Edmond, Oklahoma to Dallas to New Orleans to Tampa to Buffalo to a farm where pigs and wheat and soybeans and children are raised. Our few hours with the Voskamps were well-worth the twelve it took to get there.
Six kids welcomed us with handshakes, the Farmer too, and a hug from generous Ann who put us up for the night, filled our bellies with sweet corn, thick bread, and lots of pork – like candy!
The kids peppered us with questions and jokes while the Farmer finished up chores and Ann cooked – the most famous dove in the world floating nearby.
We talked children, music and books, busy schedules, spinning plates and more plates. Ann and I have a great deal in common – at this moment in life maybe more than ever.
So we took up every seat at the kitchen table – the Voskamps, Ben, Patrick and I – gave thanks and gorged ourselves on good food and conversation. Then we chased it down with the Farmer’s homemade strawberry ice cream and a reading from his bible. Genesis. Joseph and his brothers learning that regardless of our intentions God’s are always for good.
A prayer. Amen. Then rest for our morning together in the wheat field.
That next morning there was bacon as promised. And eggs and juice. Prayer and the Farmer reading about those brothers and God’s good intentions again.
Amen.
Ann carried two stools. I wagged my tattered guitar cases up the hill. Patrick set up his cameras and microphones. Then Ann – who said she always wanted to be a journalist – did her best Barbara Walters, subtly leading not-so-much an interview as a conversation about thanks, and the rain cycle of inspiration, and our God with good intentions for everything – living fully alive.
Under the biggest sky. With silos all around. Mennonites in horse-drawn buggies cruising roads in the distance.
“This is the field I ran across to chase the moon,”she said.
We talked.
Sang.
Patrick catching it all on film for Ann’s August 30th stop on the Third World Symphony blog tour.
With our “work” done, then it was a walk back down the hill to the farmhouse for some play.
And pigs and goats.
And lots of laughter.
And some air guitar? (What on earth were we doing?)
And then, too quickly, we hugged goodbye in the gravel driveway and set off for hours of travel home. I sat on airplanes thankful for our little time of eucharisteo with the Voskamps – the jokes of boys, the angelic face of a little girl with golden curls, her small fingers playing the piano just for me, the most creamy potatoes served up by big sister, stories of adventures past told by daredevil boys, heads bowed, prayers whispered by the Farmer, piglet tails, that big blue sky.
So good.
Thanks for this friend who is teaching me and so many to give thanks.
Amen.
One Thousand Gifts
I’ve read Ann’s book One Thousand Gifts five times now – it is, for me, the most beautifully-crafted and profoundly challenging inspiring book written in my lifetime.
I’m dared every time I turn its pages to live fully, gratefully, and I’m shown through Ann’s masterful use of story and scripture what that kind of life might look like.
Please get it today. Shoot – get ten and give them to the half-living in your life this Christmas.
QuatroMama says:
Oh to be a mouse in that field of wheat.
Shaun Groves says:
You kinda will be. It’s all on video. About 40 minutes worth…broken up into bite sized chunks of course.
Daniel Farrow says:
Shaun, when and where will that video or its parts be available? Do you know yet? I so want to see it. I’ve been a reader of Ann’s blog for close to one year now, and I’m so blessed by her writing even though I haven’t read One Thousand Gifts yet. Thanks.
Aimee says:
Sounds like it was an awesome time had by all. Can’t wait to see the video!
Thomas says:
I started my list last month after reading Ann’s book. I am not as good at it as I should be, but it is a start in seeing and trusting God.
Thomas
Shaun Groves says:
Way to go, Thomas. of course would ask you what she’s been asking guy readers lately: Reading with the “girly” cover on or off? ; )
Thomas says:
I read it with the “girly” cover on it. 😉
Patricia says:
Awww! I love it. Love the pig pictures too Shaun. Can’t wait to be with all of you again on our next adventure!
Amanda says:
Love this, and can’t wait to watch the video! In Heaven, I hope to talk long with you and Ann both… you who God has used to bring so much more life to me.
Ann Voskamp says:
It was a humble privilege, Shaun. A grace.
Our old piano will never be the same. Nor our hearts.
Thank you for sharing Third World Symphony with us, Shaun & Company. You make us hunger to be bread, broken and given. That is no small thing. What music and lyrics can do on the inside.
Your cool/hipness/keen sense of humor is in entirely another stratosphere… Ah, and only thoughts of being a journalist (all those words and stories to be discovered) ’til I realized you really had to talk to people ~weak smile~. But you were kind to the awkward, grace to the stammering — and made conversation pure joy — all Christ at the center. *Thank you…*
And you know how I mean those two simple words…
“Come By Here” is playing here right now — and so He has.
All is wildest, laying low grace….
Ann
(and we really could *not* have been playing air guitars! 😉
Shaun Groves says:
I swear, Ann, you even write beautiful blog comments. And e-mails. Missing you all today. Next time, at least twenty-four hours of hanging out. I’ll get a hotel room next time too…but you’re still cooking bacon ; )
Sarah Valente (Kingdom Mama) says:
I was thinking the same thing. If my most poured over posts could only reach to the heights of Ann’s beautifully crafted COMMENTS! What a blessing you both are to me…though we’ve never met. I truly love you both and was smiling through every words and photo in this post.
shawna says:
Oh my, it is beautiful to see the two of you in that field, that windy field! Shaun, I love bacon, pork chops, ham, sausage, but looking at you holding that baby pig, doesn’t it look like he is smiling?
Eli and I were hoping you could get one of those little boogers back across the bacon border! 😉
Crystal says:
Shaun I found you through Ann’s website and I must say your music, your voice, your passion is a testimony to the gifts God has given you! Absolutely wonderful to listen to. I will certainly be listening to more and passing them on : ) And Ann, my first thank you on my list was for life changing words from a stranger I’ve never met -you. I, too, am a homeschooling mama to 6 with 3 of them still under 5. I have definitely scoffed at the chaos, yelled when I should have whispered, walked away when I should have kneeled… But as I read your words on your blog, in your book, I am continuously encouraged and reminded that all is grace and God is here. So much comfort. I have found that cross in the clothespin Ann and the concept of serving them by serving Him has taken root inside me. Thanks could not be said enough to describe the gratitude I feel for you and your commitment to be a blessing by using your talent of using all the right words. Oh and last night I served noodles to my 20 month old for the first time without cutting them up. Used to, I would have seen a big mess but last night I saw that sweet boy master the task of sucking noodles from start to finish. Each and every one of them… We all laughed so hard we cried. Beautiful blessing : )
Susan says:
Such a wonderful post!!! Thank you for sharing!
Christin @ Joyful Mothering says:
That. Was. AWEsome. 🙂 You two hanging out together – beautiful! I look forward to meeting you, Shaun Groves. I’ve seen your heart for Compassion Int’l. Would love to share mine.
Ann, I look forward to seeing you again. Twice in one life time? God is waaay too good to me!
Shaun Groves says:
I look forward to meeting you too. You going to Relevant?
Shauna says:
I love this post and One Thousand Gifts and can’t wait to get your CD! 🙂
JoAnne says:
Thanks for letting us evesdrop on your conversation and peek into your time together.
Grace you have shared.
Karen says:
Wonderful! that’s all….just wonderful….but I confess to wishing that I could have been there too….just to listen in! 🙂
Janet says:
Wonderful post… and I have to say the pictures of Shaun with the pigs looked straight out of Charlotte’s Web! smiling…
Melissa Jones says:
Haha! All I could think of when I saw the pictures was “SOME PIG!”
Alle says:
What an incredibly blessed time. I cannot wait to meet you and Ann at Relevant this year. As a new blogger and musician, I’m constantly striving to pluck strings and find words that honor Him and bless others. You do both so seamlessly. Thank you for your ministry, brother.
Patrick Tohill says:
It was a blast. I want some more bacon.
Shaun Groves says:
Yea, was I just extra hungry that morning or was that pig extra yummy. Not sure what Ann put in that skillet.
Patrick McDonald says:
Looks like an amazing time for all of you. I’m reading One Thousand Gifts right now. My wife read it recently and said it would revolutionize my thinking. Honestly, I was hesitant because it seemed a bit “girly”. I picked it up this past weekend, and already Christ is working it into my soul. The joy. The grace. Thanksgiving. Eucharisteo. My wife was right…revolutionary! God bless your day and thanks for sharing your visit with the Voskamp family.
Leslie says:
Sweet! Is it weird that I get all excited when pretend blog friends I love get together in real life! This is such a strange, wonderful, connected community out here. I’m on my fourth or so reading of Ann’s book – doing a little Facebook-message-book-club with a couple of busy brand new emergency room RNs who are having trouble finding community in this season. What a blessing! Love you BOTH!
Shaun Groves says:
it is weird…but I get it. I do that myself.
And what a cool idea to use Facebook for something, well, productive ; )
Leslie says:
Haha–I know, right? They are recent college grads having some difficulty transitioning into their gritty new “real life” and melding it into any kind of spiritual community outside of work. So we hit on the idea of “meeting” in a Facebook message thread to study 1000 Gifts. As the *ahem* much older mother figure, I’m facilitating with the reader guide Ann led me to. So far, it’s been fun!
Charity Singleton says:
What a fun visit among family. That’s what you all seem like by now. Family. Thanks for sharing your visit with us.
Christine says:
Beautiful post, Shaun….nice tribute to sweetest Ann. Mostly, I just want one of those pigs to hold. 🙂
Cheryl Smith says:
I read your first post the other day and listened to your song, “All’s Grace.” I read the lyrics and watched the video a couple of times.
Unexpectedly, today while driving, the chorus came to mind and I sang it. Worshiped so fully in the quiet of my Honda Odyssey that I completely missed the green arrow until the car behind me honked politely. Though I entered the intersection, I was unmoved in my worship.
That one musical phrase: You have loved us. You have loved us all. You have loved us all so…
Stumped for the words beyond the chorus, I simply hummed it. Over and over. Guess I need to learn the rest by heart too.
Such a gift. Thank you.
Shaun Groves says:
You are very welcome.
Patricia @ Pollywog Creek says:
Perfectly wonderful. And could y’all have been given a more beautiful day?!?!?! Thank you, Shaun and Ann, for letting us share this wonderful day with you, but also for the way you live out the gospel you write and sing.
Amanda says:
“Zuckerman’s Famous Pig” is rushing through my head now. I love this!
We are THAT family says:
I just love this–seeing two of my favorite people together, doing something BIG for Him. I’m proud to know you and Ann, to call you both friends. Can’t wait to see that video!
Shaun Groves says:
Back atcha, Kristen. Which reminds me…you and I have a video to schedule don’t we? I’m on it.
Hannah Oliphant says:
Oh Shaun, how I love the fact that you keep showing up in the blogs I consistently read!!! Ann’s book is on my list. HAHA. I’ll get right on that! Thanks for sharing. I’m so grateful for what you do and the way you spread the news. In a time as this, perspectives are to be shared, meditated on, and possibly adjusted. It often takes the eloquent words of those of you that floating around cyberspace together!
Shaun Groves says:
I just can’t get used to that last name of yours. A lot has changed since high school huh? Glad we can still hang out, even if it is only on-line. Great to hear from you, Hannah.
Kris says:
*sigh* this was such an awesome re-cap. I would have loved to have been a bird in that field, watching, listening to you two talk in poetry and song… God bless you both for the way you bless us. Love you two…. Love the God who shines bright through you!
Patricia says:
Thanks for sharing your visit to the farm! I think it would have been really cool to have had a little audience out there in that field! Would have loved to sit and watch and listen to your session. You are both beautiful people..I’ve had the privilege of meeting Ann at a book signing in London (travelled 2 hrs to get there). Would love to meet you too, Shaun! Seeing you both together would be amazing! Can’t wait to get your cd’s in the mail.
Shaun Groves says:
Well, Ann and I both wanted to broadcast a concert form that field live on her blog on the CD’s release day but, well, just too expensive. On a budget of prayers, favors, and frequent flier miles we did the best we could…and God, I think, has turned it into something great.
Can’t wait for you all to hear and see on August 30!
jess says:
after ann’s post the other day i knew you would do the zip line! 🙂 couldn’t resist i am sure.
and is it ok to be jealous that you got went to canada and saw those voskamp’s face to face? and kissed (or hugged) a pig?
looking forward to the video and album release! God’s best to you and yours.
Tsh @ Simple Mom says:
I love seeing two of my favorite people together. CanNOT wait to hang out with you both in a few months!
Teena says:
Hi Shaun…. I love it. Actually laughed out loud. Love reading all about your time together.
I just recently became a Compassion Advocate. Was looking on Compassion.com to see when your concerts are scheduled…
Ann has changed my life through her “thanks”… even in the hard places she has taught me to give thanks.
grace,
Teena
Josanna says:
What an amazing day! I’m so excited to get this cd and to see this video! It is wonderful to see God at work!
And the baby pigs? I’m quite jealous… 🙂
Sharon O says:
oh that had to have been a wonderful time together, I so wish some day I can go to relevant conference and meet all the wonderful writers and just have a quiet reflective time to do some thinking, learning and writing.
Someday I will meet Ann and yourself in person and a few others as well.
Blessings to you as you seek to serve Him always.
Zoë says:
Being bombarded by kids who’ve weed on the bed & are arguing over whether underwear is clean or not as we get ready for the church camping weekend . . . but loved the pics of the pigs!
ro elliott says:
I join the chorus…to have been in that field…
I think I have you beat…I have lost count of the number of times I have read the book…then I switched to the audio…Oh my…to have Ann’s voice…her sweet spirit read those penetrating words…I am soaking…God’s transforming power…Oh the Grace…
Blessings to you and your voice…singing out God’s heart.
Ro
Rena says:
What a beautiful story of more His blessings, His grace!!! I felt like I was there with you all. One thing is certain–I am definitely thankful with you, rejoicing when I see God’s grace so beautiful. I’ll keep on counting those endless gifts…
shayne says:
That woman just oozes grace all over the place. You can literally smell Jesus’ fragrance as Prince of Peace when you read her words and stare at her photographs.
Flower Patch Farmgirl says:
Ann plays air guitar! Well, who woulda….
So glad you were able to get away and stretch your heart across those fields.
Jabber Jaws says:
Dallas!?! I hope you didn’t just see the airport. Tell me they blessed you with some Mexican food. If not, I’ve been working on a blog comment about where you need to eat when you come through Dallas. You are coming through Dallas for the tour, right!?!
emily freeman says:
i love this so much. and that pig is looking at the camera like he knows something we don’t.
amber's articles says:
“Come by here” blessed me the first time Ann wrote of it and I sat listening thinking of all the faces I saw along the busy streets of India and Haiti.
Thank you for again reminding me of the blesses I experience every day. For encouraging me to read through 1,000 gifts again. For bringing faces to my mind that need the prayers, grace, and salvation of our God.
melissa says:
beautiful, thanks for sharing this!
Rhonda says:
Yay! Can’t wait to see the video.
2 of my 3 favorite people from the web in the same place.
jenn nahrstadt says:
glad to know i’m not the only one who needed to reread ann’s book in order to grasp what needed to sink into the marrow of my being. i’m still working on it…and i’ve given away more copies of this book than any other i’ve ever read.
can’t WAIT to get my hands on TWS. it is my little to-myself-early-birthday present. thanks, shaun!
Kristin says:
Two of my favorite writers together. Wow! I look forward meeting you both at Relevant.
Valerie says:
I discovered your music through Ann’s daily e-mail, Shaun. You are both so God-gifted …. so Grace-gifted ….. you both speak my language …. challenging, stretching, moving me to new levels of worship and growth toward the Saviour we love. Thank you! (I have to ask, Shaun. After cuddling those adorable little piglets, you could still eat bacon?!!!)
Janice says:
That baby pig takes me right back to kindergarden 33 years ago where I proudly met my Mama outside the door and marched into class with a baby pig for show and tell. Best show and tell EVER and I could not understand at all why everyone had to wash their hands afterwards. haha!
Being thoroughly blessed since being introduced to your music through Ann’s blog. Especially “Just As I Am” Beautiful!
Pamela says:
At the Chicago midway airport, I was looking for a book to read and chatting with the cashier when Ann’s book caught my eye. I grabbed it and proclaimed loudly in the small store that this book was indeed the second best book ever to be written and she MUST read it & change it’s location to the front of the store & buy it for her friends.
I briefly explained who Ann was (and wasn’t) her work w/Compassion Intn’l, and by the time I left – I truly believed God allowed a seed to be planted!! I DANCED out of that bookstore!!!
JessicaB says:
Oh man, I missed a lot during the great sinus infection of ‘011.
Jealous of all your pig wrasslin and air guitars and alls gracing and such.
Laura says:
Can’t wait to see the video! What a gift, thank you!
Benita Koeman says:
So Ann,
My sister-in-law told me about A Child’s Geography a few months ago, which I now own and am eager to cover with our kids this fall (especially the part about Iraq)…then I learn of you blog, then your book, One Thousand Gifts. It is such a precious blessing to be connected to home (I was raised on a pig farm near Clinton) through your blog, especially as we just moved so far away…Hawaii. My husband has been serving the Lord as a military chaplain for the past 8 years. The challenges of the military family are immense. I am so eager to get my hands on One Thousand Gifts…I have read so much about it and I think it will resonate greatly with how God has been working on my own heart through many moves, deployments, and other challenges that have come our way. The day my husband last for his last deployment I was led to make notes of how God was caring for our young family in the minutes, hours and days following his departure. It was God revealing to me his provision…He would carry us through yet another year-long deployment. And He did provide. He did reveal His love to us on many occasions…
God’s grace and peace be with you and your family, Ann!
Terri says:
This morning, trying not to grumble about the fact I have to borrow my wifi from the local Panera because I am STILL without power, thanks to Irene’s wrath…I found myself here- humbled and reminded that even this is Grace. Spirits lifted and heart renewed…thanks, Shaun and Ann!
Melanie says:
I just read Ann’s blog today with your visit. What a blessing. I just ordered the cd prior to even listening to one bar. I know it will be worth it.
For God’s Kingdom.
Melanie
Diane says:
Shaun, I was introduced to you and your music by Ann’s blog. I am playing All Is Grace again and again. Your song is bringing this truth back to my mind over and over as the music plays in the background of my mind. Many thanks for putting her message into music.
Jason says:
Have Voskamps book and your new album in our home. BOTH have been tremendous blessings in our lives.