When I am lost in the mystery, to You my future is already a memory...

The Great Him by his first outlet (1 of 3) at Maple Valley Farm January 2012

Mother's Day 2012 HomemakerAng and the kitty cats

The Gentle Giant and HomemakerAng Glen Arbor, Michigan July 2012 

From where I'm standing

Lord it's so hard for me to see

Where this is going

And where You're leading me

I wish I knew how

All my fears and all my questions

Are gonna play out

In a world I can't control 

sweet Buddy recovering from the serious farm accident that broke his leg January 2011 

our week old sweet baby girl at Maple Valley Farm May 2009

When I'm lost in the mystery

To You my future is a memory

Cause You're already there

You're already there

Standing at the end of my life

Waiting on the other side

And You're already there
You're already there   

purchasing Maple Valley Farm August 2008

changes at Maple Valley Farm August 2009

From where You're standing

Lord, You see a grand design

That You imagined

When You breathed me into life

And all the chaos

Comes together in Your hands

Like a masterpiece

Of Your picture perfect plan

meeting at Maple Valley Farms July 27, 2012

Kuncaitis baby number 9 - lost July 2010 but in our hearts and heaven... 

milking time at Maple Valley Farm August 2009

When I'm lost in the mystery

To You my future is a memory

Cause You're already there

You're already there

Standing at the end of my life

Waiting on the other side

And You're already there

You're already there  

winter at the Maple Cottage 2010

Latitudes Restaurant winter 2011 "Frank and the Gentle Giant" showcasing our grass fed beef 

 One day I'll stand before You

And look back on the life I've lived

I can't wait to enjoy the view

And see how all the pieces fit  

"pre Maple Valley Farms" August 2008

big and little brother September 2010

 One day I'll stand before You

And look back on the life I've lived

Cause You're already there

You're already there

When I'm lost in the mystery

To You my future is a memory

Cause You're already there

You're already there

Standing at the end of my life

Waiting on the other side

And You're already there

You're already there 

Kuncaitis family summer 2009 at Maple Valley Farm 

November 2011 getting her CNA state certificate 

Tal Bretzke with the Kuncaitis children.   The Bretzke family played a huge role in our life during a time of great need and ministered to us.  We love you all!  July 4th 2010  http://thedailynews.cc/2012/06/19/17-year-old-with-ties-to-greenville-and-stanton-dies-unexpectedly/ .  Tal, we had the best wood pile in the winter of 2012.  Thanks for helping us at the farm that week! xo 

January 2012 getting electricity at Maple Valley Farm with outhouse in  background 

Easter children ready for church front porch of Maple Valley Farm April 2012

Maple Valley Farm sign made by HomemakerAng... 

You are already there... 

"This family will go anywhere as long as it is forward and as 

long as it is towards God...."  

- Matt and Angela Kuncaitis 

July 27, 2012

 lyrics Casting Crowns "You are Already There"

truth is...

"I promise people you will not die without air conditioning in this horrible heat - we are living proof of this" Kuncaitis Family

 

 

J

g r a t i t u d e . . .

May we never tire or be ungrateful for this simple but stunningly gorgeous view from our front porch at Maple Valley Farm...

What are you thankful for today?

the beauty of changing blog posts...

I think it is about mighty time I check in here don’t you?  

We have been having an amazing summer here at Maple Valley Farm even with the drought like conditions.  We are praying for rain and believing God to come through for us on that!  My tomatoes need some water…

One of our teams of Belgians horses, Comet and Marge, have had the opportunity to be working at our neighbor’s farm down the road.  It has been a joy seeing them hard at  work on the surrounding fields.  Our corn crop here is fairing ok however between the drought like conditions and the deer chewing it up, we are losing quite a bit of it.

Our piggies our free-ranged outside and enjoying rolling in the mud and keep cool in these hot weather conditions.  It has been delightful seeing some of our weanlings going to new family farms.  Nothing warms my heart more than seeing a “new” farmer pull in a rusty old suburban with a “No Farms No Food” bumper sticker to pick up some pigs for his family farm.  It is exactly that passion that fuels our resilience to keep doing what we love…  To all you newbies out there:  PRESS ON!

What does Maple Valley Farm look like almost 4 years later from the day we purchased it?  Smarter, more balanced, still making mistakes or D. ALL OF THE ABOVE…  I circled D.

Here is my take on it:  

Our children are maturing and growing well, just like our veggies, towards the SON…  Our eldest is enjoying a full time position at our local hospital as a Nurse Assistant.  It has opened her eyes to many things, mostly good.  She has some amazing people she works with and is very blessed to have this job in an economy like today, just a little ways from the farm and a pleasant work environment – all at the ripe old age of 18.  She just purchased her 2^nd car – cash- a cool jeep that she is enjoying.  Just goes to show you that an 18 year old can be responsible.  We did not help her pay for any of her cars or insurance…  HARD WORK never hurt anyone.  She enjoys her leisurely days here with her wild Mustang.

Our other children are still helping us big time on the farm.  Buddy’s leg is fully healed and he has plans on expanding the beef herd.  Our 2^nd eldest is still helping castrate the pigs and sells the pigs to other small farms for us.  She has taken over the Kombucha business from our eldest.  Our 4^th daughter is expanding her knitting skills hopefully to knit some wool from our 2 Icelandic sheep.  We are still trying to find a shearer!  And last but not least at all, our 2 babies are growing up to fast!  3 and almost 5.

Hubby is working out besides farming full time … Busy but a huge blessing to our family as I still cannot pull my entire weight here on the farm due to the residual effects of the horrible h1n1 flu I had in February 2011.  I am still dealing with water around my heart (pericarditis) and an over active immune system that zaps my energy and gives pain.  I was recently diagnosed with RA however after further testing I DO NOT HAVE RA and the inflammation numbers were off due to pericarditis.

I have not posted here in quite a while a heart to heart…  Been busy finishing our spring homesteading courses ***that will be run again starting in September*** and also having sales out of our cottage 4 times a year selling antiques and repurposed goods. You will LOVE to see us in the upcoming pages of Romantic Prairie Magazine coming out in September.  Many other farming opportunities coming up as well.   LIFE IS FUN…

We are enjoying our time when we can at our little shack in Leelanau every now and then.  Our Amish friends and some other friends have been great hired farm hands to us.

I look at Maple Valley Farm 4 years later and see us a little more balanced between work and play.  It’s a very fine line in raising a large family and working on a farm.  It is hard to keep it all balanced… 

All this to say to the world 

WE ARE STILL FARMING.  Read that again.  

Ps. God is still driving this thing…

xo

In the spirit of farming, family and faith,