Yesterday was a beautiful day – outdoors and with my family!
I was able to work four hours in the morning, submitting an outline to my editors for my next project. In the afternoon Claire and I played cards on the porch in the sunshine. We all took a look at the chicken coup, planning for 25 – 50 “layers” that will produce eggs for our family, those who work for us, and our church community, as well as manure for the garden. We planned with Wilson, the gardener, for the garden. We are digging a cistern to capture the rainwater, digging a hole for compost, and building a retaining wall to keep the water from running off. It’s exciting to think about living closer to the earth and benefiting those in our community.
Jeff and I watched a little anxiously all day to see if Darlington, the joiner, would show up. I think we were both making alternate plans for furniture as the hours ticked by. But about 1pm he arrived on his new bike and worked all day. So we are hopeful that things will go forward well. Hoping and learning…
I so enjoy the time with our new friends and look forward to every visit, meeting and Bible study.
Yesterday my spirit was light as I see evidence that we are figuring out a routine and beginning to accomplish some things.
Hopefully, a trend of how things will be.
Glad to hear your spirits are higher…may they continue to soar.
Teach me! I want to learn to live closer to the earth as well!!!
Hey Friends!!
what a rollercoaster–I was away from the internet most of last week, so I read all of your posts at once, so thankful the moments of grace and excitement are there to balance the times that are hard and lonely. I met a presbyterian woman at the conf I attended–Phyllis Vos Wezeman–it turns out in ft wayne a lot of people from Malawi have settled!! and go to her church. This created a great interest in malawi, she has traveled there numerous times and is very active in much that the presby church is doing there. I will get more info from/about her.
I’m so excited about all the agri stuff going on in your yard! pretty amazing. Claire is especially in my prayers. may she feel God’s love surrounding her and holding her close and may she win the next hand of Uno!
peace friends, sorry to go on so long! guess I should have emailed!
Heather
Jeff & Kara – I can speak first hand for the fact that Phyllis Wezeman is extraordinarily active with Malawi. God has placed over 1400 Malawian in the South Bend area and many of them have chosen First Pres of South Bend as their home church. Phyllis has responded to this call and organized them for some incredible mission work in the Nkoma Province. She is also one of the leaders of the “Malawi Mission Network” in the PCUSA, seeking to share knowledge and perhaps resources across the Presbyterian churches who are or wish to become active in Malawi. She has given us some great guidance as First Pres of Plymouth, MI begins our mission relationships in Malawi.
(Kara – Phyllis is also apparently a theological author of some note. One of our pastors had a light come one when we first met Phyllis that she had written one of the textbooks in her seminary cirriculum.)
Love hearing about the 3 C’s: chickens, cistern, compost! Can’t wait to hear about collecting eggs (or wringing chicken necks!) We are lovin’ this blog! Praying for all of you, but especially picturing beautiful Clare Marin with a big smile on her face (and picturing Jeff, PATIENTLY waiting for the internet connection to come up on the computer :) Much love-