there had become a cozy home for mice over the years.

Needless to say, that wasn't exactly in the renovation budget!

And then came another surprise: financing.

We assumed that because of the size and value of the property—and because we were turning the school into housing—financing would be available if we needed additional money to complete the project.

We were wrong.

Not one financial institution wanted to touch our project because it was simply too “unusual.”

That meant if something needed to be done, we often had to have the cash in hand before we could move forward.

And that was when this renovation became something more than a building project.

It became a leap of faith.

Faith, work...and a whole lot of prayer

There were many times when we simply had to pray that the money would be there when we needed it.

And somehow, it was.

Not because any of us were rich. Far from it. We worked longer hours, took on extra work and did what we could to keep moving forward.

But when I look back now, I'm still amazed at how everything came together.

Whatever we truly needed seemed to show up when we needed it.

I've learned there is something powerful about having a dream and a vision, stepping forward in faith, and continuing even when you can't quite see how everything is going to work out.

That doesn't mean there weren't hiccups.

There were plenty!

But somehow, one piece after another fell into place.

Two long years.

Countless hours of work.

Three incredible husbands who put an enormous amount of sweat and effort into turning an old school into our home.

Lots of elbow grease.

And even more prayer.

Eventually...we made it.

There is still work to be done—even now. I'm not sure an old school like ours will ever truly be finished.

But perhaps that's part of its charm.

We had a vision of creating something that would bless our families and, hopefully, others along the way.

And little by little, that's exactly what this old school has become.

Next Monday: Part Three of our Old School journey.

And that's when I'll introduce you to some of the people who were already here when we arrived...

the neighbours. ❤️

Want to follow the Old School story? 🏫
From renovating an abandoned school to country life, neighbours, animals and all the unexpected adventures along the way—there's much more to come.

Join me and I'll send the next chapter straight to your inbox each Monday.