Many people have reached out asking why I suddenly retired from growing food for the community and running a daily farm store. Yes, it was sudden. But not for the reasons you may think.

Once upon a time, a girl named Ashley thought she was in control of her life. She made plans years in advance and worked tirelessly to bring them to pass. But then, one day, she was baptized with water and fire on the same day. She fell to her knees and prayed with specificity, asking Jesus to sanctify her and make her holy.

And as Scripture says, “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24). In that prayer, I received His answer. “For all the promises of God find their Yes in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

That is when I began to understand the fiat, Mary’s “let it be done unto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Her yes became the doorway for the Savior of the world. And in my own life, her example has led me closer to Jesus, teaching me that my only answer must also be yes to Jesus.

Since that day, I have learned the importance of being specific in prayer. I have asked the Lord to expose distractions, and He has. I have asked Him to remove ego, and He has. I have asked Him to protect my family, and He has. And though these answers often came through painful pruning, they were still His faithful yes.

This is why I just ended my 15 year career of farming for the public marketplace. This does not mean the Lord has removed farming from my life. Of course, He is blessing my homesteading lifestyle, because living in line with His design is holy work. One of my secret places is among my farm animals, and He has made clear that secret place is to remain. My chickens, Daisy my guard pig, and the gardens are all still here. These rhythms remain while others fall away.

In the same way, I am fully at peace with God’s plan for the size of my family. Many have reached out with love and concern about this, and I want you to know how much I appreciate it. Just as with my vocation, I rest in the truth that His plan for my family is good, perfect, and complete. Scripture reminds us: “Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalm 127:3). And likewise, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). God is sovereign over every detail of my life, including my family.

Over the last 18 months since I fell to my knees begging for the fire to take over every fiber of my existence, everything has changed. I understand my vocation and am grateful to have buried the “Ashley Show,” where everything was her call. I am done with giving in to ego, busyness, and distractions. The fiery darts of the enemy will no longer reach me. They have no place in my life or in my home. And while I cannot see many steps ahead, I will remain obedient to the Lord who is calling me to healing ministry without distractions. I am deeply honored to answer His call. I understand what and who He is allowing to stay in my life, and what or who must go.

By His grace and mercy, He is allowing my little company, The Farm Life, to remain, but only online. He is allowing my functional medicine work to remain, because that is the part of my life He is weaving most directly into healing ministry. It took some time to see what He was detoxing from my life. It has been painful, especially as relationships ended that I assumed would last a lifetime. But He exposed my blinders, and I had to lean into surrender and trust.

So, while the daily farm store and u pick field are gone, the revivals for the Kingdom on the land will remain. I am excited about these upcoming events. I have seen revivals on the land in my dreams more than once.

There are many private conversations, thousands in fact, that will remain in the secret place. But what the Lord has commissioned me to write for you today is this:

God is shifting your season.

It may feel like everything is breaking. But it is just that the rhythm and choices that used to work no longer do. The relationships you thought were permanent are changing.

We are in a season where Jesus is dividing wheat from chaff. “His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:12). And it can feel like your whole world is crumbling.

You are feeling grief, loss, and confusion. But this is proof that you are allowing God to transition you for what is ahead.

Fresh seasons require lighter loads. Less noise. Less static. Less busyness. You are calling it loss and defaulting to grief. I did too. But may we both begin to call it what Heaven calls it: pruning. You are not being punished. You are being protected. If you cannot see this yet, I invite you to lean into the Holy Spirit. He is trying to explain this to you.

For the next 30 days:

• Pray without ceasing and with specificity. Ask Him to expose distractions, to remove what is not of Him, to strengthen your family, and to give you discernment.

• Prayer fast often.

• Read Scripture daily.

• Go to church.

• Seek spiritual counsel from trusted leaders.

• And most importantly, get very comfortable with silence.

God is quieting what once guided you so you can listen to Him. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).

The secret place is where the noise of the world fades, where we are hidden under His wing, and where He equips us for the seasons ahead. Without the secret place, the pruning will feel like punishment. But with it, the pruning feels like protection. Once you begin to meet Him there, you will not feel abandoned by God. You will feel embraced.

And remember, patience is a form of long, redemptive suffering. Lean into patience.

As Luke 12:49–53 teaches, you will experience division. Some will misunderstand you. Some will even attack you. But it is not about you in the flesh. They are confused. Respond with tender, firm love rooted in truth. Discern when the enemy is using people so you pray with specificity. Declare the protection of the blood of Jesus over yourself, your spouse, and your children.

Remember, when people respond in ways that seem like an attack, we are all children of God. So walk in truth. Pray for them. Be slow to anger.

Do not be surprised when you encounter resistance. The purification of your life, your career, and your circle is necessary for the days ahead. Discernment is a non negotiable. Spiritual warfare is inevitable. Gird yourself in Truth.

One of the greatest lessons I have learned in this season is this:
Do not react in the flesh.
Take everything to prayer. Ah, there it is again: patience.

And if the Holy Spirit reveals that something is a spiritual attack, all the more reason to pray.

You are entering into something sacred. But in order to be anointed with fresh oil, God must rid you of old things that compromised your faith. This sanctification is beautiful if you let go of your flesh. It will feel peaceful, even in the pain, when you allow Him to lead.

Do not be discouraged on days when the weight feels too heavy. The weight means you are awake. It means you are strong. You have been in very intense training grounds. And now God is shifting you.

I know there is grief and mourning wrapped in this transition. He is emptying you so He can fill you completely with Him. You were made to echo the voice of God, not the voice of the world. He needs you to step into that.

Allow God to separate the wheat from the chaff in your life. And then let Him plant something new.

I love you and am always here to walk beside you as your sister in Christ.

~Ashley