Monthly Archives: February 2022

Old Stone Well Farm

Posted on by
Reply

Changed By Prayer

Our Lenten journeys are about to begin! But before we enter into this season of discernment, join me in the kitchen at Old Stone Well Farm where a little butter churning reminds me of how moments of change are not just found on the mountaintops, but often right in ordinariness of life. A little cream turns into delicious butter, and all it takes is perseverance and prayer.

Before you take you seat at the farm table and pour yourself a cup of coffee and begin watching today’s message, I want to extend a thank you to the Rev. Sarah Bigwood who invited me to guest preach this Sunday at Southampton Presbyterian Church via video. Sarah is a pastor with vision and passion, and thinking beyond traditional pulpit supply is just one example of how she embraces the new thing God is doing.

So today, you not only join me at the farm, but you have other friends from Southampton at the farm table.

Blessings!

Donna

Old Stone Well Farm

Posted on by
Reply

Preparing for Lent

I am making hay while the sun shines. Well, more like burning last year’s palm branches outdoors to make ashes for Ash Wednesday, March 2, before a foot of snow falls down on me here at Old Stone Well Farm as the weather forecasters are predicting. So I am enjoying the sun and preparing for next week as we enter into Lent. As I do, I invite you to join me in not just burning the palms, but thinking more deeply how you will enter into this holy season.

Old Stone Well Farm

Posted on by
Reply

The Birthday Cake

Are you a birthday person? I admit, I am not. But recently I have been thinking about birthday celebrations as a spiritual practice — not a day to groan about being one year older, but a day to remember the beautiful person God created us to be.

And so, join me today at Old Stone Well Farm, my 18th-century home here in Vermont as I surprise my mom with a cake baked from scratch and reflect on ways I can get better at embracing birthdays.

As you watch the video, think about your birthday attitude and ask, “Does it need adjusting?”

Blessings!

Donna

Old Stone Well Farm

Posted on by
Reply

Speaking Words of Love

It’s Valentine’s Day at Old Stone Well Farm in Vermont. While I am dealing with a broody hen, I think about the broodiness in this world where our words and actions often don’t reflect the love of God. Our lives are filled with so much chatter…but are we speaking words of love or just making noise?

How will you speak words of love this day and in all your days to come?

Old Stone Well Farm

Posted on by
Reply

Blessed Are …

A drive around my rural haven revealed a lot more than lost mittens and tossed away cans along the side of the road that are peeking through the melting snow.

What I saw was the tiredness and brokenness of a people, of God’s creation. Were all those falling down barns on my drive really the perfect illustration for life in this moment? (Watch toward the end of the video below and find out the more perfect illustration I stumbled upon. It is one that had me saying repeatedly with joy in my heart, “God is good.”)

Jesus, in what is known as his “Sermon on the Mount,” once told a crowd of folks, whose barns were probably caving in too, “blessed are you.” Blessed are you no matter what life brings you. Blessed are the poor, blessed are the hungry, blessed are the persecuted, blessed are the grieving…blessed are we this day in all of life’s circumstances, because God is with us.

So join me here at Old Stone Well Farm in Vermont as my life being an accidental country pastor leads me down dirt roads and back pastures — all in search of those beautiful God moments. And may you discover how blessed you are this day.

As always, thank you for coming to the farm. If you like this ministry, consider subscribing to the YouTube channel, share with a friend, let us all spread more good news out into the world.

Old Stone Well Farm

Posted on by
2

Here I Am

Well, we had another snowstorm here in Vermont, which means more snow angels to make and more snowflakes to marvel at. While I yearn for warmer weather, there are lessons to learn in winter’s “slow down” mode. Lessons such as before jumping into saying saying “yes” to everything, discern the time and energy you have to give. Discern if what you are signing up for fuels your passion.

Even with that beautiful “Here I am” we wish to say to God, listen first for what is really being asked of you. So, sit back and enjoy what I call a “mini-retreat.”

Yes, these videos are your time to enjoy country living in Vermont with me. So enjoy Old Stone Well Farm — my little 18th-century home in a Vermont valley which is known by the locals as “the oldest house in Rupert.”

Invite your friends to come along and visit the farm as well. There’s always room at the old farm table. So like, comment and share Old Stone Well Farm Media & Ministry with friends and invite them to subscribe to the YouTube channel to get the latest news and reflections. This fledgling ministry is getting some attention. I am still not sure where God is leading me with it, but I have said “here I am” and I am excited and curious to what tomorrow will bring. So join me in praying for direction and wisdom.

Till the next time!

Blessings, Donna