Article: Why Ascribing Intent Is Making You Miserable

Why Ascribing Intent Is Making You Miserable

"The times when I’m most hurt by what I think other people did, are the times when I compare myself to others. ... Comparison and intent form a vicious cycle. But don’t despair, there is hope. Plenty of people have learned how to take things at face value, and nothing more. They do not ascribe intent, and live happier lives as a result. It comes with practice, maturity, and healthy boundaries."

This article is very good, but there is another side to it. Be very wary of people who are always telling you why someone else behaves the way they do because it will affect your relationships. Listening to them will harden your heart towards people who probably were doing the best they could. Be also wary of someone who tries to tell you how you feel. They will erode your self esteem and destroy your self confidence. Only God can judge motives and intentions. Only He sees into the heart and fully knows and understands. A mature Christian is going to have the wisdom and grace to give the benefit of the doubt and will seek to build relationships rather than tear them apart. 

Happy Home Quote

Home is the true wife's kingdom. Very largely does the wife hold in her hands, as a sacred trust, the happiness and the highest good of the hearts that nestle there. In the last analysis, home happiness depends on the wife.

Her spirit gives the home its atmosphere.

Her hands fashion its beauty.

Her heart makes its love.

And the end is so worthy, so noble, so divine, that no woman who has been called to be a wife, and has listened to the call, should consider any price too great to pay, to be the light, the joy, the blessing, the inspiration of a home.

The woman who makes a sweet, beautiful home, filling it with love and prayer and purity, is doing something better than anything else her hands could find to do beneath the skies.

A true mother is one of the holiest secrets of home happiness. God sends many beautiful things to this world, many noble gifts; but no blessing is richer than that which He bestows in a mother who has learned love's lessons well, and has realized something of the meaning of her sacred calling.

~ James Russell Miller (1840 - 1912)

Titus 2:5  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Article: Dear Mama, Satan Is Doing Everything He Can...

Dear Mama, Satan Is Doing Everything He Can to Keep You from Reading This Letter

"If there is any last piece of advice I have for you, Wormwood, it is to keep the Mother looking to her husband or family for her fulfillment and comfort. We know that the Enemy is always watching and willing to take the burdens of his children, but if we divert the Mother’s attention well enough, this fact can be forgotten. Make her look to her husband for worth and affirmation. Then, when he lets her down (as he is sure to do), she will be ours to torment. Yes, the worst thing that could happen would be for her to turn to Him with her needs and inadequacies. Once she realizes that the Enemy offers a peace that transcends her situation, our work could be utterly compromised.

Your Malevolent Uncle,

Screwtape" read the rest at the link above

Banana Pie Lives in the Pantry Full Time Now

Since Hannah no longer plays with Banana Pie, we have put her in our pantry where she can live off of our peanut butter. I hope she makes it long enough for our grandchildren to hear the story.

Ever Seen Lines or Tunnels in Melting Snow?

(pictures taken last year)

This is the subnivean zone between the surface of the snow and underneath the snowpack where certain animals like moles and mice remain active.

This May Be a Big Comfort for Mothers Who Have Lost Children

Scientists Discover Children’s Cells Living in Mothers’ Brains: The connection
between mother and child is ever deeper than thought 
"This was first noticed in humans many years ago when cells containing the male “Y” chromosome were found circulating in the blood of women after pregnancy. Since these cells are genetically male, they could not have been the women’s own, but most likely came from their babies during gestation."

3 ?s to Ask Before Listening to Any Sermon

Three Questions to Ask Before Listening to Any Sermon “The skill of discernment is learning to reject what is false or flimsy, but more importantly, to eagerly embrace what is precious.” 

Feel Like You are Inadequate in Your Homeschooling?

Overcoming The Fear Of Not Being Good Enough with Brook Wayne 

"Homeschooling our youngsters has its ups and downs, especial when the lesson plans don’t pan out, the children aren’t interested, or when we’re distracted and discouraged. On those “down days” when nothing seems to go right, it is easy to start wondering if we really are enough for the job of homeschooling."

I am connected with Brook and Israel Wayne through Facebook. They have a Christian worldview and are sincere in their faith. I have not listened to the radio show due to sick children but have been told it is very good.

Another Blessing of Large Family Size

"New research suggests that the number of children a woman gives birth to could affect the rate at which her body ages, with more children leading to a slower rate of biological aging." rest of article here. Direct link to study abstract here.

Inside the Kitchen Cabinets

I store the info on the paint for each room inside my kitchen cabinets. I also have Bible verses, prayer requests, dates for when our livestock will give birth or need shots, cooking measurements, ingredient substitutions, motivational posters with sayings, a bag for Box Tops etc. This is space that is normally wasted and information that is frequently used or misplaced. If I am in a hardware store and remember I need stain, I simply have to call home and ask someone to look inside the cabinet for the name and number I need.

Pooch Time

I was running a temperature and had a migraine but wanted to be near the children. They are very entertaining with the good natured smack talking! So, I sat in my "Marty Crane" recliner. Girly had been restless all day, but I was so busy trying to get everything done I didn't investigate further. When I sat down to rest, she came to me and asked to get in my lap. She weighs about 40-50 lbs! She isn't allowed on the couches, so I told her no at first. Then realized she was restless because someone had taken her bed. So, I invited her to my lap and leaned back in the recliner with her. She was asleep in seconds! Poor dog just wanted a nap! She was so warm and calming, I dozed off for a little while too. Even better, my headache left! 

Around Here

from the ceiling to the walls

The personalities of these two always make for fun!


getting an idea of how many seats I can put at the new counter

Seriously, we were just going to replace the damaged ceiling tiles in the den.

Hannah's Birthday

Hannah had a great birthday!

The Foot Washing Type of Humility

"...Imagine the disciples' surprise when the Son of God put Himself in the role of a lowly servant and knelt to wash their feet. The need for such a service was great, as they had been traveling for some time. But not one of them offered to do it.

Jesus did more than fill a need; He offered an object lesson. As He explained, "I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you" (John 13:15 nlt). Some churches have incorrectly interpreted this as a command to make foot washing an ordinance. But it's possible to clean someone else's skin without contemplating the significance of Christ's actions.

Jesus desires that we be willing to humble ourselves to serve others. He is looking for men and women who will ignore pride, position, and power in order to do whatever must be done, wherever it needs doing, and for whoever requires assistance. ..." to read this in its entirety or to get these daily devotions in your inbox, please visit www.intouch.org

Joshua's and Caleb's Meal

Yesterday morning, a good family friend took our boys hunting on our place. Joshua got his first squirrel. Along with some of Caleb's quail, picked dandelion greens, and pine needle tea will make my boys their first self-provided meal. 

Happy New Year!

It is hard to believe how quickly this past year has flown by! I want to make sure I enjoy the moments as they come because they are coming and going by so quickly now. 

When I was in elementary school, my principal, Mr. Jordan, told our school in assembly that we should live "looking back." Live as if you are an old person looking backwards. Live in a way you will have no regrets and will be proud of the choices you made. For the most part, I have followed that advice closely. I encourage you to heed his advice too. Peace is a much better state of mind than regret.

We have had many things to rejoice over this year and a lot to look forward to in 2016. It has been a year of increase. We have made strides in many areas of our lives, and God has added several Christians to influence our children. There is a lot to more share, but like so often lately, the time isn't there to do it. Good things are happening in our family, to our old house, and on our farm. I did want to take a second to tell everyone: 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! May you realize the abundance of blessings God has poured out upon you and yours in 2016!