The Year Of...

As the year draws to a close I'm inclined to do some thinking and evaluating where we have been and where we are going here at the farm. It helps me to process things when I am able to put them into categories or, to put it another way, to identify and present in 'bullet-point' format. I guess that is a reflection of my "bottom-line" personality. So here's a look at where we have come from and, perhaps, a glimpse into the future at the farm.

2010 - The Year of Transition
We first arrived at the farm September 2010. Full of child-like enthusiasm and faith we started setting up our home and establishing ourselves on the land and in the local community.  

2011 - The Year of Discovery
The first full year on the farm. Every nook and cranny was so interesting and each day led to a new discovery. Most of those discoveries were pleasant but, unfortunately, some were not so pleasant. 

One of the most pleasant and encouraging discoveries was how wonderful our new community was. We were so encouraged and heartened to have landed in a community with such quality people. We were also pleased to learn just how vital the "ministry of restoration" would be to those in full-time ministry. Many guests!! Add to this the wonderfully generous gifts we received. Gifts of finances, equipment and time!

On the unpleasant side, this was the year we first learned that our house had termites At first we thought a single application would take care of the problem and that the damage was minimal. It would not be until 2012 that we learned how wrong we were on both counts!


2012 - The Year of Infrastructure
The same week we learned that the termite infestation had returned we also learned that we had a major leak in one of the bedrooms at the front of the house. Clearly, we now had to face the problems with our house head-on and make some much needed repairs.

So with the help of our extended community we embarked on an ambitious plan to repair the roof and termite damage on the house, begin the work on the guest house and complete the infrastructure changes at the red barn.  By God's grace all this was done plus a lot more!


2013 - The Year of Production?
As I've thought about it I would like to see 2013 be a year where the infrastructure we have put into place would produce fruit. Not necessarily in the literal sense (although we do have 26 blueberry bushes that I wouldn't mind getting some fruit from) but in the spiritual and practical sense of the phrase. Things that I'd like to see go into production mode include:

• The guest house (aka "The Pack House")
• The irrigation system
• The hiking and ATV trails
• The prayer benches
• The work shop
• Egg production
• Timber harvest  

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There you have a quick overview of the past and a possible glimpse into the future at Restoration Farm. Thank you for joining us on this walk of faith.

--Jeff & Cookie