New Year Goals, Meat Subscriptions

Another year in the books. Feels like the quickest one yet. Each trip around the sun seems to go by a little faster. If anything, the New Year brings a reminder to make the most of our time. To be intentional with it. Which means prioritizing how best to spend our time. 

In 2025 I made about 15 measurable personal or family goals. About half of them I completed in full (though I’ll admit some required a December sprint to get them accomplished). Some of them, such my writing goals, I failed at miserably. But I still followed through with measuring my progress (or lack of it in this case) throughout the year’s entirety. Overall, I averaged 83% on 2025 goals. 

2026 comes with new goals. Amy and I spent yesterday morning talking about goals for the coming year. Some family goals such as game nights, music nights, and hospitality goals. Some personal goals in regards to exercise and fasting, and yes some still writing goals though I didn’t fare well with these last round. And of course some farming goals. 

I know a lot of folks aren’t big on New Year’s resolutions, but I am. I don’t expect to hit a target unless I aim at it. Even if I aim and miss, I’ll likely come a lot closer to it than not aiming at all. I set goals because I need them. Without them, I’ll drift into complacency or worse. One reason I have New Year’s goals is because I know I can be better. What would a better husband, father, and farmer look like? And why not aim at it? 

Amy’s family came up after Christmas for the weekend. Her dad spent most of Saturday helping cut fire wood (still from trees blown over by Helene). 

Quite a bit of hay feeding for the cows. Keeping bedding down for the pigs. Collecting way more eggs daily than our family can eat. Amy has been keeping chicken broth simmering all week. 

On Wednesday we got beef back from the processor. After sorting it into the freezers, we went ahead and filled January herd shares. One of us will be at the Abingdon Farmers Market tomorrow from 10:00-noon. Come see us. Only two markets each month until April (1st and 3rd Saturdays). 

Amy has an appointment with the midwife this morning. We’re about 2 months out from meeting our little boy. While we are all excited for the expansion of our family, we also know this year is going to be a roller coaster. I’m not sure how we’ll navigate deliveries, markets, homeschooling, and so on. We’ll figure it out. 

We pray for you all this year. For your health, your relationships, for your contentment and discernment. We pray for peace and joy in your lives. 

“The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.”
2 Timothy 4:22

Happy New Year!

Will