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| My love! |
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| This is me! |
My name is Tracy Britnell. I am happily married to Gene Britnell, my high school sweetheart. Gene is the love of my life. We have had many exciting adventures together and look forward to many more. We will be celebrating our 23rd anniversary on Sept 22th. 2013.
We have 2 incredible sons. Hunter Chase is 21 yrs. old.
Forest Chance is 18 yrs. old.
My two boys are my true heart!
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| My Boys....My Heart! |
I gave my heart to Jesus Christ many years ago and I strive to walk in a daily relationship with Him everyday. He is my Lord and Savior and my Best Friend. I try to live my life to honor him in everything that I do.
Gene and I have a calling and passion for foreign missions. We take teams on short term mission trips. Our purpose is to go and help the missionary that lives amongst the people with a project that will meet their physical needs. This opens a door to share Jesus with them. We have led, through God's grace and guidance, many successful and life changing mission trips to Africa, Ecuador, Guatemala, Ukraine and Trinidad.
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| Chance, Me, Gene Chances first mission trip...Ecuador 2010 |
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| Gene installing septic system in Ecuador 2010 |
 me planting seeds in a kek chi village in Guatemala 2005 
Chase's first mission trip-Guatemala 2005
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We have been blessed with the opportunity to assist in projects such as installing water catchment and filtration systems, building projects, digging and installing a septic tank, installing gardens, conducting medical and lice clinics, vacation Bible School, and many other incredible projects.
After graduating from Chelsea High school in 1989, I moved to Atlanta, Ga. to attend The American College for the Applied Arts. I had a small scholarship and was in pursuit of my degree in Fashion Merchandising and Design. After about 6 months I decided I could not live another moment without my true love. I moved home and married my high school sweetheart. We both continued college and worked. Long story short I graduated from Southern Institute with my fashion merchandising and Design degree and was 7 months pregnant with my Chase. I continued my education at Phillips Jr. College and graduated with my second degree in Advanced Interior Design. At that point Chase was 3 yrs. old and Chance was 6 months old.
A few months later Gene graduated with his Bachelors of Business from Sanford University.
We were working, going to college and having babies. EXHAUSTING!
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| When they were my sweet little babies! |
I obtained a love and passion for gardening that I did not realize I had when we purchased our first house in 1996. I began reading gardening books, attending classes and getting my hands dirty. I went on to complete the master gardener's course.
I decided I wanted to change my career focus from interior to exterior with the idea of creating outdoor rooms and garden rooms. I signed up for an online Landscape design course and went to work. After obtaining my degree in landscape design, I started my business called Creative Elements landscape and garden design.
I realized I needed to expand my plant and horticulture knowledge to enable me to choose the best plant materials for my designs. In 2009, I was blessed with a part time position at Petals from the Past in Jemison, Alabama. Petals is a wonderful retail garden nursery and farm, specializing in antique roses, old fashioned perennials, herbs, vegetables and fruit. I am responsible for working with customers on designs, displays, teaching classes and seminars and whatever needs to be done! I absolutely love it!
I am presently working at Petals anywhere from 3-4 days a week and I stay very busy with consultations and creating design plans for my Creative Element clients.
In the past 2 years I have developed this incredible passion for sustainable, organic edible gardening and living. I have been self studying and reading everything I can get my hands on. Along the way I found Permaculture and it just made so much sense to me. Permaculture seem to be all of my thoughts and ideas and everything I was trying to wrap my head around into one beautiful package! I have been captivated ever since.
I am going to be attending a Permaculture design course at Spiral Ridge Permaculture Farm in Tennessee September 30th. - October 12th 2013. It will be 13 days of intense study and hands on learning at their Permaculture Farm. I will be camping in a tent! I am definitely going to become one with nature! After completing the course I will receive an internationally recognized certification as a permaculture designer and teacher.
I am so EXCITED!
When I return Jason Powell, owner of Petals and I will begin designing and building a Permaculture Forest Garden at Petals from the Past to add as an addition to our many on site educational gardens. I will also be teaching some classes. Exciting things to come!
I believe God gives us a passion for the very thing he created us to do and be.
I am incredibly in love with my God and my family.......Passionate about foreign missions and helping people.......and passionate about healthy eating, design, gardening, permaculture and sustainability. And somehow God has orchestrated a beautiful connection of all these things and blessed me with the opportunity to do just what I am passionate to do with my life for his Glory!
This blog is intended to be a documentary of my journey as I study and practice permaculture and sustainable gardening and living. My hope is that all who follow my blog will be inspired and join me as I strive to live for Jesus.....care for this beautiful earth He created for us......care for the people He has placed in my life .....and share the harvest of all He has blessed me with.
"No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth,
and no culture comparable to that of the garden." - Thomas Jefferson
