Right Here, Right Now Day # 21 of Thankfulness

She's home. 

She's here. 

We ate dinner together;

around that farmhouse table. 

We held hands to pray. 

It is in these moments that the empty spot is felt. 

We all feel it. 

I breathe deep. 

I focus on what's right here in front of me. 

We sing our song for grace.

The song the oldest brought home from Preschool.

Sung for more than 24 years. 

There is laughter and joy around this table. 

These silly kids. 

This is what God wants me to enjoy. 

Right here and right now. 

30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

friends who drive 8 hours with me to retrieve the college girl
coffee shops on our travels
good coffee
making memories
stepping outside my comfort zone
a day with no anxiety
the college girl being home
fun around our farmhouse table
watching a "White Christmas"
little girls who aren't so little any more
a farm boy trying to make it all work
my farmer who presses on no matter what
the quiet of the morning, just before the sun rises
the unseasonably warm temperatures
sunshine for so many days
cows still out on grass
each additional bale we're able to get
the plan God has


We've been enjoying these warm, sunny days. 
The air has turned a little chillier today. 
Winter will soon make an appearance. 


May your Saturday be rich in gratitude. 


Psalm 146:2
I will praise the LORD all my life; 
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

It's Here! Day #20 of Thankfulness

It's here.

Today's the day. 

I head to CT to get my girl. 

I can't wait. 

~ 30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:
Coming home
friends who take the day to travel with me
the freedom to travel down and back in a day
my farmers sense of humor
family
coffee
thoughts of stopping to get coffee on the trip
bible study; encouraging my walk with God
our dog snuggling at my feet
going to bed- oh how I love to go to bed
one end of the house getting fixed - it was so bad
this Thanksgiving season to intentionally name my thanks
the hope of Glory
the strength for each day


This act of naming gratitude is hard some days. 
May your walk of gratitude change you. 

May you be encouraged this day no matter what you are facing. 
May deep joy find you where ever you are. 

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, 
for my power is made perfect in weakness." 

Despair is but a Step Away Day #19 of Thankfulness

Two years ago; this was our walk. 
We are still clinging to that same hope two years later. 
Rejoicing in cancer being at bay. 
Learning to live with our precious red head residing with the King of Kings. 
Remembering God is good. . . all the time. 
Though despair, at times is only a step away. 
God offers hope that is so much greater. 
-------------------------------------------------------------
November 19, 2013
To Despair is to Turn Your Back on God Day #19 of Thankfulness

To despair is to turn your back on God.

                                   -Marilla Cuthbert Anne of Green Gables

If I despair. Not only do I turn my back on God but I take away the hope that he has promised. 

Will I only take the good in this life and not the bad? 

Though it seems like the bad has tipped the scales.

But has it? 

Who am I to decide what is enough?

John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. 
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

God himself is no stranger to the death of a son. 

He himself bore the pain of the sins of this world.

For me.

For you. 

And with every breath I have left I will praise Him.

Though You Slay Me

(With John Piper) 

Take a moment if you will. . .to listen to this to the end. 
John Piper finishes the video with powerful words for all of us. 

 The Lymph nodes they took, are cancerous.

Another bout of bad news in the litany before us.

Another battle to face. 

A battle we enter tired and worn.

And though you slay, yet I will praise you

Though you take from me I bless your name.

Though you ruin me.. .still I will worship. 

Because. It's not about me. 

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, 

but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, 

I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Day #19 of Thankfulness

I am thankful for:

Cousins who stop in to visit just at the right time

Another cousin that had planned to visit so we don't have to be alone-

even before we knew the results

And yet another cousin-across the miles that breathes the Word into my soul

A faithful God forever

Nothing to fear He has it all covered

Even in death. . .there is life

Hope

Sisters in laws that will never let me go

My farmer 

 another journey where God can manifest his grace in so many ways

My mom who said, "My cancer has become a blessing"

My children who face adversity with such resolve and grace 

This community, while even in the waiting, reminds us of how close they are

God's word, it is never failing

We will walk step by step in his grace

Praising God for His presence in our life

Psalm 107:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

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.'

At First There Were Two Day #17 of Thankfulness

At first there were two. 

Two went with hearts bursting. 

To a country in need. 

My farmer and now college girl. 

When death and cancer had been our companions. 

A spark was rekindled. 

A yearning to go. 

And they did. 

They went.

They were changed. 

The heart of the people forever ingrained in their souls. 

And now they are going back;

with nine. 

To bring much needed items. 

To be the hands and feet of Jesus. 

A response to the call. 

Go!

Luke 10:37
The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." 
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

There is much work and preparation to go. 

Farm chores- covered. 

Finances met. 

Supplies to gather. 

~ 30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:
opportunities to serve

hope
looking forward
times of waiting
having needs far beyond our capabilities
knowing that God is able to meet all those needs; if it is His will
folks encouraging my farmer to go
donations of supplies already coming in
the hearts of my farmer and children to go 

Would you consider partnering with us? 

We are filling suitcases with much needed supplies. 

Needs that we are aware of so far are:

feminine products, deodorant, bra's and underwear. 

As we learn of more needs we will share them. 

There is also a financial need to be met. 

For my farmer, farm boy and college girl to go 

the cost will be around-$4400, 

plus the extra farm expenses to cover chores. 

We are trusting in this financial obligation being met. 

Malachi 3:10

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

There are a few ways you can donate financially. 

You can donate directly to GoServ Global formally known as 
Global Compassion Network. 
Be sure to check the memo box and write in the designation for the 

Davis Trip.

Click here to donate to the Davis Trip to Haiti

The Davis Family Fund is still open at the Merchants Bank in Jericho. 

Donations can me made there as well. 
Merchants Bank
205-VT Rt 15
Jericho, Vermont 05465

Thank you for partnering with us. 

Thank you for the encouragement to my farmer . . . to go. 

Ephesians 3:20

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

 With Every Act of Love

Jason Gray

We bring the Kingdom come

 With every act of love...

Sunday Dinner Day # 16

They gathered around the farmhouse table. 

Sunday dinner. 

These young men. 

Telling tales. 

Laughing. 

Looking at some hard times with humor. 

They are finding their way. 

The farm boy is digging deep these days. 

A change. 

Wrestling with the demons that threaten to pull one under. 

He gathers here and laughs. 

A rich laugh which reminds me of one gone before him. 

But yet so different. 

This farm boy has a carefree nature. 

Throws caution to the wind. 

(not always a good thing)

Living. 

Embracing. 

Fully. 

That with which I struggle. 

He is teaching me. 

Slowly. 

He always has. 

May I have eyes to see. 

Matthew 13:5

For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

~ 30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:
Laughter around the farmhouse table
For young men willing to live differently
quiet afternoons
a Youth Pastor that loves our kids
4 more sleeps until the college girl comes home
gratitude
these hard times that are driving me to my knees
a God who never lets go
the freedom of opinions
(Do we understand how uncensored we are in this country? )
the freedom to attend church-to openly express my love for Jesus
opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus
heat
my farmer who never gives up, always perseveres
the Ancient Word; may it guide us in Truth
the farmette who face times with her Papa to see the cows


Stepping in to this Monday actively seeking grace.
Intentionally watching for glimpses of gratitude. 
Will you join me in this walk? 


Psalm 146:1-2
Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, my soul.
I will praise the LORD all my life; 
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Pausing for just a Moment Day #15 of Thankfulness

~ 30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

a seed planted long ago and we may have the honor of watching it grow

needs met in unexpected ways

girl sleep overs with a beautiful, godly young woman

spending time with and laughing with a friend

prayer

transportation that includes heat

our home 

people who will come and help figure out what is wrong with our heat

that which is to come

a sister in law who is hanging on to gratitude each moment

the hope in each new day

brothers that call and check on me even when they are bearing bad news

May your Sabbath day be set apart from the other days. 

In it may there be rest. 

Deep gratitude. 

Honest confession. 

Restoration for our weary souls. 

Will you pause for just a moment?

Lamentations 3:23

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.