Once upon a time there was a family; they were a herd of five. From the very beginning they have traveled a narrow, winding, yet satisfying path. This path has led them into many unique opportunities, lots of life-learning, and even some dreams come true. They believe abundance in life is offered to all, but an overflowing abundance of good things is given to those who take the time to ask and answer questions. Your question of, “Who wants it: this incredible family farm and all the history that it holds?” is rich with miracle potential. So, right off the bat, in case you were wondering, this family, this herd, is sweetly shouting in unison, “Us! Us! Us! May we be the ones to carry on your legacy?”
As Momma Mare, dreaming of the good that will come from Rock Spring Farm being awarded to us has my heart pounding and my mind paralyzed! Yet we are here to answer your question of “Who wants it, and why?” so here it is. Our ten-year-old daughter, our “Filly Girl,” had written us a letter last Christmas. In it, she asked for a horse. I love that she asked; what boldness and courage on her part. Unfortunately, the answer was very clear and known to her Daddy “Stud Man” and I. A horse would not be wise. You see, six months prior we had decided to take a step (actually, a giant leap) into unknown territory to bring forth the reality of one day owning our own small farm. This uncharted territory included selling our typical, 2000-square-foot home to move into an itty-bitty, 1850’s, three-room home. One may ask, “What are you thinking? A herd of five, a dog, two birds, and a hamster all in a three-room-house? How’s that going to work?”
There were many reasons we decided to give little-house living a try. I had recently left my full-time job to focus on homeschooling our Filly Girl and her two younger Colt brothers. We had been living “the American dream,” but over the past few years the heartbeat of our herd had steadily grown louder for less of “everything” and more of what mattered to us, for we, too, will one day leave a legacy. We longed to have time for each other. We longed for time to explore the land, pursue our passions, and be sustained by what history may say are the simple, tried-and-true ways. As a herd we had remained open to an answer for the question of, “Why this growing heartbeat?” The opportunity within this little house was part of the answer. With less house, there has been more home.
Thinking back to our Filly Girl’s Christmas letter, I still chuckle. We pared down our entire life to only necessities, and now she wants a horse! Knowing we were not going to permanently acquire a horse at this time, we still wanted to honor her audacity, thus an answer unfolded. We have family in Arizona that own a ranch. Many years and many “wishes” have passed as life did not allow for a trip to visit them. However, we now had the perfect opportunity to ask if we may come, work, and serve. They responded with an “absolutely,” so Christmas morning our Filly Girl opened a journal that I had made for her with pictures of each of the horses on the ranch along with a plane ticket and an explanation of our upcoming trip. She and I flew out to Phoenix that February and learned all there is to learn. It was a series of “MasterCard moments,” perfectly priceless!
While we served there, our heartbeat for farm life was the loudest it’s ever been. We were taught and trained by the very best. As one would imagine though, returning home to normal life without all that the ranch offered was tough. Since then, we have read all there is to read on horses and homesteading. We have asked to partner with local farmers so our hands-on learning can continue in this time of waiting. It has been sweet to see the love of the land, horses, cows, and cats grow in my little Colts as we spend time with those that have let us in.
How else will having Rock Spring Farm serve the greater good? Shouldn’t everyone have the opportunity to experience what our Filly Girl and I did? With our family at the farm, the doors would be open to all who ask. We would also intentionally reach out to programs with which we have partnered, for example North Star Initiative (NSI). My friend and founder of NSI would be able to offer weeks of respite for young women seeking to be restored out of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. Peace of mind, body, and soul would be offered through time spent on the farm.
Gazing upon the rolling pasture while sitting on the covered porch with a morning cup of coffee would be an answer to prayer and nothing short of a miracle. Our days would be rich and satisfying, full of teaching and honest living. Mid-day wash-ups and refreshers of peach iced tea would be part of the routine as we investigate and care for everything around us. We will learn and cultivate the land. It would only be a matter of time until Rock Spring Farm has similar residents as it did in 1748: A few cows, some sheep, geese, goats, (we will pass on the pigs), horses, tack, earthenware along with pots and pans, beds (in individual bedrooms!), some tools, a gun, and some clothing. There would also be yards of cloth for creating, books for learning, lumber for building, maybe some fresh spun wool and a parcel of a few other things. Oh, that will be the day!
The Essay: It's All in the Asking