This session is one that is very near to my heart. Spending time with this family and these animals is absolutely rejuvenating. It isn’t just the beautiful drive to the farm, or the joy of chasing baby lambs all around the pen, or even the taste of freshly grown lettuce with homemade dressing. It’s the raw real-ness of the lives they live and the stories they have to tell. On a farm, there is awe-inspiring life springing up, and there is heart-wrenching death. There is the sacrifice of typical American comfort, and there is the exuberance of running free and experiencing the gifts nature delights us with.

The Lykosh family undertook this adventure in faith, never having been farmers before. You can read all about their journey on their blog that Amy writes.

They started completely from scratch. Or rather, from woods. They had to clear the space for the animals and farming themselves.  And everything they now know about plants and animals, growth, birth, life, and death- they learned themselves- from books and from experience. What I love about their farm, Spring Forth, is that I feel like it represents the journey of faith. There was a lot that had to be torn down and weeded out before they could begin afresh, planting crops and raising animals. Even in the short time I have spent out there, I can see how difficult the journey has been, and also how they have reaped beautiful rewards.  New life has not come without loss and sorrow- as beloved animals and plants have died. But I see incredible strength and beauty arising from those things that Phil and Amy, and their boys, have grieved over.

I hope that these images can connect you with their story and speak to you as they have done for me.

At some point in the future- they will be making a living off of their delicious fruits, veggies, honey, and other products. I, myself, am so excited for this!  Everything is organic and all that other healthy stuff that I don’t really know much about. : )