There is something about living in the county that can’t be beat. I love it, working the land, living in the country. I’ve pondered that a lot recently. Words that describe the feelings that come with my line of work, and play- my country lifestyle. I interviewed my ever patient family and they added to my list. Maybe you have somethings that you could share as well! I’d love that.

So here’s a few things that I’ve come up with:

Satisfaction: This one hit me as I was taking the planter back to the shed after Father had run most of the night finishing up bean planting at our one farm, and those huge raindrops started pelting my windshield. I couldn’t help but cheer. We had successfully worked with Nature and had a crop in the ground in time for the first rain. That is a great feeling. My heart swells with Thanksgiving. “It is a good thing to receive blessings from God, and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life- that is indeed a gift from God.” Ecc 5;19

Security: Emily shared this, and I thought it was interesting because within the last few months she, with her 911 habit, has responded to several heinous crimes here in our neighborhood. Yet we feel secure- surrounded by our friends and neighbors- People we see every day. Our world is at Peace. We have nothing to fear. Mother added that she loves the early mornings- watching the sunrise and listening to the birds- as she sips that cup of coffee and prepares for the day- a quiet, peaceful time to savor the stillness and commune with Our Heavenly Father.

Beauty: It’s everywhere! So often we breeze past, all caught up in what’s on the” to do” list. But Mother made me stop coming in our lane, and get out of the vehicle and look at a “Jack-in-the-Pulpit” beside the lane. I miss so much! As I continue to hone my new kayaking habit- My eyes can scarcely take in all the beauty! We were floating the river last weekend and came across painted turtles sunning on fallen logs, Canadian geese setting on nests, a half-dozen little ducklings frantically swimming off to one side-which I almost missed since I was observing the” wounded bird act” from the Mama Wood Duck on the opposite shore. The green of the new leaves on the trees and the blue of the sky and the warm sunshine- What a way to spend time immersed in creation and the Creator! Julia loves the night sky. I guess getting up every morning at 3 am gives her lots of time to enjoy it. But it is incredible.Reminds me of the song  “My soul cries out in awesome wonder-viewing countless stars-only God can number, how many million miles up to the nearest star, I feel so very small- How can I see so far? Oh Mighty God, how great Thou art! You have no ending, You have no start. I know by faith You’re real, for You’re love I daily feel. Almighty God, I believe in You!!”

Enjoying the journey: Sometimes I wake up in the morning and there’s so much to do- there’s no way to cover everything. And that, in an absurd way, is fun- to be swamped performing a task that I love- whether its seed-time or harvest (or travel;) )- I like to be busy. And it’s equally fun to have leisure time- to peddle our Giant bikes the 11 miles (Kinda downhill) to Dairy Queen where we know that an ice cream cone and our return vehicle await us (Everyone thinks this exercise program would be much more beneficial if we would eat the ice cream BEFORE the trek-idk..:) ) And to have a farmer friend and his wife- apparently also out on a “drive to stay alive” pull up beside us in their pickup and chat amiably for a mile or so. Enjoying where I am, who I’m with, while there’s time . Deborah added riding with the windows down and the music up- especially in the mountains.. Living life to the fullest.

And then it hit me. No, I’ve never experienced City life in a daily grind, but these feelings are not just a country idea. It’s a place of the heart. I’m sure there’s satisfaction to be found in a job well done anywhere. Security? Definitely- if You’ve placed your trust in the One who controls all things. Beauty? Again- maybe it comes in a little different form than poppies in a corn field- but Nature is everywhere- impossible to escape- if you look for it. So enjoy the journey- where ever it finds you. Seize life with both hands and conquer it for the blessing that is at hand, taking time to savor the flavor of the goodness around you.. May that come easily for you this week. Blessings, Kendra

Bonus:

Detroit listens patiently as Father gives me instructions. That mutt’s been having to put in a lot more hours as farm manager these days to make up for the fact that he discovered he does NOT work for VDOT, and therefore carries no weight when it comes to merging into traffic- unannounced, and cost us $800 to fix up some poor guy’s car… Plus another $500 visit to the canine hospital… Silly ol boy- I was away for the day, but from the reports I heard- they thought you were a goner… And I know Mother would say it’s too much info to tell everybody who-all cried over your miserable hide- so let’s keep that a secret..;) So glad you’re back on duty!

If two is company- then three is…? Emily, Mr W, and of course- Detroit 🙂 Emily gets photo credits for the second pic. #ryeharvestcompleted

Deb shared this pic as a “truly country meal time” with four animals gorging on dog food.. 😉