Reflection

Its Wednesday and I am looking out the window to a sea of white! Living on the east coast you never imagine this much snow. Last weekend we got 28 inches of snow and are looking to see another foot of snow today. We live on 7 acres of farm land with two chicken houses that are at least 30 years old. We are situated 40 miles west of the coast, 60 miles from Wilmington, our only city. Unlike anywhere else we have lived in Delaware it takes us 15 minutes to get to a grocery store. Delaware is only 90 miles long and 50 miles wide. (approx.) Growing up I lived in the town of Milford and swore when I graduated I was leaving and never coming back. I did just that and moved to Wilmington for college and settled there with my husband. We bought our first house in the suburbs. Looking back on my younger years I would have told you that you would never see me raising chickens like my in-laws. When my mother-in-law died my husband and I thought we should get closer to family and rethink our values. So we moved to the beach. We grew our family there and our business. Then a sudden unfortunate of events but also a blessing we went out of business and lost everything of material value. As life would go we grew closer as a family and our faith grew as well. This journey took us even closer to the beach and then to a small town 15 minutes inland. It was then my father in law died of a sudden heart attack that brought us thus far. I think God has a sick sense of humor. Here I am raising chickens. The farm is bitter sweet. When we decided to keep the farm "in the family', we had so many ideas on how to make the farm support itself when we moved here. We bought pigs to raise for meat, put a small shed on a piece of the property to use as a produce stand, plans to fence in an area for a cow. We wanted to line the driveway with crepe myrtles, plant more grape vines, greenhouses, so on and so on. The farm is old and is in need of many things that cost money and time. Raising chickens can't be done with out another income. There have been many memories already in just a few short 3 years. Looking out it is absolutely beautiful. But the cold hard truth is this snow could potentially collapse our roofs on the chicken houses. The birds are 4 weeks old today and we have 9 days left. I have to say one thing, God has used this farm to continue to teach me to trust in HIM and not on my own strength. There hasn't been a day (that I can remember) that I haven't thank Him for protection or guiding us through difficulties. We just had new feed bins, and computer systems put in the houses.. What a blessing. This time Last year we were out in the elements cleaning out feed bins and in and out of the chicken houses adjusting temperatures. This year we have a computer in the house to monitor temps, as well as adjust them. We haven't had to take apart equipment or call for service at all. It will take us four years to pay back the loan but it is well worth it. Next year hopefully we can get new heaters and have them wired into the computer system as well and get the new software so we can dial in from anywhere there is a computer and check on the houses and adjust things. Now that is peace of mind.




My father-in-law worked this farm for eleven years by himself. Solo, uno, mono, alone! Thinking of the first summer here, on the tractor cutting the grass I felt sad inside imagining Marvin on this tractor mowing the grass alllll the time by himself. It takes about 4 hours to mow all the farm not to mention weedwacking. (I am sure he used round up alot!) How sad he must have been not to share the hardships and the joys (which probably came less and less) with noone. He was a very private man and we did try to get him to share his life with us but he never did. I feel terrible that we never helped him with this place, it is alot of work.



Since we moved here we have repaired the chimmney, replaced all the window, barried the electric and changed it from a 60 amp service to a 200 amp service. The pump house has been completely cleaned out and used as storage for canned goods and new pump put in. A patio and landscaping put in out back. The septic system has been redone. One chicken house has been 3/4 torn down. We use the other 1/4 as a tractor shed. New central heat and air installed. New doors replaced and tile and hardwood installed in the kitchen and laundry room. Remodeled the mechanical room when we took out the boiler put in a Renia system a refrigerator and a new water system. We have done alot and alot still needs to be done. A new roof for the house and the garage is about the biggest expense, the rest is all cosmetic.



As I sit in the great room with a toasty fire in the wood stove and the boys playing Monopoly and my energetic husband folding laundry I have to pause and be thankful for every trial and blessing as God is always with me what do I have to fear? As a very special friend of mine would say "Peace Out".... till later.