Saying Goodbye to MUMS

After almost 6 years of leading MUMS (a ministry to moms), I’ve passed the baton to a dear friend who’s going to continue to encourage moms in community and growing their faith in Christ to change generations. With the exception of parenting, nothing else has challenged me and grown my faith like leading this ministry. May God get the glory for any difference I made.

Our wonderful leadership team gave me a beautiful book of pictures from the last 6 years of MUMS meetings and events and many handwritten messages. I felt sad to not be able to finish the year in person and say goodbye to everyone, but I know it’s a small thing given other people’s circumstances and current challenges. I have loved and continue to love this wonderful ministry!

Difficult and Important Conversations

We have always tried to be open and transparent with our children about current events we felt they were ready to hear about and understand. We’ve always wanted them to hear about topics such as sex, pornography and race from us first, so that when they encounter those conversations they aren’t shocked and they have a foundation. Given the make-up of our family, race and slavery is something we’ve been talking about for years. As we’ve served in the inner city through missions and shelters, Leila has asked questions about why so many of those that we serve look like her. We answer honestly and in a way her mind can understand. 

These last few weeks we’ve had a lot of conversations and prayed a lot for healing, reconciliation, peace and that all would know and believe each person and life is valuable. A few days ago, we drove down Monument Avenue with my mom and the kids. We warned them of the language they would read and discussed why people are angry. We talked about the freedoms we have to express our opinions and speak up against wrongs. We shared our beliefs on the right way to protest and the perils of violent protesting that have hurt businesses and lives. We discussed how heart change will be the real catalyst for transformation in our world. 

That evening we talked more about the wrongs of slavery and tried to help our daughter’s mind be at ease. We affirmed our equal love for her and Benaiah and our belief in God’s purpose in their lives. We don’t have all the answers, but we’re willing to keep listening and learning and being available to them for their fears and questions.

Her response at the monument was to recite Psalm 23, so we did. She wanted to make a poster that brought hope and put it near a statue, so this is what she came up with. She is brave and becoming a strong young, black woman that loves Jesus and therefore, loves people. 

The First Wedding at the Farm

After several date changes due to the coronavirus, we were so happy to be able to celebrate with Amy and Chris as they joined their families together. Nine children total to be exact! Amy is a friend from church, and we have really enjoyed getting to know Chris this last year. Their story is one of great redemption, and we are so happy for them both. Our church really came together to make this beautiful wedding possible with set up teams, food teams and friends using their decorating for talents. It didn’t even feel like our place! 

And my incredible and very talented husband worked so hard to finish all of those unfinished projects and make the farm look the best it ever has. We have had many helping hands over these last few months. Many have asked if we are starting to do weddings, and the answer is no, but we would definitely do it again for a friend or family member. Truly a special weekend!

Happy Resurrection Day!

Easter week is a special week at our home. We've been doing a 40 day countdown to the special day with readings telling all about the prophecies given through the Old Testament about Jesus. This is such a great time of firming up our faith foundation. 


For the 4th or 5th year, we have been doing a Messianic Passover Seder geared for children. The children love this so much, and we do, too. 

Leila is cutting up apples for the charoset (fruit and nuts mixed together to represent the mortar the slaves used in their work).


Daddy reading about the Last Supper.


Washing one another's feet, which is what Jesus did the night before his crucifixion to teach his disciples humility. 


Hunting for the Afikomen, a piece of matzo broken off, concealed in a white cloth and hidden to represent Christ's body wrapped in a cloth and hidden in a tomb. 


Easter egg hunting with Nonnie.


He didn't seem as interested in the stuff inside the eggs as he did with the bucket and eggs. 


Nailing metal spikes into our cross at the front of our property to give the kids a sense of what it was like for Jesus. 


Thank you, Jesus. 


Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for the confetti eggs from Mexico!


Happy Easter from our family to yours!

Life with the Coronavirus

As life has greatly shifted with all of the restrictions and changes that have come with COVID-19, we are so thankful for our home and farm that gives us sanctuary and space to run around, complete school-work and enjoy fresh air. We are enjoying slower mornings and longer time in family devotions and prayer, as there is much to pray about. Family dinners linger longer, and we are living life outside as much as we can. There are no dance classes, baseball practices or church events to go to, but there are new things like classes on Zoom and mom doing her best to homeschool and keep everyone on some sort of schedule. There are small group meetings and church meetings online and Facetime phone calls with school friends in the middle of the day. The big kids have taken on more responsibility at the farm feeding the cows twice a day and filling up waterers as Daddy is still working full-time (we are so thankful for this!). We are writing more letters and sending cards to family and friends. We're having fun delivering farm goodies to neighbors and those from church we know are in need. How cool that about a week before all of these changes we picked up hundreds of pounds of beef from the butcher, and they had not been accounted for. So much to share!

Life has slowed down for a season, and it has brought so many feelings and discussions. We are talking about the coronavirus and praying for the tragic deaths. We are discussing how all of these things being cancelled is hard, but it is for the greater good of our community and nation, and we all need to do our part. I pray we can find that as a whole, this tragic virus is bringing us all back to what is truly essential; what really matters. May your perspective be hopeful and not cynical, which steals our joy. Love to each of you!

Exploring the creek and trails at Pole Green Park - just momma and Frazier.

Reading in the hammock at home.


Geoff enjoyed helping a friend who runs a Chick-fil-a on a Saturday. 


One of the bigger challenges with homeschool is this little man who wants to be in the middle of everything. Water play, play-doh, reading and outside time are good distractions. 


Nature art by Frazier.


Nature art by the girls of the bride and groom who will eventually get to wed on the farm.


Must leave the house moment - we took a day trip to Westmoreland State Park to enjoy the water and the trails along the Potomac River.


Dress up Benaiah moment.


Why not get some baby chicks? We needed more animals...

Double Digits for Mary-Michael!!

Mary-Michael,

Your 2 birthday gatherings to celebrate your 10th birthday reflected you perfectly - one on the farm with walks in the creek, time with our cows and silly minute-to-win-it games and one at the mall with shopping, Starbucks and dinner. You are a young lady that enjoys many things and has many friends. We all enjoyed getting special time with you and your friends - a group from school and a group from church and your prior school. 

You have such a gift of bringing people together and connecting others that may not normally be friends. You've unified your class and have no patience for girl drama (thank goodness). 

You bring a lot of jazz, joy, creativity and some slight-drama to the family. You are a young lady that knows what you want and is persistent to get it, whether it's something you want to do or something you "need." We've decided you would do well on the debate team and that advocacy and fighting for justice are in your future. 

Your favorite things to do range from exploring the land and riding 4-wheelers to painting your nails, reading books (especially biographies) and creating art. You love fashion and creating forts and would probably fit in just about anywhere. You have really enjoyed returning to dance this year taking ballet and jazz, and you have really gotten quite good. We are really proud of you. Daddy enjoys picking you up on Mondays after dance and having special one-on-one time with you to hear about your day.

You are also incredibly smart and continue to thrive in school. I don't even know what reading level you are on, but it is high. You are currently reading the juvenile version of Unbroken and recently finished the Diary of Anne Frank and Little Women (for the umpteenth time). You are taking 5th grade math as a 4th grader, and I can't wait to see all that you accomplish as a student both academically and as a leader. 

In the family, you continue to operate as the first-born child and lead your brothers and sister (whether they like it or not). Benaiah adores you and loves to be held by you. You are so patient and tender with him and are rarely irritated. I'm so thankful for your help. 

It's been such a treat to begin to have in-depth conversations with you about faith and the world. I love your inquisitive mind, and I encourage you to investigate, keep reading and keep asking questions. 

Mary-Michael, we think you're great, and we love being your parents even as you challenge, push and lead. 

Love,
Momma and Daddy

Here are some pictures from the birthday celebrations.