He is Alive!

Oh, that is the best news of which our family is eternally grateful for. I pray 2022 draws you a little closer to Jesus. Keep moving toward Him, and like one of my favorite pastors says, “This will be the best year of your life if this is the best year of your life spiritually.” Amen!

Enjoying and remembering Jesus’ final night on earth with the Passover meal.

This has become a favorite tradition in our family, and we humble ourselves by washing one another’s feet and speaking blessings over each other as part of the Passover celebration.

These children are so grown up and lovely! Geoff and I served on the Welcome team with our not so “Eastery” black tees, so we stayed out of the picture this year.

We were happy to have my dad and Beth and Philip, Erica and their new baby, Emory, with us for Easter.

Look at that cuteness. Happy Easter!

Spring Break by the River

Thanks to some very generous friends, we enjoyed a week in the mountains of Pennsylvania in a river house on the Juniata River. We had been here before, so it was a bit like coming home. We relished a place where there was no Internet connection or cell service. What a treat in this highly connected world! Dad and Beth joined us for the first few days as we had a long overdue trip from the prior year that had been canceled when my Nana passed away.

We enjoyed slow walks on the gravel road, snow flurries, campfires by the river and impromptu frisbee and football passing. A lot of books were read and several movies were watched. We ate well and snacked well. Geoff and I enjoyed a few runs in the morning, and our family of six hiked the 1000 Steps trail two times while there. The first time around was a bit rocky, so we had a redemption moment, which is why we ended up doing it twice.

We visited a nearby town called Belleville where the Amish and Mennonite communities thrive. We bought all sorts of goodies at the Amish country market, and enjoyed hotdogs and ice cream from a small food stand.

We wrapped up the trip with a detour to the Lancaster, PA area. We visited the Sight and Sound Theater and thoroughly enjoyed the production on David, a man after God’s own heart. It was so well done and such a reminder that even in our flawed human lives, God can use us to do mighty things for His glory.

We wrapped up spring break with a few fire pit moments in the backyard, a day trip to Northern Virginia to celebrate Easter with the Lawrences, and a very special dinner with our friends Juda and Banzai. Banzai recently returned from serving in the Ukraine with Samaritan’s Purse. We were happy to have him back safely and to hear about his time there. Please continue to pray and support Ukraine.

Our Beautiful 12 Year Old!

Dear Mary-Michael,

Your daddy and I look at you these days and can’t believe how much you have grown in all the ways - mentally, physically, spiritually. You are a force to be reckoned with! And you have so many thoughts, ideas and opinions that you love to share (I mean that in a good way, I promise). I’m so thankful that you continue to share all of those thoughts and questions with us (even though some might be a bit outlandish). Your daddy and I were discussing this morning how quick-witted you are. He knows what it’s like to have that quick-witted mind and is doing a fabulous job coaching you on the when and to whom those things are appropriate. He is a good one to teach you those things as he is the king of humor! 

You have settled in so well at your new school. You have made countless friends of whom you are always talking about, and it appears you are the leader among them inviting them to youth group and other youth events at church and trying to organize social gatherings and connections. You love to be with others and to socialize. Your teachers love having you in class as you bring energy and humor to the classroom (so they tell me). You have made straight A’s all year and are still regularly “in trouble” at home for having a nose in a book when you’re supposed to be doing something else (e.g. your chores).

Some of your current favorites are painting your nails (we did that for your birthday with a traveling mail tech at the house - so fun!), fixing your hair, playing with Benaiah, eating frozen fruit and anything with sugar in it, making hot tea and curling up with a book and going to youth group. You cheered for Grace Christian School this year for the first time, and you loved it. You picked up on it very well, and we really enjoyed supporting you and the teams and cheering you on!

Mary-Michael, you are so bright, and the Lord has gifted you with curiosity and intellect that brings us a lot of joy as your parents. We really enjoy conversation with you, and while I don’t wish your youth away at all, I believe our friendship as adults will be deep and sweet. That is my prayer! I am also praying that your faith starts to really become your own as you grow into independence and really becoming your own unique person. Your influence, your humor, your intellect and your all-around loveliness are God-given and will be used in mighty ways to bring good and positive change into this world. We can’t wait to see it!

We love you forever and for always,

Momma (and Daddy)

Happy 4th Birthday, Benaiah!

Dear Benaiah,

What a ray of sunshine you are! All day long on your birthday you were saying to yourself and anyone else who would listen, “Happy Birthday to Benaiah.” You couldn’t get enough of the FaceTime calls from family and friends wishing you a happy birthday. You took that phone all through the house showing them who knows what.

Auntie Ononika (your birth mom) said, “ Happy Birthday King ❤️ I love you soo much & miss you everyday baby.” And as I try to do often, I thanked her for giving our family one of the most precious gifts. She is a special lady for her great sacrifice.

Benaiah, you love your family so well, and while you’re the smallest your voice is most typically the loudest. You refuse to be left behind or forgotten. You will make your opinion known! Frazier is your best bud and your best playmate. I’m so thankful that at age 10 he will still race matchbox cars, play pretend and build Duplos.

We have learned that when you are upset the best thing to do is to give you a hug. You’ll even say to us, “I need a hug” when you’re sad or mad. You are such an affectionate little guy, and we love that.

Your favorites continue to be tractors, excavators and all things that move. You love going to preschool! Mrs. Ball and Mrs. Mercer have been fantastic teachers for your first year. Your favorite foods are any fruit, Cheetos, granola and cheese. For your birthday dinner you requested spaghetti and chocolate cupcakes. Stella is your most favorite friend outside of our family. You get along beautifully, and the parents affectionately refer to you two as Ebony and Ivory.

We love being your parents. We love the story God is writing through your life. We love the smiles you bring to so many faces. It reminds us all that there is still much good in the world.

We love you,

Momma and Daddy

New Year New Home

I never thought we’d say farewell to the home we brought all our babies home to, the home Geoff and our family worked so hard to build and the home that has been a home, a retreat and a place of celebration for so many. When an amazing opportunity came our way to purchase property in Mechanicsville where most of our community resides, we had a big decision to make. So many tears were cried and prayers prayed, but we had peace and knew it was time. So, the short of it is one of the Soul Farms employees is having his dream come true as he moves into the King William house and takes over the farm. We have moved into a brick rancher on the 57 acres we’ve purchased in Mechanicsville. In time, we will build our home and our farm here on the new property. For now, we are exploring the new land and trails, enjoying life together in a 1 story home and thoroughly enjoying being so close to life, friends and some family. I pulled together some pictures to capture a snapshot of the incredible memories and life lived on the original Soul Farms.