Nostalgia

As I sit here watching the setting sun glitter off the raindrops hanging onto our picture window, I think about how much I love this place.

I've lived in one place my whole life. And I love that fact.

This place has a lot of history.

It was the Spooner Estate before my great-grandfather Briggs bought the property in 1927.

Since then, four generations of Briggs have lived in this old farm house.

Three generations have milked cows in what is now the calf barn - my grandfather built the milking barn back in the 70's.

Four generations have worked and harvested the expanse of land we own - although Dad has added some since he took over the operation.

Four generations have sweat, struggled, and strived to make this a well-running farm.

My brother and I are the fourth generation.

Will there be more?

Only time will tell, but we're planning on keeping it going as long as possible.

Great-Grandpa would not recognize the old homestead. But I think he would approve of the changes.

He would be shocked to see all the equipment it takes to run an operation such as this. They did everything with horses back-in-the-day, ya know.

However, I think he would be proud to know that his son, grandson, etc. have kept his legacy alive and well. I can't wait to meet him in Heaven! He was a remarkable man and I can see part of him in my grandfather.

With all the family history there's a lot of nostalgia in this place.

If I ever moved away I would feel like I left behind a piece of myself.

I can't do that.

I can't leave.

I can't leave the green mountains.

I can't leave the lake.

I can't leave the ponds and Otter Creek.

I can't leave the people.

I can't leave the memories.

Maybe someday I'll move away.

Maybe someday the memories will have to be just that, memories.

But for right now, I'm staying put.

Maybe this is where God wants me...

Steering Wheels...

The last time I wrote a blog was when I was in high school...

Over 7 years ago!

Times have changed since then and so has this girl.

Before I went to college I was shy, introverted, & didn't have a visible backbone.

No who knew me then would probably recognize me now...

I am still shy but it no longer defines who I am.

I sometimes go out of my way to talk to people because I understand that friendships are important and who knows, they just might have needed a listening ear.

As for backbone, I've heard the word "stubborn" used when people talk about my determination - if I believe in it I won't back down.

How did this little girl turn into the woman I have become?

Yes, maturity has a lot to do with it, but it's more than just growing-up.

I had to go thro some things to get me here. No, sometimes they weren't pretty and yes, there were times I thought I wouldn't, couldn't get through any more.

But God got me through.

He has always been there for me. Even when I didn't feel the need for Him.

Even when I thought I was too busy for Him.

Even when I would rather watch a movie then spend time reading His Word.

Even when I only came to Him when I needed or wanted something or had a problem I wanted Him to fix.

He was there.

This girl has finally come to her senses.

Without Him relationships fall apart.

Without Him love is nothing more than a Hollywood fabrication.

Without Him people don't care.

Without Him things don't work out.

Without Him life doesn't make sense.

No, I'm not completely where I want to be.

No, I don't have the man I want.

No, I don't have everything figured out.

But I have to trust that He has me exactly where He wants me to be and will continue to lead me in the direction I should be going.

Some things are harder to trust about (like the man situation haha), but it's a learning experience and I'm learning from my mistakes.

Who knows how long it'll take to get there...

But as long as He's in control, I know I'm in good hands.

I just have to let Him drive.