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Jul 6, 2021

 

This has been a busy week as we welcomed our newest addition, Ryker Lee Pugh, to the farm. He entered the world a week ago today and has already brought a new depth of love to the house. As I sat holding him in the living room tonight, I was listening to the birthday dinner chatter coming from the kitchen and I was reminded of two things, one the Lord has promised us blessings upon the generations and as always, He is faithful and two we need a bigger table! One thing that the Lord clearly showed me in the initial dream He gave me regarding our future was a big table where our ever-growing family (both by blood and by spirit) would regularly gather for meals – the Lord’s banquet table this side of heaven. Although we have yet to receive clear directions on the next steps of ministry, one thing that remains clear is that this is the land that the Lord has provided and He without doubt has a plan to establish a “city on a hill whose light cannot be hidden” Matthew 5:14.

 

A scripture that God sent to me early on in this journey came from Habakkuk chapter 1 verse 5, “Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed, For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” That coupled with Matthew 5:14 are constant reminders that find their way into my prayer time. I share this because often in my life I have found that God has brought us to a place, mission, or call and when I look back, I realize many milestones and events that were in fact preparation for that specific purpose of time. This time: however, He seems to be working a little differently. While there have been plenty of moments when He speaks to me and shows me how our entire lives have led to “such a time as this”, He also has brought us to a place where He has called us to step in faith and now is preparing us for what is to come while making us keenly aware that current events are in fact purposing toward what He has in store. I guess what I am saying is that this time He has opened our eyes to daily “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” knowing that “all these things will be given to us as well” Matthew 6:33. Placing that in context, God tells us not to worry about tomorrow, but rather to focus on the day, and there is something to be said for His grace in allowing us to see that He is the “one who determines our steps” Proverbs 16:9 and therefore we need to focus on the lessons of today knowing that “all things work together for the good of those who are called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28.

 

We have been on the drove for exactly four months today, and to say they have been a full four months just might be an understatement! Along with the adventures that I have already shared, we have also had an encounter with a rattlesnake and a copperhead, but we have also had encounters with many wonderful neighbors including Charlie who already feels like part of the family. It seems that everywhere we go, we meet someone who in some way is connected to our area or with whom we share a common mission for our community. We recognize that God is aligning folks and while we still seek out the details prayerfully, we are assured that there is indeed a divine purpose for each and every encounter, and it seems as though the thread of learning for this time is one centered on communal living – both within the walls of our home and within the landscape of our new lives and community.

 

And so, we walk with eyes to see, ears to hear, minds to learn, and hearts to receive all that the Lord has in store. While I feel there are more details to share regarding the what we have been learning about community and communication the message isn’t fully formed, so I will leave you this week with a reminder to cherish each day asking God to give you spiritual eyes to see where He is at work while seeking out how He wants you to join Him there for there is no greater blessing than being a vessel of His light and love.

 

~ Jen