In my last blog I said that we had something HUGE going on that I wanted to share with you.
Here is it!!! My new "baby", Family First Farm
My business license
Family First Farm is a vision that God laid on my heart a few months ago. I was very nervous about doing something so big with everything else that I do in my everyday life. Plus, anyone who really knows me knows that I am not a real outgoing person. The thought of being in a position of talking to strangers really puts me out of my comfort zone, but where God leads, I follow!
In my last blog I stated that I believe God allows us to go through certain situations (good and bad) I truly believe that with all of my heart. I have been through so many different things/situations in my life that I wouldn't wish upon anyone. Even though my life hasn't always been lollipops and roses, I wouldn't change any of it!
The things that I have gone through over the years is what has made me who I am today. I am able to stand up a strong and confident woman that is not afraid or embarrassed to talk about my life and hopefully help other women in the process. I want my pain and joy to encourage others to keep moving forward and not to give up. I have had person after person tell me how encouraging that I have been to them. Women have sent me messages saying that because of reading my stories that they have been able to push through some of the same struggles in their own marriages. THAT IS WHAT MATTERS!
Not what people think of me or my husband. We are real people who make lots of mistakes and it is by God's grace that we get through all of the bumps along the road.
What is Family First Farm??
Well, right now it is just a name on a piece of paper, but I have huge dreams for it to become something amazing :)
The sole purpose of Family First Farm is to help bring families together,
husbands and wives, and parents and children. I want to help strengthen the bonds that I feel are most important!
Some of the things that will be offered at Family First Farm are,
-Support groups
-Addiction groups
-A Moms group
-Marriage events
-Father/son events
-Mother/daughter events
-Single mom ministry
-Bible studies
-Community events
For more in depth detail about all of our groups and what they offer please visit our website
www.familyfirstfarm.org
My ultimate goal with Family First Farm is that it will be a non-profit organization. I already filled out the 30 page application (that was fun). Now, I need to mail it in with the application fee and wait for approval, which can take anywhere from 2-12 months!
With that being said this is where I need help from all of you :) My goal is for this to be a non-profit organization, but until that happens Family First Farm is going to be considered a charitable organization. Meaning that it is run off of donations, and donations alone. I can't do anything with out help. Our first goal is to raise money for the non-profit application process ($850) and some start up money for different materials and expenses that are needed to get this going.
I want for this to be a place where anyone can come regardless of income. I would like for everything to be free or very low cost, if I do have to charge.
I believe that when the bonds in families are strong then kids are less likely to fall into drugs, alcohol, premarital sex, and juvenile mischief. When marriages work on the strengths in their marriages it will help them get through the things that may try to pull them apart. I never want finances to be a reason for families to be unable to attend our programs or events.
My short term goals are to get up and running (meaning getting my groups and events started) and you can help by donating HERE or visit
www.youcaring.com/familyfirstfarm
Long term goals are to eventually have our own property where all of this will take place on site. Right now most of this will need to be done in different places throughout the area willing to let us use their facilities. I want a lot of land so that I can accommodate doing different events on the property. I don't know how that will happen just yet, by money being donated or land being donated..... not sure, but I trust that this is God's plan and that everything will fall into place when the time is right. I would also like to be able to accommodate people to stay for retreats over the weekend/summer weeks. Again, I don't know how all of this is going to play out, but I am excited to be the hands and feet of Jesus and reach out to those needs in my community! I am very excited to start this adventure and it is going to be awesome to see how it all comes together.
Another thing that I need is volunteers! There are many ways that you can help out :) I will need people who are able and willing to help out in our single moms ministry (people who will mow yards, do small household or vehicle repairs) I also need women who are wiling to step up and be table leaders in the moms group. Honestly, there are a ton of opportunities available! A more detailed list can be found on our website. If you are interested in volunteering your time please get in touch with me! You can get in touch with me through my website, email or phone.
I really am excited and I pray that God will use this for His glory and that it will help strengthen relationships and bonds in our community :)
If you would like to read more information, you can visit our website at www.familyfirstfarm.org
Also "like" us on facebook
www.facebook.com/familyfirstfarmva
Again, none of this can happen without your support and donations. Please consider donating to our organization! The sooner the money is raised, the sooner these programs will get started. Every little bit helps and no amount is too small. Please share our fundraising link, www.youcaring.com/familyfirstfarm on you facebook wall and help us spread the word and get funding :)
Thank you!!!
