Farmhouse-Sitting

I am house-sitting for a family from church, the Abbotts. Actually, I'm small farm-sitting. Mr. Abbott works a 9-5, and his wife and kids tend a huge garden, keep bees, raise 12 goats and 20-some chickens, and generate homemade products from all of their livestock and agriculture. Thankfully I don't have to milk the goats (I tried, I'm too slow) or have anything to do with the garden (I can't even keep a real houseplant), but this is quite a taste of farm life for me!

Reasons Why I am Grateful God Has Not Made Me a Farmer:
5:55a: Alarm goes off; I hit "snooze."


6:00a: Snooze alarm goes off, I hit "snooze" again, this time with guilt.

6:02a: I feel equal parts guilty and angry that I am up so early and get out of bed, then dressed in my chore clothes. I hear a rooster crowing.


Big ol' boots
6:10a: I strap on Mr. Abbott's boots and let the dogs out of the garage for the day.

Vanilla & Cocoa, jealous sisters

6:15a: The goats are screaming at me as soon as I turn the barn light on; I feed all 9 goats, empty the leftover water and refill the buckets, cover their "berries" (I know, I hate that term too) with hay, and give them fresh veggie treats.
A neighbor arrives to milk 4 of the goats.



Peg Leg & her twin

6:35a: I clean the barncat's litter, then refill her food & water. It's been 5 days and I've still never seen her, but she keeps leaving me her messes to clean up and eating the food I leave for her, so I'm holding out for a sighting.

6:40a: Get ready for work.

6:45a: Strain the goatmilk, put it in the freezer, and sanitize the milk pail and jugs.

It is illegal to sell goat milk in the state of Michigan.

7:05a: Leave for work.

6:30p: Return from work.

6:35p: Feed, water, clean & check the goats. Neighbor milks 4 goats.

7:00p: Strain the goatmilk, put it in the freezer, and sanitize the milk pail and jugs.


7:15p: Warily go out to the chicken yard, close up the hen house if all chickens are inside. Collect eggs.

The All-Seeing Eye

7:30p: Seperate eggs into cartons.

Fresh, free-range chicken eggs of every variety.

7:35p: Prepare dinner & eat it.

There are shelves and freezers full of homemade salsa from homegrown veggies.

10:00p: Call it a day! (Repeat the next day.)


As if the 12 goats, 20-some chickens, beehives, two dogs, and cat weren't enough to keep the Abbotts busy, they manage to homeschool the four children and have a complete line of organic honey/soaps/ lip balms/ lotions that they market & sell.

A Day Well-Spent

This week I had the opportunity to go to one of my favorite artistic places, a studio where I always learn something new and where everyone is welcomed to get creative - the West Michigan Glass Society. I have taken two classes on field trips in the past two years, and always try to stop when I make it to the occasional Art Hop. This time, however, was different than my field trips and drop-ins: I was given the opportunity to both create four works of art, and to mingle with other art teachers in the county. It was just what I needed: a day away from school, a chance to meet others in my position and swap ideas, an opportunity to learn new concepts and skills (particularly when I got the opportunity to create my own blown-glass ornament), and a full day of using my brain and spirit in a way that I LOVE - creating artwork!

 

colored glass

concentration

a work in progress

 

 

blowing glass

my finished blown-glass ornament



3 of my 4 finished pieces - the 4th is still a work in progress

Our Beautiful Inheritance

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
-Psalm 16:5-6-

I love the hope I have in Christ. I revel in His love, in His great grace and deep mercy. He has taken my scandalous, sin-infested existence and traded it for a beautiful inheritance with His rich blood. I am adopted into God's family as a legitimate daughter by Jesus' death and resurrection. In choosing the Lord as my portion, I am perfectly filled. Not in a "I just ate a great meal" sort of way, but in a deep, eternal satisfaction and unrelenting assurance sort of way.
Praise to the God who can fill me like nothing else can - whose glory knows no bounds.

My Grandma's on YouTube!!!

G-Ma Manning loves Gene Autrey. And Gibson guitars.

A Humble Hero

I love Saturdays in the fall because for the last three years, I've had the joy of watching my big little brother play football. He has grown in leaps and bounds, and I've had the privelege of seeing much of that growth - but since he went away to Hope College, the Lord has been after Jake in big, awesome ways. He currently plays for the Hope Flying Dutchmen football team, which he quarterbacks.

Today, there was a sweet little article about him on the D3football.com website. Jake didn't miss a beat in his interview - he credits God with all of his successes and gives Him room to overcome the weaknesses. I am bursting with pride at my brother's character! It makes me want to be a better person, a better lover of Christ, a better vessel for Him to live & work in. The Flying Dutchmen have hope in Manning because Manning has hope in JESUS CHRIST.

Thanks, Jake!

Em&Ems & M&Ms.

There are no words yet for the love I witnessed this weekend. I just give thanks to God for such a special time, for it has all been His plan, His work, and His love.
I hope these images do it the smallest bit of justice.

Welcome Lily!

My cousin Tara & her husband Mitch had their first baby this summer. Unfortunately, due to crazy schedules and distance, we rarely see them. We seized the opportunity last weekend to throw a little welcoming party for our new addition. I am so thankful for a family that values... well, FAMILY.

A Time to Gather Stones Together

Our annual "See You @ the Pole" public school prayer assembly took place (IN THE RAIN!!!) this morning. It was so encouraging, so refreshing, so blessed to see over 20 students outside the school that I teach at this morning as I pulled in the parking lot. A small group of around 10 students meets weekly in my room for a bible study, so it was surprising and awesome to see a few more faces that I didn't know shared in relationship with Christ Jesus. The students, along with 2 faculty members and 2 parents/community members took turns lifting up our school, staff, leadership, students, community, and nation to the Lord in prayer for over a half-hour before school started (which is no small thing - first bell is @ 7:40 a.m.!) I snapped a few shots, and I was grateful that the students, faculty, and community members present had their eyes closed so they couldn't see me shed a few tears in praise to the God that brings together and redeems all that we lose.