Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Goodbye 2008

What a year! 2008 was one of the most stressful but blessed years in a long time. Was stressful almost losing goats and their babies during labor. Was a blessing for us to be able to save the moms and the baby goats. Was a big blessing to have Diva and Sammi deliver 4 babies each! Was stressful having Williams truck breakdown but a blessing to have friends to help us get another truck and be there for William. Was stressful having our friend and neighbor go through a rough illness and pass away. It was a blessing that William was able to be here so we could help lift and help care for her so she could stay home. It was an even bigger blessing to be able to grow closer with a dear friend and hear her wonderful memories. It was stressful finding out Nitro had cancer and had to be put down. It was a blessing to be able to bring him home and spend 2 weeks making his last days happy ones. It was a bigger blessing to have his kids and grandkids to carry on his genes. It was stressful losing a homestead forum friend. It was a blessing having him as a friend and being able to go to his memorial service and speak to his family. It was stressful getting 8 new goats from Tennessee. It has been a blessing having them a part of our 4 legged family. They have given us more happiness than stress. It was stressful losing our little goat Sweet Pea. It was truly a blessing having her for the few months she lived. What a sweet loving kid! It was stressful remodeling the kitchen but what a blessing to have a kitchen that works for our simple life style. There were lots of stressful family problems throughout the year. But what a blessing that we had the family love and strength to get through the problems. Yes, 2008 was a very stressful year for Hidden Haven. But what is even bigger about 2008 for Hidden Haven is the blessings. 2008 was a very blessed year for us and I have faith that 2009 will bring even more blessings into our lives. My wish for you is a year of blessings. Happy New Year!

25 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Great post, Peggy... I guess all of us have our ups and downs---our stressful times and our blessings. The key is to not allow the stressful times to control us, but to dwell more on the blessings!!!!!

Happy New Year!
Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

One of our biggest blessings in 2008 has been getting to know you and your large "family" - always a pleasure to check in with you each day. Through happy and sad times, you are a true friend. Bless you, Mildred

Tracy Bruring said...

Peggy, You have no idea how many people you touch by just being you. Your life on the farm with William and the kids and grands sets such an amazing example that most of us aspire to. I wish I had your level of love and compasion. But you know what? When I watch you and read the things you write about here and on homestead.org, it makes it ok for me to change toward that. It makes it safe. I fear having hurt feelings by opening myself up to people the way you do...yet you do it with such grace. And peoples lives are changed because of it. I really love you and love your heart, the way you love animals and provide for them, your selflessness, and compassion. I am glad that you have the life you do and live it to it's fullest. I will pray continually for God to fill you up moment by moment so that you can keep on giving. Blessed full New Year to you.

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

What a wonderful post, Peggy! Isn't so true that God has a blessing even in the heartaches! Have a happy and blessed New Year...Debbie

Heidi said...

Peggy - you know what I love about you. Your endurance to always keep a good attitude. I have never come here and not been uplifted, or compelled to think about what you have said. This is truley a Hidden Haven in the world and I am so blessed to be able to come here and just rest with you - resting in His comfort and love. I love your caring heart, your love for your family furry and human. God bless you and keep you and your family in the next year!!!

Thistledew Farm said...

Thank you for your New Year's wish - I hope to receive a year of more blessings than stress - it's been about equal this year and look forward to more blessings next year!

Christy said...

I feel the same way about 2008, I'm trying to stay focused on the blessings and let the stresses go.

Anonymous said...

Good post! Hope you have a good 2009!

JK said...

Wishing you a non-stressed, bright, healthy, happy and prosperous New Year (and kidding season)!

Phill said...

Blessings all around for a wonderful 2009 for you and the glorious beasts at Hidden Haven! I always try to remember, as you say, that the tough stuff is part of the plan - Teaches us something we need to know.

Carole Burant said...

Oh sis, I've missed so many of your wonderful posts but please know that I've now read them all and am all caught up:-) You certainly did have a very stressful year but this is what I love about you, you always see the blessings as well. I so look forward to another year of friendship with you, you truly are the sister I've never had:-) Wishing you and yours all the very best that 2009 has to offer. Love you sis. xoxox

Joanna@BooneDocksWilcox said...

Nice - everything that was stressful had a flip side of being a blessing too. Peggy, is that you at the bedside of your friend?

Lib said...

Hi Peggy,
Happy New yr. to you and yours!
Blessins',Lib

Mary said...

Peggy,

Though you struggled over mountains and trudged through valleys in 2008, you were also abundantly blessed.

My wish for you in 2009 is for you and your family to be abundantly blessed with love, laughter, good health and prosperity. Happy New Year, my friend.

Yes, Customs holds things up a long time. Sandy sent me a parcel that took six weeks. We thought it was lost, but when it finally arrived, it had been in Customs for weeks. Pea will get her parcel.

Blessings, my friend.
Mary

♥ Noelle ♥ said...

Hope this new year brings you lots of joy!

Noelle*

Kuma's Mom said...

Happy New Year from Germany!!! WOW the Germans are crazy about their fireworks!! Thank you sooo much for watching after Kuma! Give everyone lots of pats and love for us. Jason & Debbi

The Mind of a Mom said...

Hey Peggy

My blessing was finding the Haven and meeting you and Nana Nell. So that is one more blessing you can add to your list. Thank you for sharing with us
Have a safe and happy New Year
All the very best to you, William and Diva and all her friends

BIG HUGGSS

The Raggedy Girl said...

Peggy:
What a wonderful and touching post. I keep you in my prayers and being allowed to share in your life is such a privilege. Thank you so much and Happy New Year to you and your family and all your furry friends.
Roberta Anne

Anonymous said...

You have had quite a year, haven't you dear Peggy! I pray that 2009 will bring you far more joys than sorrows!

Cathy said...

Hello Peggy

Happy New Year to you and all your family.

Thank you for dropping in occasionally during the year, I have been so tied up with all my own problems I'm sorry to say I haven't returned the compliment as often as I would have liked.

You have had your fair share of joy and sadness this year haven't you, is it really less than than a year since you said goodbye to Fran? I'm sure better things will come your way
Take care
Cathy

amelia said...

Happy New Year Peggy!!

It makes me very happy each day just reading about Hidden Haven so I shall continue to do so this year too!!

Wishing you and yours, a very happy and healthy one!!

Jenny said...

That wheelbarrow full of kids is so cute! And, wow, four babies each! That must have been fun watching them grow.
~Jenny~

Deb said...

Hi Peggy,
Your goatie friends are all so cute. Every baby is such a gift. I have just a few and love them all :)

Happy New Year to you and yours - wishing you a wonderful 2009 full of blessings and happiness and lots of healthy, bouncy babies!

Deb
Tylerfarm

FarmHouse Style said...

What a wonderful post and a beautiful attitude toward the hard times that life has a way of throughing our direction. I wish you a very Happy and Blessed New Year, Miss Peggy.

Rhonda

The Muse said...

happy new year to you!