Psalm 34:18 assures us "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."  I keep this psalm close to me as I go

  about the daily chores of deciding what aspects of Cedar Swamp Farm I will continue, and which I will have to save for another day, or another 

  generation.  My Life Application Study Bible (NIV version) says about Psalm 24 that "God promises great blessings to his people, but many of these 

  blessings require active participation.  He will deliver us from fear (34:4), save us out of our troubles (34:6), guard and deliver us (34:7)show us

  goodness (34:8), supply our needs (34:9), listen when we talk to him (34:15), and redeem us (34:22), but we must do our part. We can appropriate

  his blessings when we seek him (34:4,10), cry out to him (34:6,17), trust him (34:8), fear him (34:7,9), refrain from lying (34:13), turn from evil, do

  good, and seek peace (34:14) and humble (34:18), and serve him (34:22)."

I will continue to grow greenhouse tomatoes, heirloom winter-keeping squash, and field-grown garlic.  I will keep a few Heritage Spanish Black

  turkeys for breeding and expand into egg-laying duck breeds, such as the Khaki Campbells and Indian Runners. I hope to have the entire flock on

  organic feed by the spring of 2015.  I hope to add Huacaya Alpacas at a future date. 

My study bible reminds us that "God knows what we need, and our deepest needs are spiritual. Even though many Christians face unbearable

  poverty and hardship, they still have enough spiritual nourishment to live for God.  David was saying that to have God is to have all you really need. 

  God is enough."

All of the future farm endeavors for Cedar Swamp will be for the education and promotion of self-sufficient living.  The products produced will be

  available at our General Store located in Abington (See address below). The circular sawmill operation is currently for lease.  "We often wish we

  could escape troubles-the pain of grief, loss, sorrow, and failure; or even the small daily frustrations that constantly wear us down.  God promises to

  be "close to the brokenhearted," to be our source of power, courage, and wisdom, helping us through our problems.  Sometimes he chooses to

  deliver us from those problems.  When trouble strikes, don't get frustrated with God. Instead, admit that you need God's help and thank him for

  being by your side." (Again, from my Study Bible.) 

James 1:27 states "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep

  oneself from being polluted by the world."  Current U.S. statistics show that there are over 102,000 children in the United States alone that reside in

  the Foster Care system and are legally avaliable to be adopted.  I ask only that all of you who believe keep me in your prayers as I embark on this

  exciting new journey into adoption!