Be At Peace Farm

The Haywood Family Reunion was the first weekend in June so we headed to Georgia.  The weather was perfect.  The last time we were together all the children of Wes and Agnes Haywood were still alive, my daughter was in college and there were no grands and just a few other "littles" running around.

On this perfect June, Spring-like day, we made our way down rural Middle Georgia back roads to Be At Peace Farm.

This little piece of paradise belongs to my cousin Pam.  It's very close to where we cousins grew up on holidays, fishing, making frog holes in the sand, swimming in muddy waters, and exploring the country roads and woods around us.

 It's close to where I was taught from the older cousins about the Birds and the Bees.  Notice the sign above.  My cousin is a beekeeper retired nurse and EMT.

Much of what she used to build on the land came from the old home place of our Great Grandparents.

 Tents were set up in case of rain.  Pam used granny's old quilts for display.  Mama's quilts were made from some of the same scraps.  I felt like I had stepped back in time-50 years ago.  I was plum giddy.  We all were.

The first point of interest was, "Where are the bathrooms?"  Guess what? 

A brand spanking new, one-seat privy in the newest of fashion equipped with electricity and running water! A fan to shoo the gnats and flies away?  Whoever heard of such!  (Boy!  They are already fanning gnats and swatting flies in Georgia!)

I sure to miss the Sears Roebuck Catalog! 

But not for this reason!

And of course, there's always the cob!

BE AT PEACE FARM was built as a place of refuge.My grandparents were a poor farmer and wife who lived off the land.  Whenever there was a need in the community, granny would load enough vegetables from the garden or pantry, firewood, quilts and whatever she could spare to help feed another family.  My cousin lived across the dirt road from them and saw their love in action. God began to put in her heart as a young child, the desire to help the downtrodden and forsaken.  Be at Peace is a result of that dream.  There are 3 tiny houses, built in cooperation with the local high school, and they are available for women who have gone through a local rehab program or prison and want to make a fresh start.  The ministry is called, Widow's Oil.   

She currently has three women residents right now.  She is able to house 12 women.

Again, much of the barn wood doors are made 

from wood from the old home place. 

I could live here.  Well, not here.  But maybe here.  :)

The old bell is the one that Granny used to ring for Grandaddy to come home from fishing.

This is Pam's barn house.

This is the chicken coup.

This is the chapel.

It is holy ground.

 The children and many of the grands went to sleep listening to granddaddy pray and read the Bible.  We never left a gathering without hearing prayers or gospel music.

We were all very aware of a Presence that was beyond earthly.

At Be At Peace Farm, we were certainly at peace. 

To Be Continued...