Spring

Spring is here. Our bees are out and about doing bee things and the weather is turning warm again after several cold fronts that blew through. Our kids were home for a longish weekend with some of their friends and the timing couldn't have been more perfect because it was a birthday weekend for Max. Here he is, enjoying raw oysters with his dad. We had such a good time cooking, eating, making music, praying, reading and relaxing and having lovely conversations. It truly is wonderful to see the children growing up with good friends and in the Lord. 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, we've been more mindful to support our local farmers and businesses and given our interest in permaculture and fermentation, it was great to visit Chucktown Acres from where we buy most of our meats. Farmer Alex sends out the most educational newsletters and they've expanded their business with Salty Oak Farms for events, such as weddings, retreats, etc. We got a great tour of the farm and it was so fun to see all the baby animals, esp. Loved feeding the chickens and wished we could have some of our own. And of course, I couldn't help petting the barn cat.

But as our pastor reminded us, even as we see new life, Holy Mother Church asks us to remember that we are dust, that we'll return to dust. Memento mori. And so we begin the penitential season of Lent, wherein we're reminded to return to the Lord with our whole hearts (Joel 2:12) and engage in spiritual warfare through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. I love that we are fighting from a position of victory that Christ has already won for us from the Cross. Given the terrible state of the world and the threat of WWIII (after a pandemic, no less) it is all really that's in our power to do. I leave you with a beautiful hymn Lord Jesus, think on me.