Harvest adventure

The harvest is over, but there is a lot more work to be done once the rain stops and the fields dry out enough to drive equipment on them.

I haven't lived on the farm all that long, but I felt like this harvest was turning into something very stressful before everything came together.  We hadn't had rain for a long time and were worried that the rye would not grow to the maturity that we would like.

Then toward the middle of last week, the 7-day forecast seemed to hold nothing but rain!  Some decisions had to be made in what felt like a hurry.  I wasn't really in on those decisions, but I was praying that whatever decision was made would be made in unity and that God would bring everything about in his perfect timing.  And really that's what happened!

The guys started chopping on Thursday evening, and around midnight something broke down on the harvester, so they had to quit for the night, so they got a little sleep.  Then they started chopping again mid-morning Friday and ran all day and through the night until Saturday around noon when everything was in the silos.

And what a miracle!  I don't think that we expected to get as much or as good quality rye as we did.  It was awesome!

Plus I got to help out in the field for a little bit.  I got to drive a tractor pulling the tedder (which spreads the rye out to help it dry more) for the first time ever!  It was pretty fun, but a little stressful because it was the first time I had ever driven that tractor and I was pulling a 25 ft wide piece of equipment behind me.  It was difficult for me to see where I had already tedded because I'm not very experienced at that, I was just hoping that I didn't miss any huge chunks.  Josiah was watching me from on top of one of the silos, he said that I went over a section twice at one point, but I don't think that really hurt any thing.

This is what the tedder looks like when it is folded up:

So it was a great, busy, and tiring harvest (when is it not like that?).  And now I am thankful for the rain because it gives us a little chance to rest up until the next busy time of hauling manure and planting corn.

Rye harvest

It has begun...

Unfortunately, so has my sneezing, coughing, and runny nose.  I think I like corn harvest better.  But I am glad that we can have this crop to feed the cows also!

Evening walk

Evening walks are one of my favorite activities to do with Josiah and Duchess.  These past few evenings have been perfect, warm, and so beautiful!!

A man and his dog

This is my birthday buddy (we share the same birth date, I'm just a few years older)

Another one named Swimmer

Milton

"Praise the Lord from the earth,

you creatures of the ocean depths,

fire and hail, snow and clouds,

wind and weather that obey him,

mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars,

wild animals and all livestock,

small scurrying animals and birds,

kings of the earth and all people,

rulers and judges of the earth,

young men and young women,

old men and children.

Let them all praise the name of the Lord.

For his name is very great;

his glory towers over the earth and heaven!

He has made his people strong,

honoring his faithful ones—

the people of Israel who are close to him.

Praise the Lord!"

Psalm 148: 7-14

Somewhere over the rainbow...

This beautiful, bright rainbow appeared for a few minutes yesterday evening!

The symbol of the rainbow has been distorted since the time that God placed it in the sky over Noah and his family as a sign of his covenant, his promise.

¹² Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. ¹³ I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. ¹⁴ When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, ¹⁵ and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life. ¹⁶ When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.”  

Genesis 9: 12-16

God's promises:  unlike humans, God is 100% faithful, full of grace and mercy.  He doesn't forget his promises or covenants.  We're the ones that change and distort things.

"God's way is perfect.

All the Lord’s promises prove true.

He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

For who is God except the Lord?

Who but our God is a solid rock?

God arms me with strength,

and he makes my way perfect."

Psalm 18: 30-32

I don't usually (or hardly ever) understand what God is doing in my life at the time something difficult is happening.  But in hindsight, I can clearly see that God is working and I am probably struggling against that work because I had my own ideas of what I want.  Giving up control to God's promises is difficult, but so much more freeing!

Longwood in Spring

I visited Longwood Gardens a few weeks ago with my mom and sisters.  It was a chilly day with the threat of rain, but it turned out beautifully!  We didn't get rained on and we didn't freeze.  Longwood is so beautiful with all the spring flowers blooming!

Psalm 96

"Sing a new song to the Lord!
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Sing to the Lord; praise his name.

Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
Publish his glorious deeds among the nations.
Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.

Portrait time!

Melissa

Me

Michelle

My mom (I like this photo)

Angry Fern

I love all the different colors of spring and how God mixes them so creatively!

"Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!

He is to be feared above all gods.
The gods of other nations are mere idols,
but the Lord made the heavens!

Honor and majesty surround him;

strength and beauty fill his sanctuary.

Beautiful flower!!

One of my favorite flowers!

The Orchids:

"O nations of the world, recognize the Lord;
recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.
Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his courts.
Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before him.
Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”
The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.
He will judge all peoples fairly.

A group of very proud Birds-of-Paradise

A really large, cool palm tree

"Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!

Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!

Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise

before the Lord, for he is coming!
He is coming to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with justice,
and the nations with his truth."