Imagine this, the whispers of the Spirit…
Carmen sits across from her best friend Nancy, coffee steaming between them, laughter already dancing around the table. Their conversation drifts, as it often does, toward life and dreams. Out of the blue, Nancy leans in with a sparkle in her eye and says, “You could do that. You’re great at loving on people, and hospitality is your gift!”
The words land deep. Carmen feels them echo in her chest, like a bell struck in the quiet.
Later that evening, she shares Nancy’s comment with me. I listen, arms folded, the dream stirring in me but wrapped in practicality.
“Okay,” I finally say, “but here’s what it needs to look like.”
For a while, we sketch, plan, and pray. We even go on drives to see what might be out there. Yet no matter how many pages we fill, things refuse to come together. Doors close. Ideas unravel. And Carmen, ever the one to dream wider, begins to think outside the box.
The Plan
That’s when she finds it.
A property over an hour away, far from the location I imagined. She shows me the listing with a light in her eyes.
“Honey, we need to go look at this place in Weeki Wachee.”
I blink. “Where?!”
Still, we go. And when we arrive, my first thought is, This can’t be it. The grounds look weary, though promising. And the house is tired, like it’s carrying more stories of brokenness than hope.
But then… something shifts.
Standing there in the house, Carmen sees all she needs to see. By the time we finished the tour, though slower than Carmen, I could see it too. We feel it. Not just in our minds or our hearts, but physically, tangibly, unmistakably. The Spirit of God. Whispering, This is the place.
And just like that, the decision is made. Not by us, but for us.
The Transformation
The purchase marks the beginning of a new chapter. Not only for the old house, but for us as well. Over the next two plus years, Chateau Mariposa undergoes a transformation as complete and relentless as the one happening inside our own souls.
At first, the task feels impossible. We hear the whispers around us, “Are the Ramseys crazy?” And, at times, even wonder ourselves.
The Chateau needs everything. AC, electrical, plumbing, water heater, septic system, roof, floors, ceilings, baseboards, doors, windows, paint, landscaping… every inch cries out for renewal. And so, weekend after weekend, weekday after weekday, we pick up hammers and brushes, tools and prayers, becoming reluctant but determined DIY warriors.
The house isn’t the only one being rebuilt. So are we.
Covered in Prayer
We don’t walk this road alone – we couldn’t have. Friends pray over us. Others speak words of encouragement that lift us when exhaustion drags us low. Even the neighbors, curious at first, soon become family, welcoming us with smiles and affirming our vision. Carmen hosts neighborhood gatherings, and one by one, hearts open, relationships form. Gratitude fills the air as if the land itself is breathing again.
And yet, there were shadows during that time, too. Lingering squatters. Drug activity. Permits and approvals that stretch longer than patience allows. Sub-contractors who vanish when most needed. Jobs and schedules that strain us thin.
The question lingers in the dark: Is this really God?
Wrestling With Doubt
Some nights we wonder if we’ve missed it. Maybe we should sell. Maybe this was never God’s plan, just our ambition dressed in faith’s clothing.
But the thought of selling doesn’t feel like letting go of a house. It feels like selling out on the whisper that started it all, the conviction that this was more than a project. It was the plan that would be a part of fulfilling God’s purpose.
And so, through the doubt and the dust, through laughter and tears, we keep going. Because deep down, beneath the noise of fear and fatigue, there remains a quiet, unwavering sense:
This is not just our story. This is the Spirit’s story. This is a God-story!
Things To Know
First, Carmen and Scott are not “Super Spiritual,” and we don’t have it all figured out. We are sincerely working on following Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and learning to do as He did. We delight in His way because we trust Him and know that He will take care of us.
Second, we know God’s purpose. And we also understand He knows the desire of our hearts.
Third, He doesn’t make us do something He hasn’t designed for us to do. So, with the gifts and strengths He has given us, He fulfills the desire of our hearts by ordering our steps so that we can fulfill His purpose in our lives.
The Dreams of our Heart
Proverbs 16:9
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
I really love this verse. Most people look at this verse as though God establishes their steps because they plan/steps that are not what God wants.
But what this verse says is this: Humans plan their course in their hearts, and though they plan their course, God is so awesome that he establishes the steps of their plan.
And here is one of the keys:
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in His way.”
— Psalm 37:23
Notice this verse says, “When…..he (we – me and you) delights in His way.”
What Carmen and I are finding is that the more in love with Jesus we fall, the more trust we have. And the more trust we have, the more we delight in His way! Let me caution here – this does not mean this makes it easy or that we live life with rose-colored glasses on. But we know that even when we walk through the valley, we have peace. We have peace because He is our provider – we do not lack (Psalm 23).
Holy Spirit Speaks
When Carmen and I first set foot on what is now Chateau Mariposa, we sensed something deeper than the beauty of the grounds. The tall trees, the soft pine path, the open spaces. They all seemed to whisper, “Peace.”
Yet what moved us most wasn’t just the property itself, but the quiet nudge of the Holy Spirit:
“This is more than a venue; this is a place where people will encounter My love.”
Following the Spirit’s Lead
Owning a short-term rental and micro-wedding/event venue wasn’t just a business decision. It was a journey of listening.
We prayed. We waited. We were clear about the plan and had no question about His purpose. Step by step, the Spirit guided us through unexpected confirmations, open doors, and a steady peace that said:
“Keep walking.”
-Holy Spirit
Looking back, we can see how God was establishing our steps through the plans that were on our hearts that were all about accomplishing His purpose through our lives. He gave us a vision for a place not just filled with unique character, interior design, décor, butterfly gardens, tables, and tents. But He gave us a place where laughter, tears, covenant promises, peace, and prayers would be echoed under the canopy of His creation.
More Than a Venue, a Ministry
At Chateau Mariposa, our goal isn’t simply to host weddings, celebrations, or a vacation place of rest, it’s to love on people.
We believe every stay and event is an opportunity to reflect God’s heart:
- To remind couples that love is sacred and covenantal.
- To offer families a gathering place where they feel cherished.
- To create an environment where guests leave not just with memories, but with a touch of God’s presence.
We’ve discovered that when you allow the Spirit to direct your plans, He doesn’t just give you a place, He gives you a purpose.
God’s Plan in Our Plans
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
— Proverbs 16:9
We knew we were opening a short-term rental, a wedding and event venue, but God was establishing a ministry. He made that clear to us from the beginning. And, we were clear about His purpose.
He was creating a space where love could live, where moments become cherished memories, and where His goodness can be seen through simple acts of hospitality. And we also know that this is generational in some way. Maybe partially with the families who stay here, and maybe partially with our children.
A Reflection for You
Maybe today you’re standing at your own crossroads, wondering which direction to go.
Can I encourage you? Don’t be afraid to place your plans in the hands of the Holy Spirit. He may just surprise you with a bigger story than you imagined.
Challenge of the Week
What step of obedience is He asking you to take today?
Where might He be leading you to use your plans for His purpose?
At Chateau Mariposa, we’re still walking this journey of faith, trusting that each stay, each event, each couple, and each guest is part of the story He is writing. And it is our joy to love people well along the way. What is your story He is writing? So be it.
✨ Chateau Mariposa — where magical moments become cherished memories, and where God’s love quietly and clearly speaks through the beauty of His creation.
Other related posts:
- What is Your Purpose in Life
- Everyone Has Purpose – Podcast with the Grunewalds
- The Will – What Is It
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
