Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Let us rejoice during this special time of year to thank God for His miraculous and amazing gift of love to us - God on earth.  As we celebrate today with friends and family, may our songs join together like those of the angels long ago, "Peace on earth, goodwill towards men!"  Come, let us adore Him!

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: 
for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
(Luke 2:10-11)

2019 Joyful Acres Farm Field Trip

By: Erin

This was our first field trip at our new farm, but our eighth total!  We usually have between 60-70 people, but this time it numbered around 30.  God blessed us with beautiful weather and a wonderful time together!  Enjoy the pictures below!

At each field trip we have a small "farm store" where we sell homemade baked goods, using ingredients from our farm, and other farm products (soap, beeswax lip balm, postcards, pens, etc.).

Setting up!

Milking demonstrations...

...all those who tried their hand at milking a goat!

Judge loved the attention!

Luke discussing rabbits!

This year we had a very small garden due to the goats still being in the large planned garden.

"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: 

but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel."

(Proverbs 12:10)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear friends,

We always have so much to be thankful for, but this day of the year is a special time to reminisce on all that God has done for us in the past year (and years).  This year we have gained more of an understanding on why we celebrate Thanksgiving, how it was started, and of the faithful people we  hold it in remembrance.

The pilgrims had almost nothing the first year they celebrated Thanksgiving, but they knew God would provide for them and their needs.  This first Thanksgiving was after the hard winter of 1620-21, in which many of the pilgrims died.  Even when they were given the opportunity to return to England, they decided to press on, because the freedom to worship God was more important than life.  They decided to celebrate Thanksgiving simply, but Massasoit, the Wampanoag Indian Chief sent ninety tribesmen to celebrate with them.  These men hunted throughout that morning and the pilgrims had a much bigger Thanksgiving then they had ever imagined.  Again, God provided for them.  They had a vision for their families and for freedom to worship God Almighty.

Without their strength, determination, and trust in God, our country would not be where it is today.  We are immensely grateful for our Christian heritage and God's blessings upon America.  Although many don't follow Christ and seek to destroy what our country is established on, they cannot erase God's name.  Gamailiel, the Jewish teacher and leader in Paul's day, said during the trial of Peter and his fellow apostles, "But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God" (Acts 5:39).  No one can remove God's name and they cannot overthrow it, no matter how hard they try.

For this, we are always grateful, that no matter what, God's faithfulness is great, His mercies new every morning.

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:

be thankful unto him, and bless his name."

(Psalm 100:4)

God Has Spoken -- A Phillips Family Christmas Concert

Bound for New England - New Hampshire & Virginia

By: Erin

After a wonderful time in Boston, we went to our uncle and aunt's lake home in New Hampshire.  The changing leaves were so beautiful!  We especially enjoyed hiking to the top of Mt. Major, which provided us a beautiful view of an enormous lake and the changing leaves.

The colorful drive there.

The changing leaves made the hike even more enjoyable!

                                   Isaac and Luke made it to the summit before the rest of us.

Getting close to the summit.

The beautiful outlook!

Beautiful scenery provided beautiful portraits!

The aspens' yellow leaves seemed to light up the path.

After the wonderful visit with our aunt and uncle, we traveled on Saturday to Culpeper, Virginia.  On Sunday, we attended a beautiful church service with friends.  Afterwards, we ministered at a local nursing home in Orange, VA where our grandmother would minister and bring our family when we were in town.  This visit was in honor and memory of her as she went home to be with the Lord on August 25, 2015.  It was a blessing to meet some residents who still remembered our grandmother.

Our Uncle Rudy & Aunt Cecelia were able to come, and we were very excited to see them again.

On the drive home, we stopped by a friend's house to visit her once wild mustangs.  One of which (Rain) is the daughter of the famous Cloud, Wild Stallion of the Rockies, who is the only mustang (so far!) to have a whole documentary series done on his entire life.

Rain & I

We all rode on Rain, which was fun!

Cloud's granddaughter Lady Jane.

We arrived home late, but safe!  We thank God for a blessed and wonderful trip together!

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  Serve the LORD with gladness: 

come before his presence with singing."

(Psalm 100:1-2)