Lent journey: NEAR

"But as for me, how good it is to be near God!

I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,

and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do."

Psalm 73:28 (NLT)

Personal reflections:  The past few days, I have really struggled to stay focused...  Monday was an extremely long day for me and its ending was stressful; somehow missing my exit off the freeway to return home after grocery shopping, it was nearly 9 o'clock and I hadn't eaten dinner, I had to drive into Tacoma  to exit onto another highway home (and then, there was a car accident blocking three lanes), it was dark and I couldn't find my way easily to the right road toward home and got on another wrong road; ending up driving into Puyallup, it was dark and I was in an unfamiliar area, blood sugar dropping......stress took over.  Don't even know how I got home really - well, yes I do.  Blaine encouraged me, I finally found my way and he prayed me home.  Utterly exhausted upon arrival, I could barely function.  Yesterday and today, I still feel off and tired and restless; irritated - and yet, I still want to keep moving forward with this Lent project... 

When I saw the word NEAR for Tuesday's Lent word, I knew what type of photograph I wanted to have for this post: sheep.  Brenda and Jim are so gracious at Small Blessings Farm, that I was able to drop by and see the new ram lamb triplets born that morning.  I needed a little "farm" time to try and refresh my spirit. How I wanted to linger, but even there I felt restless.  Yet, I still managed to spend a little time  with the sheep and took some lovely photos.  I was blessed by my quiet time with the sheep I had ~ (I love when I can be with the sheep and no one else is around - for they teach me so many lessons; life lessons and spiritual ones too). 

For the past couple of weeks, I have entered the sheep's world as the ewes wait in the maternity ward to deliver their lambs...  They have taught me that as prey animals, I cannot just approach them - but I must be still and allow them to explore me and slowly build trust with them.  I have to be aware of my intention when being amongst them - bringing gratitude, generosity and safety into their space.  It is a beautiful gift to watch the sheep trust you to draw near to them. After birthing their lambs, the ewes lick their new babies to clean them and smell their bottom - alot - and they begin communicating with each other very quickly and the sweet little baby will "beeeeeeehhhhhh" and mama's baaaaaaaaaa in reply. Quickly the conversation is going both ways.  Mother and baby must bond to each other, drawing near, smelling each other, listening to each other, so they don't get separated in the flock and mama can take care of her baby until her lamb(s) weans.  Mamas are very protective of their babies, redetermining whether people are to be trusted or not.  Lambs are exploring a new world and the smallest movements or noises send them scattering back near their mother. And, other ewes (not the lamb's mother) teaches lambs that don't belong to them to not try and nurse with them and gently push them away (and sometimes not so gently).  And, as time goes by - the lambs learn and can wander a bit farther from their mom and can mix together with other ewe and ram lambs and know how to act around other ewe moms (although correction does happen too).  But, as you can see in the picture above - Rose is chewing her cud while her ram lambs nap around her and many other lambs join in for nap time. Rose seems quite content that so many lambs have drawn near and feel safe with her; they all belong to the flock...  I believe God wants that for us too!

Iris and Ivy have taught me so much about "drawing near" and building trust.  They will both now chew on my iPhone when I stop by to visit.  Iris will let me scratch her neck and sides.  She evens seems to pose for photos.  Iris has taught me to be aware of my surroundings, my movements, sounds.  These lessons cross over into my spiritual life, as well, in drawing near to God - for the same components apply in spending time with Him!

I've learned that God is teaching us through countless sources if only we're aware of His presence and draw near to Him to learn.  And, if we do - it's super exciting how He meets us right where we are!  For me, He knows how much I love the farm and the sheep and He uses both to teach me many new, valuable lessons.

Iris and me!

Ivy and Iris

God is so good.  All the time!  

Blessings on your day.  You are loved.  

Lent journey: BLESS

Catching back up on my Lent practice after a couple of really busy days.....

"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;

I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you,

and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

Genesis 12:2-3

Personal reflections:  What on earth does a photograph of rhubarb have to do with the scripture you posted?  Thanks for asking!

This is a passage that is commonly heard in church sermons.  At least, I heard it fairly often, especially in my early, impressionable years of faith.  We are all sons and daughters of Abraham (Abram) and this was the promise God made to Abraham (Abram).  As God's child, I simply accepted and believed that this is what God would do in and through my life and who I was to be - BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS.

When we dismantled our urban farm, I blessed others with the plants that I had in my garden.  One of the special plants was my rhubarb.  I was given a few "starts" a number of years ago - first planting it at our Marysville house and then moving two of the plants to our Burien house.  I have no idea what variety it is, but it is vigorous and healthy and the rhubarb is delicious.  I've made and served strawberry rhubarb pie to many visitors, especially our missionary friends as it seemed a special favorite for them.

I cut my rhubarb plants into various sized pieces to share starts with others I knew.  I did keep one piece for myself, but was very depressed as our move time drew near and ended up composting it as I felt like I'd never have a 'farm garden' again.....   

But things have changed and God is blessing us in ways that continually amazes me.  Oh me of little faith....  I had visited with my friend, Lori, last summer before we moved to our current location in Enumclaw and saw just how large her rhubarb "start" had gotten since August of 2013.  Establishing itself quite well.  So, I asked if she would mind if I cut a start off of her plant to re-establish a plant of my own.  Yes!    

I drove up to Lynnwood on Monday and cut out the lower piece of her plant (photo below), which is in the photograph above.  I had blessed Lori and now she was blessing me in return; a ongoing blessing cycle.  Sometimes, when we "throw away or cut out" something from our lives it is over and never to be returned.  Other times, God restores back to us what we lost or gave up on.  God's grace and blessing was felt in my hands as I cut the piece of rhubarb away from the plant and placed it in the soil I had prepared for it.  I was also reminded of my friendship with Lori.  Though we don't see each other often and when she moved north, we moved south, we do connect once or twice a year and our conversation is always a blessing to us both.  

I am reminded once again that if we open our lives up to allow God to bless us (and keep our hands open and not hold those blessings tight for ourselves) and then bless others - God's blessings will continue to flow in and through our lives.  I have a new rhubarb plant to show for one of those blessings!  God is so good.  All the time.

Lori's rhubarb plant in her garden

Lori and I in her back garden...

We don't see each other often, but it's a delightful afternoon of chatting when we do!

God had many blessings for me on Monday....

The new Chaco Canyon Bakery and Deli is now open in Greenwood, so I was able to stop and enjoy a delicious lunch in our old Seattle neighborhood before driving north.

And, the Uprising Seeds racks are up and filled at PCC Fremont and I purchased quite a few packets for our new garden this season....  

Won't you make yourself available for God's blessing to come to you and to share it with others?  You are loved.

CELEBRATE: 2nd Sunday of Lent

"They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." 

Psalm 145:7

Personal reflections:  Wore my new 50th birthday Hippy Girl Garden shoes to do a bit of weeding preparation, for a new blueberry bed, with Blaine today.  Such a joy to work in God's Creation!  Sing aloud for all the world to hear!

I will celebrate, sing unto the Lord, sing to the Lord a new song......  

Happy Sunday one and all!  May the blessings of the Lord overflow in your lives today and in all the days ahead as you follow Him.  You are loved!

Lent journey: POWERS

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, 

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  

Romans 15:13

Personal reflections:   Participating in rethinkchurch's project this Lent season has been a really sweet blessing thus far...  Today, I thought I knew the direction I was going to share, but the Holy Spirit had other plans for me...  I, initially, posted a different picture, but the words didn't come.  So, I asked myself again, "What should I share?  I feel a bit stuck." And then, I remembered what Steve said to me today.....nature.  Now, I was ready to share.  Thanks Steve. 

So...........today was a different day at Small Blessings Farm, as Jim's brother, Steve, and sister, Kathy, came for a visit.  Upon arriving, they came down to the blueberry field and I was introduced to them.  I didn't expect to interact with them again while they were there.  As Jim and Brenda visited with them, I was alone finishing the blueberry weeding.  Such a beautiful day to be outside and I rejoiced and praised God for the work ahead of me; knowing that today the weeding would be complete.

As I neared the end of the final row, Jim's brother, Steve, walked down toward me and we had a really lovely chat together.  The content wasn't important, but it blessed us both and it was an unexpected gift to my day.  Jim joined us a little later and he and I celebrated completing the weeding with a high-five and I did a little happy dance.  Joy overflowed!  

I headed up to their house to use their bathroom before heading out to the barn to see the sheep and Brenda invited me to come sit and visit with she and Kathy.  Another unexpected gift to my day!  Soon Brenda, Jim, Kathy, Steve and I were all visiting together.....  The blessings just went on and on and my joy grew!

I don't know about you, but for me, sometimes God shows up in our lives with His mighty powers and other times His power is like a little breeze; gentle, but present.  I felt like I was amongst friends that I had known for many years; not an outsider or newcomer, but one who belonged in that place and fellowship was easy.  And, it was a reminder again that wherever God takes me in this life's journey, joy and peace will fill me up as He provides for my every need.  His power will be strong when needed and gentle too.  There will always be hope as I continually trust in Him.  

Weeding a blueberry patch on the final day of February; a beautiful sunny Saturday.  Who knew?! 

Small Blessings Farm in Enumclaw and their u-pick blueberry field.  

It's a special place and I can already see families coming out for their yearly visit and making memories together; measuring the years in pictures as the blueberry plants, children and grandchildren grow alike... I can hear children's laughter, see blue stains on little fingers and big fingers too, hear the birds singing, and there's Brenda welcoming another carload of people arriving at the farm.  

Today, as I finished helping Jim weed the final section of their blueberry patch, I felt great joy bubble up inside me and God's peace wash over me while I worked, as I have been so wonderfully blessed to pull weeds, have my hands in the soil, engaged in meaningful conversations with Jim, hearing the frogs and birds singing as well as the baaaaaaaaaaaas from ewes and little lambs, discovering different kinds of beetles, watching new life prepare to burst from the blueberry plants and knowing that God had worked in and through my life once again to bless others....  

I experienced anew the power of the Holy Spirit at work in my life and I am "overflowing with hope" as I stand amazed that "weeding" could affect me so wonderfully indeed.

Lent journey: WAIT

"Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the Lord."

Psalm 27:14

Personal reflections:  How many people do you know that like to wait?  When you wait, are you watching the clock?  Do you begin to fidget? Do you begin to get irritated if you've been waiting too long (at least according to your own definition)?  I DO NOT like to WAIT!  I have often said, "Patience is not one of my virtues."  Maybe that is one of the reasons God continually teaches me this lesson over and over again.  The above scripture seems fairly "harmless," right?  But, what if He has you wait a very, very, very long time for provision or an answer or .................. whatever you are waiting on Him for?

In the year 2000, God repeatedly drew me to Psalm 27 and highlighted a few specific verses, especially this one. When I saw the word for the day, I instantly knew which verse....then I wondered what I would take a photograph of.  It didn't take long to figure it out - one of my most precious possessions (made by a friend whom I've lost contact with; worked at Eagle Hardware and Garden in Tukwila in the early 1990s - her husband was a woodworker and they custom made me this clock).  

In 2000, I was very ill and was leaning on/trusting God for healing.  This verse encouraged me greatly.  I believed that as I waited on the Lord, He would bring healing to my body.  But I've been waiting a very long time for my greatest passion to be realized.................... our farm.  And, I have been searching for land all my adult years.  Ask my husband and our children.  They'll tell you it's true.  But, I am still waiting.

Since I was a child, I wanted to live on a farm after the first one I visited.  Since high school, I have wanted to "run away and live off the land;"  be a farmer or farmer's wife/homesteader.  I am a wife, but I'm also the farmer....  There have been many times, over the years, that I determined, "it's just not going to happen."  I would try to put it out of my mind; go in a different direction.  It never lasted long.  This verse continued to resurface in my faith journey - keep believing, wait for the Lord, He will provide.  In 2012, Joy Bell Farm was born on our urban farm in Burien, even though our garden had been expanding and growing for 5 years already.  It was the year I got my chickens.  I was overjoyed, ecstatic to finally be living my farm dream at some level - and I was connected with the urban farm community in Seattle.  But, things happen in life and we had to leave our urban farm behind in September 2013.  I re-homed my chickens, sold the chicken coop Blaine and I built together (but thankfully God used it to bless a neighbor), and also gave away all the plants and garden materials - even had people come haul away the beautiful, fertile soil...  Pain, heartache; feeling absolutely lost, but praising God and giving thanks in the midst of it all.

Several months later, a farm property came to our attention.  From several sources, God seemed to be guiding us to a particular property in Enumclaw. We contacted the land owner, explained our situation and sought a lease agreement (we need a 3 year lease option to establish our farm business and then flip it over to a purchase), but the answer was no - 3 times it was no...  God provided for us though and we were blessed with a wonderful rental house located on a 25 acre hay property with good landlords, who understand our situation and are willing to keep our rental agreement as a month-to-month, so if we find "our dream farm" we are free to go.  And, that property we felt God led us to is across the back pasture.  Daily, I prayed blessing upon the land owner and her farm business and that the property would sell (because she definitely wanted it to sell and be done with it).  It did finally sell in November, 2014...  Now, I pray blessings upon the new owners and the former owner.  It's what God wants me to do as we continue to wait.  

WAIT - a verb.  We are ACTIVELY WAITING on the Lord. Still waiting for God's provision.  Still waiting for God to make His plans for our life known to us.  But, we are not sitting idle; wasting away.  I am continuing my farm education, I am getting to know other farmers in this community, I am learning more about the main two types of soils in the area, I am lending a helping hand on other farms as God leads me.

We don't know the hour or the day or the year or even if God will fulfill our hearts' desires for Joy Bell Farm to be a real place (again) and enable us to farm in the way that He has revealed to me, but I'm still believing; still waiting....

What are you waiting for?  Are you remaining strong?  Are you remaining passionate and keeping your heart engaged?  Will you wait for the Lord and His timing?  I hope so.

Today, I attended the Pierce County Farm Forum to learn more about agritourism in our region.  At first, I winced seeing my name tag  (as I felt like an imposter), but then I saw it as hope.  One day, I believe I will be able to say, 
"Hi, Welcome to Joy Bell Farm.  I'm Joanie, the Farmer!"

Lent journey: PLACE

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."  Psalm 23

Personal reflections: I have always thought and told others that the place where I find quiet and restoration for my soul was near water.... Kayak Point Park, Alki Beach, the ocean, a creek, river, Green Lake in Seattle, but in contemplating the word PLACE for today and the Lord laying Psalm 23 on my heart, I realized my experience is as it is written.....  green pastures; quiet waters - both places bring spiritual restoration to me.

I loved working and dwelling in the main garden area of our urban farm in Burien; with Blaine, with Coco, with our chickens; amongst the plants...  It was a sanctuary.  I have experienced similar feelings over the past two weeks assisting Jim in weeding several of the rows in his u-pick blueberry patch.  And, being amongst the pregnant ewes "waiting" inside and outside of the barn at Small Blessings Farm. I look forward to clearing a garden space behind our rental house (soon and very soon) and hold onto hope of getting chickens, once again, maybe even later this year.  I'm thankful for opportunities to participate in bee-centric beekeeping classes this year with Jacqueline Freeman of Spirit Bee.

My faith journey has always been connected to Creation.  Lately, I cannot separate my faith from farming/being a steward of the soil, plants and animals and the people connected to those places,as well.  It IS my life, my passion.

And yet, at the same time, I am reminded that while I am living here on earth, my eternal home is "in the house of the Lord forever."  I am so blessed by the beauty of this life, but my focus must remain on the glorious beauty of eternity with Christ. 

While Psalm 23 is a very familiar psalm (likely the most well known of all the psalms for many people), today I realized what an amazing declaration it is!  Life now, life forever.  God's faithfulness to us...now and always.

Praying for you, dear reader - that you may know and experience the incredible blessings and exciting adventure that God has for each one of us!  May you know those "green pastures and quiet waters" in your life and restoration for your soul.  You are loved.

One day, if God desires, I will work with a musician and actually record this little worship song the Lord laid on my heart a couple of years ago....

I stand amazed

I stand amazed

This life, Your love

It abounds

I stand amazed

I stand amazed

The beauty, The sights

The sounds

I stand amazed

O, I stand amazed

This creation, for us

so profound

I stand amazed

I stand amazed 

This creation......

For us.......

So profound......

I stand amazed

I stand amazed

I stand amazed

         I stand amazed........    

Lent journey: REMEMBER

"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.  

Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced."

1 Chronicles 16:11-12

Personal reflections:  I remember this early spring day and the first time the chickens were out in the yard.  I was a very nervous first time chicken owner and I didn't want anything to happen to my younguns.  Coco loved those chickens and was fascinated by them from the first day I brought them home.  She protected and watched over them every day. These chickens were a great JOY for me.  I loved caring for them, cleaning the coop, feeding and interacting with them...  They are a precious memory for me. 

God blessed me with these chickens.  He gave me my hearts desire.  I won these chickens at the Seattle Tilth Harvest Festival the previous September.  I bought 3 tickets and WON - a brooder, the whole setup, 3 baby chicks (bought one more in case one died) and even a chicken coop! I wasn't going to stay for the drawing, but as I was leaving the festival the Holy Spirit encouraged me to stay.  I did.  I texted Blaine and he prayed for me.  He knew I would be the 3 ticket drawn (the 2 before me weren't the winner, as those tickets wanted the raised bed garden prize).  Even today, I am still overwhelmed with how amazing it was to receive such a special gift - one that spoke to my heart's desire!

This isn't the only time I/we have experienced God's wonders and His miracles...

• We've had 3 cars given to us over the years
• Every time warn notices/layoff notices were forthcoming at Blaine's job, he was either passed over or moved to another more secure work group.
• God's protection when I tumbled down the stairs the first day of Lent 2014 - no serious injuries
• God's protection of Blaine when he was in a car accident years ago - Blaine felt a "cocoon" wrap around him just prior to impact - no serious injuries
• Our current rental house in Enumclaw - we've discovered how "nearly impossible" it is to find a place on acreage...
• Receiving a $1000 gift from church friends when we bought our first home.
• Countless "teachers" that have come into our lives/crossed our path to teach us skills, at just the time we needed them
• The blessing of a neighbor who did the construction work on the first home we purchased - replacing a garage door by building a wall and adding a new exterior door, building a closet, mudding, building the deck, taught and assisted Blaine in tiling our kitchen/dining room floors, and painted the exterior of the house - all for little to no cost to us
• A church friend with an electrical business that sent one of his workers to do electrical work at no charge.

We've experienced God's judgments and discipline in our lives. While it is very difficult to go through, we remember His great faithfulness to us!

And, even as I remember during the Lent season, I am reminded that God is still able to perform wonders and miracles.  I could even happen today!

What we are believing God is able to provide, if it is His will for us:

• permanent home for Joy Bell Farm
• a farm pick-up truck
• no debt

And, as I journeyed about my day yesterday - God showed up and reminded me of this promise (flashed on a church's electric billboard sign as I drove by):

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11