Month: April 2021

Along with our last post, The Foundation, our farm had to have 3 points for guidance. Why 3 points?

3 Points have been significant from the beginning of time. Examples: The Trinity, the perfect triangles, the rule of threes in writing, and 3 points of reference in navigation. So lets take the last example, 3 points of navigation….our farm needs navigation so we had to start with our 3 points of navigation.

The first point of navigation was myself. I want to bring the farm back to life. With that I wanted to raise vegetables, livestock, and gain life skills. I wanted to be self sustaining as which as possible. The biggest thing was I wanted to give back to the community with knowledge, education, and farm produced products.

How do I do that? With the next 2 points of navigation: our values and beliefs.

Our values guide us to take care of our livestock and treat them with respect and care. It also guides us to grow and preserve healthy, organic vegetables, fruit, and berries so that our bodies are healthy. It guides us to take care of the land and water that God has provided for us. Our values are also to education ourselves and others, to help our community.

Our beliefs guide us to remain as self sustaining as possible by using the skills that we have gained and to develop new skills. That everyone has the ability to take care of their needs but should step forward when someone needs some help. Our belief is that no one should have to worry about what is in their food and about the health welfare of their family because of what they eat or drink.

3 Points…….That’s what has started this farm up again and will continue to guide it as long as we keep our navigation set on those points. With serenity comes the security that all of our needs are being met and that we are prepared for the future. How wonderful is our 3 Points of Serenity?

You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.’ Job 11:4

The Foundation…..the most important part of anything in existence is the foundation. It is the starting point for a home, a relationship, a business, a country, a belief system, etc. It is the foundation is not set correctly and firmly, then whatever is built on it will not last long.

This farm was started years ago on a foundation that was formed out of nothing but the land and what grew on it. Today, I have the advantage of starting with an existing foundation that including barns, a chicken house, tractor and equipment, and knowledge gained from my dad’s, granddad’s, uncles’, aunts’, mom’s, and grandmas’ experiences. The farm is covered with pecan trees that my granddad planted and nursed for years. Ponds that were dug years ago providing water for livestock and stocked with fish.

This week, we were finally able to make progress on our new greenhouse and just like every building we started with a foundation. From the foundation, up went the hoop uprights and the support system. When the greenhouse is completed, we will be able to grow vegetables year round for years to come. We will be able to start plants from seeds in early February which will put us months ahead of the growing season.

The Foundation……our bees start with a foundation of honeycomb for both storing honey but also laying eggs for brood or new baby bees. The Foundation……..chickens and other birds start with a foundation of pine needles, sticks, leaves, etc. to make the nest for their young. Everyday I learn more and more from observations and experiences on the farm that reaffirm what I read in the Bible. This is my serenity.

Psalm 104:5 He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved.

Looks like we will get some blueberries this year, even though our bushes are still young.

I grew up on this farm. It has been in my family for at least 5 generations. I have fond memories and not so fond memories of this place. My grandparents farmed this land raising not only children but livestock here. I have seen the cycle of life more times then most here. Growing up, I want to leave this farm, this town, this area so much, but now I am drawn to it.

Just before I got the land from my dad, my wife and I started planning on what we wanted to do with it. Plant an orchard, build a greenhouse, have chickens, ducks, sheep, etc. Slowly this farm changed in my mind and in my heart. It’s not just farm anymore to me… it’s a serene place. Yes, it is hard work…there are hard times…there are sad times. Yet this is where I feel less stress, less pressure, less demand from the world and society. In today’s high demand, very consumerism society, stress and peer pressure sets requirements that people spend their entire lives trying to meet all the while look for happiness, tranquility, satisfaction, and serenity. This farm is my serenity……it is where I feel serene. Welcome to my Serenity. Have you discovered your serenity???

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