Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Invasive Wisteria

 I was asked for tips to deal with invasive wisteria. 

I have it trying to claim my grapevines and fruit trees. The natural method we have used is to dig up roots and cut them out of the ground as far as possible. The chemical solution is triclopyr which will kill it but it takes more than one application due to the large and aggressive root system. Paint it with a brush vs spraying. That way you can get a heavy application without damaging surrounding plants. I have thought about injecting it into the root with a syringe too.

#10 Socket. If you know, you know...

ClintNumber10Socket

Amanda gave this to Clint for Christmas. He has it in his office.

She loves me

AmandaShowerClean

Love isn't always spoken. Sometimes it is demonstrated.
This isn't where I live. I had been helping out by cleaning this shower.
I had been working on it for 45 minutes when Amanda dropped by. My hands were pretty tired from holding the drill with the brush attachment so 
I went up front to talk with her and catch a break. Then Joshua came in.
As I was talking with Joshua, Amanda slipped to the back and started cleaning the shower for me. She has such a Christ like servant's heart. I love her so much!

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Redeem the Time

One of the books that helped me as a large family and homeschooling mother was Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank and Ernestine Gilbreth. It was recommended to me by a homeschooling father. The book is much different from the very disappointing movie about that family. The Gilbreths were efficiency experts in industry. They taught companies how to do things successfully without wasting time, labor, or resources. Seeing how Frank took his efficiency knowledge and applied it to homeschooling helped me get more done each day. I still use those valuable abstracts in my day to day, and it really makes a difference. I highly recommend the book, which has many hilarious parts, to all young mothers, homeschooling parents, Christians, and anyone who wants to consider how to accomplish more during their day. My love to all!

PRAISE THE LORD!

Katy, a cousin in Florida, and her family are finally moving back into their home eight months after the devastation of Hurricane Ian. They have lived in hotels and homes that were opened to them.

Bethany's New Apartment Part 2

BethanyNewApt5
BethanyNewApt4

I asked her what were the favorite features of her apartment. She said she loves the little built-in shelf in her entry way. She also loves her view of the courtyard.

Monday, May 29, 2023

Still Pointing the Way

CaptainAmerica

The Captain America we found left behind in a camping spot several adventures back is still pointing the way and enjoying the views.

Sunday, May 28, 2023

real value to us if we also are honest with ourselves

"Here [in Psalms] we are able to watch noble souls struggling with their problems and with themselves. They talk to themselves and to their souls, having their hearts, analysing their problems, chiding, and encouraging themselves. Sometimes they are elated, at other times depressed, but they are always honest with themselves. That is why they are of such real value to us if we also are honest with ourselves." -Dr. Marten Loyd Jones Spiritual Depression

Saturday, May 27, 2023

The girl from the farm got it done...

AmandaRescuedBirdatWork

For three days, workers tried to catch this little bird. Amanda went to work and caught it in her hat as it flew by her. She noticed it was very dehydrated, took care of it, and released it.

Friday, May 26, 2023

In High Demand

brandonhome

I drop everything when he comes home because he is only here for such a short time before work sends him out again. He is excelling in his new job and is in very high demand.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Ministry Update with Amir Tsarfati and Mike Golay


The situation in Israel.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

“May those who love you prosper.a

May there be peace within your walls,

and prosperityb inside your fortresses.”

For the sake of my brothers and friends,

I will say, “Peace be within you.”

For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,

I will seek your prosperity.

Psalm 122:6-9

Twinkie and the Mail Truck

TwinkieMailtruck2

TwinkieMailtruck1

Twinkie keeps a very good watch over Amanda.

Transformer Statues

BethanyTransformer

Bethany and her friend Jeremy enjoyed seeing the Transformer statues at Navy Pier in Chicago.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Prophetic Anticipation Builds - Unblemished Red Heifers for Temple Cerem...


When I was around 14, our church held a revival. The speaker educated us about the ashes of the red heifer. I was so intrigued I went home and studied the Bible regarding that topic on my own. At that time, people were looking for the ashes from the temple. There was a lot of speculation about where they would be found. Now, we see how red cows from the US are very close to fulfilling the prophecy! It is such an amazing time to be alive!!

Dear Reader, It is thrilling watching what is going on in our world. God gave us foreknowledge of these events to keep us from being taken by surprise and to give us reassurance and comfort. In addition to praying "Come quickly, Lord Jesus!!" let us also pray to make the very best use of our time left on earth. Let's eagerly look for ways to serve Him by serving others. I do not think there is anything more important right now than sharing the gospel.

Hiding Bodies

PineyHideaBody2

I am full of joy each day I get to work with my two youngest girls by my side.
We have so much fun together!

Sunday, May 21, 2023

Audatious Request

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:22-26

Saturday, May 20, 2023

Bethany's New Apartment Pictures Part 1

BethanyNewApt1 
  BethanyNewApt2 
The accent tile color is light blue but it looks mint green in the picture.
We sent her a blue striped bath mat which matched perfectly.

  BethanyNewApt3

Bethany is living her dream, and we are happy for her!

Friday, May 19, 2023

Yet another batch of Kombucha

kombucha
This is part of the way through the first ferment.
I used Moringa and Black Tea for this batch.

We make two gallons at a time and love to flavor it with pineapple ginger.

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Sunrise over the River

skytothelight

Our home is located on a peninsula on a peninsula if you can picture that. In any one direction, we will quickly run into water. We "spiral" our way out of our neighborhood. We get such beautiful sunrises and sunsets. We are blessed with cool breezes off of the river in the worst part of summer. In the winter, the river gives off heat that helps protect us from damaging frosts. We see such a diverse amount of birds and wildlife. Many of our neighbors are watermen who are willing to give someone the shirt off their backs. We can not see any other houses from anywhere in my yard. We are surrounded by 360 degrees of natural beauty. I so love living here!

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

I pray a lot when he does this

PineyTree

This is not at my home. We were cleaning up someone's property.
He cut the entire tree down. It was full of carpenter ants. We let the logs sit out until the ants were gone and then took the wood home. We will heat our home with it.

Monday, May 15, 2023

begin to do something now

“Let each one of us, if we have done nothing for Christ, begin to do something now. The distribution of tracts is the first thing…When preaching and private talk are not available, you need to have a tract ready. Get good striking tracts, or none at all. But a touching gospel tract may be the seed of eternal life. Therefore, do not go out without your tracts.” —Charles Spurgeon

Back to it

I am spending the day bulk cooking after 10 days away from home with my one and only, Clint. I am also working on returning calls and messages. My love to all!

Mother's Day Left Me Feeling Quite Spoiled

mignonmothersday

This Mother's Day gift gave Clint and me two wonderful meals. Clint cooked everything while I sat in the rocker recliner.

My loving Father and my family spoil me. I am so thankful for their love.

Stay humble

Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. –1 Corinthians 1:27

Loving on Bethany from Afar

bethanyornament

Sunday, May 14, 2023

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day 
to our family and friends near and far, 
old and new, close and estranged 

to all of you 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 matter in a child's life, and you are worth your weight in gold! 

Dear Reader, There is no way any of us mere humans can be perfect in parenting. But, with lots of love and grace on both sides, we can all be outstanding by showing up and giving unconditional love and support. My love to all!

Saturday, May 13, 2023

as safe in battle as in bed

"Captain, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. Captain, that is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave." -Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson-when asked why he would lead his men into battle instead of ride behind them

Friday, May 12, 2023

Prayer Requests


*****

Aug 24: Our dear Mama B is in the hospital with congestive heart failure. They are trying to pull fluid off with large doses of meds so she can breathe easier. She is the mother of a close friend and has been a mentor to me my entire life because of the way she loved and raised her girls. I modeled much of my parenting after her. She has encouraged Clint and me since we were dating and continued to do so throughout our marriage and parenting. Her husband is also not doing well due to lung issues. We texted a little with Mama B this morning. Please cover her, Papa B, and their family in prayer. Please pray for me as I try to support her daughter through this.

August 25: The Lasix is removing the fluid and she is breathing easier. 

August 27: They think something might be going on with her kidneys and are doing tests. 

The hospital she is at cannot do the tests on her kidneys, so they sent her home. She still has fluid and issues breathing. They gave her an O2 tank and told her to see a doctor. She had to call her daughter and SIL to come to help her because her husband is in too much pain to do it. We thought they would keep her until Monday, but she's been sent home. 

August 31: When Mama B stands up or moves around a lot, her O2 levels drop quite a bit. She and Papa B are alone because her daughter had to go home for a doctor's appointment. 

Sept 13: I won't give my opinions on the quality of healthcare. Mama B finally got an appointment had the u/s done on her kidneys.

Sept 23: Mama B does not have anything wrong with her kidneys. They are going to do a procedure to see if her new heart valve is leaking. From the numbers, she has an internal bleeding situation. Her blood is going somewhere.

October 19: She had the TEE procedure to see if she had a leaking valve. The doctor did not see any leaks. The cardiologist says he has done all of the tests he can to determine why her blood levels are indicating a bleed. He has referred her to a hematologist.

Nov 10 Both of them are having respiratory issues. She has bronchitis and is on a third antibiotic. He is having issues due to the condition of his lungs. 

Nov 18: Mama B is on her third different antibiotic. 

3/23/2023: Mama B is still struggling with blood loss but they do not know where the loss is occurring. She has been to several doctors and has made a few trips to the hospital. I have nothing good to report about how she has been treated. Last night, she was told they were going to admit her due to her very worn condition. They came back just a few minutes later and said they were sending her home because they did not have a room for her. 

5/2/2023: She has been to three hospitals in 18 days. She can barely walk, and someone has to walk with her to keep her from falling. The hospitals keep sending her home. At the last hospital visit, they treated her for two unrelated minor issues she didn't want treatment for and sent her home. This lady was medically injured during a heart procedure a few years ago. She has had one issue with her heart after another ever since. Her husband is dealing with his own medical issues and caring for her is exhausting him. Please pray.

3/3/2023: WOW! I asked those who come here to pray and stuff started happening! Thank you to all who prayed! God moved obstacles! A few hours after I posted here on the 2nd, the doctor from the ER called her and said he was looking at her numbers again and he did not like them. He had her come into the hospital early today to do a blood transfusion. They will wait a while and then give her a shot that will help her make red blood cells. Her kidney numbers were off too, so they are going to look at that. Finally, someone is looking at the issue for which she has been seeking help. They also were given a hotel room to stay in so they didn't have to drive so far so early in the morning. THANK YOU, FATHER!! Isn't the God who answers prayer good?! Doesn't prayer just amaze you?

May 12: She was put back in the hospital a few days ago because she was losing blood again. One of the doctors who has seen her recently thinks she is bleeding in her upper GI. Another thinks it is in her intestines. She was then transported to another hospital yesterday where she received 2 units of blood after her hemoglobin went from a 7.1 to a 6.6 in a matter of hours.  She is very weak, and cannot walk or even sit up. She can barely speak and sometimes she can't speak at all. Her skin has turned yellow. They are working to do some tests today to determine where the blood loss is going. This blood loss has been occurring for well over a year, and she has been trying since then to get testing done. She has complained numerous times that something was wrong with her stomach. She can feel it. Up to this point, only very minimal testing has been done. A few weeks ago, she said it is a shame she has had to fight so hard to get tests done to see where her blood is going. 

*****

Aug 5th: Please keep praying for Tim B. who was heavily burned and has been in a burn rehabilitation facility. He is hoping to come back to work this fall. 

Sept 14: No word from Tim B. 

October 12: Still no word from Tim. 

Octobeer 20: STILL no word from Tim or his family about what is going on with him. 

Nov 10: A coworker visited Tim. He is hoping he can get back to work in a month or two.

3/23/2023: Tim is still not back to work. No word on how he is doing.

5/2/2023: PTL! Tim is back to work on limited duty!

*****

5/12/2023: S is still able to work and is doing well.

5/2/2023: S continues to do well.

3/23/2023: S has been able to work some and continues to do well. I am due to get an update on how his latest scans look.

Nov 18:  S's scans show the very large mass has deflated. That is an answered prayer! He is still having some pain. Please keep praying for him and his family. 

Nov 10: He is handling the cancer treatments well and is feeling better. "He is doing great!" were the words his sister used in a text to me. 

October 19: Please cover him and his family in prayer.

Sept 23: A test showed the foot pain is caused by the cancer. They are going to do a PET scan to see if it is anywhere else in his body soon. He is in a motorized scooter due to mobility issues.

Sept 14: His sister is staying with him. He has mobility issues. He is going to the doctor for a scan because they think the foot pain is bone cancer. I do not cry a lot, but this situation has brought me to tears many times. 

August 31: The chemo and radiation are hard on him. He is not able to work.

August 24: They shared another picture with me. The cancer is definitely much, much worse and is oozing. Please pray hard for him and his family. He is still pushing through work each day and still has not told his father. 

Aug 2nd: S is a friend from middle school and high school. I am a long-time friend of his family also. He has metastatic squamous cell carcinoma and is having pain in his bones. He is in a lot of pain and is doing all he can to keep working for the business his family owns. He has not told all of his family yet. This prayer request has burdened my heart so heavily for months that I have not been able to even type the words until now. Please cover him and his family in prayer. Thank you!

I saw a picture of what his cancer looked like on the outside of his body months ago. I was told it is much, much, much worse now and that it is oozing. Please cover him in prayer.

*****

July 13th:

Please pray M, son of a family friend, who is in rehab for the fifth time. Please pray this time works miracles. M is home, working, and on medication. 

Update 8/24: M is still taking his medication consistently. Doctors think the strong THC may have altered his brain permanently. 

Update 8/28: M stopped taking his medication. He flushed it down the toilet. He wrecked his car and was arrested for trespassing. He is in jail. The family is dealing with serious health issues in two members, so they are just overwhelmed by this. Please intercede on M and his family's behalf.

Sept 14: This troubled young man is not taking his medication. He threatened to take his life. They moved him to a prison in Raleigh that has a ward to keep him safe. He goes to court Sept 22. With what I read online about the charges, he will have served all of his time which will allow him to be released after sentencing. That is very troubling for his family who is concerned about what he will do. Please pray hard God breaks through to him. The doctors and law enforcement said he may have damaged his brain permanently 

Sept 23: He has been released from jail due to his time being served. They have him on medication again. Please pray he stays on it and stays out of trouble. Please pray for his salvation.

October 13: He is working and doing well so far. Please keep praying.

October 20: He continues to work and do well. Please keep him in prayer. We are right in the time frame where he usually stops taking his meds and struggles very hard again. 

Nov 10: He is still showing up to work every day. They have his meds adjusted to optimal levels. The family says it is like they have the "old XXXXXX" back. 

3/31/2023: He continues to do very well and has been very serious about his faith.

5/2/2023: He has moved to a new area and is still doing very well.

5/12/2023: He is working and helping his mom pay bills.

*****

July 13: L. family friend, is losing his wife and his house. Distracted by all of that, he made a $77k mistake at work. The boss has not been informed yet. Please pray he does not lose his job and that God saves his marriage and home. 

Update: A walk-through inspection was done on the flooded unit, and there was NO damage! PTL!! Update 7/31: His wife has moved to another state. 

Update 8/24: Both L and his wife have made some bad choices. His wife caused an accident by texting while driving a while back. She was arrested for shoplifting just a few days ago. He was cited for public intoxication. Please pray for them, their marriage, children, finances, and jobs. Please pray my children who are around L will stand strong and influence L for the Lord. 

Nov 10: This situation continues to degrade. They are getting a divorce. Pray they stop drinking. 

3/31/23: They have stayed together and things look to be improving.

5/12/2023: They are still working on their marriage.

*****

October 20: Please pray for S. to give her life to Christ, get free of the drugs, and stop messing up with the law. We have prayed for her before, but here are a few more details to help target those prayers on her behalf. Her mother had a parade of men in her life, and one of them molested her. She is a sweet girl who struggles very hard mentally. Doing some dumb stuff. :-(

Nov 10: Please keep praying about this situation.

3/31/23: Please keep praying for her.

5/2/2023: The Lord gave me an opportunity to share a little of His Word with her. Please pray those "seeds" fall on fertile soil.

May the Lord bless you for the prayers you lift on behalf of our friends. How can we pray for you? Our email address is in the header.



Thursday, May 11, 2023

ChatGPT Response on Homeschooling

 What are the benefits of homeschooling?

Homeschooling, or educating children at home rather than in a traditional school setting, can offer several benefits. Here are a few potential advantages of homeschooling:

  1. Individualized learning: Homeschooling allows parents to tailor their child's education to their individual needs and interests, rather than adhering to a standardized curriculum. This can help children learn at their own pace and in a way that works best for them.

  2. Flexible scheduling: Homeschooling allows for greater flexibility in scheduling, which can be beneficial for families with busy schedules or for children who learn better at certain times of day.

  3. Personalized attention: Homeschooling provides children with more one-on-one attention from their parents or tutors, which can help them better understand and retain information.

  4. Safe learning environment: Homeschooling can offer a safe learning environment free from bullying, violence, or other negative influences that may be present in traditional school settings.

  5. Strong family bonds: Homeschooling can strengthen family bonds and allow for more meaningful interactions between parents and children.

  6. Increased creativity: Homeschooling can offer children more opportunities to explore their creative interests and develop their talents, as they are not limited by the structure of a traditional school curriculum.

It's important to note that homeschooling is not the best fit for every family, and there are potential challenges and drawbacks to consider as well. It's always a good idea to carefully weigh the pros and cons and consult with other homeschooling families or educational professionals before making a decision.

What are the drawbacks of homeschooling?


While homeschooling can have many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:

  1. Limited Socialization: Homeschooled students may have limited opportunities to interact with peers and develop social skills.

  2. Limited Resources: Homeschooling parents may not have access to the same resources and materials as traditional schools, such as science labs or specialized equipment.

  3. Limited Exposure: Homeschooled students may have limited exposure to diverse ideas and perspectives, as they are primarily learning from their parents or tutors.

  4. Limited Accountability: Without external evaluations, it can be difficult to determine whether a homeschooled student is meeting academic standards and progressing at the same rate as their peers.

  5. Parental Burnout: Homeschooling can be a full-time job for parents, which can lead to burnout and stress.

It's important to note that these drawbacks can be addressed by effective planning and preparation, and that many families have successfully homeschooled their children.



Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Waiting on Me

waitingonme

Clint and Penny are waiting on me in the car. Marty was at my feet. She will not get into the car until I do because she wants to make sure I am going.

Handsome man, pretty puppy, loyal canine buddy-all waiting on me to join them...not a bad life at all!


Tuesday, May 09, 2023

New A.I. Old Lie

https://calvarychapelkaneohe.subspla.sh/scpnm9z 

If you are not aware of what is going on, this is well worth your time to listen.

I found a video that shares more about the chatbox he references: 

Daniel 2:43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.

Bigfoot Encounter

SASQUATCH

The girls made a friend while we were on the road. When we stopped, Emily took a good look at it, looked at me, put her open hand to her face, and said, "Ugh, he's not very attractive, is he?!"

😃

Unlike Captain America who rides with us since we found him, we left Bigfoot on the side of the road. (This museum was in Gilmer County, GA.) According to the map at the museum, we were camping inside of Bigfoot's domain. He must not have minded too much because he never bothered us.

We joked with our teens that Bigfoot and Mothman (WV) were fighting the Boogeyman and a Redneck (Deliverance) over who got to keep us. The battle raged as we snuck away in a big old suburban with water tanks on top. :-D

I can honestly tell people I met Bigfoot when I was a teen. That is the nickname for a much older second cousin on my daddy's side. I didn't have the nerve to ask why he was nicknamed Bigfoot. I tell people I found Bigfoot to be a very nice, courteous, and polite fellow. :-)

Monday, May 08, 2023

Love Changes Things

MartyRestingonClint

Marty was terrified of Clint when we received her from bad circumstances. She would try to bite him if he came too close to her. She is missing most of her teeth, so she never did any damage, thankfully! Clint has been patient with her aggression because he knew she had seen ugly things. Three years later, 13-year-old Marty is resting on his arm while we drive. Love makes a difference. Even though she is nearly blind, has arthritis, and can't hear that well, Marty loves hiking. She will spin around in circles with her tail wagging asking to go further.

Sunday, May 07, 2023

Faith is not merely “feeling good about God”

“Whatever dark tunnel we may be called upon to travel through, God has been there. Whatever deep waters seem about to drown us, He has traversed. Faith is not merely “feeling good about God” but a conscious choice, even in the utter absence of feelings or external encouragements, to obey His Word when He says, “Trust Me.” -Elisabeth Elliot On Asking God Why

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
Psalm 46:1-2

Prayer for those facing hard times

 "God, I pray for those who are walking through trials and difficulties, challenges right now, valleys and low points. God, I pray that they would know in this moment, just like Job knew and Job 19, that they have a Redeemer, a defender, a deliverer who lives. And at the last, they, we shall see you, behold you with our own eyes, that you will wipe every tear from our eyes.

And you will take away the old and you will bring in the new. You will usher in a new heaven and a new earth where there is no more sin and no more evil and no more suffering and no more pain. Jesus, we praise you as our Redeemer. We pray, help us to proclaim you to others as Redeemer today. We’re not the only ones walking through hard times. There are so many people around us who need this hope. Amen!" -David Platt

I am the mother of 16.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”
– How Firm a Foundation by John Rippon, 1787

Sarah, Rebecca, Josiah, Angel Noel, Abigail, Benjamin, Mary, Isaac, and Jonathan

This is the day I remember the nine babies I have lost to miscarriage and stillbirth. This is the day I give thanks for their short lives made known to me.
This is the day I give thanks to God for carrying me through the unimaginable.
All His ways are good! He is worthy to be praised!

Saturday, May 06, 2023

Take Motherhood Seriously

"God designed mothers to partner with Him in His eternal work.. It is for the children's sake that we give our lives. We are protecting future generations that they might be strong for the battle of life. We are the real, in-the-flesh, tangible picture of God's loving hands, strong arms of protection, and encouraging words of hope to our children." ~ Sally Clarkson, The Mission Of Motherhood.

Friday, May 05, 2023

Thankful for Clint's Example

looknot2

looknot1 

 Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too. Philippians 2:4

Thursday, May 04, 2023

Boxed Marty

MartyBox

Marty and I had arrived home late. I had a lot of packages to open and things to put away. She was so very tired and kept letting me know with groans that she wanted me to go upstairs so she could go to bed. She wouldn't leave me. She did take over an empty box and give me that look though.

She chose me. If I leave her (or get out of her sight) she cries so much my children ask me not to leave her anymore. So, I try to take her as much as possible.

We've had her for only a little under 2.5 years of her 13 years.
She came to us with a bad history and so many fears.

Love, tenderness, and kindness do wonders.
She's turned into a great little companion and will be spoiled until she passes.
We'll make her last years the best years of her life.

Wednesday, May 03, 2023

Six Reasons I Use Natural Medicine

Frustrated with the ineffective protocols of allopathic medicine to treat an ear infection in my son and also with a severe condition I had in my pregnancies, I received my certificate as a medicinal herbalist in 1999. I continue to study and use that knowledge for my family, friends, pets, and livestock. The following are the benefits that I particularly like about natural medicine:

  1. Natural medicine treats the whole person and the root cause(s) instead of symptoms. It takes into account the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health, habits, and much more and looks to correct imbalances. 
  2. It is a more gentle approach with fewer side effects. One reason for fewer side effects is that when you use a whole herb, one not only gets the target naturally occurring chemical that can improve health, but one also gets the other naturally occurring chemicals in the plant. These other naturally occurring chemicals can help the curative action and/or help protect the body from side effects. 
  3. Natural medicine practitioners use individualized care instead of trying to fit everyone in a standardized box-like industrial health care. 
  4. Natural medicine also places greater importance on preventative care. 
  5. It can also complement conventional medicine. 
  6. One of the things I like the most about it is that it helps shift the mindset of people to one of being their own healthcare provider. It puts them in charge by giving them information that can help them make their own educated decisions.

eternal significance

Few things will last after we die, 

but our children and their children 

will live throughout eternity. 

What we do as mothers, therefore, 

has eternal significance. 

-Sally Clarkson

Dear Reader, I so enjoyed reading Sally Clarkson's books when I was a young homeschooling mother. Through her books, she exampled mothering in a way I had not seen or heard of before. I am thankful for the part she and other authors and role models played in helping shape me as a mother. What authors have you read that have made an impact on your life?

Tuesday, May 02, 2023

rivers of living water

delawareriver
Delaware River
photo taken by Clint

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:37-39