As the year comes to a close, my heart is overflowing with gratitude for the abundant blessings we’ve experienced on our farm and in our community this year. Wow!
Looking back, it’s incredible to realize that our farm has touched over 120 families in 2024. Many of you have become more than customers; you’ve become dear friends. I’m so thankful for the ways we’ve shared time together, exchanging recipes, stories, pregnancy & birth announcements, grand babies, and other encouragement in so many ways. It’s a true joy to be part of your lives and to know we’re walking alongside each other in this life of faith & family.
One of the greatest blessings of this year has been the way our family’s cooking at home has shifted to almost 100% home cooked meals and adding more “nose to tail” meals to our plates. My kids have discovered how fun it is to cook meals on their own or as a family and try new cuts of meat. Many of the new recipes have come to us from customers like YOU who have a rich tradition to call on. And I am happy to report we are all feeling great! Hearing so many of you share similar stories of health, joy, and connection through your own home kitchens has been a huge encouragement to us. What a gift it is to return to these meaningful rhythms together!
Now, as the farm work quiets and we step into a season of rest, we’re savoring the gift of time with family. It’s a time to reflect on the miracle of Christ’s birth—God Himself, coming to earth as a tiny baby. And why did He come? To save us from our sinful condition by sending Jesus to live a perfect life for us, to suffer and die on the cross for us, and to raise from the dead for us that we too may join Him in heaven! This is the true hope of Christmas, and it’s what fills our hearts with peace and joy, even on the busiest days.
As we celebrate, I’ll leave you with a line from one of my favorite Christmas hymns:
“Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth.”
Wishing you all a season of joy, rest, and renewed hope in the Savior,
Leah & the Matzke Family
