Welcome to Part 2 of The Coppingers are Moving! series. Be sure to read this first so that you will understand what is prompting this transition to Lincoln.
Our search for a house to fit our 11
There are 11 of us in our current household including Matt and me, Elias (pursuing a career in Lincoln), Malachi (growing his Sideline Media Production Company), Brayden (9), Kiya (7), Keith (4), Anna (3), Acacia (2), Josie (1), and Baby #11 (4 months).
We need an updated family picture to feature our new baby. We’ll get to that in our spare time, oy. Here’s our latest from last summer at Justus and Kelsey’s wedding before Baby#11 was born and joined us:
When God made it clear that he was moving us to Lincoln, we looked and looked at properties that would meet our family’s needs and our hospitality desires. Nothing worked. Some had lots of bedrooms, but a tiny kitchen. Others had a sort-of decent kitchen but not enough overall square footage. Still others had a good price but not enough bedrooms. House after house after house – we just kept looking and praying. If God was moving us, surely He would provide. We trusted this. Plus, He had told me that He had something even BETTER for us than the house we planned to build.
After looking at so many houses that just didn’t work for us, I couldn’t see what in the world God was doing. How could any house be better than one we had designed to meet our unique needs?
I prayed very specifically, yet I felt bad for asking for some of the things I was asking for. I kept trying to stop myself from praying for a house with two dishwashers. What house has two dishwashers?? Couldn’t I just be content with a house – any house that would humbly take care of us?
I kept saying, “God, I want to be content with what you have planned for us. I just want to want what you want me to want.”
He replied, “I have big plans for you and for how I will use your home. Stop feeling guilty for wanting what I want you to want.” So it seemed that He had put a vision on my heart and that I wasn’t being greedy or selfish in my requests. But still. Did such a house exist that would accommodate everything on my list?
Then I stumbled onto this.
We found this unique home for sale, and it meets our needs and more (for less than the cost of everything we had found that was much smaller).
It is a historic building/home that has been run as a Bed and Breakfast. It was so different that I almost didn’t even click over to look at it. But we love brick exterior, plus Matt had always joked about wanting a castle. This house looked like a castle. Sure, I’ll click. Why not?
As I looked at all the pictures of the rooms, I was incredulous. It was everything. It was more than everything. And the opportunities this place could allow for ministry and outreach? Well, we don’t even know yet, but we know God is up to something.
I jokingly told Matt, “Hey, I found your castle!”
Our laughter soon turned serious as we prayed about whether or not this could be the house for us. It’s huge – over 7,000 square feet with 9 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. Amazing! But how would we keep it clean? Would we lose the children on the third floor? The basement? This house was awesome, but was it too much for us?
Or was it just right?
We prayed. I cried (of course). My biggest prayer was that I wasn’t being selfish or greedy. I truly want a functional home for our family – one that I can set up well to meet our needs, especially in the kitchen. And even more for whatever it is God wants us to do for people beyond our family.
Matt and I made an appointment to walk through it. We walked in and I knew it was what God had for us. Be very proud of me – I didn’t cry. Not even once. Not even when I walked into the kitchen.
It was all I could do to keep my jaw off the floor. Our daughter-in-law, Eva, was with us and we just stood in that kitchen in amazement. It is huge. Big enough for multiple adults and children to work together at the same time. This is what we need.
Dear ones, this kitchen has two dishwashers.
It also has the very same range/oven I wanted to put into the house we were planning to build. The very same one.
It truly is better than what we had planned. I stand in awe and also bow in thanks. We are so grateful.
God is faithful
I wish I could put into words what the last few months have been like for us. We have been in a very deep time of questioning. God made it so clear that He was creating big changes for our family, and we still don’t know all the reasons why. Maybe we never will.
But we know He is faithful. We know He is good. We know God’s plans require us to be visionary, to think outside the box, and to be open to whatever He wants to do with and through our family.
We know that this will be good.
But wait, there’s more.
As we toured the house, we found that there is actually a third dishwasher in a pantry room just off the kitchen (as well as another stove/oven, another sink, two more refrigerators, and lots of shelves). I’ll show you the pantry another day, after we’ve moved and settled in. Today, I can’t stop crying in thanks. :)
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20
P.S. The photos I’m featuring today show what the house looks like currently, as a Bed and Breakfast. Some of the furniture is staying but not all of it. We’ll furnish it to best meet the needs of our family.
P.P.S. I plan to take time to tell you all about how it goes as we move, settle in, and furnish this home. Most importantly, I’ll share what God is doing with this space He is providing for us. It is very clear that He is doing big things and together, we will praise Him and give Him full glory!
Amazing! What a wonderful kitchen- and a beautiful home. I’m so excited for you
Jealous! But really not because I know I couldn’t keep up with the cleaning. But I can hear your heart. We have a very small home, but when we set up this home, I was thinking in terms of hospitality as well, with each room having a very distinct purpose. So I do understand having the need for space but also being very Kingdom minded and focused. You have a whole new generation to raise. They need that space. And your heart and gift is hospitality. I can just imagine all the awesome get togethers you are going to have there. All the mentoring and filling of babies. Laura, you and Matt have been so faithful and content for so many years with little. God has now given you more to be faithful with and glorify Him with. And I know you will! And I’m excited to hear all about your adventures! Eek! And don’t forget, someday you just might have grandchildren running up and down those halls, too. No empty nesting for you! And you (like me) wouldn’t want it any other way! Congratulations!!!!
Weirdly, I am crying FOR you. God is so, so good. I’ve been reading this blog almost since it’s inception and, though I know I shouldn’t be and I know God is bigger and more generous than we could ever imagine, I read this post in humble awe of Him. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with me (us) all these years. You have blessed me and my family countless times with your stories, your walk with God and your yummy recipes.
THANK YOU. ?? I truly can’t wait to read about the next chapter and the chapter after that! ?
May God continue to bless you abundantly with everything you need.
Amy
THANK YOU!! Forgive my poor proofreading skills today.
now I’m crying! I am so excited for you! What an answer to prayer! I couldn’t wait to see this post, and I can’t wait to read about how you bless others through this new house in the future. God has given you such a big heart to do this. You are inspiring!
hi laura…….wow, just amazing!!! i love how God works and i love how you and your family are faithfully following His lead :)
Thank you for sharing what God has done. I’m so amazingly happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!
I can’t wait to see what else He has for you all.
Pamela
So, so excited for you and your precious ones! Thank you, Father!
This is SO good. I’m so happy for you and your family. God is faithful. Not in a trite way but for real.
I couldn’t wait to see this post! I rejoice with you, sister! What a BEAUTIFUL home! This is just awesome news! Glory be to God!
Oh, Laura! I’m thanking the Lord along with you! What an amazing blessing given to such a precious family!
WOW, wow – just incredible and so like our God!! Very happy for you all.
Oh it’s so beautiful! What a wonderful refresh for your growing family. I can’t wait to hear how you’ve settled in and are enjoying your space.
Oh Laura! I am also weepy with joy for you all! Praise God for his immeasurable goodness, faithfulness and provision! He truly does bless us more than we ask or imagine.
I can just see you having gatherings with your whole family, with room for your married kids to stay the night, room to host extended family, and to continue to show hospitality to your kids’ friends and to the new community God will give you in Lincoln. I cannot wait to see what God does in this new, incredible home!!
Also, that kitchen is INCREDIBLE :D three dishwashers! What an abundance of grace!! <3
It’s beautiful! I am so happy for you! I have followed you for years. We are a homeschooling family that eat similarly to your style. Several of your recipes are on repeat around here.
Your faith and answered prayer is increasing my faith. We lost our home to a house fire this year and insurance is not being very cooperative. We have several children through the years that have joined our home and we plan to foster in the new home so we also have specific needs in a house.
Thank you for sharing your story!
I am so happy for you and your family! The house is so beautiful! God is Good and Awesome, and I have been blessed as I have followed you for a number of years and prayed for your family as it has grown. May God continue to bless you all abundantly as you follow where He leads!
Praised be to Jesus Christ Our Lord, now and forever! Amen!
This is very encouraging to me. After being a missionary for over 30 years. My husband and I are needing to find a home here in the states that would fit our needs. and what we would like to do. We love to open our home to missionaries that are passing through and hospitality to those that we come in contact with. We know that God has provided every home that we have had now we need to find where God has us to go. God will provide.
We will be caring for his parents and my husband is in a wheelchair (so the house has to be specific. ) I see how you prayed for specific things. so now I will do that. Thanks
Hooray and praise the Lord! Of course it has 2, no, 3 dishwashers! ?Why does God do such things for us?? His love reaches to the heavens and down to our dishes. Thank you for sharing this answer to prayer and your wrestling through this process. I too have been praying for a house, and that I would not be asking for it simply because I am discontent (because sometimes I am…).
So very happy for all of you, and cannot wait to see what God has for all of you in Lincoln!??
Oops, I guess my emojis turned into extra question marks…
Thanks be to God for His generosity! I’m so very happy for you!
Beautiful! God is entrusting you with so many souls and He knows you need a space to care for them!
Yes, God is so so Good! I’m blessed watching how God rewards his faithful servants. This house is truly amazing and custom built for you.
amazing!! that LOOKS LIKE THE BEST for all of you. Thank You Lord!
please take off the pic that shows the name so people can’t look it up and find your address!!!!
This is great! I was hoping you would tell us how this one fit the budget when all the other houses large enough didn’t. Will there be major repairs?
There will be plenty of upkeep because it is an old home, but no major repairs needed right now. The reason it was priced right for us is because it is a unique niche, a kind of home that not very many people would be searching for. It’s in a lovely neighborhood, but not in the new part of the city where costs are higher. It all just worked out!
I am so happy for you all! Thank you for sharing!
After reading part 1, I couldn’t help but think of one of my favorite YouTube families, Our Tribe of Many. They are a large family as well, with 11 children and they pastor at City Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. The reason I thought of them is, they are putting their home on the market after purchasing some acreage so that they can build. But just as the scripture says, exceedingly, abundantly above… their home was over 4,000 sq. ft. Just look at what God has done for you!!! What a beautiful castle for your family to gather and for you to bring glory to Him through ministry He leads you to.
Many blessings to you and your family as you embark on this incredible journey!!
Love from Florida, Pamela
God is good! I am so happy for you and your family; those babies are blessed to have you, and you are blessed to have them.
We’ll be so happy to have you in Lincoln! Back in 2015 my husband and I stayed at that b&b for our tenth anniversary ?
I have been following you since you have started and were raising your four boys. I am so excited to hear how God is going to use you all and this home for His glory. Please keep sharing! You have always been an inspiration to me.
Rejoicing in God’s goodness with you!
Praise the Lord! And, hire a house cleaner. Every week or every other week. Just to help with the every day stuff. A worthy investment.
I’ve been following you forever. This post gave me goosebumps and made me weepy with joy for you. WOW WOW WOW! God is soooo good!!! Thank you Lord for blessing this incredible family. I am just so overjoyed for you guys!!
The Rogers House was one of Sue and my faves!
You’ll have to come visit us to relive old memories and to make new ones! :)
“I kept saying, “God, I want to be content with what you have planned for us. I just want to want what you want me to want.”” – this is my prayer, too, as we are looking for a forever home. I am also crying tears of joy with you! Like someone else said, it is amazing that the Lord provides down to the last detail of dishwashers!
Congratulations! How will you have time to clean 7,000 sq ft?
My eyes are leaking tears of joy for you. I have been following you since around 2008/2009 I think and have watched your journey. What a blessing! Isn’t it just like our God to exceed your prayers just because he can? I have watched your boys grow up into fine young men and then to see God give you more children to pour your love out onto. I am so very happy for you and your family!
that is cool