The joy continues on the homestead. We are making more progress with the horses. Mary has started one of the mules riding, and Lina, our beautiful icelandic mare in the picture, enjoys taking children for rides and has done pretty well with Theresa riding her in just a rope halter. We also harnessed her up and took Theresa skiing behind her. She's an incredible horse unlike any I've ever known with a deep spirit and a love for people, especially children. When Mary asked her to trot with the little children on her, she was a little concerned and looked over her shoulder at her young mounts, but as she heard Lizzy giggling with delight she relaxed and went forward with ease. They had ear to ear grins when they came in to tell me about it.

We got a spinning wheel and a hand carder this month, and are doing our best to figure out how to use them. It's not as easy as some make it look .

There hasn't been much progress on the house, but we'll probably get back to it this month. Instead, we have been working on getting our EM soap making business off the ground. There was a bit of work and lots of obstacles in getting the supplies that we need, our labels printed and our packaging materials ready, but we should be set to ship by next week.

We had another family visit this month and they found land that they hope to get near by, so we are praying that they and another family get their houses sold so they can move up this spring. Our kids have held up pretty well despite not having close friends around because of their faith, our close family and their many interests that keep them busy, but I know that it is so important for them to have peers who share their values. We also know that we need other families in community in order to realize the homesteading dream and to build up the Body of Christ.

We have suffered and sacrificed for Community so much, that it is quite obvious that the devil strongly opposes it. In order to allow the Holy Spirit to bring this about, we have to be incredibly vigilant. I feel that the Eucharist in the center of the Community will be the Sign of Triumph for us. We will dedicate ourselves to daily worship, as did our patrons, Mother Teresa and John Paul II, and Our Eucharistic Lord will defend us from evil. Meanwhile, we unite ourselves spiritually with His True Presence and continue to place all of our trust in Him.