Over a period of a year and one-half we explored several counties of East Texas in search of just the right farm property.

In the fall of 2004 we made an offer on this farm. Then we took off on a much anticipated trip. After a month long trip through many parts of New Zealand and Australia from mid January to mid February 2005, we returned to Texas. The trip was hardly long enough to fully appreciate the beauty of each country and the character of the many people groups who built both wonderful countries. Nevertheless we were ready to get back to Texas.

During the summer of 2005 we completed the purchase and closed on this farm in early June. Trish McGuffey of Steve Grant Realty in Athens was an outstanding agent and friend for us.

We had just completed the sale of our Hill Country ranch near Dripping Springs, Texas at the end of May 2005. Randy Lentz of Dripping Springs Realty, in Dripping Springs, Texas worked with us over a year, was a trustworthy, and creative agent, as well as a brother in Christ.

We were soon able to begin moving our things from the ranch to the new farm in East Texas. We named the farm Willow Pond in recognition of the bending willows around the pond. As we explored the farm we also found cypress trees and to our delight we also found a small grove of plum trees also near the pond. That gave us the name Plum Pond for our bed & breakfast. We are so thankful for this farm. We are fortunate to be able to share its beauty with others; family, friends, and guests we meet. We wake up each morning grateful to God and ready to enjoy the fresh air, the sounds, the fragrances, and the scenes of our beautiful farm. God's mercies are truly new every morning.