Today’s crazy cold, blustery, drizzly {please no flurries!} weather is tempting my heart to sink into that dreary winter place. But the tulips, daffodils and dogwoods have spoken: spring and new life is here! Yes to life…even on a dreary day, right?!?!

IMG_9374PINIT

Sun kissed tulips at Cheekwood on Saturday.

I’ve never known life in all of it’s fullness, both beauty and brokenness, the way I know it now. It’s a gift for sure, but there are days when I struggle to see it that way.  Today could have been one of those days. But then there was this: girls and a husband who had just left for school, running back into the house with squeals and shouts, telling me to grab my camera and boots because there was new life in the pond! {So much for being on time to school; we live on a farm, and there’s life to enjoy!}

IMG_9451PINIT

Off we go…to behold new life!

IMG_9477PINIT

There’s so much I haven’t told you! The babies who hatched here in October stayed on the farm through our insanely cold winter {the rest flew away and haven’t returned}. In the last month, we’ve had up to six ducks nesting all around our house. This is the first one to hatch. She nested beneath the bushes right outside our family room window:

IMG_8560PINIT IMG_8559PINITOn Sunday, we saw eggshells everywhere with no sign of baby ducklings, so we thought the nest had been attacked by a predator. {Sadly, that’s happened here in the fall…just days before the eggs were due to hatch.} We’ve had our fair share of heartaches on the farm and have learned that loss is a part of life here.

But in a glorious Easter resurrection kind of moment, we went from assuming death on Sunday to new life today! I have no idea where the mama hid her babies on Sunday and Monday, because I can assure you they weren’t in the pond! In fact, Buddy and Bella were patrolling the pond all day on Sunday because a river otter was splashing around in there, and they didn’t like it one bit.

IMG_9443PINIT

I don’t know if river otters and ducklings go together, but Buddy and Bella are super protective of the ducks, so they don’t like anything else in our pond. The river otter is gone {and left a bite on Buddy’s nose}, but the snapping turtles remain a threat. {Praying I don’t witness an attack while admiring these babies.} All we can do is let the mama do her thing. Her instincts are incredible!

IMG_9471PINIT

IMG_9474PINIT

IMG_9492PINIT IMG_9488PINIT

IMG_9484PINIT

God must have known my heart needed reassurance this Easter week. {As if the cross weren’t enough!} He knows my wavering heart…my struggle to feel abundantly alive when the sky is gray, when my heart is hurting, when my marriage is strained, when my house is a wreck, when I’m lonely…He knows. And He doesn’t shame me or condemn me for feeling this way. Instead, He lifts my head and shows me beauty in the midst of brokenness.

And then He sends His Son.

IMG_9309PINIT

Did you know the Dogwood blossom symbolizes the crucifixion of Christ?

Beauty from brokenness.

Life from death. 

YES!

Linsey signature 100pix

 

 

Back to TopEMAILPOSTFacebookPOSTSubscribe
Write a Comment

  • Cindy - Ahhh, Linsey…this really touched my heart. Thank you for sharing yourself in such a genuinely guided way…and thank you for sharing the new ducklings. The sun will shine again and spring will reveal even more splendor. Praying for you, your family and the ducks. Happy Easter!ReplyCancel

  • Jennifer - Linsey, these promises, this glory, this hope and beauty is making me cry. I love how you choose to *see* and how you share it here. Oh, your words, your heart, these photos! Wow! So thankful. He is here, yes, wrapping you up, sister. Love to you.ReplyCancel

  • Dianne - Lindsey I love this post! You seem to suffer internally and emotionally a lot… BUT… you seem to always rise above it with your faith. I admire that!ReplyCancel

  • Gracia @ Gracious Offering - Linsey, How I value your openness and authenticity…in this crazy world we live in where most want to just present the “got it together” image. And, Yes, God knows our struggles and “remembers that we are dust” (Ps 103). Rejoicing with you that He chooses to show us compassion! Beautiful photos once again. Happy Easter to you and yours. Warmly, GGReplyCancel

  • Clara - What a treat, indeed! Have you read any of Elisabeth Elliot’s books? I think you might really enjoy them. I’m almost finished with A Path Through Suffering. It has given me a new perspective on suffering, and seems to be a perfect read during the Easter season.ReplyCancel

  • Kathryn - please don’t let your marriage be strained. Nothing compares to the need to safeguard our marriages. God gave you a wonderful partner. So be his partner and trust in God. Carry on sweet sister. All is well…all is well.ReplyCancel

  • Sherry - Linsey, your photos are glorious! They make me feel so good. Gods glory is awesome! Try not to dwell on all the bad and just look up to him. He will see you through. Life on this earth will never be perfect, there will always be heartache. We must rise above it and we can through him. I look forward to all your posts too!ReplyCancel

  • Niki - Dear Linsey… Sweet Linsey… It was hard, and it was all grace, His grace. His grace is.on.you!ReplyCancel

Happy Friday, Bravehearted Beauties! Are you ready for a weekend? I sure am! I’ve got a treat for you today. Instead of writing out of my own heart, I’m going to share some goodness from a few other brave and beautiful hearts. ENJOY!

1. What Suffering Does by David Brooks – One of the best things I’ve read on suffering. And in an unexpected place…the New York Times. Here’s what’s sticking with me:

“People shoot for happiness but feel formed through suffering.”

“…people who endure suffering are taken beneath the routines of life and find they are not who they believed themselves to be.” {And I would add: we often find ourselves to be MORE than we believed ourselves to be.}

“[Suffering] smashes through what they thought was the bottom floor of their personality, revealing an area below, and then it smashes through that floor revealing another area.”

“Even while experiencing the worst and most lacerating consequences, some people double down on vulnerability.”

2. How to Win What Your Brave & Broken Heart Needs in Real Life by Ann Voskamp – This sister gets it. I love the way her heart spills out in writing, and I just know we’d go deep in an instant if we ever get to meet in person…on one of our farms preferably! A blog reader once told me she only reads two blogs: mine and Ann Voskamp’s. Honored, but if I could choose only one, I’d pick hers every time!  Amen to every word, but here are some favorites:

“The Brave are the ones who trace the inside of their everyday wounds and don’t grow hard.”

“The way you find the threads to suture up the fractures of your heart — is to let your frayed places be tied to someone else’s frayed places. Don’t think for a minute that anyone heals a broken heart alone.”

“We need the broken parts of your story to fill the the cracks of our hearts — and you need the broken parts of our story to heal your own broken heart.”

3. Podcast with Christine Caine – She’s asked about platform, but hones in on character. She talks about the “selfie” vs. old school photography, and where she goes with it will surprise you. Her words about the darkroom spoke right to my photography loving heart. I spent countless hours in the darkroom 15 years ago. Little did I know, I’ve been in a different kind of darkroom for the last two years. And thanks to Christine, I have a new perspective:

“The darkroom is where the image of Christ is formed in you…through suffering.”

4. The Courage to Be Vulnerable, an interview with Brené Brown – This woman is on fire! I claim her as a hometown hero {she’s a professor in Houston}, but she’s known all over now thanks to a TED talk that left her with nearly 15 million views and a vulnerability hangover. Everything she says about vulnerability is remarkable and noteworthy, but here’s what sticks with me from this interview:

“Can it be that our capacity for wholeheartedness can never be greater than our willingness to be brokenhearted?”

“Vulnerability is courage.”

If nothing else, this list gives me an easy way to find these articles and podcasts again, but I hope they speak to your heart, too. And you know me, I can’t leave without sharing a bit of beauty!

IMG_1609PINIT

Spring is finally here!

Love from one Bravehearted Beauty to another,

Linsey signature 100pix

 

Back to TopEMAILPOSTFacebookPOSTSubscribe
Write a Comment

  • christine - So funny that you mention Brene Brown. Recently, I had someone tell me to read the book, The Gift of Imperfection by Brene and I’ve been downloaded the audio book and I’ve been listening to it and I thought, I wonder if Linsey knows about this book? 😉 Hope you don’t think that’s strange, but the thought entered my mind because of what you’ve written about. Thanks for the links!ReplyCancel

  • Mom - Lins, I read David Brooks’s column, too. There are volumes that could be written about his very thought provoking words, and as the comments reflect, everyone has a different take on suffering. As for me, life without some suffering is not very much of a growth experience. Whether or not it makes you a better person, well, that is not always obvious.xoxReplyCancel

  • Holly - It’s amazing how you can happen upon a blog so unintentionally and yet find yourself feeling that it was indeed….intentional. This post really spoke to me and I thank you for sharing the other resources which I plan to take some time to really read and absorb. With two little kids, I just realized that I haven’t focused on any “soul nurturing” in a long time. It’s much needed. It is so easy to just stuff all our baggage into a little box…never to deal with. Courage is facing that box of stuff, junk, baggage or whatever you’d like to call it! Thank you, Thank you!
    And to think, I was just looking on the internet for information on relocating my family to the Brentwood area from Atlanta. Go figure. I came out ahead on this one.ReplyCancel

Sometimes being a Bravehearted Beauty means saying YES to life when your first thought was NO. It means surrendering the plan and embracing the mess, not because you crave chaos, but because you long for MORE LIFE. And sometimes, saying yes to the messy and unexpected is the way to more life.

IMG_9003PINIT

My girls are still shocked that I said yes to four new baby chicks this weekend. The plan was to wait until summer. The plan was to go to the Farmer’s Market, not the Farmer’s C0-op. The plan was to get a handle on some of the current messes {the puppy, the clutter, the chicken poop on the porch, the dishes and laundry I keep ignoring} before welcoming more mess. But who could resist saying yes to more life when it looks like this?

IMG_8993PINIT IMG_9022PINIT IMG_9036PINIT IMG_9057PINIT IMG_9158PINIT IMG_9174PINIT

IMG_9218PINIT IMG_9217PINIT

My girls keep thanking me and telling me how much I’ve changed since we left Houston. I’m so touched by what they notice. It hasn’t been easy for me to give up control, order, predictability and familiarity, but I know it’s been good…for me and for my family. It takes a brave heart to say yes to the mess of life, but the beauty that follows is always worth it.

How about you, sweet friends? How are you saying yes to life today?

Linsey signature 100pix

Back to TopEMAILPOSTFacebookPOSTSubscribe
Write a Comment

  • Dianne - You certainly did the right thing. Those chicks are adorable. WHAT WONDERFUL MEMORIES YOUR CHILDREN WILL HAVE AS ADULTS. THAT FARM IS PURE HEAVEN!ReplyCancel

  • Jennifer - Dear Linsey, thank you for your heart, your sharing these words. I want to say yes to play and kindness. Today is the first day of our spring break, and on these weeks I can struggle with the balance of work responsibilities and the joy of family. I want to seem Him and trust His plans for me, His schedule. Thank you!ReplyCancel

    • Bravehearted Beauty - Oh, Jennifer, I want to say yes to play, too. I told our mutual friend Abbey that I need to take lessons from her in playfulness. It doesn’t come naturally to me at all. Thank you for using that word today. I needed it. May there be unexpected playfulness in your spirit and in your week. xoReplyCancel

  • Gracia of Gracious Offering - Linsey,
    Good for you! Your girls will have such wonderful memories of these years…when Mom said “yes” to new baby chicks!
    Today I’m saying “yes” to letting go of worry about my husband’s lack of work and the resulting financial strain. Clinging to Eph 3:20, “Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding more than we ask or imagine…” Happy Monday to you! Beautiful photographs once again! I dream of attending one of your Beauty Hunting retreats some day:).ReplyCancel

    • Bravehearted Beauty - Gracia, Ephesians 3:20 is a constant prayer of mine. My imagination is so limited. He can always do MORE than I can ask or think. You are saying yes in a faithful way. Blessings to you in your yes.ReplyCancel

  • Jennifer G - Oh how timely this post is for me! I just said “yes” to a mess of my own. (Mine does not, however, involve any sort of farm animal!) I’m nervous but excited about this next chapter in my life and so grateful that God is giving me the opportunity to get messy. XOReplyCancel

    • Bravehearted Beauty - Jennifer! Proud of you! Sometimes I wonder why it had to take so long to learn to embrace the mess. Only God knows! xoxoReplyCancel

  • Nicole - Well, so far today I’ve said yes to cleaning up messes and unloading the dishwasher and the responsibilities of homeschooling… 😉 But I’ve also said yes to working extra hard on schooling today so that we can prepare for a light and fun day on Friday. Break’s over now. Time to get to work!
    P.S. Those are the sweetest little chicks. Makes me wish I could live in your shoes for just a day and enjoy their cuteness!ReplyCancel

  • tara - we’ve been on similar journeys..you know this already.
    my kids and Andy notice the transformation, too. [praise JESUS!}

    how am i saying yes to life today?
    i stopped long enough to soak in God’s truth…it makes all the difference in living life abundantly, through the lens of his truth.

    love you friend.ReplyCancel

  • Nancy - Oh how cute! I can’t wait until we can move to the country and get some chickens. Until then, I guess I will live vicariously through you! 😉
    Trying to say yes to life and live life abundantly!ReplyCancel

    • Bravehearted Beauty - The good news is, we can say yes to life in the city and in the country! Where we are doesn’t matter as much as where our heart is.ReplyCancel

  • Julie - Hi Linsey! I love your blog, your writing, your call to embrace the life God has blessed us with to the full! My friend, Lori, sent me to your blog months ago and I’m so glad she did!

    Thank you for stopping by my new little blog today. So sweet of you.

    Blessings,
    ~julieReplyCancel

  • Ruth - Oh Linsey, so loving where you are coming from these days. This embracing the mess took me so much longer to achieve than you. It is so freeing to give up and let God lead the way. Glory days… I still can’t see through my dirty windows, but my heart is clear in God.ReplyCancel

    • Bravehearted Beauty - You encourage my heart today, Ruth. I sometimes feel frustrated that I spend so many years avoiding my mess and trying to be so perfect, but I need to remember God’s timing is just right. I love that you can’t see through your windows, yet your heart is clear!ReplyCancel

  • katey - I love your new blog name and layout. It looks really nice. I’ve thought about you and have been meaning to catch up on my reading here with you. I’m glad I did. Yes to mess are what the girls will remember. I know you are loving this wonderful spring that finally made its way here. It’s been amazing. Enjoy! KateyReplyCancel

  • Abundant Life on Ten 10 Farm » Bravehearted Beauty - […] winter place. But the tulips, daffodils and dogwoods have spoken: spring and new life is here! Yes to life…even on a dreary day, […]ReplyCancel

  • Easter Lambs » Bravehearted Beauty - […] of way. Being around the sheep made me feel alive. And I’m all about saying yes to life these […]ReplyCancel

Hello, Bravehearted Beauties! How’s your heart today? I’ve been thinking of you this week…and wrote a bold and bravehearted post to encourage you, but it vanished into internet oblivion right after I finished. Not a single word remains. It was the kind I’m not sure if I can write twice {I tried}, so I’ll just go with what I’ve got today: some farm goodness!

IMG_8655PINIT IMG_8661PINIT IMG_8662PINIT IMG_8665PINIT IMG_8672PINIT

IMG_8678PINIT IMG_8676PINIT IMG_8679PINIT IMG_8695PINIT IMG_8707PINIT IMG_8711PINIT

That’s what we call farm entertainment! No television needed here…just a big cup of coffee and some time to sit. Once Aslan figures out that cats, ducks and chickens can’t be herded, things will settle down a bit. But for now, he’s a mess of happiness who adds a whole lot of life to our farm!

Happy Friday to you, Bravehearted Beauties!

Linsey signature 100pix

 

Back to TopEMAILPOSTFacebookPOSTSubscribe
Write a Comment

  • Ruth - Words need to be written and not necessarily shared. Once they(words) are on the paper it is perfect and God knows best. And you realized that. Absolutely adore the photos. Felt as if I was there sharing your joy.ReplyCancel

  • dianne - That last picture just made me melt! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Sherry - I love all your farm family! All of God’s creatures are so cute and special and they bring such fun, laughter and happiness! You capture them all in a glorious way! It makes my day.ReplyCancel

  • Kim - Trusting those words were meant to be for an audience of One.ReplyCancel

  • Meredith Bernard - Love the border collie (am I correct…?) chasing the chicken. That’s priceless. 😉 We have a border collie my husband uses to work cattle and the scene just looks so familiar. Also love your words and I’m sorry your first words were lost…but I’m sure they weren’t “lost” and isn’t that a wonderful thought? Blessings today. Your newest blog following friend,
    MeredithReplyCancel

    • Bravehearted Beauty - He’s a sheltie, but because of his coloring, is often confused with a border collie. I think they work very similarly. Great dogs!ReplyCancel

Weekends are full of surprises, aren’t they? It all started with a visit to the barn this afternoon, where my husband was working on his current farm project: retrofitting a barn stall into a chicken coop. Our crazy chickens have ditched the mobile coop for the barn…and are making a real mess of it! They roost in the rafters and drop bombs all night. Lovely, I know.

IMG_8943PINIT

But what happens next is lovely. As I was looking up, admiring my husband’s handiwork, he lowered his eyes and exclaimed vigorously, “GOOD LORD!” I jerked in surprise. He was wide-eyed. 15 beautiful eggs, perfectly laid in a make-shift nest, just under the wood chipper, in a stall we were using for equipment storage.

IMG_8623PINIT

And so the hunt began. Where else had our girls been laying? We were surprised by the smaller than usual collection this week, but thought it had something to do with the crazy weather…or the dogs, who have helped themselves to eggs at times. But no…our girls have found secret spots to lay.

IMG_8642PINIT

So there you have it, friends. A huge haul for a single day…all because our chickens have gotten creative with their nesting spots. Surely this many eggs deserves a photo shoot!

IMG_8935PINIT

IMG_8918PINIT IMG_8947PINIT IMG_8924PINIT

Happy weekend, Bravehearted Beauties!

Linsey signature 100pix

P.S. I got a good laugh at the upside down Texas flag in the last post…not out of disrespect to my home state, but because our entire life has been upside down since we moved! We flipped it today thanks to a few attentive readers. {Apparently, to hang it upside down is a sign of distress. That very well could’ve been me at times…though I didn’t intend to say so with the flag!}

Back to TopEMAILPOSTFacebookPOSTSubscribe
Write a Comment

  • Erica - Love surprises like this–wonderful things where you weren’t expecting them to be!ReplyCancel

  • Sherry - This is so sweet and cute and everything good! I love your chickens, they are beautiful!…..of course they have a forever home on my Pinterest boards! Love your stories and all. You are inspiring to me and I love when I have a new blog post from you. Thank you.ReplyCancel

  • Amy - I love your egg basket full of beautiful eggs. It looks like I could just reach in and touch one. So fun to find an egg in an unexpected place, but finding that many is awesome. Blessings my sweet friend.ReplyCancel

  • Shirley@ Housepitality Designs - What a wonderful surprise…Gorgeous photos of your “ladies”!!! How great to have fresh eggs right out your back door!ReplyCancel

  • Linda - Omigoodness, that’s quite a haul. Think you could share?ReplyCancel

  • Tara - Beautiful eggs…wish I was near enough to take some off your hands!ReplyCancel

  • Amanda - Oh I love this! Secret nests! And your BEAUTY T-shirt is positively perfect! XOXOXO!!!!!!ReplyCancel

  • Tone on Tone Loi Thai - Hi Linsey – Congrats on your beautiful new site!! And all those fresh eggs – wow! It must be wonderful for you and your family to enjoy them, and to know they came from cage-free hens raised with love. Happy spring!
    Cheers,
    LoiReplyCancel