New Year's at the Farm

Community - that was our heart this year when we were preparing for our 8th annual New Year's Eve party. And community it was! With 90 people and more than half of those were kids, we had quite a gathering at our little farm. Geoff encouraged everyone there as we circled up to pray before mealtime to meet at least 1 new person and share 1 thing that God had done for them in 2016. Everywhere we turned there was conversation and connection. And isn't that the heartbeat of God? Relationship. Not rules, not religion, not ritual - those things aren't bad, but they aren't the main thing. He just wants relationship - with us and for us to have it with each other. We were so excited to have some newer neighbors from down the road come join us, family, old and new friends from church and from my MUMS group and some other faithful ones we don't see as often as we'd like. 

We feel so richly blessed. It was humbling to have so many friends gather, and we pray the time gave honor to God and all He has done for us. His faithfulness is amazing and I'm reminded of that when I reflect and remember what He has done. From provision to heart change to uniting families and healing in 2016 - wow!

And despite the cold temperatures, most of the bigger kids stayed outside and zoomed around on the golf cart and 4-wheelers. Miraculously, no one sustained any injuries. Seriously, y'all, this was nothing short of a miracle. A good portion of these kids had never driven anything faster than a peddle bike, and we gave them free range over a large motorized vehicle (with helmets, of course). Whose idea was that?!

And I'd be remiss to not thank my very dear friend, Emily, who manned the kitchen and allowed me to be hostess. Her servant heart is such a gift. 

These are a smattering of pictures I grabbed from some others because I was not even thinking about a camera. Here's to 2017!