In late 2021, my husband, James, and I received the deed to acreage in Wimberley,Texas, next door to family. The land was a blank slate, completely undeveloped. We had recently decided to downsize from our current (much loved) home in Florence,Texas as our children were grown and we wanted to simplify.

The first thing on our mind was to build a modest home, but we needed to sell our current home first. Well, interest rates soared the week we put our home on the market (March 2022) and it took 15 months for us to sell. In the meantime we worked on basics in Wimberley such as a drive, a gate, septic, water, etc. But 2022 was bumpy including a head-on collision in August on Fischer Store Road (the other driver fell asleep on a blind curve) which totaled my car and left me sore for three months. 2022 ended with the loss of our beloved Golden Retriever.

Early 2023 saw a frozen tree fall on my (replaced) car, multiple predator attacks on our chickens, a frozen camp site, and the day to day life in a camping environment while we managed property, life, contractors, wind and weather, and late year work injury.

In December 2023 my sister was diagnosed with cancer. After many months of treatment and major surgery, she has made a wonderful recovery apart from heart damage and various side effects from the chemo. I traveled to Houston a couple of times to provide aid and support.

Then Memorial Weekend, 2024, James, suffered congestive heart failure. This lead to two weeks in the hospital and major surgery which (THANKFULLY!) delivered him from death.

However, the medical bills consumed our life savings.

For many months prior to James’ hospitalization, we had worked long days to build a home ourselves, while employing some select contractors. But our Wimberley home remained yet to be occupied because it was still in primitive stages.

It was upon his release from the hospital that I reached the point of despair.

We were exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I woke each morning looking at my husband who needed post-surgery care, and a long recovery, property that needed management, then there’s the punctured auto tire (from who knows where), an unfinished home, contractors and medical bills to be paid. I confessed my sin of discontent and discouragement to the Lord, but each day seemed to be just as difficult as the previous with no relief in sight.

Then a dear friend, Kat, offered for us to do some convalescing at her home (which was 70 miles away) to get away from the property. This change of location rescued us both from a crushed state. And James and I both enjoyed much needed rest and downtime.

During that down time, I was able to focus more on just James’ needs and consider my attitude toward God’s provision in my life and my need for gratitude and proper perspective. I still felt a very uphill battle to spiritual and emotional refreshment, but it was a start. Time spent with a godly friend is medicine for the soul.

Recently, as James began to look for employment, I searched for ways to improve and steward the property responsibly, with purpose, farm naturally, serve the community, allow me to indulge my obsession with seed to harvest projects, and generate income. We have a responsibility to steward God’s property in a manner that reflects His character. So, what should that project be?

FLOWERS.

Have you ever noticed how Sunflowers turn their face all during the day to follow the sun?

Flowers stand tall offering their beauty in worship to the One Who created them.

Flowers cheer the sick, encourage the lonely, magnify the beautiful bride, celebrate life, restore nature, rekindle lovely memories, applaud the milestones, exhilarate the landscape, delight the soul, express gratitude, mend conflicts, honor those who have left this world, and comfort those they leave behind.

Enormous gratitude and admiration goes to amazing and inspiring flower farmers, Lisa Mason Ziegler, Paula Rice and Erin Benzakein, Georgie Newbery, and Jennie Love who have educated me in the many ways they avail themselves and their wisdom. Each laid down hard facts while inspiring me to take the challenge to nurture splendor and joy, clean farming, and to dust myself off when I fail.

This is a labor of hope, faith and recovery.

I plan to launch our offerings in fall 2025. I hope to meet you at one of our pop ups or perhaps through a delivery! Stop by and say, “Howdy” in person or leave me a message below.

Adventure and Beauty Awaits,

April Billups