The buzz word of the times is “prepping”. There are untold numbers
of books, internet articles and videos across social platforms with
doomsday reports and how to prepare or “prep” to prepare for cataclysmic
events. Some content creators share their opinions and knowledge
because they are genuinely concerned about their fellow man. Others have
realized there is a great deal of money to be made by creating this type of
content, and just put whatever comes to mind out there to ensnare
unsuspecting people. It is often difficult to discern which group the
information is coming from. Either way, as we “ingest” all this available
information, we must then make the choice of how much we are going to
“digest”. Some people don’t respond at all because they think preparing for
hard times is either not necessary or too difficult. Some people respond
immediately and take some preparedness steps but tend to lose interest
easily and don’t have a real plan in place. Their interest waxes and wanes,
dependent on a video or article that catches their attention. Then there is
the group of people who jump into prepping with their whole hearts. Taking
steps to be prepared for the future is of paramount importance. They can
regularly be found studying reliable sources, listening to people who have
more knowledge than they, and making continuous progress in their goals.
Often the latter group wholeheartedly shares their newly-acquired
knowledge and thereby encouraging others to join the journey.
It is not the intent of this article to discourage you from physical
prepping. Indeed, the Bible makes it very clear that hard times of epic
proportion are coming at the end of days. Hard times tend to come and go
in everyone’s life and every country’s economy also. In my humble
opinion, we need to consider the ant of Proverbs 6:6-11 and Proverbs
30:25.
In addition to creating a storehouse for yourself, we need to consider
the words of Yeshua found in Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not lay up for
yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where
thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven

where neither moth and rust destroy and where thieves do not break in and
steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart shall be also.” The word
“treasures” translates literally to “wealth”. This admonition from Yeshua
has nothing to do with making sure we are storing your food and items
necessary for survival, and everything to do with becoming so focused on
creating wealth and filling our lives with useless treasures that we forget
what is important.
We hear that catch phrase a lot, don’t we? “Don’t lose sight of what
is important in this world.” Left to our personal impressions of “important”, it
would be different for each one of us. To a small extent, this isn’t
necessarily a bad thing because we are all leading different lives. On the
grand scale, however, only using our personal interpretations will lead to
missing the big picture.
We must use the Word of YHVH to know what is important.
Surprisingly, the ultimate culmination of “important” is the same for all of
humanity. The theme of, the common thread of, and the ultimate will of
Abba Father, Creator of the entire universe and all that is within it, along
with the knowledge we need to navigate life is found within the Bible. It is
the ultimate prepper’s manual. We must read, absorb, and put into practice
the instructions found within, because our lives depend on it.
The Bible is the story of YHVH lovingly creating mankind as His
companions, the separation of the relationship because of sin and the
steps he is taking to restore the relationship. The instructions for
navigating life are found in Torah and the Books of Wisdom. The prophets
tell us what happens when we rebel and the plan of the New Jerusalem,
where Abba once again communes with humanity face to face. The stories
in the Gospels show us Yeshua’s teaching for Believers to follow Torah and
of His part of the plan for the regathering of the Bride.
Ultimately, this is the goal of our lives; preparing to become the Bride.
A Bride described as being without spot or wrinkle. The Bride who will one
day celebrate the culmination of the marriage contract with a beautiful
wedding feast and move on to living a life united and in fellowship face to
face with our Groom. His throne will once again be found on earth. Our
marriage contract with the instructions are found in Torah. YHVH expects
us to live by these rules, in order to be united with Him in the kingdom.

I believe every trial we face and every experience we have is
designed to shed the dross and refine us to be able to live in the Kingdom
as the Bride. When adversity strikes, we must have the mindset it is for our
ultimate good. We must be pliable in the Potter’s hands. Unanswered
prayers? Know that YHVH loves us and knows what is best for us. Good
times and blessings abounding in your life this season? Praise Him for
shining His face on you! Spend your life prepping for your ultimate
destination. THIS is the will of the Father. It’s your job to run the race to
the best of your ability.
Now, ask yourself, what type of spiritual prepper am I? Do I ignore
the need altogether, am I a part-time prepper (think Parable of the Virgins
In Matthew 25), or do I take my spiritual preparedness seriously? Am I
reading the Manual and following the instructions? Am I helping others to
do the same? I encourage you to spiritually prepare for the future with
more fervency than your physical preparedness plans. Run the race, finish
the course and pray to hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful
servant!”

When I post a photo and blog, it is generally because I have been inspired to snap the photo and the accompanying Bible verse/blog has already dropped in my spirit.  This time was different.  I found the sight of the new, emerging leaves against the backdrop of the decaying foliage of last year magical and irresistible.  I snapped the photo and waited for the Bible verse and nothing came.  I still believed the photo to be precious and noteworthy.  So I waited.
This morning I nearly put a verse with the photo out of my own soul, just to be able to move on.  Then I realized what Yah was trying to show me by being strangely silent.  The lesson behind this image is profound and simple.  It represents ALL the promises in the ENTIRE Bible!  It represents the magnitude of the love and hope there is for all who believe and call on the sacred name of YHVH.  The bush in this photo gives us an amazing life lesson.  All of creation shows us the same lesson, actually. I am sure this pattern is by design for those who are looking--the pattern for living and trusting. The example is being able to shed last year’s hard work and energy when Yah says it is time; to enter into and rest when a new season that has cold and darkness abounding, trusting that He is at work revitalizing us so we can emerge bigger and stronger, blooming exhuberantly when “spring” comes again. 
As we move in and out of the inevitable seasons of our lives, it is my prayer we can learn to do so with the grace and patience that allows us to rest and receive what we need for the new seasons.  Yah is faithful and just and loving.  Dark and cold seasons pass and spring comes with joy and light and warmth. ​​

I was standing at the window yesterday as the steady, torrential downpour relentlessly beat every surface of the earth and soaked our animals to the skin.  The ponds and the ditches overflowed and puddles became small lakes. We always have to watch the sheep carefully when large areas of standing water develop in their pasture.  They will not willingly cross any large body of water-no matter how shallow. Sometimes they are trapped by their own fear of the unknown. 
A verse from Matthew chapter 7 came to me as I was standing there at the window.  “THEREFORE, everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them shall be like a wise man who built his house on the Rock, and the rain came down and the floods came and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it did not fall, for it was founded on the Rock.”
I have heard many a preacher talk about how we are to build our houses on the Rock.  We receive such sermons determined that we will build on that solid foundation.  How do we do this?  What is Yeshua talking about when He tells us to build on this Rock?  He isn’t speaking of Himself, or He would have said so.  The clue is in the first word of this verse-THERFORE.  When we read “Therefore” in Scripture, it means that the next thing said is based completely on what was spoken previously.  Matthew Chapter 5, known at the Sermon on the Mount, was the beginning of Yeshua’s teaching.  He enumerates a good summary of what is written in the Torah.  However, he not only enumerates it, he urges us to go beyond what is written.  He urges us to reflect the loving light of Torah observance by doing more than minimum requirements.  Torah is the Rock we are to build our houses on.  He is giving a thorough life lesson, and exposing the Father’s heart and His code of conduct we should be living by.  When we follow the instruction manual, we have no worries.  Yeshua, Himself, assures us of this when he reminds us not to worry about our lives any more than the lilies of the fields and the birds do.
Does Yeshua promise if we follow Torah and live our best life, giving and serving others, that we will be stress free with no problems?  Absolutely not!  The above verse tells us metaphorically rain and floods will come, and we will feel beaten up.  Use Torah as foundation of your house so you do not fall, just as Yeshua tells us to do.  Seek and you shall find!  Live your best life by living under His Covenant.  Don’t be trapped by your own fears of the unknown.
I look out over the dreary, barren winter landscape and trust that spring will blossom forth soon.  Our lives have the same ebb and flow.  Trust Him for spring.

​WELCOME TO OUR CAMPGROUND
Our desire and vision was to create a space to “get away from the hustle and bustle of our ordinary lives. To create an environment for anyone seeking time alone to hear what the Spirit says. To create a space for fellowship and fun for our families and our extended family that Yah brings to us.  The Pavilion is the first step of a three-part building.  We have no plans to add electricity but we do have running water, an outdoor shower and an outhouse!  While the amenities are rustic, the atmosphere is enhanced by doing so.  The Word of Yah goes forth from this place and He is given honor in all that we do there. It is the Light on the Hill and we have a vision that it will grow exponentially in that name.
Sukkot is our favorite time to spend there, as we all gather as the Tribes of Yah and celebrate under the autumn weather. We combine study of the Word with practical camping and survival skills, times of worship and praise, and LOTS of feasting! Some of the highlights of this year included waving our lulavs, fire-starting training and how to make medicinal tinctures from herbs. Did I mention we ate a lot?

​One of the most gratifying aspects of gardening is the fact that your imagination and needs can
be blended to create a satisfying space and tasty food. While some people are content with
straight garden rows or perfectly aligned raised beds, my soul yearned for an oasis of color and
a relaxed style.
Although I had a previous, half-hearted garden space, the true journey began with creating a
half dozen raised beds from sawmill cedar. My daughter, Katie, assisted me in the fall of 2019.
Once they were built we carried them to a spot on the farm where nothing grew except rocks
and ragweed. The spot was truly chosen in an attempt to utilize a spot that was not serviceable for any other aspect of the farm. Around the same time, we found a tree trimming service who brought many dump truck loads of wood chips. They were piled behind and around the garden beds and made for a dismal look and a small beginning! I had a vision, however, that would not be deterred.
The winter of 2019 found Darrel and I cleaning out and moving a shed from another spot on the
property. Please don’t be encouraged and decide to move a shed by yourself. I highly
recommend obtaining professional services. Once we had the monster in the drive there
simply was no way to turn back. Funny now, not so much at the time!
For my birthday in December, Darrel designed and built a small greenhouse on the side of the
shed. I absolutely love it for the design and functionality of it as a greenhouse. Surprisingly, it
has proved to be a blessing in other ways. It is a wonderful spot to chase away winter blues,
soak up some sunshine and read. The winter of 2020, I got a whim to decorate and hold tea
and hot chocolate parties for my two daughters and me. We had an unspoken rule to only
speak of good and pleasant issues, enjoy each other’s company, and dress up just like we were
attending any other tea party. I hope Bonnie and Katie will treasure those times as much as I
do, and look forward to more this coming winter.
The spring of 2021 brought about some drastic improvements in the looks of the garden space.
I added more beds and more decorations. I was also able to have a permanent fence built,
which brought a huge visual improvement over the electric netting I had stretched temporarily.
I learned a lot about gardening in the organic compost/soil we brought in originally. My
practical advice is amend with lots of organic fertilizer and use something like worm castings in
abundance. I am able to grow a great deal of food in a very small space. We also added gravel
to replace the wood chips around the beds. It is a sturdier surface for me, as I find I do not
have the balance I did when I was younger. I had far fewer issues with weeds trying to take over between the beds. I see that the taller raised beds are easier for me to plant and harvest, so I will plan any new beds I add to be at least at a 2-foot height.
This year, birds and bees were in the garden in droves. I planted flowers that were natural
attractants to them. For me, the synergy of my garden being a haven and home to both was gratifying. The space felt alive and was amazingly noisy. I joked quite a bit and said I have to
ask the bees permission to pick my veggies. I wouldn’t have it any other way. It feels right and
balanced and good. It’s my job as guardian of this space to make it sacred and safe for them.
I am already looking forward to next year’s garden and the chance to add a little more color and interest. I plan to transplant the grape vines and allow them to trellis on the fence. I also
would enjoy adding the large variety of sunflowers along the back fence – mostly to hide the
still-decomposing piles of wood chips.  I have already placed an order with my favorite
builder to build a pergola over my butterfly bench, as a spot of shade would surely feel good
when the thermometer is hovering between 90 and 100 degrees. Yah willing, of course!
If you have any questions, please feel free to send an email and I would be happy to help you if
I can.
Shalom!