Last fall, one of the laying hens proudly introduced 10 baby chicks to Ahmad, who lovingly cares for the chickens. He has been nurturing mother and chicks in the warmth of the brooder and giving them daily supervised "pasture" time. Ahmad recently moved the mom and chicks into one of the coops and is helping them get used to their new surroundings.

Thanks to all these friendly chickens, we have lots of fresh eggs for you every day -- come by the farmhouse to pick up a dozen or two to take home and enjoy.

One aspect of preparing for the coming spring is learning more about farming. A number of our Farm Circle beloveds are taking a few days this week to attend the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) conference in Sate College. They will attend classes and meet other farmers who are committed to farming sustainably. It's a great opportunity to find new ways to help our farm operations grow.

This winter, Amin, our CSA manager, is undertaking construction of a seed-starting shed that will be an addition to the carriage shed, located near the CSA garden. This will allow him to start seedlings in a warm (solar-heated), protected space near the garden, an improvement from past years when seeds were started in other buildings on the farm that are a distance from the CSA plot.

Our flock of sheep is very woolly now, and 15 ewes are busy gestating their lambs, which should be born in April, inshallah. We are hoping for lots of twins! With 8 ewe lambs from 2010 and the ram, our flock numbers 24. In December we delivered most of our sheep-share lambs and sold a few others, with the last three sheep shares to be delivered in early spring.

If you know anyone who spins, we have a huge box of cleaned and carded Tunis wool (roving) for sale. It is suitable for crafts, rugs and afghans and would make a fun gift for anyone into fiber crafts, with proceeds going to support the Farm.

Be a CSA Member in 2011!

It's time to think about those juicy tomatoes and crisp green peppers fresh from the garden! We're extending the invitation to new members to join our CSA. We're looking forward to growing and expanding this year, with renewed intentions to nourish our bodies, the land, and community through our CSA program. Deliveries will take place in various locations throughout the region, including Hagerstown, Frederick and Silver Spring, Md., and NW Washington, D.C.

You will find information about the CSA and a commitment form you can print at www.farmofpeace.com (there's a link below). In fact, you can pay for your membership online using Paypal. If you prefer for us to take your information over the phone, you are welcome to call Jen Halima at 717-572-2956 or email halimajen@yahoo.com. Thank you for your commitment to supporting local farmers and being a good steward of the land.

The day came to move them outside. I positioned the portable pen outside the door and began catching chicks, two at a time, and putting them in the big new pen. Most of them were pretty calm and easy to catch, but some of them got really frightened and started squawking in a panic. They had no idea where they were going or what was going to happen to them so they were frightened. The last dozen were especially frightened and hard to catch.

I was talking to them, in the way I usually talk to animals: "Listen you," I told them, "I'm not going to hurt you, I'm just going to catch you and put you in a much bigger, better place. You'll have fresh air and sunshine, and you'll be with all your friends. There's no reason to be so scared! You chickens!" (pun intended).

Of course, they didn't listen. They just kept flapping and squawking all the way into the new pen, where upon arrival they promptly shut up and began checking out their new surroundings. They were fine. Didn't I tell them they'd be fine?

As I moved the last squawkers, annoyed at how "dumb" they were for their reactions -- after all, nothing bad was happening to them -- it came to me that God might feel this way about us. How many times have we resisted moving from one life situation to another, kicking and screaming, while God gently pushes us along, knowing that it's going to be a better place for us? The next time I feel a push to move in a new direction in life and let go of something familiar but old, I hope I remember those chicks. God has a plan for all His little chicks, He knows where we're going and that we'll be fine.

Fortunately, there are many students and grads living in our area, so we are able to offer most people who come a private, one-on-one healing session with a healer. There is also a short teaching about Sufism and healing, which is an opportunity for teachers in our community to introduce a Sufi practice or offer a group healing.

We are always amazed at the many miracles that occur during these sessions. The most common occurrence is witnessing Divine organizational powers. Days before the event, my beloved and I start recruiting healers so that everyone who has registered can experience a private healing session. Many times, however, people will drop in, bring friends, or not show up for a variety of reasons -- so we don't know if there will be an equal number of healers and participants. However, before Nuh and I can panic, we are reminded that everyone always gets what they need, and we could have saved ourselves some fretting if we had just trusted more deeply that Allah is the Organizer, we aren't. This is Allah's healing day, not ours.

The other miracle we witness at times is incredible healing! More than once, we've seen people struggle up our stairs with canes or walkers and then leave completely free of walking aids, with smiles of bliss and relief on their faces. We've heard of broken marriages being repaired, improvement in other important relationships, beloveds finding jobs after months of unemployment, and, most frequently, folks simply (re)discovering their own connection to the Divine in their hearts. Quite a gift to receive from a short investment of time!

In addition to welcoming people new to Sufism and our healing approach, we often see people come back to the Free Healing Day month after month because they enjoy the atmosphere of peace, love, mercy and the healing "energy" that gets created when we gather for this event. Please join us for a free healing day, and expect to experience a miracle yourself.

Free Healing Day in Silver Spring, Md., third Saturday or Sunday of the month, 3-5 p.m., at the home of Samah & Nuh Ross. Monthly schedule at www.suficentereast.org. Free Healing Day at the Farm of Peace, second Saturday of the month, 2-4 p.m.

What I found over my four-day immersion at the International Peace Center was greater love, support, guidance, and relaxation than I had ever imagined receiving. The teachers and staff are so caring and loving, the food is fantastic (all home-cooked), and the time spent in reflection is priceless.

I emerged from my retreat with an open heart and a clear mind, ready to face the world with a positive attitude. I left for home in Colorado with a set of tools and techniques that help me manage my life and keep me focused on what's truly important and beautiful in this world: my relationship with God.

Lemon Bars

• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat butter with electric mixer on high for 30 seconds. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar. Beat til combined. Beat in the 1 cup flour til crumbly. Press into the bottom of an ungreased 8x8x2-inch baking pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-18 minutes or until just golden.

Filling: Combine eggs, the remaining sugar, the 2 tablespoons flour, lemon peel, juice and baking powder. Beat for 2 minutes or until thoroughly combined. Pour over hot baked crust layer.

Bake in 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes more or until crust is lightly browned around the edges and the center is set. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 20.

For the last several years I've been studying with Fawzia al-Rawi, Sidi's daughter-in-law, both in Morocco and at her Zawiyah in Vienna. The work I've been doing with her has been powerful and ecstatic for me, and my heart is longing to share what I've been learning with my sisters.

Through movement, breath, whirling and dhikr, we'll deepen our faith and surrender, drink from the depths of our souls, walk more and more deeply into Love, and discover and taste the Truth of our essence. This is a class for women only, who've taken hand with Sidi, whether beginners or long-time students. The class may also be appropriate for other students of Sufism; contact me for more information.

Insh'allah, as we walk together in this class, we will veil ourselves with sincerity, inflame our love and longing, and lose ourselves in union with God. I look forward to taking this journey with you!

Dates: Apr. 29-May 1; June 17-19; and July 8-10, 2011. Time: Friday morning through Sunday afternoon. Location: International Peace Center at the Farm of Peace. Tuition for the series: $1200; room and meals available for an additional charge. If you have questions or need more information, call Maryam Whalen at 717-573-4722 or email maryam@maryamwhalen.com.

Seven years ago, we came together as a community to develop our mission, vision and guiding principles. We will be looking at where we've been, where we are and where Allah and our guide, Sidi, are moving us next. It is planned to be a fun-filled day with lots of good food, good companions and good conversations.

The contributions of all our community members are important, so please plan to join us for this gathering. Further details will be forthcoming.

Thanks to Habib Reineke for helping with building the seed-starter shed, plowing the driveway and so many other tasks that need caring and expertise around the farm.

Thank you to everyone who responded to the annual invitation to give for the farm. This year, fundraising donations will go toward building the Khadijah Mosque, so that our community will have a place dedicated for prayer here at the farm. Many thanks to all for your generosity.

We are grateful to all who are making financial donations to help the Farm continue its mission to bring the real love to the world and to care for the creation. For everyone whose heart is called, your donations are most welcome. You may send your check made to "Farm of Peace" to 1212 Haven Lane, Warfordsburg, PA 17267; or call us at 717-573-2956 and we will take your credit card information for your donation. Thank you!

Feb. 12: Free Healing Day, 2-4 p.m. This is a great way to introduce your friends to Sufi teachings and healing. There is no charge. Free Healing Day also held in Silver Spring, Md. Next: Feb. 27; call 301-565-7878 to RSVP.

Zawiyah Spiritual Retreat: Give your heart the gift of walking more deeply in proximity to God. Zawiyah is ongoing at the Farm of Peace. Cost: $130 per day includes teachings, room & board. Call the Farm for information and to register: 717-573-4722.

Dhikr: Sundays, 5:30 p.m. & Thursdays, 7 p.m. Sufi healing circle for healing of body, mind, heart and spirit. All are welcome! (Potluck supper follows Sunday's dhikr.)

Jumah: Every Friday, 1:30 p.m. Gather in community for prayers and teachings from the Qu'ran and Sidi's writings.

Salima Healing Seminar. In this individual three-day seminar, Salima offers a unique opportunity for deep healing. You'll receive individual assessments and healings with Salima, and a series of complementary sessions and bodywork. Call the Farm at 717-573-4722 to schedule.

Farm Vacations: Enjoy a vacation in the country for a weekend -- or longer. Guests age 16 & older are welcome to stay at the farm (in the IPC) and enjoy the woods, fields and animals in a peaceful, secluded environment, restful and revitalizing in all seasons of the year. Call 717-573-2956 to make your reservations. The Farm of Peace is a member of the Pennsylvania Farm Vacation Association, www.pafarmstay.com.