Unfortunately, not all people coincide well... This is true of our family with our neighbors. About 20 years ago, my dad bought the land he resides on from the neighbors in the houses ahead of us. Since then, they remind us all the time that they should still have the right to control what we do with our property. (...talk about not being able to let go...)
Several years ago, we attempted to hold a Gymkhana event similar to the Arrow Head Arenas. It was family fun barrel racing and speed events. We held it as a fundraiser for my cousin to get a wheel chair lift for his van. Our neighbors found out after the fact, and requested that the township shut down our horse operation. It was concluded that we were not to hold these events because it brought in money, and that was not allowed in the zoning we lived in. However, a hobby farm was still allowed, due to the grandfathering rule. They then asked to shut that down because it was a "business" in a non commercial area... I find it hard to call losing thousands of dollars a year on my hobby a business... (however, it's funny.... They neglected to tell the township about all the stalls they rent out in THEIR barns for car storage for their profit. It seemed allowed in their minds... I guess it's hard to call theirs a business if it's hidden from the government's knowledge and records.... ) :)
Just a few days ago, my dad and I requested to hold non-profit Equestrian practice for the Holland Christian Jr. Equestrian team. Our neighbors, (names are hidden to protect their identities) fought the board saying they just didn't like the idea, and pulled up all the fights from the previous event 5 years ago. The board allowed us our request because it didn't go against any rule they have in our zoning in the township. Here is my reason for this entry in my blog.
After the first issue, we came to what we thought was a truce... (or as close to one you can get to with neighbors who can't genuinely come to one and still had the spite to two-face themselves well.) They asked that we help keep the weeds down on their property in between our houses... we agreed to plant an alfalfa field there and to keep up on the weed kill and keep it mowed and looking clean. Although this put more work for us during the haying season, we agreed. It was what we thought a "win-win" situation.... they didn't have to pay to keep it clean, and we got some reasonable quality hay for our work.
After this last "loss" from the Township board about allowing the Equestrian practice, they went back on their word, and chose a new low... Well, the picture speaks more clear then words :) No more clean alfalfa field. It's been mowed, and wasted.... We are welcoming the weeds back graciously. CJW
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I know all you horse lover's can feel our disbelief and hurt. Thanks for reading.
Please keep our neighbors in your prayers and thoughts... as angry as we'd like to be, we will "turn the other cheek". We feel bad that there are people in our world, who have nothing better to do, and put efforts toward hateful decisions, and to do something like this. Thank you.
As stated 8 times in the Bible:
"...and the second is like it: 'you shall Love your neighbor as yourself'
MATTHEW 22:39 NKJ 39
"And the second, like it, is this: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
MARK 12:31 NKJ 31
So he answered and said, " `You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and `your neighbor as yourself.' "
LUKE 10:27 NKJ 27
www.awakenedimages.com . David & Cara Williams . awakenedimages@yahoo.com
