Audrey's Abode - A Place of Restoration

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Restoration - It is such a beautiful word in my world.  It is something I believe we should all be working toward in one way or another.  It is the message of the gospel in the Christian faith.  Restoration renews our vision, helps us to appreciate the past, live joyfully in the present, and have hope for the future. One of the saddest things is driving around the country and seeing historical buildings crumbling and abandoned, relationships fall apart or fade away, and people giving up on dreams and relationships  Restoration fights all of those things.  People who make it their life's work to pick up the pieces and rebuild, no matter how long it takes, inspire me in so many ways.  That is why we added an extra day to our Christmas vacation this year, so we could stay at this restored cabin that I found on Airbnb..

In many ways, our Christmas vacation in itself was a form of restoration for our family.  It was the first time in my life, that I would be visiting my birth father's home and the first time that I would ever get to meet my two half-brothers and my three nephews.  My goal was to start the process of restoration of a broken story that I had no control of and that shouldn't have been the way that it was.  However, I believe in a God of restoration and this year, he brought about the perfect circumstances that would lead our family to abandon our normal Christmas traditions and venture out on a vacation of restoration.  It seemed fitting that we should start at Audrey's Abode in Jacksonville, IL.  I don't even remember how I found it.  The fact that I even came across it is sort of a God thing because I can think of no better way for us to have started the week.  Staying here centered me and brought me a guiding hope for the rest of the vacation that I previously had been somewhat nervous and fearful about.

When we pulled into the driveway and noticed the lit Christmas tree through the window, we immediately got excited.  It had such a cozy look that we couldn't wait to get out of the van and explore this beautiful cabin.  I had a chance to talk to Bryan, the owner, before we left, and got a bit of history from this place.  This beautiful cabin is located on a 7-acre hobby farm that the owner and his family live on.  Bryan found this home near Lima, IL and took it apart and moved it to his property where he began an 8-year long process of rebuilding it and putting on a few additions to give it some modern amenities that would make this a cozy, yet historical, retreat for visitors.  In the rebuilding process, he also used reclaimed materials from over 10 different barns, and other local structures, adding to the historical charm of the place.  The cabin is named after his grandmother and the coffee cake they serve to visitors is a family recipe that has been passed down.  Not only was I inspired talking to him about this beautiful place, but I was so excited to see that he just moved another historical building to his property and he and his son were getting ready to set it on its new foundation the very day that we were there.  He is planning to restore this building for guests to stay at too.  He talked with great joy about the interesting people he has met by having this open for visitors to stay at.  This was one inspiring person with a vision that was touching, motivating and inspiring on many levels.  This world could certainly use more people with a vision like Bryan's.

The coffee cake that his wife made for us was AMAZING!!!! I think everyone in my family agrees that it was, by far, the best-tasting thing any of us ate on our entire vacation and we ate a lot of really good food.  Bryan joked with us that he spent 8 years restoring this cabin, but what everyone talks about and loves the most is the coffee cake that his wife makes.  It is THAT good!  Actually, I think the charm of the cabin and the homemade coffee cake complement each other beautifully and make it one of the most coziest places, full of charm and character, that I have ever stayed at.

My only regret is that we only stayed here for one night.  However, it is certainly in my plans for future travel.  It is not that far from Springfield, IL, so it is the perfect place to stay the next time I plan to go to Springfield.  In fact, I'm thinking it would make a great place to go for our anniversary.  There is a full kitchen and even a washer and dryer which makes this an excellent place for staying for a few days.

I absolutely love this framed tapestry art that had dried flowers and herbs that show how you would get the different colors when using these flowers and herbs to dye the string.  I had never seen anything like this before and found it quite fascinating.  It made me think of the early immigrants, raising sheep, hand shearing them, spinning the wool, and then dying it using the above flowers/herbs in a giant cast iron pot over a roaring fire to get the different colors.

The beautiful curved stairway leads up to a loft where there are three double beds.  All of my children slept upstairs and really loved having their own level of the cabin to hang out.  They also give the Wifi connection for this cabin a thumbs up.  None of them had a hard time connecting and said it worked super fast.  This was not always the case on our vacation, as I overheard them talking about how the old fashioned cabin had better Wifi than some of the hotels we stayed at.

Let me detour a bit.  Eight years!  It took him eight years to restore this cabin.  I am often so impatient with wanting restoration to happen quickly.  Getting to appreciate all the details of eight years of labor made me realize how worth the wait is.  Things that are broken, abandoned, forgotten or unloved cannot be fixed overnight.  It all takes time.  We all have things in our lives that we want fixed right now.  Staying here was a reminder to me that it takes time to make all the details just right.  It renewed my patience for the things in my life that I wish could be restored now and made me more willing to wait, knowing that it is the process of time and the faithful labor of love that will make the details worth the wait.

Downstairs has the master bedroom and it is super cute and cozy.  The quilt on the bed added to the historic charm and was another reminder of beautiful things, created in love, over time, that have the potential to bless many.  The stained glass window in the room divides the bedroom from the living room and we could see the Christmas tree shining through the window which made for a lovely, romantic, night-light.

Bed with Quilt Photo for Sale Here

There are plenty of books to keep one reading for your stay.  Since we were only here for one night, I enjoyed reading the different entries in the guest book.  My daughters found it interesting that someone had proposed in the cabin.  For another, it was the first place she stayed in America.  I always love reading the guestbooks.  What fun it must be for the owners to read everyone's story.

Cozy Corner Photo For Sale Here

The beautiful artwork hanging throughout the cabin really adds to the decor.  Each piece depicts a simpler time and almost transports you to a different time and place, along with all the wood in the cabin and the architecture almost telling its own stories of history.

In many ways, it was like spending the night in a living history museum.  One of my favorite places to visit is Old World Wisconsin in Eagle, WI.  Some of their historical homes look similar to this one.  So, getting to spend the night here reminded me of being at Old World Wisconsin.  It made me think of the early immigrants who came here and originally built these homes.  Most of all, it made me thankful that someone would go through the years of rebuilding and then sharing it with all of us.  It was a gift to be able to stay here, a real joy and blessing.

Sunrise Photo For Sale Here

While my husband enjoyed stargazing at night, for me, the highlight was watching the most beautiful sunrise from the front porch.  I felt so close to God and felt strongly that this vacation was a new beginning, a restoration project in itself.  The silhouette of the dead winter trees, beautified by the orange glow of the rising sun, mixed with a layer of fog, spoke to me of how God brings dead things to life and restores them for his glory.  It was in this moment of watching the sunrise that an extreme peace fell over me and centered me for the rest of the trip.  It was a beautiful reminder of what I had just heard in church the previous morning at our candlelight service that God was present with me in that moment and He would be present our entire trip.  He never leaves us or forsakes us and is always busy bringing about His great plan of restoration, and He allowed us to experience this so that we would be assured of this very thing.  It was such a moving moment that I wrote a poem about the sunrise.

Restoration Sunrise

by:  Hannah Babiak

Awakened by the glow

Of a golden, orange light.

I want your love to know

The sun blazes through the night.

Dead winter trees become

A picture of my story.

In awe I stand, all numb

Beholding all Your glory.

Illumination bright,

Dazzling canvas sparks my joy
As I savor this sight,

The fears I have, You destroy.

Your Spirit moves like fog

Hovering presence I feel.

A speaking dialog

Your love for me feels so real.

Suddenly, I feel brave

My fears seem small, your love great.

I am no longer a slave

Your grace has lifted that weight.

If you happen to visit Audrey's Abode, leave me a comment and let me know how you enjoy your stay.  I love to hear from readers.

Sunrise Photo For Sale Here

Until next time, always choose the scenic life!

Hannah Babiak is a stock photographer and travel blogger.  For writing assignments or ideas for future posts, please contact her at alwayschoosethesceniclife@gmail.com or leave a comment below.