I remember feeling shy, but excited. I remember being welcomed by Lylah and her gently telling my kids how to be around chickens, without scaring them or intruding. I remember being invited to linger and take my time and just soak in the gardens. It was only a few blocks from my home, but I had escaped to a Wonderland for my soul.
Over the next few years, Lylah became my friend. She walked the path of adoption and miracle pregnancies.
She and Michael invited me to photograph newborn baby goats and Lylah just being at home in the garden. I remember sitting on the ground surrounded by baby goats and thanking God for this beautiful respite.
Brian and I even attended the most amazing cooking class there as an anniversary present to one another.
When friends and family visited, it was an absolute joy to take them to the simple farm.
I watched as the farm changed, as we all do in different seasons. The farm had this beautiful way of growing into exactly what the community needed. Did we need to learn the lessons of tenderness with nature? Did we need to learn the joy and abundance of growing our own food? Did we need the beauty of honeybees and bright pink flowers and checkered tablecloth‘s and warm butter melting off of pastries? Or did we need the Earth to teach us as we grow old how to care for ourselves?
I watched as Lylah and Michael followed God‘s plan for the farm with obedience. There were days that they may have wondered why they were prompted to change directions, but they always did so, with a joyful and gracious smile. Serving others can often come with so many questions. but serving others is what they do so well. They follow God’s plan with their whole heart and people can’t help but come beside, them in joy and humility and love, wanting and hoping to learn the secrets of their wonderland.
