This year has been a season of change and rediscovering what I want in life. Scratch that—more like discovering where God was leading me. And let me tell you, it’s been stretching. Over the past few years, I’ve let myself be a beginner in so many areas: learning to sew, swimming for exercise (which is humbling when you’re gasping after two laps), managing seeds all the way to harvest, canning produce, and raising chicks. It’s been one long season of starting over.
And honestly? Being a beginner is uncomfortable. It means fumbling, “Googling” more than you’d like to admit, and asking a lot of questions that feel silly. That’s why they call it being a beginner (shocking, I know 😅).
Many of you know I’m an Air Force Public Affairs Officer. For nearly 15 years, I’ve worked alongside reporters and influencers, telling the stories of the incredible Airmen who make up the world’s greatest Air Force. In that space, I’m confident—I know my craft.
But here’s the thing: even though I can handle a press conference without breaking a sweat, starting my own blog felt like opening a box of IKEA furniture without instructions. All parts, no clue. And farming? That might just be the ultimate IKEA project.
Some skills transfer—writing, storytelling, communication—but the behind-the-scenes tech of websites? To me, it all operates on magic. But thankfully, the Air Force also taught me resilience, flexibility, and resourcefulness. So while I’m no expert in blogging (or farming—more on that in a sec), I’ve been a beginner before, and I know with steady commitment, the hard thing eventually becomes the easy thing.
My New Beginning
And speaking of new beginnings—I’m excited to share something brand new. This week, I’m starting an internship with Vets on the Farm here in Spokane. It’s a program “designed for Veterans seeking a new mission and a way to transition back into civilian life through careers in agriculture, farming, ranching, or other conservation-based industries.” Their mission is to provide resources and opportunities for education, partnership, and employment to help Veterans like me find our footing in this new field.
I’ll be learning about small-scale sustainable agriculture, crop production, livestock management, and maybe even beekeeping. Luke and I hope to start small, so I also want to learn about farm management and record-keeping. There’s a lot to take in—but once again, I’ll be starting as a beginner. This time, though, I’ll be learning from professionals with far more experience than me.
My first day was refreshing for my soul. I’ve missed having my hands in the soil and geeking out on the species of tomatoes with fellow gardeners was just amazing.
Beginning a Season of Change
With fall around the corner, the days are already shorter, and the leaves are shifting from green to vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. Just as many will embrace Pumpkin Spice Latte season, I want to embrace this season of being a beginner again.
When I started my blog four months ago, I had no idea what I was doing—but here I am, still learning, still showing up. And there are a few things I’m reminding myself as I step into this new chapter on the farm:
- Remember: I can do hard things.
I’ve jumped out of perfectly good airplanes. I’ve carried and birthed three beautiful children. I can be a beginner again and do hard things! - Beginners didn’t build Rome in a day.
There’s a difference between a beginner and an expert—and the gap is filled with time and practice. I can’t just say, “I don’t know,” and stay there. I need to be patient, take initiative, and keep learning. After all, I’ve already kept a 25×25 garden alive for three summers in Illinois, so I know growth takes time. - Prepare to combat self-doubt.
If I’m honest, I almost didn’t email the VOTF team. I wondered,What if I’m too “corporate” for them? What if I’m not good at growing plants? What if they don’t like me? (Yes, at 36 I still sometimes feel like the new kid at the lunch table. 🙃) But here’s the truth: my fears don’t define my future. - Speak God’s truth.
Saying my goals out loud helps make them real. And by sharing them with supportive people (like this internship team), I’m inviting encouragement, wisdom, and community into the journey. Jesus said, “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Our dreams matter to Him, because He’s the one who planted them in us—and He equips us to carry them out.
The Formula for Beginners
Right now, I don’t know how to be a farmer. But I do know how to learn. Like any career path, the formula is simple:
- Learn as much as you can.
- Find a mentor and ask all the questions.
- Gain hands-on experience.
- Pursue formal education if needed.
VOTF will help me with #2–4, and #1 will naturally come along the way.
At the end of the day, the race isn’t against my peers—it’s against my former self. And in this season, I feel like a blank canvas ready to be painted on. Almost like a child again, eager to get my hands dirty (literally and figuratively).
So here’s what I’m holding onto: being a beginner isn’t a setback—it’s an invitation. An invitation to grow, to laugh at mistakes, and to discover what God is shaping in me. Whether it’s farming, blogging, or just keeping plants alive, every new beginning is already covered in His grace.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” — Isaiah 43:19
To new beginnings!!! Yesssss!!! 🎉🎉🎉