As Summer eases in, chasing away cool, misty mornings and inviting mosquitos to feast on my bare legs, I find myself the lucky recipient of a few extra hours to write.
That, my friends, is a true luxury given the intense pace of life over the past few years!
I turned in my final assignments for the program in which I have been enrolled just last week, hitting “send” with a shout of hallelujah! Then we had a full weekend of youth groups converging on our land for races, games, swimming, and sunset worship, followed by small group last night.
Needless to say, I am happily exhausted, but exhausted nonetheless! So, today, I’m taking the day off.
Of course, when you are a homeschooling mother of five and live on a farm, “off” is a relative term. In fact, I have already mucked out the goats’ stall and cleaned out the chicken coop before making a breakfast of fresh eggs, bacon and fried sweet potatoes this morning. So, “off” doesn’t mean inactive, it just means I’m allowing myself to do what I have put aside for so long while I was studying theology, apologetics, missiology, church history, etc., etc.
I’m going to write, and I’m going to read.
As we have built this little farm, God has revealed Himself in quiet, unforgettable ways. From teaching a dog not to chase goats to watching our cat care for her newborn kittens, there are parables awaiting discovery on almost every inch of this beautiful place. I am making a list as I discover them and plan to share them with you here, under the Thoughts from the Farm tab above on the menu. You see, all the studying and writing I have been doing in my classes was for this task of writing to which God has called me…and maybe even some speaking. Truth is vital, understanding the role we play in the Kingdom of God is core to every decision we make, and recognizing the ways God speaks to us through His creation is a skill that can be developed by anyone regardless of where they live. I am also diving back in to the novel I began after the release of my first book, Paper Dolls: Trust Your Instincts because I believe that story needs to be finished and told.
Then, I have sensed another book percolating inside. I feel a deep need to write something beautiful, something that draws your eyes away from the darkness and helps you see the Light that is shining on the path forward. Not a fictional novel, but a memoir perhaps. I’m making notes, organizing thoughts, and praying for guidance as I contemplate what it might become.
And I’m going to read. I’m going to read, and read, and read! I read most of Jan Karon’s Mitford series a few years ago but, last night, I started all over. Do I have a stack of newly purchased, unread books awaiting? Yep. But I need Mitford. I need to hang out with Father Tim and Cynthia and sip a cup of tea on the porch of Fernbank. Oh, how I need it!
Summer fills up quickly these days, and I have learned that I must pace myself or it will be gone without me dipping so much as a toe in the pool. White space is desperately needed, and white space is what I will fight for as we enjoy these long days and sweet hours with family and friends. I’ll make a gallon of sweet tea and we can watch the heron glide over the pond together. There’s the mama and papa goose with their four fuzzy goslings. You can’t help but smile when you see them parade across the smooth surface of the water. Curry and the goats are always entertaining, and Rosa is such a good mama to her five tiny kittens. We need nature. We need to feel the wind blow and the warmth of the sun on our shoulders. We need to hear the birds sing as we engage in deep and meaningful conversations. So come, sit with me.
You are welcome here, any time, at Arundelle Green.
Arundelle Green 