too full for words

That is how it's been lately.  Life has been ever-so-full.  Someone recently asked if writing has Providentially ceased.  Be it known that, indeed, words have been on short supply here.  But that is not because there is a shortage of fodder...merely that of time.  There are so many things to do on any given day, that one wonders how it all shall fit within each 24 hour period ending in "y."  And many times, it does not.  And so the things which seem to fall away are those which do not cry "Mama!" or need to be fed, ironed, cleaned.  And then there are the voices which ask whether Mama will be on the computer all day....and she really doesn't want to be.

Veteran in a New Field

So, the time has come. My military man is hanging up his ACUs and all the other sundry acronyms that daze and confuse the labrynth of our language. Today, he attends a class to show him (who has enough years of study in subjects of far-reaching mathematical and scientific precision under his belt to sufficiently quell the casual observer's curiousity) how to be successful. Successful in what? THAT is a good question. So, today's assignment was to "dress for success." And this is how he went. Rather smart looking agister, if I do say so myself. Rather smart indeed. What kind of man leaves a successful career and steady paycheck to till and toil? This man. My man. Why? To bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Because we are raising a whole lot more than cows, sheep, pigs and chickens. Because we are cultivating more important things than produce. Because sustainability is good, but sanctification is better. Not only for the next generation, but to a thousand generations....Providentially!

Hiatus

Sometimes we just need a break. Thankfully, the Lord knows our frame and remembers we are dust. After an extremely sanctifying summer, we are looking forward to a productive, but restful autumn. And if you want to see what we have been up to, perhaps you can visit Sara and scroll down to the Wedding on the Farm. Hospitality has been the theme at Providence Farm lately....Providentially!

Providence is...

sometimes hard to understand, but it is always for our good. It has been a very busy season here at Providence Farm...and a HOT one at that! We are working hard, and sometimes struggling, to maintain life here...from garden to animals. Seems that occasionally things grow where you don't want them to, or don't where you do. Things die that you don't want to die and things thrive that you'd like to kill! But, as Solomon says, there is nothing new under the sun. It has always been so, at least since The Fall in the original garden. And as long as the sun and moon are in the heavens, there will be springtime and harvest. The seasons continue. And we must learn to accept and enjoy each season as Providence would have it. We must practice Heaven on Earth. And in so doing, keep tending the garden....regaining dominion where it has been lost...Providentially.

What Mama has been up to lately

....may surprise those who really know me. I have been learning to navigate my way around on the John Deere. Mainly, how to take half a ton of hay to those incessantly grazing critters who don't have enough grass to keep their four stomachs happy. Those cud-chewing, ornery things get downright unruly when you come into the pasture bearing gifts. I'll be quite pleased when the grass is really growing again and they can get back to their routine of lowing peacefully in the meadows.

I have also been known of late to actually venture outside on poultry harvesting day. I managed to take a photo or two without fainting. I even, believe it or not, have added to my resume...Quality Control. Rinsing the featherless, gutless creatures and tucking their legs so as to fit ever so neatly into the bags, before finding their intermediate resting place in the Arctic region of the barn. I wonder how many folks really know what a chicken looks like before it is mechanically separated into the gobbledygook being breaded and masqueraded as food and sold as a bill of goods in the supermarket or fast food joint-du-jour. And that after a so-called life, never having seen the light of day or grass, or been nurtured by a human being. Hmmm...

Farm living may not be easy. In fact, it can be quite difficult. It is, however, faith building. One can learn a great deal observing the Providence of God around here. Theology, biology, physics, mathematics...the list goes on. Some things we have learned, and continue to learn repeatedly....gratitude, grace, humility, charity. Often, the students can be the teachers and vice versa. But, it is all good....Providentially.

And now back to our regularly scheduled program...

Snowball fights with cousins....

Please forgive the haitus. Things are always busy on a farm. Add to that a number of little people and, well, it grows exponentially. I just discovered where all the unmoderated comments go! So, if you have just finally seen yours, that would be why. I have to subject comments to moderation because this is a fallen world in which we live, and there are some out there that care far less about what others see. "I will set no vile thing before mine eyes..." nor will I allow it on my blog. So, dearest friends, please do not think you are being ignored. We just have to work around the foolishness of the world and pray for redemption.

In the meantime, here is a little of what has been going on around Providence Farm.

Let's go down to the river to pray...

Testing the waters

Follow Me

Walking in Newness of Life

Professing Faith in Christ, Joining the Church Visible

Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow!

I have no greater joy than to know my children walk in Truth.