Since July of last year I have helped create a lovely wedding, grieved the "loss" of my eldest daughter because of that wedding :), lost precious family and friends temporarily to Heaven, found out my Grandmother has cancer and needed treatment and that I am to be a Grandmother myself (found those two out on the same day!), gone through classes and become a foster mother to two precious and VERY active, strong-willed little toddlers. I also find myself a very blessed teacher of 16 students ages 9-13 at church on Wednesday nights. :)
Through all these life changes, and I would say it has been a season of change for sure, the Lord has held my hand, or just held me up when I could not hold myself. It has been truly wonderful to realize the truth that I CAN DO NOTHING without Him.
Through the grief of a child leaving home, I had to cling to Him. Through the grief of losing a precious Grandmother-in-love, and other family members and friends, I had to cling to Him and offer thanks that we had not said our last "I love you!", we have just been temporarily detained.
Because my Grandmother has cancer in its advanced stages I get to ask Him to annoint her with His special presence that calms, strengthens and heals not only my Mamaw but her caregiver, my precious Moma. Because I am NOW a Grandmother myself, I get to pray and ask Him to be with precious little Titus as he is still nestled in his mommy's womb. I get to ask Him to lead Titus all the days of his life and to draw him and strengthen him and enable him to be a mighty warrior for the Kingdom. AND, last but not least, as I try to parent my four kids still at home, AND teach the young people at church, I get to fall on my face daily and pray for wisdom and strength and He gives liberally.
I guess some would say that I am weak for depending on the Lord like that, if so, may He glory in my weakness. When I am dependent on Him is the only time I feel strong at all.
May all my friends find that abiding in Christ is the best way to roll...the only Way to roll in my opinion.
Love to all.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Oh, hush, Amos!
Our Sunday School lesson was all about me yesterday, as usual.
For some reason as I stood at the trash can this past week, the Lord informed me of a fact. No, it wasn’t an audible voice that spoke to me, but rather a scripture that was brought to mind. (That’s how it usually happens to me by the way.) I really didn’t like the scripture He brought to mind but He really doesn’t care about that. (If that’s a newsflash to ya, I AM sorry.)
The kids and I have been reading through the gospels a chapter at a time since the first of the year. The scriptures that have really been speaking to me are the ones that have to do with money and time. I have been really under conviction about how materialistic I can be. If you know me, you know I’m really not very materialistic--usually. But then there is the scripture that says, if you have two cloaks, give one away to someone who has none. What?! But, I need a brown one and a black one at least, Lord. You know I need to match. You know what? I don’t think He really cares about that either. Sigh.
So anyway, that’s where my mind has been--on things like that. Then, here I am at the trash can--the graveyard of past blessings. Let me explain that, the trash can is where I put empty food cans and wrappers, empty paper towel rolls and all types of things that show the world (or at least the trash picker-uppers) that we are indeed a blessed family. We can afford PAPER TOWELS!! Do you know where I’m comin’ from? Can I get a witness?
Okay, back to my lesson: I am standing at the trash can and into my mind pops a scripture from Amos. Well, I couldn’t remember it exactly so when I had some time I looked it up. Bummer. Now, I know why all these powerful people of old wanted to hush the true prophets! It really hurts to be told the truth sometimes. Now, don’t get any ideas about having me stoned, remember, I am talking to myself--just using this format.
The scripture from Amos (Amos 6:4-6) talks about the Israelites who were able living in the lap of luxury, being indulgent in what they ate, how they spent their time, and how they treated their bodies while other of their “brethren” went hungry and were oppressed. Well, I guess even the poorest of Americans live in luxury compared to most of the rest of the world’s population. I would definitely think that we also eat more expensively than we could and spend more money on our bodies than we should. But again, this is truly about ME.
I am in my happy place right now and I’ll be honest, I’d rather not leave it. I like having time and money, but am I spending that good stuff where I need to be? Am I concerned about the “affliction” of my brethren? I guess not. Babies are murdered by the thousands, the old and infirm are killed quietly with drugs or just left to die lonely and alone and even worse, people are dying and going to Hell. Maybe that is true because I am not the LIGHT that I need to be because I’m too worried about my own ivory couch and how nice it would feel to lie there and think about what I might need to load onto my ipod from itunes, or maybe whether The Mentalist is coming on this week or is it gonna be kicked off AGAIN!! because of the stupid March Madness. Does that sound ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS to anyone besides me???
I need to make the decision to stop being this wimpy woman who loves her comfort more than the LORD who died for her and made provision for her in heaven--the real world. Good grief! I live because He is alive in me. I’ve been saved from my bonds of sin and given life. It sounds stupid to think of an ivory couch when my loved ones are dying and going to Hell or are living Hellish lives here when I could do something to help. If it’s hard to cast off the cloak of materialism, then I could can look at it this way: I’m really thinking’ my pile of treasures up there is piddly.
I kinda do wish that the Lord hadn’t talked to me about this because my dear friend tells me I’m not responsible for what I don’t know. (Oops! Sorry. Now you know it too!!) Well, no ivory couches for this chick…they’re too expensive anyway…nope, really--I don’t even have an ipod and I don’t drink wine, but I do intend to ask the Lord to help me give up what I do consider treasures for other’s welfare. Pray for me.
God Bless, and I’m sure it’s illegal to stone people now.
For some reason as I stood at the trash can this past week, the Lord informed me of a fact. No, it wasn’t an audible voice that spoke to me, but rather a scripture that was brought to mind. (That’s how it usually happens to me by the way.) I really didn’t like the scripture He brought to mind but He really doesn’t care about that. (If that’s a newsflash to ya, I AM sorry.)
The kids and I have been reading through the gospels a chapter at a time since the first of the year. The scriptures that have really been speaking to me are the ones that have to do with money and time. I have been really under conviction about how materialistic I can be. If you know me, you know I’m really not very materialistic--usually. But then there is the scripture that says, if you have two cloaks, give one away to someone who has none. What?! But, I need a brown one and a black one at least, Lord. You know I need to match. You know what? I don’t think He really cares about that either. Sigh.
So anyway, that’s where my mind has been--on things like that. Then, here I am at the trash can--the graveyard of past blessings. Let me explain that, the trash can is where I put empty food cans and wrappers, empty paper towel rolls and all types of things that show the world (or at least the trash picker-uppers) that we are indeed a blessed family. We can afford PAPER TOWELS!! Do you know where I’m comin’ from? Can I get a witness?
Okay, back to my lesson: I am standing at the trash can and into my mind pops a scripture from Amos. Well, I couldn’t remember it exactly so when I had some time I looked it up. Bummer. Now, I know why all these powerful people of old wanted to hush the true prophets! It really hurts to be told the truth sometimes. Now, don’t get any ideas about having me stoned, remember, I am talking to myself--just using this format.
The scripture from Amos (Amos 6:4-6) talks about the Israelites who were able living in the lap of luxury, being indulgent in what they ate, how they spent their time, and how they treated their bodies while other of their “brethren” went hungry and were oppressed. Well, I guess even the poorest of Americans live in luxury compared to most of the rest of the world’s population. I would definitely think that we also eat more expensively than we could and spend more money on our bodies than we should. But again, this is truly about ME.
I am in my happy place right now and I’ll be honest, I’d rather not leave it. I like having time and money, but am I spending that good stuff where I need to be? Am I concerned about the “affliction” of my brethren? I guess not. Babies are murdered by the thousands, the old and infirm are killed quietly with drugs or just left to die lonely and alone and even worse, people are dying and going to Hell. Maybe that is true because I am not the LIGHT that I need to be because I’m too worried about my own ivory couch and how nice it would feel to lie there and think about what I might need to load onto my ipod from itunes, or maybe whether The Mentalist is coming on this week or is it gonna be kicked off AGAIN!! because of the stupid March Madness. Does that sound ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS to anyone besides me???
I need to make the decision to stop being this wimpy woman who loves her comfort more than the LORD who died for her and made provision for her in heaven--the real world. Good grief! I live because He is alive in me. I’ve been saved from my bonds of sin and given life. It sounds stupid to think of an ivory couch when my loved ones are dying and going to Hell or are living Hellish lives here when I could do something to help. If it’s hard to cast off the cloak of materialism, then I could can look at it this way: I’m really thinking’ my pile of treasures up there is piddly.
I kinda do wish that the Lord hadn’t talked to me about this because my dear friend tells me I’m not responsible for what I don’t know. (Oops! Sorry. Now you know it too!!) Well, no ivory couches for this chick…they’re too expensive anyway…nope, really--I don’t even have an ipod and I don’t drink wine, but I do intend to ask the Lord to help me give up what I do consider treasures for other’s welfare. Pray for me.
God Bless, and I’m sure it’s illegal to stone people now.
Two Year Old Tantrums at 40??
I was waxing philosophical this morning and wondering if I’ll ever grow up. Sigh. A dear friend and I were discussing this the other day for some reason. She is 45 and she says she thinks she might be close to being a grown-up. I read a book about the same topic this weekend, and I have been trying all morning to understand why I liked the dumb book. It was all about growing up and never quite having your dreams realized.
When I was a child, I thought that when I turned 21 I’d be grown-up and my, how old and wizened I’d be by 30! I was a bit disappointed when I reached 21 and found myself still as dumb as a stick. Actually, I was MORE intellectually challenged than a stick because I realized that my parents really did know more than I did and that I wasn’t nearly as smart as I thought. Sigh, again. (And I said ‘intellectually challenged’ up there because I didn’t know if it should be ‘dumber’ or ‘more dumb’ and neither sounded correct. Just FYI!)
So, when that much-to-be-dreaded 30th year rolled over, I thought, “Well, Lord, is this it? When will I be a grown-up?” And I as I stare my 41st year in the face, having almost concluded my 40th, again I ask, “Is this it? Will I ever feel equipped to live?”
It seems some of us mature in one area while other individuals mature in another based on life’s circumstances, on time goes as we continue maturing at different rates and in different areas. I really wonder if we ever come to a consistent, long-lasting “grown-up” feeling. We have seasons when we think things are going fairly well. We are eating the fruit of some good, wise decisions. But, alas! No fruit stays in season all year does it? (HA! Except at Wal-Mart!) This too shall pass and we again ask ourselves, “Do I really have sense enough to get out of bed this morning?” When we do find ourselves brave enough to get up, we might turn around in 30 minutes and say, “No. I don’t want to.” It makes me laugh/cry to think of the “grown-ups” I know who act like spoiled little two year old children, myself very much included.
I’m thinking of when I’m asked by the Lord, family or friends to do something I don’t particularly want to do. At times I am actually deluded enough to think that somebody cares about the fact that, “I don’t want to!” Then reality slaps me in the face and I have to decide if this is something I NEED to do. Usually, the answer is “yes” so I go and throw myself on my bed and have a screaming fit. Nah! Not all the time. Hehe.
Well, I don’t know why I’m rambling on about growing up, and telling all my secrets, except maybe it’s because I’m nearly forty and thought I’d have it done by now. Instead I have come to terms with the fact that I never will “grow up” because I will always need to depend on my wonderful Father, who gave everything to me and who wants me to depend on Him and if I grew up, I wouldn’t. So, there you have it, my conclusion. (Of course, I really don’t think He wants me acting like a spoiled two year old either, so I’ll have to try and stop doing that.)
God Bless! And, Please, don’t judge me too harshly.
When I was a child, I thought that when I turned 21 I’d be grown-up and my, how old and wizened I’d be by 30! I was a bit disappointed when I reached 21 and found myself still as dumb as a stick. Actually, I was MORE intellectually challenged than a stick because I realized that my parents really did know more than I did and that I wasn’t nearly as smart as I thought. Sigh, again. (And I said ‘intellectually challenged’ up there because I didn’t know if it should be ‘dumber’ or ‘more dumb’ and neither sounded correct. Just FYI!)
So, when that much-to-be-dreaded 30th year rolled over, I thought, “Well, Lord, is this it? When will I be a grown-up?” And I as I stare my 41st year in the face, having almost concluded my 40th, again I ask, “Is this it? Will I ever feel equipped to live?”
It seems some of us mature in one area while other individuals mature in another based on life’s circumstances, on time goes as we continue maturing at different rates and in different areas. I really wonder if we ever come to a consistent, long-lasting “grown-up” feeling. We have seasons when we think things are going fairly well. We are eating the fruit of some good, wise decisions. But, alas! No fruit stays in season all year does it? (HA! Except at Wal-Mart!) This too shall pass and we again ask ourselves, “Do I really have sense enough to get out of bed this morning?” When we do find ourselves brave enough to get up, we might turn around in 30 minutes and say, “No. I don’t want to.” It makes me laugh/cry to think of the “grown-ups” I know who act like spoiled little two year old children, myself very much included.
I’m thinking of when I’m asked by the Lord, family or friends to do something I don’t particularly want to do. At times I am actually deluded enough to think that somebody cares about the fact that, “I don’t want to!” Then reality slaps me in the face and I have to decide if this is something I NEED to do. Usually, the answer is “yes” so I go and throw myself on my bed and have a screaming fit. Nah! Not all the time. Hehe.
Well, I don’t know why I’m rambling on about growing up, and telling all my secrets, except maybe it’s because I’m nearly forty and thought I’d have it done by now. Instead I have come to terms with the fact that I never will “grow up” because I will always need to depend on my wonderful Father, who gave everything to me and who wants me to depend on Him and if I grew up, I wouldn’t. So, there you have it, my conclusion. (Of course, I really don’t think He wants me acting like a spoiled two year old either, so I’ll have to try and stop doing that.)
God Bless! And, Please, don’t judge me too harshly.
Ha,ha! I haven't been able to be on here although I do have some things ready to post at home. (I'm at my brother's shop now.) I have been out of a phone line since Sunday because our sweet, horse-size puppy chewed the phone box off the outside wall while we were at church Sunday!! Can you believe it? That is so funny.
I'll post more tonight hopefully.
I'll post more tonight hopefully.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Laundry Soap Recipe
Several people have asked me for the laundry soap recipe. Let me tell you that it has no scent so if you like scented clothes you will have to use some sort of fabric softener.
Here is my recipe:
2 bars of Ivory soap (Fels Naptha is also recommended) shredded (I have an old grater that is dedicated to soap shredding.)
8 C. Hot water
Mix the soap and water and simmer on the stove, stirring gently until the soap is melted completely.
To a 4/5 gallon bucket add 3 1/2 gallons of hot tap water, 1 C. borax and 1 C. washing soda. (The only place I've found washing soda is Kroger's in Shreveport and it's very inexpensive. You can call the number on the washing soda and they will tell you the nearest place to buy. I will try and get that number posted.) I used regular baking soda until I was able to buy washing soda. Stir all the ingredients together until it is mixed well. As this cools it will congeal, once it does congeal it needs to be restirred probably just once. This is supposed to be concentrated soap and use about half a cup per load. I actually use an old scoop from a detergent box but you could use a coffee cup or jar.
I have heard of people using half the water and then half the soap amount for a more concentrated easier to handle size container. I haven't tried it.
I hope you enjoy the savings from this as much as I have. It is a little investment at first but then with the money you save, you can take your hubby out for supper. :)
I actually gave Catie the ingredients for her first bucket as a wedding gift.
Here is my recipe:
2 bars of Ivory soap (Fels Naptha is also recommended) shredded (I have an old grater that is dedicated to soap shredding.)
8 C. Hot water
Mix the soap and water and simmer on the stove, stirring gently until the soap is melted completely.
To a 4/5 gallon bucket add 3 1/2 gallons of hot tap water, 1 C. borax and 1 C. washing soda. (The only place I've found washing soda is Kroger's in Shreveport and it's very inexpensive. You can call the number on the washing soda and they will tell you the nearest place to buy. I will try and get that number posted.) I used regular baking soda until I was able to buy washing soda. Stir all the ingredients together until it is mixed well. As this cools it will congeal, once it does congeal it needs to be restirred probably just once. This is supposed to be concentrated soap and use about half a cup per load. I actually use an old scoop from a detergent box but you could use a coffee cup or jar.
I have heard of people using half the water and then half the soap amount for a more concentrated easier to handle size container. I haven't tried it.
I hope you enjoy the savings from this as much as I have. It is a little investment at first but then with the money you save, you can take your hubby out for supper. :)
I actually gave Catie the ingredients for her first bucket as a wedding gift.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Sewing News
With bated breath I say, my sewing machine is WORKING!! I am so thankful that all seems to be well. I am hoping to sew some more things this afternoon, so I will know more then, but so far it works. (For those of you who do not know, my sewing machine has been "sick" since before Christmas.)
I was hoping to have at least 4 baby quilts finished by this time, and I have none. I have one quilted and one almost quilted but none with binding yet. I am way behind schedule and wondering if I've made a poor choice of "girdle". (reference to Proverbs 31) However, the quilts are REALLY cute if you are in the market for one. hehehe. I hope to get some aprons made soon, I bought the cutest fabric the other day...wait til you see it.
Catie seems to be doing well as she has made quite a few batches of soap and sold quite a few bars. I absolutely love the soap and don't mind marketing it at all. It is lovely.
Hope you all have a productive week!!
I was hoping to have at least 4 baby quilts finished by this time, and I have none. I have one quilted and one almost quilted but none with binding yet. I am way behind schedule and wondering if I've made a poor choice of "girdle". (reference to Proverbs 31) However, the quilts are REALLY cute if you are in the market for one. hehehe. I hope to get some aprons made soon, I bought the cutest fabric the other day...wait til you see it.
Catie seems to be doing well as she has made quite a few batches of soap and sold quite a few bars. I absolutely love the soap and don't mind marketing it at all. It is lovely.
Hope you all have a productive week!!
Good-Bye, Goaties!
We have all our Nubian dairy goats sold now. It is sad to have to get rid of them, but it is what is best for our farm/family. It is my sincere hope that they have “gone” to good homes. (We are keeping two Nubians for one buyer until the doe has her kids. We all think that will be what is best for her and the buyer. And we still have our dairy Nigerian Dwarf goats.)
It is amazing how attached you can get to animals and feel so responsible for them. We lost a goat last year to sickness, and I researched for two months so I could try to keep it from happening again. I felt that we had somehow failed her and, I was right.
Feelings like those are what makes us want to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us. We are to be GOOD stewards, not just stewards. The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, however, He has handed it to us to keep. What an awesome responsibility! I know that I don’t take that responsibility seriously enough, because honestly, it’s easier not to what needs to be done.
Don’t misunderstand, we don’t litter, we don’t pollute if we KNOW it, we try to grow our own groceries and enrich the soil, but there are a lot more things we could do if we would. We could recycle our glass and plastic. We could spend $10 on reusable grocery bags and then use them. We could drive around less and save gas more. We could be a little cooler in the winter and a little warmer in the summer. The list could go on and on, huh?
If we think about it, most of the time, being a good steward saves money. The less ‘lectric’ty we use, the less money I have to pay the electric company, etc. etc..
Are there some better-for-the-environment things that you do that save you money that you would like to share with my meager, but WONDERFUL, list of followers? If so, please comment below.
Here is our “thing” : we make our own laundry soap. I think it is detergent free and therefore better for the environment, AND for about $1.50 I can make enough laundry soap to last for about a month!!! If you would like the recipe that takes about 20 minutes to make, let me know. We also hang out our clothes in the warm months and that helps A LOT on our ebill. It is also for therapeutic thus saving you money on doctor bills. Hehe.
I’m not a green peace kind of gal, I just want to be a good steward of my God’s planet so that He will be pleased and so that my great-grandchildren (if I’m so blessed) will have a beautiful place to live.
It is amazing how attached you can get to animals and feel so responsible for them. We lost a goat last year to sickness, and I researched for two months so I could try to keep it from happening again. I felt that we had somehow failed her and, I was right.
Feelings like those are what makes us want to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us. We are to be GOOD stewards, not just stewards. The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, however, He has handed it to us to keep. What an awesome responsibility! I know that I don’t take that responsibility seriously enough, because honestly, it’s easier not to what needs to be done.
Don’t misunderstand, we don’t litter, we don’t pollute if we KNOW it, we try to grow our own groceries and enrich the soil, but there are a lot more things we could do if we would. We could recycle our glass and plastic. We could spend $10 on reusable grocery bags and then use them. We could drive around less and save gas more. We could be a little cooler in the winter and a little warmer in the summer. The list could go on and on, huh?
If we think about it, most of the time, being a good steward saves money. The less ‘lectric’ty we use, the less money I have to pay the electric company, etc. etc..
Are there some better-for-the-environment things that you do that save you money that you would like to share with my meager, but WONDERFUL, list of followers? If so, please comment below.
Here is our “thing” : we make our own laundry soap. I think it is detergent free and therefore better for the environment, AND for about $1.50 I can make enough laundry soap to last for about a month!!! If you would like the recipe that takes about 20 minutes to make, let me know. We also hang out our clothes in the warm months and that helps A LOT on our ebill. It is also for therapeutic thus saving you money on doctor bills. Hehe.
I’m not a green peace kind of gal, I just want to be a good steward of my God’s planet so that He will be pleased and so that my great-grandchildren (if I’m so blessed) will have a beautiful place to live.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
We have the most adorable horse-size puppy. He is just so sweet and cuddly. He's about 10 months old now and has taken to chasing the cars "off" and away from our yard. One of our special neighbors ran over him the other day and we couldn't find the puppy for quite a while. When we did find him he was pretty sore and didn't move around very fast. We fixed him up with prayer, goat milk, kelp, vitamin C and zinc.
I have thought a lot about this situation because we REALLY like this dog and want him to be safe. Peter has tried everything to deter him from chasing the evil cars away and even getting run over didn't deter him for too long. However, I don't THINK he chases that particular vehicle anymore.
Anyway, in all my thinking about it, I realize that I am very much like that crazy dog. I go off chasing things, good and bad, while the Lord is trying to call me back.
I remember what a dear woman once told me during a bible study we were having in her home, we must spend our time not just being "busy" for the Lord, but doing what is BEST. Only we can know what BEST means for us. I just know that I have spent many hours being busy chasing things that I shouldn't have because I didn't listen to my Master.
You see, our puppy thinks he is protecting us by chasing away these cars. He wants to please us by doing that. But what we want him to be doing is what we say, and not what HE thinks he should do. Hmmm. Time to reevaluate how I spend my time...I only have time for the BEST. And, if you know how to train a dog to not run cars, PLEASE, let me know.
I have thought a lot about this situation because we REALLY like this dog and want him to be safe. Peter has tried everything to deter him from chasing the evil cars away and even getting run over didn't deter him for too long. However, I don't THINK he chases that particular vehicle anymore.
Anyway, in all my thinking about it, I realize that I am very much like that crazy dog. I go off chasing things, good and bad, while the Lord is trying to call me back.
I remember what a dear woman once told me during a bible study we were having in her home, we must spend our time not just being "busy" for the Lord, but doing what is BEST. Only we can know what BEST means for us. I just know that I have spent many hours being busy chasing things that I shouldn't have because I didn't listen to my Master.
You see, our puppy thinks he is protecting us by chasing away these cars. He wants to please us by doing that. But what we want him to be doing is what we say, and not what HE thinks he should do. Hmmm. Time to reevaluate how I spend my time...I only have time for the BEST. And, if you know how to train a dog to not run cars, PLEASE, let me know.
Friday, February 19, 2010
New Puppies!!
What an exciting morning we had!! As I was preparing breakfast, I heard the dog HEAVY with pups screech like something HURT. (I'm sure it did.) I found her in a clothes basket atop an expensive hoodie giving birth to a cute little bitty puppy. A couple hours later, we had 4 new cute little puppies!!! It is so exciting to see animals born. :-) (The hoodie survived.)
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Snow fun!
We had about 4 or 5 inches of snow on the ground here in the heart of Louisiana Friday morning. It was so beautiful and we enjoyed it sooo much!!!
It is amazing how that gentle, soundless snowfall creates a new world for us to live in, even if just briefly. I am told by the "experts" that all snow flakes are different (I'm glad I don't have to test each one personally, that would make for a long day.) just like all of us humans are different. I just love it that God made life so that there is so much variety to it. He could have made everything the same, but He chose to add lots of unique-ness to life.
Now, if we could just learn to love and appreciate the things that make each of us unique, wouldn't that be special? We would wake up in a new and beautiful world, snow or no snow. I guess we could try that...
It is amazing how that gentle, soundless snowfall creates a new world for us to live in, even if just briefly. I am told by the "experts" that all snow flakes are different (I'm glad I don't have to test each one personally, that would make for a long day.) just like all of us humans are different. I just love it that God made life so that there is so much variety to it. He could have made everything the same, but He chose to add lots of unique-ness to life.
Now, if we could just learn to love and appreciate the things that make each of us unique, wouldn't that be special? We would wake up in a new and beautiful world, snow or no snow. I guess we could try that...
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Farm Doings...
My darling son has played Cupid quite a few times recently. We currently have 2 Nubian does expecting, 2 Nigerian Dwarf does expecting and a dear rat terrier HEAVY with doggies. (She is actually due in less than 2 weeks and she is making messes all over the place. Argh! ) We are praying for lots of puppies to sell and lots of does to sell and/or keep for our own stock. Peter is hoping to go to only Nigerian goats soon, so we have all our Nubians for sale. It’s hard to sell those goats once you get attached to them, but it’s also hard to feed so many animals.
The Nubians are getting really large now and it is fun to anticipate the coming of babies again. The kidding time was a wonderful time for all of us last year. The miracle of birth is truly indescribable! The day the first doe began the “process” we had an orthodontist appointment, so we called our future son and he came over. Even though Nick was here Peter and I couldn’t bear to tear ourselves away until after the kids were born. We pulled in to the parking lot the minute of the appointment. I had called to ask if we could change the appointment, but it wasn’t possible. She told me that our reason for wanting to change was a first and she wanted to see pictures! :) (Yes, I took her pictures.)
I can’t imagine how I might feel if we are ever blessed with grandCHILDREN!! The prospect of grand goats and grand dogs is pretty exciting. Hehehe.
Speaking of babies and grandchildren, I have been quite busy lately making baby quilts with the hope of selling some. (I know what you thought I was about to say!!) They are so fun for me to make and connects me in some weird way to my family's past. I grew up with all these awesome seamstresses. My mother made my clothes a LOT, and my grandmothers both did/do a great job with the sewing machine. The hum of a sewing machine was just a very common sound for me in my childhood and also for my own children.
My great-grandma, Big Ma, used to look in a Sears catalog at fashions her daughter chose and just make the dress!! I so wish I had that talent. I don’t. Catie has created her own patterns in the past and they turned out quite well. I do alright with 2-D stuff like quilts, but something with form always throws me for a loop. Oh, well.
Some friends and I are planning to put together a website to try and sell our wares in the spirit of Proverbs 31. We will have jewelry, homemade goat’s milk soap, paper products, art, mystery products and my stuff: quilts, aprons and journal covers. We are super excited about just getting together for our meetings! :) As soon as that website materializes (should I say, virtualizes?) I’ll let you know via this blog.
Well, get off here and go love somebody! Actions speak louder than words.
God Bless You All as you serve Him!
The Nubians are getting really large now and it is fun to anticipate the coming of babies again. The kidding time was a wonderful time for all of us last year. The miracle of birth is truly indescribable! The day the first doe began the “process” we had an orthodontist appointment, so we called our future son and he came over. Even though Nick was here Peter and I couldn’t bear to tear ourselves away until after the kids were born. We pulled in to the parking lot the minute of the appointment. I had called to ask if we could change the appointment, but it wasn’t possible. She told me that our reason for wanting to change was a first and she wanted to see pictures! :) (Yes, I took her pictures.)
I can’t imagine how I might feel if we are ever blessed with grandCHILDREN!! The prospect of grand goats and grand dogs is pretty exciting. Hehehe.
Speaking of babies and grandchildren, I have been quite busy lately making baby quilts with the hope of selling some. (I know what you thought I was about to say!!) They are so fun for me to make and connects me in some weird way to my family's past. I grew up with all these awesome seamstresses. My mother made my clothes a LOT, and my grandmothers both did/do a great job with the sewing machine. The hum of a sewing machine was just a very common sound for me in my childhood and also for my own children.
My great-grandma, Big Ma, used to look in a Sears catalog at fashions her daughter chose and just make the dress!! I so wish I had that talent. I don’t. Catie has created her own patterns in the past and they turned out quite well. I do alright with 2-D stuff like quilts, but something with form always throws me for a loop. Oh, well.
Some friends and I are planning to put together a website to try and sell our wares in the spirit of Proverbs 31. We will have jewelry, homemade goat’s milk soap, paper products, art, mystery products and my stuff: quilts, aprons and journal covers. We are super excited about just getting together for our meetings! :) As soon as that website materializes (should I say, virtualizes?) I’ll let you know via this blog.
Well, get off here and go love somebody! Actions speak louder than words.
God Bless You All as you serve Him!
Monday, February 8, 2010
What Looney Tunes has taught ME
Saturday I had what I call a Yosemite Sam fit. I was trying to do something in a hurry and made a mess. The mess ended up taking a LOT more time to clean up than the task would have taken to finish had I done it with some sanity. Due to the mess, I had my fit. My poor dd had to listen to my fit via phone line but she is very patient with Yosemite Sam types like me.
I certainly responded to my situation in a way that was lots less than Godly. As I thought about it that evening I realized that I really am a lot like Yosemite when I respond that way.
I remember one little cartoon in particular in which Sam was trying to be more “civilized” than usual. He had dressed in a suit with a bow tie and was living in a mansion on a high cliff. The doorbell rings and in walks…Bugs! Oh, my goodness, what a blow to Yo’s hopes and dreams of becoming a new man!
He was able to hold it together for just a little bit, but next thing you know, he’s throwing a fit and trying to kill the wabbit. (I know, that was Elmer…) Sam’s problem was the same as mine--anger at things not having gone our way. We responded in the same way, except I wanted to kill a growing pile of bread dough. It is natural to respond that way, that’s why the cartoon is so funny, but I'm supposed to be a new creation, not natural!
Trying to work totally in the flesh to change myself won’t work. I have to allow the Holy Spirit to change me, but first I have to listen when He tells me I need to change. I also must understand that I am not in control of my circumstances usually, but I can, with His help, control how I respond to those circumstances. (Hormones are not an excuse.)
There were some scriptures in particular that were brought to mind, because the LORD uses all that He has given to work together in our lives. The Holy Spirit works with scripture and our offering of ourselves as living sacrifices to change us into the image our Lord.
Psalm 24:3-4 My day Saturday did not begin with a pure heart, and probably not clean hands either. I had carried some baggage over night and was already dealing with some anger. I slept late and did not start my day with prayer. That combination usually deals me a load of misery.
Matthew 6:14-15 says VERY clearly that I need to forgive and leave the baggage by the wayside. I did not do that even though I was dealing with a very small offense. My heart wasn’t in tune with the Lord or else I would have forgiven such a slight offense without much thought.
1 Thessalonians 5:13-24 I wasn’t rejoicing, praying, being thankful, holding fast to the good or abstaining from the appearance of evil and I wasn’t feeling any peace either. Duh. I really should have just stopped and prayed, etc. My whole outlook would’ve been different.
Would ANYbody in their right mind call Yosemite Sam a Christian? “They” tell me that the word Christian means “little Christ”. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch, Acts tells us. Who named them? We are given no indication that they named themselves, but rather that others began calling them by that name to identify them with Jesus and it was probably also because they acted like the One they followed. Do I? I don’t really like the answer to that question sometimes.
What does the LORD have to say about my behavior? Are my hands clean and my heart pure? What motivates me? How do I speak to others? Is it with love and respect or irritation and impatience? Is there someone that I need to ask for forgiveness because of the careless way I’ve treated them? How do I spend my time and is there a better way I could spend my time? Would those who know me best call me a “little Christ”? If I were to die today would they say of me, like they did of Dorcas in Acts, she was full of good works and alms deeds?
Those are some tough questions, but if I truly want to break out of my Looney Tunes mentality I must ask them of myself over and over. What about you, how is the Lord speaking to you today?
February 7, 2010
I certainly responded to my situation in a way that was lots less than Godly. As I thought about it that evening I realized that I really am a lot like Yosemite when I respond that way.
I remember one little cartoon in particular in which Sam was trying to be more “civilized” than usual. He had dressed in a suit with a bow tie and was living in a mansion on a high cliff. The doorbell rings and in walks…Bugs! Oh, my goodness, what a blow to Yo’s hopes and dreams of becoming a new man!
He was able to hold it together for just a little bit, but next thing you know, he’s throwing a fit and trying to kill the wabbit. (I know, that was Elmer…) Sam’s problem was the same as mine--anger at things not having gone our way. We responded in the same way, except I wanted to kill a growing pile of bread dough. It is natural to respond that way, that’s why the cartoon is so funny, but I'm supposed to be a new creation, not natural!
Trying to work totally in the flesh to change myself won’t work. I have to allow the Holy Spirit to change me, but first I have to listen when He tells me I need to change. I also must understand that I am not in control of my circumstances usually, but I can, with His help, control how I respond to those circumstances. (Hormones are not an excuse.
There were some scriptures in particular that were brought to mind, because the LORD uses all that He has given to work together in our lives. The Holy Spirit works with scripture and our offering of ourselves as living sacrifices to change us into the image our Lord.
Psalm 24:3-4 My day Saturday did not begin with a pure heart, and probably not clean hands either. I had carried some baggage over night and was already dealing with some anger. I slept late and did not start my day with prayer. That combination usually deals me a load of misery.
Matthew 6:14-15 says VERY clearly that I need to forgive and leave the baggage by the wayside. I did not do that even though I was dealing with a very small offense. My heart wasn’t in tune with the Lord or else I would have forgiven such a slight offense without much thought.
1 Thessalonians 5:13-24 I wasn’t rejoicing, praying, being thankful, holding fast to the good or abstaining from the appearance of evil and I wasn’t feeling any peace either. Duh. I really should have just stopped and prayed, etc. My whole outlook would’ve been different.
Would ANYbody in their right mind call Yosemite Sam a Christian? “They” tell me that the word Christian means “little Christ”. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch, Acts tells us. Who named them? We are given no indication that they named themselves, but rather that others began calling them by that name to identify them with Jesus and it was probably also because they acted like the One they followed. Do I? I don’t really like the answer to that question sometimes.
What does the LORD have to say about my behavior? Are my hands clean and my heart pure? What motivates me? How do I speak to others? Is it with love and respect or irritation and impatience? Is there someone that I need to ask for forgiveness because of the careless way I’ve treated them? How do I spend my time and is there a better way I could spend my time? Would those who know me best call me a “little Christ”? If I were to die today would they say of me, like they did of Dorcas in Acts, she was full of good works and alms deeds?
Those are some tough questions, but if I truly want to break out of my Looney Tunes mentality I must ask them of myself over and over. What about you, how is the Lord speaking to you today?
February 7, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Why the name?
Some of you might be wondering why I chose the name for the blog that I did so I thought I'd explain.
Mrs. Ila Ann Frazier was my grandmother, she passed on to Glory August 18, 2007. It almost never failed that she had a peanut butter (Or some yummy flavor) cookie or two in her cookie jar. It was a sad day indeed when we opened it to find...crumbs. But even those crumbs spoke of hope because we knew that when the crumbs were all there was left, she would make more. :)
In the span of two years, we lost our precious Pawpaw Usery, my aunt, Mawmaw Ila and our dear aged friend and neighbor, T.W.. With the loss of these dear founts of information and love, we learned, the hard way, what a true blessing from God intergenerational relationships really are.
We are no longer able to ask these loved ones a question, or run up the road to see them (and run back home with arms full of goodies). We are no longer able to sit and listen to their stories, eat their cookies, or help quilt on a quilt. And it is impossible for me to express how much I wish that could be different. However, what we can do is build relationships with others, pass on the wisdom that we were handed and keep their legacy alive. Maybe we could even fill a cookie jar every once in a while with peanut butter cookies.
Cookie crumbs and aprons say "Mawmaw" to me, because she was always feeding--body and soul. (The aprons just remind me of her love of home..she also made me a few to help instill a love of home to me.) So, now it's my turn to feed others and that is what I hope to do with this blog. Sometimes it might taste so nasty you will want to spit it out, but hopefully those morsels will not come around the table too often. :)
Mrs. Ila Ann Frazier was my grandmother, she passed on to Glory August 18, 2007. It almost never failed that she had a peanut butter (Or some yummy flavor) cookie or two in her cookie jar. It was a sad day indeed when we opened it to find...crumbs. But even those crumbs spoke of hope because we knew that when the crumbs were all there was left, she would make more. :)
In the span of two years, we lost our precious Pawpaw Usery, my aunt, Mawmaw Ila and our dear aged friend and neighbor, T.W.. With the loss of these dear founts of information and love, we learned, the hard way, what a true blessing from God intergenerational relationships really are.
We are no longer able to ask these loved ones a question, or run up the road to see them (and run back home with arms full of goodies). We are no longer able to sit and listen to their stories, eat their cookies, or help quilt on a quilt. And it is impossible for me to express how much I wish that could be different. However, what we can do is build relationships with others, pass on the wisdom that we were handed and keep their legacy alive. Maybe we could even fill a cookie jar every once in a while with peanut butter cookies.
Cookie crumbs and aprons say "Mawmaw" to me, because she was always feeding--body and soul. (The aprons just remind me of her love of home..she also made me a few to help instill a love of home to me.) So, now it's my turn to feed others and that is what I hope to do with this blog. Sometimes it might taste so nasty you will want to spit it out, but hopefully those morsels will not come around the table too often. :)
Hello!
Hello Everyone!
Darlene and I went to a web class in the Fall and the teacher recommended using a blog page to allow other family and friends to keep up with us. I thought, there's no better way can I do that and still get to do all the talking at the same time! :) It took me quite a while to just have a moment to sit down and do it, but here I am. I hope someone cares.
I hope to use this blogspot page to keep everyone updated on our family/farm doings and on what I am learning from the Lord in my bible study.
It is my prayer that this page would be for the building of relationships and for the furtherance of Christ's Kingdom!
More later...right now I must go and collect my Blondie.
Darlene and I went to a web class in the Fall and the teacher recommended using a blog page to allow other family and friends to keep up with us. I thought, there's no better way can I do that and still get to do all the talking at the same time! :) It took me quite a while to just have a moment to sit down and do it, but here I am. I hope someone cares.
I hope to use this blogspot page to keep everyone updated on our family/farm doings and on what I am learning from the Lord in my bible study.
It is my prayer that this page would be for the building of relationships and for the furtherance of Christ's Kingdom!
More later...right now I must go and collect my Blondie.
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