Davis Farm Guest House

We're having fun at our Guest House and on the farm!

We're meeting new people.

Making friends from all over the world. 

We're sprucing up. 

Watching grass grow!

Literally. 

We're shaking off the Winter. 

Though, it's not shaking us off!

Sharing about this place we love so much. 

Things aren't always easy. 
We share that too. 

Work. 

Long hours. 

Yet. 

Rewarding. 

Full. 
Held by a gracious God. 

Stepping forward with purpose. 

Hope you'll stop by for a visit soon. 

Find us on our blog page: 

http://farmingoncilleyhill.blogspot.com/p/davis-farm-guest-house.html

Or our listing on Farm Stay U.S.:

www.farmstayus.com/farm/Vermont/Davis_Farm_

When the Missing is Deep

Hi Elijah. 

I miss you so much. 

They are coming out with a new Star Wars movie. 

The products are all over the place. 

It's been so fun to look - at all the stuff. 

To remember when I was a kid. 

But then. . .

I got to the Lego aisle. 

And I still can't stop the racking sobs. 

They threaten to undo me. 

Our last Christmas together you got a Star Wars Lego kit. 

You were a Senior in High School. 

Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. 

Yet the one item you pulled yourself away from the family for was, a lego set. 

Bought on a whim. 

Last minute. 

Yet so loved. 

It sat on the piano until you met Jesus. 

Someone cleaned up. 

They didn't know that you would have put that together 7 months prior. 

That I left it there to remind me of you. 

When we were mourning and rejoicing over Nana's homegoing. 

I can still so vividly see you on the floor. 

Your large hands manipulating those pieces together. 

Me calling you over to finish opening presents. 

But all you wanted was to put the Legos together. 

Oh how I long for you. 

It is a cruel twist of circumstances that leave a mama without her boy. 

And while I trust with all of my being in the God of the Universe. 

My soul aches for you. 

My flesh.

My heartbeat. 

My red head. 

I long to fill your stocking with all the fun lego pieces. 

I long to talk to you about the movie. 

To hear all your thoughts and criticisms. 

To enjoy the hype. 

But those things have been torn from me. 

Ripped away in a moment. 

Leaving a hole and an ache; crater size. 

I bought pajamas's for everyone to wear on Christmas Eve; minus your pair. 

In the quiet of the morning I shed these tears. 

I fall to my knees as I gasp for air the pain so intense. 

But I can't stay here. 

I can't remain. 

This beautiful tree in the parlor of your ancestors. 

Is a symbol of light. 

The light that came into the world. 

Light that penetrated the darkness. . . 

To save us. 

To restore and cleanse us. 

The future and hope of all Nations. 

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

He took on sin so we can live. 

Isaiah 53:5

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

We have hope in the form of a child. 

A promise given. 

One day, my dear son, I will see you again. 

I don't know what it will look like. 

I don't really understand. 

But I have the blessed assurance. 

Until then. . . .

I ache for you with all of my being. 

Yet I will place my feet firmly on the ground. 

I will step into Truth. 

I will not be blinded by the lies that threaten to pull me under. 

With each breath I have here I will strive to live as Christ commands. 

It is not about me. 

At all.

It's not about making sure I am happy.

It has nothing to do with me. 

It is all about the surrendering. 

The journey to the Manger. 

Laying before him my gifts and treasures. 

To be used. 

For Him.

For His Glory. 

That He might receive All Praise and Honor. 

 The journey to the Cross.

Where Once for All was given. 

A hope. 

A light. 

A promise. 

The assurance for all Eternity. 

This you know my dear Elijah. 

This you all understand now. 

I pray that God will strengthen my weary heart. 

That I may remain faithful until I am called home. 

Until then my dear, precious son. 

Until then. 

Revelation 21:4

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

That Inner Circle Day #18 of Thankfulness

Spent a lovely evening out last night.

Amazing food and service. 

Treated by friends who never seem to let us go. 

Holding us close. 

Caring. 

Checking in. 

Helping us move forward. 

Friendship. 

Beautiful. 

Cultivated. 

Grace. 

Surround yourself with those that encourage and challenge you. 

We are blessed to have those in our life who continue to walk with us. 

Fill your world with those that seek to see you more like Christ. 

Take inventory of that inner circle. 

When that circle is spurring you on; you have more to give. 

You never walk alone. 

~ 30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:
friends who continue to love on us
time away from the farm
the students God has brought to the farm lately
this farm; may it always be a refuge for those who need it
this drafty, old, run down, farmhouse
a propane wood stove
a friend who seized the moment and started to decorate 
for Christmas early because it got cold
even in the waiting
a clean kitchen when I came home from being out 
(this is a gift straight from heaven)
The amazing display in the heavens at night . . . 
Elijah's view must be amazing




Would you consider helping my farmer and kids head to Haiti? 
Click here to help. 
Remember to click on Haiti Projects in the drown down menu and write in the memo box; Davis Trip. 

Thank you!  Click here to donate to the Davis Trip to Haiti
Matthew 25:40
"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'

The Richness of Seeing Day #5 of Thankfulness

The farm boy headed to bible study. 

The dancer to class. 

My farmer was still caring for his ladies. 

So the youngest and I found we were alone. 

She had been up since 3:30 a.m. 

She wanted to snuggle. 

Such a rare gift. 

Knowing I love fixer, upper shows,

she put on Netflix to the perfect choice. 

One that the older daughter had shared  about on my wall just this day. 

We snuggled.

We watched. 

Just the two of us. 

While this journey of children being in

 heaven and growing up and moving on is rough. 

It's these moments that we need to cherish. 

~30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

Sunshine and warm days in November

A productive day of school

Washing windows

(yes! I was able to get one of the 40 done!)

A spontaneous visit with a friend

(poor girl had a double root canal!)

dinner already prepared 

a niece who will come and sit with me and eat her lunch

A daughter, even though far away, still thinks of her mama

Care packages sent

the slow pace of an evening to snuggle with the youngest

lessons I am learning in a quiet home 

that used to burst at the seam with children

eyes that see the beauty: hidden, waiting to be seen

hard discussions choosing church leadership

trusting when there is no other way

Elijah's friends who send me a note when I most need it

learning how to dance in the rain

When we intentionally step into gratitude our eyes are opened. 

We see glimpses of grace we never knew before. 

Won't you join us? 

Ephesians 1:8

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people

I Have A Son, Who Is Rejoicing With The King of Kings

Facebook posts declare it. 
Pictures show it. 
Families reunited. 
Students returning home from college for the holidays. 
Church is full of those boys and girls; home. 
It is Lessons and Carols, a beautiful service,
 celebrating the birth and coming Savior.
There is excitement and hugs. 
Joy. 
I am numb. 
I sit and literally focus on breathing in and out. 
The hollowness overpowering.
My boy is not coming home. 

While I am grateful for those happy, sweet reunions. 
I can't experience that. 
And I so long to. 
My boy lies six feet under in the cold, hard packed earth. 

I want to hear how he is doing and look into those baby blue eyes,
 see that crooked grin. 
I want a future.
Yet that is never to be, 
And I feel robbed. 
I continue to focus on breathing. 
In and out. 
My heart beating with the searing ache. 
You see, the walk of grief is not an easy one. 
It is always there, waiting to consume you. 
There is a power in the world that would love to see us fail;
would love to see us crumble under the weight of all this pain. 

So, the reaching is deep. 
Deep to shake off the heaviness. 

To remember:

Job 14:5
A person's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months
 and have set limits he cannot exceed.


Our boy resides with the King of Glory. 
The same King whom we wait for, this Advent Season. 
The babe in a manger; come for all.
The Incarnate. 
Immanuel. 
God With Us. 
You see, God set the world in motion. 
He created us.
We are His. 
Chosen. 
Held by Him. 
Even when the unthinkable happens. 
The grace given for each moment is there. 

Because this isn't all there is. 

The hope that awaits each believer is rich. 
Our souls were created to serve our Savior. 
To yield to the Master's Touch. 
Sin has marred so much of that relationship. 
But it has not overcome. 
No, indeed, Christ has overcome all so that we might live. 

All of creation has been in rebellion since the Fall and the only anecdote is a Redeemer. 
One who came as a babe. 
One whose mother cried out in fear and stepped into a walk of faith. 
A blessed woman. 

Her voice rings sweet and clear in that church. 
 A young teen, who has walked a rough road. 
A heart that has yielded to Him, who reigns on high. 
Her song, based on the Magnificat. 
My heart resonates with the words she sings. 
Because, I am scared, nearly terrified. 
I don't know how to walk this road. 
And the thoughts a life without Elijah terrify me. 
A life without my farmer looms continually. 
So, I settle in and listen to the wisdom of a young woman whose knee has bended. 
Much like the young woman centuries ago. 
Who said yes to the possibilities. 

Words and Music by
Hannah Loggins

But, I am scared, I am nearly terrified, but your peace, it calms my heart
And I know that you'll bring me through, that I can lean on you
Behold I'm a servant of the Lord let it be to me according to your Word


Lord, Let it be to me according to your Word. 
Let it be no other way. 
Because a walk through the pain with you, is better than any other way. 

May these final days in Advent find you able to say Mary's words. 

Are we not blessed to walk a road, no matter how rough, 
with a God who has gone before us? 

I have a son who is rejoicing over the birth of the Savior. 

His joy complete. 
His walk finished. 

My prayer for you is to know this holy peace, no matter the road traveled. 

Can You Be Jesus To Someone Today? Day #4 of Thankfulness

She knocks on my door.

A former colleague and friend. 

One I haven't seen in a while. 

She stands there at the door. 

We hug for a long time. 

She who encouraged and loved on me those years of teaching and being with child. 

Cards when our dreams and hopes were dashed with a miscarriage. 

Rejoicing when we found that grace had visited us and I swelled with new life. 

A baby shower for Elijah. 

This woman. 

Kind, soft and gentle. 

Here, at my door. 

Bringing comfort on a day that was hard. 

She brought a card and a gift. 
She brought her presence. 

My heart ached with gratitude for the time she would take to come and visit. 

To be present. 

God is in the details of our lives.
He will never leave us nor forsake us. 
He provides in ways we could not imagine.
This front door visit was the human touch I needed. 
The encouragement to keep pressing on. 

~30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:
Front door visits
Remembering
The rich life I have had and the people I have met along the way
the ways in which God is in the details
My farmer and farmer junior returning home
the beautiful sunshine and a crisp fall day
clean, air dried sheets
Chicken and Biscuit dinner
homemade apple pie
The right to vote and the work it took for those women to gain us that right
The work God does in our hearts when we are grateful
little girls who still like to snuggle
read aloud's and good literature
sets being painted and a play being created in our basement
God reaching down and saving my weary soul
a community that continues to let us know we are loved
the work of a caring man to raise the flags off the ground at the pole where Elijah met Jesus
the ways God ministers to my aching heart
rich, hot steaming cups of coffee
The Ancient Word and the wisdom and  comfort it brings

Isaiah 40:29
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.


Please join me in days of Gratitude. 
Leave me a comment or share your journey. 
Be Jesus to someone today. 
Stop in and say hi. 
Bring some flowers. 
Send a card. 
You never know how you will strengthen someone this day. 

Jason Gray
With Every Act of Love

As heaven touches earth
Ohh oooh You bring the kingdom come
With every act of love
Jesus help us carry you
Alive in us your light shines through
With every act of love we bring the kingdom come
God put a million million doors in the world for love to walk through
 and one of those doors is you