We thought you would like to know that the "newness" has worn off our Jim Barna Log & Timber home. We've been here 2 1/2 years now and we're happier now than our first year. The older we get the more we love our home. Our choice has never been questioned. Of course, we sometimes look back at the photos of the building process and smile when we remember Brenda's worry that the kitchen wasn't going to be large enough. But, just as love grows in a marriage, our love of our home grows each year. Darrell continues to love the location of "our" lake and fishing anytime he takes a notion--which is pretty often.
To keep you updated, we have had two family reunions (with 30+ relatives), a wedding, numerous dinners with neighbors, several evenings under the stars making smores at the fire pit and grandkids bringing their friends for sleep-overs. As you might remember during the planning and building of our home, we used to say that we were building for our full-time retirement home as well as a get-away for our family. We have that and more. When we started the process with Jim Barna and worked with you to complete the plans, little did we know the quality and grandeur of what we would have when it was completed and we would be alone sitting by the fire as the snowflakes fell.
With your help and guidance we were able to get a vision of a "finished" product but never fully realized how our lives would change once we were actually living here. We think of you and your family often and count our blessings and our decision to choose you and Jim Barna to make our dreams come true. As it turned out, we never dreamed it would be this wonderful. All our planning was definitely worth the wait. Our next family gathering will be in October when we all go apple picking and come back to the cabin to can apples and applesauce for the coming winter. We used to meet at various state parks for our get togethers, now everyone just comes here. It is just as we had hoped.
We love our home, our lifestyle and the family that comes together at our Leesville Lake home. Thanks again for everything but most of all thanks for continuing to be our friend after your job was done. Come see us before winter sets in.
-Brenda & Darrell Sheets
"We believe that attending a Barna Seminar is an absolute must for anyone considering
building or acquiring a log home or cabin. We were very impressed by the knowledge of
Barna representatives. All of our questions and concerns were thoroughly addressed and
it was great to actually see the plant and the presentations on the construction process.
-Dick & Diane Donnelly, Pittsville, VA"
Where do I begin? I suppose the beginning would be the best place, Dec 25th, 2004.
As my husband and I were leaving my parents house after a wonderful Christmas day,
we started to discuss our house. Apparently we were both feeling as though we needed
to make a change and we have both always thought of having a log home. The drive home
was filled with all sorts of questions, ideas, what if's and who do we talk to, etc, etc. The
very next day we were out looking for land. Had our realtor getting ready to get things moving
along on our house having no idea how long the whole process would take. We knew of
another log home company about 45 minutes from where we live and we decided to make the
trip to their model and see what this log home dream was really going to involve. After talking
with one of their reps and getting an idea of what the process would be we walked away feeling
very pressured into doing something right then. Not having any idea of what else was out there
as far as choices and if this is was the company we wanted to work with. We had an idea of the
basic plan we were interested and so I called our "rep" back and left numerous messages asking
for more information. I finally called 2 of their other model locations to get information. We went
as far as to drive to one of their customers houses that was about 2 weeks from completion. Very
beautiful home but there were a few questions we had that he could not answer nor could the rep
when he finally called me back.
The main question; which I think is one most people ask; was about settling. "Our homes don't
settle, we don't make provisions for that". Even I knew that didn't sound right. With the research
both my husband and I had been doing over the Internet we knew that was the biggest clue to
run....so we did.
One afternoon we were out following up on a piece of land and decided to continue our ritual
of just driving and imagining a log home on a particular piece of property. We came around a curve
and there stood this beautiful shell of a log home. I immediately wanted to know who the company
was. We drove to the font of the yard where a Barna Log Homes rep Mike Okuley sign was standing
so proudly. I quickly wrote down the number and then went a step further; it was Sunday and it
seemed as though no one was there. We looked around and WOW! As soon as we got back home
I left a message for Mike explaining the events of the day as well as telling him I went into his house
and how magnificent I thought his home was going to be.
Not but a few hours later we were talking on the phone. After a few minutes of conversation I
realized I actually knew his son so we already had a connection. A connection that has grown into
a wonderful friendship between Mike and us. A few days later we were able to go back to Mike's
house and actually talk face to face and really get an idea of what we were looking for and how
Barna could help us build our dream home. Not one time did Mike ever force anything on us.
Answered all of our off the wall questions. Most importantly he made us feel like we were his top
priority and he wanted to do everything he could possibly do to help us make the right decision.
Mike went out of his way to start communications between us and the Clinton, TN office b/c we
were very much interested in the Eagle Ridge floor plan and since that was the same model they
worked out of, it seemed fitting for us to visit.
The whole process with Mike could not have gone any better! Anytime we have had any questions
or concerns Mike has done whatever it has taken to get us an answer or better yet, he has been a
great listener with issues that were out of his control or scope of this process. A sounding board
when you are your own GC is a great thing. We were able to go through the building course in
June, that was the best thing we could have ever done. Due to what we learned there, I felt like I
was equipped with the knowledge to be able to speak knowledgeably during the build process.
Being a female in a predominately "man's world", Mike never made me feel like that. I think I may
have even surprised him a time or two about what I had learned or how I handled a situation.
October 17, 2005 we took delivery of our log package....Mike was right there I could not have
done all the paperwork and logistics without him. Not only have we had an AWESOME experience
with Mike Okuley, but Ted Sharpe in the Clinton office has been great as well as Mike Leath with
Log Home Builders and all of his staff. We had the best crew possible-Keith Freant and his crew
really made our house a home b/c of the dedication and even a little bit of love they each put into
it. I know I have rambled on and I am sure I could go on even longer, but I wanted to give you an
overview of how we feel about Mike Okuley! He is a wonderfully genuine and caring man. Barna is
blessed to have him on their team and we were even more blessed to have him as our log home
rep and friend!
Thank you for believing in Mike and having him represent your company!
Sincerely,
Rob & Heather Smith
Forest, Va 24551
434-525-3244
my3men@msn.com
Here we sat, my husband, David and I, pen in hand ready to sign on the dotted line. Only
a lightning bolt straight from God would have stopped our signing a contract to purchase our
Barna log home on the lay-a-way plan. Our dream was becoming a reality. Just a few short
months prior David had been at the doctor’s office and spotted an advertisement for Barna in a
magazine. He wrote the name down - our journey began, the rest is history. After some internet
research, e-mails, and a few phone calls, we had an appointment to go see a Barna log home and
what an awesome sight. What an experience to meet Mike Okuley, to see and feel the
enthusiasm for the Barna log homes just seep from his pores. We were sold.
As with any dream, we had no idea our journey would be fraught with many obstacles
along the way. We now have some semblance of what it must have been like for the pioneers as
they set forth on their westward journey with big hopes and dreams to only encounter rough
terrain, Indians, and other maladies along the way to give them a reality check. Life had just
reared its ugly head and like the pioneers, our wagon wheel had fallen off.
We started off with the lay-a-way plan as that allowed us the time we needed to sell our
current home, obtain financing, and get our ducks in a row (or maybe we should say logs), PLUS
we had the added benefit of locking our price in. Unfortunately, things do not always go
according to plan. First, Barna was going through a ownership transition. Mike was right there
on top of that situation, answering our questions and assuring us 100% we would lose none of
our capital and that he had our back. We were truly impressed with his honesty and integrity.
Next we dealt with the housing market that was collapsing all around us. According to
our contract, we needed to take delivery of our package after two years, but we were unable to
do so as we had not sold our current home. Barna did not waiver in their commitment to us and
no pressure was brought to bear. They honored our contract as written, although we were in
default. They could have taken our money and turned their backs on us, but they did not. That
speaks highly about their character.
Once our house sold, we then had financing issues. We planned to build our home and
be the general contractor. With the country’s financial state, we were fortunate to find a lender
who would lend money especially for a log home. We had to jump through many hoops to
satisfy the lender’s requirements. Once we took delivery of our package was when the real fun
began. Many times the lender tied our hands financially. They held the purse strings and we
were at their mercy. We can honestly say that building our log home was a source of delight, but
also a source of much frustration and anger in our dealings with the lender. More than once,
disappointed but not beaten, we wanted to throw in the towel and call it quits, but all along the
way Mike was there offering words of encouragement to persevere.
We could not be more thankful for Barna’s expertise and the quality of the home. They
understood the vision we had. It is not all about money and the bottom line, it is about a good
product and a happy customer. Barna has much to offer with the classes and seminars, which are
very informative and helpful in understanding the building process. They get the big picture -
they help fulfill the dream.
Mike and Linda Okuley of Piney Creek Farm have been a pleasure. Mike has been such
a source of information, always answering any questions we had in a prompt manner, finding out
the answer if he did not know it, working relentlessly to see that all is done in a timely manner,
being a source of referrals of other businesses and contractors, and working relentlessly to
straighten out any issues or problems that come along. We could not have gone through this
process without Mike’s experience and expertise. He is a true example of quality customer
service at its best. And best of all, we now call Mike and Linda friends.
Now here we sit on our front porch in the rocking chairs looking at our beautiful view.
We are blessed and thankful for having had this experience. We have come home.
David and Debbie Cundiff
Abingdon, Virginia 
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