All of Those Children-Seven Short Years

Many people think seven is such a large number when in reality it is not. What is large are the misconceptions about what a large family is, what it looks like, and how it functions. 

While I started having children in 1992, I only had my children in my home at one time for seven short years. 

Children do not stay children. They grow and move out into their adult lives just as quickly as children in smaller families. 

Mr. Monroe-First Class All the Way

Clint and I received a DaySpring card and a handwritten letter
from Mr. Monroe, a teacher from our high school.

For those who wanted to know the difference in this teacher
who touched so many hearts and lives,
it is Jesus.

Please also note he gave a shout-out to the Class of 87. :-)

Excited for Tomorrow!

I love large equipment!

A Sad Update on Past Prayer Request

Update: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/nancy-kenny-emmerling-puche-obituary?pid=198131751

March 19: It breaks my heart and angers me to share this. Around a year ago, I asked you to pray for a friend's cousin who was attacked outside her church by her ex-husband. She had left him for domestic abuse and had a restraining order against him. He ignored the order and was waiting for her near her car at church. He sliced her throat. She was in the hospital most of the last year.

Sadly, she died of complications from those injuries last week. Her ex has now been charged with murder and is in jail awaiting trial. No matter how long he serves, it will not be enough for the terror, suffering, or death of this woman.

Please pray for my friend and the rest of the grieving family. 

Devotional: Fear to Trust

from Open Windows, year unknown

A friend shared her devotional today. I thought it appropriate to share here with friends who are struggling. My love to all!

If you click it, it should be large enough to read. You can also use CONTROL + to enlarge the image.

How I Calmed My Seasonal Allergies with Vitamin C

First posted 9/18/15: 

A few weeks ago, I developed a horrible case of seasonal allergies. It was the worst case I've ever had. I was miserable!

I tried to break up the congestion with a vegetarian diet, fasting, Thai spices, diphenhydramine, various herbs, Neil Med Nasal Wash, sprays, pseudoephedrine HCI, etc. Some provided a little temporary relief, but nothing let me rest at night. I was desperate but could not catch a break from the congestion. A good friend of mine suggested I get a steroid shot to give me some relief. I really did not want to go that route. 

After about two weeks, I gave up and stayed in bed all day hoping to get some much needed rest. I decided to redeem the time by watching a documentary called Food Matters. While watching that, I remembered my studies which taught me Vitamin C at high doses works as an antihistamine. After doing a refresher course in my health and nutrition textbooks and on the internet, I decided to try mega-doses of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid to be specific) and see what happened with the congestion. 

I tried 3,000 mg 4 times a day and had no side effects, but my horrible congestion is gone! After the first night, I felt well enough to get back on the treadmill again! I am a little too dry at this rate, so I going to lower it to 2,000 mg 3xs a day now that I can finally rest. Thank You, Lord for leading me to a simple and quick solution!

If you do your own research, you will see Vitamin C is very safe with very few side effects at high doses. It even has a sort of built-in safety guide. Loose bowels mean you need to back off on the dose a bit. I plan to study deeper about the IV Vitamin C and cancers and other diseases mentioned in the documentary.

*I share this information not intending to replace medical advice. I am simply sharing what worked for me. By all means, seek help from a medical professional if you feel it is necessary. If you choose to implement the same things as I, then you alone are solely responsible for the results. In all things, do your own research and use knowledge with wisdom.

Prayer Request

Please pray for Richard, Clint's brother, who is in the hospital with breathing issues due to CoVid. Hopefully, he will heal quickly and be back to normal very soon. Please ask God to ease concerned hearts and to cover them financially. Thank you to all who pray.

Update: Richard has been released from the hospital. Please pray for complete healing and that he does not have any of the long-term effects of CoVid.

More Scribbles and a Dab

 

In his younger days, Willie owned a fishing vessel named after his second wife, Bessie.

 

I made this after a sweet friend died.

Clint really likes this one. I need to put the Scripture reference on it.

Nine Days Healing Time on Brandon's Poison Ivy

 

 

Thank you to those who have been praying for Brandon. 

There are more spots than this, but this gives you an idea of what he has been dealing with for the last week and a half. He did bathe immediately after exposure, but he did not use the correct kind of soap. Soap* that is made with LYE is very important in washing off urushiol oil. Letting the lather stay on five minutes between three washings is very effective. 

All four limbs were very swollen from the extent of the rash on days two through six. The swelling was alarming for me, his mother, but he assured me he felt fine. 

After nine days of soaking in Epsom salts, using hydrocortisone cream, an herbal salve with goldenseal to keep infection away, and taking Benadryl, this is where he is at. The swelling is gone, and the oozing has stopped. The itch now seems to be from the peeling skin. Even though it looks angry red, there is no infection in the spots. That's just how poison ivy rolls. It will turn to a lighter pink in the days ahead.

If you can not soak in a tub due to time or other reasons, you can put a pile of Epsom salts (and aloe, oatmeal, whatever) in the middle of a clean handkerchief or washcloth. Fold up and secure it with a ribbon or a rubber band. Then you can dip the bundle in a cup of warm water and dab onto the spots. 

*I use to be a soapmaker. True soap is made with lye. The lye will not harm you as it will be chemically changed with the fat in the soap recipe. If it is not made with lye, it is technically a detergent. Body washes are detergents. They are not effective at removing urushiol. If you can not find a bar of soap such as Ivory, Felsnaptha will help remove the urushiol oil from skin and items. The bathing works immediately after exposure (four hours or less, less is better). I highly recommend superfatted goat's milk soap or Castille soap for bathing after exposure to noxious plants.

Bethany's First Sewing Project

Bethany, 17, asked for and received a limited edition (blue) sewing machine for Christmas. This is her first sewing project. She completed it yesterday on her day off. She did not need or receive any help. I think she did a spectacular job!

Prayer Request

Please pray for Sherry, a new acquaintance, who just had a teen child die from an accident. This is the second child she has lost.

It's that time of year...

Depression is a problem for some people at this time of year. Look after yourself and those you around you too.

Here are some DIY things to try. Being consistent in self-disciplining my thoughts and taking supplements has always helped bring me out of a depressed state. Sometimes it took days and other times a few weeks. If self-help does not make an improvement, please see a doctor. There is no shame in taking care of your health! 

There are more self-help tips on the internet, but these should give you a place to start.

Activate your happy chemicals

A happy hormone primer for long winters

Hacking Into Your Happy Chemicals

Salvation is not a reward for the righteous...

"Salvation is not a reward for the righteous.

It is a gift for the guilty.”

Dr. Steven Lawson

Growth

"For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, 

it must come completely undone.

The shell cracks,

its insides come out and

everything changes.

To someone who doesn't understand growth,

it would look like complete destruction.”

-Cynthia Occelli

Three Bests Gifts

I am in a beautiful home in a scenic area along the East River. It was snowing big, fat snowflakes this morning for about two hours. I had to rub the sleep out of my eyes to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was seeing. The daffodils are drooping with shock.

After discussing the crazy issues with the local public schools and attendance due to the pandemic, Clint informed me we have been officially homeschooling for 26 years. We talked about how homeschooling was one of the best decisions we ever made for our children and family. 

I was recently talking with Joshua and told him that giving our seven "each other" was the best gift, besides Jesus, that Clint and I have given them. They have so much fun together and will enjoy their relationships for eternity. 

Joshua said homeschooling them was the third-best gift Clint and I have given them. 

Prayers for Brandon, Please

Brandon has a severe case of poison ivy. His legs and arms are very swollen. The rash is weeping so much he has to wear heavy bandages on his limbs. He is working from home until it clears up. Please ask the Lord to heal him quickly. Thank you to all who pray for my son.

Schedule

I currently have a very erratic schedule. Most weeks, I am home Sunday evening through Wednesday evening. The rest of the time, Clint and I are away from home.

They receive what you give them; 

when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. 

Psalm 104:28

Mindlessly Mothering

First posted on: 5/10/17

Hannah and Emily came running in the house and breathlessly announced that Hannah had seen a "baby snake" at their bike ramp.

"How long was it?"

She spreads her fingers about 4 inches. Kind of small for a snake, but children aren't always the best judge of measurements. 

"What color was it?"

"Brown with black markings" was her reply.

In my state, that could possibly mean a copperhead or water moccasin, but I've never seen one at our place. These are not reptiles I want near where my children play. However, I've learned to be patient and gather as many facts as I can before responding in my decades of parenting.

"Will you please draw me a picture?"

Hannah drew the picture above, and I knew right away it was a Little Brown Skink which is a harmless creature. They can move so quickly; you can miss seeing their tiny legs and mistake them for a baby snake. 

Skinks are very beneficial to humans. They eat the bugs that destroy our crops and pests that invade our homes. I used this opportunity to teach my youngest two about the role of the skink and the God given responsibility of having dominion and stewardship over the earth. 

Now, I am not fond of slithery things, and I certainly do not not want them touching me. If they surprise me, I'll scream so loud you will hear it from where you sit. I'd be quite happy if I never came across another slithery thing. However, I was not given this job as a mother to teach my children about my preferences or aversions. I am to teach them God's unadulterated truth. So, I can't mindlessly mother. Mothering requires thoughtfulness and careful consideration of what God's Word says.

The truth is that we have been given dominion and stewardship over the earth and the creatures on it. We need to take the job as seriously as we do the other jobs He has given us like parenting, ministry, marriage, career, etc. 

If we react with fear or revulsion to every little creature we see, it can lead us to foolishly destroying the gifts God has given us in creation. Then, we lose the benefits God has in place. 

God says His thoughts and ways are much higher than mine, so I believe the benefits of letting creatures, like the Little Brown Skink, alone extend much further than I can imagine. 

I also believe God will bless us for slowing down in the course of our day to consider Him as we go along and also for choosing kindness over cruelty. 

Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Update on Richard S.

February 11: Please pray for our dear friend Richard S. aka Shammy. Clint's co-worker and family friend had back surgery recently and is A LOT of pain still. The doctors say this is normal, but it sure isn't easy.

Update: Shammy's last visit to the doctor was very good. He is healing a bit better than they expected and may not be out of work the full six months. Thank you to those who have been praying for our friend and Clint's co-worker.

Ready or Not Here They Come

The ducks arrived on the 6th. A few did not make it, so we were reimbursed.
This order was for 26 chicks. 

With shipping, these averaged $4+ per chick. Females cost more than males. The minimum order is 25 chicks for their warmth.

So far this year, I have spent $363 on birds. I will recover my investment when I sell off the extras, breeding trios, and future chicks from eggs.

My feed costs are less than most people's because I let my chickens out every morning and lead them to where I want them to eat. They help eradicate garden pests. They get healthy protein meals while tilling and fertilizing our soil. I lead them back into the pen in the afternoon.

Gotta keep the little stinkers out of the actual garden though!!!

Another Morning on the Farm

What a morning! I woke up, reported myself as being at work, and texted commuter report to my family ("heavy dog traffic on the stairs making navigation tricky" :-). I set my laptop on the table in the sunny dining room. Then I sat down to go over finances and see what was on my to-do list for today. That's when I heard Maggie, who was sniffing around the hallway upstairs, make a sound I have never heard her make before.

Concerned, I ran up the stairs and saw Maggie cornered by Frances, a cat we took in as a starving kitten. There was blood all over my little dog's chest and legs. 

For new readers who may not know, Maggie is only five pounds. The length of her leg from her elbow is about the length of your index finger. Maggie is also older and does not have the teeth she used to have to defend herself. She was recently shaved, so that layer of defense was taken away too. 

The dang cat bit her! The bite was deep and blood was rapidly pouring out of the hole and onto the floor. I scooped her up in one hand and put direct pressure on the wound with the other hand at the same time. Blood was soon all over the stairs, my hands and arms, and our table. I believe an artery was knicked.

Frances* is not supposed to be in the house, but I think she slipped in when people went to work this morning. She was given a place on our acreage to assist in keeping the numbers of rodents and slithery things down. Joshua is very fond of her and often takes her to his room to keep him company while he is working on his computer or watching a movie. 

Poor little Maggie was shaking so hard she made the table vibrate. Emily and Hannah brought a towel to cushion where she lay and another to warm her to ward off shock. Hannah sent a text to Clint telling him I might have to take Maggie to the vet if I could not get the bleeding stopped. Fifteen minutes of direct pressure finally stopped the bleeding. As a hobby farm/kennel manager, I keep antibiotics on hand. I have started Maggie on amoxicillin as a preventative. 

Frances has been attacking our other pets lately. She has become very aggressive since reaching breeding age. When I scooped Maggie up, Frances was staring at Maggie like a predator and took steps toward us. I quickly stood up and used my foot to shoo her into my daughters' room and shut the door. Territorial cat aggression is what I believe we are dealing with in Frances. Miracle used to have the same behavior, and we trained it out of her. Mostly. She'd still chase the other pets but would not bite them. I guess you'd say a happy middle ground was reached.

All is well. I was home and was immediately able to give first aid to our injured pup. I now am aware that Frances needs more training. My youngest daughters were able to witness and assist in how to treat a deep puncture wound. We already had plans in place to have Frances spayed. Hopefully that, along with some behavior training, calms her down. 

This is life on a farm. No day is ever the same. I never know what I will be hit with from one minute to the next. It is never boring for long! One learns how to stay calm and carry on. Today was easier than the morning I woke up to see the horse running full speed down the driveway into the road!! 

*I found Frances the cat as an abandoned and starving six-week-old kitten right before a winter storm. She was so thin and cold that she was lethargic. She was terrified of people, but she quickly realized we were allies. This was at the same time my friend of 40 years, Frances, was dying of bone cancer. It comforted me to care for the kitten since, in those last hard days, I could not do anything except pray for my friend. I watched the kitten thrive under our family's care while my friend slowly left. I cannot find the story in the blog. It may have been one I wrote and deleted because it was too difficult to share at the time. 

Update: Maggie is walking just fine. She even chased crows, which are much bigger than she, out of the driveway a couple of hours later.

to the fruit-bearing stages

God doesn't expect you to wrap your mind around how you should grow. He only expects your trust as you seemingly stumble your way through the process, because growth is riddled with constant change and correction. It's through the stumblings in our lives that the Master takes us from the seed stages to the fruit-bearing stages. And it's through our own planning, stubbornness, and need to have our way that we derail ourselves.  -T. D. Jakes Crushing

Be sure of this. Always. Even to the end of the age.

Teach these new disciples 

to obey 

all of

the commands I have given you. 

And be sure of this: 

I am with you 

always, 

even to the end of the age. 

Matthew 28:20

Most people have a pride issue that makes them not want to be told what to do. They don't want to submit or surrender their will for anyone else's, but that is exactly what God is asking of us! It's a struggle! Yet, it is all for our own good!

God's Word is like a compass. It helps us navigate the complicated and often hazardous trails in life. I found surrendering/submitting to His way has reaped rewards and has saved me much heartache and trouble. I encourage you to prayerfully read and contemplate Scripture for each and every area of your life.

Dear Reader, I love how the last part of the verse is phrased three times with loving reassurance that He is always with us. As we head further into the unknown and unpredictable journey of life, that is a very comforting message.

How to Pinion Duckling Wings

 

Excuse Hannah's nails. Generally, pictures are not planned. 

I simply take pictures as life happens.

For any poultry that can fly off, we pinion.

If done properly at the right time (days 2-5), the process is quick and painless with little to no bleeding. Some people think the practice is cruel, but if you speak to people who actually have performed it, they will tell you the young birds are not harmed.

I do not permanently pinion older birds because they will feel extreme pain and will bleed. You can cut the flight feathers themselves. That is a temporary form of pinioning that needs to be repeated a couple of times a year. It is stressful on the birds because of the handling and restraining. They do not feel the feathers being cut.

I have been given free birds from people who did not permanently pinion many times. They had issues with neighbors because the birds roosted on cars and roofs leaving stinking piles. Other birds caused issues when they flew into enclosed gardens and stole the vegetables or fouled pools and private ponds. Some grew tired of cutting flight feathers. From those birds, I received a black eye from a duck as I trimmed its wing. 

Why pinion?

• required by law in some circumstances
• not everyone has an enclosed aviary
• to protect domestic birds from flying off and starving or being devoured by predators
• to protect native bird populations from interbreeding and overconsumption of their natural resources
• to keep the birds from causing a public nuisance
• legal liability
• to protect birds from head trauma/death from flying into aviary roof
• to keep domestic birds from attempting to migrate (they don't survive)
• to reduce the stress and risk of injury for the birds by preventing the need for temporary pinioning (cutting the flight feathers 2xs a year)
• to keep them out of neighbor's gardens, pools, and fishing ponds
• to keep muscovies from roosting on and fouling cars, carports, houses, etc

In the mid-1990s, I raised the first ducks and geese I purchased without pinioning. In the fall, the geese flew away because they tried to migrate. I was told by a wildlife expert they would likely die because, as domestic birds, they were not hardy enough to survive and did not know how to find food. They would also be susceptible to parasites and diseases not previously exposed to if they did make it far enough. That was awful, but I also learned there was something I could do to prevent it from happening again. 

A local vet taught me how to pinion. It is a very simple process. My children have all pinioned a bird. Some of my children were as young as six years old when they did it.

How to pinion:

The process is very quick and simple. The ducklings will resist being held, but they do not react to the snip at all. They do not feel it. 

If I am pinioning in a manner to also help me tell the gender, I hold the duckling either front or back facing so I can pinion the correct wing tip for that purpose.

Only one wing is cut which makes them fly in a curve vs a straight line. This allows the mature duck to still fly to escape predators, but it can not go long distances. 

Prep: If they are in a brooder vs being with their mother, I make sure that is very clean. A clean, sharp, appropriately sized cutting instrument is needed. I have used nail clippers, nail scissors, regular scissors, and small pruners. I clean the instrument with alcohol. I sit on the floor and usually have a helper.

To Pinion: Hold the duckling in one hand. Extend the wingtip and locate the aluna (aka "thumb"). I use my thumbnail to lightly hold right in front of the aluna and snip with the other hand. If there is a drop of blood, I firmly but gently pinch it a few seconds before letting the duckling go. I check them all a few minutes after and make sure they are doing fine. I have never had a bird get infected or die due to pinioning. 

Caleb is very happy!

Madysen and her whole family were living with a family member in VA while waiting for their house in FL. They were exposed to CoVid and quarantined for two weeks which delayed their move. During that quarantine together, good things happened for the marriage. They have canceled their plans to move to FL. They have signed a rental agreement on a house in Virginia Beach. Caleb and Madysen are as happy as can be by the change! Their happiness makes Clint and I happy.

We had suggested Caleb pray that if he and Maydsen should continue that God would open a door. A door has been opened. 

Thank you to those who have been praying along. We thought you would enjoy the update.

Retort Canning

Are any of you doing retort canning? For those who have tried it, what are your thoughts on it?

For Sale: ACV Apple Cider Vinegar

$15 a gallon. 

Bring your own containers. Glass works better than plastic.

You can use a one-gallon plastic milk/water jug for transport, but it can not be stored in those. If you want to buy my containers, it's $15 for the glass gallon jar with the plastic screw lid. You will be paying $30 for the vinegar and jar together.

I was asked if I'd sell some for the health benefits, so here it is for anyone who wants it. 

I have about 10 gallons I can sell. For a price comparison, see Braggs in the grocery store. This is a fantastic deal.

if we would have simply submitted to the process

Cultivation speaks order into the chaos, orchestrates harmony from disharmony, draws care from carelessness, and provides direction to aimlessness. Cultivation carries within its roots the desire to grow and create where an in a manner that growth and creation are impossible. 

Any farmer or agriculturist understands this, but many of us miss the point within our own lives. We choose our own way of seeing, believing, and acting because we think we know better. As a result, we miss our true identity and the blessings we could have had if we would have simply submitted to the process.

God is adamantly invested in developing us into something we would never be without his direct intervention. -T. D. Jakes Crushing

Wanted to Buy: Skirret Crowns or Plants

I have found seeds from someone who seems to know what they are doing in collecting them. I have them stratifying in my freezer. I would like to increase the probability of me succeeding in getting these going this year by buying crowns or live plants. I've been looking. If you know of any, please lmk. Love to all and happy gardening!!

Update on Prayer Request

I recently asked you to pray for a young lady "S" (18 yo) due to issues with drugs. She lost her job over the situation. I have learned more about her home life, and it is not good. I explained previously about the mother's boyfriends and the abuse there.

I learned she was forced to work two jobs, is paying a crazy amount of "rent," has no control over the car she purchased with her money and has no hope of secondary education. 

Being a person who likes to take action, my flesh would like to slap the mother and sh00t that pervert. My spirit says to trust and wait on the Lord while interceding for S. Since I desire to please the Lord, I'm going with that. 

Please pray God sends people to help this young lady know Him better and to help her escape her circumstances. A lot of people would write her off as a problem, but she is in some bad situations, deeply hurting, and has little hope of a better life. As things stand, I have no way of contacting her or getting more updates on her. I've asked the Lord to send her to my home if we can help her. He is able!

Let those who love the Lord hate evil

For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; 

you are exalted far above all gods. 

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, 

for he guards the lives of his faithful ones 

and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. 

Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. 

Psalm 97:9-11

We use a lot of Number 10 Cans

"Use a 15 ounce can not a #10 can." That's something you have to clarify when giving verbal recipe instructions in a large family.

Heron 2

This is where the heron is at. I sketched it which took forever. Then I darkened the pencil lines I wanted to keep and erased everything outside of those lines.* Then I outlined it with a black paint pen. Then I painted it. When I have more patience for it, I will go back over it and try to better cover the pencil and paint pen marks which are showing through. It looks horrible under bright light.

*I watched Bethany do that on one of her drawings and was amazed at how fast she can hone in on and darken what stays and remove what goes! What takes me hours takes her a few minutes. Laborious vs Gifted.

Gardening: Rooting Aid

This is the one I use and recommend. There are pictures in the blog of the results.  Use the search bar to help you find them. 

https://amzn.to/3kFpHVq BENEFICIAL: Helps Plants Grow Healthy Strong Massive Roots Resisting Disease. 

Jim asked for the link, so I thought I'd share it here too. I use this in conjunction with honey.

Today or Tomorrow

3/2: ...something really big is going to happen to our family! Another big step forward!

3/3: It happened! The man in charge LOVES what we have accomplished! Praise the Lord!

Follow Him Even if You Have to Lose Them

There are times 

when to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in our life, 

we must walk alone, 

which goes contrary to our natural inclination. 

Sometimes we must walk away from the crowd, 

even the Christian crowd. 

-A. W. Tozer

Clint and I know this truth and this pain. Nearly every time in our early marriage that we stepped out in faith of where God was leading us, it was met with sharp criticism from the Christians in our lives. Sometimes the Christians in your life can be more hurtful and condescending than the world. 

We could quickly sift out the genuinely concerned individuals from the threatened. The concerned would ask why we believed it was God leading us to make sure we had sought the Lord and His Word. They eagerly read Scriptures, listened to our hearts, and prayed with us and for us. Sadly, not a single-family or church member was in this group. It was different groups of friends, who lived far away, who took this approach.

Those threatened by our choices would immediately give reasons for why they had made the choices they had. Scripture was not a reason for their choices. When asked, they could not give supporting verses for their choice. That doesn't mean we think what they chose was wrong. It means Scripture was not a part of their discussion with us. 

They didn't want to listen to us share what we discovered the Bible said about that part of life and had done no studies of their own. They seemed mainly upset that we were not living according to their life choices. As the years passed, a few of them were convicted in the same ways as we had been and made the same kinds of changes in their lives. We are very close to some of those people today.

God's leading will line up with Scripture. Always. He never leads us to do the opposite of His Word. The Holy Spirit can put pressure on you to move in the direction He wants. In Clint's and my life, sometimes that pressure has been gentle, at and other times it has been very intense.

You can obey and receive blessings for following, or ignore Him and lose blessings because of it. Clint and I wanted ALL of the good things (blessings) God had in store for us, so we tried very hard to seek and follow Him in each part of our lives. We didn't get it perfect. We are a couple of the most flawed people you will meet. However, we opened our Bibles and hunted for answers on finances, marriage, husband and wife relationships, careers, reproduction, raising children, and more. Sometimes we liked the answers and other times we balked before we obeyed.

To my new young readers, I encourage you to seek the Lord's will. Once you have that certainty of His will, follow the Lord without looking back. Even when the trials come, and they certainly will, know there are blessings ahead for your obedience and your faith. 

Dear Reader, Clint and I are in a stage of life where we are both reaping from past choices and sowing for the future. We are more committed to ever to seek God's way for us through studying our Bibles and prayer. We do not regret a single thing about how God led us. In some things, we wish we had yielded sooner! EVERYTHING He led us to has been better than we could have imagined. Again, we aren't perfect people. We still sin and have struggles, but God blessed our sincere desire and effort to follow Him. He will you too. My love to all!

James 1:22 

Do not merely listen to the word, 
and so deceive yourselves. 

Do what it says.

Quail Mothers Long-Eared Babies

Our lonely quail lives with our rabbits. She adopted the bunnies shortly after they were born. We would often find her sitting on them. She will spread her wings in a warning if we get too close. It's really cute when she comes out with them lined up behind her!

Pray for Maleah

Maleah's story and Go Fund Me.

Maleah is a friend's niece.

Look at the Heart and Then Care For the Person

Preston

Kris

There are people very upset about the graffiti on the side of the painted cinderblock wall at our local Boys and Girls Club. They want it removed immediately and the building restored to its "proper" color.

Do you think Jesus would care about the building or would He be concerned for the people who spray painted the building? Do you think He'd see the graffiti or the hurting hearts behind the graffiti?

All behavior is communication. We need to ask ourselves what behavior is telling us about the person doing it. We can't be Jesus' hands and feet if all we respond to is the behavior. We have to look deeper and then go deeper. We have to value people, not things.

This graffiti tells me the young people in our county are struggling with the suicides of their peers. Someone cared enough about the two boys to put some effort into color and design. They also cared enough to help others by adding the suicide hotline number. 

You're going to whine about how something looks instead of caring about the depth of the pain these young people feel? You're going to demand someone paint it immediately instead of allowing time for healing? 

You "grown" "Christian" people might consider acting like the adjectives you claim.

There could be other young people right on the edge of suicide. Can we focus on what is truly important and minister to the hurting? These teens were creative enough to find an outlet that others can also use to pay their respects without breaking any of the CoVid rules.

Do you think the families see this as a "criminal act" or as an act of love and remembrance? Does it help or hurt the families? I think it helps them. It lets them know others are thinking of their loved ones and are also hurting along with them.

If necessary I will buy the paint and do the work to repaint the cinderblocks myself when the time comes. 

For now, can you narrow thinking, self-centered, self-righteous, cold-hearted folks just shut the negativity up, and let the young people express themselves? They have had enough taken from them. They are dealing with struggles you have obviously forgotten and some things you never faced as a young person. 

Let them paint the entire building with every "gaudy" color if it helps ONE keep from following the same path. If you don't like looking at it, there is a simple fix. Some of you are already practicing it with the hearts of the young people: 

You can turn another blind eye.

Timmy

Dear Reader, This is Timmy. We have asked you to pray for our neighbor many times over the years. We have adopted him into our family, and he has adopted us into his. This man is incredible! He has Muscular Dystrophy. He can not get out of his bed without help. He can operate his motorized wheelchair, which he wheels out on hard packed soil to hunt in a field. He also wheels down the road to fish on a pier at a local marina. He feeds himself with what he harvests. Before CoVid, he made wheelchair repairs for residents in a Kilmarnock nursing home. He would also purchase them food and delivered it to them. He is an incredible man, and our family loves and admires him so much!