#WHOA! What a year! Let’s take a quick look back, shall we?
JANUARY
We move like molasses in winter, well, because it’s winter.
The boys suit up and play as usual because outside is necessary.
The family sings, “How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?”
Because wood-burning fires are warm and dreamy and way better for the budget.
P.S. This moment was just before little man lost his fingernail.
Near month end, I had a delightful time speaking to the ladies of Chelsea Village. It was oh-so-Pinterest-y & I am looking forward to joining you again in a few weeks for a great time in The Lord.
This year our family is especially grateful for loyal patrons and small town support as we look back on some scary days at Fort Payne Feed & Garden. Small business ownership is hard. Thankful for lessons learned. WE APPRECIATE YOU! #shoplocal
FEBRUARY
The month of love.
Stampeded a herd of new forever friends
as I traveled to Austin, TX to volunteer at IF: GATHERING.
Love this ministry. Love their passion for Christ.
Love Jennie Allen, her heartbeat & the people behind IF!
And still, there’s no place like home.
Because in winter, at home, there is snow cream and Girl Scout Cookies. #yum
MARCH
Ushered in an interesting conversation with our oldest son the day he “saw the pigs hatch.” #goodtimes
Thankful for exciting discoveries that hindered the completion of the “hatching” conversation.
The ground thawed and Spring burst forth #HALLELUYAH as Bonnie vegetable and bedding plants arrived at our store.
APRIL
The last year of single digits for this dude. How can this be?
What a fine, young man you are becoming.
MAY
The cowboy readied the horses for summer camp.
WHAT A HUNK!
Humbling opportunities for me to speak increased, and
the boys declared, “Bring on SUMMER!”
JUNE
My baby hunk turned seven.
Which is why I need therapy. #babiesdontkeep
The hot sun warmed the pond
and inspired a new adventure series on the farm, Facebook & Instagram #adventuresoftuckandjake because tree houses, skinny dippin’, wrangling milk cows and ravioli cooked outside are moments worth documenting.
To God be the glory for doors of opportunity. Sharing Christ at Ponderosa Bible Camp, Camp ToknowHim & Riverview Camp for Girls was more than exhilarating!
JULY
Translates hayfield in the #South
because the harvest is ready, but the workers are few
#sisters
AUGUST
#Honduras.
These people.
This ministry. This place, Good Shepherd’s Children Home
Forever changed.
A late Summer beach trip with MawMaw & Pop is always good for the soul and Woody.
Toy life is hard.
SEPTEMBER
A messy dining room table and fuzzy hair must mean it’s #BACKTOSCHOOL on the farm
which also means it’s pumpkin time at the store!
The Cowboy and I had a ball shooting a VIDEO and were humbled by how many of you WATCHED IT and shared it with your friends! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!
We were thrilled to be a part of the first ever Vintage Pickin’ Barn Sale! So proud of my friend April Wilks for pursuing her BIG dream!!
OCTOBER
We celebrated 19 years of marital bliss or something like that.
The Cowboy declared it, “the month of calm.”
Which is funny because we don’t do calm here much.
Unless catching snakes is calm?
Goat love is kind of calm?
I mean, maybe they’re calm, sometimes.
No.
It’s just better to keep the boys busy.
So we took them to Indiana to pack a cargo full of Christmas bags headed for Haiti.
Which was fun and exhausting and #AWESOME
NOVEMBER
Makes me emotional.
It’s holiday-season-eve.
The month of reflection.
A time of gratitude for food, family, facepaint, Pilgrims & Indians!
Then we all blinked and it was DECEMBER!!
And with it, a dream come true with the release of #PrayBig Journals!!!!
And a video to share more about the 6-week Prayer Journal I have prayed over and mostly kept secret for the last two or so years.
The release of this journal was #1 on my list of dreams for 2015! I PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW for those of you who have supported this dream by purchasing the #PrayBig journal and are sharing it with you friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you don’t have one…PLEASE GET ONE! from Fort Payne Feed & Garden if you are local
OR get YOURS HERE from AMAZON!
We want you to be a part of this growing community who are ready to strengthen their faith as we pray God’s Word back to Him! We are expecting God to do what only He can do as we #PrayBig together!
I wish I had an expression equivalent of my sincere gratitude.
YOU have loved so well.
YOU have shared this space with the people God has placed in your path.
YOU have commented and encouraged me to keep going when I have wanted to quit!
YOU are making a difference!
YOU have made 2015 FANTABULOUS!
I hope you will stay with us! Best I can tell, we’re just getting started…..
Until then, #PrayBig and help us encourage others to use hashtag #PrayBig on Facebook and Instagram as you share your journals and journaling journey because when you believe GOD IS REAL and #PrayBig things happen!
LOVE & HAPPY NEW YEAR~
the Smith Crew <3
P.S. As it turns out, there are way more than 12 #hashtags. #ohwell
You are officially #adorable. Loving my prayer journal!! Bring on 2016! #praybig