Pastor Donna, I love this ....not resolutions, but offerings to the Lord. Being intentional of placing and putting God first. May the Lord bless you and keep you...
I was glad to share this with you! It just came to me out of the blue while I was out in the woods. I kept thinking about the New Year and what I want to accomplish, but then remembered to turn to God first. Thus, "New Year's Offerings." :) I am glad you came to visit with me!! Wishing you a very Blessed New Year!
I’ve just sat down to write out all that I am releasing from 2024. I am about to burn that energy away. I love the idea of offerings and that is what I will write up next and then hold them to my heart. Thank you for sharing. Blessings to you.
That is so kind of you and affirming. Thank you for letting me know!!! Blessings to you and wishing you a very Blessed New Year! Thank you for spending time with me here at the farm!
Thank you for your kind words and for spending time with me at the farm!!! Many blessings to you. Here's to a New Year filled with God's grace, love and light!!
I dont make resolutions bc i feel its a trap. I make every day a new beginning and wish for God to put me on a path to help others or to make their day a little better than what they were having. I like to celebrate the New Year during Spring Solstice for the new beginnings, births and cleansing of the old. Blessings to all!
I love the picture of my hand in the father’s hand. I need that so much right now. Thank you. All the snow is beautiful. Many blessings in the new year.
I am so glad you enjoyed this episode! That image of the Father's hand was one that just came to me and I, too, found it so comforting that I just had to share! And sadly, though, the snow is melting quickly! Sigh. A reminder how nothing ever stays forever. Many blessings to you!
So glad you quoted Fr. Louis aka Thomas Merton; a favorite prayer of mine. His influence was instrumental in my reversion to the faith 20 yrs ago. I was fortunate enough some years ago to pray in his hermitage, at the altar he used, in Thanksgiving to God for His grace, patience, and renewed mercies. Here's what I say to 2025: Nunc Coepi! ✌️ Peace
I have always wanted to visit his hermitage in Kentucky. A few years ago I had to fly there for business on a regular basis and always had planned to take a few days to visit the hermitage. Sadly, I never made the time. His writings are transformative! Many blessings!
@@oldstonewellfarm generally, visits to the hermitage are reserved for candidates to the monastic life (which I was), oblates, or special visitors. General retreatants don't get to see the hermitage as it's in the woods behind the cloister-area. BUT it never hurts to ask! Merton's older writings are the go-to things to read. His later stuff is controversial (think syncretism). Too long to go into here. Blessings!
I look forward to to being with Jesus .. no more tears pain or sorrow .. everything will be washed away .. thank you .. I used to be such a good scatter when I was young so long ago .. now just memories in my old age ..
Thank you for writing! And may those memories of your skating days bring a smile to your face. Yes, with Jesus there will be no more sorrow, tears or pain. Till that day, we turn our eyes toward him and keep praising him. And now, I wish you many blessings!!!
I would like to be the skater trying to stay upright and moving forward. Sometimes, I may cling to the wall and catch my breath, talk to God and then push ahead back into life and trying to stand with grace. Grace that the Lord provides. I want to give the Lord my time. Thank you for this. It's needed. God bless. ♥️
May you become that skater, filled with trust and standing tall and steady with the grace of God!! I will lift that pray up for you as the New Year rings in! Blessings! And thank you for being part of Old Stone Well Farm!!!
And a very blessed New Year to you!! Yes, here's to hope and belief in the days to come. I hesitate reading the news this day and getting back to reality(my day job as a reporter means having to be up to date on all of the world's problems). But I began this day lighting a candle and giving all I need to do to God. I am trying hard to start each day by surrendering all to God and taking one day at a time. The world is just too overwhelming not to do this. Many blessings to you!
Life is like ice skating outdoors. Unsure getting started, then skating smoothly until we hit a rough patch. We may fall or simply become scared. But our Father helps us up and keeps us moving forward. Thank you Father, for keeping an eye on us and helping us get back on our feet. May God bless us all in this upcoming year. ❤
Amen! Beautifully said!!! You reminded me about those rough patches...as the sun warmed the ice there were more of those "snags" and patches appearing in the ice making me stumble. Wishing you a very blessed New Year!!!!
A beautiful message, Donna, and excellent skating! In recent years we've made sure our decorations stay up to 6th January, and even all through January, I still have twinkling lights and candles to light up the dark month. We don't do New Year's Eve now, but we celebrate New Year's day at our local very old (17thC) inn where there is Morris dancing and Wasailling and music. Then we come back and have a family dinner. Thank you being such an inspiration and a beacon of light, since I started following you this time last year when I was feeling down, and your video came to me and gave me hope. Warm blessings to you Donna, and your family, for the coming year.💖✨
It is a beautiful reminder of God's light to keep the lights shining throughout the winter months! I too keep the white lights and candles glowing. And I love reading out your New Year's celebration. I would enjoy being in the very old inn, dancing and wasailling!! I was born in the wrong time! It is a gift that you have journeyed with me throughout the year. I thank God you discovered Old Stone Well Farm this time last year! Here's to journeying together in the New Year! Blessings to you! And have a cup of kindness with me!!! Blessings!
You are welcome! I am so glad I had the time to get this message out earlier than I had intended. Something tugged on my heart to do so! Blessings to you!!
We had something just like that in South Jersey towards the shore. It was called Storybook Land. I took both of my children every year when it was My Birthday. I thought what a better way to celebrate than making my children Happy🥰 Money was always tight so if we were going to spend money I wanted my children to have something in their memories to cherish and hold onto.
I love Candlemas!! I have only recently begun to observe it. I wish that tradition didn't fall out of popularity. I notice a neighbor down the road observes Feb. 2 as the end of Christmas, too, as their decorations and lights stay up until Feb. 3. Thank you for you spending time with me here at the farm! Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and New Year!
Thank you for this lesson to look to our Father in heaven to lean on Him and have confidence in Him! I like the wish list of promises to visualize or write down to get closer to Him and to do his will. Write down our shortcomings and negatives and burn them, get rid of the negativity and wrongs. Believe in the good and positive, look up and chin up, be strong in His love. ❤ God bless you this coming New Year of 2025🎉 🙏 from 🇨🇦 ooxx
I am so glad you enjoyed your time with me!! Truthfully, I had not planned on sharing that illustration of leaning on His everlasting arms, but it just came out of my mouth. This episode came out differently than I had envisioned! Then again, they always do. God works in wondrous ways. Wishing you a very Blessed New Year!
I couldn't agree more, about letting go of the past. I have found when your mindset is fixated on all that has come before, instead of what may lie ahead, you tend to trip in the present. It becomes a really bad habit (very hard to break) and you end up looking at everything going on around you as though you are behind a glass and not really PRESENT. Having watched/listened to your videos, has given me the spiritual strength to break through that glass and live fully in the HERE & NOW. I had a heck of year in 2024, figured it can't get anymore stressful....and then it has...BUT, a NEW year is right around the corner....so "all will be well and all manner of things will be well". I have resurrected as it were my faith in Christ and all that is promised--thanks to you:). HAPPY NEW YEAR and I look forward to a 2025 filled with your videos. Many thanks and blessings to you.
I am so glad you took time to write this note. I was smiling as I read your words. I especially love how you quoted Julian of Norwich's "all will be well." I am humbled that my brief time with you has meant something to you. It is just amazing how God works. Here's to a new beginning for you and may 2025 be filled with many blessings and beautiful God moments!
@@oldstonewellfarm You take the time to make these videos. They take much thought and preparation. The least I can do as a viewer and someone who has benefited beyond words, is let you know:). You have a God given gift that maybe even you have undervalued or not used to your full potential in life. Yet if you save ONE soul, one life, you have done more than so many others. Angels walk amongst us, and I truly believe God has given you such an incredible purpose, which you have taken to heart. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you too!!.....and thank you!
I have such fond memories going ive skating growing up in PA. My dad was an avid hockey player, even played in the Hershey Bears' arena, as does my nephew now. My dad went on to ref hockey games, then hit a chip in the ice and broke his hip. That began a big refining process. I know I need more refining through the Holy Spirit. Praying mine isn't as harsh... God bless you and happy new year.🎉
I loved hearing about your skating memories, and I pray, too, that your refining from the Holy Spirit is a bit gentler than that of your dad's. What a great insight, though, to see that as a moment of refining. My father, too, loved hockey. He always told me how he would skate for hours and hours when he was a boy. Here's to a new year! May it be filled with love and light! Blessings!
I am so happy to hear that my ramblings and the "crazy" things I do throughout my day (from the way I dress, to the adventures like skating at my age!), are so well received and that they make you feel better. That is what I hope for those who come and spend time with me! Thank you being one of those people. Many blessings now and into the New Year!
You really touched my heart. This has been a very prayerful Christmas for me with your beautiful videos and Fr Mike Schmidt and his Advent reflection of how to get ready to meet Jesus face to face. I feel so much closer to God. Thank you. Hugs and blessings!
I am so touched to hear that Old Stone Well Farm has been a part of what has been a very prayerful Christmas for you! That warms my heart and makes me sing praises to God! Thank you for coming to the farm and spending time with me!!! Here's to journeying together into the New Year! Blessings to you!
Dear Pastor Donna, I loved the video. You looked like a PRO out there in your beautiful white ice skates. The beautiful scenery reminded me of a currier and Ives print. I believe it's called the first snowfall and has skaters in centuries past. Thank you for our offering suggestion. I love the poem you read. In my christmas eve mass it reminded me of your past video. Our priest offered several gifts to take after mass and one was to take a white candel and be reminded we are the light of the world. I never take my decorations down before the ephinany. This year will be longer. I love the lights. The world has so much sadness and loss. It's OK to prolong my christmas season and baske in the beauty. .I hope 2025 brings you many happy blessings, peace, and love. ❤ Phyllis
Thank you for your sweet words. I really did think filming me skating was not a good idea when I first put on the skates! I really froze in fear. Far from being a pro, but I got the hang of it. :) And that is lovely how you were given the gift of a while candle on Christmas Eve to take out into this darken world! How beautiful! Yes, keep the lights shining now and always! Blessings to you and may you have a Blessed New Year!
It’s so wonderful what you do, making your self be seen, showing us your thoughts, sharing. So brave and wonderful! You make us all feel seen and legit as well, in the little crucial thoughts of the everyday. Thank you for being here as well as in church, whenever I feel overwhelmed by my feelings I come to your channel to feel better, to mend my thoughts. Thank you and God bless you and your new year.
Thank you for such a kind note!!! Many days it does take courage to bring you Old Stone Well Farm because I just show up and speak from the heart. Very little thought is given to the episodes. Rather, I go about my day and when I see something beautiful or think about something, I set up the camera and film. So it is a channel of faith in more ways than one! :) And it is wonderful to have you part of this family!! Thank you!! May your New Year be filled with love, light and many beautiful God moments!
Thank you for this wonderful video you are a true blessing . think I will light a candle to chase away any evil spirt . God just got me through a time of illness with my heart .what a lovely idea to go fora walk I not one for big parties God is a miracle worker .God real has been here for me Pastor Donna thank you for all your prayers they mean so much to me me I want to say I hope you have a wonderful and Happy New year.🎉❤
So wonderful to hear from you and to hear how God has and is getting you through your time of trial!!! Continued prayers now and always! Here's to a Blessed New Year!
I want to leave behind also my fears, my self exigency,and some autocritical thoughts. Good idea! I will do a bonfire as well and I promise to work hard to change those things I can change and accept those I can't. Thanks to God to be there always ! YES, the Sun always rise every day! Happy 2025🎉 and prayers to you ,family and this community too❤
Happy new year to you, I really appreciate your video. I shared it with my friends. May God be with you and your family and all of us together give us peace, love and joy.God bless
Thank you so much for coming to the farm and for sharing it with your friends! That made me smile on this the second day of the New Year!! Blessings to you and your friends!
And a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!! I pray all is well in France!! It has been warm here and sadly the snow is melting quickly!! Blessings!
Happy New Year everyone. Thank you Pastor Donna. This was a wonderful message for stepping into the new year. I want to be the skater who steps through his fear onto the ice this year
Pastor Donna....such a beautiful message. God sees us as we see ourselves in a mirror, but He also sees us from the inside....our hearts. I love your grace in ministering to us. I love God. I had a wooden cup and ball game, too, and I never could get the ball into that cup. No matter how many times I tried, I don't recall ever accomplishing that! Many blessings to you, and Happy New Year. I will be in the comfort of my little place, with my cat Figaro. ❤
I am laughing and smiling to hear you and a wooden cup and ball game, too! I am really doubting that I will ever get that ball into the cup. :) Thank you for spending time with me here at the farm!! New Year blessings to you and Figaro!
Beautiful Donna. I look forward to your beautiful videos. They calm me. Bring me to a good and happy place. I laugh sometimes and cry sometimes. I’ve even done both watching. I thank you from my heart for all your messages. So timely. So important. And I need to make a trip from PA to Vermont one day. God bless you.
I am so glad you enjoyed our time together!!! And I thank God that these episodes bring peace and calmness to your world! Yes, a trip to Vermont is needed! Till then, wishing you a very Blessed New Year!
It is very nice to watch your video and listen to your words on the eve of the new year. I really need your thoughts, which really help me not to go crazy. On Christmas night and on Christmas Day, December 25, the Russian army attacked the entire territory of Ukraine with cruise and ballistic missiles, the occupiers hit energy infrastructure facilities. There are dead and wounded civilians. Most cities, including our city of Sumy, found themselves without electricity and heating. And only thanks to the georism of utility workers, it was possible to restore the supply of heat and light, but with interruptions. Your video reminds me that there is a normal world, a normal life. Moreover, you show by your own example how to live in harmony and joy. Thank you so much for your work, videos and thoughts you share! Happy New Year! Greetings from unconquered Ukraine!
I wish there was more I could do to help you and the people of Ukraine. My prayers don't seem to be enough, but I know God sees all, hears all and is among us, even in our darkest moments. Wishing and praying for peace in the coming year!
@@oldstonewellfarm Your prayers help me because I am still able to watch your videos. Thank you for your kind words and prayers, I really appreciate it.
Thank you!!! I have been holding this channel in my prayers all week, asking God to direct my steps and show me what He has planned for Old Stone Well Farm's family of faith! Blessings to you!
Happy New Year, Pastor. I could not have asked for a better time to hear from you. These last days after Christmas have been difficult as my son had to leave the 26th as I've had to adjust to the silence and aloneness missing both husband and son. I guess we all feel let down, but I always plan to reinvent myself going into the new year. I'm so glad you will be journeying with me and wish you many blessings. I have memories of my dad and I roller skating. I also took speed skating lessons in Newark! I loved skating and remember skating at Core Creek in Bucks County after marriage. Your part of the world is a piece of heaven... how fortunate you are. Well, here we go...onward to 2025... Peace , good health, and love to us all. Gail
It is so hard when the festivities are over and everyone leaves. I remember on Christmas when I first moved north to pastor a church, my parents came to visit with my disabled brother. They stayed a few days, but then left on Christmas Day. After they were gone, I remember sitting in the dark room with only the Christmas tree lights shining feeling so empty and alone. There was nothing I could do except turn to God and whisper, "be near me Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay, close by me..." I am sending that prayer to heaven for you! And I loved hearing you took speed skating lessons in Newark! What fun!! May this year be filled with love and light and continued blessings!! Sending you a warm hug!
Happy New Year to you too! Watching you ice skate reminds me of skating as a child (my Dad use to make me my very own rink) and taking my kids skating when they were little. So many good fun memories. I hope you enjoy yourself.
That is so wonderful that your dad used to make you your very own rink! I was wondering if I could have done something like that on my property. I am so glad you visited with me and enjoyed our time together! Blessings to you, and a very Happy New Year!
I am so glad you came to visit with me here at the farm and enjoyed your time!!! Here's to a year filled with grace and love and light - and always seeing God with us always! Blessings to you!
You are welcome!!! Many blessing to you and may the New Year be filled with beautiful God moments! Thank you for being part of the Old Stone Well Farm family.
You are very welcome!!! Yes, the New Year sunrise is always so powerful...something very holy about a new day of the new year breaking right before our eyes! Blessings to you!
Thank you Pastor Donna for sharing your heart ❤️ Happy New Year Year to you and Your husband and Frits and Ru Ru May God bless you and yours Iused to ic skate when I was younger
Thank you. I don't make resolutions because I know I will break them. But it will be 50 years in January when I prayed to God honestly. I said, "Dear God I don't even know if you exist. But if you do and Jesus is the way to You, I will follow Him and worship Him for the rest of my life. The next day I read the first 15 chapters of Isaiah and I simply believed. Right now my prayer is that I complete that prayer to follow Him as long as I live. My following Him has been a lot of stumbling along but in the right direction. It's my prayer that God will help me keep that promise as long as I still have to go before I cross the finish. I haven't been in very good health, so I am aware of my mortality and that any day maybe even tonight I could go home. But as long as I am alive there is the chance I just might be raptured first. However I go I just pray that God will be happy despite all the stumbling and bumbling. I am still following and worshipping Jesus.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with me! I found it so very powerful and uplifting! I smiled at the "stumbling and bumbling." God is holding you in His amazing and capable hands. I pray for good health for you and for God to continue shining light on your path in the days to come! Again, thank you for writing and wishing you a blessed New Year!
Thank you, Pastor Donna! What a sweet message and encouraging word for me to hear on New Year’s Eve! I’m finding as I get older I’m not quite as bold and courageous about life as I was in the previous 6 decades! I’m going to spend time today with the Lord and focus on what He has in mind for me to courageously experience and live out in 2025! Warm Regards to you, my sister in Christ!❤
I completely understand about not being as bold and courageous. I had that feeling as I was putting on the skates. It was a feeling I never really had before. I was even worried about falling and breaking something! But I took my time. I even decided to quit while I was ahead, telling myself to get off the ice before I do fall. I was enjoying myself and was on the ice for almost two hours. But I could feel myself getting tired and knew it was time to take the skates off. So, here's to a new year and I will lift a prayer for you today, joining you in your seeking what the Lord has in mind for you to "courageously experience" this year. Onward in faith we go! Blessings!
I've always felt sad New Year's Eve but this year I've made an intention to enjoy and celebrate every one of the 12 days and then Epiphany too. I find this quotation helpful (copyright ML Haskins): "I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year. 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.' And he replied 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.'"
I love this quote! Thank you for sharing. I embrace the 12 Days of Christmas and Epiphany too as a way to chase away the sadness I always felt come Dec. 31. It is a wonderful way to ease into the new year. Many blessings to you!
I wish you and yours a very happy and holy new year! Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers for the new year. You are a very good skater! I would love to skate again, especially on an outside pond, but at nearly 70 years old, it's probably not the best idea! Looking forward to all of your videos to come in 2025......................God bless
So happy you posted..As we get older its scary to fall!!! Yu can really get hurt! That's not fear its common sense! Happy new year! And you did skate pretty well.
It is so true!!! That is exactly what I thought when I felt that fear...that when you get older that fear really is common sense. For a moment, I did consider not trying to skate for I didn't want to break anything! So glad you enjoyed your time with me! Many blessings and a very Happy New Year to you!
Hi Pastor Donna, happy belated Christmas and Happy New Year as well. I don’t go out on New Year’s as well. Most of my early life my Dad was single and he used go out dancing but he would never go out on New Years. I remember asking him why and he said that is amateur night another words the people who never go out go out on that night. I love that place you were skating on. Perfect size for hockey. Couple of tips on your skating if I may. Try bending your knees a little and I’m not sure with figure skates but are they sharp? It sounded like you were cutting the ice pretty good. One thing I am doing a lot is reading my Bible, I hope you’re proud of me. I’m going to cut it off here. I’m still behind watching your videos. Stay healthy and God bless!
So wonderful hearing from you, and thank you for the tips!! They are greatly appreciated. Yes, bend the knees...I had forgotten all about that. I realized as I was skating that I was leaning more on one side as well. I have been having problems with my right knee and I have always had a weak ankle on that side as well. But will bend my knees!! :) And the skates are sharp. I wish I had hockey skates as the toe pick on the figure skates tend to catch the ice and send you falling forward. It is an adorable skating rink. The setting was just so peaceful. I have preached in that church that is in the video. A sweet Congregational church with lots of history. The house next to the church used to be the house for the pastor. Sadly, the congregation sold it to someone in NYC back in the 80s. Luckily, though, this person kept it true to the time period and didn't change its bones. Well, enjoy catching up on Old Stone Well Farm!!! And wishing you a blessed day!!
Thank you for your kind words. It is nice to get affirmation. :) No, I haven't thought about setting up a TH-cam membership. I will explore! Thank you!! Blessings!
Pastor Donna, I love this ....not resolutions, but offerings to the Lord. Being intentional of placing and putting God first. May the Lord bless you and keep you...
I was glad to share this with you! It just came to me out of the blue while I was out in the woods. I kept thinking about the New Year and what I want to accomplish, but then remembered to turn to God first. Thus, "New Year's Offerings." :) I am glad you came to visit with me!! Wishing you a very Blessed New Year!
I’ve just sat down to write out all that I am releasing from 2024. I am about to burn that energy away. I love the idea of offerings and that is what I will write up next and then hold them to my heart. Thank you for sharing. Blessings to you.
i always feel so blessed after hearing your messages, thanks for taking the time to share.
That is so kind of you and affirming. Thank you for letting me know!!! Blessings to you and wishing you a very Blessed New Year! Thank you for spending time with me here at the farm!
Donna you are a beautiful blessing with your words of wisdom!. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with all of us ❤
Thank you for your kind words and for spending time with me at the farm!!! Many blessings to you. Here's to a New Year filled with God's grace, love and light!!
I dont make resolutions bc i feel its a trap. I make every day a new beginning and wish for God to put me on a path to help others or to make their day a little better than what they were having. I like to celebrate the New Year during Spring Solstice for the new beginnings, births and cleansing of the old. Blessings to all!
I love the celebrating of the new year with the new beginnings that spring brings! Beautiful. Yes, every day is a new start! Blessings to you!!
@oldstonewellfarm Blessings and goodness to You and always! You are a blessing!
I love the picture of my hand in the father’s hand. I need that so much right now. Thank you. All the snow is beautiful. Many blessings in the new year.
I am so glad you enjoyed this episode! That image of the Father's hand was one that just came to me and I, too, found it so comforting that I just had to share! And sadly, though, the snow is melting quickly! Sigh. A reminder how nothing ever stays forever. Many blessings to you!
So glad you quoted Fr. Louis aka Thomas Merton; a favorite prayer of mine. His influence was instrumental in my reversion to the faith 20 yrs ago. I was fortunate enough some years ago to pray in his hermitage, at the altar he used, in Thanksgiving to God for His grace, patience, and renewed mercies. Here's what I say to 2025: Nunc Coepi! ✌️ Peace
I have always wanted to visit his hermitage in Kentucky. A few years ago I had to fly there for business on a regular basis and always had planned to take a few days to visit the hermitage. Sadly, I never made the time. His writings are transformative! Many blessings!
@@oldstonewellfarm generally, visits to the hermitage are reserved for candidates to the monastic life (which I was), oblates, or special visitors. General retreatants don't get to see the hermitage as it's in the woods behind the cloister-area. BUT it never hurts to ask! Merton's older writings are the go-to things to read. His later stuff is controversial (think syncretism). Too long to go into here. Blessings!
I look forward to to being with Jesus .. no more tears pain or sorrow .. everything will be washed away .. thank you .. I used to be such a good scatter when I was young so long ago .. now just memories in my old age ..
Thank you for writing! And may those memories of your skating days bring a smile to your face. Yes, with Jesus there will be no more sorrow, tears or pain. Till that day, we turn our eyes toward him and keep praising him. And now, I wish you many blessings!!!
I would like to be the skater trying to stay upright and moving forward. Sometimes, I may cling to the wall and catch my breath, talk to God and then push ahead back into life and trying to stand with grace. Grace that the Lord provides. I want to give the Lord my time. Thank you for this. It's needed. God bless. ♥️
May you become that skater, filled with trust and standing tall and steady with the grace of God!! I will lift that pray up for you as the New Year rings in! Blessings! And thank you for being part of Old Stone Well Farm!!!
@oldstonewellfarm Thank you! 😊
A very happy New Uear to you Pastor Donna and thank you for this beautiful and deep message of Hope and Belief for the months ahead. Blessings to you!
And a very blessed New Year to you!! Yes, here's to hope and belief in the days to come. I hesitate reading the news this day and getting back to reality(my day job as a reporter means having to be up to date on all of the world's problems). But I began this day lighting a candle and giving all I need to do to God. I am trying hard to start each day by surrendering all to God and taking one day at a time. The world is just too overwhelming not to do this. Many blessings to you!
Life is like ice skating outdoors. Unsure getting started, then skating smoothly until we hit a rough patch. We may fall or simply become scared. But our Father helps us up and keeps us moving forward. Thank you Father, for keeping an eye on us and helping us get back on our feet. May God bless us all in this upcoming year. ❤
Amen! Beautifully said!!! You reminded me about those rough patches...as the sun warmed the ice there were more of those "snags" and patches appearing in the ice making me stumble. Wishing you a very blessed New Year!!!!
A beautiful message, Donna, and excellent skating! In recent years we've made sure our decorations stay up to 6th January, and even all through January, I still have twinkling lights and candles to light up the dark month. We don't do New Year's Eve now, but we celebrate New Year's day at our local very old (17thC) inn where there is Morris dancing and Wasailling and music. Then we come back and have a family dinner. Thank you being such an inspiration and a beacon of light, since I started following you this time last year when I was feeling down, and your video came to me and gave me hope. Warm blessings to you Donna, and your family, for the coming year.💖✨
It is a beautiful reminder of God's light to keep the lights shining throughout the winter months! I too keep the white lights and candles glowing. And I love reading out your New Year's celebration. I would enjoy being in the very old inn, dancing and wasailling!! I was born in the wrong time! It is a gift that you have journeyed with me throughout the year. I thank God you discovered Old Stone Well Farm this time last year! Here's to journeying together in the New Year! Blessings to you! And have a cup of kindness with me!!! Blessings!
THANK YOU so very much. I needed to hear THIS message, today!
You are welcome! I am so glad I had the time to get this message out earlier than I had intended. Something tugged on my heart to do so! Blessings to you!!
We had something just like that in South Jersey towards the shore. It was called Storybook Land. I took both of my children every year when it was My Birthday. I thought what a better way to celebrate than making my children Happy🥰 Money was always tight so if we were going to spend money I wanted my children to have something in their memories to cherish and hold onto.
I smiled reading your note! What a wonderful memory for your children...and money well spent!! Thank you for sharing! Many blessings to you!
I'm Trad Catholic. Christmas ends Feb 2. Always .
God bless you & a blessed healthy happy new year. 🕊 🕯 🌟 ⛪️ 🎄
I love Candlemas!! I have only recently begun to observe it. I wish that tradition didn't fall out of popularity. I notice a neighbor down the road observes Feb. 2 as the end of Christmas, too, as their decorations and lights stay up until Feb. 3. Thank you for you spending time with me here at the farm! Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and New Year!
Fellow TradCatholic here and I love Donna's channel. Good to see you here! Merry Christmas!
Thank you for this lesson to look to our Father in heaven to lean on Him and have confidence in Him! I like the wish list of promises to visualize or write down to get closer to Him and to do his will. Write down our shortcomings and negatives and burn them, get rid of the negativity and wrongs. Believe in the good and positive, look up and chin up, be strong in His love. ❤ God bless you this coming New Year of 2025🎉 🙏 from 🇨🇦 ooxx
I am so glad you enjoyed your time with me!! Truthfully, I had not planned on sharing that illustration of leaning on His everlasting arms, but it just came out of my mouth. This episode came out differently than I had envisioned! Then again, they always do. God works in wondrous ways. Wishing you a very Blessed New Year!
I couldn't agree more, about letting go of the past. I have found when your mindset is fixated on all that has come before, instead of what may lie ahead, you tend to trip in the present. It becomes a really bad habit (very hard to break) and you end up looking at everything going on around you as though you are behind a glass and not really PRESENT. Having watched/listened to your videos, has given me the spiritual strength to break through that glass and live fully in the HERE & NOW. I had a heck of year in 2024, figured it can't get anymore stressful....and then it has...BUT, a NEW year is right around the corner....so "all will be well and all manner of things will be well". I have resurrected as it were my faith in Christ and all that is promised--thanks to you:). HAPPY NEW YEAR and I look forward to a 2025 filled with your videos. Many thanks and blessings to you.
I am so glad you took time to write this note. I was smiling as I read your words. I especially love how you quoted Julian of Norwich's "all will be well." I am humbled that my brief time with you has meant something to you. It is just amazing how God works. Here's to a new beginning for you and may 2025 be filled with many blessings and beautiful God moments!
@@oldstonewellfarm You take the time to make these videos. They take much thought and preparation. The least I can do as a viewer and someone who has benefited beyond words, is let you know:). You have a God given gift that maybe even you have undervalued or not used to your full potential in life. Yet if you save ONE soul, one life, you have done more than so many others. Angels walk amongst us, and I truly believe God has given you such an incredible purpose, which you have taken to heart. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you too!!.....and thank you!
I have such fond memories going ive skating growing up in PA. My dad was an avid hockey player, even played in the Hershey Bears' arena, as does my nephew now. My dad went on to ref hockey games, then hit a chip in the ice and broke his hip. That began a big refining process. I know I need more refining through the Holy Spirit. Praying mine isn't as harsh... God bless you and happy new year.🎉
I loved hearing about your skating memories, and I pray, too, that your refining from the Holy Spirit is a bit gentler than that of your dad's. What a great insight, though, to see that as a moment of refining. My father, too, loved hockey. He always told me how he would skate for hours and hours when he was a boy. Here's to a new year! May it be filled with love and light! Blessings!
I want to be a graceful figure skater. Making life beautiful and full of grace.
Amen! May it be so this day and always! Here's to a graceful and blessed New Year! Thank you for coming to the farm!!!
Thank you for this beautiful video. I always feel better after watching yiur videos. Happy new year 🥰
I am so happy to hear that my ramblings and the "crazy" things I do throughout my day (from the way I dress, to the adventures like skating at my age!), are so well received and that they make you feel better. That is what I hope for those who come and spend time with me! Thank you being one of those people. Many blessings now and into the New Year!
You really touched my heart. This has been a very prayerful Christmas for me with your beautiful videos and Fr Mike Schmidt and his Advent reflection of how to get ready to meet Jesus face to face. I feel so much closer to God. Thank you. Hugs and blessings!
I am so touched to hear that Old Stone Well Farm has been a part of what has been a very prayerful Christmas for you! That warms my heart and makes me sing praises to God! Thank you for coming to the farm and spending time with me!!! Here's to journeying together into the New Year! Blessings to you!
Dear Pastor Donna,
I loved the video. You looked like a PRO out there in your beautiful white ice skates. The beautiful scenery reminded me of a currier and Ives print. I believe it's called the first snowfall and has skaters in centuries past.
Thank you for our offering suggestion. I love the poem you read.
In my christmas eve mass it reminded me of your past video. Our priest offered several gifts to take after mass and one was to take a white candel and be reminded we are the light of the world.
I never take my decorations down before the ephinany. This year will be longer. I love the lights. The world has so much sadness and loss. It's OK to prolong my christmas season and baske in the beauty. .I hope 2025 brings you many happy blessings, peace, and love. ❤ Phyllis
Thank you for your sweet words. I really did think filming me skating was not a good idea when I first put on the skates! I really froze in fear. Far from being a pro, but I got the hang of it. :) And that is lovely how you were given the gift of a while candle on Christmas Eve to take out into this darken world! How beautiful! Yes, keep the lights shining now and always! Blessings to you and may you have a Blessed New Year!
It’s so wonderful what you do, making your self be seen, showing us your thoughts, sharing. So brave and wonderful! You make us all feel seen and legit as well, in the little crucial thoughts of the everyday. Thank you for being here as well as in church, whenever I feel overwhelmed by my feelings I come to your channel to feel better, to mend my thoughts. Thank you and God bless you and your new year.
Thank you for such a kind note!!! Many days it does take courage to bring you Old Stone Well Farm because I just show up and speak from the heart. Very little thought is given to the episodes. Rather, I go about my day and when I see something beautiful or think about something, I set up the camera and film. So it is a channel of faith in more ways than one! :) And it is wonderful to have you part of this family!! Thank you!! May your New Year be filled with love, light and many beautiful God moments!
Thank you for this wonderful video you are a true blessing . think I will light a candle to chase away any evil spirt . God just got me through a time of illness with my heart .what a lovely idea to go fora walk I not one for big parties God is a miracle worker .God real has been here for me Pastor Donna thank you for all your prayers they mean so much to me me I want to say I hope you have a wonderful and Happy New year.🎉❤
So wonderful to hear from you and to hear how God has and is getting you through your time of trial!!! Continued prayers now and always! Here's to a Blessed New Year!
I want to leave behind also my fears, my self exigency,and some autocritical thoughts.
Good idea!
I will do a bonfire as well and I promise to work hard to change those things I can change and accept those I can't.
Thanks to God to be there always !
YES, the Sun always rise every day!
Happy 2025🎉 and prayers to you ,family and this community too❤
Here's to leaving behind our fears and embracing faith!!! And here's to welcoming the New Year together!!! Blessings to you!
All God’s blessings to you and yours in the coming year. 🌲❤️🌲
Thank you!!! And to you as well!! A blessed New Year!!
Blessings for a wonderful 2025.
And to you!!! :) Blessings and hugs!
Happy new year to you, I really appreciate your video. I shared it with my friends. May God be with you and your family and all of us together give us peace, love and joy.God bless
Thank you so much for coming to the farm and for sharing it with your friends! That made me smile on this the second day of the New Year!! Blessings to you and your friends!
Thank you for this timely video and the idea of the offerings. ❤
I am so glad you visited and enjoyed your time with me! (And that I didn't fall and break anything!) Wishing you a very blessed New Year!
Hello Pastor Donna , thank you for your last vidéos about Christmas, loneliness , nature . God bless you and Happy new year.
And a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!! I pray all is well in France!! It has been warm here and sadly the snow is melting quickly!! Blessings!
Thank you for this positive, encouraging message ❤
You are very welcome!! So glad you enjoyed your time with me!! Many blessings to you and a very Happy New Year!
Happy New Year everyone. Thank you Pastor Donna. This was a wonderful message for stepping into the new year. I want to be the skater who steps through his fear onto the ice this year
Amen! I want to be that skater, too! Wishing a very blessed New Year!!!
Pastor Donna....such a beautiful message. God sees us as we see ourselves in a mirror, but He also sees us from the inside....our hearts. I love your grace in ministering to us. I love God.
I had a wooden cup and ball game, too, and I never could get the ball into that cup. No matter how many times I tried, I don't recall ever accomplishing that!
Many blessings to you, and Happy New Year.
I will be in the comfort of my little place, with my cat Figaro. ❤
I am laughing and smiling to hear you and a wooden cup and ball game, too! I am really doubting that I will ever get that ball into the cup. :) Thank you for spending time with me here at the farm!! New Year blessings to you and Figaro!
Beautiful Donna. I look forward to your beautiful videos. They calm me. Bring me to a good and happy place. I laugh sometimes and cry sometimes. I’ve even done both watching. I thank you from my heart for all your messages. So timely. So important. And I need to make a trip from PA to Vermont one day. God bless you.
I am so glad you enjoyed our time together!!! And I thank God that these episodes bring peace and calmness to your world! Yes, a trip to Vermont is needed! Till then, wishing you a very Blessed New Year!
It is very nice to watch your video and listen to your words on the eve of the new year.
I really need your thoughts, which really help me not to go crazy.
On Christmas night and on Christmas Day, December 25, the Russian army attacked the entire territory of Ukraine with cruise and ballistic missiles, the occupiers hit energy infrastructure facilities.
There are dead and wounded civilians.
Most cities, including our city of Sumy, found themselves without electricity and heating.
And only thanks to the georism of utility workers, it was possible to restore the supply of heat and light, but with interruptions.
Your video reminds me that there is a normal world, a normal life. Moreover, you show by your own example how to live in harmony and joy.
Thank you so much for your work, videos and thoughts you share!
Happy New Year!
Greetings from unconquered Ukraine!
I wish there was more I could do to help you and the people of Ukraine. My prayers don't seem to be enough, but I know God sees all, hears all and is among us, even in our darkest moments. Wishing and praying for peace in the coming year!
@@oldstonewellfarm Your prayers help me because I am still able to watch your videos.
Thank you for your kind words and prayers, I really appreciate it.
Happy New Year Pastor Donna! Looking forward to another year of all your inspirational videos.
Thank you!!! I have been holding this channel in my prayers all week, asking God to direct my steps and show me what He has planned for Old Stone Well Farm's family of faith! Blessings to you!
Thank you for this message and especially for the verse in Rev Have a Blessed New Year
You are welcome! That verse has always been a favorite of mine! So happy to share it! Blessings!
Thank you.
You are welcome! So glad you visited Old Stone Well Farm!
Happy New Year, Pastor.
I could not have asked for a better time to hear from you.
These last days after Christmas have been difficult as my son had to leave the 26th as I've had to adjust to the silence and aloneness missing both husband and son.
I guess we all feel let down, but I always plan to reinvent myself going into the new year.
I'm so glad you will be journeying with me and wish you many blessings.
I have memories of my dad and I roller skating. I also took speed skating lessons in Newark!
I loved skating and remember skating at Core Creek in Bucks County after marriage.
Your part of the world is a piece of heaven... how fortunate you are.
Well, here we go...onward to 2025...
Peace , good health, and love to us all.
Gail
It is so hard when the festivities are over and everyone leaves. I remember on Christmas when I first moved north to pastor a church, my parents came to visit with my disabled brother. They stayed a few days, but then left on Christmas Day. After they were gone, I remember sitting in the dark room with only the Christmas tree lights shining feeling so empty and alone. There was nothing I could do except turn to God and whisper, "be near me Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay, close by me..." I am sending that prayer to heaven for you! And I loved hearing you took speed skating lessons in Newark! What fun!! May this year be filled with love and light and continued blessings!! Sending you a warm hug!
Happy New Year to you too!
Watching you ice skate reminds me of skating as a child (my Dad use to make me my very own rink) and taking my kids skating when they were little. So many good fun memories. I hope you enjoy yourself.
That is so wonderful that your dad used to make you your very own rink! I was wondering if I could have done something like that on my property. I am so glad you visited with me and enjoyed our time together! Blessings to you, and a very Happy New Year!
That was Beautiful 💗 The hand holding Father Analogy! I CAN REMEMBER ~Blessings
I am so glad you came to visit with me here at the farm and enjoyed your time!!! Here's to a year filled with grace and love and light - and always seeing God with us always! Blessings to you!
Thank you for your words❤
You are welcome!!! Many blessing to you and may the New Year be filled with beautiful God moments! Thank you for being part of the Old Stone Well Farm family.
Happy New Years each year we get wiser and I’m looking forward to more of your stories and videos- Thank you I’m grateful for finding you this year!
I, too, am grateful that you found Old Stone Well Farm!!! Here's to a new year journeying together!!! Blessings and hugs!
Thank you Pastor Donna for your videos. I, too, especially enjoy the sunrise of a new year. ❤
You are very welcome!!! Yes, the New Year sunrise is always so powerful...something very holy about a new day of the new year breaking right before our eyes! Blessings to you!
Happy New Year 2025 Pastor and everyone! Love your skater metaphor...😊
A Blessed New Year to you! I am so glad I got to share the skating metaphor!!! :)
Love the bonfire and sunrise idea. God bless!
I am so glad to hear that! Yes, they are wonderful ways to greet the New Year! Blessings to you!
Thank you Pastor Donna for sharing your heart ❤️ Happy New Year Year to you and Your husband and Frits and Ru Ru May God bless you and yours Iused to ic skate when I was younger
It is a joy to share with you!! And a joy to have you visit with me!! New Year blessings to you!!!
Thankyou Pastor Donna for reminding me to give myself to God Happy New Year
You are welcome! Here's to a very Blessed New Year!!!
Thank you. I don't make resolutions because I know I will break them. But it will be 50 years in January when I prayed to God honestly. I said, "Dear God I don't even know if you exist. But if you do and Jesus is the way to You, I will follow Him and worship Him for the rest of my life. The next day I read the first 15 chapters of Isaiah and I simply believed. Right now my prayer is that I complete that prayer to follow Him as long as I live. My following Him has been a lot of stumbling along but in the right direction. It's my prayer that God will help me keep that promise as long as I still have to go before I cross the finish. I haven't been in very good health, so I am aware of my mortality and that any day maybe even tonight I could go home. But as long as I am alive there is the chance I just might be raptured first. However I go I just pray that God will be happy despite all the stumbling and bumbling. I am still following and worshipping Jesus.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with me! I found it so very powerful and uplifting! I smiled at the "stumbling and bumbling." God is holding you in His amazing and capable hands. I pray for good health for you and for God to continue shining light on your path in the days to come! Again, thank you for writing and wishing you a blessed New Year!
Thank you, Pastor Donna! What a sweet message and encouraging word for me to hear on New Year’s Eve! I’m finding as I get older I’m not quite as bold and courageous about life as I was in the previous 6 decades! I’m going to spend time today with the Lord and focus on what He has in mind for me to courageously experience and live out in 2025! Warm Regards to you, my sister in Christ!❤
I completely understand about not being as bold and courageous. I had that feeling as I was putting on the skates. It was a feeling I never really had before. I was even worried about falling and breaking something! But I took my time. I even decided to quit while I was ahead, telling myself to get off the ice before I do fall. I was enjoying myself and was on the ice for almost two hours. But I could feel myself getting tired and knew it was time to take the skates off. So, here's to a new year and I will lift a prayer for you today, joining you in your seeking what the Lord has in mind for you to "courageously experience" this year. Onward in faith we go! Blessings!
💙❄️ Beautiful. Wishing you a Blessed New Year 🥰💖💕
And a Blessed New Year to you!!!
I've always felt sad New Year's Eve but this year I've made an intention to enjoy and celebrate every one of the 12 days and then Epiphany too. I find this quotation helpful (copyright ML Haskins): "I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year. 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.' And he replied 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.'"
I love this quote! Thank you for sharing. I embrace the 12 Days of Christmas and Epiphany too as a way to chase away the sadness I always felt come Dec. 31. It is a wonderful way to ease into the new year. Many blessings to you!
Blessings to you in the New Year!
Thank you!! And to you as well!!
I wish you and yours a very happy and holy new year! Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers for the new year. You are a very good skater! I would love to skate again, especially on an outside pond, but at nearly 70 years old, it's probably not the best idea! Looking forward to all of your videos to come in 2025......................God bless
It is never too late!🎉
Thank you for visiting with me!!! Here's to a blessed New Year! (And I almost didn't skate as I was afraid of breaking something!!!)
So happy you posted..As we get older its scary to fall!!! Yu can really get hurt! That's not fear its common sense! Happy new year! And you did skate pretty well.
It is so true!!! That is exactly what I thought when I felt that fear...that when you get older that fear really is common sense. For a moment, I did consider not trying to skate for I didn't want to break anything! So glad you enjoyed your time with me! Many blessings and a very Happy New Year to you!
Happy New Years, thank you for your blessings, guidance and nature scenes. Many blessings to you and your husband and Fritz. ❤
Thank you for the blessings! And I am so glad you enjoyed this time together!!! Happy New Year!
Hi Pastor Donna, happy belated Christmas and Happy New Year as well. I don’t go out on New Year’s as well. Most of my early life my Dad was single and he used go out dancing but he would never go out on New Years. I remember asking him why and he said that is amateur night another words the people who never go out go out on that night. I love that place you were skating on. Perfect size for hockey. Couple of tips on your skating if I may. Try bending your knees a little and I’m not sure with figure skates but are they sharp? It sounded like you were cutting the ice pretty good. One thing I am doing a lot is reading my Bible, I hope you’re proud of me. I’m going to cut it off here. I’m still behind watching your videos. Stay healthy and God bless!
So wonderful hearing from you, and thank you for the tips!! They are greatly appreciated. Yes, bend the knees...I had forgotten all about that. I realized as I was skating that I was leaning more on one side as well. I have been having problems with my right knee and I have always had a weak ankle on that side as well. But will bend my knees!! :) And the skates are sharp. I wish I had hockey skates as the toe pick on the figure skates tend to catch the ice and send you falling forward. It is an adorable skating rink. The setting was just so peaceful. I have preached in that church that is in the video. A sweet Congregational church with lots of history. The house next to the church used to be the house for the pastor. Sadly, the congregation sold it to someone in NYC back in the 80s. Luckily, though, this person kept it true to the time period and didn't change its bones. Well, enjoy catching up on Old Stone Well Farm!!! And wishing you a blessed day!!
More encouraging words and thoughts ❤ God Bless you dear heart ❤
Blessings to you!!! So glad you visited with me. Here's to a new year filled with many God moments!
Happy New Year!
And a Happy and Blessed New Year to you!!!
@@oldstonewellfarm Thank you!
I love your perspective on life, you ever thought of setting up membership on TH-cam? ❤
Thank you for your kind words. It is nice to get affirmation. :) No, I haven't thought about setting up a TH-cam membership. I will explore! Thank you!! Blessings!