Clint's My Fine, Fine Man

The love in my heart for this incredible man has only grown with the passing decades. I am very blessed and also very thankful! He is the spiritual leader and financial provider of my home, the father of my children, the lover of my mind, body, and soul, my best friend since 1985, my defender and protector, and so much more. We love each other so much, we can't bear to be apart for long. I still count the minutes until he gets home each day. I still wait eagerly for his phone call. The way he talks give me butterflies, and the way he laughs makes me smile. I can't wait to get alone with him because even after 30 years, the passion is still so strong, it is hard to keep my hands off of him. Don't let anyone tell you a marriage between Christians is boring and bland!

Happy Birthday to my one and only love!
May your job of providing for us continue to get easier and easier!
This song always makes me think of you! 
I hope you are ready for your big day!

I got so much love in my heart for him

That I really don't feel like me when he's not around

Yes, there are boys and there are boys

But he's a (fine, fine boy)

I wanna tell the world about the boy I love

Just the kind of guy I was dreaming of

He's so sincere when he holds me tight

And when I'm blue he makes me feel alright

Oh he's got a sweet, sweet, kiss and a true, true heart

And something tells me that we'll never part

He's got a sweet, sweet, kiss and a true, true heart

And he's (fine) yeah, (fine) yeah, (fine) yeah

I know he's (fine) yeah, (fine) yeah, (fine) yeah

I know he's a (fine, fine boy)

He can take me places and buy me things

But love is more important than a diamond ring

So all I wanna do is stay by his side

And take care of him and I'll be satisfied

Oh he's got a sweet, sweet, kiss and a true, true heart

And something tells me that we'll never part

He's got a sweet, sweet, kiss and a true, true heart

And he's (fine) yeah, (fine) yeah, (fine) yeah

I know he's (fine) yeah, (fine) yeah, (fine) yeah

I know he's a (fine, fine boy)

Oh he's got a sweet, sweet, kiss and a true, true heart

And something tells me that we'll never part

He's got a sweet, sweet, kiss and a true, true heart

And he's (fine) yeah, (fine) yeah, (fine) yeah

I know he's (fine) yeah, (fine) yeah, (fine) yeah

I know he's a (fine)

My boy, he's a fine, fine, super fine boy

I know he's fine, oh yeah

(Oh-oh, fine, fine boy) oh yeah, I know, I know he's fine

(Oh-oh, fine, fine boy) I know he's fine, yeah, yeah

(Oh-oh, fine, fine boy) oh, he's fine!

Snake ID

For those living close by and who would like to learn more about snake identification, this is where our local snake experts post and answer questions. I've talked to several people since Hannah's close call, and the local people were very helpful. 

A doctor shared a tip with me about using a large dose of liquid oral (not topical) Benadryl to help slow the body's reaction, but it has to be administered within a few minutes of the bite to be effective. I now keep liquid Benadryl on hand for this reason but would not administer it until I was directed to do so. It can complicate things, so it is best to only give it if directed. It would be a good addition to a first aid kit for some people, like hikers and campers, though.

Watching the Wildlife

We watched this While-tailed doe raise her newborn fawn and then take on another very skinny and pathetic newborn. We assume from the night time hunting we heard and its poor condition that someone shot its mother. The little one was in horrible, horrible shape. It looked iffy for a couple of weeks and then gained weight like crazy and caught up to the other fawn this doe has.

I later caught this bandit, but I released him.

He was chill in the trap at first, and then he was quite irate!

When we let him go, he ran a ways, then he turned back and looked at us for a long time like he was thinking about coming back. He did! I'm still leaving him a meal now and then. The owner of the house does not mind him as long as he stays in his place. Update: He now has a lady friend.

I have pictures of 10 and 12 wild turkeys together on this game cam.

I've been in the house alone with the door open to enjoy the breeze and almost had one walk inside with me. It was so calm when I let out my surprised cry, I honestly think it scared me more than I scared it. It walked off, stopped in the road, and watched me watching it for a long while. It came back the next day. There haven't been a lot of people here, so I think it was curious.

This isn't at our home, but the wildlife on this property is plentiful. The cameras are there for security, but the wildlife is very enjoyable to see. When we stay here, we wake up to beautiful, echoing bird songs. The home is near a road but surrounded by such a lush forest that we often feel like we are deep in the woods camping. The sound is so enchanting, we go outside and sit on the deck to listen while drinking our morning coffee. 

There are Canada geese, bobcat (one was found sitting on a grill nearby), fox, and coyote in this area too. I've seen a coyote crossing the road at this home and at ours. We just received a warning about a mama black bear and two cubs. I would so like to "see" them but don't care to "meet" them or the daddy. A local resident told us there was a recent confirmed sighting of a fisher cat too. Start this video at about 2:56 to get a good look at one of those unique mammals. 

Pooh Bear

I sit down in my ugly, vintage, but very comfortable reclining rocker and look up to see Pooh staring at me. I miss the days of finding one of our toddlers sleeping on the floor bent over his soft form. I miss seeing our young children setting him up in poses or taking him on adventures. Our preteens and teens napped on the couch using our buddy Pooh as a pillow. Sometimes he was a rocket launched at a sibling. I miss the games of "toss the Pooh" and the many Pooh puns too.

He always makes me smile because of the memories attached to him. He and I have quiet times in the den together now. We've never had those before. I often think through the precious memories. In the stillness and quietness I lift praises for them. God is so very good!

Waste Not, Want Not

Emily, Hannah, and I sorted all of the shingles from Brandon's house, three and a half truck loads, from the nails in four hours yesterday. We have quality fill for our driveway. Asphalt is asphalt, and the price was right. The nails will be recycled. When you consider the price of gravel, we got a very good financial return for our work. Our reward was half a day of school today.

In all toil there is profit,
    but mere talk tends only to poverty. 
Proverbs 14:23

Father Daughter Date Today!!

Today is a special day for me. I set aside time with my Abba. Abba is an Aramaic term of endearment for "father." It is a name that shows intimacy, affection, respect, and deep love. It is the word used in Galatians 4:6 and in the opening of the Lord's Prayer which is our model for how to pray. I am spending time with the One who loves me more than any other. It's a high priority Father Daughter date that blesses me so much in so many ways.

It is much easier for me now that my children are older, but I managed to capture moments with Him even when I had a houseful of children and a long daily "to do" list. For me, it is a time to be still, keep quiet, and listen. I pray, read my Bible, and work through a Bible study. I may find a quiet spot and sit in a hammock and just talk freely with the Lord about whatever is on my heart. Sometimes it is something I plan and look forward to for weeks in advance. Other occasions are made on the spur of the moment when I see an opening.

For decades now, I have made time to spend time with my Father. It's time for me to rest and communicate with the One who not only claims He loved me but showed it in an extraordinary way. I have come to cherish these precious moments with Him more and more as I grow older. It's with excitement I pray "Lord, I am coming to you soon. What will you teach me today?"

Dear Reader, I hope you too make time to spend time one on one with the Almighty. 

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 

Galatians 4:6

So This Happened

Someone dropped out a kitten near where Amanda lives. It darted into her yard while she and Joshua were outside. Joshua went to get it, and it ran away from him and under his truck. It then crawled into a spot in his truck he could not get to, so he spent nearly two hours trying to lure it out so he could go home. Joshua finally figured it had made its way out and run off while he had been in the house. 

He drove home; and as soon as he got out, he heard the meowing begin again. He tried to lure it out with tuna, but the kitten was too afraid. At my suggestion, Joshua used a board to adapt our racoon trap for a lightweight kitten and baited it with tuna. He was ecstatic when he caught it overnight.  

Now, we have this dark as midnight kitten on our farm. It's warming up to us and gaining weight on its pitifully skinny frame. Our old lady cat continues to decline, and the new additions are helping distract my children from that fact. God is so very good to us. 

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day

to our family and friends

near and far, old and new
close and estranged
We love you!

My family is giving thanks for those who died while in active military service to our country. May their gift to us never be taken for granted. Freedom is indeed very costly.

It is the Power of God

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish 
foolishness; 
but unto us which are saved it is the 
power of God. 

I Corinthians 1:18

Shaking His Money Maker

This is how Clint checked my sanding job on the entertainment center.
I am thankful for a fun loving husband who does not mind dancing with me!

FYI

Last night, Clint and Amanda were parked on the side of the road in a peaceful, rural area. Clint had to un hol ste r to defend himself and Amanda from a man who was growling, gesturing violently, cursing God, throwing his belongings on the ground, and threatening them while he was running in their direction. Clint just showed the man what he had and did not point it or even lift it higher. Thank God that worked.

When I got there, I did not go near Amanda or Clint or make my reason for being there known. I wanted to be a witness. Out of all the other people there, the man threatened me, called me racial slurs, and cursed God over and over to me. 

We live in a very dark world. Ephesians 6:10-18 This life is not a game. Make your days count for God's glory!

Update: 6/11/2019: Gloucester man accused of throwing objects at cars, exposing genitals

Helper Hannah and the $20 Oak Table

In February, I found a nice oak table that had a dark spot in the finish. After a quick test, I determined I could remove the finish and dark spot, so I purchased it for $20. In early April, I had a chance to get outside and work on it and a few other pieces.

 

Hannah (10) gaining experience with an orbital sander on an oak table.

It slows a parent down to allow children to work with them, but the many benefits to the child's character, skill set, and the relationship it grows are well worth it. It also teaches parents the wonderful Biblical characteristic called patience. Young parents, working beside your children is not only good for them, it is good for you too!

 

The not quite, but almost finished result.

I wanted a one step rub on gel poly-stain, but I could not find one in the color I liked locally. Ever the experimenter, I mixed 1/3 stain to 2/3 poly. Again, ever the experimenter, I tried brushing it on, but it left bubbles. So, I rubbed it on like stain until it was evenly spread with no streaks , but, unlike stain, I did not rub it off. I really like the results. This table will serve my family well, and I won't cry too hard when it gets scratched or dented. 

Large families are rough on possessions which helps us parents keep our priorities straight. I have a very, very nice oak entertainment center that has a dark stain from a wet cloth being left on it while I was away. That was frustrating to me because I have reminded the family frequently not to leave wet cloths on wood. At least now they have an "object lesson" with the results staring them in the face daily. I've sanded it far more than it should have been trying to remove the ugly stain, but it is too deep. So, I am going to buy a piece of oak and put it on top with a pretty piece of trim and stain it to match. Having a large family frequently reminds one that souls and relationships are far, far more important than money or possessions. 

H-Bug and Joshua

These pictures were taken in March.

If we don't trust Him to decide, we will never know.

"..I am here to tell you that this life is not our own. This body is not our own. And who are we really living for?

The reality is that God only gives one (maybe three) babies at a time (naturally that is). There is a ten month preparation time. And our fertility isn't forever. God opens and closes our wombs. Menopause does happen. And when it does, we miss what we don't have (I'm sure Sarah went through this phase, yet God still opened her womb at an old age).

God might decide to give you one baby and he might decide to give you twenty. We just never know what He has planned or has in store for us. If we don't trust Him to decide, we will never know. We do have a choice. A choice to live life in our own hands or to trust Him.

...

We can simply live for the culture. By their rules. By their limitations. By their standards. Or we can live by God's. We can live for God. In His best. In His timing. And in His supernaturally possible.

What an honor it is to use our bodies as a vessel to bring forth life God creates. To know that the baby inside of us is fearfully and wonderfully made. That this baby has a plan and a purpose. An eternal plan. A greater plan than we can ever give them. That this isn't our children, but rather God's and we get to be a part of God's greater plan. We get to be the vessel He uses.

As women, our bodies were made for this. He chose us to procreate. He created us to bring forth life. He created us fertile with hearts of mothers. Let's start celebrating the short-lived years of fertility and trusting God to give as He pleases. Because no matter what, every single addition is of great blessing." -Karissa Collins

Read the entire post here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=529900209552&set=a.502815851822&type=3&theater

He Loves Me

To most people, this is just a rock with some glitter on it. 

For me, it was an answered prayer. 
On the back is a reassurance of God's love.
God had someone leave it in a place where I could not doubt it was by His hand.
I can't tell the story here, but I will share in person if you ask.

God can and will use anyone 

and anything to remind you of His love for you.

He will also use you and what you do for Him in the lives of others.

Dear Reader, how will you be His hands and feet in someone else's life today?

A Special Moment

Recently most of our family had the opportunity to hear Brandon explain and defend his faith to a person he had just met. God worked it out so we could be there, and it was really something to see/hear. Brandon's gifts are not with speaking or with interacting one on one. Most IT people aren't very socially outgoing and are stronger in math and science than in language.

Brandon was very well spoken, was very interpersonal, and did a very effective job to help the person understand the point made in the discussion. As the person attacked his faith, Brandon made a very strong case for Christ. The person's behavior became more agitated the more Brandon spoke, but Brandon stayed calm and polite.

All of those years of praying and sowing as Christian homeschooling parents have come to fruition. I shed tears of gratitude to the Lord for Brandon's faith, his defense of it, his ability to maintain his composure, and for the perfect timing that allowed us to witness it. Please join us in thanking the Lord for what He has done!

Please pray for the young man who spoke with Brandon to increase in the knowledge of the Lord and come to a strong faith that will one day also bear witness to others. Pray that God surrounds him with godly people and removes negative influences and ways of thinking.

Earlier Pine Bowl by Caleb

  

This is an earlier bowl from when Caleb first started learning with his lathe.

 

The purple heart wood with the grain shown more clearly after Caleb exposed it to air for a while.

God in All Things

It is only the loyal soul who believes that God engineers circumstances. We take such liberty with our circumstances, we do not believe God engineers them, although we say we do; we treat the things that happen as if they were engineered by men. To be faithful in every circumstance means that we have only one loyalty, and that is to our Lord. Suddenly God breaks up a particular set of circumstances, and the realisation comes that we have been disloyal to Him by not recognising that He had organised them. We never saw what He was after, and that particular thing will never be repeated all the days of our life. The test of loyalty always comes just there. If we learn to worship God in the trying circumstances, He will alter them in two seconds when He chooses. -Oswald Chambers 

It's not what "they" are doing to themselves or what "they" did to you. It's what God has allowed for a reason. Only He knows the reason, but sometimes He may give us a tiny fraction of a glimpse of what He is doing in a circumstance. It could be He is using a situation to turn our eyes back to Him, to grow our faith, to reveal things we need to work on, to turn us from sin, to teach us empathy, to reveal ways we can pray for and be a help to others, to reveal how we harmed someone else and need to make amends, to provide for us, or so on. 

Dear Reader, It is so much easier to praise the Lord when things are going very well for us, but I challenge you to praise Him even when things are very difficult. You can rest assured that both favorable and hard circumstances are allowed by the Father for our good and His glory. That knowledge alone is reason to praise Him even in the worst of circumstances. Seek Him in each circumstance and ask Him what He is trying to teach you through it. Look for the lessons. 

I know some of our readers, young and old, are going through difficult times at the moment. Everyone's challenge is different from the others, but they are all arduous which should give us compassion for each other. Disease, addiction, losses, financial struggles, relationship problems, and more all bring anxiety and pain. 

I wish I could hug each of you and look you in the eye and tell you that God has a plan even in the hardships! He loves you so much! Read your Bible, obey Him, and keep your eyes on Him. Even in the ugly, scary, and disappointing, there is beauty because His love for us and His goodness to us are still evident. 

I am truly sorry for the trouble in your life. I may not understand the situation, but I can understand the struggles. If you need a friend or a break from life, there is rest, companionship, and a cup of tea or coffee at my table. 

You will know more of Jesus in one sanctified trial, than in wading through a library of volumes, or listening to a lifetime of sermons. 

-Octavius Winslow

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:2-8

Homeschool Engine Class: Grade A+

I am really slow getting some of the pictures up. Our three youngest girls finished the engine build kit in two days. For the final exam, Clint put the batteries in it and pushed the button, and it worked! You can see the red light simulating the spark plugs. They got it all right in one try! 

Then, Clint made them each name three parts of the engine and tell him the function. No one could choose the same part. They got all of that correct too!

Later on an occasion where a member of the family was working on an engine, Clint asked Hannah to pick up a piston out of a box. She did so quickly and correctly earning the praise of a man who said he didn't know that much at 25. That made Bethany, Emily, and Hannah glad they learned.

The girls have a good overview of how a gas engine works, and that will help them as future car owners. Since Hannah is so young and Emily isn't near driving yet, I will save the kit to go over with them again in a few years. Then I will send it on to another homeschooling family.

There are people who believe engine repair is traditionally "man's work." The Bible tells us to train our children according to their individual bent. If we do not expose them to a wide range of learning activities, we will not know what their natural talent is. With Amanda, we learned God has passed down her paternal grandfather's very strong mechanical abilities which has given her a very unique opportunity with her employer. She also has a ministry helping other women repair and learn more about their cars. 

In my calling as a wife and a mother, my construction, plumbing, wiring, and mechanical skills have been a tremendous blessing. I encourage you to pass down all of the practical life skills that you can to your children because you do not know what life they will live. It is as easy as letting them work beside you. Start very early. Make it fun. 

Is there something you still want to learn yourself? Do it, and include your children or grandchildren as you learn. What better way to example that learning is a lifelong process that is very enjoyable!

Enjoying Ourselves

Clint and I could not have asked for better weather or a better time for this little getaway! We are minutes from the gorgeous Bethel Beach and have beautiful views where we are staying. It is peaceful, private, relaxing, beautiful and has more than enough to do from antiquing to outdoor activities. We made some great finds in the local shops and found some gifts for family and friends. We have been strolling on the beaches looking for (and finding!) shells and sea glass. We have made friends with two elderly women who hugged us as soon as they met us. We enjoyed the delicious smoked beef brisket at Beach Bum's. We will be home for a short while around 7 p.m. tonight for an important farm sale. We will be home again on Tuesday or Wednesday. 

Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. 

They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep. 

Psalm 107:23-24

Rejoicing in More of His Goodness in My Life

I love being 50 years old and having 11 and 10 year old children.

I am so thankful He led me here to this wonderful, joyful, and very fulfilling place in life! I do not feel like I have missed out on anything, but I do feel I have had a richer, fuller life because of the change in heart God gave me regarding childbearing.

If I had listened to the advice given to me of "Have your babies early, raise them up, get them out of your way, and then live your life!" I would have missed out on so very much joy. I sought the Lord, and He brought me here. I am so thankful!

All of His ways are good! You can safely trust in Him and follow where He leads!

Dear reader, in what areas of your life are you rejoicing in today? What areas can you surrender to Him now in obedience?

Poke a Hole in the Middle of the Biscuit

There are not enough hours in the day to do all of the things I would love to do for my family, so I sometimes compromise like with this canned dough.  I always think of my maternal grandmother, or the lady I knew as my grandmother, when I make biscuits whether from they be from scratch or canned.

One of my earliest memories is of "helping" Grandma Ada make biscuits. I guess I was around 3-5 years old. She did not used canned dough like the ones in my image. She made hers from scratch and let me stand in a chair beside her as she worked in her kitchen with the pantry full of fig preserves and the turn of the century farmhouse sink that had built in drainboards. 

After she had the biscuits in the pan, she flattened them with the back of her fingers and then instructed me to poke a hole in the middle of each one. I did as I was instructed and asked why. She told me it made them cook faster. 

I was all for that because after they were done, Grandpa Floyd would share his treasured molasses. He'd pour that dark, sweet goodness over the warm biscuits. Then, all three of us would enjoy our snack chatting together in the warm and sunny kitchen with windows overlooking the huge pecan trees in the front yard. 

I don't know if it is because of the hole, but my biscuits are always done in the middle when I poke them. I often do it now out of gratitude for the happy memories I have of being with her on her farm when I was a young girl. My girls enjoyed the story when I taught them to do it too. 

One Door Closing, One Door Opening?

I am glad I brought my tablet with me this time! Big, unexpected things have happened today!

5/10/19: It looks like Amanda has received an answer. She came to see me this morning to share where she feels God is leading her. Clint, I, and five of her siblings believe she is making the correct decision based on what she's shared and our family's observations. Thank you so much for your prayers on that. Please keep praying as she prepares to go where He is leading.

Update 5/14/19: Amanda asked me to pray with her that if she was making a mistake, that God would show her clearly. She received confirmation again that she is to close this door. She is going to obey the Lord's leading in this area of life today. Please pray it goes well. Through this situation, her eyes have been opened, and she has a much clearer idea of what she wants for the future. 5/16/2019: Right after she obeyed she received very, very clear affirmation in a big way that she had heard the Lord correctly and gave her a lot of confidence and peace in that. God is so good to His children! Thank you to all who were praying with her. 

5/10/19: A big opportunity has presented itself to Clint and I this morning. It looks like we will be able to walk through it, if we choose. We need intercession on whether we should or whether we should not. We don't want to do it if the Lord is not in it. It is something you have to make decisions and move quickly on and that always makes me hesitant. Please ask God to close the door firmly if it is not of Him. If it is of Him, ask that we are able to glorify Him through it. 

Update 5/16/19: Clint and I felt like God was telling us to leave this big opportunity for someone else and that another will come along at a better time for us when we are not so busy. We trusted Him and walked away. What we learned is that when the time is right, there is a way already prepared for us to go in this direction with provision available that we were not aware of previously. Thank you for praying with us on this!

We Are Away Again

We will be enjoying the beautiful East River in Mathews again from now until Tuesday. (We will be home for a short time on Friday for two farm sales.)

"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 
'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"
John 7:38

Perception vs Reality

A co-worker where my children work was serving a guest their food through the drive through window. The customer snarled and yelled, 

"You look like a satanist!" 

Then the customer continued to tear apart the girl's appearance. The lady was horrible to the young girl for no apparent reason.

The girl was young and new to the job. Choking back her tears, she politely said, 

"I am sorry you have that perception of me. I hope with time you will come to think of me differently." 

She maintained her politeness the rest of the way through the transaction impressing her co-workers and her bosses. 

There are many stories like this 

and this (Faults are Thick Where Love is Thin)

that the boys are sharing with us. 

We talk about them and use them to teach and remind our whole family. I try to share what I can here. There really isn't enough time in the day to write all that they are learning about godliness and life from their fellow employees!

I am so thankful my children work where they are being taught a lot more than food safety, food prep, and the business end of owning a restaurant. Their boss cares that they do their job well and wants to see each employee grow in character while they work there. They are also enjoying working together in a place that loves big, homeschooling families. God has answered many prayers through their place of employment. 

Birds Eat at Night

This isn't the first time I've caught this male cardinal going for a midnight snack, but it is the best of the pictures. I've always heard that cardinals are diurnal, but we keep catching this one eating well after dark.

When I arrive at this house, he will fly around near me and chirp if the seed is low. If they have plenty, he has nothing to say to me.

I attract feral cats and wildlife to this particular property so they will trigger the motion sensing lights and give the place the appearance of being occupied. It is very low cost, but from the feedback, extremely effective. I feed the birds for my enjoyment, but I was surprised by the night time shots of the cardinal.

Happy Mother's Day 2019

I am enjoying today with my wonderful, loving family.
I hope you are too!

Happy Mother's Day 

to everyone 

with a loving mother's heart 

no matter if you have many children or none. This includes those who conceived and lost, those whose child grew and left for Heaven, teachers and social workers who see the hurting child and respond, and fathers who step up to fill both roles. I hope you know your love and concern matters in a child's life, and you are worth your weight in gold! 

The only life people get from their human parents is physical. But the new life that the Spirit gives a person is spiritual. John 3:6

no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers

"Oh that God would give every mother a vision of the glory and splendor of the work 

that is given to her 

when a babe is place in her bosom 

to be nursed and trained! 

Could she have but one glimpse in to the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity; 

could she look into it's soul to see its possibilities; 

could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, 

for the development of its life, and for its destiny,

--she would see that in all God's world 

there is no other work so noble and so worthy 

of her best powers, 

and she would commit to no others hands the sacred and holy trust 

given to her." 

-JR Miller

Relaxing in a Special Place

early morning relaxing

Dear Reader, whatever it entails, I hope your weekend is a good one. 

I will be away until I head home for Mother's Day to be with my loving family on Sunday.

Then I'll work hard for a few days at home before we leave again early to middle of next week for a fun five day romantic getaway in a luxurious, beautiful, and secluded area.

the many blessings we receive after we obey

Love each other as God loves you, with an intense and particular love. 

-Mother Teresa

1 John 4:16: “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."

Ephesians 4:2: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

1 Peter 4:8: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

John 15:12: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Those verses should be goals we work hard within ourselves to reach. It's very hard work in some circumstances and easier in others. As a Christian elder said to me, "The unity of believers is a three legged stool. It only comes with interaction based on love and forgiveness." Remove any one of those three and unity will not happen. Until we can love each other like this, we fall short of what God wants (commands!) from us. In simple words, we are sinning.

God has helped me forgive and then restored the friendship between a man who many years ago sexually assaulted me. He asked me to a school event. An adult was nearby and saw and did nothing. I was not raped, but that was because I hit him hard and fought him off. I hid my torn clothing and the marks on my body. I avoided him after that. His father had power and influence in the town where I grew up so I never told anyone until I told Clint after we had been dating for some time. 

I had not thought about this person for decades, and then, in the last few years, God kept putting him in my path and in my thoughts. I spent some time in prayer and then decided that even though I disliked what he had done to me, and it still made me feel violated, I cared more about his and his family's soul and wanted to make sure he had someone proclaiming Jesus in his life. I wanted to glorify God in this relationship even though it was difficult for me to do. Clint and my older children prayed for me and gave me their support.

I learned he already knew the Lord! Life had taught him some lessons, and he had changed. The man is genuinely sorry for what he did and has felt bad about it for a long time. I also learned what he did to me was directly related to the sinful way of thinking of women that had been passed down. If I had not reached out to him in obedience and with forgiveness I would have never learned of all of this! I would have never known how God changed his life nor would I have seen this wonderful miracle of relationship restoration! My relationship with him is still not what I would call easy for me, but it is getting better with time and online interaction. 

Since then, we have seen spiritual breakthroughs and stumbling blocks removed in both of our families! Long time issues have been resolved and prayers for our children have been answered! This is not the only relationship our immediate family has seen restored in the last couple of years either! 

God's love is the real deal, and because of a relationship with Him, we Christians are able to share His love with others even those who present us challenges and difficulties in loving them. The mighty work of God is breathtakingly beautiful! I am thankful I and my family have been able to witness this faith building, life changing miracle. What God asks of us is so very small compared to the many blessings we receive after we obey. 

If you do what it says, you will have God’s blessing. Never just listen to his teaching and forget what you heard. 

James 1:22-25b

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4

For I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Ascribe greatness to our God!

Deuteronomy 32:3

Flea Control

This is a repeat entry due to a request.

Flea Control: For flea control, we get active at the FIRST flea we see. We do not wait until it is a big problem. We bathe them more often, focus on good housekeeping, use an insect growth hormone (IGR) spray, and permethrin spray. Both of those come in a concentrate that we mix and spray. We also use beneficial nematodes sprayed on our lawn to kill fleas. I have used salt on our hardwood floors (with no ill affects to the sealed wood) to kill fleas. I just don't like doing it because it takes a few days, but it's cheap and worked great for us. Again, we start controlling them before they become a problem, so we don't get a problem. I do not put chemicals on my dogs skin because of the link to health issues.

We have also used guineas for flea control on our farm. They did a FANTASTIC job. We did not see a single flea or tick while we had them. We kept them until they started walking half a mile down the road to visit our neighbors. There were 40 birds, so it was something to see them marching down the road! LOL!