Many of you know that when Ryan and I first started to get serious that I told him, "I am not a farmer's wife," just so he was clear up front. Needless to say we're now married nearly ten years, and until last summer, there was little danger of me being a farmer's wife. I introduced myself at a recent PASA meeting by saying I swore I'd never be a farmer's wife (God so loves it when we say "never," it's like a dare to Him!), and someone commented that didn't mean I couldn't be a farmer. I found that amusing.
This morning I found myself in the greenhouse picking lettuce for over an hour. Does that qualify me as a farmer? The scary part... I think I enjoyed it! There's something about the white noise of the greenhouse in contrast to a whiny 3-year-old. :) The radio was on to the local Christian station, and as praise and worship music filled the greenhouse, I was reminded that this greenhouse and everything in it is His. His property, His produce, His will. Even if His will makes me a farmer's wife... or perhaps a farmer.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Growing, even in the midst of Winter (Amanda)
I'm really not doing so well with my blogging these days. Ashtyn is an active 1-year-old, still seeking teeth beyond the four that Santa brought, and Ryleigh has given up the afternoon nap, so my days are full. :)
Ryleigh loves to sing and dance and put on "shows," which require that everyone in the vicinity stop anything and everything they are doing and watch her! She is inspired by her Spanish classes at preschool to ask me how to say everything in Spanish, "Mom, how do you say...?" I knew I saved my Spanish dictionary for a reason (because I unforunately don't remember as much as I wish I did!). She is also enjoying the art desk she got for Christmas from Mom-Mom (Ryan's grandmother) and spends quite a bit of time with her glitter paint pens.
Ashtyn is cruising and standing, but hasn't realized that she could walk without holding on. There comes a point when it would be easier if she'd just walk! :) She is in a banana phase -- she wants them at every meal and sometimes in between! She also decided she was done with nursing about a week ago. I was a little sad at first, probably because I was not in control of the weaning, she was, but it does give me some more freedom. With Ryleigh, I had been away from her several nights by this time. I have yet to be away from Ashtyn overnight. I'm ready! Ashtyn is also turning into quite the daddy's girl. She gets very excited when he comes home from work and only wants his attention.
Butter Valley Harvest is growing like crazy, too. The lettuce is in constant rotation and the tomato plants are growing and heading for the first harvest in about a month. The most exciting news for us is that our produce is being sold in a local Wegman's store with hopes to expand into other stores soon. It's a surreal experience to walk into a grocery store and see your produce there on the display. I'm just happy, because I go along to make the deliveries and get to my grocery shopping at Wegman's. (Plus, there's a Five Guys across the street.) Ah, little tastes of life in Northern Virginia.
We are attending Branch Creek Church, and while we are committed to attending for now, we are not feeling settled there in terms of membership. We'll be re-evaluating and discussing this further at the end of the summer. There are lots of great opportunities for ministry, but we are unsure of how deeply we can get involved when there's a 25-minute drive involved. We are grateful to have a place to go (and not be looking for a new church every weekend).
Hmmm... is there anything else new in the Ehst household? Just the usual, to-be-expected roller coaster of business ownership. While things are going well, it's still a new and somewhat frightening experience. This is definitely a season where we are constantly reminded to place our faith and trust in our Creator who has led us here, who has a plan and a purpose for our lives, who will prosper us and protect us. I am doing the Beth Moore study of Daniel with a group of women at a local church (not the one we attend), and I find it relevant, at times moreso than I would like it to be.
OK, speaking of demanding my attention... I gotta' go. Blessings to you, dear friend!
Ryleigh loves to sing and dance and put on "shows," which require that everyone in the vicinity stop anything and everything they are doing and watch her! She is inspired by her Spanish classes at preschool to ask me how to say everything in Spanish, "Mom, how do you say...?" I knew I saved my Spanish dictionary for a reason (because I unforunately don't remember as much as I wish I did!). She is also enjoying the art desk she got for Christmas from Mom-Mom (Ryan's grandmother) and spends quite a bit of time with her glitter paint pens.
Ashtyn is cruising and standing, but hasn't realized that she could walk without holding on. There comes a point when it would be easier if she'd just walk! :) She is in a banana phase -- she wants them at every meal and sometimes in between! She also decided she was done with nursing about a week ago. I was a little sad at first, probably because I was not in control of the weaning, she was, but it does give me some more freedom. With Ryleigh, I had been away from her several nights by this time. I have yet to be away from Ashtyn overnight. I'm ready! Ashtyn is also turning into quite the daddy's girl. She gets very excited when he comes home from work and only wants his attention.
Butter Valley Harvest is growing like crazy, too. The lettuce is in constant rotation and the tomato plants are growing and heading for the first harvest in about a month. The most exciting news for us is that our produce is being sold in a local Wegman's store with hopes to expand into other stores soon. It's a surreal experience to walk into a grocery store and see your produce there on the display. I'm just happy, because I go along to make the deliveries and get to my grocery shopping at Wegman's. (Plus, there's a Five Guys across the street.) Ah, little tastes of life in Northern Virginia.
We are attending Branch Creek Church, and while we are committed to attending for now, we are not feeling settled there in terms of membership. We'll be re-evaluating and discussing this further at the end of the summer. There are lots of great opportunities for ministry, but we are unsure of how deeply we can get involved when there's a 25-minute drive involved. We are grateful to have a place to go (and not be looking for a new church every weekend).
Hmmm... is there anything else new in the Ehst household? Just the usual, to-be-expected roller coaster of business ownership. While things are going well, it's still a new and somewhat frightening experience. This is definitely a season where we are constantly reminded to place our faith and trust in our Creator who has led us here, who has a plan and a purpose for our lives, who will prosper us and protect us. I am doing the Beth Moore study of Daniel with a group of women at a local church (not the one we attend), and I find it relevant, at times moreso than I would like it to be.
OK, speaking of demanding my attention... I gotta' go. Blessings to you, dear friend!
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