They say, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” While it’s easier said than done, the reality is that with determination and hard work, even the most challenging goals can be achieved. When we set our minds to something, the possibilities are endless.
Cara Brookins found herself trapped in an abusive marriage, but as a mother of five, she knew she had to protect her children from the harmful environment they were living in. Determined to start fresh, she left her husband and, with her kids by her side, set out to build a new home entirely from scratch. How did she accomplish this? By designing her own construction plans and learning essential building skills—like laying a foundation, constructing walls, running gas lines, and installing plumbing—through YouTube tutorials. It’s an inspiring and almost unbelievable story, isn’t it?
Looking back now, Cara admits the entire journey feels almost impossible. In 2007, when she began constructing a new home for her family, she was working as a computer programmer analyst and couldn’t afford a house spacious enough for her five children. That’s when she had the bold idea to build it herself, starting from the ground up.
“It felt like, ‘If anyone were in our situation, they would do this,’” Cara recalled. “But no one else seemed to see it that way, and in hindsight, I realize it sounds completely crazy.”
Cara purchased a one-acre plot of land for $20,000 and secured a construction loan of approximately $150,000 to make her dream a reality. Her children, ranging in age from 2 to 17, played a vital role in building their 3,500-square-foot home.
Her son Drew assisted with drafting the construction plans, while 11-year-old Jada took on the labor-intensive task of hauling water from a neighbor’s pond in buckets—since there was no running water on-site. She mixed the water with 80-pound bags of concrete to create the foundation mortar for their home.
Every day after school, Cara’s children joined her at the construction site to contribute to the building process. For the more challenging tasks, she hired a part-time firefighter with construction experience at $25 an hour. “He was just a step ahead of us in terms of expertise,” Cara recalled.
On March 31, 2009, the family moved into their new home, which they named Inkwell Manor—a nod to Cara’s dream of becoming a writer.
“We were embarrassed that building our own shelter was our best option,” Cara admitted. “It wasn’t something we took pride in at the time, but it turned out to be the most empowering decision I could have made for myself and my family.”
“If I, a 110-pound computer programmer, can build an entire house,” Cara said, “then you’re capable of achieving anything you set your mind to.”
She went on to encourage others, saying, “Choose one goal and commit to it. Identify the big dream you want to pursue, take small steps toward it, and invite others who need healing to join you on the journey. There’s incredible strength in that shared experience.”
Isn’t this one of the most inspiring stories you’ve come across recently?
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