A DAY OF FAITH

Not quite a typical day on the farm. On Wednesday ,Christy (Thistletown Farms) and I headed out to North Carolina to bring our 3 Angus Cows and 3 hogs to the processor. We had a

pleasant, albeit long drive. Taking animals to the processor is one of our least favorite things to do. But its all part of the cycle. Paul & I always pray over our animals. We ask that God keep them calm and peaceful as well as thanking them for providing  our food asking that all who partake will be blessed. It was a seemingly unevental trip.... We are always grateful 

when the animals get off the trailer in a calm,gentle manner. And the folks that take care for them are kind and respect them. The angus gently walked off the trailer into their pen. We breathed a sigh of relief and then headed to the processors to drop off the hogs. 

We were running late, so I called and asked that they leave the gate open for us. This was the first time that I was without Paul & I had a sense of what to do, but it was a little unsettling. Christy and I set up the trailer and let the pigs into their pen. They were just sitting in the corner of the trailer seeming to say, 'I'm comfortortable, 

there is no way that I'm moving...' Sooooo, after praying for God's guidance I really thought I would have to take them back home. There is no way that I'm going to poke and prod them into compliance. Paul has a way with them and they listen. After about spending about ten minutes just talking to them, the three of them simply got up and strolled into their pen. Christy and I looked at one another and started to cry. I know, you had to be there to grasp the relief that we felt. 

Our animals have a wonderful life during their time on Faith Farm and we want them to not be afraid at the end. Not sure if it's silly, but we felt that it was nothing short of a miracle that these hogs who are usually very stubborn just sort of marched into their pen. By this time it was after five with two hours to get home. We turned into a parking lot clipping the corner of a sign, not a good thing. Thankfully the trailer was empty, but the tire was wedged between the sign, not damaging it. If Chris went back or forward it would rip the sign out. We were exhausted, Paul was home and we were  tired. I prayed asking God to send someone to help. We didn't want to call for a tow truck and the men that were around were pretty much worthless. Chris knew what needed to be done. So along comes this perky girl with a pick up asking, 'do you guys need help?' She jumps out, pulls out a chain, pops it on the trailer and gives it a gentle nudge. In a matter of seconds we were out of our situation and a sigh of relief came over both of us. Again, another answer to prayer. How much better life would be if we brought everything to God in prayer. 

A little sun and no jacket goes a long way

It's amazing what a little rise in temperatures can do for the spirits. Paul & I managed to take a brief break in the day's chores to just sit on the porch, bask in the sun's warmth and soak in that false sense of spring that we were quite content with. Strutting around without a jacket and the temptation to put on a pair of flip flops made everyone in the house and our animals a little lighter in spirit. The piglets were out in full force and our chickens seemed excited to not have any hint of frost on the grass. 

The past two days have been truly a blessing and although the temps are expected to dip down again, we'll take what we can get. Tristan had a blast not being fully bundled up and able to run around helping his Pop out on the farm. We are excited for our oldest daughter, Erin, to spend next weekend with us. It's always a joy to have a full house and just be together. Good stuff. 

The few, the strong... the farmer

As January is beginning to fade into February it's hard to believe 2009 is in full swing. You turn on the television, radio and even in daily discussion the theme of economy and the road ahead has many in a flurry. Businesses are going bust and stability seems to have faded somewhere along the line. But the reality is, we are a resilient country and shall persevere as we have in times past; it's just going to take a little time. 

We've walked many paths in our lives and I have to say farming has not only been educational, but insightful in more ways than we could have ever imagined. We believe strongly in our work and take pride in tending to the many small details that go into making our final product possible. It takes time, patience and a whole lot of faith.
In our hearts we want to be able to serve our customers for years to come. But what we've realized more than ever these past few weeks, is that we need you in order for that to be a reality. Sometimes convenience or weather can take precedent over doing what we're accustomed. But we're going full steam ahead and hope that you too will join us. Have a blessed week.  

Chill in the air

The recent tumbling of temps has made tending to the farm all the more interesting. With frozen ground and blistering cold you have to get creative in keeping warm while tending to the animals. Stock in Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate may rise due to residents of Faith Farm as well as thermals being  out in full swing. Our hope is within the week or two that there is a break in the cold and the digits rise, even if only slightly. 

There is nothing we can do to prevent the cold, but one of the most important things is to be able to have fun and enjoy the daily grind no matter what the circumstance. Paul tends to the pigs and Tristan will quickly yell, "push me Pop, push me." The pigs will just have to wait an extra ten minutes for the food until Tristan and Pop have a few laughs on the tire swing. Keeping the priorities in check are important. 

Here's a pic of Jess & Chrissy out at the market a few weekends ago when the sun was out and the jackets were left in the car. What a day it was! Even in the cold and chill, we're at the market : ) We hope to see you there. Have a blessed week. 

A view from the porch

Its funny how sometimes the ordinary can be so out of the ordinary for so many. Our daughter Erin brought that to our attention during her visit. As we walk the farm each day sometimes a little more reflective than others there is so much truly out of the norm. Paul pushing Tristan on the tire swing, feeding our cows their daily bales of hay with the tractor and scurrying turkeys and chickens that just seem to be everywhere. 

It's amazing how only a few years ago we sat on our porch watching the sun setting over the sound and now our view is of chickens, cows and the daily visiting humming birds. Pretty neat. In our life time we've had a number of different views from our front porch making life the farthest from predictable or boring. Right now, watching the view from the front porch isn't all that bad; and that's a good thing. 

Lovely weekend

This weekend brought a very welcomed break from winters expected chill.  With the change in temperature it seemed to bring out a flood of customers and our fields were littered with grazing animals basking in the suns warmth. We've had many new piglets born over the past month and they scampered through the fields, rolling in hay and snuggling with their mamas. What a little change in temps can do : ) 

The weather made for an ideal market for both our Lynchburg & Richmond customers. Erin & Jess headed to the 17th st. Market & Brenda made her way to Lynchburg. There were vendors with crates of fresh vegetables, fruits and breads bringing great smells and brilliant colors. It was a pleasure to see so many faces out and anxious to stock up on their meats, honey & jams. The sun and warmth made the day even more enjoyable & Tristan even had a few playmates to hang out with. What more could you ask for?

Tis the Season

One would think with winter approaching life here on Faith Farm would slow a bit. Over the past few weeks it seems to have become all the more demanding and with the arrival of Christmas we gladly welcomed a little down time. Erin, our daughter from New Jersey, and Tristan went out for the 2nd year and tracked down a tree from one of the far pastures and brought back a rather impressive Christmas tree. Tristan had a blast lugging the tree back on the four wheeler (with his auntie for supervision, of course). 

It was so nice having the family together for Christmas and celebrating the birth of our Savior without distractions. It was a delight to not only be together, but we got to enjoy our

very own  Heritage raised Turkey. Tristan had his knife and fork out even before the table was set. Although we're a little biased, the truth is there is really nothing like knowing where your food is coming from. It's a good feeling and it doesn't hurt that it tastes so very good. : ) 

This time of year is cold and often times funky. Even though spring is not in the air we ask you to remember to support your local farmers. Business and our animals still needs to keep rolling even in the midst of a little chill and clouds. We need you to keep Faith Farm a reality and around for many more winter, spring, summer and falls to come. To our loyal customers, thank you. Have a blessed New 

Years!