Faith Family Farm

In the Valley



Go here, In the Valley, and.... 
                                                               Thank Him.

The Valley of Vision

Lord, High and Holy, Meek and Lowly,

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up, 
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine;

Let me find Thy light in my darkness,
Thy life in my death,
Thy joy in my sorrow,
Thy grace in my sin,
Thy riches in my poverty,
Thy glory in my valley.

(The Valley of Vision Puritan Prayers and Devotions)

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody

Baby Calves

If you have seen the girls' blog at threemaidens, you have seen Sarah's post on feeding baby calves.  If you haven't been there, they are raising 18 baby Holstein calves with their grandparents.  Go over and check out the other pics Sarah took.

Sarah and Jenny are mixing the calf milk and pouring into bottles. This is mostly Sarah and Grandmama's job.  After we are finished feeding, everything must be washed, ready for the next feeding at 7 am or 5 pm.

The girls and grandmama are feeding the darling babies.  Most have names, but I get them confused.  12 are the 12 sons of Jacob, and they have Samson, Mooney, Dal, and Nut.  There is usually a personality which goes with each one.



Poppy and Jamin built feeding troughs for the grain and hay to go in.  They did a very fine job.  My family doesn't like doing things half way, so, when they build something it looks very good.  Great work!


Jamin really did help, we just got there late to get pics and got the finished products.


Jamin had worked very hard on cleaning the barn lot when we first brought the calves in.  He washed and washed the concrete.  It looks great!

Thanks for enjoying the farm life with us!

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody

Reflection

"For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
1 Samuel 16:7


Christlikeness
Father of Jesus,
Dawn returns, but without thy light within no outward light can profit;
Give me the saving lamp of thy Spirit that I  may see thee,
the God of my salvation, the delight of my soul, rejoicing over me in love.
I commend my heart to thy watchful care, for I know its treachery and power;
Guard its every portal from the wily enemy,
Give me quick discernment of his deadly arts,
Help me to recognize his bold disguise as an angel of light, and bid him begone.
May my words and works allure others to the highest walks of faith and love!
May loiterers be quickened to greater diligence by my example!
May worldlings be won to delight in acquaintance with thee!
May the timid and irresolute be warned of coming doom by my zeal for Jesus!
Cause me to be a mirror of thy grace, to show others the joy of thy service,
May my lips be well-tuned cymbals sounding thy praise,
Let a halo of heavenly-mindedness sparkle around me and a lamp of kindness sunbeam my path.
Teach me the happy art of attending to things temporal with a mind intent on things eternal.
Send me forth to have compassion on the ignorant and miserable.
Help me to walk as Jesus walked, my only Saviour and perfect model,
His mind my inward guest, His meekness my covering garb.
Let my happy place be amongst the poor in spirit,
my delight the gentle ranks of the meek.
Let me always esteem others better than myself, and find in true humility an heirdom to two worlds.
(From The Valley of Vision-Puritan Prayers and Devotions)

My Jesus, Lord and Savior, help me to always be a reflection of Your love, Your life, Your will.

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody

Ever Thankful



Ever so grateful!!!  Over at Dayspring they sell the "Ever Grateful" dishes.  They are beautiful, and a reminder to be thankful for simple blessings.  Some day I may have an entire set, for now, they are used as special reminders and service.  Sarah's freshly ground wheat chocolate chip cookies look simply amazing on the plate!  They taste even more ummm ummm delicious!

"I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonders. 
I will be glad and exult in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High."
Psalm 9:1-2

Still thankful 
1086 tree stands
1087 dad and son putting up stand
1088 walk in the woods
1089 joyful singing
1090 come thou fount of every blessing
1091 "sets the needy securely on high"
1092 "makes His families like a flock"
1093 "consider the lovingkindnesses of the Lord"
1094 trees waving through windows
1095 the Word of the Lord abides forever

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody

Contend Earnestly


"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."
2 Timothy 2:15

We, along with a few families, meet together to do as the scripture above commands.  We study God's word, sometimes in our home or when weather permits, outside around the fire pit.  Taking a hayride on top of the ridge, pizzas and God's word, where we could see God's wonderful creation is also a great combination.  Being together to study, praise Him in song, and  lift one another up helps us to "avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness," as stated in verse 16.  We take very seriously learning from the Word of God.  Our desire is to "contend earnestly for the faith which was ONCE FOR ALL handed down to the saints," and to "sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, ALWAYS being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, YET with gentleness and reverence."  (Caps mine)
Enjoy pics of our study and praise time.






We even throw in feeding baby calves with our group!  Aren't they sweet?


The fun-filled hayride!  Smiles and laughter!


On top of the ridge, having to watch for cow-piles every now and then. *grin*
And, the gorgeous view of God's creation below.








Visiting and playing frisbee!

Digging in God's Word

What the evening brought, a glorious, beautiful sky!

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody

God Exists

(Taken in Cades Cove)
Just as nature and the heavens reveal knowledge that God exists in Psalm 19:1-6, His Word also reveals His existence. Isn't God good?

Psalm 19:7-11 says,
" The law of the Lord IS perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord IS sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord ARE right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord IS pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord IS clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord ARE true; they ARE righteous altogether.
They ARE more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there IS great reward."
(capitalization mine)
Thank You, Lord, for perfection, restoring, making wise, rejoicing, purity, enlightening, cleansing, enduring, truth, righteousness, and being more desirable than anything this world could offer; thank You for making me aware of a greater reward, not as we think of rewards, but blessings from Your cup, in keeping Your law.

Can't stop counting #1036-#1050
Schooling-home education
cool, brisk fall morning
probiotics
throat lozenges
daughters helping grandparents build fence
van for sale
tissues
clean sheets
open windows
1st time reading glasses - yes, mine :p
son's 1st glasses
daughter glad for NEW glasses and contacts
daughters helping children's choir, following in mother's footsteps
movie night
throws for snuggling

Check out the updates to "Meet the Family," and "My Journey," in the sidebar.

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody

God's Scenery

Pictures of beautiful Indian Boundary, as promised.  It was nearing the season of autumn, and rained some, so the sun was not out as in years past, but the scenery is still amazing.

You will see pics of the lake with the early morning mist rising, the mountains, which at times were totally covered by the fog, trees reflecting in the water and ducks nearby.  Paths we walked, and bridges to cross, a bird nesting for the night, and simply God's creations of a stump covered by moss and heart-shaped plants, all proving His existence.  Psalms 19:1-6 (I could give you a link, but go look it up, read a bit extra, His Words are refreshing for the soul).

Enjoy God's scenery

















A reminder to sign up as our friends, we love to see you and be able to pray for you as God brings you to our minds.  Enjoy this blessed day, and go speak to the One who created ALL!!!  He longs to hear you!

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody

I Did It!!! 1000 Gifts!!!

I did it! One Thousand Gifts, have you been counting?
Amazing what happens when we consciously, and physically record our blessings from Him.

God is good.  Slow down.  Count.  Say "Thank You."  See what happens.

The hard eucharisteos, are good, easier to bear when we know the Giver of life.

"To live eucharistically, what it means to live giving thanks in ALL things," is what Ann Voskamp has taught me.
Still Counting #996-1035
*mosquito bites     *more Repel     *water coolers     *Tervis tumblers
***#1000     God's grace, mercy, protection***
*1000+ eucharisteos     *maple and oak trees     *dad in hammock     *pines and unknown trees     *camp store     *butterfingers     *calendar/planner in mail     *parents caring for home     *borrowed rope lights     *borrowed tent-WOW-nice! Thank you!     *beef jerky     *The Gentle Ways of the Beautiful Woman     *5 days camping      *pancakes and sausage     *7 days camping-heading home     *yearly picture around the lake     *walks - alone and together     *guitar, dulcimer and singing     *to Him...everything to Him     *all pitching in     *4 teenagers-best thing to have     *cleaning     *organization     *husband at work-our provider     *our Provider of all     *ladies night with wonderful moms and daughters     *Nicole     *like-minded ladies desiring God's design and plan     *new friends     *a son who likes order     *laundry     *washing dishes     *math     *feeding baby calves     *Psalms*

Always Experiencing Him,
Jody