A mentor of mine in high school once said something that stuck with me.
He was a thoughtful, creative teacher who often shared little glimpses into his home life—stories about his wife, his then very young kids, and the ordinary rhythms of family. One day in class, he mentioned that he and his wife had gotten into a rut. They kept saying, “I’m just so tired.” Over and over again. It became a recurring phrase in their home.
Until one day, they consciously decided they didn’t want to be tired anymore.
So they stopped saying it.
They chose better words. Better thoughts. And that simple shift? It brought more energy and life into their home.
That story came back to me recently because—wow—isn’t it wild how much our thoughts affect our mood?
You’ve probably had days like this: everything feels off, you’re sluggish, maybe a little withdrawn… then something exciting happens, and suddenly you’re lit up with energy and joy.
I remember this happening the day I got engaged.
Benjamin picked me up for a hike at Minneopa State Park on a sunny November day. I woke up in a bad mood. I told him I didn’t feel great—I was tired and crabby. But he was on a mission that day and didn’t let my attitude get him down.
When we got to that beautiful spot along the Minnesota River and he unexpectedly got down on one knee, I lit up from the inside out. My circumstance didn’t technically change—but my thoughts sure did.
And they sparked a cascade of excitement, gratitude, and eagerness for the future. Suddenly, all my ailments were cured—haha!
A miracle.
Spoiler alert: I said YES.
And now, here I am all these years later—farming, raising five kids (two in high school already, one who just got her driver’s license, what?!) and still choosing to dream.
Because every dream starts with a thought.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” — Philippians 4:8
What a powerful reminder from God’s Word to be mindful of what we dwell on. The thoughts we choose have the power to lift our hearts, shape our days, and reflect the light of Christ.
So today, I want to offer you this:
What thought could you choose right now that would bring more energy, more peace, or more hope into your day?
You don’t have to change everything. You just have to change one thought.
And the ripple effect? It’s real.
You’ll be amazed what one small shift in your mindset can create in your life.
With hope and vision,
Leah
Your Farmer & Friend
A Special Birthday Meal
Our oldest daughter, Natalie, turned 16 last week! She’s adventurous with food and requested Shrimp Scampi—sautéed in our own farm-fresh butter, of course—and a fluffy Pavlova made with farm egg whites for the meringue base. Both turned out beautifully.While we love eating local and seasonal most of the time, it’s also a blessing to enjoy the occasional treat—like fresh seafood and sweet fruit—especially when celebrating something special. Nourishing food, joyful moments, and family around the table… it doesn’t get much better than that.
