Bald Mountain in the Snow

I keep my windows down when off-roading unless it is too dusty or raining way too hard. Snow didn't bother me one bit.

We had never done Bald Mountain in the snow before. It started out snowing, then sleeting, then we had freezing rain, and after that was a wintry mix. Then the fog came in thick! 

Cole Road was close to the halfway point of where we had been adventuring in WV. We knew we could camp, eat, and rest there before heading home. The snow was so very pretty! I am so glad we had the opportunity to do it again but do it all differently!

Please pray...

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/gloucester/gloucester-7-eleven-clerk-arrested-accused-of-assaulting-customer-with-baseball-bat-over-gaming-machine-winnings/ copy and paste

Teresa is a person our family has known for 27 years. She is one of the first people we met when we moved in 1995. She has always treated us well and is a kind and generous person. She loved on our babies and still looks out for them today, especially Joshua who gets coffee from where she worked. 

Teresa has had a hard life. She's a fighter. While I am not claiming she is perfect, there is a lot to admire about her and how she conducts herself. In spite of the obstacles in her way, she worked two and three jobs to give her daughter "a better life " by putting her through college. 

When her daughter was married, her new husband offered to pay off the college debt. Teresa said "No, thank you. This is the one thing I am going to give my daughter. I want her life to be better than mine, and I am going to be the one to give her this." She would give us updates on how much progress she had made on the college loans. We would see her after she had worked 8 hours at one employer and was finishing up four hours at the other. As exhausted as she was, she was always polite and very friendly.

After seeing the news, I contacted Teresa's daughter to see if there was anything our family could do to help. Teresa's daughter says this story is not being represented fairly by the media. Based on what I know about Teresa, I believe her.

It would be very out of character for Teresa to behave like this without provocation. Dozens of other people have said the same as they came to her defense on social media. She has an overwhelming amount of support. There has to be more to this story.

Pay attention to the fact that the police were called and when and why. 

Our family has reached out to Teresa and offered to write a letter regarding her character. 

Since I was not there, I do not know what happened. BUT, I know this story is not adding up to what is being put out by the media. Scores of people are standing up for Teresa. Teresa had to have felt threatened to have hit a person. I strongly suspect she was defending herself.  I could be wrong, but until I see proof otherwise, that is what I believe.

*****************

For BOTH parties, we are truly sorry this horrible thing has happened. May the Lord make the truth known, and may His mercy rule over both parties.

Extruded Chaos

I am thankful I do not have to clean this up.

How do they clean it up? Electric chainsaws, hammers banging on screwdrivers, chisels, drills, etc. It reminds me of the ice-busting scenes on Deadliest Catch!

Every bit of the plastic will be reused after being put through a "regrind" process. 

Extrusion: https://www.ptonline.com/news/extrusion-melting-101

How to Prevent or Eradicate Fungus Gnats

I keep getting this question, so I am sharing my answer here:

"I very rarely see one. I think it is because I use hydrogen peroxide when I water. I use a few tablespoons per gallon. If he has a problem he may want to go as strong as one half to one cup of peroxide to four cups of water depending on the severity. They also like moisture so I don't leave any standing water under my plants. After I water them, I wait an hour and then drain all of the extra liquid off.  I give the plants an hour to drink all that they need and for the soil to get fully saturated. Whatever I pour off goes into the pots outside*. I try to use quality bagged soil when I plant in the house because eggs can be carried from the soil. Diluted neem oil will kill them too. When you are trying to kill them with the hydrogen peroxide or the neem, you want to really water them thoroughly so that every part of the soil and underneath the pots gets covered."

*is so the fertilizer does not get wasted

My love to all! :-)

PTL!! Clint and Wendy Made Another $15k in 30 minutes

PTL!! Clint and Wendy Made Another $15k in 30 minutes Cha-Ching!

God provides for His children! We have to trust Him and walk where He leads.

Amanda's Saltwater Tank

Protoreaster nodosus aka Chocolate Chip Sea Star

Mithraculus sculptus aka Emerald Crab

                        Lytechinus variegatus aka Pincushion Sea Urchin

Amphiprion ocellaris aka Common Clown Fish

I took her shopping and bought her the clown fish. They have grown and are thriving!

Hannah went up the mountain to see what she could see.

somewhere in beautiful WV

That hill is a lot steeper than it looks in this picture.
It was easy climbing up but a bit trickier coming down. 

"It's getting 'gloriously dark'"

We’re living in strange days, are we not? When I see what's happening to this world, if I didn't know the Lord Jesus Christ, I’m not sure what I would do. Yet, knowing the Bible and Bible prophecy, when I see all these things coming to pass, they do not shake me. Sometimes they grieve me, sometimes they sadden me, but they do not shake me. That’s because I know God's Word. I know they’re a fulfillment of prophecy. I can say with all the saints, “Praise God, it's getting gloriously dark.”

The book of Revelation is known as “the blessing book” because it’s the only book out of the 66 books in the Bible that promises in chapter 1, verse 3, a blessing to those who study it.

Our hope is not found in studying science books. There’s no eternal blessing in books of politics or sociology. Friend, the blessing is in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the book, the Bible—the Word of God, the Book of the Ages.

But how are you going to know this? You've got to know prophecy. God gave us the book of Revelation to show us the “things which must shortly come to pass” (Rev. 1:1). You're not supposed to be in the dark. You're to be informed. You are to know, so “that day will not overtake you as a thief” (1 Thess. 5:4). -Adrian Rogers

Soft Edges

Oh, the places we go!!

I believe this is somewhere near here.

That big ole suburban went right on over that soft edge on that narrow curve.

Dear Reader, Today is one of my days to get a little time with the Lord. I have been doing this since I was a young wife (before children). I had no solid Christian role models around me, so I would ask the Lord questions and open my Bible for the answers. He never failed me in supplying the answers. I still have the Bible I used while doing those studies with the notes and dates in the margins. My daughters love to take it to their rooms and read it now. I so love where He has led me in this journey of life. 

This is from one of the many videos I have watched so far today. A lot of my friends and some of my family have been sharing how they are struggling with fear and anxiety, so I thought I would take a break and share it now. I found it very comforting and hope you will also.

https://rumble.com/v128q3f-middle-east-meltdown-14-dr-andrew-woods.html

Starting around 32 minutes, Andy Woods gives examples of how God has handled big armies in the past. I found that very comforting! God has many tools in His arsenal and has the ability to handle everything we see happening around us today.

Nothing going on right now in our big scary world is a surprise to Him. There are a lot of troubled waters surrounding us today. We must follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and, like Peter, keep our eyes on (trust in) Jesus.

How to Keep a Cool during Power Outages

I shared this on a FB group and am sharing it here for any who can make use of the ideas. My love to all.

These are just a few of the things I do. 

I use mylar blankets with shades behind them on the windows to keep sunlight out. My house looks like a NASA experiment, but I save on cooling costs. 

I open a window in our attic and let it vent out the hot air which keeps the downstairs cooler as it pulls a draft from the cooler side of the house where I open a window when I see the temperature dropping on that side. 

I open windows on the shady side of the house and close and cover (insulate the heat out) the ones on the sunny side. 

I know to get my work outside done in the morning or evenings if at all possible.

 

Close off the rooms that are on the sunny side of the house to keep the rest of the house cooler. 

Learn how to trap the coolest air in the morning in your house before the day heats up. I know which windows to open to get the airflow right to cool down the whole house quickly. Airflow varies from home to home so what I do will be different than what you do. 

Staying well-hydrated is crucial to keeping the body cooler. 

Digestion creates heat, so eat lightest when it is the warmest. A farmer told me to feed my animals right before bed on the coldest nights to help keep them warmer. 

My family had to work outside doing heavy manual labor in 90F+ with high humidity. The heat indexes were over 100F. There was no power on this site for months. We had a battery bank for the tool batteries and a generator that we would use with a pump to pull water from the well. We also had a hand pump we could put on the well for when the generator was in use at another site. That or stored water in a cooler area might be an option for those who do not have an alternate water source. 

We cooled down in the middle of the day under a tree with our feet and calves in a bucket of cool water from the well. We also applied and frequently changed cool cloths around our necks, on our heads, and around our wrists. Cooling the pulse points (where the blood flows closer to the surface of the skin) helps cool down the entire body. While we did that, we hydrated with bottles of water that we cooled down in well water in a cooler that was kept under a building. 

The effects were pretty impressive and got us back on our feet working. It depended on the day and what job we were doing, but the cooling effects lasted for at least an hour or so before they needed to be repeated. Some days we only needed one cool-down break but we were doing lighter work on those days. 

Sweating = evaporative cooling. It is how the body cools down. Applying water that can evaporate can help your body cool off faster. Using herbs in the water that have a cooling effect also helps. For example, research peppermint cooling spray. 

There are evaporative bandanas with polymer crystals you can purchase. You can tie them to your wrists as well as place them around your neck. 

I researched how people cooled down their homes and bodies before electricity and learned a lot from that. Research window quilts. Many homesteading minded are using those to cut cooling and heating costs.

ABOVE ALL

 Above all, love each other deeply - fervently - sincerely - intensely - constantly, because love covers over a multitude of sins - offenses - faults (missing the mark). (1 Peter 4:8)

Interesting that Peter says "Above all" … The most important thing Peter wanted the church to do was to have a fervent love for one another. A love that builds up and does not destroy people.

Jesus said that the world would be able to identify His disciples because they would see our love for one another.

Is that what people see in us today? -Christian Family Enrichment

Creepy Lil Dude

This creepy little dude with a hat was spying on our campsite. This really made Hannah jump! You don't need to tell scary stories when the fog rolls in...and someone left a cairn nearby.

Hannah on a Rock

Emily on a Rock

the place you appointed for them

Somewhere near here.

The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them.
Psalm 104:8

Five years ago today,

 my cousin Jerry took his life. If you will, please say a prayer for his parents and siblings. 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Hours: Available 24 hours.

800-273-8255

Happy Easter!!

 Happy Eas✞er!

to our family and friends

near and far, 

old and new,

close and estranged

from The Asbell Family!

Dear Reader, As we observe Easter, let us examine ourselves and truly see weak areas that need to be strengthened so we can increase our testimony. Let us live like we truly experience the redemptive love the Father has for us. He offered His only Son.

Father, we ask that You show us our hearts and convict us of where we need to work so we can become brighter testimonies of Your love. Please help us to become resolved to make the changes in ourselves as necessary. Thank You for Jesus and for loving us so very much!

My love to all!

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:19-25

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Community Help: Free Food in Fridges Plugged in at Sidewalks Freedges

 https://freedge.org/

Freedge is a sharing mechanism aiming to reduce food insecurity and food waste, building a stronger community. We promote equal access to healthy food through the installation of community fridges (public refrigerators) that are used to share food and ideas at the neighborhood level.

GIVE

Wanna help a friend in need? Your garden is full of fruits and veggies and you wanna share some? Leaving for the weekend with a full fridge?

TAKE

Feeling Hungry? Planning a grocery run? Check the freedge. Maybe what you need is there waiting for you.

SHARE

Get involved in your community and start a conversation about food insecurity, food waste and the food system. Freedge is a free sharing space used not only for food, but also stories, art and ideas!

Ladder Story

A few weeks ago, Clint was working on a ladder repairing a roof. He was near the top of the ladder, so I stopped what I was doing and stood on the bottom rung to give him more stability. I asked Clint to please be careful with the tools he was setting on the roof so they didn't fall my way. He said, "In all of the years we've been married, I have never dropped a tool on you." Me: "You have come very close which is why I am asking you to be aware of where you are placing them." Clint with a mischievous tone: "If I drop a tool on you, you just shake it off and get back to work." I stepped off the ladder, grabbed it with both hands, looked up at him, and asked, "Exactly how much life insurance are you carrying right now?" He laughed all day over that, but he didn't drop any tools. :-D We met in high school, and I do not think we have stopped cutting up. Being married to someone you can laugh with is a blessing.

You haven't seen tyranny yet.

Daniel 7:23

King James Version: "Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces."

Easy to Read Version: “And he explained this to me: ‘The fourth animal is a fourth kingdom that will come on the earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms. That fourth kingdom will destroy people all around the world. It will walk on and crush nations all around the world.

THIS tyranny is so severe it will take the personal return of Jesus to defeat it.

Dear Reader, This passage is talking about the Tribulation. There is an Escape from that time period called the Rapture of the Church. One must believe in Jesus to escape the Tribulation (Wrath of God.) If you do not know Him, I encourage you to seek Him out today. If you do know Him, I encourage you to help spread the gospel and participate in the harvest while there is still an opportunity to do so. My love to all!

gift that keeps on giving

Snowbells

These were growing on our farm when we moved here in 1995. I have divided and redivided over the years. I have given away so many to different people living in different states that I have lost track. Now, it is time to divide them again.

Courage On Guard

God has incredible timing. Clint and I paid for this puppy and gave it to Brandon as a gift. Girly started declining right afterward. She's lost her hearing and can no longer jump into his truck. She's sleeping a lot more. Brandon named the new puppy Courage. Courage seems to know exactly what he is supposed to do and watches over Girly while she sleeps. God is good. Dogs are useful and fun.

Counting the Blessings

While most men would complain about having to work on a car, my husband gives thanks that his adult children not only desire to hang out with him, but they live close enough so that they can do it often. I am thankful I have a husband who counts his blessings instead of complaining.

Clint's Puppy

Anyone can choose a puppy, but it is more special when you don't want a puppy, but a puppy chooses you!

She wouldn't leave him alone, so he decided to keep her. Clint named her Ratchet.

She's going with something else.

I am truly enjoying my relationships with the young women in my life.
They are in their 20s and newly married or new mothers.
They are strong Christians, eager to learn, and have great senses of humor.
They bring me a lot of joy!
I am friends with women of all ages, but the 20-somethings have a special place in my heart.

Resilience

A friend asked me to share my thoughts on resilience with her. I am sharing what I wrote here for anyone it may encourage or strengthen:

Resilire from which we derive resilience means "to jump back." Resilience helps us get back to living after stressful times. Perseverance means to continue despite difficulties. 

Observation: I know someone right now who has offended many because of the activities (normal life) she is doing right after a close family member has died. They would be happier if she was lying in bed crying all day. What I think many are missing is that she has grown in resilience after each of four major losses of close family in two years. She's traveled the grief road so many times lately, she knows where to place her feet so she can navigate each step a little faster. I've watched her persevere while things were unbearably difficult. She still got out of bed each day and worked and took care of her family. I have seen her grow in resilience in the fact that she can get back to working and caring for her family faster than she did with the first loss which caused her to shut down for a while. She just went through something extremely sudden, ugly, and hard, (nightmarish) through another loss, but it's clear she also knows the value of making each moment count. She's grown in appreciating her life and the lives of the ones around her more. Moments over mere existence. Her confidence in herself has grown because she knows that no matter what life throws at her next, she can survive. She has more compassion and is actively building up others. When she sees a friend with a loss, she is reaching out a hand to them. She is now well equipped to help others navigate sudden and continued grief and sorrow.

One of the definitions of resilience I came across was "to go back to the original." I pondered on that for a while. In science, that is a very useful distinction. Rubber's ability to go back to its original shape after a hammer strike makes it perfectly suited for certain applications. 

In the Christian, I do not think that particular definition of resilience can be accurately applied. If we are being molded through the trials and tribulations of this life, we won't go back to how we were before the blow came. We can go back to the daily routine of living, but inside we will be forever altered by the hard things we go through. We will be made better than we were before!! And that, Janet, fills me with tearful gratitude for a loving Father who gave His only Son and continues to oh so patiently and gently work within me to make me more like Him. I want the resilience that keeps me working for His glory but not the resilience that takes me back to where I was before life sucker punched me.

My love to all!

Make your own cleaner from orange peels

As an herbalist, I have used this tip for about two decades. I just started another jar tonight and thought I'd share in case it might help someone else save money. Why buy cleaners when you can easily make them? Why buy essential oil to make a cleaner when you can easily extract it from something you throw away? (I NEVER throw away citrus peels...too valuable for the oils, vitamin C, anti-inflammatory effects, calcium, etc...and as a cleaner.) I will continue adding peels and vinegar until I get it filled. I use the peels as "soft scrubby pads" on some stains. I strain them off if I put it into a sprayer. Then the peels get composted. I make my own apple cider vinegar too, but consider it too valuable due to the health benefits to use as a cleaner. I used cheap vinegar I got from the store for this. #wastenotwantnot #stewardship 

Don't throw away what you can put to good use. In addition to cleaners, citrus peels are full of things you need...

"Citrus peels are packed with immune-boosting vitamin C, bone-building calcium and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant bioflavonoids. They also provide potassium, which helps keep blood pressure in check, and limonene, a phytochemical that may have anti-cancer effects and can help with heartburn."

from: https://www.besthealthmag.ca/article/nutrition-the-health-benefits-of-citrus-peels/

(Tip: research limonene and cancer on pubmed)