07/21/2026
There is something so satisfying about hay season.
We have been blessed to put up over 300 bales so far! A huge thank you to a generous neighbor who let us cut his old pasture, and we're also thankful we were able to harvest the ditch grass again this year. Casey thinks that now that these bales are out of the way, he'll be able to go back and cut the bottoms of the ditches for even more. What a blessing!
Putting up hay is truly an all-hands-on-deck effort around here. It means longer evenings, with hot temperatures, and plenty of bugs. But this year I noticed something...there was a lot less complaining from both the kids and Casey. 😆 I'll call that progress!
Casey was especially excited about his "new toy"—the hay rake. It has made such a difference by flipping and spreading the hay so it dries more evenly before baling. Thanks again, Bryan!
Every time we pull this equipment out, I'm reminded of how incredible these machines really are. I'm especially fascinated by the baler. It performs so many tasks at once, and everything has to be perfectly timed and synchronized to produce those nice, tight bales. It's amazing to watch it work!
Most hay evenings involve multiple trailer loads, and not every load gets unloaded the same night. We always make sure the bales are tucked away somewhere dry because, around here, you never know when the next rainstorm will roll in.
Every bale we stack is one less bale we'll have to buy this winter. More than that, each one is a reminder of God's faithful provision. I'm thankful for a body that can walk, lift, and haul hay. I'm thankful for a family willing to work alongside me. I'm thankful for neighbors who generously share what they have, for equipment that makes the job possible, and for the opportunity to steward what God has entrusted to us.
As I looked across and saw rows of freshly baled hay, I couldn't help but praise God for His beautiful creation and His abundant provision. He so often provides exactly what we need through the kindness of others, the work of our hands, and His constant faithfulness.
"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." — Psalm 24:1
Thank You, Lord, for another hay season, for the strength to work, and for providing for our family once again. ❤️