Isaiah 43: 18-19

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"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert".

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Faith. Clarity. Hope. Peace.

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Today marks the first day of 2025. Last night, the revellers in Time Square celebrated and embraced. Couples became engaged. Others wept with emotion as they could tangibly feel the passing of one year to the hope of the new. While some see this day as strictly another day on the calendar, I don't.

 

For as long as I can remember, the anticipation for a blank slate, a fresh blank page in a new chapter has always brought me so much anticipation and hope. 2024 was heavy. But because today is the start of that fresh new page, I, we, must cling to our faith in our God and believe in His word that all things are made new, He will make a way through the wilderness and bring hope where for too long there was none. 

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This is what makes January 1 such an emotional day for many. I know I'm not alone, as I see words and messages of hope in so many places today. People need hope, we need hope now more than ever. There are loved ones in our very central family who face uncertain futures due to severe illness and it brings fear and uncertainty. Today I take inventory as many of us do. A little over a year ago, I recall my pastor and friend asking me to come over and give an assessment of his apple trees. Dormant, the trees were awaiting a much needed pruning. My pastor wanted my expertise but what I didn't truly see coming was how that little conversation about pruning would become so much more, in addition to one of his Sunday sermons. He knew that I was actively pursuing my relationship with God as an adult who needed to reconnect.

 

We talked about God, pruning things from our lives that do not serve, and strengthening foundations that must remain in order to grow and strengthen our lives and our walks with God. Mind-blowing. Such a simple concept yet how we so overcomplicate our lives with so much noise and distraction. I'll never look at pruning the same again. My life became over run with "too many branches, too much overgrowth" and because of it, "the fruits" of my labors & life suffered as well. Overgrowth can cause invasive pests, disease, no sunlight. Life felt the same.

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I'm so grateful for the years of growth our business has experienced. It is the primary source of financial support for our family and has allowed me to serve our community in ways that years ago I only dreamed of. Somewhere along the way, I can also confidently say that things got really muddy. Too busy, too much. Too many perceived priorities. Of course we all know that eventually, that means your tractor is going to get really stuck in the mud and things can begin to break down. 

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2025 gives us yet another chance, a fresh page to walk right with God, set priorities, and let the rest go. It feels like a good first step. Let Go and Let God is a phrase I find myself reciting subconsciously, often. Wouldn't life in general be so much more peaceful if we could all live this way, every day? I for one will strive to. Focus on the things I love. My God, my family, teaching, orcharding. Let the anxiety, stress, depression and hopelessness go.

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In 2024 I was offered a rare chance to potentially reach thousands. Lyon Press approached me about writing a book. They'd discovered me via the Modern Homesteading Conference and found my story intriguing, sincere, authentic. A book focused on my holistic orcharding life. Experiences, family, orcharding perspective all tied together. I've been trying to get the proposal completed which has taken far longer than it should have. This was one priority that was lost in 2024 and it's on my heart - a foundational branch that needs nurturing. Your prayers would be appreciated.

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I hope and pray that you all look to this new year, anticipating hope as you jot down the first few words to this new page of life. 

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Sweetly,

Nikki