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Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?  I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.                    - Isaiah 43:18-19  Whew!  It's been a journey!  While I am glad to be this far into it, I am saddened that not everything that the Lord has done was documented.  HOWEVER, I will share as He brings it to my remembrance.    I will be using this to post my studies that I share twice a month in church and also to share my personal studies as they arise and the Lord leads me to share them.   The grief and healing journey I have been on since my son passed from suicide is more of an in-person ministry right now as it is a raw and sensitive situation.  I am very protective over my son and his sisters and have an obligation to protect their privacy. I may ...
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This Beautiful Bounty


Yesterday after church felt like one long hymn of gratitude for the land and the good things it produces! After starting a fresh batch of homemade sauerkraut on Saturday....today the kitchen is alive with the familiar, comforting aroma of apple butter simmering away. 

It was so cute this morning. Justin and I were talking on the phone and he said, ‘I’m sorry, hun. I’m sorry for giving you so much work to do in the kitchen today.’  I love and admire how he looks out for me. But the truth is, creating things for my family is such a blessing—one I think many women take for granted. I’m grateful I can stay home and put my hands to work, turning ordinary things into nourishing things for the people I love.

Now... while I love my tried-and-true recipe that I pull out every year, with the (close to) 20 gallons of apples that Justin and the girls gathered, it feels like an abundant harvest straight from God’s hand. So I decided to try tweaking the recipe a bit and doing something different.  So far, it tastes AMAZING.  I'm sure I'll make a few jars of my popular butter though.   

The apples weren’t the only gift that Justin plopped on my kitchen island. Wild plums are turning into jam on the stovetop as I type this.  AND, after living here for close to 8 years, Justin discovered that we have grapes among the plum trees! They are just waiting to be made into fresh juice!  

What a joy to take what the land offers....whether from tree, bush, or vine.....and turn it into something nourishing for our family. 

As much as I’m loving this year’s bounty, I can’t help but look ahead to next year with excitement. Our soil is quite acidic so I haven't really wanted to plant anything out here for the last two years or so. But we’re planning to build raised garden beds to work around that. It feels like the perfect way to steward what we’ve been given: a way to grow even more food, right in our own backyard, with healthier soil and a little more control. 

It’s not just about the jars lined up on the pantry shelves - it’s about the rhythm of working with the land, the satisfaction of providing for our family, and the joy of learning as we go. Every year teaches us something new, and I can’t wait to see what next year’s lessons (and harvest) will bring. 

Pssst, have I mentioned how much I LOVE this time of year?  Yes?  Well, I'll do it again and again. :) 

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