I really think I should stop putting the author's name after my blog titles.... Ryan has only chimed in once. :) Maybe I'll just let you know if he decides he has something to say. Believe it or not, it could happen. He's been more talkative lately. But more on that in a minute.
I have wanted to blog for a while now, but have felt the task more than I was up for. Yes, I should update some of my followers on the cuteness of my little girls, because I know you like to hear what they are up to. Ryleigh is finished with swimming lessons until she decides to put her face in the water and loves having preschool three days a week. Ashtyn is into baby dolls and "reading." She sits with a book and says a bunch of words, with about every other one being "Mommy." I love my girls, even when they drive me crazy fighting over one of the 800 crayons we seems to have all over the family room. :)
But back to the writer's block... I have just been overwhelmed by my feelings about everything. Sometimes you just feel like there's so much going on that you aren't sure it can be put into words. I think I'll feel better after a good cleansing cry.... where can I schedule that in?
I am in a season where I am aware of God's presence, but not really sure of what He's up to these days. But then He sends a few signals and it all starts to come into focus.
I am aware that I am in a desert season, but that sometimes that's where we need to be for a time. A desert does not mean God is not there... I think it means He's preparing me for the next big thing. Uh oh. Am I up for another big thing? The last big thing has been a bit more than I bargained for... and it landed me here in the desert. Either way, I have no say. I am in the desert, and I wait, seeking only more of God and His presence, not worrying about where we're going or when we'll get there. At least, that's what I'm telling myself.
I have become aware that there is too much of me and not enough of God. I am getting in the way. I need less of me, myself, and I and more of Him. It's just not about me.
While I don't see God's immediate work in my life, I realize I am blessed to witness His work in my husband in so many ways. He is speaking to Ryan and speaking to me through Ryan. That hasn't happened in a long time. It's refreshing in so many ways. God expresses His love for me in new ways when He speaks through Ryan.
I have learned to stop looking for God's direction and just to seek His heart. I just need to spend more time in His presence. When it's time to move, He will provide the direction. But sometimes, we just need to rest in the desert. We don't think of the desert as a resting place, more of a place to get through as quickly as possible. And while I am not particularly enjoying my time here, there are blessings to take note of. And maybe I will realize this is a time of rest. There are always things to be grateful for, even in the desert.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Family Update (Amanda)
I've been very negligent in my blogging, so it's time for some updates...
Ashtyn is 18 months old and such a joy! Each day is a new chance to marvel at how much she is changing and growing and how different she is from Ryleigh. She is learning a new word every day, it seems. She has the sweetest voice (except when she's angry). I love the way she says, "Ry-bee" and repeats "please" ever so sweetly until she gets what she wants. "All done" is a convenient phrase of late.
Ryleigh will be four next week. She has every bit of the strong will to go with it, and, according to my parents, is every bit me at that age. Her mind amazes me with the depth of its thoughts and ideas. She is so creative and full of energy. She will be attending preschool three days a week this year, about which she and Mommy are both excited. She loves to help me in the kitchen and with cleaning (makes me glad to be using natural cleaners, etc.). We had fun baking cookies yesterday for Daddy. She passed the first level of swim class at the YMCA this summer. We are so proud of her and how brave she has become in the water. She paddles all over the pool now with her floaties on her back. She is still a little tentative about jumping in, but that's OK.
Ryan is busy, busy, busy with Butter Valley Harvest. The grocery store and local market aspect of our business has been going really well this summer, especially once our tomatoes started coming on strong. We continue to add new venues and new customers, which is always exciting. We are wholesaling to Philly and Lancaster. Our own stand has been a bit slower in the summer with people tending their own gardens and being away from home, but we see a significant amount of new customers each week. The Fall has the potential to be VERY busy when everyone else's gardens are finished, and we still have fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs. We passed our GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification this week on the first try, which is a relief. We weren't that worried, but it was a lot of work getting ready, having to put all our procedures in writing, providing checklists and verifications. We have a few things to improve or add to the documentation, but nothing of major concern. It's just nice to have the first evaluation behind us and understand better what they will be looking for in future evaluations, which will occur regularly.
I am continuing to try to adjust to this new life in PA. Moving again was hard, but I have realized I never thought of the place we lived for the past year as home. It is good to have a place that feels like home. It will feel more like home when all the boxes are gone, or at least banished to the basement! I allowed Ryleigh to watch as much TV as she wanted (pretty much) as we were packing to move, but you can't let that go on forever. We spent the first month in the new house without cable, because they had to bury a line, etc. Between Ashtyn transitioning to one afternoon nap and the lack of TV, other than movies, I wasn't able to get a whole lot of unpacking done. Ashtyn loved to help pull things out of boxes, of course, but that wasn't always very helpful. And Ryleigh just craves my attention. Now that Ashtyn sleeps less and runs around all over the place, now that she is much more of a little girls than a baby, Ryleigh finds my attention much more on her and is a bit jealous. I had hoped to have some special times with just her and me this summer, but it's just been too crazy. She had one "Daddy date" that was very special to her, and I look forward to my turn. Anyway, we are starting to see the floors in the rooms we designated as "box rooms." We finally have curtains on the windows, mostly, and are starting to be able to "live" here. We had hoped to be 100% unpacked before our week at the beach, but I'm not sure that will happen.
I've taken a job as the assistant band director of the Upper Perkiomen HS marching band. I'm very excited about starting camp next week, although a bit nervous at the same time. There just isn't near the amount of rehearsal time I'm used to built into the schedule, and I wonder how we'll get it all done. But I am really excited to be back at it and feel affirmed that this is what God wants me to be doing, on a part-time basis.
I also had the opportunity to conduct a piece with the Montgomery County Concert Band where I play my clarinet. It felt good to be back on the podium, although I've never been in front of adults before, and that made me a bit nervous. I think I'm finally getting more comfortable. I have appreciated the affirmations God has sent my way as I have spent the last year wondering what I am supposed to be doing.
Well, there's plenty more I could write, but I have a little quiet right now as Ashtyn is napping and Ryleigh went with Ryan to deliver lettuce to Wegman's. I need to get back to productivity! Blessings to you, dear reader.
Ashtyn is 18 months old and such a joy! Each day is a new chance to marvel at how much she is changing and growing and how different she is from Ryleigh. She is learning a new word every day, it seems. She has the sweetest voice (except when she's angry). I love the way she says, "Ry-bee" and repeats "please" ever so sweetly until she gets what she wants. "All done" is a convenient phrase of late.
Ryleigh will be four next week. She has every bit of the strong will to go with it, and, according to my parents, is every bit me at that age. Her mind amazes me with the depth of its thoughts and ideas. She is so creative and full of energy. She will be attending preschool three days a week this year, about which she and Mommy are both excited. She loves to help me in the kitchen and with cleaning (makes me glad to be using natural cleaners, etc.). We had fun baking cookies yesterday for Daddy. She passed the first level of swim class at the YMCA this summer. We are so proud of her and how brave she has become in the water. She paddles all over the pool now with her floaties on her back. She is still a little tentative about jumping in, but that's OK.
Ryan is busy, busy, busy with Butter Valley Harvest. The grocery store and local market aspect of our business has been going really well this summer, especially once our tomatoes started coming on strong. We continue to add new venues and new customers, which is always exciting. We are wholesaling to Philly and Lancaster. Our own stand has been a bit slower in the summer with people tending their own gardens and being away from home, but we see a significant amount of new customers each week. The Fall has the potential to be VERY busy when everyone else's gardens are finished, and we still have fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs. We passed our GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification this week on the first try, which is a relief. We weren't that worried, but it was a lot of work getting ready, having to put all our procedures in writing, providing checklists and verifications. We have a few things to improve or add to the documentation, but nothing of major concern. It's just nice to have the first evaluation behind us and understand better what they will be looking for in future evaluations, which will occur regularly.
I am continuing to try to adjust to this new life in PA. Moving again was hard, but I have realized I never thought of the place we lived for the past year as home. It is good to have a place that feels like home. It will feel more like home when all the boxes are gone, or at least banished to the basement! I allowed Ryleigh to watch as much TV as she wanted (pretty much) as we were packing to move, but you can't let that go on forever. We spent the first month in the new house without cable, because they had to bury a line, etc. Between Ashtyn transitioning to one afternoon nap and the lack of TV, other than movies, I wasn't able to get a whole lot of unpacking done. Ashtyn loved to help pull things out of boxes, of course, but that wasn't always very helpful. And Ryleigh just craves my attention. Now that Ashtyn sleeps less and runs around all over the place, now that she is much more of a little girls than a baby, Ryleigh finds my attention much more on her and is a bit jealous. I had hoped to have some special times with just her and me this summer, but it's just been too crazy. She had one "Daddy date" that was very special to her, and I look forward to my turn. Anyway, we are starting to see the floors in the rooms we designated as "box rooms." We finally have curtains on the windows, mostly, and are starting to be able to "live" here. We had hoped to be 100% unpacked before our week at the beach, but I'm not sure that will happen.
I've taken a job as the assistant band director of the Upper Perkiomen HS marching band. I'm very excited about starting camp next week, although a bit nervous at the same time. There just isn't near the amount of rehearsal time I'm used to built into the schedule, and I wonder how we'll get it all done. But I am really excited to be back at it and feel affirmed that this is what God wants me to be doing, on a part-time basis.
I also had the opportunity to conduct a piece with the Montgomery County Concert Band where I play my clarinet. It felt good to be back on the podium, although I've never been in front of adults before, and that made me a bit nervous. I think I'm finally getting more comfortable. I have appreciated the affirmations God has sent my way as I have spent the last year wondering what I am supposed to be doing.
Well, there's plenty more I could write, but I have a little quiet right now as Ashtyn is napping and Ryleigh went with Ryan to deliver lettuce to Wegman's. I need to get back to productivity! Blessings to you, dear reader.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
gLove
So many of you know, we LOVE gDiapers! They just announced a new value pack... everyday g's. You get 6 adorable gPants for $70... BUT with the code g996Ehst, your price drops to $40! Just wanted to share the code in case anyone is building a stash. Enjoy!
Check out http://www.gdiapers.com/ for more info. Love 'em!
Check out http://www.gdiapers.com/ for more info. Love 'em!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Moving Again! (Amanda)
In case you haven't heard, our life has not been chaotic enough, so we're moving again. I thought I was having trouble thinking past the next 24 hours a week ago! Now I'm really in trouble! And yes, this is coming a bit out of nowhere.
We were not actively looking for another home, but Ryan has been keeping his eye on the local market since we moved here. We can't buy anything right now, because our debt ratio is shot with the business loan. Anyway, our current lease is up the end of this month, and our current landlord is working toward putting this house back on the market. There are plenty of 1 and 2-bedroom rentals around, but not many places for a family. We didn't want to see our current place sold, and have 30 days notice that we had to find a new home with two small children, etc. So we semi-randomly decided to go look at this one house that has been listed for rent for a while. I think God was saving it just for us!
The house seems perfect for us -- in Barto less than two miles from the farm, an acre of land (all open yard for the girls to run), surrounded by nice neighbors with families and farmland, four bedrooms, a spacious eat-in kitchen (YES!), a fireplace in the living room!, and a two-car garage. We couldn't ask for a more perfect rental for our family. Ryleigh is very excited about moving, as are we!
So please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for and complete our second move in twelve months. And if you're not too far away and don't have plans for the Fourth of July, we could use some more muscles! :)
I could write tons more about how big the girls are getting, how Ashtyn's personality is really starting to show (we think she'll be the fiercely independent one; I just hope her affectionate side sticks, too), how well things are going with Butter Valley Harvest, how we are far busier than we ever imagined, and how much we had no idea we were getting ourselves into... But the girls and I spent the morning at the playground, I'm exhausted from chasing them around, I have a concert tonight with the Montgomery County Concert Band, and I should probably go pack something! Blessings to you!
We were not actively looking for another home, but Ryan has been keeping his eye on the local market since we moved here. We can't buy anything right now, because our debt ratio is shot with the business loan. Anyway, our current lease is up the end of this month, and our current landlord is working toward putting this house back on the market. There are plenty of 1 and 2-bedroom rentals around, but not many places for a family. We didn't want to see our current place sold, and have 30 days notice that we had to find a new home with two small children, etc. So we semi-randomly decided to go look at this one house that has been listed for rent for a while. I think God was saving it just for us!
The house seems perfect for us -- in Barto less than two miles from the farm, an acre of land (all open yard for the girls to run), surrounded by nice neighbors with families and farmland, four bedrooms, a spacious eat-in kitchen (YES!), a fireplace in the living room!, and a two-car garage. We couldn't ask for a more perfect rental for our family. Ryleigh is very excited about moving, as are we!
So please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for and complete our second move in twelve months. And if you're not too far away and don't have plans for the Fourth of July, we could use some more muscles! :)
I could write tons more about how big the girls are getting, how Ashtyn's personality is really starting to show (we think she'll be the fiercely independent one; I just hope her affectionate side sticks, too), how well things are going with Butter Valley Harvest, how we are far busier than we ever imagined, and how much we had no idea we were getting ourselves into... But the girls and I spent the morning at the playground, I'm exhausted from chasing them around, I have a concert tonight with the Montgomery County Concert Band, and I should probably go pack something! Blessings to you!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Ryleigh's Vocabulary (Amanda)
My little girl is growing up. :( Or at least a little bit. I remember one of my friends telling me how sad she was when her daughter learned how to say a certain word correctly, instead of in her funny little girl speak. I didn't understand. Until now.
Ryleigh has learned how to say "Hallelujah." Which I've decided is not nearly as cute as "Hallelulah." I'm going to miss that extra l.
And "pussywillow." We have a vase full of pussywillows on the table that she helped Grandma clip from her bush outside. It was so much fun to hear her try to tell someone what they are... "pillywissow," "puhssywissow," "billywillows," etc. But yesterday, she told someone we have "pussywillows." She said it right. For the first time, or at least the first time on her first attempt.
I'm going to miss the pillywissows and hallelulahs. Little Ryleigh is growing up. I guess I'll have to wait for Ashtyn to start talking so I can get a kick out of her vocabulary.
Ryleigh has learned how to say "Hallelujah." Which I've decided is not nearly as cute as "Hallelulah." I'm going to miss that extra l.
And "pussywillow." We have a vase full of pussywillows on the table that she helped Grandma clip from her bush outside. It was so much fun to hear her try to tell someone what they are... "pillywissow," "puhssywissow," "billywillows," etc. But yesterday, she told someone we have "pussywillows." She said it right. For the first time, or at least the first time on her first attempt.
I'm going to miss the pillywissows and hallelulahs. Little Ryleigh is growing up. I guess I'll have to wait for Ashtyn to start talking so I can get a kick out of her vocabulary.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Is my life glorious? (Amanda)
You are glorious!
You make everything glorious!
I am yours!
I heard these three simple phrases on the radio the other day as I was driving. It occurred to me that there is profound power in these words, power to literally change the world. Think about it. Reflect on those words, especially the implications of the final phrase in light of the first two.
God is glorious. That's an easy one. Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, I think anyone who has a relationship with Him can agree with that statement. We praise and worship Him for His glory.
God makes everything glorious. This one is also fairly easy, especially as spring is exploding around us. At least I think so. God himself declared all of creation "good" from the beginning of the world. God's creation is glorious, and He can and does make all things glorious.
The third statement can be the difficult one, but is also the most powerful. I am yours. I am God's creation. I am His child, a child of the King of Kings. I think some of us have a gap between accepting Christ, acknowledging Him and living a life that fully reflects that. What are the implications of this? If I am God's, made new in Christ, then I, too, am intended to be glorious. What would my life look like if I remembered this at every moment of every day? What would the world look like if all believers truly embraced this?
I know I don't always feel very glorious. Sometimes I wake up cranky, at least until I've had my coffee. :) I get frustrated with my children and my husband. I'm in a bad mood, and I don't even know why. But I don't think God wants me to be those things, to be "un-glorious." That's my sinful human nature, not what God created me to be.
We are called to be salt and light. We are called to change the world for Christ. We are called to be a reflection of God's glory. But how many of us really live that out on a daily basis? How many of us live truly glorious lives? Lives that reflect the glory of God, the lives we were created to live. If we all remember to live each day with these thoughts in mind, I believe the world would be profoundly and forever changed.
God is glorious!
God creates all things glorious!
God makes all things new and glorious!
God made me and makes me new and glorious!
God is glorious, and I am His. I am made by Him, I belong to Him, and I am designed to reflect His glory. If we all embrace that third thought that we belong to a God who is glorious and makes all things (including us) glorious, it could and would profoundly change our lives and the world around us.
God, help me to live a life reflective of your glory, worthy of the title "child of the King."
Praying you have a glorious day!
You make everything glorious!
I am yours!
I heard these three simple phrases on the radio the other day as I was driving. It occurred to me that there is profound power in these words, power to literally change the world. Think about it. Reflect on those words, especially the implications of the final phrase in light of the first two.
God is glorious. That's an easy one. Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, I think anyone who has a relationship with Him can agree with that statement. We praise and worship Him for His glory.
God makes everything glorious. This one is also fairly easy, especially as spring is exploding around us. At least I think so. God himself declared all of creation "good" from the beginning of the world. God's creation is glorious, and He can and does make all things glorious.
The third statement can be the difficult one, but is also the most powerful. I am yours. I am God's creation. I am His child, a child of the King of Kings. I think some of us have a gap between accepting Christ, acknowledging Him and living a life that fully reflects that. What are the implications of this? If I am God's, made new in Christ, then I, too, am intended to be glorious. What would my life look like if I remembered this at every moment of every day? What would the world look like if all believers truly embraced this?
I know I don't always feel very glorious. Sometimes I wake up cranky, at least until I've had my coffee. :) I get frustrated with my children and my husband. I'm in a bad mood, and I don't even know why. But I don't think God wants me to be those things, to be "un-glorious." That's my sinful human nature, not what God created me to be.
We are called to be salt and light. We are called to change the world for Christ. We are called to be a reflection of God's glory. But how many of us really live that out on a daily basis? How many of us live truly glorious lives? Lives that reflect the glory of God, the lives we were created to live. If we all remember to live each day with these thoughts in mind, I believe the world would be profoundly and forever changed.
God is glorious!
God creates all things glorious!
God makes all things new and glorious!
God made me and makes me new and glorious!
God is glorious, and I am His. I am made by Him, I belong to Him, and I am designed to reflect His glory. If we all embrace that third thought that we belong to a God who is glorious and makes all things (including us) glorious, it could and would profoundly change our lives and the world around us.
God, help me to live a life reflective of your glory, worthy of the title "child of the King."
Praying you have a glorious day!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
A Farmer or a Farmer's Wife... To Be or Not to Be (Amanda)
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.
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.
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