Yes, today is the day Grace would usually hack into my blog and use her expert writing skills to elaborate and wish me a very happy birthday(example)! Buuuut this year I decided to mix it up a bit.😆 I gave her a break and changed the password before she could break in! 😏😉 You see, instead of hearing more about me(which, if you have followed for a bit, you probably know me too well😅), I think today should be more of an exaltation of the One who has given me 36 years here on earth and has “delivered my soul from death”(Ps 116:8).🙌🏻 Jesus Christ, The Chief Corner Stone(Acts 4:11-12). The One who has sustained me(Psalm 54:4)! As I look back over 35, I echo the Psalmist as he declares The Lord God is “ABOUNDING in mercy.”(Ps 103) His mercy has been so very abundant all of my days. He has been my Good Shepherd, faithful Guide, and constant Comforter. He has never once failed me! His Word has proven to be true over and over again. I thank Him for the valleys and the mountain tops I experienced this past year, and for the grace He gave me to conquer in His strength. As I count my blessings, I can’t help but give a hearty “thank you” to my parents, who have unconditionally loved me, my siblings who have stuck with me through thick and thin(and blessed me with so many adventures in between 😍), and (YOU) my friends, who have every so faithfully encouraged me!🥰 My prayer for you today is “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you PEACE.”(Numbers 6:24-26). So, here’s to 36… I am truly excited to see what The Lord has in store! 🎊🥳 He promises goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life (Psalm 23)… That, my friends, is a promise to hold on to! ♥️

And a bundle of pictures with my favorite people over the past year (excluding my sister Micah, we somehow never got a photo together🥸!) God is good. I am so very blessed!🙌🏻

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21

Today marks 42 years of marriage gifted to my parents by the Lord…♥️ Y’all, I would have to say this is worthy of celebration!! 🙌🏻 I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 4:9 this evening as it says, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.” The Lord has been so good, and I can testify to the fact that their labor together has not been in vain. God’s faithfulness has been so very abundant and grace sufficient every single day over the years in their marriage, and for that, I am truly grateful. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, Mom & Dad!! May the years to come be even sweeter than those which have passed. I am so thankful to the Lord for both of you!! ✨ Psst… help me celebrate by leaving a little “CONGRATULATIONS” or “Happy Anniversary” in the comment box below!!👇🏼

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Well, today we have 2 monumental events taking place so worth celebrating!! So, this post is gonna be a 2 for 1 special. 😉

FIRST and foremost… cause the second wouldn’t be happening without the first. 😅 HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to the world’s best dad! Words cannot express how truly grateful to the Lord I am for my Dad. His sacrifice for his family and stalwartness have been inspiring and blessed me over and again. My Dad is a faithful leader, protector, encourager, and counselor! He is constantly pointing me to God, exalting The Word as the ultimate unfailing truth, and reminding his children and others to live a life well pleasing to The Lord. ♥️ I am so very thankful for my dad. HAPPY HAPPY Father’s Day!!!

“The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.”
Proverbs 20:7

Now for #2…😆 It’s once every blue moon that Abel’s Birthday falls on Father’s day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Abel!!!🙌🏻 I am so truly thankful for you. Your dedication, determination, and diligence have been a blessing to witness! This guy is of the hardest workers I have EVER met. Always willing to try new things, put in the time, and get his hands dirty! I often think of Proverbs 20:6 when I think of Abel, “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” He is a faithful brother, son, and friend not in word but in his actions and deeds. Y’all, he is the best!! 🥰May this year be the BEST YET as you continue to diligently seek the Lord!! 🥳💯

“Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.”
Proverbs 16:3

“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26

There is so much that could be said but at the same time I’m also left speechless! 🙏🏼Today we celebrate mothers and I’m beyond thankful for mine. My Mother is my greatest earthly advocate. My listening ear for long 4 miles walk-talks. Patient, gracious, long suffering… She has given her life to love and serve her family and I’m so humbled by her sacrifice!! The verse that always comes to mind when I think of my mom is “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13). Happy Mother’s Day to my MOM!! I daily praise the Lord for you. 💝 Hope your day is WONDERFUL!!

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

My friends… what a day!!! 😍 TODAY we celebrate a very special lady… Today is Lydia’s Birthday!! 🥳🎉 I don’t even know where to begin. Talented, best of friends, gorgeous(inside and out), kind, and caring… Lydia has been blessed and blesses others in so many ways!! This beautiful lady is a hard worker, healthy eater, coffee connoisseur, and super encourager. 🙌🏻 She is your go-to-girl when you need a pep-talk, patient listening ear, or someone to pray for you! When not working hard or encouraging others or making me a mocha or whipping up new batches of sauerkraut😉, you can find Lydia out for a run or finding her next hike. Y’all, she may be a bit of a hiking fanatic(click here for proof). 🏔 Be ready, when she says “short hike” she means 12+ miles! 😉😅🥾 Happy Birthday, Lydia!!🙌🏻 Words cannot express how extremely thankful I am for you!!! ♥️ It is my prayer that this year is the BEST YET and as you water other you yourself will be watered(Prov 11:24). 🎈 Sooooo, would y’all help me wish this gal a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY?? 🎊 Leave her a birthday comment bellow!! 👇🏼

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.”
Jeremiah 29:11-12

“May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.”
Psalm 20:4-5

Well, my friends! I decided to pause blogging for a brief moment but life has continued on. 🙌🏻😅 Thanksgiving was thoroughly enjoyed, the sparkly month of December was filled to the brim with festivities, and here we are… 2025! 🎊 We have rung in a new year and, with eager expectation, we are all wondering what the Lord God may have in store for the days ahead. 🙏🏼 As I opened my bible this morning on the second day of 2025, my eyes fell on Hebrews 6:18-20. The command to LAY HOLD of the hope set before us jumped off the page and penetrated my heart! It reads:

“That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, ²⁰ where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:18-20

I will honestly say 2024 was the most challenging year of my life. But I can also say it was the richest and fullest! Through the deepest sorrows and most painful trials, I came to more fully understand the sustaining power of my merciful Savior. I stand here today echoing the Psalmist as he proclaimed, “Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul.”(Ps 54:5).♥️ And, with a quiet confidence in our Lord(Proverbs 3:25-26), I can say I the trying of my faith in 2024 has proved(once again) the faithfulness of my God. He is my Helper! 🙏🏼 So here I am. I am looking into a new year with no idea what it may hold, but the words swirling through my mind are “This HOPE we have”! This hope we have is Jesus Christ our Lord. He is the ONE who “has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows… And by His stripes we are healed.”(Isaiah 53). If we have this hope, we can have confidence that 2025 will be a year of goodness and mercy(Ps 23:6)! We can have confidence that we will be satisfied with good things(Ps 145:16, Ps 84:11). We can have confidence that The Lord God will accomplish His good purpose in us(Phil 2:13) in 2025 and beyond. I am reminded of Psalm 71, which says, “YOU are my hope, O Lord God”. This HOPE we have is both SURE and STEADFAST! It is a living Hope(1 Peter 1:3). It is the anchor for our soul even in the most tempestuous storms of life! Let’s eagerly lay hold of the HOPE set before us as we face the new year unafraid. Come what may, I pray that “the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!! 🙋🏼‍♀️

“Look not mournfully into the past, it comes not back again. Wisely improve the present, it is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future without fear and with a manly heart.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

QUESTION:
What is one of your top highlights/blessings from 2024?
What verse(s) would you say were your theme verses for 2024?

How about random photos from the past few months? Once again, I will let the photos speak for themselves. The past few months have been abundantly blessed by The Lord and I am thankful!

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:6-9

To each and every one of you, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! 🦃✨ I pray this time of celebration is filled to the brim and overflowing with goodness as you count your blessings, GIVE THANKS to the Lord, and enjoy your families.🧡 As we take the day to bake up a delicious assortment of pies and prepare the Thanksgiving Turkeys let’s recall the goodness of the Lord toward us and speak of His faithfulness to all we see! In every second of every day, He loads us with blessings and benefits that cannot be numbered. I am reminded of Psalm 31:19 as it says, “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” The Lord God is so very good and worthy of our praise. May we truly GIVE THANKS with grateful hearts!🙌🏻🍂

QUESTIONS:
1.) Share 3 Thanksgivings
2.) What is YOUR favorite Thanksgiving Dish?
3.) How will you be spending your Thanksgiving?

My Thanksgivings:
1.) My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the salvation that is only found through HIM! “He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.” Psalm 55:18

2.) My family! I cannot begin to express what a blessing they are to me. They show such mercy and grace each and every day! They point me to The Lord, calling me higher as they encourage me onward and upward. God has been so gracious to give them to me!! 🙌🏻🧡 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” Hebrews 10:24

3.) YOU! My blogging friends. Your faithful encouragement and friendship is a sweet gift and I thank the Lord for you! “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” Phil 1:3

 “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy”
Psalm 107:1-2

Y’all, he really is the best!! Today is Gideon’s Birthday and I so excited to be celebrating him. 🥳 Besides having such rugged good looks and a tall + strong stature, Gideon is faithful, consistent, extremely patient, and always kind! 😍 Gideon is a walking encyclopedia with a vast knowledge of history, guns, and just about anything else of importance. He is honestly so smart with so much useful information it is astounding! 🙈 One thing that really just blows me away is Gideon is always willing to give up his own time for the needs of others. Whether it is helping a friend with a house project, fixing a family member’s roof, traveling hundreds of miles to ensure a sister gets safely to a wedding(Picture proof), or taking time to sip a cup of coffee and listen to me talk… he eagerly volunteers and happily completes the task! 🙌🏻 He is constantly looking after the needs of others and I couldn’t be more blessed than I am to have him as my brother. ♥️ Happy Birthday, GIDEON!! It is my hope and pray that this next year is the BEST YET as you continue to seek and serve The Lord!! He is faithful. Okay y’all!! You know the rules. Don’t leave without leaving Gideon a Birthday comment in the comment box below!!👇🏼

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.”
Psalm 37:23-24

“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:  The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
Numbers 4:24-26

Yes, you read that right. It’s a special day!! Today is my Mother’s Birthday. 🥳💓 So grateful to the Lord for my Mom! And excited to be celebraing her all day long!! From housekeeping to homeschooling, landscaping, baking, sewing, knitting, organizing… Mom is so gifted in everything she puts her hands to and constantly blesses others with her gifts! 🙏🏼 Mom’s our in-home motivator + encourager and the BEST listener + advice giver. I am DAILY blessed by my mom’s selflessness, love, and support! Her example and encouragement always points me to the Lord and for that I am so truly thankful! Happy Birthday, Mom. Hope your day is filled to the brim and overflowing with goodness! 🙌🏻🎉 Praying this year is the BEST YET for you. 💝 Y’all, help us celebrate this beautiful lady by leaving a comment in the comment box below!!👇🏼

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”
Philippians 1:3-6

“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26

Ladies and gentlemen…. today I am beyond honored to be able to announce it is Ruth’s Birthday!! 🎉 This beauty… WOW.😍 I can’t even!! Ruth is such a tremendous blessing to our family and finding words to accurately describe her is almost impossible! 🤯♥️ I have been thinking about what to say all day and I an really just left speachless. Y’all, her beauty is not just skin deep! This lovely lady radiates Christ and His goodness. Ruth is an extremely gifted artist! If you have not yet seen her work, you can do so HERE. Her artwork blesses me every single day! She is our in-house Sourdough baker, Chicken raiser, piano player, and encourager. Ruth has been gifted by the Lord with immense discernment, discretion, and a diligent spirit. Her witty sense of humor will leave you laughing until you cry!! Ruth is a faithful daughter, sister, and freind… And I am so thankful we get to celebrat her all day long. 🥰 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Ruth!!🎈 I am praying this year is THE BEST YET so be ready!! May the Lord continue to richly bless you as you continue to seek and serve Him. He is ALWAYS faithful!! 💝🎉 Y’ALL… Don’t leave until you’ve left the Birthday lady a comment below.👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼

“The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”
Psalm 121:8

“The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.”
Proverbs 19:23

Where does one even begin?! I am almost left speachless. 😍 Today we celebrate Emmaus’s 13th birthday and there is so much to say about this Birthday girl!!🎉🎈 Is it possible for someone 20+ years younger than you to be one of your greatest encouragers and have the wisdom of a 40 year-old? Cause I would have to say Emmi is and does!! 😅 This lovely lady is gifted by the Lord in so many ways and has been given a spirit of encouragement that blesses me and so many others daily! But don’t be fooled, she isn’t about fluff. She’ll tell you how it is and not beat around the bush! 😘 Emmi is talented cross stitcher, lettter writer, faithful friend, diligent animal keeper, and expert Goat milker!🐐🥛 She can milk 1 goat in 90 seconds flat… Approximately! I haven’t officially timed it but I am pretty sure it was 90 seconds. 😉💓😁 She is also a petiant teacher! She’s been teaching me to milk this past week and didn’t even loose her temper when the milk ended up all over her lap instead of in the bucket on my first and second try. 😆 Have a kink in your neck? She can also give a pretty great massage to work it out. 😉 One of the most beautiful things about Emmaus is that she pours herself into God’s Word and retains it like no other! It is encouraging to hear where she is at and what she is learning in her daily reading. She is seeking the Lord diligently and daily and striving to serve others! ♥️ She is beautiful inside and out. And TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY!!! Happy Happy Happy Birthday, Emmi!🤗🥳 I an so very thankful to the Lord for YOU. Don’t know where I’d be without you!! Hope today is FABULOUS!!!🙌🏻 Y’all know the rules. 💁🏼‍♀️Don’t leave until you’ve left he Birthday Girl a COMMENT BELOW!!

“When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
Psalm 27:8

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26

My friends… she really is the best!! And today she turns 16!!! 🎉 Rebekah… Where do I even begin?! This gal is my personal fashion advisor, life coach, and walking partner(those walks are my favorite part of the day🥰). 🙌🏻 She can whip up dinner for 13 without an ounce of stress and bakes the world’s BEST dessert in a split second when you ask her! She also happens to make a magnificent mocha?! 🤩 Rebekah is kind, caring, loyal, and always encouraging. She is a faithful friend, always offering a listening ear and ALWAYS pointing me back to the Lord and His Word! ♥️ She’s been my best buddy since the day she was born and I have been so blessed over the years to see her grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When I grow young I want to be just like her! 😉 Happy Birthday, Rebekah!!!!🥳 So very excited to see all the Lord has in store for you as you continue to seek and serve Him. HE is ALWAYS faithful!! 🙋🏼‍♀️🎉 Y’all know the rules. Don’t leave until you have left the birthday girl a birthday comment below!!👇🏼

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
Jude 1:24-25

Yep, it is true. Today is THE DAY! 🎈 The day we celebrate the birth of the one and only sheep keeper, book writer, truth speaker, business owner, and hyper-entrepreneur. 🙌🏻 You guessed it, today is Grace’s Birthday! 🥳 So how about a little more about the BIRTHDAY LADY? Besides her gorgeous looks, sparkling personality, and great fashion sense, Grace is known for her vast knowledge of all things business, her “tell it how it is” personality(she’s not afraid of stepping on toes y’all), and her beautifully large flock of Dorper sheep. 🐑😆 Grace is also a dynamo on camera(she should have been a news broadcaster. Just picture Tucker Carlson + Diane Sawyer with a distinctly Christian worldview 😅😜). Hey, if you are around her very long you may just get to hear her monologue!😉 Grace is a creative visionary! She’s a Get-it-done even-if-you-get-dirty personality. Whether it’s pulling lambs during their birth, butchering goats, building businesses, contending for the faith, or baking my favorite cream cheese raspberry bars(not a hint but kinda a hint that she needs to make them again soon😉) Grace does whatever the Lord calls her to thoroughly and efficiently and for that I am very thankful! So, without further ado… Happy Birthday, GRACE!!!!!!🎉 Always inspired and encouraged by you. ♥️ Hope this year is THE BEST YET as you continue to seek and serve The Lord!! Y’all, don’t leave without leaving Grace a Birthday note in the comment box below!!

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
2 Peter 3:18

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26

Today I am so very thankful to be celebrating my Dad’s Birthday!! 🎈 This is a man who has blessed so many people in so many ways!! My dad is a wonderful encourager, leader, and patient listener always pointing us back to the Lord and His Word. His fabulous sense of humor, wisdom, and unmatched energy fill my days with so much encouragement and laughter. My Dad works tirelessly at any task the Lord brings his way with heightened enthusiasm and it is truly energizing to witness! I cannot even begin to express how thankful I am to have him in my life. Happy Birthday, Dad!! 🧡 I am so thankful to the Lord for you!! I pray this next year is the BEST YET with many many more to come.🙌🏻 Psst… Please don’t leave without taking a moment to wish my Dad a very blessed and best birthday in the comment box below!!👇🏼

“The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”
Psalm 121:5-8

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy”
Philippians 1:3-4

Today I (Grace) have the honor of writing the Birthday post… because the birthday is RACHEL’S!

I feel like you guys could write this post as well, or better, than I. I know that Rachel has done something special to encourage each one of you reading this today.

• She sends cards through the mail by the hundreds.
• Texts of encouragement by the thousands.
• Spring 100 shirts by the 10’s of thousands.
• Emails.
• 1-1 encouragement.
• Food. (Friday night Pizza is a weekly tradition that no one every gets tired of!!)

Rachel has poured her life into those around her.

She serves, she gives, she cooks, she cleans. She is able to do the work of 10 women in one and it never ceases to amaze us all… and leaves us all wondering what we would do without her (seriously, please don’t make me think about it)!

You probably know Rachel because she has reached out to you, encouraged you, made you a handmade card, or sent you a box full of chocolate just when you needed it most.

As her sister I know that she has had her share of difficult days. God’s grace has enabled her to keep looking to Him for the strength to press toward the mark for that high calling in Christ Jesus. She is really holding the line for so many.

More pizza photos… and I am going to leave with a montage of some of her best food… guys: I can’t explain the happiness that her home-cooked meals bring!!! You’ll have to get over here and try some of it for yourself :D.

Great… now I’m hungry….

Happy Birthday, Rachel! We are grateful for you and all you do!

P.S. Do not leave without leaving a comment!!!  Wish Rachel a happy birthday!!

-Grace

“Strength and honour are her clothing; And she shall rejoice in time to come.” Proverbs 31:25