Beautiful! In a similar vein, I teared up recently simply because a young black man with dreadlocks held the door for me, a 70 year old white woman. Racism is stoked every day, everywhere, but obviously not everyone is onboard. We don't have to be divided, we can always be kind. Not expecting that it will always be returned, but we can do our part. I'm praying for that young man. The day before, when we asked our waitress if she had any prayer needs, she teared up. She confessed that she had been a bit depressed; she was missing her sister who went to be with Jesus three years ago. I'm praying for her also. The world is going on in its broken, sinful way and we can only do so much. Even Jesus took time to get away from the crowds and the needs in order to commune with His Father. Life is beautiful; we just have to focus on the right things. God is taking care of all of it and it will be made right in His time.
I get it. My life is a tug of war between the medical practice and the avocado ranch. The farm life poses a whole different set of challenges and joys. I do believe that our grandchildren, who are being homeschooled, playing in the creek, mucking the horse stalls, looking for where the cat has stashed the new kittens, and countless aspects of rural life, will benefit hugely from this blissful existence. The fact that they have fathers lovingly helping moms raise them, and are being exposed to the truth of the gospel, are equally important stabilizing factors in their young developing minds and hearts. In a way, we live in a time warp. We are grateful to be able to live this way, as it is now exceptional.
Love it! Read it to my 79-year-old husband and he recalled this quote from CS Lewis in Mere Christianity:
"It is easy to think the State has a lot of different objects—military, political, economic, and what not. But in a way things are much simpler than that. The State exists simply to promote and to protect the ordinary happiness of human beings in this life.
A husband and wife chatting over a fire, a couple of friends having a game of darts in a pub, a man reading a book in his own room or digging in his own garden—that is what the State is there for. And unless they are helping to increase and prolong such moments, all the laws, parliaments, armies, courts, police, economics, etc., are simply a waste of time."
I often travel to Skyline Drive to get away from DC. Each trip as I pass by Madison, I salute you an Jill for leading an exceptional life of service. You deserve much peace and moments of joy for what you've endured.
Can't put my finger on it but that was my favorite Substack from you thus far. It really resonated with me.
In 2019 I was so stressed my wife and I sold our company in the West and moved back to the east coast where we're from with the intentions of maybe slowing down. The issue was, we were 35. We didn't know why we thought "slowing down" is what we needed.
We used to complain ad nauseum about how we felt life's pace was better when we were kids. Not because of our level of responsibility but because the times were different.
Now that we're back east, we discovered it was more the lack of control we had over our overall wellness and security in a world ever striving to be more and more temporary everyday; that gave us these bad feelings.
As I'd mentioned before we silvopasture Mangalitsa pigs, keep hens for eggs, and free range chickens. This is when the empty holes started to fill in for me. It was when I could feel that aside from some physical battle, nobody could take our freedom and security. I didn't have to hope everyone else did their job properly in order for my wellbeing to be assured.
Reading your substack brought me through those same emotions again today but this time I was different. At the end I was instantly overwhelmed with joy. Thanks Dr. Malone.
Thank you for sharing about life as it should be. Your reflections revive all of our souls. Enjoy this pause as you revive yourself before continuing the fight of our lives. You are so loved and respected by people you will never meet.
Just back to Chicago after three days in Wisconsin farm country with my family. Coming back to the concrete yesterday felt like I was stubbing my toe. I just wanted to stay where it's green and where the sky is big. Thanks for sharing.
Good. Take care of yourselves. Take care of your souls. Sometimes the world is too much, too wearisome, and it wears one down. We know who you are and what you do for us. Eat blueberries and look at clouds.
"Most of these people have no idea of the evil that lurks beyond the hills, and have never heard of the New World Order, Great Reset, Klaus Schwab, or Agenda 2030."
My goodness, I never realized that they hadn't heard of all that. That sounds so nice.
Thank you. What an exquisitely joyful read. I believe this is how God intended for us to live life...in community....caring for and reaping from that which He created. It reminded me of a passage from Psalms. " I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Ps 121:1-2
Beautiful! In a similar vein, I teared up recently simply because a young black man with dreadlocks held the door for me, a 70 year old white woman. Racism is stoked every day, everywhere, but obviously not everyone is onboard. We don't have to be divided, we can always be kind. Not expecting that it will always be returned, but we can do our part. I'm praying for that young man. The day before, when we asked our waitress if she had any prayer needs, she teared up. She confessed that she had been a bit depressed; she was missing her sister who went to be with Jesus three years ago. I'm praying for her also. The world is going on in its broken, sinful way and we can only do so much. Even Jesus took time to get away from the crowds and the needs in order to commune with His Father. Life is beautiful; we just have to focus on the right things. God is taking care of all of it and it will be made right in His time.
I get it. My life is a tug of war between the medical practice and the avocado ranch. The farm life poses a whole different set of challenges and joys. I do believe that our grandchildren, who are being homeschooled, playing in the creek, mucking the horse stalls, looking for where the cat has stashed the new kittens, and countless aspects of rural life, will benefit hugely from this blissful existence. The fact that they have fathers lovingly helping moms raise them, and are being exposed to the truth of the gospel, are equally important stabilizing factors in their young developing minds and hearts. In a way, we live in a time warp. We are grateful to be able to live this way, as it is now exceptional.
So happy to read this Dear Dr. Malone. Blessings to you and Jill and rural life.
Love it! Read it to my 79-year-old husband and he recalled this quote from CS Lewis in Mere Christianity:
"It is easy to think the State has a lot of different objects—military, political, economic, and what not. But in a way things are much simpler than that. The State exists simply to promote and to protect the ordinary happiness of human beings in this life.
A husband and wife chatting over a fire, a couple of friends having a game of darts in a pub, a man reading a book in his own room or digging in his own garden—that is what the State is there for. And unless they are helping to increase and prolong such moments, all the laws, parliaments, armies, courts, police, economics, etc., are simply a waste of time."
I often travel to Skyline Drive to get away from DC. Each trip as I pass by Madison, I salute you an Jill for leading an exceptional life of service. You deserve much peace and moments of joy for what you've endured.
Can't put my finger on it but that was my favorite Substack from you thus far. It really resonated with me.
In 2019 I was so stressed my wife and I sold our company in the West and moved back to the east coast where we're from with the intentions of maybe slowing down. The issue was, we were 35. We didn't know why we thought "slowing down" is what we needed.
We used to complain ad nauseum about how we felt life's pace was better when we were kids. Not because of our level of responsibility but because the times were different.
Now that we're back east, we discovered it was more the lack of control we had over our overall wellness and security in a world ever striving to be more and more temporary everyday; that gave us these bad feelings.
As I'd mentioned before we silvopasture Mangalitsa pigs, keep hens for eggs, and free range chickens. This is when the empty holes started to fill in for me. It was when I could feel that aside from some physical battle, nobody could take our freedom and security. I didn't have to hope everyone else did their job properly in order for my wellbeing to be assured.
Reading your substack brought me through those same emotions again today but this time I was different. At the end I was instantly overwhelmed with joy. Thanks Dr. Malone.
Thank you for sharing about life as it should be. Your reflections revive all of our souls. Enjoy this pause as you revive yourself before continuing the fight of our lives. You are so loved and respected by people you will never meet.
That the the real America that we love.
Just back to Chicago after three days in Wisconsin farm country with my family. Coming back to the concrete yesterday felt like I was stubbing my toe. I just wanted to stay where it's green and where the sky is big. Thanks for sharing.
Good. Take care of yourselves. Take care of your souls. Sometimes the world is too much, too wearisome, and it wears one down. We know who you are and what you do for us. Eat blueberries and look at clouds.
This is lovely.
My late mother's home was Palmyra, Virginia in Fluvanna County. I spent summers therer asa young man. I love it. I miss it.
Thanks for tjher beautiful words aboutthe joys ans simple pleasures of the rural Virgina.
We have been thinking about moving from MD to a small farm in VA - you may have just sold me on it!
Enjoy your peaceful respite - you deserve it!
"Most of these people have no idea of the evil that lurks beyond the hills, and have never heard of the New World Order, Great Reset, Klaus Schwab, or Agenda 2030."
My goodness, I never realized that they hadn't heard of all that. That sounds so nice.
Thank you. What an exquisitely joyful read. I believe this is how God intended for us to live life...in community....caring for and reaping from that which He created. It reminded me of a passage from Psalms. " I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Ps 121:1-2
I’m so glad that you are able to take a break from your many travels and lectures. I will pray for Jill’s speedy recovery.
Farm life is hard work but very rewarding. I come from a long line of farmers. One of my favorite smells is potato dirt. It has a unique aroma.
I bet Virginia is beautiful this time of year.
I'm choked up just reading this. It's really the heart of the matter. Beautiful reminder. Thank you.