Catching Up

Lately I have been behind on nearly everything! The busyness of the summer seems to be in full swing already. We have a lot of exciting plans for the summer, including some traveling, so I feel I must get on top of everything I possibly can now so I won't be completely overwhelmed as we approach the wedding. It is a struggle for me to maintain a servant's heart toward my family when I am trying in my own strength to accomplish everything on my eternally insignificant "to do list". This is wrong of me and shows that my heart is often not where it should be. I long to "finish strong" in this particular season of "striving to serve at home", so I must keep my priorities straight.

"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." Proverbs 14:1

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27

I find that my most effective tool for wise time management (avoiding idleness) is to stay away from the internet (especially the blogosphere) when possible, so that is my excuse for blogging sporadically lately and barely staying on top of emails. I hope to catch up very soon.

I spent my free time last week catching up on sewing and mending projects, organizing my room, filing a lot of old business records, listing a small assortment of items I no longer need on eBay (everything is still at very reasonable prices, so if you are in the market for anything from Laura Ashley dresses to Switchfoot CD's, I encourage you to check it out!), and making cheesecakes to sell to our farm customers in an effort to make extra money to help defray some of the wedding costs. The restaurant I bake for has ordered six cheesecakes so I will soon begin preparing those as well. I plan to deliver them when Elliott and I go to NC to do our tractor work next week.

In my wedding planning, I am still so thrilled to have the church booked for the ceremony. I am now working on smaller details, such as save-the-dates, invitations, and bridesmaid dresses.

Rather than ending the school year, as most students are, Sullivan and Harrison are beginning their new school year now so we can take time off in late November/December when we will be busy preparing for the wedding, so I have been price-shopping online and ordering their new books. I can't believe they are beginning the 4th and 6th grades! When time permits, my mom and I have been enjoying taking them (along with sweet Sheridan) for short swims at a local pool.

The older boys, my dad, and our summer intern have been working very hard on the farm. Sitting down to eat dinner before 8:30 pm is rare. Elliott's poultry operation is going well and we have been processing about 300 chickens per month (we process every other week). The farmers market sales seem to be doing better than last year. We are hosting one or two farm tours each month, which have been very well attended. This week marks our one year anniversary at this new farm the Lord provided for us! We continue to be grateful for His provision.

The highlight of every day is my evening talk with my wonderful Stephen, as well as counting down the days until I get to see him again. He is so good to me! There is nothing like getting a sweet email in the middle of the day, a random phone call for no particular reason, or an eloquently written letter in the mail. I can't even begin to explain how happy he makes me and what a joy it is to be his girl.

This should catch everyone up on my latest happenings!