Let’s Sing Our Alleluias Everyday

Friends, let me be the first to wish you all a blessed Easter! Christ the Lord is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

That is my favorite way to usher in this season of new life and hope and resurrection. I come to you with a shorter video than usual as things are a bit chaotic at Olde Stone Well Farm. (The dog — and husband — are both acting up!)

But I wanted to spend time together on this special day and share with you the importance of adding more alleulias to our life — and why singing them everyday can indeed turn our sorrows to joys. I’ll also share with you a little tidbit on what is probably the most popular Easter hymn, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” — written by Charles Wesley in the 18th century. (I keep saying John, his brother, in the video…my apologies. Did I mention things are a bit chaotic here today?)

So welcome to Easter at Olde Stone Well Farm. Let’s gather in the old kitchen, enjoy some colored eggs and lift our thanks to God for the promise of this new day.

Invite a friend to join us! There’s always room around the table! And let me know, how are you are greeting this Easter day!

Blessings!

A Snowy Palm Sunday

March is going out like a lion, roaring in Vermont with a snowstorm that left us with two feet of snow. What a way to head toward Easter! I prefer this time of year to be filled with spring flowers, not icicles. But this is the day the Lord has made, and I will find a way to rejoice in it. Since it is Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week, I discovered a new tradition called a Palm Bouquet or Palm Stick. Popular in Germany, the bouquet featured seven natural materials (think of Jesus’ seven last words from the cross). The bouquets features material like boxwood and pussy willows. The faithful would bring them to the church on the Saturday before Palm Sunday to have the bouquets blessed. I took mine to Sofie’s Hill — and I close our time at the farm with a Palm Sunday blessing (watch till the end!). But as I trudged in the snow, I was reminded of how hard it is making a new path in it. And that got me thinking how hard it is sometimes to make a new path forward in our lives. And so, on this snowy start to Holy Week, I invite you to discover a new tradition with me and to really reach deep inside to find the strength to move forward in life — and not be afraid of doing the hard work of making a new path. So bundle up! It’s cold out there! Blessings!

Shepherding Lessons from the Shepherd Saint Himself — St. Patrick

Welcome my friends to a special edition of Olde Stone Well Farm! What’s the occasion? It’s St. Patrick’s Day! They say everyone is Irish on March 17.

This year, though, I found myself thinking about St. Patrick’s early life as a shepherd. I often forget about his humble start. But it was the very vocation of shepherding that enabled Patrick to hear God’s voice and, thus, hear God’s call in his life to serve and proclaim the good news of Christ.

Shepherding is a solitude job and it can be quite harsh. But it is in such wilderness that we can see and hear the Divine.

As a shepherd, I am sure Patrick found himself anointing many a sheep’s head, too. I’ll explain more about that act of pouring oil on a sheep and the powerful meaning of it has for us today.

I also invite you to join me in one of my favorite Lenten activities — making pretzels, which have so many meanings and legends attached to them. I also share with you how beaver — yes, beaver — was once a Lenten delicacy!

And so, welcome!!

Pull up a chair, pour some tea or coffee, and join me at the old farm table — where there is always room for you and your friends.

I’m curious to hear from you as to what shepherding can teach you in your walk of faith today?

And the burning question is this: Do you like corned beef and cabbage? (My husband dislikes this St. Patrick’s day dinner. So I will need a place to a takeout order for my celebration!)

Drop me a note. I love hearing from you. Blessings!

Signs of Spring and a Surprise Snowfall

What a week I’ve had. I hope yours was better than mine!

First, thank you for the chicken soup recipes many of you sent to me when I was feeling under the weather. It really meant a lot to me, and I tried several of your delicious recipes. I am back now, feeling a bit better — just a wee bit congested still.

But while I was struggling with the sniffles, I had so much work still to do. Writing assignments were due, I was slated to guest preach at a midweek Lenten service and I was also a guest preacher at an adorable Vermont church where dogs are welcomed. It was so cute to see one little fur ball sitting in the pew.

As the week progressed, I began feeling better. Yes, your chicken soup helped, as did the warmth of the sun and signs of spring that I began to see all around.

Just as hope was truly blooming, I got a surprise — four inches of snow the other night. Ugh. I am so ready for spring. But I vowed not to let things beyond my control impact my mood. So I found a way to turn the snow day into a day of joy.

So come and join me as I share the many signs of hope and new life all around and how I even try to see that hope when things just don’t go the way I want them to!

Tell me about your week…and where you are seeing new life, hope and signs of spring where you are!

Blessings!