accidental country pastor

Have you ever heard of a witch window? I just discovered this Vermont architectural anomaly and the fun folklore behind it. (You can click on the image below and fast forward to the video to the 4:44 mark to get a preview of it)!

But such a window got me thinking about the things we do to “protect” ourselves from harm. The world we live in seems so unsafe at times, but there is what I call an ancient security system that we have forgotten about and it involves God.

In this season of harvest, as our Jewish friends just finished their celebration of Sukkot (or Festival of Booths), I turn to the Hebrew Scriptures — the Psalms and the Book of Deuteronomy — to remember the promises of God to not only provide for us manna from heaven and water from a rock, but to protect our loved ones — to send “an angel of the Lord to encamp” around us.

Drop me a note and let me know your thoughts! What do you think of the witch window? And what can you do in your household to remember always the goodness of God in this world that is so full of darkness and so broken?

A Season of the Soul

Is it autumn or fall? Whatever you call this apple picking, pumpkin carving, cider drinking time of year that we are in, let’s not forget that it is also a season of the soul — a time to reflect, ponder and celebrate life’s uncertainties.

Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote, “Notice that autumn is more the season of the soul than of nature.” I couldn’t agree more.

With the leaves falling and the garden breathing its last breath before a time of slumbering, I, too, find myself reaching deep into my soul, eager to hear what my life is saying in the uncertainties that are on my path. I have decided this time around, though, to celebrate those uncertainties.

Yes, celebrate uncertainties, for I do believe they are God’s way of inviting us to really listen and not be afraid of our authentic selves.

And so, pull up a chair here in my 18th-century Vermont home, and bring a friend as there is always room for more. Share with me what you like about this season, and how you face life’s uncertainties. Click below to start our time together. (And, as promised, here’s the link to the song I reference by Nichole Nordeman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbIv–NSe5c)

Blessings!

Learning to Unlearn

School is in session and I invite you to learn with me this year how to unlearn. You read that correctly. I am going to concentrate more this year on unlearning things that I once thought were right and question all those assumptions and expectations that just might be holding me back in life.

Richard Rohr, a Franciscan monk and author, once wrote that “transformation is more about unlearning than learning.” I am starting to see how true that is.

Join me as I explain more — and explore one of Vermont’s oldest one-room schoolhouses.

Click the video below, and let me know: What is it that you have to unlearn this year?

Labor Day Thoughts on Work/Life Balance

Summer is winding down and already my schedule for September is filling up. I realize I need to have a healthier work/life balance, but I am failing at it. My first step in better boundaries is realizing who I really labor for…God, not man…and that is where my sense of worth will come from. And so, welcome to Old Stone Well Farm on this Labor Day weekend. Pull up a chair and let’s spend time together. I would love to know how you find balance in your life! And, as always, I can’t thank you enough for stopping by…and liking, commenting, sharing and, if you haven’t already, hop over to YouTube and subscribe @oldstonewellfarm. (Finally, apologies for not being 100% in this video. I have been struggling with a wicked sinus infection all week. Slowly getting back on my feet!) Blessings!

Fabric Swatches Reveal a Poignant Story

I can’t wait to share with you my almost completed Italian round gown — and a look at what it took to get dressed in the 18th century!

Also, in my research of 18th-century women’s dresses I discovered a poignant story from England’s Foundling Museum on how fabric swatches told the story of mothers and the babies they abandoned. It got me thinking of how clothes tell a story…but most of all, it got me thinking of the “garments” we should be wearing — garments of praise, love, etc.

So come and pull up a chair and spend some time here in Vermont with me!

I want to thank Samson Historical for the wonderful underpinnings in this video (stays, shift, stockings, hat, shoes!). They are a godsend for people like me in love with all things 18th-century. Visit at https://www.samsonhistorical.com/

And make sure to visit the Foundling Museum’s site at https://foundlingmuseum.org.uk/

Lessons from Heidi on this Swiss National Day

It’s August 1 and that means the Swiss National Day celebrations are in full swing here at Old Stone Well Farm. And, yes, as you can see the red dirndl won! Thank you to all of you who voted which dress I should wear.

But on this day, I not only spend time with the cows remembering an old Swiss folk song from the 16th century, but I reflect on the God moments I found while revisiting an old friend — Heidi. I never realized how spiritually rich this children’s classic was.

Come and celebrate with me — and Fritz. He has a starring role in this video! Also, watch to the end and enjoy the heart-tugging tune of that Swiss cow song. Let me know how you enjoyed Swiss National Day with me! Share with friends!

Blessings!

On the Low Rung of the Ladder

We are taught at an early age to climb the ladder of success, but do we ever talk about the ladder of faith? What if our journey is all about coming back down to the low rung after climbing high?

It’s summer here at Old Stone Well Farm in Vermont and as I battle beetles in the garden, flies in the house, bad hair days (hint: I share a wonderful 18th century hat I am making…you get a glimpse of it in the video preview!), a rambunctious Bernese Mountain dog, I invite you to ponder with me Jacob’s dream about a ladder with angels and what it means to embrace each rung we find ourselves on.

And please watch till the end as I need your opinion on something. Please hop over to YouTube and leave your opinion/vote in the comment section, and if you haven’t already, click subscribe to the YouTube channel. Can’t wait to hear from you!

Blessings.

Finding Peace Within

Take my yoke upon you…Jesus invites us to a life where burdens don’t weigh us down. Here at Old Stone Well Farm, I recently discovered a way to ease the burdens and find peace within no matter what the day brings. Come, join me! (This is a short note today as I am running to get ready to lead worship today!!) More to come! I promise!

Life Getting You Down? Try a Joy Snack!

Sometimes life feels like you are always stuck behind a tractor full of hay bales — slowing you down, blocking the view ahead and leaving no room to pass. Life can try its best to slow you down — and get you down.

But lately I found peace amid these hiccups…and it has something to do with my joy snacks. Come, join me and find out my recipe for these “snacks.” And let me know what your joy snack will be today! Like, comment, share with others.

And remember, no matter what is happening right now in your life, the promises of God are true. There is a peace that passes all understanding.

Blessings!

Walking Softly

There’s a Cherokee proverb that goes, “walk softly on the earth.” It’s a reminder for us to care for the resources we have.

So when I discovered a new way to garden that doesn’t involve ripping up the ground, I got so excited. The method is known as “hugelkultur” — used in Germany for centuries.

And the best thing about hugelkultur is that it uses rotten logs, and I have lots of them on top of Sofie’s Hill.

So come, join me here at Old Stone Well Farm as I share with you how we can walk softly on the earth, even beyond gardening. I would love to hear from you.