Family Life - January-April 2026

Well, it appears I should perhaps alter my modus operandi and go to family updates every 4 months, rather than every 2 months. My history over the last year is not shining favorably on my consistency and my life is not showing a great sign of slowing down, but here is a glimpse of the Smith's life from January thru April. 

*Disclaimer: remember that only the "good" pictures end up on the blog. There is a great deal of undocumented life that goes on off the blog and a great deal of need for Jesus Christ's continued sanctifying grace. I say this just in case any of you have gained the impression that our family is perfect or has it "all together". 

The winter/ice storm that swept across a great portion of the US, hit us 
late January.

When I drive out in the frigid temperatures and see icicles hanging from
the cattle's ears, sometimes I do not understand how they survive through the
severe winter weather we get here.

Winter storms can make for the best memories though.

As we were unable to drive the trucks on the ice, we fed
the cattle with the tractor and wagon. Those were some long, 
cold rides!

A picturesque Sunday evening of Bible study.

In early March, I flew up to NY to spend a long weekend 
with my friend. She and I were prison ministry partners for
several years, but when the Lord closed that door for me, there
were no longer opportunities for us to be together, so after
2 1/2 years, we had girl time again!

I wanted to see Lake Ontario!

Coming back from a cold NY to a warm KY was lovely.

My sister, Emma, and her boys came up for a visit in March. "J" is 
almost 4 now and "C" is 2.

New babies!

Signs of spring!

Plowing up the garden...

I organized and facilitated an online Mother's Day fundraiser
for the ministry I work with. For a donation of a certain
amount, we sent a gift bag.

Enjoying the treat of a latte (with coconut milk)!

The hope of spring...it always comes...no matter how long the
winter seems.

Confidence in Christ

At a certain point last year, the Lord had me in specific places each morning during a week in my devotions. The study time was blessed, and I felt rejuvenated and helped by the Word. As I came to the end of the week, I realized something special: there was a common theme woven throughout the entire week of rhema passages -confidence.  

Sunday: "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31

I can walk in confidence because I am of value to God, and He knows the steps that I take.

Monday: "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love." Song of Solomon 2:1-4

I can walk in confidence with Christ as my Shadow, covering, satisfying, resting, and protecting me.

Tuesday: "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy..." Jude 24

I can walk in confidence because Christ is able to keep me from falling and hold me secure in the Father. 

Wednesday: "Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." 1 Peter 1:21

I can walk in confidence that because of Jesus Christ, my faith and hope can be securely rooted in Him, in God.

Thursday: "To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ...But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..." 1 Peter 2: 4-5, 9

I can walk in confidence that I am beautiful, desired, and valuable before my Lord and Father.

"...if we hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." Hebrews 3:6b

Family Life - The Rest of the Year

Hello all and happy March! 2025 was quite a year, and although I was able to decently keep up with blog posts, "Family Life" updates failed sadly. Disclaimer: this post has a huge amount of pictures in the attempt to make up for the several "Family Life" updates that I missed. Hopefully, 2026 will be more consistent, but as it's March and I have yet to do one for January and February, we shall see. 

So, here May-December 2025 in pictures!

Our family sadly lacks the reputation of successful gardeners, but I was determined to try again. I enjoyed getting my hands in the soil and in the midst of a lot of change and upheaval, I enjoyed looking out the window to my little world of organization and beauty.

In May, I hitched a ride up north with Dad, and while he visited with his friend and looked at cattle, I was able to spend some time with my sweet friend. We have known her family for 15+ years and she a I used to do prison ministry trips together before God called her into the blessing of marriage and now motherhood. It had been quite a while and we had a sweet time catching up. 

I headed up an online Mother's Day fundraiser for the pro-life ministry I am event coordinator for. It was a chance to give to the mom "who had everything" by giving a financial gift in their honor and then we sent a sweet gift box to them.

I reveled in the flowers!

Slight break in the flower pictures for one of Peaches. Isn't she sweet?

The bumble bees and butterflies made my heart happy.

Emma and her family visited in July.

This past summer was extremely hot and the garden suffered in consequence, but apparently it provided enough shade for Ladybug to take a snooze under.

More house remodeling work! Joel has become so skilled and knowledgeable in building which is such a blessing!

House project: Ella and Joel putting up insulation

Headed off for an afternoon of cattle work!

It grew necessary for us to finish Grandma's apartment ASAP. Again, Joel was such a help in completing some needed tasks.

House project: cleaning up the new build preparing for drywall.

Working late preparing for drywall...

We celebrated Grandma's 83rd birthday!

Our pro-life ministry had our annual fall fundraiser event in mid-September and as event coordinator, I had my work cut out for me months ahead. This was taken after I had been out shopping for the items that were put together for the sponsored silent auction baskets.

September 10, 2025, will go down in history as a day of tragedy, as we witnessed with horror the murder of Charlie Kirk, a champion for Biblical faith, the beauty of the family, and religious and political freedom. I highly respect Charlie and what he stood and fought for. His death was a horrible loss, but with gratefulness, I hear of the impact his testimony and words have had. To God be the glory. 
Charlie's wife, Erika heads the ministry PROCLAIMxBIBLE365, a "making heaven crowded" ministry as well as a Bible-in-a-year reading program. I was taking part in the reading plan, and while planning the ministry fundraiser, I reached out to ask if PROCLAIM would consider sending items for one of our sponsored baskets in the silent auction. I was blown away by their generosity and kindness. The package of all their items arrived just a day or two before Charlie was killed. It was beautiful. 

The fall fundraiser event turned out so well! What a blessing and I was so thankful! Turnout was good, the program went like clockwork, the baskets sold well, and although there were a hiccups, I was so happy and cried when I got in the car after it was all over. The Lord was so kind.

Silent auction basket...

The fetal development table...

And the pumpkin decorating contest!

Finishing Grandma's apartment

Taking a moment to capture a memory in the midst of the incredulity of the situation.

In September, Ella and I were volunteers at a WW2 event not too far from us. It was a sweet chance to do something together, dress up, and enjoy the energy and feel of the event. Unfortunately, my phone was on the glitch and I wasn't able to get good pictures from the day, so a selfie in the car has to suffice.

We moved Grandma into her apartment the 1st of October.

My 27th birthday at Hobby Lobby!

Family pictures!

An evening walk...

House project: painting the brick skirt around the house to match the new siding.

House project: Joel and Ella caulking 

House project: demoing a bathroom...

House project- a Lowe's trip

Family outing to pick out a Christmas tree. 

Merry Christmas! 

My sweet baby is so old (she'll be 17 this year) and struggling with lameness. Before some colder weather, I moved her to the barn to get her on flat terrain and so she could receive some more intense care. She is due to calve in June and we are all rooting for a girl as this may be her last calf.