What a year! We've had ups and downs, victories and defeats, joy and sadness, met goals and fell short. But we've learned and grown and look forward to a new year, a fresh start, a clean slate. We look forward to 2026 - a year to make memories. May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you and give you strength!
How did you bring in the New Year? It's been years since I've even been awake to bring it in. We're normally asleep. The boys were over and in the late afternoon, we built a bonfire . There were a lot of branches in the pasture near the barn that we piled up over a big stump and we lit it up. We sat on logs and a couple of lawn chairs and talked. Russ put some country music from his play list and we listened. The neighbor walked over and we talked for a bit. It was relaxing.
Elsie walked over to share time with us. It was a good reminder for me. I've kind of given up on New Year's Resolutions. I do have some goals or To-Do's and Rosie is involved. Rosie was unable to get pregnant when we had bulls on the property on two separate occasions. In January, we'll have the vet come to the house for a farm call and see if he can figure out why she's unable to get pregnant. Hopefully, Dr. Fontenot can diagnose what the problem is and that it is fix-able.
We talked and sang and laughed and even danced in a goofy fashion in front of the fire. It was just a perfect night for a fire. The sky was crystal clear. We gazed at the stars and could see planes flying high above us with their blinking lights.
We walked back and forth in the dark, bringing fresh branches to fee the fire. The flames licked at the sky, growing higher and higher.
We watched the glowing embers floating high into the sky. What a sight to behold.
We don't know what 2024 will hold. What a year it has been? Full of victories and disappointments. The challenges have been there, no doubt, but good memories (and even miracles) were made. Lots of folks are saying that 2024 will include a "Black Swan" event and trouble, economic and otherwise. No one knows. We pray that the New Year brings health and joy, prosperity and laughter and good times and memories made with the ones we love. We wish that for you as well. May God Bless You!
Happy New Year to All from the Sonnier's at Our Maker's Acres Family Farm. We wish you and your family the very best in 2023. We have been away for about a week on vacation.
We will be back tomorrow with lots to talk about. May our Lord richly bless you this year!!
As year 2020 fades behind us, I say, "Good Riddance!" What a year it was! From Covid-19, to civil unrest across the Country, to two hurricanes, to political uncertainty... And I could go on. Lots of what I mentioned in the previous sentence lingers on and will hitch a ride right on into 2021. As always a new year brings with it great expectations and hope for better times. It is good to be hopeful.
I read a quote by Pilot "Sully" Sullenberger that said, "In so many areas of life, you need to be a long-term optimist but a short-term realist." How true that is. We wish things to be so, but that doesn't mean that they are. Positive thinking is great, but you must be a realist to be able to function in this life and have the 'tools in your tool bag' to navigate through this cursed world. It's not easy.
As we venture into the new year, uncertainty confronts us. How will we cope? I wish you peace and joy, health and prosperity, but most of all I pray that you know Jesus. He is the Messiah, our Savior, The Blessed Hope, Our Redeemer, and in knowing Him, you can be optimistic long term. He lived, died, and rose again to give us eternal life. He defeated sin and the grave. Believe in Him! Receive His free gift of eternal life. The worries of today and this New Year will still be here, but you'll have hope to face the future and He'll give you peace that only He can give.
I'm not good at New Year's Resolutions - a month in (sometimes less) and I've already broken them. My grandmother used to tell me "my eyes were too big for my stomach." In resolutions I usually bite off more than I can chew. A friend shared this quote with me and, although not necessarily a resolution, it is definitely some good things to shoot for:
"Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can." -John Wesley
As I was thinking about the New Year, I do look ahead and have goals set for the new year. However, I admit I look back and have many regrets of goals not achieved, relationships not restored, desires not met, health issues not resolved, prayers not (yet) answered. I wish I would have done many things differently. Not that it was necessarily bad, but I wish 2017 would have been better. Life is too short to waste time and energy dwelling on regrets. I am reminded by the letter of the Apostle Paul the the church at Philippi that I should forget the past and look forward! There is a much better goal or resolution - that is to press on, move forward for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus and that is what I'll strive to do.
Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.Philippians 3:12-14
Happy New Year! This morning when I woke up I began thinking about the new year and the potential that lay ahead. I began thinking about New Year's resolutions. I never do too well with resolutions. Oh, I do pretty good for the first week and then things seem to unravel. I've tried several things to remedy that. I've tried to make resolutions that are more easily achievable. I've even tried not making resolutions. What is my problem?
Follow through. It reminds me of this memory: When I was a young boy, my parents bought me a big book full of beautiful pictures and little stories about animals that had morals at the end of each story. The book was called Aesop's Fables. I loved it and read the stories over and over and over. There was a story in there called "The Belling of the Cat" I'll paraphrase it the best I remember it.
The mice held a committee meeting as things weren't going well in Mouseville. There was a cat in the house that was tormenting the mouse population. Something had to be done and had to be done quickly. As the mice conferred, a young mouse moved forward with an idea. Two of his friends carried out a collar that had bells fastened to it. The mouse explained to the elders that they proposed that they should attach the collar with the bells on it around the cat's neck.
That way, when the cat came into the room, the mice would hear the bells jingling and would be able to get out of the way of the hungry feline. Although Maw Maw and Paw Paw and cousin Pookie had been devoured by the cat, with the bell around the cat's neck, the slaughter of the mice would end.
What a great idea! The mice put the young mice on their shoulders and paraded them around the room. They were all so happy with the good news that would ensure their survival. Then it got real quiet in the room as all the mice pondered the question on everyone's minds: Who would put the collar with the bells on the cat?
The moral of the story is that Great Plans without corresponding action are just mere, empty words. Plans, goals, and, yes, resolutions require follow through. The mice taught me what I need this year to help me.
Happy New Year, Everyone. Another Year full of new beginnings, potential and promise. I'm not real big on making New Year's Resolutions as I have a bad habit of setting some high and unachievable goals that I usually fail to reach. Then I tend to dwell on the failures and regrets of the past year or years. I think it is best to look ahead like this verse says:
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
As we were driving back home from our trip that I'll talk about a little bit later, I heard the following song by Rascal Flatts that has some great lyrics that (I think) are appropriate for New Years. The song is essentially talking about a wish that a father has for his daughter, but it can really be a blessing - hopes that one has for the future. I've posted the video of the song below that you can listen to if you click the button in the middle of the image below. I also attached the lyrics below the video. I think the words are powerful and inspirational. I hope you enjoy. I hope you have a Happy New Year, too!
I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you wanna go,
And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile.
But more than anything, more than anything
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to, Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small, You never need to carry more than you can hold, And while you're out there getting where you're getting to, I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too, Yeah, this, is my wish.
I hope you never look back, but you never forget,
All the ones who love you, in the place you live,
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret,
And you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
And always give more than you take.
But more than anything, yeah, more than anything
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish. Yeah, yeah.
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish (my wish, for you).
This is my wish (my wish, for you)
I hope you know somebody loves you (my wish, for you).
May all your dreams stay big (my wish, for you)
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away, behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
2015 is now here, but the Bible verse above isn't referencing the New Year. It's talking about the change in one's life that occurs when they've been born again. New Year's Days come and go. New Year's resolutions are made and broken. The new heart our LORD gives us when we come to know and trust Him lasts for all eternity. Now there's something to celebrate!
We live on five acres in rural Jefferson Davis Parish. The 3 acre pasture in the back is pretty much tree-less except for a line of trees on the eastern border of the property. The western border has trees as well, but they aren't ours. In the yard we have numerous live oaks, water oaks, and pecan trees. Throughout the year we enjoy their shade. The leaves that fall get mowed and raked up and get incorporated into the soil of the garden. The sticks and limbs, however, that fall present more of a problem.
A neat thing about living in the country is having a "burn pile." A buddy of mine was transferred to Houston and moved into a big subdivision. Burn piles are against the rules of his homeowner's association. Imagine that! When the limbs fall from the trees, we pick them up and carry them to a designated area in the southeastern part of our pasture. They're stacked up and over the course of the year, the weight of the branches compact into a tight pile of wood. By the time the cold weather comes around - usually late December, the pile is begging for a match.
Burn Pile 2013
The burn pile occasionally becomes a hiding place for eggs by some sneaky hens of ours. As we found out the other night, some of our hens use the burn pile as a roost. When we lit the pile, numerous hens started scurrying out of the pile. They were all intertwined with the branches and ol' Benjamin jumped up on the top of the pile and rescued all of them just in the nick of time.
New Years Eve night, which also happened to be Russ' 19th birthday, was a premier opportunity to light up the pile. We invited some birthday party guests, Tricia made a big chicken and sausage gumbo, and after we had eaten to our heart's content, we walked out to the pasture to fire up the annual bonfire.
C'mon baby light my fire...
The wind was blowing gently from the east, so I lit it on the eastern side. We stood around as the fire started to climb.
Growing fire
Wood that had been drying for months proved to be excellent fuel for the bonfire. It lit up the surrounding pasture as the flames leapt into the night sky.
Glowing fire
Initially we had benches arranged on the eastern side of the fire pretty close up so that we would be able to keep warm by the heat put off by the fire, but as the fire really began blazing, we had to scoot the benches back.
And then we had to scoot the benches back again!
Shooting balls of fire at the top
At its peak, the fire had flames climbing maybe 18 feet into the air. A large fire, to be sure.
Campfire song, anyone?
Benjamin and I had gone to the Fireworks Stand down the road that was set up in a big yellow tent and we purchased $22 worth of a various assortment of fireworks. The guests to Russ' party brought some as well. When we began setting them off, the animals all ran away, unsure of what "their people" were doing.
Fireworks amidst the cow patties
We all had a good time with the fireworks and the bonfire.
A cone of sparks
The fire quickly consumed the woodpile and it didn't take long before all that was left was a stack of beautiful, glowing embers. I walked around the circumference of the pile, pushing the outer sticks into the center so that all the wood would burn.
Burn baby burn
Believe it or not, the pile was still smoldering 3 days later, even after a light rain, but after 3 days, all that was left was a small pile of ashes. I was going to use the ashes to make lye as we want to see if we can make lye soap, but the rain put the quietus on those plans. No worries, though, I have a drum of fireplace ashes I'm saving for that purpose.
The Remains of the bonfire
We all had a good time ringing in the New Year and enjoying Russ' birthday. I wanted to add a couple photos of the old boy and his Momma and the day he turned 19.
Happy Birthday, Russ!
We've already begun to throw sticks on the burn pile we're building for 12/31/2014. The fun never stops!
Laura Lee and Russ are home for the holidays and out of college until the middle of January. It has been nice having them home. Since today is Russ' 19th birthday, last night we started a big fire in the fireplace and spent some family time together. Tricia had the fantastic idea of getting out the video tape of the day that Russ was born and watching it. I don't think we had ever watched it. Tomorrow is New Year's Day and I'll get around to addressing that in the end. But first, a brief trip down memory lane..
I remember growing up in the late 60's and early 70's and we had a Super 8mm projector like the one shown below. We would sit down in the living room, prop the front of the projector up on some National Geographic magazines and point it at a white wall and watch footage from our family vacations in our Oldsmobile station wagon with simulated wood-grain siding. Me and my brother and sister were making goofy faces at each other and clowning around in all of the movies. At the very end of every movie, for some reason, the bulb would melt a big spot in the film. In my mind's eye, I can still see the melting blob of film and hear the click, click, click of the movie signifying the end before we could get to the projector and stop the melting film. I can still smell the smell of melting film. Weird how you remember the oddest things!
Anyway, when our kids were born, we had a "compact" VHS movie camera, which is ridiculously huge by today's standards. As we began to watch the video of old Russ' first day on the Planet, it turned into a very emotional time for me for several reasons.
First, we were SO YOUNG! We didn't have the scars (physical and emotional) that we have now that 20 years will put on you. We were oblivious to the hardships that the next few months/years would hit us with (Russ was a very sick little boy for the first year or two of his life. We almost lost him).
Second, seeing old pictures really puts it in perspective how time flies. You only have your kids for a brief period before they are off on their own. Scary really, when you think about what a short time you have to be a parent.
Finally, the video had both of my grandmothers in it and hearing them talk was really something. Everything seemed so normal. And then just a few short years later, they were both gone. Everything changes... so very quickly. It was sobering in that it was a reminder that, in this New Year, we'd better enjoy every minute we have. It reminds me of the following verse from the Bible:
James 4:14
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
So what can I do to make the most of 2014? I usually try NOT to make New Year's resolutions because many times I don't stick with them. I read a study from the University of Scranton that said that 81% of people who make New Year's resolutions fail to reach them. I don't want to be in that statistic. I also read that people who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them, so I hope this counts as writing them down. With that being said, here goes:
I like to make 3 goals for the year - one spiritual, one physical, and one mental.
Spiritual Goal: This year I will be more intentional in sharing my faith and putting feet to my faith by being purposeful in living out the words of my Savior, Jesus Christ. In order to deepen my relationship with God, I'll read my Bible and pray daily.
Physical Goal: This year I will be deliberate in engaging in physical activity each and every day - simple stuff like push-ups and sit-ups, but when the days get longer, gardening and physical labor outside each day will do it for me.
Mental Goal: This year I will read at least one book each month.
So while the New Year is full of promise and questions and potential, this year is in God's hands. If the Good Lord's willing, we'll do lots of things. We also have responsibility in this, though. Just this morning I was on my way to work. It is a 50 minute commute that I do every weekday since August 2006. I listen to Christian radio and political talk radio on my drive. I was about 15 minutes into my commute and realized that I was on auto-pilot! I didn't even remember getting on the Interstate. But I had done it so many times that I wasn't thinking. I was just going through the motions. I began to think that that is exactly what will happen in the New Year if I'm not intentional about things. I'll wake up from a daze on December 31, 2014 and wonder where the year went AND wonder why I'm in the same place spiritually, mentally, and physically. This is unacceptable to me and I won't let it happen.
