Hello Friends!
Our days are full of activity and abounding in His blessings here in our hearts and our home! I have not been feeling 100% so I am going to just recap the activity here so I don't forget to jot these details down.

Timothy was precious to watch today as he gathered bees by feeding them sugar water and collected them for observation. He was dressed in his bee suit and a true delight to watch!

We have our garden, or part of our garden, sprouting in the living room under lights. The children love to see the growth every day. We pray earnestly that the Lord would bless the works of our hands and that our efforts would bring Him Glory!

Harmony is in labor and will be kidding sometime soon. Beth and Sarah have been sitting with her all day singing her songs and telling her stories as to comfort her. The girls enjoy being a part of this experience. I expect we will have kids in the wee hours of the morning. Elisha built a stanchion for us since we gave out other one to friends in CA. This was his first real wood working project without any instruction from daddy. My Joe was so proud of him when he came home and saw his work completed. Elisha did a WONDERFUL job! I am so thankful the Lord has given so many of us different skills and talents!

The boys (Elisha, Ezekiel and Josiah) finished painting the barn fence and chicken coop and took the rest of the day to play in the creek (what would be called a river in CA) and try out their fishing skills. They had a wonderful time! I think this will become part of their Summer routine and build lasting memories as brothers! Last night, the Lord protected the boys from a Copperhead snake while they played a game of tag at dusk. Josiah quickly killed it and buried the remains.

Samuel and Matthew work daily on taking their chickens out to graze after the sheep have been rotated. We do extra work in taking our animals out to pasture each day and putting them away at night but for our family this is the only way we have comfort and can sleep. We have electric fences that we move from here to there for the animals the graze. Once the chicken coop is done the boys won't have quite so much work to do.

Daily we take the bunnies and ducks out to graze in the garden or the orchard while the sheep and chickens are in the pasture. I enjoy seeing all the animals in their places on the farm! Bly the good and faithful farm dog is a blessing to us. Bekah is talking to trainers and learning how to teach him to be all the Lord created him for! :-)

This weekend we will be traveling to MO to pick up a new kid we are adding to our herd from our Kennedy friends! We are also visiting another friend who will be teaching us to disbud the kids. She has 18 kids to disbud so we hope we can learn and help in the process. Sunday, I will be taking Timothy to his Bee workshop (it is a two part series) where he will be building a hive and learning/reviewing skills that are needed for good bee keeping.

As you can "hear" there is much activity here at Covenant Ranch! We are joyful in all the duties the Lord has allowed us to do each day! Oh! Before I close my note would any of my friends have a copy of a book called, "The Gentle Ways of a Beautiful Woman" by Anne Ortlund? If you do and would like to part with it, I am looking to purchase a copy. Please email me with the details. Have a wonderful weekend friends!

With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood

Hello Friends!

I am delighted to share on behalf of the entire Wood family! The Lord is always teaching us. We are delighted, that because of His great grace and tender mercy, He keeps our ears open to His voice and our eyes open to His will! What a faithful God to hold His people so closely to Him when we humbly submit to His purpose! We were in fact created for His purpose and not our own weren't we dear friends? I wonder do our prayer lives reflect that Truth? Is my heart truly wanting to know His will or is it wanting my desires? I wonder what my life reflects? I must always examine myself to make sure I don't slip down the path of excuses that keep me from resting in His Truth. I am thankful that He has never given me over to my depraved mind and continually calls after me when I start to wonder. Hmm.. so much that the Lord is teaching me. I have so much to learn.

The homestead is peaceful right now! We have garden seeds sprouting, chicks growing, ewes and does preparing for birth and the ducks and bunnies enjoying the warm KS days when they are let out to graze the garden patch for us. There is much organization needed in keeping the homestead moving peacefully. I am so thankful for my children that help me keep this all going right. I could not do this on my own. Who would have guessed that this city girl would be reading farm management books before bedtime and taking her son to conventions where the biology of bees and honey production is discussed? God is truly amazing!

About the Bees: Timothy and I had a wonderful time last weekend at the KS/MO bee convention. I was surprised to see so many in attendance. I believe they said that close to 300 were in attendance from a variety of states. Timothy was so attentive and determined to learn. He was also excited about returning home with the observation hive he had won. I just have to tell you the story of this observation hive. Timothy and I had tried to win some items on Friday with the Silent Auction but were not successful. Most people were paying 4 to 100 times more than what an item was worth to support the organizations. We simply couldn't do something like that. On Saturday, I saw this observation hive sitting on the Auction table and prayed as I wrote down my bid of 25.00, "Lord, please let Timothy be blessed by this." See Friday night he had taken me to a display booth and showed me an observation hive he wanted for 150.00. I explained to him that I didn't feel the Lord wanted us to spend His resources like this and Timothy cheerfully responded, "That's okay mommy!" I told Timothy not to get his hopes up but that I had bid on an observation hive and we would just trust that whatever the outcome that would be God's will for us. All through the day, Timothy would run and check to see if we were still the highest bidder. He would cheer and run back to me, with a smile saying, "Yes! Momma we are still winning!" As I went from workshop to workshop I saw people standing by the hive and talking. On three different occasions I heard them say, "Oh don't bid on that.. the little boy is trying to win that." Friends, God in His great kindness, put it on peoples hearts to not bid and let my Timothy win this hive! Not one person bid! When Timothy went to pick up the hive I paid the women at the table. When I turned around I discovered a crowd of people had gathered around to share in Timothy's excitement! There were so many cameras going off that I felt I there must be a movie star in the building! :-) One man was even recording Timothy. Everyone was so happy that Timothy had "won" the hive and many kind suggestions on how to use and display the hive were given. It was a precious moment and something I will cherish for many years to come!

I would love to share what we are learning about the sheep, goats, ducks and chickens but time is limited and I must stop for now. I trust the Lord will let me share with you soon. There are so many good things happening on our homestead! I give God all the Glory for that!!!

With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood

Hello Friends!
This week has continued to be an adventure. I often wonder if I shouldn't call our blog, "The adventures of the Wood family." It seems there is never a dull moment here in our home and for that I am truly thankful! I will do a quick recap (okay, long recap) of our week~ I hope you enjoy the peak into our hearts and home.

I have recovered from the "car incident." God gave my Joe an extra measure of grace. He is such a wise and loving daddy. He walked in, saw the little ones with disappointment in their eyes, and without saying a word knelt down and gave the most tender of hugs as he whispered, "I forgive you." Those babies were so sad that they had disappointed us in their eagerness to find "treasures". I am thankful that they will always remember this event and grow. I am even more thankful for the grace that we were able to show to them as an example of His grace toward us. In a family of twelve we are always experiencing "Spiritual Growth" which can bring about some "growing pains" from time to time. Side note: Grandpa Rick says he'll clean out his own car. :-)

In a phone conversation with another Sister. I was reminded of something my Momma said to me years ago. I wanted to share her wisdom with you as well. She said, "Jeanette, any child can have a stay at home mom but blessed is the child who's mother's heart is at home." I have pondered her words many times over the years and even now I am encouraged to do well in my ministry at home. I am so thankful for my mother and the other "older" women that have invested in my life.

Tuesday, My Joe was able to be home with us after being on the road for a very long time. We enjoyed a visit with new friends who were able to fix my printer- Yippee! How blessed we are to have friends that invest in our lives both through prayer and practical measures! I was thanking the Lord today for preparing the body of Christ, here in KS, for the Wood family. As we get to know new friends we are amazed at what love they have for us! It has been such a treat to see this kind of love in action in the body of Christ!

Tuesday night, after taking my Josiah to his guitar lessons, I was taken to the ER. Without warning, I had terrible pain from an internal hernia. After much prayer and careful watching of the "kink" it came undone and I was free of pain. The doctor feels it is the same hernia reappearing from almost two years ago. Some of you may remember when the horse ran over me and caused two tears in my abdomen and a broken foot. I have an appointment this Tuesday with the surgeon to discuss how to resolve this matter. They fear that more surgery could cause other problems. We will see how the Lord leads. I am confident that the footsteps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord and He will direct the doctors and give us wisdom on how to proceed. I am so thankful that the Lord had my Joe home to be with me through this experience. In fact, Joe has been off the road since Tuesday. We have been blessed to know that the Lord allowed us so many days to be in each others company!

The rest of the week has been full of activity. I must confess however, that I have been on the sidelines watching and cheering them on with strict orders to rest. Another friend, Mr. Ribelin, came to help my Joe with the electrical for the new bathroom we are putting in the basement. What a labor of love!! I do hope the girls cinnamon rolls somehow showed our thanks for his kindness!

The baby chicks are growing fast! I just love hearing all the chirping. The variety of chicks we have is simply delightful to look at. I think I have a few of the children "hooked" on watching chickens with Momma. I just love to watch chickens; I find it peaceful and entertaining! We have more chicks coming this week. What fun! We truly do take this privilege of caring for His creatures with great honor. It is rewarding to care for these farm animals!

The goats and sheep are all doing well. We expect to have lambs and kids by the end of March. Everyone is eager to see all the blessings the Lord has in store for us! Mr. Ribelin is coming next week to trench water to the barn for us. This is going to be so nice especially since we have always carried water to the animals wherever we have lived. The barn is really a work in process. Each of us are excited with all the Lord has given us!

The ducks and bunnies have been enjoying some of our sunny KS days out grazing. We acquired some collapsible yard pens for dogs so that the children could work in the garden and have their bunnies or ducks along side them grazing. I have some movable fences we will be using for our sheep and goats grazing as well. We truly are having much fun living where the Lord has taken us!

Joe enjoyed falling some of the dead trees here on the property. Ezekiel took some wonderful pictures of the entire event. I had to tease Joe about having too much fun and falling trees just to fall trees not because they are dead. :-)

The girls and I are getting excited planning and preparing for our garden. It will be fun to see how the Lord blesses the work of our hands. We have so much to learn. I want so desperately to bring Him glory as we work here on the farm where He has led us!

I see the Lord doing a great heart work in each of my children as well as my Joe and I. We are growing dear friends! I am so thankful that He never leaves us to ourselves! Today, I sat and considered the fact that His hands were pierced for my sake. Oh, how I had this overwhelming sense of wanting to kiss His hands, to feel His hands hold my face and to rest in His presence! Hmm.... one day we will be in His presence! It is my prayer that I don't let the temporal things keep me from focusing on those things that are eternal.

That is an overview of our week here at Covenant Ranch!
Until our next chat...
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood

Have you ever had one of those mommy moments where you're not sure if you should cry, scream or laugh? Well, today I found myself in a moment just like this! Here's what happened....

I asked two of my children to clean out the car. They were excited to do it in exchange for one of my "foo foo coffee's" that I make. I could hear their cheers as I went into the house and trusted that all was well with the car and the kiddos! Once inside, I got busy helping Bekah with her high school transcripts. After some time, in comes running the children, with joy, explaining how they found money in the car. They were so proud as they held out their hand to show me their treasures:

one key that goes to something but nothing I know about
three quarters
twelve pennies
one dime
and one shinny marble

"Surprise Momma! We found money!"
"Wow!" I exclaimed, "Where did you find all this?"
"Oh, it was in all the seats of the van! Can we have it?? can we??" They both replied
"Are you sure it isn't one of your brothers or sisters?" I questioned
"Oh yes! We are sure! We had to cut it out of each seat!" they both said confidently

At first I thought my ears were playing tricks on me. Once I realized that I really did hear what I thought I heard I went running outside to see how they had cut these treasures out. I sat in the car with my mouth wide open not knowing what to say. I didn't know if I felt like crying or just what I should do. The little ones were showing me how they made their cuts (aprox. 3 inches long) on the bottom edge of EACH and EVERY seat. They could see by the mere fact that I was speechless that they didn't quite surprise me like they were hoping. Oh! I was surprised alright. Just not the way they wanted to surprise me! I couldn't raise my voice at them, I couldn't fall apart. So if I knew what I couldn't do why didn't I know what to do? I knew they hadn't done it to be naughty they simply didn't think. I couldn't decide how to respond so I thought I should just stick with showing them mercy and grace! How many times have I done something without thinking first?! I have needed mercy and grace to many times to count dear friends!

Later, Josiah comes in and says, "I heard you found my money. Can I have it back?" Without thinking, I responded. "NO! You can't have it back!! It's mine now!" Some of the children hid their faces into their coats so I couldn't see their giggles at my response. Others, started saying, "She isn't going to give up that 97cents now!" I even began laughing. Why? I truly did not find this funny! Stress! It had to be the stress!

At any rate, it was a learning moment. We had to talk about thinking first. Being a voice of reason if we are with someone when they get a "wild" idea and how we NEVER EVER cut anything that belongs to someone else without asking first. When moments like this happen.. I just think.. "Someday I am going laugh about this. Maybe not today... but someday I will!"

With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood

Hello dear friends!

Today, I was thinking that perhaps there are some that do not know the story of how I decided on such a curious signature (Mrs. Joseph Wood). There may be some that think I do so as a sign of "Spirituality" or maybe to hide my true identity. There are some that have questioned if I have lost my "self" and do not know who I am. Oh! Dear friend, it is none of these things! Let me share with you why I really sign my name as Mrs. Joseph Wood; may this testimony be a blessing to you.

It was the fall of 1999, I had a sweet friend that moved to Michigan (Christine) who would take time to write to me almost every day and share what the Lord was doing in her heart and home. I enjoyed those precious chats. We had serious talks through email, educational chats- spurring each other on in well doing and simply fun chats as we grew together in His grace. One thing we use to do often was sign our letters with different signatures that represented the "mood" of the day. For example, one day I might sign my name as: A Handmaiden Hiding in Him. Another day I might sign as: A Thankful Servant and so forth. Well, one day I was finishing up a letter to Christine as my Joe walked into the room and read my note to her over my shoulder. In a teasing jester I signed my name as: Mrs. Joseph Wood. My Joe's face just lit up! He then began to tell me how he use to love seeing his Momma get mail. He shared how he remembered seeing her with magazines that would always read: Mrs. Bernard Wood. Even as a young boy he was blessed by his mothers devotion and love for his daddy and that she would want to use his daddy's name in correspondence. "Oh how happy I am that you would want to use my name." were Joe's words to me. I will never forget his joy. The way he hugged me and the smile that remained on his face for such a long time. All because of my signature? Lord, could such a small act really mean so much? At that moment, I decided that I would forever change my signature. In honor of my Joe I have been Mrs. Joseph Wood ever since that day. At times, I start to feel nervous and worry about what people must think however, the Father graciously reminds me that it is not for me to worry about. I should only concern myself with what He thinks. And somehow, in some way, the Lord sees my heart desire to bless my Joe and is blessed by it as well.

So there you have it friend, that is how my signature forever became Mrs. Joseph Wood. May you be blessed as you too desire to please your husband!

With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood

The children, especially my girls, asked me to write out the love story between my Joe and I. I know I have shared our testimony of how we met and were wed but the girls were looking for something different. They wanted to hear their mommy and daddy's heart sing the song they see lived out each day. My children often tell my Joe and I that we make marriage look so easy and yet, we always tell them of the self sacrifice, the pain we have shared that they have never known, the tears from "growing pains" and His amazing grace that continually sees us through. It is my prayer that they too will enjoy the journey with someone that loves them as my Joe has loved me. Well, at any rate, here is the short note I shared with them. Enjoy!~

To my dear children,
The love story between your daddy and I is written out each day that we awake and live for God's Glory. I could never have imagined that the Lord would take Sinners, like us, and give us a life filled with so much hope. Daily, I am greeted to your daddy's voice saying, "Good Morning Lady Sunshine" and instantly the melody begins to play. Our love song can be heard throughout the day as we work, live, dream and love together. As you know our life has been far from ordinary; God has given us ten amazing children. We have lived in the most beautiful of homes, to tents and cabins without electricity. Washing our clothes in creeks, cooking over fire and boiling water for baths. Yet, no matter where the Lord has taken us, our Love song has played sweetly as we lived for His glory! We have had our fun moments of bears, lizards, and out houses. Sad moments as we have held onto each other and our Faith in God when life storms have tried to steal everything else away. Joyous moments when God chose to give us another blessing from heaven and Victorious moments as we lived out our faith and led someone to Christ. All of these moments together have created the most amazing orchestra playing the love song that only our Savior could write. Dear children, until we take our final breath may you always hear our hearts as we live out our Love Song!

With much love,
Momma Wood

My heart is heavy... let me simply share this verse that is refreshment for my Soul and this quote that encourages me to never grow tired of sharing His Truth.

Ezekiel 18:23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

]

Oh! that all might be Saved!!!!

Hello Friends!

As a family, for the last several years, we have enjoyed watching football games with my father. Even if we don't live close by we will watch the game where we are and call him talking "football." When we started this tradition it was our hope that we would create good memories. I can not share how blessed I have been, getting to know my father in a very special way, even his grand babies call him and talk "football." We have had to guard our eyes and ears in some unique ways and decided to create our own commercials and half time presentations. Each year the children have worked for weeks before the Superbowl to present their creativity. It has been fun to watch and record their "commercials" and "half time presentations." This year had to be one of my favorites! Since three of the children have started taking music lessons we were treated to a Covenant Ranch Concert! Several of the little ones sang Joyful Joyful with the most adorable voices and then others gathered together to present a fun skit. I am sure years from now these clips will be treasured even more than they are today! I hope you enjoy watching these. Please let me know if they don't work for some reason. You might need to pause the music at the top of the page and turn the volume on your computer up so you can hear the children's voices better.

Have a wonderful week with your families dear friends!

OH! By the way, is anyone else going to Denny's for their FREE grand slam breakfast on Tuesday? The Wood family will be there with some other families we invited. Six am for breakfast and devotions! If you live near by and want to join us we would love to have you, so please consider yourself officially invited!! If you don't live near us you can always find the Denny's in your area and invite others to join you there for a time of fellowship, devotions and songs. It's not too often that a restaurant gives out free meals without restrictions!

With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood

Our little homestead has a name! After much prayer and discussion between Joe and I, the children and my parents we have decided that this homestead will be called Covenant Ranch. This is a reminder of the Covenant He has made with us and the covenant we have between ourselves as family! SO....

WELCOME TO COVENANT RANCH!

Timothy will be attending the State Bee Convention where we will be learning from others. Some of the most precious people will be there! We are very excited and want to be prepared for the day the Lord brings bees to Covenant Ranch.

Beth- Joy, Bekah and I have been busy with garden plans! We must still our hearts and wait patiently for Him to lead us and show us what to plant and how much. For in our excitement, I would buy one of everything! I just love to garden! I love to feel the dirt in my hands and eat the fresh fruit or veggies from the vine. I love the work of the garden. At times I must make myself leave the business of life and just get away to the quietness of the garden.

Sarah-Grace and Elisha are expecting their does to have kids in the next six weeks. They have taken much time to simply sit with their animals and get to know them. We have been learning a great deal on Natural Goat Care and we are very excited to see how the Lord continues to lead us in this area and then the reward of obeying His leading.

Samuel and Matthew are expecting 60 baby chicks to arrive this Monday. They are counting down the days! Timothy is still loving his ducks. We are using our duck eggs for baking since they are higher in fat and seem to give our goodies that delicious rich flavor that we enjoy!

Josiah and Ezekiel are hard at work with the sheep. Their goal is to raise their lambs to 100lbs in 100 days after birth. They have a financial reward waiting for them if they accomplish this great task. They are learning and will be doing a great deal of land management here on our property. Learning to plant crops that will not only sustain our barn animals but cause them to thrive. We have so much to learn! It will be a fun day when we can share that the boys have reached their goal!

Jed and his bride to be, Aubrey are doing very well. It is a joy to hear their voices and excitement about their lives together. Lord willing, we will be coming back to CA in September for the wedding. Everyone is excited to have Aubrey join our family "officially" even though we already feel like she is part of our home.

Well friends, that is the update here at Covenant Ranch! The Lord has filled our hearts with a JOY that is everlasting and we praise Him for these simple days on our little homestead. May He continue to grow us in His Grace!
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood

Hello friends!
Thank you to everyone that has "checked" in on us! We love you all dearly. I had taken a blog break per my husbands request so that he could prayerfully decide if blogging was still the Lords will for our family. We have been blessed to share with you all for the last three years and will continue to do so as the Lord allows.
Today, I share with you a note that my Joe asked me to write. I pray that you are encouraged and blessed by all that you read here at "Bought with a Price."

Hello to everyone!!
Today, we write to share with you our hearts. I imagine if we were in Biblical times and had tents we would be running through the camp shouting, "Come hear all that the Lord has done for us- Great is our God!"
It is good for us to share with one another and remind each other of His Faithfulness! The Scriptures tell us that His people were led astray when they forgot His deeds. May He keep us ever mindful of His continuous work on our behalf! As Joe and I have walked with the Lord for the last 19 years we have witnessed His Faithfulness, Love, Healing and Mercy in abundant measure. We often share with others as the Lord allows but always are reminding our children of His acts of Kindness toward us, His people. It is our prayer that as we share with you, you too will be encouraged to count His Faithfulness!
Today we took our son, Timothy, in for an eye appointment. It was discovered last year that Timothy had difficulty seeing; Timothy has worn eye glasses for the last year faithfully. Without glasses, Timothy eye sight is 20/300 in the Left eye and 20/150 in the right eye. This means that what we see 300 feet away, Timothy has to be 20 feet from it to see the same thing. The doctor we met today told me, "As soon as you pulled your sons glasses out from your purse my heart dropped because I knew your son couldn't see." Dr. Carpenter tested Timothy's eyes and checked his old glasses to compare the prescription. Throughout the exam, I shared with him how Timothy had countless accidents prior to getting glasses and we never realized that he couldn't see. He had his eyes checked many times at the doctors office. As Dr. Carpenter continued testing Timothy. He said, "This is just so sad. If is vision had been corrected when he was younger we could have expected much better results." He continued his testing and after much time I could hear excitement building in his voice. Within an instant the doctor almost bounced in his seat and turned to me with a smile saying, "Do you know what this means?" I shook my head no and with a curious look said, "No! I don't know what any of this means." He continued testing Timothy and writing frantically on his clipboard. Then he said, "I just got Timothy's eyes to respond with a corrected vision of 20/50- in the left eye and 20/50+ in the right eye. That means that Timothy can see at 20/40 which is needed for him to ever be able to get a drivers license, or work in a variety of fields." I could not hold my excitement and I shouted, "Praise the Lord!" with tears streaming down my face. See last year, when we first had Timothy's exam we were told he couldn't see even with corrected lenses more than 20/60. Dr. Carpenter continued testing Timothy and repeated many times that he had never seen such good improvement with depth perception after only a year of wearing glasses. In fact, he went on to say, "I am very encouraged! Had I put Timothy in glasses as a baby I would not have expected better results that what I got today" Continually, I kept saying, "That's the Lord." "Thank you Jesus!" "It's all because of God!"
Timothy picked out his new glasses and as a family we have decided that today is a day of celebration. Sarah Grace and I are in the process of making a cake at this very moment.
When little Matthew heard the good news, of what the Lord had done for his brother, he shouted, "BRAVO!!!!" Our hearts agree and we too say, "BRAVO LORD JESUS!! BRAVO!!" Oh, how faithful He is to His people. That our King has such a love for Sinners as ourselves. Don't you just find this type of love amazing?!
My Joe and I are confident that each one of us have moments when God has shown Himself strong and done the impossible! Perhaps some memories are easy to recall and then others have slipped from our minds eye. Can we encourage you to ponder His faithfulness? Think back to all the big and little things He has done for you, your family and your friends! Write them down, talk about them with others. Do not forget His deeds- for they are great! My Joe has determined that the Wood family will begin a new tradition of keeping these memories alive in our hearts and home with a celebration that we will call, The Feast of Miracles! The verse that the Lord put on our hearts was, (Psm. 27:13) "I would have fainted had I not believed that I would have seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Dear Friends, I can not tell you how many times I would have fainted... NO! I would have perished!!!.... had I not believed I would see His Goodness here, in the land of the living! God has continually done good things in our lives. Even in our darkest and heaviest moments He has carried us, comforted us, and led us gently in His Grace. If we were to count all the deeds of His faithfulness in our lives they would be too many to count! Yet we are determined to set our mind on things above and to speak of His great deeds to this generation and the next. All for His Glory!
With much love,
Joe and Jeanette Wood