Here are a couple paragraphs from an essay I wrote in about 1994 when we were living near Apple Valley in Knox County, Ohio just off St. Route 3. (Route 3 is a beautiful stretch of road that angles northeast from Mt. Vernon to Loudenville through Jellico and Amity and come of the most serene country in Ohio).
“I am privileged to do the pastorate along rural lanes and country-side and in quaint villages and small towns. My parish is a beautiful one. This time of the year the gentle hills and glens of Knox county are ribboned with ripening crops and rich with the colors of autumn.
Robert Frost wrote of “being versed in country things…”, that is an ambition of mine. I love the old places in the country best. Bank barns and big family homes back long, tree-lined lanes. Houses with character and a history. Not cookie-cutter track-houses but unique homes with their own personality and atmosphere.”
I wrote that so many years ago. Since then we have lived in a beautiful parsonage, a large chunk of the sixth-floor of a 16-story, 400 room conference center, 10 years in a subdivision–but now–since January of 2018 an old house with character and history with a century-old carriage house and a grove of walnut trees. The property is shared with birds and beasts and things that grow…
Ministry has always been the priority and I continually consecrate myself to the service of Christ–but God chose to give us this little home in the country–a quiet place–a place almost exactly like the ones I wrote about in 1994.
Ken Pierpont
Bittersweet Farm
Summit Township, Michgian
July 14 2018
I’m so glad you and Lois have been led to the area of your heart. It’s a real blessing to me to see how God has worked things out in your life! He is always faithful, God Bless you and Lois and God Bless Bittersweet Farm for many, many years to come. So encouraging!
Your word pictures are vivid and delightful. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Thank you Barbara. Kind of you to read and comment. Have you read Sunset on Summer or For A Few Days?