Spring is in the Air...

Spring on the Farm...I love it...I was meant for this life...

The first few signs of Spring are so subtle...unnoticeable really, if one's not looking. It seems as though (being the geek that I am) I have always been aware of the romanticism that can be found in our unpredictable Indiana weather. I pounce on the few mild days that begin popping up in the midst of winter's end. When the unmistakable scent on Spring arrives, I'm hard pressed to be content with Winter any longer.

Life on a farm has increased my appreciation for all things simple. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a farmer's wife...the wife of a man whose hands are never quite clean. I found my prince at OCU, and was ecstatic to learn that this intelligent, deep-thinking man was also a farmer. I remember the first time John brought me to meet his parents and to see his home...I knew that first time that I wanted this man and this life for my own. John took such pride in showing me the shop and the farm, the cows and the horses. I fell in love with this place nearly as quickly as I fell in love with him.

Oh yes, back to Spring! There's just something different about Spring on the farm. As I admitted earlier I have always been revitalized by the changing of seasons, but this, this is something I wish everyone could experience. You can see Spring coming weeks before it actually arrives. The Davidson men begin cleaning and greasing up equipment in preparation for planting time. Fields get ripped and disked. And the smell of dirt! Ah, who would have thought such a smell could bring such gladness into my heart, but alas it does! It is the beginning of long days. My sister-in-law and I jump in the tractors to bring cheer to our husbands who have been sitting in them for 12 hours or more. I don't think I will be able to fit into my little nook in the back of the tractor this year, and it saddens me more than one would think. Cows. My favorite part of farm life! Spring brings sweet little baby calves and the opening of the other pasture. The cows move like clockwork from one end of the pasture to another. Literally in single file, they follow the same path day in and day out. One can find the cows at a particular place in the pasture at a particular hour...no matter what. I like the dependable nature of cows. Spring means long horsback rides. I'm looking forward to this so much that my hands fairly itch to hold the reins. There are few things more romantic than horseback riding at sunset with Prince Charming...and he truly is just that. I have drifted in my thoughts again, forgive me...

Do not let all of my romanticism fool you, it's not an easy life, but it is the most rewarding one that I can imagine. There is a peace and a simplicity here that are hard to find these days, and I think they come from seeing God's creation in it's glory. The coming on Spring fills me with anticipation of all the things I have mentioned...this is my Heaven on Earth.

I hope that wherever you are, in your own piece of Heaven on Earth, that God reaches down and blesses you with the joy of Spring!

What I Do or Who I Am?

For over a year now my faith has been in a state of stagnancy. Every effort that I have made to alter my lackadaisical attitude has proven to be fruitless.



It occurred to me the other day (long-term blonde moment) that I have been going through the dreaded wilderness period.



With this realization came the obvious awareness of my Lord saying, "Listen to me, Daughter!"



My reply, "Okay Lord, I'm listening...still listening...could you speak a little louder please?"



"Why do you love me?"



I have to admit this stumped me a bit...what answer did He want?

"I love you because you first loved me. You saw worth in me when all I saw was a lost cause."



"Daughter, why do you worship me?"



Ummm..."Because that's what I'm supposed to do if I love you..."



Silence...



So I had to wonder if my answer was wrong...and obviously He wasn't going to make it easy on me. I began taking a hard inward look at myself, and I soon had my answer.



I loved the Lord, I always have...okay that wasn't the issue. I do all the right things (or at least attempt to), so what was the problem?



"Daughter,Why Do You Worship Me?"



Now I know what the silence was all about. For years I have lived what I thought was a godly lifestyle, and it was...but there's more. The Lord was no longer content with me doing what I ought to do only because I ought to do it...



God wants me to live a life of worship because that's who I am, not what I do. A strong discontentment rose within me when I realized this. I don't want to act like a virtuous woman...I want to be one!



Goodbye lackadaisical attitude, and Hello desire! This is my mission. I will strive to take the love of my Father down into the marrow of my bones. I will ooze love because I cannot stop it. I will worship the Lord because that's Who I am, not What I Do. To start this journey, I have begun a daily devotional by Donna Paltrow called "Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be: A Study of Proverbs 31." It's transforming my heart.



If the Lord is tugging at your heart in the same manner I encourage you to succumb to His call...it is good for your soul.



No Eye Has Seen, No Ear Has Heard...

Dear Abigail Grace,

Young Lady, your daddy now believes that HE is your favorite!  Mommy is quite hurt by the fact the you only have to hear Daddy's voice and hours of stillness abruptly end in delightful dancing. Daddy gloats about this, and Mommy is beginning to think you just might be a Daddy's girl already.  The other morning you and Daddy had a date.  Mommy was sound asleep, but at 3 a.m. you must have felt the need for time alone with Daddy. He put his hand on Mommy's belly, and was delighted to feel you kicking and flipping about. How happy you made him! He adored spending time with his little girl...especially without Mommy! This little "date" and your new trick of dancing when he speaks has eased Daddy's jealousy that Mommy gets to be with you all the time. I do not think a little girl has ever been loved as much as we love you. Nana says Mommy glows, but I think she only says this to make Mommy feel better about her big belly!  All went well at our last check up.  It won't be long now before we get to see our little boppli!  Remember little Abigail, that Daddy may have the pretty voice, but Mommy has the warm belly! Grow Strong and Healthy...

Mommy Loves You...