"For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." Isaiah 41:13
In the midst of a busy work day, my thoughts often turn to a longing for time with my girls. Every so often I will call Allie and ask, "What are you up to? Do you and the girls want to come on a farm call with me?" When the answer is "Yes!" not only is my heart elated, but I know I will have three of the best travel companions anyone could ask for!
On a particular occasion, when we were just a family of three, driving down the salted roads in the midst of a barren and frigid winter landscape, Allie and I were holding hands, chatting about the upcoming birth of Olivia. With a brief pause, Allie turned around to Isabella, who was sitting in her car seat surrounded by medicine bottles and medical equipment in the back passenger seat of our SUV vet vehicle, and asked her what she was looking forward to most about having a little sister. Without missing a beat, she pipes up in her 2 year old voice, "I want to hold Baby Sister's hand in the car!"
It is in this context that our lives have been lived this past year. It has been a year of blessings and new beginnings. In March, a dream of ours was fulfilled to start our own family business: Bentley Veterinary Practice PLLC. We have been blessed to have a great team in this new venture. Allie is the business manager, but better yet she is my business buddy. Each Sunday evening, we look forward to our “business meetings.” We have two wonderful secretaries. Dr. Hart and I provide the veterinary care.
On May 14th, holding Allie’s hand, we welcomed Olivia Faith into this world. Isabella immediately took Olivia under her loving care. They are true friends, routinely playing with much laughter and smiles.
On our days off, you can usually find us working with our cattle herd. Isabella loves rounding up the cattle, and will often run alongside Papa holding his hand as they corral the cattle. In August, our family’s farming highlight was winning Grand Champion with our Ayrshire cow at the Dutchess County Fair.
Just recently, we were blessed to be able to buy a vet truck with an extended cab allowing Isabella’s dream to come true. Now when the vet calls come in, Mama and Papa are holding hands in the front and Isabella and “Baby Sister” are looking on in the back holding hands!
This is the beauty and wonder of Christmas, Jesus came to us, extending his hand, desirous for us to put our hand in His.
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