Our Family Business!

Earlier this summer, Mark & I started our own website. It is far from being finished, but I thought that I would share the link here, just in case anybody wants to check it out. :)

Our website is for our business- Heritage Farms Kennel. Basically, our story is this...

We both have a passion for family businesses, entrepreneurship etc. We have a multi-generational Vision. We don't want to be a two-income family, where both parents are at work all day & the kids are sent to daycare & public school every day. Our dream/ goal is to one day have a Farm of our own to raise our children on (as many as the good Lord gives us!), with many animals... We plan on homeschooling. We want to go as much "off the grid" as possible... One day dreaming of raising our own (grass fed!) beef, organic chickens, eggs, pork; having a huge garden etc... The goal is the buy as little (processed!) food from the grocery store as possible!

Mark's family has a kennel on their Farm. He has grown up around animals his whole life. I grew up with dogs my whole life & love animals (& the Country life!!!). We both desire to have our own home business. So it was natural for us to stay in his family's business.

We are in the process of establishing our business now. Right now, we raise Bichon Frises, Standard Poodles, Miniature Pinschers, Labradoodles, Italian Greyhounds & Teddy Bear (Shichon) puppies.

Check out our website for more information! :) THANKS for stopping by! :) Be blessed today!

(All photos taken by Cornerstone Farms Pet Photography... Taken by Emma R!)

Reviewing 2012 & Eagerly Expecting 2013!

HAPPY (belated) NEW YEAR!!!

  Yes, I know today is now the seventeenth day of January. Yes, I know that we are well into our way into the near year. But... It has been a busy couple of weeks & this is the first time I have had time to sit down & reflect on what God has been doing in my life... So... Here we go!

2012: A Year in Review

 Please check out my photography blog for a photo post of highlights from 2012. Thank you! :)

 My highlights/ favorite events from 2012 were...
The annual CHEF Conference (& Scottish Ball!) in June,
Traveling to Yellowstone in June
Making some new friends,
And...
Beginning a Courtship with Mark in August!

Favorite memory from 2012: Dancing at the CHEF Ball with my best friend!!! :)

The most impacting lesson I learned in 2012 was to: learn to surrender my precious dreams to God! [You can read more about that journey here, here & here]

Verse of the Year: Isaiah 55:11 (For context, click here)

Best books I read in 2012 were: Jesus Culture by Banning Liebscher & It's (Not That) Complicated by Anna Sofia & Elizabeth Botkin

Summary: 2012 was a hard year for me. Full of lots of decisions, stretching, trials & pain. But it also had its highlights, that's for sure! Not as much growth as I would have liked. God taught me a lot during the year- about Himself, His Faithfulness, myself, life, family, love, friends... He was (& still is!) Faithful, Sovereign & Good. He had a Plan & a Purpose (Romans 8:28) for the Path He took me on! Looking back now, it sure was a crazy ride, that caught me by surprise (in a good way!)... :)

My top 5 most popular devotion blog posts of 2012 were: Avery John Notgrass, What is "True Modesty?" Part II, Guard Your Heart, Joshua Steven Eddy: Go With God & A Multi-Generational Vision.

My top 5 most popular photo blog posts of 2012 were: CHEF Scottish Ball Photos I, Conference Photos Part III, Conference Photos Part I, Last Conference Photos- Part IV & CHEF Paintball Event.




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So, in hindsight... Some questions for you:
What were the most significant events in your life & your family in 2012?
What did you read that most impacted you the most in 2012?
How did your relationship with God change in 2012?
What was the most important life lesson you learn in 2012?
What was the most significant decision you made in 2012?
What habits (good & bad) did you form in 2012?
What is your favorite memory from 2012?

2013: Expectations!

New Year's Resolutions: None (I don't believe in them).

Some of my goals for 2013: Make improvements/ growth concerning my character, journal daily (not going too well so far), pick a verse for the year (soon!), read 52 books (one book a week) in the year (4th year running, still unaccomplished, as of yet!), as well as some personal goals, not to be blasted all over the Internet! ;)

Expectations for 2013: Growth. Change. Major life changes. Um... Yeah. We're gonna leave it at that! ;)

Prayer request: Character growth! I desperately need to grow in the areas of maturity, trust, discernment & wisdom!

Verse of the Year: ??? (undecided, as of yet!)

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So, looking ahead... Some questions for reflection:
What are some of your "New Year's Resolutions"?
What do you expect God to accomplish this year, in your life?
What areas of your life most need improvement?
How are you a different person, than you were a year ago?

Have a blessed New Year! May 2013 be the best year yet!!! :)

Unrepentant Sin

Two years ago today, I lost one of my friends & mentors to the Consequences of unrepentant sin. Memories are rushing through my brain... It seems like it was just yesterday... How quickly time flies by!

This one situation changed the way that I view everything- God, faith, family, life, love, marriage etc. Not a day goes by that I'm not affected by it... September 2010 was the hardest thing that I have ever walked through.

It taught me the utter importance of accountability. A person is a lot less likely to make decisions that will adversely affect the community around them, if they walk in accountability with other believers, being mentored by older Christians...

"A lone ranger is a dead ranger..."

It taught me the importance of community. My Church family grew a lot stronger & closer together, as the result of this event. I have never seen so many people from so many different walks of life pull together & rally together as the result of this decision.

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love & good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another,
& all the more as you see the Day drawing near..."

- Hebrews 10:25

It taught me the importance of honesty and vulnerability. If we aren't honest with those around us & let them see our faults, weaknesses & sins, then we are twice as likely to do things that we wouldn't dare to do, if we were being held accountable.

"My lips will not speak wickedness,
& my tongue will utter no deceit.."

- Job 27:4

It taught me the importance of self-control. We must learn to bring our flesh, desires, thoughts, hearts etc into submission unto the Lord.

"But among you, there must be not even a hint of sexual immorality &
all impurity or covetousness, as is proper among saints..."

- Ephesians 5:3

It taught me the importance of prayer. Prayer changes things!

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another
& pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person availeth much..."

^{- James 5:16}

It taught me the importance of holding our family & friends accountable. If I see one of my fellow believers backsliding & falling into sin, it is my duty before the Lord to humbly confront

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression,
you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.
Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted..."

- Galatians 6:1

God is bringing Good from the Pain. He is working all things together for His Glory & our Good. He has a Plan & Purpose for all involved through this. He knows what He is doing. And we are trusting Him through this. :)

"And we know that God works all things together

for the good of those who love Him,
who have been Called according to His Purpose..."

- Romans 8:28