Almost a couple of Sundays ago, our pastor preached an amazing message.  During his message he shared with us the story of a family member that has passed away, and the impact that he had made in his community.  When we all bowed our heads for a moment, while he gave the altar call…an image skittered across my mind’s eye.  It was as though I was looking down at a tiller…cultivating the dirt right in front of me.  In a flash…it was there and then gone.  It told my husband about it later…and the way that I felt that it tied in with our pastor’s sermon.  Then…in that next week of revival…one night our speaker came across a story about his dad…tilling.  His dad had to sit down and rest occasionally…but he just kept on tilling.  I love it when God does that.

This morning while I was cleaning up my desk…I found this quote:

“Keep your eyes on Jesus and when you do, He will cultivate an atmosphere in your life that is filled with much delight and great joy.”

Sadly…I’m not sure where I got that…but I love it.

The thing that dropped into my heart that Sunday was the fact that, if we as believers tend to the ground before us and directly around us…we will be fulfilling our purpose.  God will set opportunities in our row…and we will do His work.  I am not saying that we don’t step out in faith at times…or that we always stay in the same garden.  I am just saying that wherever God has us at the moment…is ripe for cultivation.  Our pastor’s cousin was a huge blessing in his “garden.”  You know what?  I would bet my eye teeth (pardon my Southern Missouri speak) that his cousin even got tired.  Maybe at times, when he got to the end of a row…he had to sit down and take a break.  Maybe he had to wipe the sweat from his brow, get a drink, and then get back up to start a new row.  Whatever the case, his life was spent in cultivation.

Isn’t it amazing when we surrender to God and let Him cultivate or till the walls of our hearts?  There have been times in the last few months, that the only way that my bruised and battered heart could survive, was keeping my eyes locked with the Master.  When we do that, the stress of this life fades into the background.  We start to notice the beauty in life, instead of the pain.  Jesus cultivates an atmosphere in our lives filled with much delight and great joy.  Although…I wish that the events of ten months ago had never happened, I would never wish my dad back from the streets of Glory.  Also, I would never want to throw away what I have learned.  You see, I have been a student, and my Teacher…has been ever so patient with me.  He is teaching me about joy, good choices, compassion, and real life.  He is tilling, ever so gently, and I stand in awe of Him.

Hoping for beautiful and healthy turnips!

My heart is so very full this morning.  It is full of love.  It is full of the joy of a mother, who watched her children make a public confession of their faith.  It is full of the unity that one feels when a church family makes it’s way down an old dirt road to share in this kind of love.  A full heart is a wonderful thing to carry.

I snapped this shot before the baptism.  It says so much.  It speaks of a couple that have invested their lives in the families of our little congregation.  Blood, sweat, and tears, that will only be truly known on the other side of this life.  Our children were delighted to share the antics of Chuck, (our steer) with our pastor and pastor’s wife.  My heart was full…just watching from a distance.

When we were building this farmhouse, (by the grace of the Almighty) and I stood upon the foundation for the first time, I got huge tears in my eyes.  My heart was full.  I didn’t know, until then,  just how far that we would be able to see from this little farmhouse on the hill.  God knew.  He knew all about it.  Even while the walls were going up, I had the feeling that this would be a place to share with others.  We have tried to do that.  It is an honor to share our home place with those that are in need of a little peace.  People tell us that it is peaceful here. I love that.  I love that…even in the turmoil of this life, that we can share peace with others.  Ministry comes in all shapes and forms.  We just have to be sensitive to that.  We have to realize that ministry begins with open arms.  Arms spread wide…to the wounded and the weary.  Sometimes…people just need a place of refuge…to kick off their shoes and breathe deep.  I am thankful for this little hill…out on the dirt road.

I felt the absence of my dad very strongly yesterday.  Last summer we had talked about the kids getting baptized…so I held that conversation close.  Something amazing happened though.  At the very end…our song leader broke out into a hymn about faith.  Some of the very last words of wisdom from my dad…:  “It’s faith.”  I am glad that God sees us…right where we are.  He is a loving Father…that knows the very heart of us.

Full beyond words,

 

Two years!  Some of you have been reading this craziness for two whole years.  I just wanted to say that I appreciate it.  I appreciate the fact that you take time out of your busy lives to stop by.  This little blog is a place of refuge in a troubled world.  It’s a place that you can stop by…to read about folks that try to live at a slower pace.  We try to savor moments.  We also try to let the light of Jesus Christ shine bright in our lives.  After this last year…more now than ever…we want people to know that our Lord loves them…and eternity is for always. We want people to realize that there is hope and grace abounds more than anyone can imagine.

I want to invite you to continue with us on our journey.  We have started farming a bit more, which has been so fun.  The Mr. actually bought me a donkey for my birthday!  He will be the “coyote police” when we add more cows and calves.  His name is Frito.  I’m sure that he will make an appearance now and then on the blog.

People mention that they are encouraged by the blog.  That is balm to my heart.  You see…I get weary with the trials in this life too.  People are looking for hope.  I don’t have the answers to their problems…or my own, but I know Who does.  He makes all of the difference in the world.

Thank you so much for your continued reading!  Let’s see what kind of “farmhousey” fun we can get into in this next year!

Love from our dirt road to yours,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Dirt Roaders!  How are you?  We are doing good.  Trying to “roll with it” as they say.  Some days that is easier than others, isn’t it?  I have been pretty busy with summer things and farm things.  It will be that way for a few more weeks.  Bear with me.

I have spent lots of quiet time in our swing this summer.  A few moments here and there to heal and to contemplate.  I enjoy going out to check on our animals.  There is peace in that.  There is so much to be learned in the quiet.

Life isn’t easy, is it?  I don’t want to make you sad or bring you down, but someone out there might need to know that they are not alone.  We all have to try to roll with it.  God has a plan.  Part of (if not all) rolling with this life…is trusting Him.  A big task, but the rewards are out of this world.

I miss my dad so much that I ache in my chest.  I am able to smile though…when I think of his daily life…now.  God has been so good and so very REAL through this.  God knew that He wasn’t just taking my daddy home…but also my buddy. He knew that my parents and I have always had a friendship.  It comforts me to know that God knows all of this.  Even though I miss him and it’s a heavy load to carry…I don’t begrudge my dad…one moment there.

That is the way with the Father.  He loves me…like no other.  He wraps me in His love.  Do you need to feel that love?  He is waiting, sweet Dirt Roader, with arms open wide. He will take you in…and love on you…like no other.

I am praying for you.  Each life that this post touches.  I am asking God to break every chain that may have you bound.  I am asking Him to bind up every broken heart.  I am asking Him to give you the strength to roll with life.  The power to trust. 

Love from the Farmhouse,

Kelli

It’s almost here.  The time to celebrate the freedom of our nation.  I told the Mr. that we should find fireworks somewhere and take our babies to watch.  My exact words were this:  “Even if we just sit in the truck and eat a bologna sandwich and watch fireworks.”  lol!  I know.  There is nothing too good for me.  😉

Our church family gathers at our house around the fourth.  We eat hot dogs and make homemade ice cream and they are invited to bring fireworks.  I love it. It’s so fun to open our home (yard) to everyone.  When I was a little girl, we used to do this at another family’s home.  The memories were so great for me that I wanted to do this for our kids.

I feel very blessed to live in a nation that is free.  I am thankful to be able to choose.  I think of this often when we attend church.  I am thankful to be able to worship God out in the open.  Not everyone in this ol’ world has that freedom.  It breaks my heart.

I know that America has her faults.  She is not perfect, by a long shot.  I pray for our country and our leaders.  I also pray for the peace of Jerusalem, as God instructs us to do.  I am thankful though…for the men and women in this country that have a heart for others.  Their main concern is seeing that others make it.  People that give their lives for their neighbor.  I don’t ever want to take that lightly.  Sometimes it’s the soldier, sometimes it’s the preacher.  Let that sink in a minute.

I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday with your friends and family.  I am heading out to mow the yard.  It’s cool and breezy here today.  What a blessing in July!  May you celebrate your independence and think about those that give all to make sure that we are free.  On that note…most of all, I am thankful for Jesus Christ.  God’s words says that when He makes us free…we are free indeed.  Now that, my friends, is something to celebrate!

Boom Crackle Pop!